CHAPTER 3: Collision

**Antonio**

Dahlia stepped outside to take her call, and my attention shifted as I pulled my phone from my pocket. The familiar name flashed on the screen—Gio. I answered immediately, the urgency in his voice cutting through the ambient noise of the restaurant.

"Antonio," he rushed, his tone thick with concern, "I need you at St. John's Hospital. It's about my daughter Emma—she was in a car accident."

My heart dropped. "How bad is it?" My voice was steady, but I could feel the tension coiling in my gut.

"Not sure yet. She's in the ER right now. Just come as fast as you can," he replied.

"On my way," I confirmed, instinctively stepping back into the heavy atmosphere of the restaurant. I glanced through the window and saw Dahlia standing just outside, visibly tense, her phone held to her ear. The sight of her concern stirred an unexpected sense of protectiveness within me, as though some primal part of myself wanted to shield her from whatever worry weighed on her. It was unsettling, especially since I had only just met her.

As the door swung open, Dahlia stepped back into the restaurant, her expression carefully controlled, yet the worry etched across her features was unmistakable. I had learned long ago to read the subtle tells in people's faces, the small cracks that betrayed their emotions. Dahlia's poker face was better than most people's, and I had a strong feeling it had to do with her job that I had yet to learn about. She was a picture of strength, though the tension in her posture is what truly gave away that everything was not alright and whoever had called her had either given her bad news or she needed to leave. I guessed the latter would be true. The continued tension in her shoulders and the slight bite of her lip made it clear that the worry she had carried outside still lingered. 

"Don't tell me you have an emergency, too?" she asked, her tone light but strained, as if she were trying to mask the concern she walked in with.

I nodded curtly, keeping my expression serious. Somehow, without having to explain the weight of our situation and why we needed to both cut this date short we both knew what was at stake—this evening was unraveling faster than either of us had hoped and not in the way we had wanted it to. One look at the mixture of frustration and worry on her face told me we were both thinking the same thing. We wanted to continue this date, but the universe had other plans. 

Then suddenly a determined expression crossed her features and she spoke more as if she was giving me an order than a request.

"Phone," she said, holding out her hand expectantly. 

I blinked once, a brief flicker of confusion crossing my face before understanding settled in. Without a word, I reached for her phone, which she held towards me.

 We exchanged numbers in silence, the small gesture heavy with unspoken intensity. In that moment, I sensed our connection deepening, intertwining threads of lust and desire weaving between us, making it impossible to ignore what was simmering beneath the surface.

What she did caught me off guard, and I could only watch as she leaned forward, her lips hovering tantalizingly close to my ear. Her aroma enveloped me once more—sweet and intoxicating. It sent a rush of desire coursing through me, compelling me to embrace her body from head to toe.

"Let's do this another day," she whispered, her voice low and teasing, igniting a hunger deep within me. "I want to know if you truly can handle a woman like me."

The moment hung suspended in the air, tempting and dangerous. Her words seemed to have a direct line to my cock, and as my pant's started to feel a little tighter, I wanted nothing more than to show her right here, right now, that I was exactly the kind of man who could handle her. Before I could react or respond, she pressed a kiss to my cheek, her lips soft but leaving an imprint that burned against my skin. As she pulled away, I could feel the heat radiating from where she had touched me. 

Still reeling from those fucking pretty lips touching my kiss, I watched her intently as she straightened and turned, placing money on the table to cover our drinks and food, then walked out of the restaurant, glancing back only once. 

My heart raced as I reached for the cash she left behind, a wave of both exhilaration and frustration washing over me. I wasn't ready to let this end. I moved quickly, shoving a thick wad of cash into the waitress's hands—Rebecca, or whatever her fucking name was—before stepping out of the restaurant and onto the cool pavement of the parking lot.

I spotted her heading towards a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, the black gleaming under the dim lights, and an idea sparked within me. A payback of sorts after what she did to me in the restaurant. I rushed toward her car, tapping sharply on the tinted window.

She yelped softly, and I could see her startled expression. When she rolled down the window, my heart thundered in my chest at the sight of her. My lips brushed against her cheek—soft but deliberate, mirroring the kiss she had given me moments ago.

