Page 167 of The Curse Trilogy

Grayson. He knows he’s a runaway.

“Where’s Ms. Crush staying?” Hale asks curiously.

“Next door, Sir. She requested a three bedroom, but there was only a two bedroom available.”

Balls. Busted.

“Fuck,” Hale gripes.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she murmurs in embarrassment. “I really tried to find one.”

“It’s not that, Wendy. By chance, is the room next door padded?”

“No… Sir… Should it be?”

I run to the bathroom, and flip on the shower to act as though that’s where I’ve been this whole time. I quickly jump in, and then I drench my hair as thoroughly as I can. I flip off the water, and wrap a towel around me. I don’t hear Clay, Hale, or Wendy anymore, and I sigh out in relief when they possibly heard the shower through the walls.

When I escape the bathroom, Hale is comfortably laid back the couch. I squeal in surprise considering I somehow never heard him come in, and he seems to sigh out in relief when he feels as though he has avoided my eavesdropping ears.

Wrong, Hale Banner. So wrong.

“How long have you been back?” he pries.

I cling to my towel as my wet hair drips in small streams down my chest, and I fight my smile when I see his eyes lingering in all the wrong places.

“Not long. The kids went to the cafeteria, and I decided to take a long, hot shower. What the hell are you doing breaking in?” I ask with irritation lacing my tone, and I see him take a deep breath while visibly relaxing - fully convinced I’ve not heard a thing.

“I came to bring you something to eat. I need to talk to you about Grayson. I won’t reveal anything you say to Clay, but is he the reason Heddlebrook burned to the ground?”

I step into the living area while clutching my towel tighter.

“He is, but they beat the hell out of him. You know what I did to Cheyenne. It doesn’t mean he’s dangerous, it just means he’s scared,” I murmur softly.

“Cheyenne was a hell hole full of filth. Heddlebrook had some good people who died. No full bloods were left standing, and not all of them were anti-hybrid.”

“Did you live there?”

“No, but-”

“Then you don’t know. He suffered. That’s all I need to know. His savage did it, not him. You know as well as I do what happens when we reach that point. He needs my help, and I’m going to take care of him and Angelica. You know I’m the best person to help him through this.”

“I know you are, but-”

“But nothing. I need to get dressed. Thanks for the food,” I murmur softly, and I walk over to open the door in an effort to usher him out.

He slowly stands, and his tie dangles in the sexiest way imaginable as he walks toward me. His eyes stare into mine, and suddenly his lips are folded over mine. My towel slides, and my hands grip the back of his neck as he pushes against me. His scorching hands sizzle against my rising tempered body, and I jump up to wrap my legs around him.

His hands grip my ass and my hair as he pulls me closer. His belt digs into me, and I start using my gift to unravel it very carefully so as not to spook my hybrid.

What am I doing?

Suddenly I hear Grayson in the hallway, his breaths ragged, trembling, and all around terrified as he screams for me.

“Araya, I need you!”

“Fuck,” Hale growls, and he rips free from me while coughing out his frustrations.

I grab my robe from the couch, and then I wrap up before running out to check on the commotion. I gasp when I see Angelica sprawled out in his arms, and I dash to his side.