Page 110 of Collide
“I’m here with my friends.” I point to the dance floor. The subtle nod I give Amara dampens her worry.
“Wouldn’t want to interrupt your girls’ night, though it would be a shame if I didn’t get your number.”
I laugh. “I don’t even know your name.”
“I’ll get you a drink, and I’ll tell you everything about myself.”
“Already have one coming. Though if you can guess what it is you can buy me another.”
He takes a seat at the bar. “I’m not much of a gambler.”
The response is disappointing, but before I can say anything, an abrupt shove from a drunk girl sends me crashing into his lap.
That spotlight from earlier just got hotter.
He slithers a hand around my waist to hold me in place. Despite my determination not to scope the bar, I look to where the guys are talking loudly, and my eyes collide with green. Aiden leans against the wall, eyes on me as he takes a slow swig of his beer, ignoring his teammate talking to him. His casual stance is a picture of calm, but something cold leaks into his eyes.
The sharp ache in my chest threatens to rip me in half, and I swallow the lump in my throat. Suddenly, the idea of a drink from him or even touching him makes me itchy.
“I have to go.” I scramble off his lap to head to the washroom. I release a shaky breath as I stare at my flushed face in the mirror. My hands are clammy, so I run them under the sink.
I’m drying my hands when the washroom door creaks open, and Aiden steps inside, a dark shadow covering his face. I swallow so hard that his eyes drop to my throat. When I step away from the sink, he closes the door.
A storm brews in my belly. “You’re in the wrong washroom.”
“I’m not.” He twists the lock, and theclickechoes in my ears. “Is that the accountant?” he asks.
“What?” The word wobbles off my lips.
“The guy at the bar. Is he a part of your five-year plan?”
It takes me a second to process what he’s saying, but when I do, it irritates the hell out of me. “I don’t know. I’ll have to get to know him better.”
His tongue runs along the inside of his cheek, his gaze dragging down my body. “Didn’t have much of a conversation when your ass was on his lap?”
“Wasn’t really focused on talking.” I sound unbothered, though I’m sure he notices my heaving chest.
He shadows each of my slow steps. “Who is he?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Another guy touching you is very much my fucking business.”
“I thought we were giving each other space to—”
In one swift movement, he cages me against the wall. “Is this enough space for you, Summer? Because it’s too much to fucking bear for me.”
My heart constricts in my chest. “But Donny—”
“FuckDonny,” he says through gritted teeth pressing his hips into mine. “I want to know what you want.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” my voice trembles.
“Yes, you do,” he says. “Either tell me you want this just as bad as I do, or tell me to leave.”
“Aiden…”
“One word.” His thumb runs along my jawline so delicately, I shiver. The caress tightens the twine suffocating my heart. “Either I’m in, or I’m out, Preston.” His usual confidence is loud, but tonight he sounds vulnerable. My mind teeters, but I know that I need him close right now.
