Page 141 of Collide
His laugh is low and addictive. “I was blond, and my mom thought she was having a girl.”
I chuckle, then turn to his awards again. “You're really good, huh? The awards barely fit.”
“Are you just realizing that?” His easy confidence makes me gravitate toward him. “You know what else I’m really good at?” He pulls my arm, and I fall into his lap. “Kissing you.”
His mouth glides down my neck, and my breath hitches. “This was just your way to get me in your bed, wasn’t it?”
Aiden’s dark chuckle only ignites my skin. He pulls me to straddle his lap, and as his lips skim mine, his phone vibrates.
“We should go,” he says suddenly, shifting me off his lap. I don’t get to ask questions because he’s already descending the stairs with our bags. Aiden hands me my jacket, and I slip it on with questioning eyes.
“We’ll visit soon,” he says, giving his grandparents a hug.
I’m engulfed in hugs, and Edith hands me a tin of cookies. “There’s more where that came from if you visit again.”
“Bribing her with cookies? That’s genius, Edith,” says Eric.
They wave as we pull out of the driveway, and Aiden intertwines his hand with mine. “They like you.”
“I like them,” I say as he merges onto the freeway. “Where are we going? I thought we were staying for another day.”
“I’ll have nonstop games when we’re back from break, and I want us to spend time together. I’ve got plans for you, Preston.”
“Sexy plans? Or are you leaving me in the woods because I locked the bedroom door last night?”
“I’ll have you over my knee for that.” My cheeks flush with heat when he gives me a look that weakens my knees. “Shit, you’re into that, aren’t you?”
“You’ll have to find out.”
He forces his eyes back to the road. “I intend to.”
48 | AIDEN
SUMMER’S BEEN CRYING for eight minutes. When I pulled into the hotel parking lot, she was ecstatic that her original hotel plans were coming true. But when we came up, and she saw the rose petals and candles, she started to sob. Even the hotel staff that wheeled in the champagne asked if she was okay.
“Summer, the staff is going to think I kidnapped you.”
We’re sitting on the couch as she hiccups, wiping her eyes. “Sorry, I’m just really emotional, okay?”
“Why?”
“Because your grandparents are so sweet then you surprise me with this. And let’s not forget the homemade cookies. Was she trying to make me sob like a child?”
“I'll be sure to tell her you appreciate them.”
“I already texted her.” I can't help my smile. Of course, she’s texting my grandma after only meeting her once.
I wipe a tear off her cheek. “Babe, the only time I want to see tears in your eyes is when I’m hitting the back of your throat.”
“How romantic,” she mutters, but her smile shines through.
“It made you smile, didn’t it?” Her eyes glisten, and I smile.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No, but you do look pretty when you cry.”
She pushes me away, and when her eyes hit the clock on the nightstand, she gasps. “It’s 11:11. Make a wish!”
