Page 25 of Pretty When She Breaks

My breath released in a whoosh at the sight of him.

He was wearing nothing but a pair of grey sweats and a small towel slung over his shoulders. So much of his beautiful dark skin was on display. He was cut; his pecs and abs looked positivelychiselled, and there was a sinful trail of hairleading down his navel and disappearing far too soon beneath his waistband.

His curls were dripping, just washed, and he cocked a sharp eyebrow at me as that beautiful smile came to his lips again.

“Um,” I said, and the light caught hisfucking nipple piercings, making me lose my train of thought.

Lick.

I wanted to lick them, try sucking one into my mouth while watching his face…

He was stuck in a moment of surprise as he took me in, then he leaned against the doorframe and relaxed. “Hi, cutie,” he said, his smile growing wider.

Cutie? What?—?

Oh, no.

I’d forgotten to take off my ridiculously oversized hoodie. I was supposed to be a picture of class and grace for him, all confident and sexy as I handed over my gift. Instead, I was a small, gormless bunny, clutching her basket and gaping at him.

I’d come here asLaurel, not the Duchess.

I pushed aside my internal screaming and lifted my chin, scrambling to get my cool back, even as my father’s voice raged in my head.You think anyone wants to see you like that?

“I wanted to gift you a favour,” I said, holding out the basket.

He looked at it, tilting his head.

Oh, god.

He was going to reject it.

“It’s a very high honour,” I continued, aware I sounded a bit desperate. “I, um, give it to special guests. That I like.”

He blinked at me.

My cheeks burned, the thick sensation clawing up mythroat and making my eyes sting. The one time in my life I’d actually wanted to impress an alpha, and I’d fucked it up. Of course, he wouldn’t want anything to do with me right now. I was a mess, standing at his door barefoot, with no makeup, and in a man’s hoodie.

“I’ll just go,” I said, my voice cracking as my lip wobbled.

But before I could, he reached for the basket, his eyes crinkling with warmth. “Don’t go. Let’s see what you have for me.”

I didn’t dare step any closer, just held out the handle for him to take.

He didn’t even look at it as he took it from me. A blush was creeping up his neck as we stared at each other.

“So, um,” he said, cupping the back of his neck and making his bicep curl. “Do you want to come in? Maybe we could talk.”

“Okay,” I squeaked, then cleared my throat and tried again. “Yes, all right.”

I gave him a small smile as I stepped closer. It felt so natural, like I was being pulled by a magnetic force. This feeling was new, this bubbling giddiness in my stomach and the swelling in my chest.

No, not new.

Forgotten.

How long had it been since I’d had a moment of happiness?

Not for a long while.