The brief contact sent a jolt through me, igniting a craving that was far more than a simple kiss. I wanted more—I wanted to kiss her everywhere, explore every inch of her skin.

Before she could react, I slid my hand through the open window and placed the money she had left on the table between her legs and very close to the apex of her thighs, almost feeling the warmth and moistness I caused her to emanate at her groin. My fingers lingered there for a while, hoping she would let me play, but then the thought occurred again in my mind: I needed to get to the hospital. 

This was a problem. She was a distraction- a beautiful one, but still one nonetheless. So, I settled for teasing her instead.

With firm but gentle pressure, I tilted her head to the side, my face so close that my next words would be like a roleplay at the bedside.

"Don't worry," I murmured, my voice a low, velvet rumble, "I can handle it, Passerotto. Both paying for dinner... and you."

The deliberate weight of my words ignited every nerve in her body, an electric pulse that ran through her. Her breath hitched, and I could see the flicker of desire mixed with surprise in her eyes. But just as quickly as I had made my move, I pulled away, slipping back into the shadows of the night.

Dahlia stared after me, her expression a mix of confusion and something more—a tantalizing promise of what lay beneath her composed surface. I couldn't help but relish the reaction I had stirred within her. The thrill of the chase sparked a desire that coursed through my veins, igniting a need I hadn't felt in years.

Without allowing myself to linger too long in the moment, I turned and walked toward my car. I could still feel the heat radiating from her skin as I climbed into my BMW M4 Competition, my thoughts swirling with the intoxicating mix of desire and urgency.

Starting the car, the engine roared to life, echoing my own racing heart. I navigated through the quiet streets, focusing on the drive as thoughts of Dahlia and our charged encounter lingered in my mind. My body thrummed with adrenaline, craving the taste of what might come next.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, I threw a quick glance at the illuminated entrance, the stark lights cutting through the darkness. I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the urgency at hand. Moving quickly, I navigated the bustling ER, assessing the fluctuating atmosphere filled with anxious families and fast-moving medical staff.

As I approached the nurse's station, I steeled myself for any news about Gio's daughter. "I'm here for Gio Rossi's daughter, Emma Rossi," I stated, my tone firm and authoritative.

"She's in Trauma Room 3," the nurse replied, her expression steady but wary.

I hurried down the corridor, my thoughts slipping back to Dahlia. The heat of our interaction pulsed through me, the memory of her lips brushing against my skin lingering like a ghost—and the desire to erase the distance between us ignited what had already become a dangerous longing.

When I reached Trauma Room 3, I pushed the door open. Inside, I found Gio sitting beside his daughter. Relief flooded through me as I assessed the scene—Emma was awake, though visibly shaken and bruised. Minor injuries, thank God.

"Antonio! Thanks for coming," Gio said, his voice thick with gratitude.

"Of course. How is she?" I asked, stepping closer.

 "Just shaken up. The doctors said she'll be alright, but I can't believe she was in the car with some new boyfriend…" His voice trailed off, concern etching deep lines in his face. 

As we talked, the earlier charged interactions with Dahlia replayed in my mind, intensifying the familiar hunger brewing beneath my skin. I needed to see her again—and soon. The connection we shared during our brief moments together had become a haunting desire, something I couldn't shake.

I excused myself briefly, intending to grab coffee for both Gio and me. As I walked through the busy corridors, the hum of the hospital filled my ears, but the heat of Dahlia's presence lingered in my thoughts.

Just as I turned back after getting the coffee, I caught sight of her entering the hospital, her expression a medley of worry and resolve. She was here? What stroke of fate was it that both our emergencies had brought us together once more? My heart raced at her appearance, fueling that familiar fire of attraction and intrigue within me.

With her eyes locked on mine, I felt the stirrings of desire bubbling beneath the surface again, pulling me closer against my better judgment. The need to bridge the distance, to reclaim what had so abruptly shifted between us, was undeniable.

 As she maneuvered through the ER, the flicker of intent in her gaze communicated volumes, and I couldn't help but desire to chase after her, to indulge in the growing tension that tied us together.

