Page 47 of Collide

Our eyes meet. A single beat of silence, then we both burst into laughter.

Belly-aching, breathless laughter.

“I hate to break it to you,” I manage between giggles, “but you’re basically a human glow stick right now.”

Alex tilts his head, amusement flickering across his face. “I could take it off?”

My mouth goes dry.

His smirk turns wicked. “All you have to do is ask.”

There’s something about the way he says it—not just teasing, but a dare.

My cheeks burn, hot and shameless. I realize I’m holding my breath, gripping onto my gun for dear life.

Alex chuckles, shaking his head. “If flirting is all it takes to disarm you, I’m afraid you’re in for an ass-whooping.”

I huff, shoving his arm playfully. “Game on.”

An idea hatches in my mind:Operation Distract and Destroy.Two can play this game.

His stormy eyes flash dark, exhilarated.

And just like that, the war begins.

A familiar beat pulses through the air. ‘Animal’ by Neon Trees.

How apt.

The countdown flashes red on the wall.

10! 9! 8!

I grin, my pulse pounding in sync with the music. “Yes.”

Before Alex can react, I lift the hem of his shirt with one hand, my fingers grazing over firm muscle. Warm. Taut. Just as I imagined.

“Maybe youshouldtake it off,” I whisper, emboldened, enacting step one of my plan.

His breath stops for a second. I’ve caught him off guard.

His gun hangs forgotten at his side, just as mine does. I press my other hand against his neck, tilting his face toward mine.

His pulse thrums beneath my fingertips.

His eyes darken, and he lets out a low sound of satisfaction.

Oh. That’s nice. Really nice.

Focus, Elena.

7! 6! 5!

I rise on my toes, closing the space between us.

4! 3!

His gun clatters to the floor. His arms coil around my back, pulling me in, heat meeting heat.