Page 62 of If Our Hearts Collide

“You are doing everything in your power to not accept my help. So, yes, forgive me for being a tad bit heated and mad right now.”

“Mad at me?” Is he for real?

“You’ve proven to me that you one hundred percent need a keeper. And if I need to improvise and change the protocol to deal with this…” He pauses as he struggles for the right word.

“This?”

“Situation.”

My jaw unhinges, losing control as my mouth gapes open. “I am not asituation.”

Collins looks thoughtfully out his window, and then, turning his focus back to me, lets out an awkward laugh. “You are right. You are the problem.”

12

COLLINS

I can’t even look at Penny. If I do, I’ll say something I’ll regret. I am that mad.

No, actually. That word doesn’t even encompass the ferocious nature of my blood circulating through my body—pulsating and urging me to prove a point or make Penny see reason.

She doesn’t know what I’m capable of if pushed hard enough. She doesn’t even realize how much I reined myself in back there—for her sake. Sure, I can be calm and decisive. But challenge me like she did and…

I turn into a monster, an unrelenting beast of a man.

And I’m one people shouldn’t cross.

There’s a reason why the Hoffmans want me on their payroll.

And there’s a reason why society says, “It’s the calm and quiet ones you need to worry about.”

My fingers grip the steering wheel so tightly that I may damage my knuckles in the process. I guess it’s better that this object is taking the brunt of the abuse from my anger and not that poor spud’s face.

What the hell was Penny thinking hiring some no-name taxi service? Is she that hell-bent on putting herself in danger just to prove her independence? She could have called her brothers if she didn’t want my help. Her dad would have given her a ride, I am sure. But no. Instead, she basically defaults to the worst-case scenario with every decision she makes.

I’m so confused by her choices that I can’t figure out if her naivety is a blessing or a curse.

If Penny were mine, I wouldn’t let her get off this easily with a simple punishment. No. She’d definitely know her boundaries and where to not push me.

Fuck.

Mine?

When has anyone ever been mine?

I must be losing it. There’s no other explanation for these impulsive, carnal thoughts flittering through my overactive imagination. That’s what Penny does to me. She makes me react.

I pull onto the highway, leveling my breathing, as I come down from the high. I inwardly scold myself for getting this worked up.

“You seem deep in thought,” I comment.

Turning in her seat, she glares daggers at me. “If I’m such aproblem, then why even bother?”

Out of all the things said, that is what has her so hostile? “I?—”

“I mean, seriously. I thought you could handle anything and anyone. You’re supposed to be this demolition man for my brothers and?—”

“Demolition man?” I can’t help but snicker, which only adds to her frustration.

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