Elena
I needed air.
Halfway through Grayson's speech, I slipped out of the hall, my clutch held tightly in my hands like it could somehow anchor me. My pulse hasn't slowed since the moment on the balcony, the way his words brushed against my skin, the intensity of his gaze, the danger of not trusting myself to keep resisting him.
I told myself I was going to check the catering set-up. Ten minutes. That was all I needed to pull myself together and remember why I was here.
Work. Always work.
The back hallway was quieter, lonelier, the low hum of music fading behind the heavy doors. My heels clicked loudly against the polished floor as I exhaled, trying to steady my breath. The cool evening air hit my skin, grounding me for a second. I believe I'd managed to outrun the weight of everythi
