Collided: Dirty Air (Book 2)(82)

“I raised a warrior, not a princess. She can protect herself.” Her dad eyes me instead of his daughter.

“Claims the man who made me wear space buns instead of braids like every other normal girl at school. I distinctly remember how you threatened to take away a girl’s glitter lunchbox after she made fun of my hair. Sounds like protecting to me.” Sophie misses every unspoken word her dad sends my way, from his clenched fists to the death stare he shoots me like he knows exactly how attracted I am to his daughter.

I shake off the bad feeling and steal Sophie away, the unwavering sensation of James Mitchell’s eyes following me with each step I take out of the Bandini garage.

I lead Sophie to the Wrangler I rented, ready to knock off one of her last items. She put it off for long enough and I can’t enable her anymore because I prefer to get shit done. Somehow, we crossed off most of her list over the past two months, holding off on a few more because of our limited free time.

“Where are we going?” She buckles her seatbelt.

“I’ve decided to keep it a surprise until we get there.”

Sophie eyes me cautiously but accepts my demand. I drive us through the city as we share the aux cord like a functional couple. She declares my music taste worthy, and I let her play her pop songs.

“Okay. I’m about to hit you with a song that, if you don’t know the lyrics, makes me question if we can be a thing anymore.”

“Just like that? I didn’t think you could be cold, cutting me off like that.”

“Don’t hate the music player…” She presses play and Mario’s “Let Me Love You” streams through the car speakers. Of course, I know this song. Lyrics pour from her lips as she watches Sao Paolo pass us, trees and city streets flying by in a blur of colors.

All I can do is watch her. The way her eyes close and her body moves to the music, not giving a damn if I know the lyrics or not. I join in after a minute because I don’t want to disappoint her. We laugh together when she uses her phone as a fake microphone.

While driving down the street, doing absolutely nothing, the realization hits me that I need to spend more time with her. Our time is coming to an end and I have no idea where life will take me. I’m a fucking idiot for not making Rick push McCoy harder about my stipulation.

Fuck, I’m a coward for not talking to Peter myself and laying down the law. I need to handle this situation ASAP before it’s too late.

Sophie continues playing songs until I pull the car into the parking lot. I hop out of my seat and go around to her door, opening it for her.

“Oh, no.” She clutches onto her seatbelt like a lifeline.

“You only have a few more items. I’ll be there for you the whole time.” I lean over and unbuckle her seatbelt.

“I’m scared.”

“So am I.” My honesty sobers her.

Sophie grumbles nonsense while getting out of the car. We walk into a warehouse hand-in-hand because I’m afraid she’ll make a run for it.

A secretary greets us. “Welcome to Sao Paulo Skydiving. We are so appreciative that you decided to fly with us today, Mr. Zander. We’re huge fans here. Your plane is waiting, and the trainers are ready to start orientation.” She hands us our papers.

Sophie trudges behind me. “I really hate you right now.”

“There’s a fine line between love and hate.”

“There’s also a fine line between sanity and insanity. Guess which side you’re on.”

I laugh as I grab her hand and pull her close. “Just a few more items and then you’re all done.” It’s hard to disregard the way my chest throbs at the notion.

She sticks her chin out and rolls her shoulders back. “We can do this. People skydive all the time.”

“That’s my girl, fearless after ten pep talks.”

We go through the orientation and get set up in our gear. Our plane rushes down the runway, ready to get us going.

In no time, the plane takes off with Sophie and me attached to our two instructors. I eye her partner, sending fuck-off vibes while Sophie mumbles words of encouragement to herself.

I break up her nervous chanting. “Ready to fly, Sunshine?”

It’s not my fault she looks and acts like the sun. Like the destructive yellow orb in the sky, she eats away at my protective layer while lighting up my darkest corners.

“I’d jump out of the plane at that nickname alone.”

I release a carefree laugh. “Well, here’s your chance.”

“I’m zero percent ready for this.”

How fitting, when I was zero percent ready for her. But here I am, about to jump out of a plane because I like this girl and want to take as many firsts from her as I can.

An attendant opens the door. Sophie and I both waddle with our partners to the open area. My heart beats rapidly in my chest, my throat closing from the restricted airflow to my lungs. I turn toward the girl who captured my attention months ago and never let go.

She shoots me a beaming smile worth this crazy Fuck It list item. “Liam Zander, it was a pleasure knowing you. Please pick up my remains at the orientation table.”

“That’s it? I expected a declaration of love.”

She rolls her eyes, visible through her tinted goggles. “How about a declaration of annoyance?”

“Close enough.” I pull her in for a kiss, ignoring the two dudes strapped against our backs. Our kiss is simple and sweet, satiating my lust and our gravitational pull, easing my rapid heart rate.