I should be pissed. Actually, I am pissed.
She shouldn’t be here, in my room, in my f*cking space.
I don’t like people in my space. I f*cking hate it. it’s personal. It’s mine.
At first a form of curiosity bubbled in me when I saw Raelynn sneak into my room like a rat, but as my eyes drop to the picture in her hand, a cold rage swallows every form of amusement I had.
My mother. She’s a forbidden topic, buried six feet into the ground along with her and it’s all because of—
Raelynn turns around quickly her eyes go wide but rather than fear in them she glares at me.
Fuck! That’s it. Something inside me snaps.
I grab her wrist and shove her against the cupboard, the photo slipping from her hand and landing between us. My hand wraps around her throat, not too tight to cut her flow of air, but tight enough to let her know I could if I wanted to.
Her breath hitches.
“Did I invite you in, sunshine?” my voice is low with a dangerous edge to it.
Her stormy grey eyes shine with defiance as she glares harder like she’s trying to set me on fire.
Cute. But stupid.
“The door was open.” She spits.
“So you just helped yourself in?” I grit my teeth, pressing closer.
She swallows but doesn’t back down. “If you didn’t want me to, then you should have just given me back my letter.”
Ah. So that’s my she sneaked in. if she really thinks I’d just leave it out in the open or give it back because she asked then she really is an idiot. Because now I want to find out why it’s so important.
My grip on her throat tightens a little, just enough to make her pulse throb beneath my fingers.
“Do you have a dirt wish. Sunshine? Because if you do, I’d be more than happy to help.”
She inhales sharply, her chest rising and falling in rhythm to mine.
Raelynn shifts against my hold, her body shifting beneath me. a bad f*cking idea. Because now I can feel her, every curve, every inch of her pressed into me. and f*ck if it didn’t send my mind spiraling straight into the gutter.
The scent of her, a rich blend of florals and earthy spices, fills my head, making it harder to think, harder to focus on why I should be angry and not imagining what those breathless little gasps would sound like if I pinned her under me for a very different reason.
My gaze drops to the exposed skin of her chest, and that’s when I see it, the ink peeking out just above her left breast.
A tattoo.
My grip on her throat loosens, curiosity replacing some of the irritation.
Without thinking I reach down and grip the thin strap of her dress down and tug it.
“Grayson.” Raelynn warns but I ignore her my brows furrowed as I read the words.
‘non urlo ma sto ancora annegando.’ I don't scream, but I'm still drowning.
Her body goes rigid. My breath catches at the familiar words.
I drag my thumb over the ink slowly, feeling the warmth of her skin against my touch.
She shivers.
““Didn’t take you for the sentimental type, sunshine.” My voice is softer now, but she still jerks away, trying to put space between us.
I don’t let her. Instead, I spin her around, and press her back flush against me.
She gasps, every inch of her pressed against my front, her a*s grinding into me.
I bite back a groan. F*ck.
She freezes. I grip her hips, keeping her still.
“Feel that,” my voice is a hoarse murmur. “Thats what you’re doing to me.”
“Let go of me Grayson.” She demands weakly sounding more like a plea.
“Make me.”
Her hands grab my wrists, not pushing away. Not yet. A smirk spreads on my lips as I brush my lips along her bare shoulder.
Her breath hitches.
I brush my lips over her bare shoulder, trailing up to the sensitive spot behind her ear.
“You walk into my room looking like this…” My teeth graze her neck. “With your little bodycon dress, your lips all pouty, your hair a f*cking mess like you just got f*cked…”
Her whole body jerks.
I smirk.
“Tell me,” I murmur, sliding one hand down to her thigh, fingertips ghosting under the hem of her dress. “Did you wear this for me?”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “You wish.”
A low humorless chuckle escapes my lips.
“Still want that letter, sunshine?” I hum, my voice dropping lower, rougher. “Because right now, I can think of a lot better ways to put your pretty mouth to use.”
My hand goes higher her thighs pushing her legs apart a bit and finding that spot.
I graze my thumb against it. sh*t she’s soaked.
She whimpers.
F**king whimpers.
I shouldn’t be this turned on. I hate her.
But I also want to ruin her.
I tilt my head, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to her throat…then bite down. Hard enough to leave a mark.
She yelps, body jerking.
I lick over the spot, smirking against her skin. “Oops.”
