Page 146 of Tantalizing Kings

“Yeah, I lost my appetite too,” Alice sneers at Tina. “God, I hate her.”

I watch as Tina walks over to someone and places her hand on their arm. They stiffen and look down. It’s Preston. His blond hair is styled too, a black mask like Declan’s.

I feel sick when I see her take his arm and loop hers through it. He hates it, his whole body locks up. But he doesn’t push her off, or tell her to leave because his parents are standing next to him, talking to other guests. Tina laughs, snuggling closer into him.

“I’m gonna be sick,” I mumble and turn around to leave.

I make it to the door before someone steps out in front of me. “Leaving so soon? Without dancing with me? What a naughty little sister you are.”

“Grayson,” I breathe. While the other guys have their hair styled, he does not. Fuck, he looks good. He has no shirt under his black suit jacket, his shaggy hair is sexy while being messy, and he has on a matching black mask like the others.

“I’ve been watching you all night, Pretty Girl,” he murmurs, brushing some of my blonde curls off my shoulder. His finger brushes against the shell of my neck, and I shiver. “You look fucking exquisite tonight.”

“Thank you.” I swallow hard. This man has a way of making my brain stop working as I get lost in his striking blue eyes.

The announcer takes the mic, letting the guests know that it’s time to present the winners. “Don’t leave yet. Just one dance.”

“Alright.”

Grayson slips past me, shooting me a wink over his shoulder before going over to join his dad, who’s standing with my mom. I should be there too, only I’m not ready for that. It will feel all too real and I already don’t feel like I belong here, like I’m an imposter in their world.

I move off to the side, keeping close to the door in case I need to escape, and listen. I get the feeling that someone is watching me, and my eyes scan the room. I smile when I meet his gaze. Collin is standing in the corner, on the opposite side of the room as his father. His mom is standing next to him, her arm through his. I find it adorable that he brought her as his date, keeping her safe from all the vultures in this room. Carol is single, and from what I heard from my mom, these rich single men want what she has and have no shame going for it.

He winks, and my body floods with heat, my heart fluttering. Collin has been nothing but amazing to me, and it breaks my heart that I can’t give myself over to him completely. I’m torn in so many different directions, but one thing he’s made clear is he’s not going anywhere.But will he wait around until I can give him what he wants? Am I even worth the time?

The auction is officially over and the band starts up. The lights are lowered and people start making their way to the dance floor.

“So, that dance?” Grayson appears at my side. He gives me a blinding smile, holding his hand out.

I bite my lip and slowly place my hand in his.

Fingers locked together, he guides me out onto the floor. “I should probably let you know, outside club music, I have no idea how to dance,” I warn Grayson as he moves me in front of him.

“That’s alright.” He laces his fingers with mine and holds our arms up, then places his other hand on my back and mine on his shoulder. “As long as I get to touch you, hold you in my arms, that’s all that matters to me.”

My belly swoops as we start to move. I’m so nervous, trying not to trip over my feet. I can’t look away from his blue eyes peeking through his mask. I could drown in them for hours.

“You’ve been avoiding me, Pretty Girl,” he says, spinning me before bringing me back into his arms. He holds me close, and I gasp as we continue to move. “I thought I told you to stop doing that.”

“Our arrangement is done,” I whisper.

“Doesn’t mean we need to be,” he murmurs, bringing his lips so close to mine. I panic, wondering if anyone is watching. “I told you, I wasn’t done with you.” He brings his lips to my ear, brushing them against the shell of it. “Think about it.”

He moves back, and I’m whisked away into another set of arms.

“Hi.” I give Declan a shy smile.

“Hello, Sweetheart.” He chuckles lightly. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’m sorry.” A guilty feeling hits me.

“I know you think because you're done with the Host Club, you're done with us.” He spins me, and I giggle before being pulled back into his arms, one wrapping around my waist, pulling me close. “But I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case. I enjoy spending time with you, Sadie. No one understands me like you do. Please, don’t give up on me just yet.”

My smile drops and my heart breaks. I’m about to tell him I won’t give up on him, that it’s not like that when he spins me again, and I end up in Collin’s arms.

“Hello, my little lollipop.” He gives me a cheeky grin. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Hi.” I laugh, almost shrieking out a giggle as he dips me low before pulling me up and crushing me in his arms.

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