Page 71 of Clash
“Ugh, just leave me alone.” Turning, I started to stomp away, but he gently took my hand, forcing me to stop. “You’re not walking home alone, Gina.”
“Like hell I’m not. There’s nothing you can say or do to stop me either.”
Then he kissed me. It was one of those mind-blowing kisses that made my toes tingle and me feel light-headed. Could’ve been the expensive, horrible tasting wine, but in that moment, I didn’t care. Sighing, I curled my arms around his neck, falling victim to his deadly lips.
“Get on the bike, Gina.”
“No,” I whispered, unable to catch my breath.
He pressed his forehead against mine, looking at me deep in the eyes. “Please,” he practically begged. The soft pout of his mouth whispered over my own, and every part of me shivered in delight.
This man invoked things inside of me I couldn’t quite explain, but also scared the shit out of me at the same time.
“Okay,” I murmured. “But only so you can take me home.”
That big sexy smile returned as he mounted his bike, holding out a hand for me to join him.
“Is it safe?” I questioned.
He nodded. “Safer than you walking home. Faster too.”
Clash had a point, and against my better judgment, I got on behind him, my legs feeling weak and afraid.
When he started up the bike. I screeched, clinging onto the back of him with terrified arms.
“I got you, Gina. Trust me.”
The cool metal vibrated between my legs, and as we pulled away from the parking lot, I screamed, closing my eyes in fear of falling.
“Open your eyes, Gina!” he shouted. “Enjoy the ride with me.”
The moon was at its fullest in the sky, illuminating the dark streets with a vivid white glow. I had to admit, feeling the wind whipping over my body was kind of invigorating, and although I was scared, I was enjoying myself for the first time in forever.
“You don’t know where I live,” I shouted into his ear.
But if he heard me, he didn’t let on. He just kept driving, following the open road until we were well outside Austin and pulling into a nature reserve.
“Where are we?” I asked him, allowing him to help me off the bike.
“My favorite place in the world,” he exclaimed, smiling widely. “My mother used to bring me here when I was a kid. I used to play in the water until the sun went down and the water got cold.”
We stood on the edge of a small lake, one tucked away and hidden from view. Above the murky waters, the moon filled up the night sky, along with thousands of stars that twinkled like diamonds both above and on the water’s surface. We were secluded, and surrounded by a grove of tall pine trees, the fresh scent of the outdoors overwhelming my sense of smell. The white beach was a stark contrast to the dark water, creating a peaceful ambiance I rather enjoyed.
He ushered me over to the sandy beach, where we removed our shoes, allowing the cool water to lap around our ankles. It wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t warm either. It did feel good though. Comforting… safe.
“Gina, I’m sorry about everything that happened. I was a fool to act the way I did with that cop. I’ve never regretted anythingmore than I did that day. The hurt in your eyes broke me in two.” His forehead pressed against mine again. The feeling of his skin touching me in a harmless but intimate way, made my heart flutter and dance inside my chest. “I know you think I’m crazy, but you and your son changed me. You’ve made me want to become a better person, to open myself up to others when that’s so hard for me to do.”
“You scare me, Clash. You’re wild and unpredictable. You live a life that is surrounded by danger. What kind of life would that be for me and Alex? Huh? You have enemies, I know you do. What if they took me or Alex? What would you do then?”
His lips brushed over mine, and I temporarily forgot how to breathe. “I’d kill them, Gina. I’d kill anyone and everyone until I got to you both again.”
He knew just what to say to make me fall to his knees. But so did Eric, and I couldn’t put myself in that situation again. One dangerous man was enough. “Clash, please. I can’t do this…”
His hand moved under my shirt, toying with my nipples that were air-kissed by the chill night air as he exposed them to the elements.
Sucking in a breath, I allowed his hot mouth to fit over my areole, enjoying how his teeth raked over the erected nub. Ecstasy took over me as a breathy moan escaped my mouth, his lips curling into a smile.
“You’re so needy,” he murmured, his hands starting the dangerous track down my body.
