21 | into the jungle

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We pull off the highway and into a city I don't recognize. Several small motels line the road and I keep wondering which one we're staying at. But we pass every single one, driving deeper into the bustling city. As we drive further, the hotels seem to just get taller and the streetlights get brighter, illuminating the city's night-life.

I blink and suddenly we're pulling under a grand awning, stopping in front of impossibly shiny glass doors. Two men in black and red uniforms flank the sides of our car, opening both our doors and lending me a gloved hand. I politely refuse and step out of Grayson's car, catching a glimpse of the embroidery on the porter's stiff shirt. The Ritz-Carlton.

I turn to ask Grayson if he's made a mistake but he's already opening the trunk for the porters to take our luggage. I watch with confusion as one of them hauls out my hot-pink duffel bag and places it over his shoulder.

Grayson pulls me out of my stunned state by taking my hand in his and leading me to the grand entrance. As he checks us in, I'm taking in the lobby with a sense of awe. Everything - from the delicate chandeliers to the impossibly clean marble floors - screams wealth. It even smells fancy in here, a mix of lemon and money. I can't imagine how out of place I look, but I can't really bring myself to care.

This is a stunning surprise.

I press myself to Grayson's side as we make our way up to the room on the top floor. Everything seems to be either trimmed in gold or passed down several centuries, but Grayson doesn't even seems to notice the grandeur of this place.

The porters follow us down the hallway and to the double-door entrance of our room. Grayson uses his key and twists the crystal handle of the door, and I don't know if I can handle what I'm about to see.

When we enter the room, I'm speechless. The porters place our bags next to the door and accept a tip from Grayson before turning the leave. "Enjoy your suite," one of them says, closing the door softly behind them.

"You're insane," I say as soon as they're gone.

Grayson smiles, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, burying his face in my neck. I relax in his arms. "And why is that?"

"Whatever you're doing must be illegal illegal because this is the kind of room Al Capone would have stayed in," I say, my voice losing some of its steam. I feel Grayson's chest move as he laughs.

"Now that I think of it, the Queen of England did stay in this room at one point in time."

I don't give him the satisfaction of laughing at his comment. I'm still in shock. "Don't even tell me how much this cost you because I honestly think I'd pass out."

"Well good thing I'm here to catch you." He kisses me at the base of my neck, making it a bit harder to remember what I'm so stunned about.

"All you need to know," he continues, "is that this is only costing me half of what I'm going to win tonight."

Holy shit, how much is the prize money tonight? "I think you mean if you win. Who knows? You could come in last place."

Grayson spins me around, pressing me against him. Now that I can look at his face, his eyes gleam with playfulness. "Are you doubting my skill, Riv?"

I look back up at him, challenging him with a stare. "Maybe I am. And what are you going to do about it?"

This time his eyes darken with something other than playfulness. "Are you sure you're ready to find out?"

Then he presses a series of soft kisses up along my neck, not waiting for me to answer. His hand finds its way up the back of my neck and he pulls me closer to him. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull myself closer to him, not wanting to feel any space between us. His lips have made their way onto my jawline and my mind is hazy.

I push on his chest softly, although I'm eager to finish what we started. But something tells me this isn't the time. We have all the time in the world. And we have all night in this beautiful room.

"I think I'll find out after the race." I decide to tease him even more. "But only if you win, of course. I only like winners."

He backs up a few steps, pulling himself together and reigning in his self-control. "I don't think I've ever wanted to win a race more than I do right now."

"Well then you better start getting ready."

We apparently lost track of time and, as a result, Grayson and I have to get ready pretty quickly. I dump out the contents of my bag onto the king-sized bed (the only bed in the suite, apparently) and find my outfit. Grayson stops to watch me frantically riffle through my clothes, failing at hiding his amused smirk.

I make Grayson promise not to look as I change into my clothes: very tight cut-off shorts that Violet urged me to get, a white tube-top, and black Doc Martens. I bring a distressed jean jacket to complete the look, and just in case it gets cold.

Grayson doesn't tell me to turn around as he changes but I do anyways. When I turn back around, he's in all-black. And he looks hot. But I don't tell him that. But considering the way he catches me staring at him, I think he knows what I think of how he looks. Thankfully, he doesn't say anything, saving me from embarrassment.

He, on the other hand, doesn't even try to hide his appreciation for my look. As I put on my jacket, he's focused on me, sitting lazily in a chair. I blush, smoothing out my shirt and clearing my throat.