She shoves me, hard enough that I let her go.
Her eyes are shooting daggers at me. “You’re a disgusting pig,” she spits.
I chuckle darkly. “And you’re dripping for me.”
Her jaw clenches. “Give me the damn letter, Grayson.”
I take a step closer, invading her space all over again. “Make me.”
She watches me for a moment her fists clenching and unclenching in frustration then as if deciding I aren’t worth it, she brushes past me muttering curses.
My eyes follow the sway of her hips as she walks out and slams the door.
“F*ck.” I mutter running a hand through my hair before adjusting my boner. My gaze drops to the photo of my mother.
I pick it up swallowing hard.
She looked so happy. I clench my jaw my throat tightening as well as the grip on the picture.
“Mum…”
The scream slices through the party, sharp enough to jolt me out of my own head.
I tuck the picture under my pillow and head out of my room, push past a couple making out against the wall, shoulder-checking some drunk asshole who stumbles in my way.
And then I see her.
Raelynn.
Drenched.
Her golden hair is dripping, sticking to her flushed skin, her dress soaked and clinging to every curve.
I swallow hard.
She should look pathetic. A girl dripping wet in the middle of a party, humiliated. Defeated.
But no…
She looks like she’s about to fucking kill someone.
Briella stands in front of her, an empty bucket in her hands.
Isabella sits nearby, watching with a smirk.
Ahh, so this was the plan. I tsk shaking my head a grin on my lips.
Raelynn starts to turn away but then…
Slap!
She f*cking slaps Briella. Hard. Briella stumbles back eyes wide.
The entire party freezes turning as silent as a graveyard. Even Isa looks stunned. Hell. Even I am surprised.
Then Briella’s face twists with rage, she lifts her hand to hit Raelynn back but Raelynn moves first.
She catches Briella’s wrist mid-air.
Her voice is low. Cold.
“If you ever touch me again,” she murmurs, her grey eyes burning. “I’ll kill you. And trust me,” she leans closer to whisper something into Briella’s ear.
Briella’s eyes widen and a slow, stunned silence stretches between them.
Raelynn holds her gaze another second, then shoves her hand away. Briella stumbles back, landing on her ass.
Gasps spreads through the crowd.
Raelynn doesn’t even flinch. She turns. Her eyes lock onto mine.
And suddenly… It’s like the world f*cking stops.
Her chest rises and falls, the water dripping from her skin makes my mind spiral.
Her lips part. I smirk at the way her gaze darkens.
The tension is suffocating.
I want to walk over there. Grab her. Drag her back into my room and finish what we started.
But she turns first.
She walks away, her hips swaying, while looking like a f*cking queen.
I groan as my jaw clenches from frustration, anger and arousal.
F*cking hell.
If you've made it this far, just know, I love you and thank you for giving my baby a chance. XOXO.
Raelynn.I don’t bother looking back.I keep my head high, shoulders squared, ignoring how drenched I am and the murmurs that flow in the crowd around me. but most of all, I ignore the way I can still his gaze burning into my back.It’s almost funny how shocked they look, as if they actually expected me to just stand there and take it, like I was supposed to bow my head, smile through the humiliation, maybe even kiss Briella’s feet while I was at it.Idiots.“Pathetic,” I hear a Yara yell behind me. “Even for you three, it’s so embarrassing.”I don’t turn back, but a small smile spread on my lips at her sticking up for me even though we just met few hours ago.The moment I step into my room, I start peeling off my soaked dress, only to jolt when the door slams open again. Yara storms in, snatching my towel with so much force you’d think she was trying to strangle someone.“Thanks,” I smile taking the towel from her. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her furrowed brows and the way s
Raelynn“Pack your bags we’re moving.” My mother’s words echo in my mind as I shove my clothes angrily into my box.This week has been hell, scratch that, way worse than hell. Yesterday, I walked in on the one person I called my best friend, Chloe, and my boyfriend Peter making out.Peter and I were to hang out at his place but he couldn’t because he suddenly caught the flu, being the sweet and naive girlfriend I was, I decided to go over and check on him. Bring him some soup and tissues.I Didn’t need to knock because I know his passcode...one two three four five six, yes, he’s an id*ot.Turns out I should have just minded my business and stayed at home then maybe I wouldn’t have had to walk on both of them right there on his couch, her black hair tangled in his fingers.Worst thing they didn’t even feel bad about it, Chloe just smirked and peter’s excuse? “You’ve been depressed lately, we needed to rely on each other.”I throw another shirt into my suitcase. Depressed? I was only dep
