Page 224 of Collided

He looks visibly relaxed and at peace. Not his usual, grumpy angry self that only knows how to glare and scowl. “It calms me.”

“I feel the same about books.”

He chuckles. “Then we both have addictions.”

I smile. “Mine isn’t dangerous to my health.”

He turns his head. “Any addiction is always dangerous.”

My eyes drop to slightly pink lips. The desire to kiss them overwhelms me.

I know how they feel.

I know how they move.

I know how they taste.

“You’re giving me that look again,” he rasps.

“What look?”

“The look that says you want to fucking kiss me.”

I lick my lips. “Maybe I do.” Then I rush out, “If you want, that is.”

Heath stares at me for a few more seconds, before stubbing out the cigarette against the dirt and throwing it away from us. He cups my jaw and pulls my face closer.

His breath fans on my lips. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the last time I kissed you.”

“That was days ago,” I breathe out.

His hold tightens. “Exactly. It’s been a fucking torture for me.”

“You can kiss me now.”

“I plan to.” His firm lips are on mine and he’s kissing me. The bitter taste of the cigarette is hard on his lips, and I decide I hate it. I hate cigarettes. But I enjoy the way he kisses me.

There’s a gentleness to his movements but a dominance to his strokes as he devours me.

I still have no idea how to kiss, but he takes the lead and isn’t bothered by my lack of experience. He pulls me even closer and goes deep.

My hand reaches forward, and I grip his T-shirt. It’s warm from the heat of his skin.

We break away with our breaths filling the space between us. I pant heavily, while he looks like he can go on for hours.

“Cigarettes taste really bad.” I grimace.

He chuckles.

“I won’t kiss you if you smoke.”

The way his gaze drops to my mouth and his fingers caress my jaw. I can see the wheels turning in his head. Bending down he pecks my lips. “I won’t fucking smoke then.”

“Really?” I ask in disbelief.

He kisses me. “Yes.”

“I thought you liked smoking.”