Collide (a Collision novella)

by L. B. Dunbar

  “I needed to clear my head. I took a walk.” He stares at me, still holding me close to him. He’s waiting for more of an explanation. “It just doesn’t make sense. You and me. I’m not going to deny I’m attracted to you. I’m wickedly attracted, but there’s no point. I’m…” I glance down at my belly and rub a hand over the bump. He tips up my chin and returns to kissing me.

  “You’re attracted to me.” A slow smile on his lips curves against mine as he speaks. He pulls back and tips his forehead to mine. “You’re the only girl I see, Ivy. The only one in my head.” He leans back to face me. His eyes search mine, which tear with his words.

  “You’re all I think about, too,” I whisper, and his mouth falls on mine again. Fingers comb into my hair, holding me against him. His hips sway, rubbing his abs against my belly, leading me slowly in a circle. I pull back.

  “Are we dancing?” I giggle as his hand remains in my hair, and he guides me with his pelvis to rock with him.

  “You ran off before I could dance with you.”

  “You were dancing with that other girl.”

  “Ivy,” he groans, still leading me in a tempting circle. He lowers his head to my level. “Were you jealous?”

  I close my eyes to avoid his, but his mouth finds mine again. We sway a little longer until my knees hit the back of the loveseat. Gage’s hands lower to my hips, and he guides me downward. I sit and lie back as Gage follows me. His mouth never leaves mine. We lie on our sides as best we can on the small cushions, hands roaming only on our upper bodies. Shoulders. Neck. Jaw. His leg comes between mine, and I curl mine around his.

  “I’ve wanted to kiss you for days,” he says, taking a breath. “Years,” he adds, before kissing me again. We’re making out like teenagers, and I can’t remember a time I did this. And it doesn’t take long for my body to want more from him.

  “I want to be with you,” I whisper against his mouth, tightening my thighs around his.

  “We will but not yet. Not tonight. Tonight, we kiss.”

  I pout, and he nips my lip, opening me for more kisses. I can’t seem to control myself, and my hips roll, forcing friction where I need it against his thigh. My short dress has risen to my hips, and my thong is hardly a barrier.

  “You need to come?” he teases, moving to the corner of my mouth.

  “Desperately,” I admit, as his words send a rush up my belly.

  “As I’m your first orgasm, I plan to be all of them. Take what you need, but I’m not touching you.” His mouth returns to mine, but he doesn’t stop me from humping his leg. I’m so close. I just need a nudge over the edge. I work myself up, wrapped around his thigh until I can’t take it anymore. I slip my hand to the apex of my leg, and Gage pulls back. He tips his head to watch me reach under my dress. The back of my hand rests on his thigh, and he presses upward as my fingers meet the spot.

  “Fuck, gorgeous,” he groans, watching me finish myself off. As I come, I search for his lips, moaning into his mouth while relief washes over me. My thighs clamp together as my fingers leave my sex. I reach for his face, holding him in place while I kiss him with all I have.

  “Ivy?” My name startles me, and we still, our lips attached but we don’t move.

  “Stay,” I warn Gage, as I climb over him and stand.

  “Uncle Tommy?” I ignore the soft curse from Gage as he pulls his feet forward, drawing his knees upward to shield his body with the back of the loveseat.

  “Going to bed, honey.” He has no idea how badly I want to go to bed with the man hiding behind some cushions.

  “Few more minutes. Just watching the stars.”

  “Night, baby girl.”

  “Night.” I hold my breath until I see him turn for the hall. My head drops forward, and Gage sits up.

  “That was a close call.”

  I turn to him, peering down at his disheveled hair and the wet spot on his jeans.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’d kill me if we were together.”

  “He’s already upset about the social media thing.”

  Gage stands, filling my space again by holding my face. “I’ll never let them touch you, and I told him that.”

  “You already discussed it?”

  “Earlier tonight. He told me to stay away from you. Not drag you through our shit.”

  “Is that why you acted like you did in the club? And you talked about me without talking to me?”