RaelynnMy heart hammers in my chest both from the proximity ad the irritation crawling up my chest.Who does he think he is?The moment I feel his grip relax, I twist sharply and hove him hard in the chest. He staggers back slightly, his expression unreadable.I open my mouth curses ready to fly, but the second I lock eyes with him, all the words get stuck in my throat.Damn it.He’s gorgeous.Brown hair that falls effortlessly, like he’s just run his fingers through it, frames his chiseled features. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and those dark blue eyes...piercing, cold...narrow at me with very obvious disdain.I snap myself out of it.“You must be Grayson.” I force out as calmly as I can.He smirks but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “And you must be the charity case.”The insult lands like a slap, sharp and cold but I refuse to flinch squaring my shoulders.“Says the overprivileged brat.”His smirk widens and somehow that makes him look even more dangerous. He stalks closer to
GraysonThe party is already in full swing when we arrive, loud music, sweaty people and cheap perfumes.Isa disappears muttering something about finding her friends.I walk over to the VIP room wanting some sort of quietness, once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the v*pe from my pocket and take a hit.The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room. This is what I needed.This is what I needed. V*ping always happened to cool me off no matter what was on my mind, which is why no matter how much Edward whines about it I don’t give a sh*it.If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn’t need a v*pe in the first place.Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I’m “damaging myself” or “setting a bad example.” Like he’s ever given a damn about my well-being. If he hadn’t done
RaelynnI’m late for my first day at Kings and Queens High...and it’s all Grayson and Isabella’s fault.First, my alarm mysteriously turned off, which makes me suspect Grayson snuck into my room again after he left. The thought of him standing in the dark, whispering threats, sends a chill down my spine. I shake it off. He can't actually do anything.I really need to start locking my door.Then, my preordered uniform somehow disappeared. While I was tearing my room apart looking for it, the devil twins waltzed out of the house, leaving me behind.With no other choice, I had to take the bus because our driver had already taken my mom and Edward to work, and apparently, the other driver is exclusively for the royal brats.And now, I find out my mom will have to mail the rest of my clothes because KAQ is a boarding school.Just perfect.I step up to the front desk, trying not to look as frazzled as I feel.“I’d like to enroll for a dorm room, please,” I say quickly, glancing at my schedu
RaelynnGrayson stares at me from the driver’s seat, his window rolled down just enough for the rain to drip onto his arm. He is completely relaxed, like he did not just scare the life out of me. His gaze drags over my trembling frame, lingering on my soaked clothes, on my white tank top, now practically see-through.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I cross my arms over my chest instinctively.A lazy smirk tugs at his lips. He looks frustratingly entertained.“You look like sh*t,” he drawls.“Screw you,” I snap, my voice hoarse from the cold and the panic clawing at my throat.He tilts his head, feigning a pout. “You’re the one standing in the middle of a storm, looking like a half-drowned stray kitty.”My fists clench at my sides.I hate him. so much I can strangle him.“But if you want me to leave…” He starts the car, fingers drumming against the wheel.I know he will. He will not hesitate.“Wait,” I blurt before I can stop myself.Grayson pauses but does not turn off the engine. He w
GraysonI flick my wrist, sending the puck sailing toward the net. It should go in. It always does. But today, it doesn’t.The clang of rubber against metal echoes through the rink as it smacks against the post, bouncing away uselessly.I mutter a curse under my breath and push forward, but my passes are sloppy, my movements off. Every time I try to focus, my mind drags me back to last night—to that damn letter.The look of fear in Raelynn’s eyes when I was just about to read the later.She was scared.Eyes wide, chest rapidly rising and falling.It was the first time I’d ever seen her that vulnerable.It only made me want to dig deeper.I was just about it, then the doorbell rang.Her relief was instant. That subtle sag of her shoulders, the way her lips had parted in a light exhale.I should’ve opened the damn letter right then and there. But the doorbell kept ringing.Which is exactly why I didn’t give her back the letter, and kept it with me.A sharp whistle from Coach snaps me ba
