Page 142 of Collide

When he finally rises, his breath ragged, I pull him into me, needing to taste him. I kiss him hard still trembling.

But I don’t taste him, I taste me, slick and salty. He did this. To me.

That’s when I feel it—his hardness pressing against my thigh.

“Can I…” I hesitate, nerves fluttering before boldness takes over. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel good, too?”

His lungs seize for a second, stunned.

“I’m hard for you, Elena.” His lips drag up my neck. “Do you want to feel what you do to me?” he asks.

“Yes, please.”

“Since you asked so nicely,” he teases, before taking my hand, slow and careful, and guiding it between us.

I wrap my fingers around him. He’s hot. Hard in my palm.

His breath catches as I start to move my hand, his hand never leaving mine. He groans into my mouth, his hips stuttering forward once, then again. As he fucks my hand. I pump him, squeezing and twisting in a rhythmic motion, my fingers barely touch.

His other hand cups the back of my head as we kiss deeper, slower. He swells in my grasp, his muscles tight, breath growing heavier, each moan making me wet all over again.

The rhythm builds between us, and I feel myself clench. Then he groans, moaning my name into my mouth as he finds his climax.

It’s the first time I’ve ever made someone come—and damn, it feels good. Power mixed with pride, curling low in my belly.

Now I want more. I want to know everything.

Every button to push, every sound he makes when it’smyhands,mymouth,mybody driving him wild.

Next time, I’m not lying there gasping his name, I’m taking notes, I’m showing off.

God help him, I’m googling.

He’s not the only one who gets to be good at this.

Chapter 20

Treat You Better

The Montgomery estate in the Hamptons looks like it belongs on the cover of an architecture magazine—which, to be fair, it has on more than one occasion. White-pillared elegance perched on sprawling green lawns, with a private stretch of beach glistening in the distance.

It’s grand, pristine, and perfectly curated—ironic, considering the people gathering under its roof this weekend are anything but.

The joint bachelor and bachelorette party for Philippa and Andrew is already underway. We drove up together last night, but while Philippa, Andrew, and Riley are settling in, I’m out running last-minute errands for Philippa’s bachelorette festivities.

As I step out of the car, bags in hand, the faint scent of salt from the private beach drifts through the air. But something else hangs heavier in the atmosphere.

This is the weekend Alex and Broderick will be in the same place for the first time, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive it.

Thatalmost kiss, still lives rent free in my mind.

I barely have time to process the thought before Riley bursts through the grand doors like a human firecracker.

“Finally!” she groans, throwing her arms around me in a dramatic hug. “If I have to listen to Andrew talk about his latest investment strategy for one more second, I’m going to drown myself in the pool.”

I laugh, adjusting the grocery bags in my arms. “He’s really in business mode, huh?”

“He practically confiscated my snacks. Crumbs are apparently a threat to humanity.”