My heart bottoms out like usual and then our lips crash. He doesn’t waste any time swiping his tongue in to brush againstmine and the mixture of tequila and beer makes me dizzy. Maybe it’s the alcohol but his whole body seems more relaxed than normal and he starts to devour my mouth like he can’t get enough of me…isn’t able to consume me fast enough. I still sit here, cross-legged, as his hands come from resting on the stool up to my face, grabbing my cheeks in desperation.
The tingling sensation over my entire body turns me into an inferno, and I bring my hands up, covering his as I stand. He backs me up until I’m flush with the front door, the coolness of the metal would take my breath away if there were any air left in my lungs. When I move my hands to dive into his hair, one of my favorite things to do, Collins reaches for my thighs, and I wrap my legs around his waist. I can feel the tension straining against his denim and it does dangerous things to my composure as we continue tangling tongues with reckless hunger. It’s almost too much to handle, so I break free from his mouth and lean my head back against the door, inhaling deep.
Collins presses his lips to my stretched throat and uses his weight to pin me to the door. My eyes roll back in my head when he grinds his center into mine, bringing his kisses up my neck and to my cheeks before diving back to my mouth. If he moves one more time, I’m going to come undone.
That’s what is going through my mind just as I hear it. A loudthunkshakes the trailer.
We both freeze, and even though I didn’t think my heart could beat any faster, there it goes. Our heads simultaneously turn in the direction of the loud noise that came from down the hall. Collins quickly slides me back down to the floor, and we both take off toward Nan’s room. He opens the door before I can get there, but I bust through, afraid of what we’re going to find.
There, in a heap on the floor beside the bed, is what I assume to be my grandmother tangled up and completely engulfed in blankets.
“Nan, are you okay?” I hedge.
The blankets slowly start moving and muffled slurring of some sort comes from underneath. I walk over and start to unwrap them, managing to find a mess of white hair attached to all five feet of Nan, who’s…laughing? Yes, she’s definitely laughing and spewing tequila-laced breath in my direction.
“Well, dammit. I needed a smoke, so I sat up to light my cigarette, but it was the wrong end, so I panicked. And next thing you know, I’m caught up in sheets, here on the floor.” She coughs and lets out another belly laugh before adding, “Thanks for the help, sweet pea, now on you go.” She looks up at Collins who has moved behind me now and waves her hand in the air, attempting to shoo us out. “I’m fine.”
“What are we going to do with you, young lady?” Collins’ tone is serious but his eyes are alight with amusement. He takes Nan by the arm and helps her into bed.
I head back to the living room as he gets her settled, shaking my head and grinning as I go.
A moment later, he emerges from Nan’s room. We lock eyes and laughter bursts out of us both. When the laughter dissipates, Collins walks slowly toward me and places his hands on my shoulders. I crane my neck to look at him.
“I want you to come camping with me this weekend. For your birthday.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading toward the front door, like it’s not up for debate. “I already got Nan’s permission. Have your things packed by noon tomorrow.”
He’s opening the door when I cross my arms, raise an eyebrow, and say, “And what if I don’t want to go camping?”
He takes his hand off the doorknob and saunters back toward me. He stops when we’re toe to toe, lacing his fingers through my hair, gathering it all in one hand before bending down and grazing my ear ever so slightly, and whispers, “Will you please go camping with me?”
Goose bumps erupt at the sensation of his breath skimming my skin.
“Absolutely.” Because how in the world am I supposed to say no to that? Besides, I’d go anywhere with him. It’s just fun to make him work for it.
He’s halfway out the door when he responds. “That’s what I thought.”
CHAPTER 20
johnnie
NOW
Light filteringthrough the closed blinds wakes me from the most peaceful sleep I’ve had since returning to Laken. My eyes feel crusty from crying myself to sleep, and that’s when I remember Collins.
He’s here.
He stayed with me.
I reach an arm over to feel his warm skin, but all I’m met with are cool, rumpled sheets. Sitting up, I try rubbing the grit from my tired eyes and smell…
Hazelnut.
On the nightstand is a steaming paper cup of coffee. I pick it up and take a sip, its sweet warmth rolling over my tongue. I hate mornings, always have. This one, though…it might be the best I’ve felt about taking on a day in a really long time.
My gaze snags on something written in black sharpie on the side of the cup.
A phone number.
My lips tug upward and my heartbeat quickens at the sight of those ten digits. I pick up my phone, add his name to my contacts, and then fire off a text before doubt has time to catch up with me.