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.