  “Ivy, I just want to keep you safe. The baby, too. And so does Tommy.”

  “I’m not a child,” I whimper, sounding exactly like one as my hand covers my belly.

  “Obviously,” he says, rolling his eyes down my body. My brows pinch. My heart twitches. I don’t know how to respond.

  “I’m going to bed,” I mutter, stepping away from him.

  “Hey.” He catches my arm. “Tell me what happened here because I’m not letting you run again.”

  “I don’t know what happened, but you can’t talk about me or make decisions for me without discussing them with me first.”

  “Got it,” he states although the grin tugging at his lips tells me he isn’t taking me seriously. I shift to move, but he gently tugs me back to him. “And I’ll tell you what’s happening here. I’ll do anything to keep you safe. But I won’t be a one-and-run with you. No more running. Okay? You and I, whatever this is, it’s happening, though we can keep it a secret for now. We’ll take it slow. For once, you need slow, gorgeous. You feel me?”

  I want to feel him with every part of my being. My heart especially wants to believe him. Foolish organ.

  “Okay,” I whisper, filled by his words, and then he kisses me again, and I forget all about walking away from him.

  14

  GAGE

  Dancing with the other girl did nothing to squelch the social media’s interest in Ivy. Confirmation of her identity filled Twitter, and images of us throughout the day snorkeling were added to Instagram. I want to punch every person present on that boat with us. Then came the club, and my grand plan to dance with someone else, hoping to draw attention away from Ivy. It only fueled the fire of speculation with images of Ivy dancing with Petty. Confusion filled social media. Which man was she with? Was she with both? No one considered we could all be friends, but most of all, Ivy had been jealous while I danced with another girl, and it made me gloat with foolish pride.

  She had no reason to be jealous, but it was a heady feeling all the same. She wants me. She told me.

  And I want her with every part of me. My head. My soul. My heart.

  I’ve fallen fast and hard for Ivy Carrigan, just like the words she said two years ago. Faster. Harder. But just as I told her last night, this round, we are taking things slow.

  What I don’t like about the images of me with another girl in the club is the angle. I look like I’m kissing her, and it doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t want Ivy misinterpreting the images, but as I near her by the pool, the vibe coming off her tells me she already has.

  “Mornin’,” I say, falling into a seat next to her. Tommy’s on her other side, talking with two women standing on the other side of the rope. Security has his back to us, but he’s on alert if he needs to ask the women to step away. Based on their laughter, I don’t think Tommy will be shooing them off anytime soon.

  Ivy mumbles, “Good morning,” but doesn’t look at me. Her head tips back on the small pillow. Thick round sunglasses cover her eyes.

  “What’s this?” I snap, not appreciating the cold shoulder. Her lips twist, and then she leans forward. The strain pops her belly, covered in her thin gauzy dress. Seeing her covered up pisses me off as much as her attitude. She reaches into a large bag and pulls out her phone. Before I even see what she’s going to show me, I know the picture. She hands it to me anyway.

  I glance down, but I don’t have to focus. I turn to her.

  “Last night, you told me not to make decisions for you without talking to you first, and I’m going to ask the same
thing of you. Don’t make judgments about me until you talk to me.” My anger grows with each word. “There’s one thing I’m not. A liar. There’s one thing I am. Loyal. I would never kiss another woman with you as my girl, and I would never kiss another woman and then kiss you.” I’m nearly shaking I’m so angry. How can she think I’d be like this?

  “I’m sorry,” she mouths. “It’s just…my mother and Hank. They were always like this. Making statements and declarations, and then throwing each other into the flames of jealousy. But it’s no excuse, and I did misjudge you.”

  I’m still humming, adrenaline rushing through me. I scoot off the lounger where I sit and snap at her to stand. She pulls up her glasses, propping them on her head, and blinks at me. Tommy stops talking to the women next to him and turns his attention toward Ivy.

  “Baby girl?” he mutters.

  I reach out my hand for Ivy. “Please, stand.” She flips her legs off the sun chair and approaches me. “Take off the dress.”