 The lure of the evening's events and the prospect of consuming what was left unfulfilled pulled at me dangerously enticing. In the depths of my being, something told me that the night had merely shifted form, not concluded. All of the unresolved tension and attraction simmered beneath the surface, magnetic and unavoidable. My instincts told me I wanted to know every single part of her.

Navigating the busy ER, I caught sight of Dahlia in the distance, her resolve and urgency evident even from afar. She moved with purpose, determination masking the worry etched across her features. The moment our eyes met, that familiar heat surged through me—a reminder of the tantalizing connection we had forged just hours prior.

"Dahlia!" I called out, quickening my pace toward her.

Her movements faltered at the sound of my voice, and she spun around with a wide-eyed expression that revealed she truly hadn't expected to find me here as well.

"Antonio! What are you doing here?" she asked, surprise flickering in her eyes, yet I could sense the underlying tension.

"What brought you here?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

"My brother, Steven. He was in a car accident," she replied, the weight of her words settling heavily between us. It tugged at the protective instincts I felt rising within me. I could see the conflict behind her determined facade, and my heart clenched for her the protective instincts I felt earlier flaring up again.

"Is he okay?" I pressed.

"Not sure, but I have to check on him. He should be here somewhere, the nurse said trauma room 7," she said, glancing down the hallway.

I disregarded the coffee in a nearby bin and my focus shifted solely onto her and whatever I needed to do to ease her worry. And right now she needed help finding the room. 

I guided her silently to the room and let her enter it on her own. I figured she might not want a complete stranger infringing on her personal life, but God, did I want to be in there in case she needed someone to comfort her?

Moments later, Dahlia returned, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. "He's okay—just sleeping and stable. They said he just needs rest, and the doctor is keeping him under observation just in case."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me for her, but it quickly morphed into another feeling—a potent desire coursing through my veins. The chemistry between us was impossible to ignore, and the urge to reclaim what we had nearly achieved in the restaurant pulsed deep within me.

Without thinking, I reached out and gently grabbed her by the arm, a determined but tender gesture. "Come with me," I said, guiding her down a quieter hallway.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her tone curious but not resistant.

"Somewhere we can talk, away from… all this," I replied, leading her toward a dimly lit room I noticed earlier when I had been looking for where to get coffee.

I needed to know what this connection was between us and how deep it went, and since 

The moment I closed the door behind us, a charged silence enveloped us, the distraction of the hospital fading into the background. Driven by the intensity of our earlier connection, I turned to her, feeling the heat radiate between us like a physical force.

As our eyes met, the air thickened with anticipation. I moved closer, trapping her against the wall, my desire flaring with every heartbeat. "Dahlia," I said, my voice low and husky, "I need you to know that what just happened between us back there... it can't end like this."

In that moment, our lips crashed together, fervent and hungry. I felt the softness of her mouth, the heat between us igniting like a flame. I was overwhelmed by the taste of her, the sweetness and urgency blending seamlessly as I pressed against her, claiming her in a way I hadn't intended but desperately wanted.

I pulled back for a moment, our breaths mingling in the small space. "This is just the beginning," I growled, the raw need pushing my boundaries as I captured her chin with my hand, tilting her face up to mine.

"Show me," she breathed the challenge in her eyes igniting something wild within me.

I kissed her again, deeper this time, the pressure building as I pushed against her. My hands found their way to her waist, pulling her against me with a fierce urgency. The taste of desire turned primal, and I wanted to explore all of her—my hands roamed the curves of her body, savoring the way she responded. Her quiet gasps and moans only stirred the fire within me. Edging me on until I wanted to consume her whole.

Dahlia's fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she were searching for something more profound than just a physical connection.

The room felt small, and the air was thick with passion as we stumbled deeper into this charged moment. My hands roamed her body, tracing the curves that had captivated me since the moment she walked through the door of that damned restaurant. Now we were alone, and I could have every inch of her if I wanted to. 

I stilled for a moment and felt her warmth against me, and slowly dragged my hand down the arch of her back and to the curve of that beautiful ass and squeezed, all while intensely watching the way her body responded to my touch. her very presence made me react but watching her unravel in my hands was igniting a fierce fire that burned away any reservations I had. My fingertips brushed against the soft fabric at the hem of her dress and grazed at the exposed flesh just below it, and I felt her shiver in response.

