Page 202 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Are you sure? I mean, that would explain your dedication to rules and how you”—I bite my bottom lip and sway to the thumping sound of the bass—“can resist sexual temptation. Or maybe I’m just not sexy enough. Is that it?” I play with the hem of my halter top, lifting the fabric to reveal my navel. I feel thebuzz from my previous drink running through my veins, giving me the courage to attempt to be flirty—although I’m not sure it’s even working.

Collins is too disciplined to be seduced, or maybe he just lacks the sex drive to cave to temptation.

"You are, without an ounce of doubt, the biggest mistake I’m ever going to make.”

“Mistake,” I repeat. “Well, you haven’t made it yet.”

“But I will.”

I sigh. “You act like it’s inevitable.”

“I’m starting to think it is. That no matter how much I resist, I will forever be drawn back to you. You are like a rubber band. The harder I pull away, the more forceful the attraction toward you is.”

“Now that sounds like fun.” I click my tongue, trying to lighten the mood.

“It won’t be fun if your brothers ever find out the”—his hands move to the back of his neck—“carnal thoughts running through my head of you.”

“Quit treating me like a stain on your perfect record. And for heaven’s sake, please stop thinking about my brothers. This is my life to live and not their life to control.”

His eyes smolder, hooding over as he takes them on a lazy stroll down my body. “I would ruin you.”

“Wouldn’t that be best done by you and not someone else who wouldn’t necessarily have my best interests in mind?”

“It’s not that simple, Pen.”

“But it is.” Tilting my chin up, I whisper, “If you want me, come and get me. Unless, of course, it goes against the rules.”

His eyes twitch and before I can take my next breath, his lips are on mine.

We’ve kissed before in the alleyway, but this time is different. It’s like he is sucking the oxygen out of my lungs and making it hard to breathe.

He is my life source, and I want to drown in that gray area between right and wrong.

Because the only thing I know for certain is that I want Collins Stone—and I want him now.

Collins’s hands entwine into my hair, as he presses my back up against a wall. I gasp for air and get a reprieve only because his attention gets shifted to my neck. I moan and grind into him, wanting to get as close as I can without completely suffocating myself from the pressure of my face in his hair.I inhale his clean, masculine scent, breathing him in, wanting to commit every detail to memory.

This man commands my body to be his puppet, and I’m too weak and impassioned to give a damn.

I want him, and I finally believe him when he claims he wants me too.

“Are you still doubting my feelings toward you?” he asks, breathlessly.

My hand moves up to my lips, feeling their newfound plumpness. “Hmm, no. I think you made yourself clear,” I say with a hum. “It just took you an eternity to get here.”

“You’re a light in this dungeon of darkness. You shouldn’t be here.” His finger toys with a strand of my hair. “This club isn’t for girls like you.”

“Then turn me into the girl that would belong at an establishment like this. I have needs that I need to fulfill or I’ll implode. What better place to try some things out than here, where activities are monitored and fantasies can be explored?”

His eyes darken to nearly black. “You aren’t trying out anything with anyone,” he growls.

“Then you better be the hero of this story and intervene on my sexual desire’s behalf.”

He shakes his head. “How can I be the hero when I’ve been given the hand of the villain?”

“Quit trying to complicate everything. You either want me or you don’t.” I thought we already established this…

“I want you,” he says without hesitation.

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