Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
My fingers wrap around the base of her slender throat, my thumb brushing against her pulsing vein. She sucks in a shuddering breath at my touch and my dick hardens.
“Why?” I ask again, my words slightly slurred.
Her lips twist angrily. “Because Grayson is everything you’re not.”
My heart slams into my chest.
“Riley?” Her eyes widen at the sound of her name. From his lips. She roughly shoves at my chest, her sudden aggressiveness causing me to stumble back, letting her go.
She skirts away from me and moves toward Grayson, standing by his side. His body is tense, and his brows furrow with questions. “Is there a problem here?”
Riley swallows. “I was just looking for the bathroom, and um…Colton is drunk. He staggered into me. It’s fine.”
My chest rumbles with a humorless laugh. Grayson’s gaze darkens with silent menace, and he protectively wraps his arm around her shoulder. She instinctively curls into him, pressing into his side. Bitterness courses through my veins, and I suddenly feel antagonistic.
Yeah, fuck this shit.
“Let’s just go.” Riley tries to tug Grayson away.
Not so fast, little wallflower. I’m not done with you yet.
“You know,” I drawl lazily, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans. My lips twitch with a smirk, knowing damn well I’m about to fuck with them. “I had your girlfriend’s pussy juices all over my fingers on Halloween night. I made her feel real good, before sending her back to you.”
Riley gasps loudly, her eyes widening in absolute horror.
Grayson suddenly lurches forward, and his fist slams into my face, knocking me back against the wall. The floor sways underneath my feet, and I hear a distant scream and approaching footsteps. I don’t bother fighting back, because I know I deserve that punch. I was waiting for it, egging him on, knowing full well what the outcome would be.
I see Maddox and Lila out of the corner of my eye.
I hear Riley’s voice, begging Grayson to let go of me.
He grips the collar of my shirt and leans into my face, his expression dark and thunderous. “What happened between you and Riley that night stays between the two of you,” Grayson hisses, low enough that no one else can hear him but me. “Because I know whatever happened, broke her heart and I was the one there to hold her. But don’t ever disrespect my girl like that again. I don’t care what your problem is, Colton. But grow the fuck up and keep Riley out of your mouth.”
He releases me and steps away, his jaw tight with fury. Riley makes a choked sound in the back of her throat, and she holds his hand, their fingers entwined. Grayson pushes his glasses up his nose, before steering her away from me, and I watch them disappear down the stairs.
Lila gives me a disgruntled look.
Maddox shakes his head, displeased with my stupid hostility.
I rub my sore jaw, where Grayson’s fist landed, and grimace. Leaning my head back against the wall, I squeeze my eyes shut.
I know that when tomorrow morning comes…
My sober ass is going to regret every drunken word I spoke tonight.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Grayson — 18 years old
“Grayson, wait.” Riley digs her feet into the ground, and I come to an abrupt halt. Stumbling into my back, a sound of surprise spills from her lips. “I can…explain. About what happened on Halloween night.” Her voice is meek, filled with anxiousness and worry. Scared.
I spin around, cupping her jaw between the palms of my hands. She grips the lapels of my jacket, holding on tight. As if she’s terrified I’ll somehow disappear right in front of her eyes.
I am so fucking pissed right now; I can’t think straight.
Lowering my forehead to hers, my chest shudders with a harsh exhale. “I shouldn’t have punched him, though he deserved it for being so careless with his words. But I should have controlled my anger better.”
Riley blinks.
I know my words sound a lot like an apology and maybe I am trying to apologize. I know violence makes Riley uneasy, and I hate that she has to see this side of me. I never want to frighten her, not with my strength or my fury. Riley doesn’t need to know and definitely doesn’t need to see the violence I’m capable of. I don’t want her anywhere near it.
“Colton made a scene,” she grumbles under her breath, still looking horrified by what he said back in the house. “But let me explain, please. About what he said.”
My lips brush against hers, and she looks taken aback by my sudden tender kiss. “I don’t need to know what happened between you and Colton,” I whisper into her lips, “it doesn’t matter, because you’re here with me now. You chose me.”
“It was never a choice between you and him,” she breathes softly.
My heart stutters.