Page 135 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“I hope I’m not crossing any lines by saying this, but I’m finding it hard not to stare at you right now.”

My body trembles. My eyes grow heavy, and when he doesn’t hear me protest, he must take it as a positive sign and steps toward me.

“All I could think about last night was you lying in my bed, and when I was at practice today, I kept wondering what you were doing.”

Without thinking, I reach my hand out for him and grip his forearm. When I sway toward him, he returns the gesture, his large hand clutching my hips to hold me up. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

It’s hard not to compare the two of us, with my back against the wall and his impossible size towering over me. You’d think the difference in our size would be intimidating, but it’s the opposite.

All I’m thinking about is how easily he could lift me into his arms and attack my neck, fucking me against the wall with the force of his punishing thrusts.

Colter is all man—from his rough hands and full beard to his intoxicating scent. I’ve never wanted to be manhandled more than I do right now.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he murmurs, leaning in to press his mouth against my ear.

“I don’t think I should say…”

His breath is warm on my heated skin. “And why is that?”

“Well, for starters, I don’t think we’ve quite crossed that line yet.”

He hums, but it comes out more of a sigh. I shiver when he quietly repeats the word “yet.”

“You want to know what’s on my mind?” Colter drawls.

I’m frozen, unable to move, but I think I manage to nod because he goes on to tell me.

“I’m picturing my lips brushing along your soft skin before I trail my tongue up the column of your neck to see if you taste as sweet as I imagine you do.”

He reaches his hand up and caresses his thumb along my chin, and I release my lower lip I hadn’t realized I’d been biting.

“If you keep biting your lip, I’ll take it as a sign you want me to find other ways to occupy your mouth.”

My chest heaves, and my nails dig into his skin. He sucks in a low breath, his mouth moving a fraction away from mine.

“Is that what you want, Ava? You want me to taste you?”

“Yes,” I croak.

He slips his hand into mine and pulls me with him over toward the end of his bed, positioning me between his legs.

I try not to think about how perfectly we align in this position. Instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me. We’re a few inches from each other, and I’m waiting for him to finally give in and kiss me when two heavy knocks beat against the door.

“Vaughn, you here? We’re gettin’ ready to head out to Whiskey Sinner’s. You joinin’ us?”

Colter clenches his jaw, and I step away, glancing back and forth between him and the door. He shakes his head, the tic pulsating there. I press my palm against his cheek, rubbing my thumb along his skin, and his eyes soften on mine.

He pushes himself to stand and jerks the door open, just as the guy standing on the other side holds his fist in the air, ready to knock again.

“Beckham, you mind?”

His eyes flick from Colter over to me, then back to Colter. A slow smile spreads across his face.

“My bad, man. Hayes mentioned you had a girl staying over, and I forgot she was here.” He greets me with a nod, and I press my lips together, attempting to smile, but there’s no doubt he can see how flustered I am.

I decide to give them their space and grab my bag we pulled out of the truck this morning and head into the bathroom, but not before Colter mutters for me to wait.

“I have plans tonight, so count me out. Have fun, though,” Colter says, shutting the door on Beckham.

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