I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. At the time I wrote Monster Stepbrother, I’d developed 2 concepts – a dark one and a sweet one. I’m pretty pleased that I got to write both!!!

If you enjoyed this book, I would really appreciate it if you could take a few moments to leave a review. I look forward to reading it as it really helps an author a lot — especially new ones.

Thank you so much!!

Preorders for Part 2 will be available soon. Please check Amazon. Thank you for your continuing support!!

Take care,

Harlow xo

Copyright

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.

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This is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real.

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Editor:
Ellie Aspill

Cover Designer:
Mayhem Cover Creations

Dedication.

To my beautiful daughter.

The day you were born was the day my life changed for the better.

I love you with all my heart.

To the moon & back...

***

To Ugly Ducklings everywhere.

Every woman is beautiful. You are too.

See the beauty in yourself.

Those who love you already do...

***

1: Grayson

P
resent

Oxford, U.K.

“
Y
ou promised me six years. Six years where I could do whatever I wanted. I still have nearly two months left.” I wiped my brow, tired to the fucking bone. I sank back into my chair, my knuckles white as I clutched the phone to my ear.

The tone of my father’s voice was hard and unsympathetic. “Son, you’re wasting your time. You should be here, working with me—shoulder to shoulder. You have a damn empire to take over.”

He hesitated for a moment. I could picture him grinding his teeth like he always did when things weren’t going his way. His voice softened a fraction. “I need you here, Grayson.”

Pressing the phone between my ear and shoulder, I groaned and rubbed my temples. We’d been over this so many times before.
Way too many fucking times.

There was
nothing
I wanted
less
than to take over his empire.

Frustration roiled in my gut. We were never going to agree on this. I loved my father—he was a good, no . . . a great man. But I wasn’t going to sell my soul to please anyone. I was just as stubborn as him. Ironically it was a family trait that had brought us the success we desired. Whenever we set our minds on something, we worked until we got it. Pity we had polar opposite ideas as to what my future career entailed and neither of us were going to relent any time soon.

“Dad, I hated every second I spent working for you during my school vacations. No offence, but it’s not in my blood. I’m not like you. The thought of mergers, acquisitions, dealings and negotiations make my stomach churn. As much as it excites you . . . it just doesn’t do it for me.”

A heavy sigh sounded down the line. I closed my eyes and imagined him pinching the bridge of his nose. As usual, neither of us was prepared to compromise. Another trait I’d inherited from him: an obstinate determination to do things my own way. Milton Forbes was a force to be reckoned with, he didn’t take prisoners. But I wasn’t giving up on my dream either.

“Goddammit, Grayson, I didn’t raise you to slave your ass off mending broken people. You were born into the Forbes dynasty—your rightful place is at the head of our company, just like mine was and my father before me. Forbes International has been run by Forbes men for three generations and now it’s time for you to step the fuck up to your responsibility. I’m tired of this bullshit.”

Me too
.

The headache I’d developed when I had answered his call just got worse. Slumping forward, I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, willing the pounding in my head to stop. Already ingrained in my mind, I knew what his next words would be before he spoke them.

“Don’t let me down, Grayson. I need you here beside me, learning the business. You promised me that if I gave you six years, you’d come home and stop your nonsense.”

Nonsense?

I ground my teeth together as I pushed down the anger that threatened to take over. I needed to stay calm and in control. If I lost my shit, it would just prove to my father that he was right.

Raking a hand through my hair, I rose from my desk and paced the room like a caged lion. The walls were closing in on me and I struggled to breathe. I loved it here in my tiny loft apartment. It was only two blocks from the university and a stone’s throw from the hospital; this was home to me and time was running out faster than I could handle.

“You’re probably the only father in the universe who isn’t pleased his son won a scholarship to Oxford University.” I struggled to keep the bitterness from my voice. Silence greeted me at the end of the line, giving me a chance to speak my mind. “Do you have any idea how hard I study? I’m going to be a damn good doctor when I qualify. Do you really want to force me into a career I don’t want because that’s what my great grandfather dictated?”

