Collided (Dirty Air, #2)

by Lauren Asher

“What’s your favorite book?” Doubt colors my voice. “If you have a favorite, I don’t trust you. Any book lover has at least five they can name off the top of their head.” His blue eyes hold mine.

“A man who prefers to live in a fantasy. How cute.” “I’d be your best fantasy, no book needed.”

“You’re no princess. You’re a motherfucking queen. Don’t let anyone forget it, not even yourself. People think the king matters, but the queen brings down all the other pieces. Good luck in uni, and chug a beer in my honor.”

Men should be the least of his worries because, excuse my language, but I’m ready to fuck shit up.

“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.

Searing pain shoots through my chest, a bizarre sensation I can’t put my finger on. Either I had a bad lunch or I’m becoming weak for dimples and green eyes.

“Everyone knows the books are better than the movies or TV shows.” “Says who?” “Says everyone who reads books!”

“But remember this. I want to get to know all of you, including the parts you’re too scared to share. I want to learn about the man no one else knows. So give me every part of you because I’m not here to piece you back together. I like you too much, just the way you are, broken parts and all.”

“That’s my fear with someone like you. You take and take until I have nothing left to give. You’d be easy to fall in love with until you walk away, breaking my heart in the process.”

You know what is more unfortunate than falling for your friend? Falling for a friend who has no intention of catching you before you face-plant.

“My beautiful angel. Too wicked for heaven, too good for hell.” I may be his beautiful angel, but he’s my masked devil—too naughty for my heart, too irresistible for my body.

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.

Liking Sophie is kind of like jumping out of a plane. Exhilarating, addicting, and damn near impossible to forget.

Because life is funny that way, fucking you over without your consent.

People describe heartbreak as this instantaneous feeling where a heart breaks into a million irreparable pieces, scattering in different directions. Some pieces go missing while others stab you in the foot as you clean up the mess. Heartbreak is a ruthless fucker like that, kicking you while you’re already down.

“This has to do with that boy. I refuse to let you whimper around like a kicked dog when I raised you better than this.”

Turns out I was the lost prince and she saved me with glitter sneakers and a sword crafted from love and selflessness.