Page 44 of Ricochet

“I am completelyoblivious to your world sometimes.”She pointed to the diner.

“Yeah, I could say the same thing about yours.”

“Mine feels so normal,” she explained.

Colin parked. “The whole Tex thing is…” He blew out a long breath. “I don’t get it but—”

“You haven’t said one word about what I said in the parking lot, but that’s what you’re stuck on?”

He pursed his lips and finally said, “It has to be related.If he’s making an okay list, and you’ve never…”

She tucked her legs under her skirt on her seat. “I’m a little older than a typical virgin.”

“I don’t think there’s any such thing as a typical person, to be honest.” He lifted his shoulder.

“You’re acting super chill.”

His brow furrowed. “What is it that you think I should be doing?”

“Calling me out? Telling me I’m a liar?” She bit her lip.“Asking what’s wrong with me.”

“If that’s what you think, I know why you haven’t had sex with anyone.” He curled two fingers, beckoning her to lean closer as he did the same. “I’ll tell you a secret.”

“You’re a virgin,” she joked quietly, looking away.

He chuckled. “No, but still. C ‘mere.”

Adelia pitched forward so that they were close enough to whisper. “I didn’t think you were.”

“You doyou and tell anyone who says a word different to screw off.”

She loved what he said, but still she worried and pulled back. Maybe he had her reasoning all wrong. “It’s not like I’ve been saving myself.”

He crooked his finger, curling for her to come toward him again.

“Colin, really.” She inched back instead. “I’m not this untouched flower who hasn’t enjoyed myself. I’ve just—”

“Adelia.” Hebeckoned again.

“What?”

“Closer, babe.”

“I am.”

“Closer,” he whispered.

She closed much of the distance. “I am.”

“I respect the hell out of strong women.”

Her pulse fluttered.

“I like spending time with you, not because of tit for tat or because I need to sex. The only thing I want right now is breakfast.” Colin kissed her gently, holding her cheeks for an innocent lingering peck thatleft her dazed as he eased back. “I’m gonna go inside and get the food. Need anything while I’m in there?”

“What was that for?”She didn’t see people kiss for no reason, except Seven and Jax and Ryder and Victoria. Those couples were exceptions to her normal, and they’d girl talked about it a few times over the years. Seven insisted that if Adelia had grown up with a television or a house wherethe father wasn’t a pimp and her mother wasn’t a drug whore, she might see PDA, but Adelia wasn’t convinced it was normal. It didn’t happen at Mayhem. Tex and Lenora didn’t snuggle so much as they leaned on each other, and their kisses generally came after a night playing pool and drinking.

“I wasn’t aware that I had to have a reason every time I wanted to kiss you.” He tilted his head as thoughwaiting for her to disagree.

Instead, she pressed her fingers against her lips. “I wasn’t aware that many people like you even existed.”

Colin nodded, and her heart soared, and that was why she’d always do what it took to keep saving people from the hell of trafficking. She was a grown woman still learning about the experiences and emotions that the lucky ones had when they were just kids.“Everyone deserves a chance to meet a Colin.”

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