When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark 2)

I open the refrigerator and pull out everything I’ll need to make egg sandwiches. It’s just about the only breakfast thing I can make that’s any good.

By the time I’m done, the other three have crept downstairs.

I put everything on plates and pass them out before sitting down myself.

“I feel like I need to get a job,” Rae announces.

Cade’s brows pull together. “I thought you wanted to focus on your photography this summer?”

She shrugs. “It’s not like it’s making me any money …” she trails off.

“Why don’t you advertise on Facebook?” I ask. “You could offer to do senior photos, or weddings—I know those aren’t really your thing, but you could make some money doing what you love and maybe learn a thing or two along the way,” I suggest.

She nods, but the way her lips twist, I don’t think she likes my idea. “Maybe.”

Cade takes a bite of his egg sandwich and says around a mouthful, “You should ride with us into the city—take some photos of the buildings, we could get lunch.”

Rae brightens at this idea. “That sounds fun.”

Xander’s lips twitch with the threat of laughter and he shakes his head.

Cade and Rae finish up and leave, piling their dirty dishes in the sink.

I raise a brow and eye Xander. “I am not playing third wheel to the lovebirds. You better let me hitch a ride on your bike.”

He chuckles. “You aren’t scared?”

“No,” I say vehemently. “Motorcycles aren’t scary.”

“So—” he leans forward, his lips twisting with a calculated smile “—if I go fast, that’ll be fine with you? You won’t mind having to squeeze your legs tighter around my waist?” His eyes flick to my lips where my tongue has slid out, moistening them. I shake my head, and he grins. “Good—I’m thoroughly going to enjoy having you wrapped around me. Just be careful where you put your hands.” He winks and stands with his plate in his hand.

I’m too stunned to move.

Something tells me Xander’s just made the first move in a calculated chess match, and I have no idea how to play chess.

I’m screwed.

This was a bad idea.

Xander looks hot as fuck straddling the bike with his leather jacket—the epitome of the bad boy, only he’s about as far from bad as they come which makes him all the more tempting.

He holds out an extra helmet to me. “Are you getting on or are you going to stare at me all day?”

I snatch the helmet from his hands. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been formally introduced to this version of you, and it’s a bit surprising.” I wave my free hand at him.

He throws his head back and laughs. “Introduced to this version? This is the normal version. Now get on.”

I straddle the bike behind him, wiggling around to get my balance, before I put the helmet on. I secure the strap and say, “Ready.” The word comes out muffled thanks to the visor.

He kicks the bike on and then we’re gone.

I don’t find it scary like he thought I might. Instead, I find it to be one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done.

We race down the highway, and everything blurs around us.

All too soon, it ends as we arrive in the parking garage. My legs are stiff, but I don’t let it show. We hop off and Xander secures the helmets.

“Why haven’t you ever let me do that before?”