"Tell me what you want," I murmured against her lips, the heat radiating between us palpable.

"More," she breathed, her voice filled with urgency, and it was all the invitation I needed.

My hands moved expertly, one sliding up to cup her breast, feeling the weight and softness beneath my palm. I groaned as leaned into my touch- her hard nipple pressing into my palm, and I debated putting my mouth over it right then and there. her breath hitched as I gently squeezed. Then I took her nipple between my fingers and gently tugged-teasing her with just the right amount of pressure. The moan that escaped her lips pushed me further into a frenzy of desire that I couldn't tell if it was burning me alive or drowning me.

With my other hand, I slid down her side, reveling in the smoothness of her skin in the open gaps of her dress until I reached the hem of her dress again. I hesitated for just a moment, my instincts battling with the need for urgency, but the raw desire coursing through my veins urged me on.

With deliberate slowness, I slipped my hand beneath her dress, feeling the warmth of her thighs and mapping the path to the apex of her body, urging to make her moan and know that she is mine now. I wanted to worship her, to take my time, but the urgent yearning within me knew no bounds.

I felt her breath catch as my fingers slid upward, and I couldn't help but appreciate the intoxicating effect she had on me. I wanted to lose myself in her completely, but I couldn't . Not here.

She pulled me closer, our bodies melding together as I continued to explore her. I brushed my fingers against her most sensitive areas, feeling her body respond to my touch, the subtle heat radiating from her core intensifying the electric connection sparking between us.

"Dahlia," I said, my voice a low growl, filled with lust and admiration. "You're incredible."

The moment was filled with raw, unfiltered desire. I rubbed against her with a need that wanted release so badly I was willing to do anything to get it, feeling the heat of her skin against my own and reveling in the primal chemistry that could easily consume us both.

Just as I was lost in the whirlwind of passion and intensity, the reality of where we were hit me. I needed to tread carefully, even in this moment of abandonment. I had only wanted to see how far this connection went, not to completely take her in some empty room in a hospital of all damned places, and the urgency of the situation at said hospital crept back in, lacing itself between our heated kisses. I needed to get myself back in control. We couldn't do this now, and certainly not here.

Suddenly, I pulled back, looking into her eyes, which sparkled with a mix of confusion and desire. Shit, I didn't want her to think I was rejecting her, so I opted to explain some of why I had pulled back so quickly. 

"We need to take this slow," I murmured, searching her gaze for understanding while battling the insatiable hunger within me. 

The desire and confusion in her eyes softened as she began to grasp what I was trying to convey. Understanding dawned, lighting her features, and a different kind of blush spread across her cheeks—one that suggested she had just remembered where we were and why we were here.

"You're right," she whispered, but there was a fire in her words, an unspoken agreement that suggested this was just a pause in our thunderous connection.

We both knew that whatever tension had ignited tonight had only just begun to unfold, and I was left wondering how deep this connection truly ran.

The pause hung heavily in the air, charged with the weight of our mutual craving. I could see the flicker of uncertainty in Dahlia's eyes, but the hunger mirrored back at me was undeniable. We were two forces colliding, drawn together by passion yet tethered by the reality of the world outside this room.

"I can't just rush," I said, my voice thick with longing as I leaned in closer. The air around us crackled with heat, but my instincts urged caution. "There's too much you don't know- too much we don't know about each other- you don't realize what could be at stake yet"."

Dahlia took a shaky breath, holding my gaze as if daring me to step over the line. "And what if I want you anyway, despite the risks and the unknowns?" she challenged, her voice a sultry whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.

The defiance in her tone pulled me in deeper, igniting a fire that burned hotter than ever. I trailed my fingertips down her arm, relishing the way her skin heated beneath my touch, the soft curve of her shoulder yielding to my caress. I leaned forward again, letting my breath ghost over her neck, taking in the intoxicating scent of her hair—a hint of vanilla mingled with an essence uniquely her own.

"We both know what's between us is more than just attraction," I murmured against her skin, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips. "There's something primal here, Dahlia. Something that begs to be explored but we also need to be careful. Just trust me on this."

