Page 170 of Collided

I put distance between us to prove my point. “I’m not going to hurt you, Rose.”

“I know,” she says, holding tightly to the Harry Potter novel. I have no idea what book number it is because she hasn’t updated me. That worsens my mood even more.

She’s supposed to tell me about the books she reads.

“Then why do you look fucking terrified?”

“I’m not. I’m fine.”

“You are not fucking fine,” I burst out in frustration.

Instantly, she looks down at her shoes.

Fuck. This was not what I wanted.

Striding toward her, I stop when I’m right in front of her. There’s a little distance between us that I want to erase, but I won’t until she gives me a sign.

Putting my index finger under her chin, I lift her face so she’s looking at me.

“Why are you ignoring me?” I ask.

“I—”

“Stop ignoring me. It fucking bothers me.”

A shaky breath leaves her lips and falls over my finger.

“It…bothers you?” Her brown eyes peer up at me in surprise.

Fuck. I adore those fucking eyes.

“You have no fucking idea just how much,” I say.

“Why?” she asks, her eyes trained on me, searching for answers.

I lean down, slowly, waiting to see if I’m making her uncomfortable. When she doesn’t step back, I proceed until I’m a few inches away from her face.

“Because I fucking care about you, Rose. Don’t you already know that?”

“I…”

“Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it.”

She falters, but I catch her by holding her arm. “Wh-what?”

“Whatever it is that’s bothering you, I’ll make it go away for you. I’ll do anything for you. You just tell me what’s fucking wrong. I’ll take care of it, Rose.”

I can’t stop myself from calling her Rose. It’smynickname for her.

She shakes her head. “You can’t.You just can’t.” She sounds defeated.

Ignoring her words, I caress her red cheek tenderly, so I’m not hurting her at all.

“Does it hurt?”

“Not anymore.”

“How did you get this one?”

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