Page 76 of Tantalizing Kings

“I-um... can’t tomorrow either. I already promised Grayson I’d hang out with him tomorrow, but I’m free Wednesday,” I offer.

“You did?” He looks over toward Grayson and then back to me. “Okay, well... Wednesday works for me,” he confirms, giving me a soft smile. “I’ll see you later,” Declan says, giving Collin a strange look before turning away to leave too.

“Lollipop, meeting the family is one step closer to marriage. Stop fighting me on this.” He chuckles. He’s being very casual about openly showing interest in me with students around. It’s almost like he doesn’t care if anyone knows, and that could cause issues.

“I’m not meeting your family; I’ve known your mom my whole life. And in your dreams. I’m not marrying you.”

“Not yet. But some day.” He winks and my belly heats.

“Oh, shucks. If only that was possible. Sadly, you're engaged to someone else,” I remind him and fake disappointment.

“No, he isn’t,” Preston pipes up from his desk, making my eyes flick over to him. He’s sitting back in his chair, his feet up on the desk. “He’s the only one in this club—hell, probably this school—who doesn’t have to marry someone he doesn’t want to.”

I look back to Collin. “Really? How did you get out of that?”

He shrugs. “My father has tried, trust me. He has some gold digger lined up, waiting for me. But it’s never going to happen. He’s never had a say in my life, especially since my parents got divorced, and he never will. My mom is more than okay with me paving my own path. Also, she knows I already have the woman who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

He doesn’t mean me, does he?Oh god, tell me he’s joking. And his mom knows. Is she okay with this?

Preston drops his feet loudly and angrily gets up. “Well, some of us aren’t as lucky to own this fucking town. Some of us aren't as lucky to be rid of their fathers,” Preston snarls before storming away.

“Fuck,” Collin sighs, watching Preston leave the room.

“You okay?” I ask.

“No. Sometimes I forget that while I escaped the monster, he’s still living in his lair.”

I look at the door, my heart hurting for Preston. I’ve heard my mom and Carol talking about her ex-husband, how mean and cruel he could be.

And Preston has to live with that. I’m hit with a heavy realization.No wonder Preston is how he is.

Fuck. And now I’m starting to have feelings toward Preston. This can’t end well.

Collin

“WOULD YOU RELAX?” MOMslaps my hand as I try to take one of the cookies she baked off the baking sheet.

“Ouch,” I grumble, shaking out my hand. “Just one.”

“No. They’re for Sadie and Erin. Would you go do something until they get here? You're getting on my nerves. God, you're even worse now than when you were a kid.” She glares at me, and I grin wide.

“But you love me.” I kiss her cheek, using it as a distraction as I snatch one of the cookies before darting away.

“You're a brat!” she shouts after me.

I chuckle, shoving the cookie in my mouth.

“Collin, are you giving your mom a hard time?” a voice says from behind me, and I scream like a little girl. My heart pounds as I spin around to see Erin and Sadie.

My girl’s brows are raised as she gives me an amused smile. “You okay there,Colleen?” She giggles.

“Haha,” I deadpan, making her laugh harder. Erin smiles, shaking her head. “I didn’t hear you ring the bell.”

“Since when have I ever rang the bell?” Erin asks. “Honey, I’ve been walking into this house since before you were born.” She pats me on the shoulder as she passes me and heads toward the kitchen.

“Isn’t it great that our moms are best friends?” I ask my girl.

“It is. Your mom is amazing.” Fuck, she’s so gorgeous. I want to push her up against the wall and kiss her until she’s putty in my arms. “Stop looking at me like that.” She has this adorable blush on her face as she shifts from foot to foot.

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