Page 39 of Collide

“First things first,” I say. I take one step forward, closing all space between us, and cover her slim shoulders with my hands. “I want you. All of you,” I emphasize, roaming my sight down her body to settle on her belly. It’s still hidden under another dress, but the bump is there. I spin her to face the sink, and she steadies herself by gripping the porcelain. I cup her throat, forcing her head up to look at me through the reflection in the mirror.

“All of you,” I repeat. Not just sex. Not just stolen moments, but every minute of every day and night. Ivy consumes my thoughts, and I don’t want to let her go.

My thumb strokes up her throat, curving under her chin until she tips it higher and then lays her head back on my shoulder. Her eyes remain on mine, no longer horrified but still frightened. She doesn’t believe what I said—I’ll marry her—and I tell myself I have time. I’ll prove myself to her. Right now, I know the only way to get us back to us is this...family always says they’re sorry.

“I’m sorry I called you crazy.” I nip her neck hard, and she whimpers. Her knees buckle, and she grips the sink with more effort. I pull back and meet her eyes in the mirror.

“I was acting crazy. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She closes her eyes, and I skim my nose down her neck. She whispers, “I’m sorry.”

My hand travels from her upper arm, which I’d been holding, to her belly, and then I curl it around her hip. I scrunch up her dress until I can get under the skirt. She purrs as if she knows where I’m headed.

“I want you,” I murmur under her ear and lick the side of her neck. I find her thong wet and slip a finger under the damp fabric. Pressing upward, I’m met with a deep exhale when I invade her. Her ass presses back, and she finds I’m already hard.

“Feel what you do to me, Ivy.” I bite her neck again. “You make me crazy.” I look up to see a twinkle in her eye as she chews the corner of her lip. She likes that she makes me unstable, and the responding grin she gives me in the mirror is a game changer. I pull my fingers back from her entrance and hastily unbuckle my belt. The loud click of metal and the sharp zipper descending fills the small space. I lift her dress over her back, exposing two smooth fine globes. With fingers returning to her wet core, I hold myself against her curvy backside. I slip myself though the seam and then drag down to her drenched entrance.

She instantly coats my tip, and a frantic ripple rushes through my body. I’m so close to slipping inside her. A little shift, a bend of the knees, and I’d bury myself in her. Then I find her eyes in the mirror. Distant. Shut down. This isn’t what she wants. It shouldn’t be here in a backstage bathroom. This isn’t how I want to first take her.

I pull back, dragging myself away from her promised land. My dick nearly weeps, cursing me, but I pull forth every bit of strength I can muster. And when her eyes shift, turning questioning, I explain.

“Not until we’re married.” It’s almost a threat, as if I’m warning myself. I won’t take advantage of her without a ring on her finger and a promise of forever.

“I can’t marry you,” she replies quickly. I’m not at hurt as her first rejection, and I chuckle.

“You can.”

“This is not your kid,” she stresses, something painful in her voice.

“She will be,” I state. “All of you,” I remind her, placing my palm flat on her belly. My pants still dangle open, but her dress has slipped down her backside, covering her.

“What about my uncle?” She knows the deal I tried to make with the devil.

“I’ll find another way. Another manager.”

“I don’t want you giving up your dreams.” She turns to face me, hands coming to my chest.

“I’m not giving up a dream, just adding to it.”

Ivy slowly licks her lower lip, still focusing on my T-shirt, plucking at the cotton. “I can’t ask this of you.”

“You didn’t ask.” I pause a moment. “I haven’t even asked,” I say a little surprised at myself. I need to plan this better. I need a ring. My heart races. Am I really doing this?

A rapid thump comes to the weak bathroom door.

“Gage?” Tommy’s sharp voice rings through the thin wood. I reach for my zipper and hastily buckle my belt.

“Coming,” I snap and then chuckle when my eyes meet Ivy. Well, not exactly, but I wish. I wish I had slipped inside her, and my seed was what produced the baby growing in her. But I mean what I say. It won’t make a bit of difference to me. Her baby will be mine just as much as she will be.

18

IVY

Gage enters the stage to stand near Arturo King, and the crowd goes insane. Arturo leans over to say something to Gage, and then Gage searches the crowd until he finds me.

“You’re gorgeous,” he states. He focuses on me despite the bright lights in his eyes. I smile although he can’t see me. Perkins Vale taps his sticks, and they break into song. It’s the Nights’ tune “Last Look,” and then I realize Gage is mashing in his own song “Believe in Me.” The already amped audience goes wild as the two powerhouse voices merge their sounds together. When the song ends, Gage steps forward, and Arturo plays acoustic while Gage breaks into Howie Day’s “Collide,” and I can’t breathe. It’s one of my favorites about a guy and girl who are opposites but still make it work. They collide.

When Gage finishes, he’s on an adrenaline rush from being on the stage and the energy high of the crowd. It takes a while before he gets to me.

“That was amazing,” I tell him as he wraps me in his arms and tugs me against him. His body nearly vibrates with the endorphins flowing through him.