RaelynnYou have got to me kidding me.It’s ten p.m. on a school night and there’s a damn full-blown part happening right under my nose. The worse part of it all, is that I actually saw Grayson earlier but rather than telling me he’s turning our place into a club he decided I wasn’t worth the trouble.A8shole.I clutch the novel in my hand tighter as the terrible choice of music echoes through the walls.The door snaps open and a drunk girl starts to come in gagging like she’s about to puke.“Not the bathroom!” I practically fly out of my bed and rush her out slamming the door shut, leaning my back against it.Frustration bubbles in my chest, but my mind drifts back to the letter.Grayson had almost read it, and if he did all hell would be loosed by now. Thankfully he didn’t because Briella showed up but the jerk had refused to give it back.I have to get it back.Just then a plan comes to my mind.Grayson’s at the party probably drinking or getting sucked off in some corner by a poor
Raelynn.I don’t bother looking back.I keep my head high, shoulders squared, ignoring how drenched I am and the murmurs that flow in the crowd around me. but most of all, I ignore the way I can still his gaze burning into my back.It’s almost funny how shocked they look, as if they actually expected me to just stand there and take it, like I was supposed to bow my head, smile through the humiliation, maybe even kiss Briella’s feet while I was at it.Idiots.“Pathetic,” I hear a Yara yell behind me. “Even for you three, it’s so embarrassing.”I don’t turn back, but a small smile spread on my lips at her sticking up for me even though we just met few hours ago.The moment I step into my room, I start peeling off my soaked dress, only to jolt when the door slams open again. Yara storms in, snatching my towel with so much force you’d think she was trying to strangle someone.“Thanks,” I smile taking the towel from her. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her furrowed brows and the way s
GraysonI should be pissed. Actually, I am pissed.She shouldn’t be here, in my room, in my f*cking space.I don’t like people in my space. I f*cking hate it. it’s personal. It’s mine.At first a form of curiosity bubbled in me when I saw Raelynn sneak into my room like a rat, but as my eyes drop to the picture in her hand, a cold rage swallows every form of amusement I had.My mother. She’s a forbidden topic, buried six feet into the ground along with her and it’s all because of—Raelynn turns around quickly her eyes go wide but rather than fear in them she glares at me.Fuck! That’s it. Something inside me snaps.I grab her wrist and shove her against the cupboard, the photo slipping from her hand and landing between us. My hand wraps around her throat, not too tight to cut her flow of air, but tight enough to let her know I could if I wanted to.Her breath hitches.“Did I invite you in, sunshine?” my voice is low with a dangerous edge to it.Her stormy grey eyes shine with defiance
RaelynnYou have got to me kidding me.It’s ten p.m. on a school night and there’s a damn full-blown part happening right under my nose. The worse part of it all, is that I actually saw Grayson earlier but rather than telling me he’s turning our place into a club he decided I wasn’t worth the trouble.A8shole.I clutch the novel in my hand tighter as the terrible choice of music echoes through the walls.The door snaps open and a drunk girl starts to come in gagging like she’s about to puke.“Not the bathroom!” I practically fly out of my bed and rush her out slamming the door shut, leaning my back against it.Frustration bubbles in my chest, but my mind drifts back to the letter.Grayson had almost read it, and if he did all hell would be loosed by now. Thankfully he didn’t because Briella showed up but the jerk had refused to give it back.I have to get it back.Just then a plan comes to my mind.Grayson’s at the party probably drinking or getting sucked off in some corner by a poor
GraysonI flick my wrist, sending the puck sailing toward the net. It should go in. It always does. But today, it doesn’t.The clang of rubber against metal echoes through the rink as it smacks against the post, bouncing away uselessly.I mutter a curse under my breath and push forward, but my passes are sloppy, my movements off. Every time I try to focus, my mind drags me back to last night—to that damn letter.The look of fear in Raelynn’s eyes when I was just about to read the later.She was scared.Eyes wide, chest rapidly rising and falling.It was the first time I’d ever seen her that vulnerable.It only made me want to dig deeper.I was just about it, then the doorbell rang.Her relief was instant. That subtle sag of her shoulders, the way her lips had parted in a light exhale.I should’ve opened the damn letter right then and there. But the doorbell kept ringing.Which is exactly why I didn’t give her back the letter, and kept it with me.A sharp whistle from Coach snaps me ba