  “Gage,” she warns me, looking left and right.

  “I want to go swimming.” I just told her I wasn’t a liar, but that doesn’t mean a little fibbing here and there hasn’t happened. Once she’s removed the material, I fall to one knee. My name shrieks from her sweet mouth, and her hands cups my face. She’s trying to pull me up by my cheeks, but I reach for her wrists, countering her force and plant my face against her belly. Kissing her with an open mouth, I circle her stomach, sucking at her skin.

  “Gage,” she growls, but I don’t pull back even though one wrist breaks free and she digs her fingers into my hair. She tugs, and it stings, but I don’t lean away until I’ve finished. When I do, I stand, facing her with a shit-eating grin on my lips. “What do you think you are doing?”

  “Making my own declaration. Just to be clear, Ivy Carrigan. I want you, and the baby you carry.”

  “But it’s not—”

  I stop her with two fingers over her lips. “She’s mine, just as you’ll soon be.”

  A presence comes behind me. “Social media’s going to love this one.” Petty smacks me on the back, and I stumble forward into Ivy. Her hands come to my shoulders, ready to push me away again, but I quickly wrap my arms around her, tugging her into an embrace. I kiss the side of her neck.

  Petty’s taken my seat, and Jared stands next to me. Tommy gets up from his chair.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “Let’s not make a scene,” I remark, keeping my eyes on Ivy.

  “You already did,” Tommy seethes.

  “You’re making it worse for her,” Jared comments. We already hashed out his apprehension about my involvement with Ivy last night. I heard what he said, but I’m not listening to his advice. I keep my eyes on Ivy.

  “Tell me I’m making it worse, and I’ll step back right now. I’ll make a statement to clarify. Congratulations or something. But keep me close, and I swear I’ll take care of you both.”

  “What are you doing?” Ivy stares at me, uncertainty and fear filling her eyes. The look unsettles me because it’s so different from the sadness I’ve previously witnessed. I don’t like any of these negative emotions in her sapphire gems. I only want to see her give in to me.

  “I’m making a declaration.” Her hands remain on my shoulders although she’s no longer pressing against them. I hold my breath, preparing for her to shove me away when she surprises me. She slips her hands up my neck, and her fingers curl into the back of my hair. She gently tugs, and a slow smile curls her lips.

  “You better know what you’re doing,” Tommy hisses although I don’t know who he’s addressing. I’m too wrapped up in the touch of her fingers and the curve of her cautious lips.

  “I’m going to kiss you,” I murmur, leaning forward, but a hand to my shoulder stops me.

  “You and I need to talk. Now.” The sharpness in Tommy’s tone leaves no argument. Ivy doesn’t even intercede with her uncle, fear returning to her eyes as she keeps them on mine. I cup her cheeks.

  “I’ll be right back.” I state each word with added emphasis. No matter what Tommy says, I’m not going anywhere.

  I follow him over to the bar, which isn’t exactly private, but it also doesn’t make it look like we’re headed to a back alley to beat each other up.

  Tommy orders a whiskey and then turns to me. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  “Be our manager and help us figure it out.” I cut him off, knowing he’s winding up for more.

  “Manager?” he scoffs. “You need a swift knock in the head, a babysitter, and a damn good publicist after this. This is going to be a shitstorm on social media.”

  “Since when do you care about social media?”

  “Since my niece just got dragged into your bullshit.” Tommy pauses and lowers his voice. “In her condition, she doesn’t need stress in her life.”

  “I’m not playing social media games. I don’t want her misunderstanding what she sees about me. People want to take pictures, then I’m giving them something to post about. I want her.”

  Tommy’s eyes widen. “It isn’t just her.”

  “I want all of her, which means baby and all.”

  He shakes his head and takes a sip of his drink. He’s not looking at me as he speaks. “Let her go, and I’ll be your manager.”

  My stomach drops. He can’t be serious. I almost proposed to his niece poolside, and he thinks I’ll take it back for him.

