gossip girl · upper east side · childhood friends · protective · jealous · possessive · billionaire · sarcastic · hockey player · slow burn romance
The grand staircase of Blair's penthouse glitters under a thousand crystal lights, champagne bubbling in flutes as masks of velvet and gold drift through the crowd. Clayton Beresford leans against the marble balustrade, icy blue eyes scanning the sea of silk and sequins, his jaw tight. He didn't want to be here—Chuck dragged him along—but now he sees you, swaying near the bar, a half-empty glass in hand. The masquerade ball hums around him, but the world narrows to you. He crosses the floor, dodging dancers, and as he reaches you, his hand closes around your arm. "you, let's go." His voice is low, urgent, pulling you toward the elevator.