Page 104 of Collided

Heath cocks his head to one side as he watches me. “I asked you something, Rose.”

A wet strand of his dark brown falls over his forehead and my breath falters.

He’s handsome.Reallyhandsome.

I’ve seen guys, but no one is as beautiful as him. The way every curve and contour of his face is carved makes every man I’ve ever dreamed about less. He tops every fictional man I’ve ever had a crush on—and they are perfect. He is just on another level of hot.

Rose. He called me by my middle name. I’ve never told him.

“How do you know my middle name?” I ask.

A frown embeds between his eyebrows. “I didn’t.”

“Then why did you call me Rose.”He gave me a nickname. That only happens in books. I’m having a book moment right now.

His frown deepens. “I have my reasons.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I know, but it’s the only one you’re getting.”

“But—”

“Now, what are you doing here?” I suppose he won’t tell me.

“I brought food,” I say.

A smirk lifts his lips, and he moves a little closer, but never too much where I start panicking. Somehow, he knows how to find the perfect distance.

Heath gently pries the bag from my hands. “What did you bring?”

I can’t speak.

Moving back, he opens it. “Chow mein? I’m not a fan of Chinese, but I guess I’ll eat it just this once.”

Am I stupid or is Heath flirting with me?

“It’s very tasty.”Oh my God. Why did I say that?

“Are you bribing me, Rose?”

“Huh?” I can’t focus on anything but the way his teeth sink into his bottom lip.

What is happening to me? I’ve never noticed that about a guy before.

There was no guy before. Only fictional men.

“Come here.” Taking my hand, he leads me to the end of the small room.

Thick blue mats cover the entire floor. A black punching bag hangs from the ceiling at one side of the room. The walls are cream and there’s a window overlooking the parking lot. There’s also an AC. A table rests near the door that has his keys, wallet, and a gym bag. I assume this is his private room because it’s just as clean and plain as his room.

We sit on the floor cross-legged. Quickly opening the takeout bags, I hand him the boxes and he watches me with a playful expression.

“What?” I offer him a fork.

“You bought it all, didn’t you?”

I smile. “I thought it’d be different.” Picking up my box I say, “You’re always buying me food. Now that I make a little money, I wanna return the favor.”

---