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He’s saying everything I want to hear. All the right words. But—
If I give him my heart, I give him the power to break me.
I know Grayson is not Jasper. Yet his affections still scare me. He’s too close, he smells so good — Oh God, I need some space to think.
Nervously, I go to stand up. Only for my heels to catch the hem of my gown, and then I’m tipping backward. My balance is unsteady, and I let out a shocked yelp, panic welling up inside me as my calves hit the stoned fountain. Grayson surges forward, his arm curling around my waist, but it’s not enough to keep our feet steady on the ground.
“Fuck,” Grayson swears under his breath when we stumble together.
My fingers grip his strong biceps as we both topple over.
Right into the fountain.
Stupid Riley, I berate myself in my head. Look what you’ve done now.
My whole body sinks into the sharp cold water and it’s like a shock to my senses. I don’t even notice Grayson pulling us both up. I rise up to my feet, sputtering and shivering from the cold. Helpless embarrassment courses through me, and I can’t even look at Grayson’s face.
My fingers clench the fabric of my dress, my nails digging into my thighs. Stupid, stupid, stupid. You’re a disaster, Riley. That’s all you’ll ever be.
Nothing good ever comes from me.
He’s still holding my elbow, as we both stand in the fountain. “Are you okay? Did you hit your head?” he asks, concerned.
I shake my head mutely. But I wish I actually did hit my head and pass out, hopefully forgetting this ever happened. How much more clumsy can I be?
We’re both soaked. My pretty silk gown is wet, the fabric plastered to my body like a second skin— ruined. His expensive suit is ruined too. My hair is drenched, the carefully styled curls are stuck to my face. I must look like a drowned rat.
An utter disaster to a moment that was going so well.
I ruin everything I touch…
Grayson cups my cheek, tilting my head up to look at him. “I’ll get you home, okay?”
“What?”
“We can’t go back to the ballroom, looking like this.” There’s tenderness in his gaze, a look I’m seeing for the very first time. My heart stutters. “We’ll sneak out and I’ll drive you home.”
“You should stay away from me, Grayson,” I whisper, tears burning the back of my eyes. “I can’t ever do anything right. I’ll ruin you.” I ruin everything I touch…
He cups my face between his hands, his thumbs brushing across my cheeks. “You’re a wild fire, Riley. You think you’re burning everything around you, but in reality, you’re burning yourself. You’ve burned your own heart.”
My lips part in a silent gasp. Grayson bends his head, bringing our faces closer. His eyes are dark, the intensity in them makes my stomach do a crazy flip. “You can’t ruin me, Goldilocks. I’m already ruined. You can’t burn me. I’m already lying in my own ashes.”
My whole body is shivering, the coldness of water seeping through my bones. But surprisingly, his hands…his touch…is warm. I don’t know how that’s possible, since we both fell into the water. I am filled with the urge to sink into his arms, to melt in his embrace, to let his warmth steal the coldness of my soul.
Grayson steps out of the fountain first. His suit is soaked and disheveled, but he doesn’t look any less handsome. His tanned skin glistens with droplets of water and I have the sudden urge to lick them. Thud.
He stretches his hand out for me, and I take it.
Thud.
His fingers curl around my hand protectively as he helps me out of the fountain. I am unsteady on my heels, but Grayson keeps me anchored to him. “Let’s get out of here?”
Thud
“Okay,” I agree breathlessly.
Grayson leads me out of the greenhouse. I sneak a quick glance at our surroundings, making sure no one sees us making our escape, especially in our drenched clothing. Our current state is quite questionable, and if anyone does happen to see us, it will require a lot of explaining to my father and his uncle.
