Collateral by Ellen Hopkins Read Free Book Online Page A

understood the meaning
    of making love. My previous sexual
    adventures came in two categories.
    One: tepid fumbling—no play, no
    passion, no real point to the effort.
    Certainly, no orgasm, at least not
    for me. Or, two: overheated romps—
    no concern, no caring, no real
    connection. Lightweight orgasm, yes,
    and short-term fun, but nothing worth
    holding on to. Either way, I always
    ended up disappointed. Sex and love
    were two distinct entities in my mind,
    as separate as east and west.
    Cole fused them, and although
    I refused to believe it at first,
    the merge began right away.

WE SPENT OUR FIRST SUNDAY
    Together at the Air and Space Museum.
    We even managed to drag Darian and
    Spence out of the bedroom for a few
    hours. It was fun playing tourist, even
    if Darian did complain. What’s next?
    LEGOLAND? But she managed to enjoy
    the day. We all did. The guys were
    attentive. Proprietary, even, holding
    us close beside them. A couple of times
    I noticed Cole watching children running
    ahead of their parents. In a private
    moment, I asked, “You like kids, huh?”
    He nodded. Yeah. I want a big family
    one day. He squeezed my hand. You?
    â€œConsidering I work at a preschool
    and want to teach, I like them okay.”
    That didn’t quite satisfy him. How
    about kids of your own? The weird
    thing was, I hadn’t really thought much
    about it before. Marriage was a distant
    target. “Of course I want them. Ask me
    how many after I’ve taught for a while.”

THE SHORT EXCHANGE
    Spoke loudly to me. Here was a man
    with a heart. Not a single previous
    boyfriend had ever mentioned
    children or wanting a family. Whether
    or not I shared Cole’s dream, that he
    had not been afraid to talk about it
    illustrated an abstract kind of courage.
    I liked him. A lot. Already. That scared me.
    But not enough to close myself off.
    Not enough to send him away. Cole
    had roused intense curiosity. This
    gentle-souled, tough-hided soldier
    was an enigma. A puzzle I wanted
    to solve. A stranger who felt like
    someone I knew once upon a time.
    I didn’t consider the future at all.
    Enough, to explore the museum,
    hand in hand. And afterward to stop
    by Cole’s uncle’s place, where the boys
    were officially staying while on leave.
    Followed that up with dinner at a little
    oceanfront seafood joint, sharing platters
    of crab and oysters on the half shell.
    And drinking just enough decent wine.

ALL RESISTANCE WEAKENED
    All barriers lowered, when we got
    back to the apartment, Darian
    and Spence were hot and heavy
    through the door. They didn’t waste
    a second, went straight back to her
    bedroom. Which left Cole and me
    alone in the front room. I felt like
    an awkward teenager, wanting
    to kiss him but thinking I really
    ought to go brush my teeth first.
    â€œBe right back,” I said. My hand
    trembled as I loaded my toothbrush.
    â€œJeez. What’s up with you?”
    I asked the person in the mirror.
    She didn’t answer, and I thought
    that was good, at least. All
    fresh-mouthed, I went back to
    the living room. Cole watched
    me with those serious eyes,
    a question floating in their gold
    sea. I slid my arms up around
    his neck, invitation heavy in
    the kiss I gave him. He lifted me
    as if I were weightless. Our lips
    never disconnected as he
    carried me to my room, eased
    me onto my bed. It was romantic.
    Sexy. And even sexier when
    he stopped, took off his shirt.
    Marines have to be fit. But Cole
    was a whole different level
    of fit—every muscle chiseled
    and skin smooth as suede.
    I started to unbutton my blouse.
    No. Let me. Please? I loved how
    he asked permission, all the while
    taking complete control. I also
    loved how he didn’t hurry. Each
    time he loosened a button, he kissed
    the skin just beneath it. When
    my entire top half was exposed,
    his tongue explored it, inch by
    goose bump–covered inch. And
    by the time he unzipped my jeans,
    slid them off