Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(21)

“You know what they say about nice guys is a lie, right?” I enjoy the look of surprise on her face a little too much.

Her eyes enlarge and her lips part as her ice queen fa?ade melts away. “What do you mean?”

“Unlike nice guys, bad boys always finish last. Every. Single. Time. And there are plenty of repeats.” My hand has a mind of its own, running down her arm and leaving goosebumps behind.

Her breath catches at my words, encouraging me to get more responses from her. Fuck the repercussions. Touching isn’t fucking, so I’m not breaking my deal yet. My skin buzzes when my knuckles graze her face.

A sigh escapes her lips, tempting me to kiss her, to put our connection to the test. Uncertainty bubbles inside of me, not quite sure what to make of my attraction toward her. I’m dancing on a fine line between giving into my desires and holding true to my promise of behaving.

I pull away to avoid kissing her.

“Bad boys are overrated.” She rolls her eyes, clearly ignoring her response toward me.

“But I thought you wanted to branch out. Especially with your list and all.”

Her fucking list. My dick stirs at the thought of some of the items.

Sophie has the innocent look down, all dimples and almond-shaped eyes, but her list tells a different story I want to know better. I want to feed my craving to explore her body. To learn more about the woman who loves the night sky, who stares up at the stars and makes wishes, unfortunately very aware of things lurking in the night. Bastards like me who want to seduce her and bring her to the dark side. I’d fuck her under her precious sky, making sure the only thing she wishes for is my cock and multiple orgasms.

My mind runs faster than my race car. I miss half of whatever comes out of Sophie’s mouth.

“…No one else knows about it, so you need to keep quiet. Do not tell anyone. You weren’t even supposed to find out, but since you’re too damn nosey for your own good, now you know.” She shifts her weight about, showing how flustered she is about her error. What a fantastic mess she made.

A grin crosses my face. “I’m going to enjoy this little secret between us.”

“You really aren’t going to let my list go, are you?”

“Nope. Now tell me, why did you create this dirty list of yours? Did you get tired of fingering yourself at night, hoping for a better tomorrow?”

She laughs and pinches my arm, the throaty sound hitting me straight between the legs. My cock stirring at a modest touch sets off a bunch of alarms I choose to ignore.

“Who says I do that to begin with?” Her dimples pop as she smiles at me.

I give her a pointed look, silently telling her not to insult my intelligence. “A man like me senses these things. You being a single woman in your early twenties with no boyfriend means you gets off somehow.”

“One: how do you know I don’t have a boyfriend?”

“I think your list gives you away. If you did have a boyfriend, please dump him because if he can’t make you come from oral sex, he’s not worthy.”

Sophie laughs to the point of coughing. “Okay. Good point. Well, I created my list because I got tired of university boys disappointing me and barely living my life outside of the library. I saw some bucket lists, got drunk while writing mine, and here I am.”

What really sticks out to me and my dick is how she mentions university idiots. “What type of guys did you date in college?”

“None since I wouldn’t count a few dates as ‘dating’ really.” She sighs.

Sounds like a sore subject for Little Miss Perfect over here.

“Please tell me they got the job done, at least?” I clench my hands while I wait for her answer, battling between wanting to know and not all at the same time. What the fuck is going on with me?

Her sudden intake of breath tells me that she knows what I mean. “Nope.”

“I must apologize for men everywhere and make it up to you with multiple orgasms and kisses that leave you breathless. Say the words and I’ll be your humble servant who makes it my job to help you.” I give her a little bow before popping back up again. The ice around my heart chips away at the small smile she sends my way, breathtaking yet cautious, reaching her alluring eyes.

Alluring eyes? Damn, Liam, go get your balls back.

“As enticing as your offer sounds, you need to keep your no-no square to itself. Thanks, though.”

Of course, I should listen and keep to myself, but my brain enjoys the tug-of-war going on inside of me. I battle between not becoming another sleazy gossip headline while wanting to spend more time with Sophie.

Maybe I’m lonelier than I realize. A potentially terrible idea hits me out of nowhere, but it seems like a decent plan.

“I want to add something to your list.” I bet she has it on her, stuffed away in her purse, her dirty secret following her wherever she goes.

Her eyes blink back at me a few times.

“Go on a date with a bad boy.” I shoot her a wide smile.

“No way. We’re not messing up the list. It’s already typed, so no can do. Better luck next time. Maybe with someone else who wants your help.” She shakes her head rather aggressively.

I intertwine my fingers with hers on the handrail. Warmth trails up my arm to my chest, an unrecognizable sensation possibly due to a few too many vodka straights clouding my head and my judgment. My thumb runs over her knuckles in a mindless pattern matching her shallow breathing.