Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 46

It’s been a few weeks since I started to see Josephine. It hasn’t gotten any easier, yet I can’t seem to let her go. My need for her can’t be diminished, no matter how much I will it to be, which is a real problem.

Originally, I thought that she was an itch I needed to scratch—that once I had my fill, I’d be able to walk away—but I’m replaceing the opposite.

The more time I spend with her, the more I want her. Every time she’s around, I tell myself this is the last time, that we are stepping deeper into dangerous territory, yet I can’t stop myself from seeking her out. Even now, as I wait for her to arrive at my house, I look down at my phone and type a text to cancel our date, but I can’t send it. I’m fucked for this girl.

It’s not just about the sex either. No, that would be easy to call off. It’s how she makes me feel weightless. Nothing can harm me despite all the concerns that hang over me when she’s around.

I feel lighter.

I feel more like the boy I was before my parents died than the man I had to become after—scruples and all—so I could take care of Molly.

Changing the past can never happen, nor would I want to lose Molly, but I do miss the guy I was before I had to make a decision that changed the whole trajectory of my life.

A light knock raps on the door.

I drop my phone on the side table, abandoning the text calling this night off.

I stroll over to answer it, throwing the door open and looking at the woman who refuses to stop occupying my thoughts.

It’s not her fault you’re obsessed.

Before she can even speak, I loop an arm around her waist and drag her toward me, sealing my lips over hers. So much for all the good intentions of ending this.

Her slender arms wrap around my neck, fingers replaceing a home in my hair. We kiss with abandon. Like nothing in the world matters, and in truth, right here, right now, despite all the obstacles against us, it’s the truth. Or at least it’s our truth. I nip at her lip, pulling a moan from her mouth, and she giggles against me.

“Hungry?” her question tickles my skin.

“Ravenous.”

When I pull back, Josephine whimpers a protest, and a laugh bubbles out from my mouth.

“I love that sound.” She takes a step back, tilting her head up to meet my gaze.

I incline my head. “What sound?”

“When you laugh.” She leans up on her toes and places a soft kiss on my jaw. “You don’t do it often, and when you do, you get these cute little lines on your face.”

“Are you saying I’m old?” My lip twitches.

“Oh, just do it already.”

“Do what?” I feign ignorance.

“Smile. You know you want to.”

“I don’t.” Another twitch. I start to turn around, but before I can, Josephine jumps up on the long bench that sits adjacent to the wall of my foyer.

“You sure?” She walks, and I shake my head at her antics. Even if I could stop myself, at this point, I won’t. A full belly laugh erupts from inside me at how ridiculous she always looks when she tries to tightrope walk.

“Oh, Dane, aren’t you forgetting something?” I lift a brow at her question. “I need help.” She winks, wobbling, because if this were her actual chosen career, she would be fired right away.

She’s awful at it.

I swoop in, bracketing my arms around her as she falls into me.

Now in my arms where she belongs, I carry her into the living room, depositing her on the large couch and moving in the opposite direction.

She huffs. “Where are you going?”

“To get popcorn.”

“Um, okay, but why?”

“Because we’re going to watch a movie.”

“Are we now?”

“Yep.” I head into the kitchen, grab a container of popcorn, and place it in the microwave. It’s nothing fancy, but I don’t want fancy right now. I just want to spend time with her. As I wait for it to pop, I grab a bowl and fill it once it’s ready.

Would this be what it would be like if we could openly be together? Simple, easy, just two people lying on a couch, eating popcorn, and watching a movie. I head back in and replace her sprawled out with her legs kicked up on the ottoman. She’s grabbed a throw blanket and has it draped over her lap. The TV is already on, and it looks like she picked a movie.

“What did you pick?” I ask as I take the spot next to her, depositing the bowl on her lap.

“Something we’ll both like.”

Vague much? The sound of the TV has me looking up. Credits rolling, it doesn’t take me long to realize she picked the saddest movie on this godforsaken planet.

“Interesting choice.”

“Who doesn’t love Titanic?”

“I don’t know, maybe Jack.” As if my hands are possessed, I lift her legs off the ottoman and start messaging them. “Think if we watch it enough, Rose will share her door with him?”

“There wasn’t any room.”

“Note to self: never go on a boat with you.”

She crinkles her nose. “Not on this salary, seeing as I’m an unpaid intern.” She releases a yawn.

I pull her close, her head resting on my shoulder as the film begins. There’s no way I’ll be able to finish this movie.

Hellfire relaxes me.

With her in my arms, I fall asleep.