Collide (Collide #1)(127)

Gavin studied her face as she watched his parents. Something in her voice and eyes ached to have something deeper than what she had with Dillon. It was then that Gavin knew he needed to wake up with her lying next to him, longing to see what shade of green her eyes were when they were still lazy with sleep. He wanted her hair tangled in a mess and draped over his strong arms when he woke up to her smiling up at him. In the coldest of winters where blankets didn't provide her body enough warmth, he wanted to be that warmth. Most of all, he wanted Emily to fall in love with him. It was more than a desire for her body; it was his need for her heart and soul. If he could have one night with her, Gavin was sure he'd be able to convince her that they were made for one another.

His warm fingers lazily traveled up her spine, coming to rest on the nape of her neck. "You deserve to be loved like that," he whispered against her hair.

When he pulled back, their lips were close. With the slightest movement from either, they would connect.

With his whisper bracing soft and sexual, Emily pulled in a ragged breath and tried to ignore the electricity tingling over her skin. The combination of his touch and the seductive sound of his voice had her body aching with need. Now she was breathing harshly. She felt her breasts rising and falling and noticed his gaze flick over them as she looked away, not saying a word.

Gavin stopped moving, and Emily brought her attention back up to his face.

His touch was almost unbearable, whispering over her jaw, as his gaze penetrated into her. "I can still taste you on my lips."

Heart ricocheting through her chest, Emily lost all ability to think and simply drowned in the feeling of his hands, now tenderly floating down her waist. Unable to speak, she simply looked up into his blue eyes.

"I miss the way your body feels against mine." Wetting his lips, his hands clenched her waist tighter. "I miss feeling the way your pulse accelerates when I touch you." He swallowed, closed his eyes, and inhaled her scent, the sweet smell of jasmine intoxicating him. Opening his eyes, his voice notched lower, softer even, as his hands framed her face. "I want to take my time with you, brushing my fingers over the spots that he's neglected. He's never loved you the way you need to be loved," he whispered into her ear, pulling her closer. "Let me love every part of you. Your mind..." He trailed his fingers down her neck. "Your body...your heart...your scars..." His hands ghosted back down her waist. "Your quirks...your habits...your thoughts...all of you. Give me all of it, Emily."

Swallowing hard, Emily's body shook. She backed away from him, not meeting his eyes, her voice low. "I can't do this with you, Gavin. We...we can't do this." He moved toward her, but she stepped away further. "Tell Olivia I'll meet her back at the apartment. I have to leave."

She spun on her heel and headed for the table to grab her clutch and shawl.

With tangible shock on his face, Gavin watched as she scurried through the ballroom, making her way through the crowd. However, he wasn't about to let her go. He wasn't about to let her walk out of his life.

Not now. Not ever.

In a few quick strides, he made his way through the throng of guests and caught her by the elbow in the lobby. Eyes filled with confusion, he looked down to her, his heart pounding. "Why are you running from me, Emily?"

"I'm not running from you," she whispered, her eyes brimming with threatening tears.

Sighing, he plowed his hand through his hair. "You are running from me, and I want to know why."

She looked away. She refused to see the pain evident in his eyes - and refused to feel the pain in her heart. "It'll never work out. You and Dillon were friends, and he'd never allow this to happen."