Page 123 of Collided

Squeezing her wrist gently, I nudge her to look at me. “Do you want to leave?”

“Now?”

“Yeah.”

“But—”

“Marie and Sebastian won’t mind.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Hope finally nods.

We slip out of the booth and bid goodbye to Marie and Sebastian who are dancing to another song now. They don’t ask us questions for which I’m grateful. I just want to get out of here with her.

Getting in my car, I drive us around the town as my playlist plays in the background. We sit in silence and it’s comfortable.

For her sake, I keep the speed at forty which isn’t my usual. I like to drive fast—live on the edge—but then I don’t think she’d feel safe with me.

The sky gets darker as I drive us to my secret spot that’s slowly becomingourspot. The place where I would be lonely is now accompanied by her presence.

Parking the car near the edge of the hill, I help her out of the car.

She sits on the hood of my car, while I grab something that I specifically bought for her.

Leaning against the side of my car, I look at her. “This is for you.”

She gasps and meets my gaze. “It’s chocolate!”

“Your favorite kind.”

“How do you know?”

“You told me.”

“Yes, but I didn’t expect you to remember.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “I remember everything you tell me. Youjusthave to tell me.”

She smiles and it hits me right in the chest. “Thank you.”

I stay silent, fully captivated by the sight of her. The way her teeth bite a little chunk as if she’s afraid of finishing it, or the way she melts the chocolate in her mouth, devouring every milligram of sweetness in it.

I feel my body heat up like a furnace. I swear I’m fucking sweating through my T-shirt.

For fuck’s sake.

And if that’s not enough, my dick strains against the zipper of my jeans.

“Fuck,” I harshly whisper as I rake a hand through my hair.

Hope quickly looks over. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She nods, not one bit aware ofwhatshe does to me. “Can I ask you something?”

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