Page 189 of Collide

I don’t.

Instead, I reach for him, my fingers sliding over the sharp cut of his jaw, down the ridges of his torso, reveling in the way heshudders beneath my touch. His body is a masterpiece—strong, sculpted, and undeniably his, the embodiment of the thrill and danger that drew me to him in the first place.

He exhales sharply when I drag my nails lightly down his abdomen, and in one swift movement, his mouth crashes into mine, and I meet him head-on—lips parting, teeth grazing, breath mixing hot between us. My fingers curl into his hair, dragging him closer, like I can’t get enough. I kiss him harder, deeper, tilting my head. Every inch of restraint slips through my grip.

His hands roam my body like he’s memorizing me, learning every curve, every dip, every soft gasp that escapes my lips. His mouth follows, pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone, across my shoulder, down, down—until he reaches the swell of my breasts.

His fingers work the clasp of my bra, and when the lace slips away, the way he looks at me makes heat pool deep in my core.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs, voice rough and adoring.

“Alex.” His name escapes my lips, a breathy plea.

His lips brush the base of my neck. “So innocent…so perfect.” His tone drops—dark, heady, almost possessive.

His mouth trails lower, his tongue flicking over my nipple before he sucks it into his mouth, rolling it between his teeth enough to make me whimper. My back arches, pressing into him, needing more, and he gives it, moving to my other breast, teasing, taking his time.

He nuzzles himself between them, his hot breath kissing and lapping up my skin.

“Touched only byme…” he murmurs, dragging his mouth down my stomach. “Fuck, you don’t evenknowwhat you’re doing to me.” His breath is hot against my skin. “I think about it all the time—sliding inside you for the first time…stretchingyou open, so slow you cry for more. Teaching you how to take me. How to pleasureme.” He kisses the inside of my thigh, eyes locked on mine. “No one else gets this. No one else getsyou. I’m going to mark you so deep, you’ll never forget who you fucking belong to.”

I’m a mess of moans and shallow gasps, and he’s barely even touched me. His words wreck me. I fist my fingers in his hair, yanking him up, kissing him harder this time.

“More,” I pant.

He chuckles against my mouth. “Patience, Elena.”

But patience is gone. Burnt out of me. I’ve waited long enough.

I shove at the waistband of his sweats, desperate to feel more. He’s already hard—thick and straining beneath the fabric. He groans, low and guttural, helping me push them down.

He springs free, heavy and flushed, and I freeze, swallowing hard. The sight of him sends a jolt straight through me, making my thighs clench. All I can think about is how he’ll feel stretching me open. How full I’ll be. How I’ll never come back from it.

My hesitation must show, because Alex lifts my chin, brushing his lips over mine.

“I’ll take care of you,” he murmurs.

His hands glide down my body, slipping beneath the thin fabric of my panties, and the moment his fingers brush against me, I gasp.

“You’re so wet,” he groans, his forehead dropping to my shoulder. “Is this all for me?”

I can’t answer. I can barely think as he circles my clit, teasing, applying enough pressure to make my hips jerk against his hand. He watches me, his eyes dark and hooded, studying every reaction, every breathy moan that spills from my lips as he strokes me, slow at first, then faster.

And then he slides a finger inside me. Then another.

I gasp, my hands gripping his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin. He adds another, curling them just right, his thumb pressing tight, perfect circles against me, and I swear I start unraveling right then and there.

He rocks his hand back and forth in a steady rhythm, curling, stretching, in and out, then curling again.

Heat rises, deep within me, a current of electricity dancing across my skin.

“Come for me, Darling, give it to me,” he whispers, his lips brushing against my ear.

And I do.

I feel the wetness dripping from my pussy.

Ecstasy rushes through me as my body trembles, rideing out each wave, my thighs clenching around his wrist. He groans, kissing me through it, consuming my gasps like he wants to keep them.