ailored white shirt and black trousers that accentuated his long, powerf

ing street, he was im

s that highlighted her every curve. Her delicate features and

oman slipped her hand into the crook of Grayson'

aky breath and slowly lowered the magazin

suddenly stopped and turned, his gaze lo

ng eyes sent a chill down her spine, maki

oked, Grayson turned away, his

to her feet, her voice hurried as she addressed Ja

fore she grabbed her belongings and rushed t

t sank. Grayson and the woman were now di

tening around her purse before she forc

white knee-length dress before settling on her slightly pale face.

her tone sweet and laced with curiosity. Her wide,

ifferent, his voice

essing, her smile charming yet faintly co

ith a graceful smile. "Hi, I'm Mai

the introduction t

t the Wheeler Mansi

by everyone. Even Grayson, who rarely showed inter

tual sunlight, while Cathryn felt like a shad

approached hurriedly, holding out he

uickly, her voice

ardly, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush

, Cathryn accepted his re

ayson's gaze darkened, his express

ssmate?" Grayson asked, hi

swered cheerfully, "Oh, no. We're on a b

gerously low as his eyes narrowed. A glint of somethin

fingers trembling as she claspe

o, he's just a regular classmate. Grayson, Ms. Andrews, you t

grabbed Jackson's arm and hurried

k over his shoulder. "That guy is so young and ridicul

ackson's face bore a faint resemblance to someone etched in

. Barnett, you'd be better off staying away from me. Delete m

ing as if to ask why, but Cathryn had already tur

from the sky. Cathryn hadn't gone far when the heavens opened

she searched frantically for cover. Finding none, she was forced to tak

sped down the street, its tires splashing wa

or swung open. A cold, low voice cut thro

rain, Cathryn recogniz

asually on the edge of the car w

on her like an invisible weight, his commanding aura mak

ed, her heart pounding as the

ook a step back before turn

figure disappear into the rain

Rylan shifted uneasily in his seat before spe

ze remained fixed on the rain-drenched road where she had f

until Grayson's car was no longer in sight. Only then did she let out a sh

unsettling thought gripped her: Grayson seeme

't lessened. Without an umbrella, she stumbled

gone now burned hotter, leav

r-darkness, with only faint traces of outside light seepin

p clothes clung to her skin, and the hunger g

gripped the rusted railing for support, inchi

she had left her purse at the café. All she had in her h

ps as she slid down the wall,

ard whenever Grayson was involved? Nothing g

gone. Her phon

it for the rain to ease and

when the faint sound of footsteps echoe

f to lift it slightly. A tall, upright figure emerged

her, crisp and familiar, wrapping around

ecognition set in, jolt

, she stammered, her v

his gaze locked onto her

her delicate features and emphasizing t

e fever, drew his attention and held it, spar

en them with slow deliberation. His voice was low and commanding,