Page 77 of Collide
Annoyance flickers, snuffing out the earlier buzz.Great.
He extends a hand. The Rolex flashes, and it’s practically a punchline.
I shake it anyway, ignoring the way it engulfs mine.
Ignoring how warm his palm is.
Howgoodit feels.
I pull back quickly. Nod. Controlled.
“Themaid of honor,” he teases, eyes glinting. So he knows who I am.
A jolt shoots straight between my thighs.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
My hormones are traitorous. Where’s Alex when you need him?
I scowl at him.
His grin falters—just a hair. Then something shifts. His eyes darken. The charm sharpens.
A challenge.
I refuse to blink first.
Instead, I pull out my phone, effectively ending whateverthatmoment was.
Alex
Good Morning Älskling.
A smile tugs at my lips.
I quickly type back.
Elena
Morning, thinking of you.
Which isn’t entirely true, because right now, I’m practically eye-fucking this guy. I roll my eyes.
The elevator is silent except for the soft whoosh as we ascend. But I feel it—the weight of Broderick’s gaze, the awareness humming between us.
I force myself to focus on my screen as Alex’s response comes through.
Alex
Better now that I know you woke up thinking about me.
A mixture of guilt, annoyance, and amusement fills me, and I bite my lip to hide my smile, thinking of the predicament I’m currently in.
Broderick shifts, leaning in slightly, and damn it, he smells good. Like warm amber, cedarwood, and trouble. My body betrays me with the smallest shiver.Annoying.
“You’re a friendly one, aren’t you?” Broderick’s voice breaks the silence as the doors slide open.
I glance up to find him watching me with that same lazy amusement.
