I take a sip of my martini and don’t say a word. I just want him to open up to me, to feel like he can trust me with his innermost secrets.
“You told me about how your parents died and about your brother’s addiction. I’m sorry to hear about all of that, you know I am. But at the same time, I can relate. Like we said, our dad died not too long ago. His name was John James Grayson, and he was a fucking legend in this town. But now that he’s gone, my brothers and I have torn apart the company. We’ve broken it up into three pieces.”
“Are you serious?” I say.
I knew the Grayson brothers had a competitive streak, but I had no idea it went this deep. Suddenly, I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into by trying to date all the guys.
“Jealousy and competition have torn us apart, Aurora. I’m a triplet, and yet I can’t even stand my two other brothers. I can say in all honesty that I fucking hate them.”
His words hang heavy in the air.
“Jasper, hate is a strong word. Do you mean it?”
“Yes, baby. It’s just the way it is. We don’t get along, and we don’t agree on anything. With our father gone, it’s become more evident just how bad things are. Our family’s been ripped apart, and there’s no way to put back the pieces.”
I don’t know what to say to him. How can I console this man who’s feeling such obvious rage? Such obvious pain? You wouldn’t think from the outside that Jasper Grayson can feel pain, but in this moment, I realize that he does.
I say the only thing that I know is true.
“Well, Jasper, to me, you’re very different from each of your brothers. You guys are different people, and I think that’s attractive. I think you’re attractive.”
His eyes blaze, and he kisses me.
He pulls me in hungrily, and as his mouth finds mine, his teeth graze along my lips.
“You’re mine, Aurora. From the first moment I saw you, I knew that you were mine.”Chapter 27Jasper
Halfway across the lobby, on the way to the elevator, Aurora trips. Her arms flail as she tries to stay upright. My lightening reflexes kick in, and I grab her around the waist, saving her from certain death.
Okay, not death, but a fall on the marbled floor, which can be fucking painful.
She giggles and shimmies her body against me.
“Thank you.”
Her puppy eyes look at me. Red lips invite me to kiss her.
What else can I do but accept the invitation? My mouth finds hers. I use my left hand to pull her toward me from the back of her neck.
A tiny sound escapes her lips, muffled by our kiss. I push my tongue against hers and engage in a rapturous dance. We’re obsessed, into each other, and having a fucking fantastic time.
At last, I pull away from her, though I hate to do it. She laughs, and I love the way a hint of pink has snuck into her cheeks.
My thumb traces the outline of her lips, and she bites the tip of it.
With a forceful grab of her right wrist, I propel her forward again. Time to get into the penthouse—otherwise I might just fuck her right here.
While we wait for the elevator to come, she wraps her arms around my neck and lifts her chin.
“Did I thank you for this evening already?”
I shake my head. “Not properly anyway. You know what they say?”
Aurora shakes her head. “What do they say?”
The way she looks at me melts my fucking heart. It’s fucking amazing, the effect she has on me. I mean, I’m a tough Grayson. My eyes move steel, and my voice shatters glass.
When I speak, people listen. When I say jump, people ask how high.
But when I look at this woman, I turn into something else. She makes me into a better man. She pulls forth the best version of me—and I think I like it.
Let’s hope she never works out how much fucking power she has.
“Action speaks louder than words.”
Her eyes seem to widen even more, if that’s even possible.
“Really? I wonder what action I could use to show my thanks?”
My hand rests on her ass, and I give it a firm squeeze.
“I can think of a few…actions.”
The elevator arrives, and I pull her behind me into the small space. As soon as the door closes, my lips are back on hers. My hands have taken on a life of their own and push up her top to find those delicious, hard nipples.
At the same time, her fingers are fumbling with the button on my pants. Just as she’s able to undo it, the doors open.
As is my want, I act decisively. Instead of walking out with Aurora in tow, I pick her up. I’m like that in all aspects of my life—when a quick decision is needed, I make it.