Page 128 of Collide
When we’re inside Langston’s office, Amara goes straight for her computer. It’s only a few minutes later that she beckons us over. “I got it,” Amara whispers.
We huddle around the computer, as she navigates to her email. The plan is to write an email from Langston’s account to all the undergrads, and one to Dean Hutchins. Amara attaches the picture Cole supplied to both emails and sets it to send out on Monday morning.
She populates a new document and types out another paragraph. “Who is this for?” I ask.
“Dalton’s gossip page.” She smiles. “It’ll go live when the email is sent out. Just in case the school tries to hide this.”
Sampson looks impressed, and when Amara sees his expression she rolls her eyes. But I don’t miss her blush.
When she powers down the computer a cool feeling of vindication drips into my system.
We sneak out of Langston’s office, and Eli signals for us to duck when flashlights pierce through the windows. My breath gets stuck in my throat until the security guard passes by the building. We scurry to the alley we parked in and trickle off in silence.
At three a.m. Eli and I sneak back into the house. I engulf him in a grateful hug before I head upstairs. Slipping under the covers, I curl up with Aiden, who unconsciously pulls me closer. He looks so peaceful, I’m glad I didn’t burden him with this risky plan.
Aiden tends to carry everyone’s problems. As much as I love him for being a protector, I never want to be another person he risks everything for. He’s already done enough by taking on his entire team’s punishment for the trash fiasco. Once this is all sorted, he’ll be the first person I confide in.
In the meantime, I just need to swallow the doomed feeling trying to crawl out of my throat.
43 | AIDEN
“YOU KNOW, I’VE never had sex on a boat before.”
I stiffen at the sound of Summer’s soft voice in my ear. Any logical man would rectify that without a second thought. But I am clearly the dumbest man alive. “I would love to cross that off your bucket list, babe, but your dad is on this boat, and I still want to have a career when we touch land again.”
We’re staring at the boat—oryacht—that is getting docked in the Boston harbor so we can board. Now I understand why she’s been evasive about the location of this dinner.
“Come on, we’ll go to one of the cabins. I promise I’ll be quiet.” She holds up her pinky.
God, she’s fucking adorable. “You can never keep that promise, Summer.”
She kisses my neck, and I swallow hard when she hums. “You can put something in my mouth to keep me quiet then.”
My resistance is already paper thin, and she’s not making this easy on me. But I know what she’s doing. She wants a distraction from the nerves she has about tonight. Summer’s been lost in her thoughts a bunch lately, but she says it’s because of her application, and I let her have that excuse for now. I know she’ll tell me about whatever’s on her mind when she’s ready.
Her nails run along the nape of my neck causing a shiver to crawl up my spine. “You smellsogood.”
Her eyes shine under the moonlight. Before I can speak, she kisses me. Hard, rough, sloppy. I kiss her back, unable to resist. I palm her ass and inch my fingers below her dress when someone clears their throat.
I yank Summer away from me so fast she almost stumbles off the deck. I hook an arm around her waist to balance my dazed girlfriend to my side.
Lukas Preston is staring right at me.
Calculating. Murderous. Appropriate reactions to what he just saw.
“You must be the boyfriend.” He says with disdain.
My hands are sweaty, and I actually hear the buzz of nerves on my skin. I extend my hand. “Aiden Crawford, sir.”
His eyes flash with recognition. “Crawford. Fastest collegiate player in the country. Toronto is lucky to have you.” He turns to Summer and my grip on her tightens. “Sunshine?”
Summer stiffens, and Lukas Preston’s eyes swim with a softness I didn’t think he possessed.
“Hi, Dad.” She looks past him. “Where’s Mom?”
The hope in his eyes extinguishes. “Up there. She’s excited to see you.”
As soon as we climb the steps to the front of the boat, a woman comes into view. Her tan skin glows against the red dress, and I see her striking resemblance to Summer.