"Let's get this show on the road," he says, getting up and wrapping grabbing my hand smoothly. Together, we walk out of the suite.

♔ ♕ ♔

The ride to the race is calming, streetlights and pavement turning to starlight and dirt roads. Grayson doesn't have a GPS but he drives like he knows exactly where he's going. The empty fields feel almost eerie around us but Grayson's hand on mine makes me feeling safe.

We're driving into the middle of nowhere.

Then I see the headlights. Seemingly hundreds of them, gathered in the distance, with even more people gathered around. Even from this distance, I can hear the revving engine and commotion. I look at Grayson.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

"As I'll ever be," he replies, squeezing my hand.

We drive straight past the tight groups of people, past rows and rows of shiny, expensive cars. But even among all the hundreds of loud people and flashy cars, everyone seems to stop and stare as Grayson's Audi rolls past. Time slows and even though the windows are completely tinted, I feel like everyone can see us.

I know it's Grayson they're looking out for, curious to see if this is the car holding the reigning champion. From the way they seem to whisper to each other and follow Grayson's car, he's a big deal around here. I remember the way the last time I saw Grayson race, the way the crowd swarmed him and almost worshiped him.

I feel a swell of pride feeling his hand on mine and knowing he's here with me. This feels completely different from the last race I was at, much better. But I can feel my blood pumping in my ears and I am lightheaded from nerves.

Grayson parks the car but doesn't get out, turning to me. "I can feel your nerves. You have nothing to be worried about."

I don't say anything, trying to calm myself down.

"Deep breaths, babe. I'm right here."

He leans over and presses a reassuring kiss to my shoulder. I take a deep breath and tell him I'm okay. Looking into his eyes, it feels like the truth.

Grayson gets out. Already, people are coming up to him, speaking at him loud and fast. Some are up in his face, but Grayson ignores and pushes through them. He comes around to my side and opens my door, holding his hand out for me. I take it and stand next to Grayson, taking in my surroundings.

His hand finds mine and I grasp onto it like it's my lifeline.

The crowd stares, dumbfounded by what they're seeing. Their eyes switch from me to Grayson and it takes them a moment before they react. Then suddenly, they're on us, asking questions, asking what my name is, making snide comments, calling me names, trying to psych Grayson out. None of it affects Grayson and I try not to let it get to me.

We start walking and I have to hold Grayson's hand in a death-grip to keep from losing him. The swarms of people are buzzing with energy and noises and my senses are overwhelmed.

Grayson looks back at me every few seconds to make sure I'm alright and I can't help but feel bad. This is his world, probably the place where he feels most comfortable, and can't enjoy it right now. He has to slow down and comfort me.

I suck it up and stand up straighter, catching up to Grayson so we're side-by-side. He smiles at me and this suddenly feels so right, him by my side, pushing through the crowd together. The noises around us seem to fade to a blur and I realize why Grayson enjoys this so much. This cutthroat, loud environment changes you.

I see the effects when I look over at Grayson. He feels stronger, more sure of himself beside me, almost as if he's feeding off the energy of the atmosphere. His face is that of cool, confident, composure and everyone takes notice.

It's hot.

"Having fun yet?" Grayson has to almost yell over the noise of the crowd. I nod.

"I can see why you like this. This whole thing is addictive," I say back, moving my body closer to his to hear him better.

Something flashes in Grayson's eyes, almost like sadness, before the confident look is back. "I guess. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"I'm glad you brought me." I look around. "Where are we walk--"

My foot strikes something and I stumble forward clumsily. I almost fall on my face but Grayson's arm hooks around my waist and steadies me upright. I'm almost too stunned by my almost-fall to notice that it was a foot that tripped me.

Then Grayson pulls me tighter to his side, almost protectively, staring a hole in the two people coming to stand in front of us. They're blocking our path, a man and a woman about Grayson's age. They're looking at me and Grayson provokingly.

The guy is about my height and wearing a sleeveless hoodie. He's switching between staring at Grayson like he wants to kill him, and staring at me like I'm a piece of meat. I want to gag.

"Long time, no see, Gray," the guy spits. "Didn't know it was bring-your-whore-to-work day."

Grayson almost lunges at him but I place my hands on his shoulders, telling him it's not worth it. I don't know who these people are but I'm not getting a great first impression.