RaelynnGrayson stares at me from the driver’s seat, his window rolled down just enough for the rain to drip onto his arm. He is completely relaxed, like he did not just scare the life out of me. His gaze drags over my trembling frame, lingering on my soaked clothes, on my white tank top, now practically see-through.Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I cross my arms over my chest instinctively.A lazy smirk tugs at his lips. He looks frustratingly entertained.“You look like sh*t,” he drawls.“Screw you,” I snap, my voice hoarse from the cold and the panic clawing at my throat.He tilts his head, feigning a pout. “You’re the one standing in the middle of a storm, looking like a half-drowned stray kitty.”My fists clench at my sides.I hate him. so much I can strangle him.“But if you want me to leave…” He starts the car, fingers drumming against the wheel.I know he will. He will not hesitate.“Wait,” I blurt before I can stop myself.Grayson pauses but does not turn off the engine. He w
RaelynnI’m late for my first day at Kings and Queens High...and it’s all Grayson and Isabella’s fault.First, my alarm mysteriously turned off, which makes me suspect Grayson snuck into my room again after he left. The thought of him standing in the dark, whispering threats, sends a chill down my spine. I shake it off. He can't actually do anything.I really need to start locking my door.Then, my preordered uniform somehow disappeared. While I was tearing my room apart looking for it, the devil twins waltzed out of the house, leaving me behind.With no other choice, I had to take the bus because our driver had already taken my mom and Edward to work, and apparently, the other driver is exclusively for the royal brats.And now, I find out my mom will have to mail the rest of my clothes because KAQ is a boarding school.Just perfect.I step up to the front desk, trying not to look as frazzled as I feel.“I’d like to enroll for a dorm room, please,” I say quickly, glancing at my schedu
GraysonThe party is already in full swing when we arrive, loud music, sweaty people and cheap perfumes.Isa disappears muttering something about finding her friends.I walk over to the VIP room wanting some sort of quietness, once I'm seated on the empty couch, I bring out the v*pe from my pocket and take a hit.The familiar burn spreads through my chest, sharp and soothing all at once. I hold it in, letting it settle before exhaling slowly through my nose.The tension in my shoulders eases as the smoke curls around me, blending into the dimly lit room. This is what I needed.This is what I needed. V*ping always happened to cool me off no matter what was on my mind, which is why no matter how much Edward whines about it I don’t give a sh*it.If he hadn't done what he did, then I wouldn’t need a v*pe in the first place.Edward hates this habit, always going on about how I’m “damaging myself” or “setting a bad example.” Like he’s ever given a damn about my well-being. If he hadn’t done
RaelynnMy heart hammers in my chest both from the proximity ad the irritation crawling up my chest.Who does he think he is?The moment I feel his grip relax, I twist sharply and hove him hard in the chest. He staggers back slightly, his expression unreadable.I open my mouth curses ready to fly, but the second I lock eyes with him, all the words get stuck in my throat.Damn it.He’s gorgeous.Brown hair that falls effortlessly, like he’s just run his fingers through it, frames his chiseled features. His jaw is sharp enough to cut glass, and those dark blue eyes...piercing, cold...narrow at me with very obvious disdain.I snap myself out of it.“You must be Grayson.” I force out as calmly as I can.He smirks but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “And you must be the charity case.”The insult lands like a slap, sharp and cold but I refuse to flinch squaring my shoulders.“Says the overprivileged brat.”His smirk widens and somehow that makes him look even more dangerous. He stalks closer to
Raelynn“Pack your bags we’re moving.” My mother’s words echo in my mind as I shove my clothes angrily into my box.This week has been hell, scratch that, way worse than hell. Yesterday, I walked in on the one person I called my best friend, Chloe, and my boyfriend Peter making out.Peter and I were to hang out at his place but he couldn’t because he suddenly caught the flu, being the sweet and naive girlfriend I was, I decided to go over and check on him. Bring him some soup and tissues.I Didn’t need to knock because I know his passcode...one two three four five six, yes, he’s an id*ot.Turns out I should have just minded my business and stayed at home then maybe I wouldn’t have had to walk on both of them right there on his couch, her black hair tangled in his fingers.Worst thing they didn’t even feel bad about it, Chloe just smirked and peter’s excuse? “You’ve been depressed lately, we needed to rely on each other.”I throw another shirt into my suitcase. Depressed? I was only dep