Page 119 of Eight Count Heat
She stands, moving close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off her skin. "Gray?"
"Yeah?"
"If I do this, if I help you tonight... I want something in return."
"Name it."
"When this is over, when my suppressants arrive and things go back to normal, I want honest answers. About why you really asked me. About what you want from me."
The request catches me off guard with its directness. No games, no manipulation, just a straightforward demand for truth.
"Deal," I say.
She rises on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "Pick me up at five-thirty. And Gray? Try not to look so worried. I can handle your parents."
As she leaves the equipment room, I'm left wondering what the hell I've just set in motion. Taking Reese to meet my parents feels like introducing a lit match to gasoline—exciting and potentially explosive.
But as I think about Katherine Kincaid's practiced smile and my father's expectations, I realize I'm looking forward to tonight for the first time in years.
Reese Callahan is about to meet the Lockwood family. They have no idea what's coming.
Neither do I.
chapter THIRTY-THREE
Reese
Istare at myreflection in my dorm room mirror, trying to decide if I've lost my mind completely.
It feels strange being back in this room after spending last night at the hotel. Campus security changed the locks this morning, and whatever my father said to the administration after the break-in has them treating my safety like a federal case. I still don't know who called him claiming to be from Westlake, but the result is the same—I'm back in my space, surrounded by familiar things instead of sterile hotel furniture.
The black cocktail dress I've chosen fits perfectly, hitting just above my knees with a subtle V-neck that's elegant without being provocative. The fabric is expensive enough to pass muster with Gray's mother, understated enough not to overshadow her, and familiar enough that I feel like myself wearing it. I've paired it with simple pearl earrings and a matching bracelet—classic,conservative, exactly what a wealthy family would expect from a potential daughter-in-law.
Which is ridiculous, because I'm not a potential anything. I'm just helping Gray avoid an unwanted setup while getting a distraction from my heat.
Right?
I smooth the skirt down and check my appearance one more time. My hair is pulled back in a sleek chignon, makeup subtle but polished. I look like the perfect picture of a well-bred young woman from a good family. The kind of person who knows which fork to use and how to make small talk about charity galas and summer houses.
The kind of person I used to be, before I decided to forge my own path.
My heat simmers beneath the surface, manageable for now but building steadily. Bo's help last night provided temporary relief, but I can already feel the familiar restlessness returning. Gray's promise echoes in my mind—if my heat spikes during dinner, we'll leave immediately. No questions asked.
The thought of him taking care of me sends a flutter through my stomach that has nothing to do with my biology and everything to do with the way he looked at me in the equipment room. Like I was something precious. Something worth protecting.
I check my phone: 5:25 PM. Gray will be here any minute.
A soft knock at my door makes me jump. "It's me," his voice calls through the wood.
I open the door and watch his expression change as he takes in my appearance. His steel gray eyes darken, traveling from myface down to my heels and back up again with an intensity that makes my skin flush.
"You look..." He pauses, seeming to search for words. "Perfect."
"For fooling your parents, you mean," I say, but there's no bite behind it.
"For everything," he says quietly.
The simple statement hits me harder than it should. I grab my clutch and wrap, needing something to do with my hands. "Shall we go lie to your family about our relationship?"
