Page 89 of Collide

My stomach flutters in anticipation.

The elevator arrives, and I step inside, tapping my foot impatiently as it descends. When the doors slide open, there he is, dressed in a navy polo, jeans, and sneakers, leaning casually against a sleek silver sports car, looking like something out of a dream.

“Well, damn.” He smirks. “You’re the best thing I’ve seen all week.”

I bite my lip, heat rushing to my cheeks, as I walk toward him.

“Come here,” he growls, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me flush against him.

His hand cups my jaw, tilting my face up before he presses a soft kiss to my lips—warm and full of promise.

He holds me there, firm and possessive, his body solid against mine.

My arms instinctively wrap around his neck. With heels on, I don’t have to stand on tiptoes. We’re almost perfectly aligned, like it was meant to be.

He takes my hand, his fingers threading easily through mine, and leads me to the car.

Opening the door, he lowers me gently into the seat. It’s low, and in heels, I’m grateful I manage it gracefully enough.

He rounds the car, sliding into the driver’s side with a casual ease that only makes him more dangerous to my already fragile composure.

“Nice car.”

“Had to do something to impress you,” he teases, throwing me a sideways glance.

“You’re already pretty impressive,” I blurt out, surprising myself with the honesty.

He chuckles low in his throat, shaking his head, a slow, knowing smile curving his mouth. “I could say the same about you. You look…” His eyes skim over me, setting my skin on fire. “Fucking sexy.”

He kicks the engine over, the deep rumble roaring to life and vibrating through the seat, through me, pooling heat in my belly. I press my knees together, clenching my thighs without meaning to.

And it’s like he knows. His hand slides casually onto my knee—claiming me.

Our eyes meet, and the air between us thickens, charged and electric.

“I’m excited for tonight,” he murmurs.

“Where are we going?” I ask, breathless.

He laughs under his breath. “The aquarium.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “I’ve never been to an aquarium before!”

“Really?” He flashes me a grin, puffing out his chest as if he’s proud he’s giving me yet another first.

“Never.” I shake my head, clapping my hands with glee.

His smile grows, boyish and heart-stopping as he pulls out of the garage, humming along to the radio.

His hand stays on my knee the entire ride, tapping lightly to the beat, a silent anchor between us.

When we pull up at the aquarium, the lights are dim, the entrance deserted.

“It looks closed.” I pout, glancing over at him.

He grins, that secret, devastating grin, and takes my hand again. We approach the doors, and a security guard appears, unlocking them as we step closer.

“Sir,” the guard greets, nodding.