Page 36 of Collide

“Come on!” I hiss, pulling him with more force than grace as we dart inside, shutting the door softly but quickly behind us. We press ourselves side by side against the wood, breathing hard.

For a second, we listen, frozen, as footsteps pad across the wooden floors. My heart thunders against my ribs. When I glance up at Alex, I realize just how close he is. Close enough that I can feel the heat rolling off his body. Close enough that if I turned my head, my mouth might brush his shoulder.

He grins down at me. “This feels very scandalous. Are we sneaking around now?”

I shush him, biting back a laugh. “Give it a minute. She might go straight to her room.”

Seconds stretch, heavy and endless.

Finally, the sound of her footsteps fades down the hall.

I exhale, sagging against the door. “That was close.”

Alex’s smirk deepens. “I don’t mind a little risk. Makes things exciting.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Do you thrive on chaos, Alex?”

“Only when it involves a beautiful woman hiding me in her bedroom.”

I shake my head, trying not to smile. “You’re impossible.”

I start to step away, but Alex moves first, pivoting so he’s facing me fully. In one smooth motion, he presses his body intomine, trapping me gently against the door, his wrist still caught in my hand.

My breath catches.

He’s so close, every line of him radiating heat, every breath threading into mine. I don’t let go of his wrist, as if my fingers have forgotten how to move.

His gaze drops to my mouth, lingering there, before flicking back up to my eyes, a glance so quick I almost miss it. Almost.

The air between us crackles, humming with something wild and unspoken.

He lifts his free hand and cups my face, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheekbone. I think he might kiss me. I think I might let him.

My pulse jumps as I try to steady my breath.

“Do you plan on keeping me here all night, Elena?” he whispers, his mouth curving into a wicked, devious smile.

And nothing has ever sounded more tempting in my whole life.

Chapter 7

Crazy for You

Once the threat of Philippa discovering us had passed and we had the place all to ourselves again, Alex and I settled back into the living room, sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, gazing out at the green canopy of Central Park dulled by the gray sky and rain.

“It’s quite the view from up here,” he remarks.

“The perfect cage.” I sigh, my eyes dropping to my lap.

“What makes you say that?” he asks, voice softer now, curious.

I shrug. “Long story.”

“We’ve got time.”

“Do we?” I quip back, arching my brow at him.

His expression shifts, sharpening slightly. “Well, no. I’m out of town next week, so I want to make the most of the short time we have.”