The pretty girl who tripped me twirls a blond curl, digging her cowboy boot into the dirt, kicking some up onto my shoe. "Aw Peter, don't get him all riled up."

So this is the guy who gave Grayson a black eye and slashed his tires.

She giggles. "You know our little Grayson has some anger issues. Don't you, Gray?"

She leans forward and trails a purple fingernail across his cheekbone seductively. He reels away in disgust and she laughs shrilly. "Don't act all coy, Grayson. Remember when you said my touch was like a drug and you couldn't get enough of my soft--"

"Hey," I say, stepping in front of Grayson to block her from him. A tight feeling of jealousy wounds in my chest and my eyes blaze. "I think you should keep your hands to yourself, blondie."

Blondie scoffs in offense but takes a step back, surprised by my threat. I glower at her, prepared to show her why she should be scared. Then Grayson puts his hand on my arm and slowly pulls me back, clearing my mind. How the tables have turned.

"That's enough, Eva," Grayson growls, barely containing his own anger. "I don't want anything to do with you and I think it's time for you to leave. Now."

Eva withers even more under his harsh stare and hides behind Peter. Peter scowls. "Now, is that any way to speak to a lady? Especially the girlfriend of your opponent."

Grayson laughs cruelly, not intimidated at all.

"Where was all this confidence last night, Peter? When you and your little friends ran off with your tails between your legs?" Grayson mocks him. "Your pathetic begging got you off the hook then but I don't feel as forgiving right now."

Grayson moves toward Peter threateningly, baiting Peter to make a move. Peter just cowers backward with his apparent girlfriend/Grayson's ex-girlfriend. Like Grayson told me, he's all bark and no bite. It's almost sad watching him try to hide behind Eva.

Peter looks like he's about to shit his pants but musters up the courage to go on. "We'll see who's boss on the track, Grayson. Your cheating will only get you so far before I take my rightful place above you."

Grayson just laughs, already moving away from them. "We'll see about that one. It's been two years since you last beat me, right? Even I'm kind of hoping you win and end these pathetic grabs at attention."

I turn and see Peter fuming at Grayson's response, but not making any moves to go after him while Eva is staring at Grayson's back with a longing look.

"What a lovely couple," I say to Grayson once they're out of earshot. "We should invite them to dinner sometime. That'd be so nice."

Grayson isn't amused, still wound tight from that interaction. "Don't listen to anything they said. They're just desperate, riding any clout that they can get their hands on. It's pitiful."

"I know," I assure him, aware of how much they got under his skin. "I wish you would have warned me about Peter's tendency to wear sleeveless hoodies. That really caught me off guard.."

We stop in a clearing and turn to each other. He stares at me intently for a second and lifts my chin up with his thumb and forefinger. "I wouldn't want anyone else here with me right now."

I smile brightly, standing on my tiptoes and moving up face up to his, not caring who sees us. "I know. I'm pretty amazing."

He smiles lightly and moves to kiss me. Then suddenly, I'm forcefully knocked to the side and onto the ground. I look up and see Eva take my place and smash her pursed lips against his. It takes Grayson a second to open his eyes and realize what's happened.

He pushes her away hard, causing her to stumble backward but not fall. Eva looks up at him with a pleased, lustful look on her face. She drags the back of her hand against her moist lips and start to walk away, satisfied with herself.

But I shoot up off the ground and stride after her, placing my hands on her shoulders and turning her around hard. She sees me and twists her face into a condescending sneer.

"What the fuck do you wa--"

I slap her right across her smug face, enjoying watching her crumple onto the dirt and cradle her cheek. For a second, I stand over her, watching her whine and curse, not fully comprehending what I just did.

It feels fucking good.

Grayson comes up behind me and turns me around. "Are you okay, Riv? Did she try to hurt you?"

"No. I just slapped her." My eyes are still trained on Eva, who's calling out to Grayson to help her. Grayson is only focused on me, searching me for any injuries.

"Just slapped her?"

"Yeah." I look up at him. "She asked for it."

"You're right." Grayson wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to him. People are starting to hear Eva's screams and it won't be long before she causes a scene.

"That was a rush. I can see why you like hitting people so much," I say, grabbing onto Grayson's hand hanging from my shoulder. I enjoy the feeling of Grayson's laugh rumbling through our close bodies.

"Yeah, that was pretty hot," he replies, kissing my temple and walking us far away from the crowd growing around Eva. This time I laugh.

"Well then maybe I'll do it more often."

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