His Trouble Maker

Chapter 65

Chapter 65

JESSICA

it’s true.

His eyes met mine, startled, hurt before he closed the gap and his lips found mine before i could react, his hands cradling my face like i was something precious. For a moment–one weak, desperate moment–I melted into him, tasting rain and whiskey and familiarity.

But then reality crashed back. I pressed my palms against his chest and pushed, breaking the kiss.

“No,” I gasped, trying to catch my breath. “You don’t get to do that.”

But even as I protested, my hands weren’t pushing anymore. They were fisting in his shirt, pulling him back to me. My brain screamed to stop while ray body arched into his.

When we finally separated, both breathing hard, a chill crept over my skin that had nothing to do with my damp clothes.

“You’re always so unfair with me, Jess,” Grayson said quietly, his thumb tracing my lower lip. “You always break up with me too.”

The accusation stung worse than I expected. “That’s not-”

“it is,” he interrupted. “You run. Every time things get complicated, you bolt. You decide it’s over before we even have a chance to fix it.”

Rain started falling harder now, droplets sliding down my face like tears I refused to shed. Maybe this is moon goddess giving us signs that we are really toxic for each other.

The world around us blurred but Grayson was crystal clear, his eyes never leaving mine as he leaned in again.

This time, his kiss was gentle, almost pleading. His lips brushed against mine once, twice, three times–little questions I didn’t have answers for.

“Do you really want to break up with me?” he asked, voice barely audible above the rain. His fingers found their family heirloom hanging at my throat. Something so stupid and small that I’d never taken off, even when I swore I hated him. “Do you really want to do this?” he whispered, his voice so surrendered, so unlike the Grayson who’d just thrown a man to the ground. “Because I’m not sure I can do this again, Jess.”

“I’m so tired,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “Of this cycle. Of loving you and hating you and being terrified of what happens next.”

murmured

I could. But running away from Grayson

around me–protective even

we kissed. His mouth tasted like desperation and promises we’d broken a dozen times before. How many times had we stood in rain, in parking lots, in doorways, swearing things would

his face like tears.

harder than the storm around us. My

small, lost in

he said, voice flat. “You want out? Fine. I’m

“Grayson—”

Grayson whispered, his voice barely audible over

1/3

Chapter 65

I think it won’t wash how

a strand of wet hair

clinging to his eyelashes, his jawline tense. Was he serious? This is

real?” I finally managed, my voice cracking. “Are

his shoulders slumped

walking away for months,” he said. “I’m just

turned and did exactly that.

the dirt watching his figure

the chaos that followed Grayson everywhere. So why did it feel like someone had just ripped my heart

Fuck, I loved him so much it

the row of bushes to my left. I blinked away raindrops,

heart tripped in

I saw them: two glowing red

caught. Those eyes.

Recognition hit me like a physical blow, followed immediately by fear that froze me in

Not here.

eyes moved closer, and I could make out the vague outline of a