“I didn’t have a choice . . . and neither do you. Sorry to remind you, but your time and my patience is running out. Once you start your career at Forbes International, you won’t have even a second to think about medicine or any other bullshit.” He hesitated for a few seconds before continuing. “You’ll grow to love it, just as I have. This is for your own good, Son. One day you will thank me.”

I snorted. Hell would freeze over before I felt comfortable in his world. Sarcasm crept into my voice. “I guess you don’t want to know then that I’ve been selected for specializing?”

“No, I don’t.” His agitation was palpable. “Listen, the only reason I gave you six years to go to the bloody U.K. in the first place is because I promised your mother I would. I’ve kept my side of the bargain, now it’s time for you to keep yours.” His tone softened suddenly. “I love you, Grayson. I only want what’s best for you.”

The funny thing was, I knew he loved me. He just didn’t want me to stray from the path already set out for me since the day I was born.

His secretary talked to him in the background, something about a meeting he was running late for. Frustration flooded my stomach. I blew out a ragged breath. “I’m studying for finals, so I really don’t have time for this discussion. We’re no closer to a solution and it just makes my head hurt. I’ll be home after my exams.”

“We can talk more when you get back to Australia.”

“There really isn’t anything new to say. We’re never going to agree on this. I’m old enough to make my own decisions about my life. I know what I want, and being part of Forbes International isn’t it.”

“Fuck, Grayson. I’ve got to run. But this discussion is far from over.” My father seldom cursed, so I knew he was equally as frustrated as I was.

I wished I could do what he wanted. I loved the man and I did want to please him. But there was a part of me that just couldn’t give in to his demands and sacrifice my own dreams. Because, as much as I’d inherited my father’s stubborn streak, I’d also inherited my mother’s tenacity.

Persistence was my middle name.

2: Grayson

T
wo Weeks Later.

Sydney, Australia.

Something stirred in the dark. I scrunched my face at the intrusion.

Who could be up at this hour?

My eyes had adjusted to the darkness and I recognized the curvy female frame instantly.

What was
she
doing here after midnight?

This was an unexpected treat.

The taxi had dropped me at my father’s mansion only fifteen minutes ago, and since it was late and I presumed everyone was sleeping, I came to sit in the back garden before letting myself into the house. The flight home to Sydney had been long, and I craved fresh air.

Intrigued, I nestled further back into the cushions and into the enveloping darkness of the lush garden so that I wouldn’t be spotted. She wouldn’t be expecting me, so as long as I was quiet, she’d be unaware I was watching her. I’d missed her more than I cared to admit. Of all the people in the world, she was the one who grounded me, who made me feel at peace.

Should I let her know I’m here?

No. I wanted to watch. I wanted to see what she was going to do next. It was selfish. Even a bit stalkerish. But my gaze was glued to her silhouette as she stood by the water’s edge with her arms raised above her head as if she was trying to catch the stars.

Mesmerized, I watched as she pulled her nightgown over her head and threw it to the ground. Standing naked by the glistening water with her body perfectly outlined by the three quarter moon, I’d never seen anything more beautiful.

“Lala,” I whispered under my breath, careful not to alarm her. It was too late to make my presence known without embarrassing the both of us. She’d die if she knew I’d seen her naked.

I soaked up every detail of her beautiful body and committed it to my memory, it was a sight I’d never forget. Her long hair tumbled down her back and over one shoulder. My gaze traveled Hongrily up the curves of her luscious body, from her dainty feet up her calves and thighs, until it lingered on her bottom. She had the ass of Venus—full, pert and round. Perfect.

I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.

As the cool night breeze hit her nipples, they hardened. Her breasts were heavy and sensual.
Just enough for a handful.

My dick stiffened.

If I were a sculptor, hers would be the body I’d carve into the likeness of my ideal woman. Curvaceous. Soft. Womanly.

BOOK: Sweet Billionaire Stepbrother ~ Part 1

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