Page 86 of Kiss & Collide
“Violet—”
She reached for his hand and tugged him to his feet. He rose slowly, dark eyes fixed on hers.
“I’m glad you came back,” she whispered.
“You are?”
She nodded tightly.
Then Chase brought his hands up to her face. She forced herself to raise her eyes to his. His nearness was setting off sparks across her skin, little tingles lighting her up from theinside out. His lips hadn’t touched hers yet, but she felt like she could almost see the energy arcing between them, like an electrical charge.
His thumbs swept across her cheekbones and he smiled, just the slightest tightening of the corner of his beautiful lips. Finally, he leaned in and kissed her. He’d kissed her so many times at this point. Deep, hungry kisses, and quick, teasing ones as he brought her body right to the edge, and filthy kisses between her legs that left her shaking. This kiss was different, soft and simple. It felt like his words had that night back in Austin, when he’d told her that he liked her, that she mattered.
When the kiss ended, he looped one arm around her waist so he could pull her body in close to his while his other hand cradled her cheek.
She rested her hands on his biceps, eyes fixed on the top button of his shirt, on the triangle of golden skin revealed by his open shirt collar. “I’m not sure what you want.” Even though she wanted this, she really should try to warn him that it wouldn’t be easy, not for either of them.
“I’m not asking you for anything, Violet. Just stop trying to chase me away, okay?” He dipped his head and brushed another kiss across her lips. Her fingers tightened on his biceps. “Hold still and let me be with you.”
“I’m not good at this,” she whispered as he kissed his way down the side of her neck.
“I’m not that great at it, either,” he said. His hand skated up her rib cage, caressing her through the soft fabric of her robe. His thumb found her nipple through the silk and flicked across it.
She dragged in a deep breath. “I’ll probably fuck it up.”
He bent down, scooped an arm behind her knees, swept her up into his arms, and pressed another brief kiss to her mouth. “You have so little faith in me.” He started carrying her around the side of the bed. “Maybe I’ll fuck it up first. Let’s try it and find out, okay?”
36
As Violet slicked on her favorite shade of red lipstick—Stiletto Red—the bathroom door opened behind her. Chase wandered in, wearing just his boxer briefs, with his black hair a sleep-rumpled mess, looking barely awake and hot as hell.
Her phone was on the counter, playing music at a low volume, and he stopped, pointing a finger at it. “Don’t tell me … Poly Styrene.”
“That’s the lead singer. The band is X-Ray Spex. But that’s very good.” He’d insisted she make him a playlist of her favorite music, and she was embarrassed to admit how long she’d spent on it. Every song on it reminded her of him, like she was some dumb, lovesick teenager. She hadn’t thought it would be to his taste, but surprisingly, he liked to listen to it before he had to drive. He said her music put him in “the right aggressive headspace,” which seemed like a compliment.
“Where’re you off to so early?” He rubbed a hand across his face and stretched in a way that made every muscle in his upper body flex. He was unreal.
She checked him out in the mirror as she unscrewed her liquid liner. “Conference call with Europe. You didn’t have to get up.”
“And miss a glimpse of you all dressed up and ready for work?” He sidled up behind her and set his hands on her hips. “Have I told you how much I like it when you wear suits? You look like a sexy corporate villain. In a good way.”
She carefully touched up her winged eyeliner. “You like it when I wear anything. Or nothing.”
He hooked his hand around her hair and slid it to one side, then leaned in and kissed the back of her neck. “I like it best when you’re wearing nothing.”
“Don’t start that now. I’m late. My car’s already waiting downstairs.”
His hands slid up to her waist and tightened. “Guess I’ll just have to finish it tonight.”
She turned in his grasp and he pressed her back, bracing his arms on the counter behind her.
“I have to go,” she murmured.
“I’m heading to the track for qualifying at noon.”
“I’ll stop by the garage.”
He grinned, that wicked pirate’s smile that made her toes curl. “See you then.”
