Rhodes is an intimidating man, with no expression to match your attempted humor. But his art is like no other, a talented tattoo artist he gave people their wishes but better, making something permanent, merely impossible to regret. There was only one thing to make Rhodes soft, a gorgeous woman he studied like a student did before an exam, analyzing who she hung with, who she spoke to, hoping none of the interactions were genuine although they were. With the kindness that reminds one of a warm summer day, Cecelia serves Rhodes merely everyday at the local pub she waitresses for, his order the same every time to where she forgot his voice completely after the first time. After finding out where he works, she's determined to get him to speak, after all, he was the only one who she thought to be a bit strange. Little did she know he'd been watching her for months. Loving her from afar.

"He's staring at you," my sister whispered, wide-eyed. Now that I realised, I could feel someone's eyes burning the back of my head and as I turned around to see what my sister was talking about and my jaw immediately dropped whilst a cold shiver ran up my spine at the sight of the school's dangerous, certified bad boy. I shrugged nervously and turned around to face my sister. "Maybe he's just looking at what I'm wearing." The outfit was pretty cute, hands down. "But he never stares at anyone. He has only given them a cold stare that lasts for at least two-seconds." Oh hell no.

"Mae, show me." He demanded. I knew this would come up someday. My scars are from years ago when I wasn't happy with myself, or happy with anything really. I'm better now but I still don't like showing them to people. Most people ignore them but I knew once Ash saw them that he was going to ask. "Mae." He says again. What if he doesn't like them? What if he thinks they're ugly? What if he hears the story of them and decides he doesn't want me anymore? What do I do then? ... I slowly took off my jacket and showed him my wrist. "Why would you ever do that darling?" Tears started forming in my eyes. "I'm sorry. It was years ago when I wasn't happy and it's a long story." "Darling, look at me." He told me, lifting my chin. "I'm not mad at you. How long has it been since you've done that?" "Five years." "That's amazing, Mae." "You don't hate them?" "I hate that you felt the need to do that, but no, I don't hate them." He kissed my forehead, calming me down.

I changed the title to 'Collided' since that's how Heath and Hope met. Collided is available on Amazon in paperback & KU All links are on my profile.

I didn't mean to let jealousy take over, honest, but Lexie egged me on and I just thought, fuck it. I was certainly rewarded for my efforts with a kiss that weakened my knees and fired me up in a way I've never experienced. I was close to giving all the bikers a good show on this bar but he pulled away before I could commit to my dirty fantasies. His words settle my nerves but tighten my thighs and stomach, his dominance proven in his demands and the kisses he gives me. He takes complete control and I let him. I haven't had many sexual relationships but in all of them I control the situation, socially and sexually. With Roman I'm willing to succumb to his orders because I know I can trust him. "Are you staying at mine tonight?" I ask about twenty minutes after our make out session concluded, after which I just sat on his lap and we flirted playfully. "Is that an invitation?" He tickles my side and I squeal slightly, smacking his hand away. "Take it as you please." "I'm gonna take it how I please." He whispers in my ear, his lips brushing against it causing a shiver to rush through my body. My stomach and thighs tighten again and I'm very willing to take him up on the offer.