Page 145 of Collide
“I don’t have time for whateverthisis,” I mutter, letting go of Alex’s hand and spinning on my heel and striding into the house.
Inside, the estate is a flurry of quiet luxury—the soft clinking of glassware, the faint hum of activity from the staff prepping for the day’s events.
Across the kitchen, Philippa perches on a barstool in designer swimwear, sipping champagne.
“Here,” I say, reaching into my bag and handing her sunscreen.
She lights up. “Yay! Thanks, little sis! Can’t have tan lines before the wedding.”
Behind me, I hear footsteps as Alex, Broderick, and Riley finally make their way inside.
Riley gives me a look, but I ignore it, turning to Alex. “I’ll show you where you can put your things.”
Before Broderick—or anyone—can speak, I grab Alex’s hand and pull him toward the grand staircase.
My bedroom is warm, bathed in golden afternoon light filtering through sheer curtains.
Alex leans against the doorframe, watching me with a slow, knowing smirk. “So,” he murmurs, “am I finally getting my birthday present?”
I glance at the blue box sitting on the bed. But I have a feeling he means something else entirely.
“Only if you’re a good boy.” I press my lips to his gently, before pulling away and grabbing the box. I hand it to him, my heart thudding. “I hope you like it.”
He opens the lid, brow arching with curiosity. Inside, a card:For all the moments we’ll have together—Happy Birthday.Beneath it, a vintage Leica M6 camera.
His breath catches. “You found one,” he whispers, eyes wide.
“Do you like it?”
“Elena…I love it. Thank you.”
Setting the box down, he lifts the camera and turns it over in his hands, opening it to see that it’s already been loaded with film. He smiles again. Then snaps a picture of me.
I laugh. “Alex!”
He grins, setting the camera aside and pushing me gently onto the bed, tickling me as I squeal. Hovering over me, he presses a soft kiss to my lips.
“There’s one more gift,” I murmur, nerves coiling tight in my stomach.
His brow arches, but a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “Oh, yeah?”
The air between us thickens. I breathe him in, sliding my hands down his chest before gently pulling him up and off the bed. He follows as I guide him toward the oversized armchair by the window.
I push him and he drops into it with a lazy sprawl, legs spread wide, arms resting on the armrests like he owns the world.
“Bossy today, huh?” he teases, though his eyes have darkened, heat simmering in them.
“You could say that.” I smile faintly and lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before sinking to my knees between his legs.
His gaze sharpens, watching me with a hunger that makes my pulse race.
Running my hands slowly up his thighs, I feel the muscles flex under my touch, relishing the way his breath catches.
I want to see him fall apart.
But then?—
I hesitate.