  “Tell us how to act. What to do. Where to go. Open doors for us, and we won’t disappoint, but don’t. Do. Not. Ask me to give her up. For her as well as me.”

  “I’d say I’m going to enjoy you fucking this up, but then again, my niece is involved. She’s like a daughter to me, which is why I can’t help you string her along. Find someone else, kid, before you lose it all.”

  He walks away, and I don’t know if he means another girl or another manager but giving up Ivy isn’t an option. A different manager it will be, then.

  15

  IVY

  We spend the rest of the day at the pool although the tension is deeper than the ocean. Eventually, Petty and Jared decide to try sneaking into another resort for their poolside bar. Tommy’s taken off with the two women who lingered by our chairs earlier. Gage invites me to dinner.

  We go to a small seafood place. It’s casual with red and white checkered tablecloths and wooden mallets in galvanized buckets for breaking crab legs. Gage orders a beer and a sparkling water with a lime for me.

  “How did you know I’d like that?” I ask, surprised.

  “You had one the other day.” He shrugs like it’s not a big deal that he’s been paying attention to details. We’ve been quiet most of the afternoon, each lingering with our own thoughts.

  “Is this a game to you?” I ask, no longer able to hold back the question.

  “What?” His head shoots up.

  “Is this for publicity or something? What am I missing here?”

  “What?” he repeats, staring at me in disbelief. He sits back against the booth opposite me and looks toward the window. The ocean view is pretty as the sun descends on another day. He stares for a moment and then leans forward, stretching his arms across the table to take my hands. “You have so much to give, Ivy. I sense it, but there’s a wall. The wall you’ve built to protect yourself is so tall, so thick.” His brows pinch in wonder. “Let me climb over.”

  “I don’t need rescuing,” I defend. “I haven’t been locked in a tower my whole life.”

  “No, you’ve put yourself there to be safe. And I don’t blame you. It must have been hard to be her daughter.”

  “You don’t know anything about her.”

  He looks remorseful as he squeezes my hands. “I don’t. But being the child of a rock star. The fame. The fortune. It must have been daunting sometimes. Who’s genuine? Who’s fake?”

  My skin crawls with his accuracy.

  “I’m real, Ivy. I want you. This. Us. You’re going to laugh, but I’m a romanti
c at heart. I believe you know when you know. Call it a gut reaction. It’s how I knew about my friendship with Cash. I believed we’d do great things together, and we did. I trusted him. He was my family because my family didn’t understand me. That’s why joining a band made sense to me. I wanted to belong somewhere, and the band was my place.” He pauses a second. “I think the same is true of you. You want to trust someone, but you just don’t know who or how. You’ve done some…things…in order to feel connected to someone. You want to belong somewhere just like me.” He lowers his head. “It’s why I want you to belong with me.” He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles.

  “You kissed her like that last night,” I remind him, and my eyes narrow at him although my heart races with what he’s said. He nods, rolling his lips, and releasing my hands. Slipping out of the booth, he comes to my side and sits next to me. Placing an arm over the back of the bench, he cups my jaw with this other hand, forcing me to look at him.

  “I’ve never kissed anyone the way I kiss you.” His mouth descends to mine, and within seconds, I feel myself leaning backward. If we weren’t in a public place, Gage would have me on my back in this booth, and I’d let him have his way with me. The second his mouth hits mine, I lose my senses, and I want him desperately.

  He pulls back abruptly. “No more knuckle kisses. Noted.” He winks and returns to his side of the booth. He lifts a finger as if he has something further to add. “And I’m not gonna rescue you, Ivy. I’m going to love you until you take it all from me.”

  His words stump me, but he shifts the conversation immediately to dinner choices, which we promptly order when the waitress returns. When she walks away, he begins talking about anything but us, leaving me to struggle with my emotions. He tells me about his mother. She was Puerto Rican, and his father was Irish, hence the freckles. His mother died when he was young, leaving his father a lonely man who married a monster the second time. He goes into more details about his upbringing in a trailer park with his step-monster and his mentally absent father.