My lips brushed a sensitive spot just beneath her ear, and I felt her shudder, the breath escaping her in a soft gasp that ignited my own desire. I wanted to consume every part of her, to bury myself in the wild allure that was Dahlia Fel. The fire of lust surged within me, threatening to engulf everything else.

But even as I lost myself in the moment, a nagging voice whispered, reminding me of the urgency at the hospital and the countless unknowns still hanging between us. Deep down, I knew my world was dangerous—who I was was dangerous. My body and mind battled for dominance; I could feel the thrill of the chase coursing through my veins. The thought of being caught up in a game of lust in a hospital corridor while a storm brewed outside only added to the adrenaline.

"Antonio," she whispered, her voice trembling yet filled with that same fiery determination. "Then tell me what you want to happen next?"

In that instant, the decision was mine to make—whether to push us further into uncharted territory or to step back and allow the moment to pass. The tension snapped like a taut string, a pivotal moment teetering on the edge of chaos.

With one hand, I cupped her chin, holding her gaze while the other slid down to her waist, pressing her body firmly against mine. "What do you want, Dahlia?" I countered with a growl, the animalistic tension flaring even hotter between us. All my instincts wanted was to please her right now. 

"I told you. I want to see just how much you can handle," she replied, the challenge ignited in her eyes, "it can just be sex, nothing more, until we decide that that's what we want."

It was a dangerous game we were playing, but I was all in. With a swift motion, I turned, guiding her deeper into the empty room, where the buzz of the hospital faded behind closed doors.

I pressed her hard against the wall, my body enveloping her, casting a border against the rest of the world. The urgency in the air thrummed between us, and I could almost taste the anticipation that lingered.

"Tell me you want this," I murmured, my lips grazing the delicate shell of her ear. Asoft gasp escaped her lips before she whispered, "I want you- I want this." Her hand reached between us and slid down against the hard length of my cock beneath my pants. My hips jerked forward into her hand.

 With a sudden rush of adrenaline, I deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth with a fierceness that spoke of all the desire I had pent up since we met.

Dahlia's fingers tangled in my hair once more, pulling me closer as she kissed back with equal fervor. There was an intoxicating urgency in the way she responded, matching my intensity stroke for stroke.

"Antonio," she breathed, her voice thick with need, but there was an unmistakable hint of restraint lingering beneath.

"Tonight brings no rules," I whispered against her lips, the tension of her previous apprehension still echoing in the space between us.

My mouth had just pressed to her neck when a sudden and jarring noise shattered our intimate moment—a loud crash coming from somewhere in the corridor beyond the door. The sense of safety we had created within the confines of this room felt fragile, like a glass teetering on a precipice, ready to shatter at any moment.

"What was that?" Dahlia asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with concern that quickly shadowed the moment we had just shared. "A nurse? Security?" she added, her tone edged with anxiety.

The air suddenly shifted, tension pooling in my gut as I caught her gaze, realizing that our night of exploration might well be cut short. I could see the protective instincts flower in her expression, mixing with the thrill of our earlier connection.

"Stay here," I commanded, though my own heart didn't agree with the distance the words implied. I started toward the door, feeling the weight of the moment settle heavily on my shoulders.

The last thing I wanted was for our unexpected connection to be interrupted by whatever chaos might have lurked beyond. I opened the door and stepped into the bustling hallway, scanning for any signs of panic that could threaten what had just ignited between us.

As I peered around the corner, my heart raced at the thought of what could unfold next, a sense of dread coiling deep within me. Whatever was going on out there could turn this night upside down; I was prepared to confront it, to ensure Dahlia remained safe—but my instincts screamed that I couldn't shake the profound desire that still held me captive.

Returning to her felt like a matter of urgency now—not just to protect her from the storm outside but to guard what was kindling between us.

The uncertainty lingered in the air, thick and palpable, a reminder that even the most intense moments can be fleeting. My thoughts whirled back to her—this was more than just a night out; it was the potential for something wildly profound, and I could feel the thrill mingling with worry.

I turned back toward the room, determination rushing through me.

But as I encountered Dahlia looking back at me, concern and longing etched in her features, I knew one truth in that moment: the night was far from over, and the tempest of emotions brewing between us had only just begun to be explored.