Page 61 of Love Collided

He smiled, my hand still on his face as I slid it around to the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss me.

He listened, his lips pressing softly to mine as I leaned into him. We stayed like that before he groaned and pulled back.

“Dammit,” Chase said, walking past me to the table and messing with the notepad. He started writing something, but from where I was, I couldn’t see what it said. “I told you, Scout, it’s whatyoubring out in people. Getting to know me doesn’t make me likable to anyone. It’s why hundreds of people havehung around me for years and don’t like me. The thing that makes me more likable is you. Andyoumake a person want to give you everything in the fucking world.”

I waited until he straightened and then looked around at the paper, reading the note he’d just written out loud. “Another down payment. Text the total. You’ll get the rest, so back off.” His watch sat next to the paper. “Is that another Rolex?”

“Yes, and this one was new, so I really need to stop buying them.”

“Chase, no.” I handed it back to him. “I already owe you for the first one. I don’t want this one, too.”

“You have no idea how much is owed, Scout. This could be a down payment or the entire amount. I’m guessing they will stop here first. And I mean first before they stop by the garage or the apartments. So we can leave the watch to keep them away or leave nothing and wait for them to stop by.”

I looked up into dark hazel eyes that were glued to me. He was unwavering, gripping my arm and seemed one step away from running out the door with me. I guess it wouldn’t be the first time.

“How am I supposed to pay my debt to you? I can only take so much from my paychecks, and it’s not like I can dip into the garage’s funds without everyone knowing.”

“I have plenty of money, Scout. I am not hurting for anything. There’s no reason to rush on ever paying me back. Although, I would love a new watch.Again,” he said, smirking. “There’s no rush, no interest, and no threat to you or your friends. Would you rather pay me back or these guys?”

“You.”

“Then come on. I would prefer to get you out of here, and you hit me when I threw you over my shoulder last time, so I can’t do that again.”

“Maybe because people usually don’t like to be tossed around.”

He laughed, holding open the front door for me as I walked out.

“Really? I’ve found that some people like it in the right setting. In my car, a bedroom, possibly a random hotel room.”

“Chase?”

“Yes?”

“I’m taking you home, and I don’t want to hear one more word.”

“Well, if you’re going to be so forward and demand to take me home, then you won’t hear a word from me.”

“I’m taking you toyourhome, and I still don’t want to hear a word.”

We barely spoke during the ride to his apartments besides him giving me directions. I tried to ignore exactly how expensive of a place to live it was and didn’t say anything when we pulled up.

I parked at the curb as he leaned over. “Are you about to ghost me again?”

“Probably.”

“Then I guess I’ll just have to hunt you down again. Maybe force you in a car with me for a while. Maybe throw you over my shoulder and head to the nearest motel.” He leaned in, kissing me fast before I could protest.

“Bye, Hellcat.”

“Bye, rich boy.”

SEVENTEEN

SCOUT

I droppedover the back of Fox’s couch, watching as he threw on a hoodie, before coming over to hit my feet that were still kicked up in the air.

“Are you sure you girls don’t want to come out with us?”

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