We just friends

SAIGE POV

Collin brought back a bottle of olive oil and the salt shaker before leaning against the bathroom counter.

"This shit better come off before tomorrow," he complained.

I let out a small laugh and shook my head. "I'll do my best." I dabbed the corner of the washcloth in the oil before sprinkling salt onto it. "This might hurt because the salt makes a scrub. I'll be gentle." I grabbed his chin to steady his face and began rubbing circles onto the unicorn.

His chin in my hand made my heart skip a beat. It might have been a small gesture, but to me, this was as close as he was going to let me get at the moment and I could smell his cologne. Damn, he smelled amazing. What was that?

"How'd you know how to get this off if you've never had a henna tattoo before?" He asked, trying to keep his eyes on the wall behind me.

I shrugged. "G****e."

He laughed. "Gee, why didn't I think to do that?" He paused as I watched him swallow and tense up. Was I making him uncomfortable? "I think I can take over now."

"I've almost got it," I lied, but I didn't want to let go of him just yet.

We stood in silence for a moment before he looked down at me.

"Tell me about your life." His statement took me by surprise before I rolled my eyes. "You don't want to hear that story. It isn't very pretty."

"Diamonds don't exactly start off pretty, do they? Sometimes the most beautiful things in life have to go through the not-so-pretty stages in order to come out shining." His voice was soft and I swear I was about to jump his bones. Had he just called me beautiful? Was I a diamond in the rough to him?

"I'd rather not discuss it right now if you don't mind," I finally replied.

He grabbed my hand to stop scrubbing his face and I looked up into his soft eyes.

"You know you can trust me, right?"

I swallowed, feeling like my throat was dry. How does he keep doing this to me?

"Yes," I whispered out.

He was so close I could almost reach out and touch his lips with mine and that's exactly what I did. I very slowly crept forward, not wanting to go too fast in case I freaked him out, but he wasn't moving so that was a sign, right?

Our lips just lightly brushed as I felt his hand on the bottom of my chin.

Yes!! He wanted this as much as I did!

He leaned back just enough to look down at me. A haunted look flashed through his eyes before he slowly came back to me. Our top lips connected and right before he locked our lips completely, he pushed away from me, stepping away from the counter.

"I'm sorry," he breathed out, running his hand through his hair after he tossed his hat to the counter. "I can't do this."

My heart was still thundering excitedly in my chest and I had no idea what to say. We were having a special moment, between two adults, and he stopped us. Was it me?

Heat filled my cheeks as embarrassment overtook me. I had never felt this embarrassed by a guy in my life and I hated it.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling hot tears fill my eyes. I quickly looked away from him before I stormed out of the bathroom. I couldn't face him right now.

I just made it to my room when I heard his footsteps approaching.

"Saige," he pleaded.

"I feel like such an idiot," I said, spinning on my heel to find him standing in the doorway. "I'm so sorry for coming here. I should go."

He stepped farther into the room and shook his head. "Nah, you can stay, Saige. I shouldn't have let it go that far back there. You're a very beautiful girl and I let my other head do my thinking for me. You need a safe place to sleep tonight. Please don't go."

I honestly had no idea how to reply to what he just said. So, he was attracted to me but he wasn't? I'm so confused right now.

"Collin, I've clearly made you uncomfortable and you clearly don't want what I'm offering." I started shoving my feet back into my shoes.

"I thought we were friends, Saige."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't do the whole 'friends thing with guys' thing, haven't you heard?" Even my own words hurt me, but it was true. I made a reputation for myself that I'm not proud of but it's who I'd become. "We could never be friends, Collin. I've made a huge fool out of myself for ever thinking we could be." I turned to glare at him, bringing my feistiness back out. "I fuck guys and then move on. You're clearly the one that got away and now I must go with my tail between my legs."

I tried to walk past him but he stopped me, his arm around my waist.

"You're so much more than that, Saige. Don't you see that?"

One look into his eyes and I knew he didn't look at me like other guys did. He actually saw me.

"All I see is a girl that guys love to use and abuse and I'm okay with that. I'll never have this." I waved my hand around to indicate the fancy surroundings. "I've known my destiny for a few years now, Collin. Your little act of kindness isn't going to change that. You're not going to change that."

When I tried to get past him again, he turned me and pushed me against the wall, staring down into my eyes.

"What if I said that I could? That I could change your destiny, Saige."

My heart was thundering in my chest once again as I stared into his intense gaze.

"Why would you want to do that for me? I'm just the slutty cheerleader, Collin. Don't be ridiculous." I tried to push against his chest but he was solid like the brick wall around him.

"You're so much more than that, Saige. Let me show you."

I thought he was going to kiss me, but he didn't. The look in his eyes told me that he wanted to, though.

"As friends?" I asked with an attitude in my tone.

"Why not?"

"Did you not hear what I just said?"

He snorted, shaking his head. "Did you not hear what I just said? You're better than that and I'm going to show you."

"Can we have just a little bit of fun?" I asked, pressing my chest into his.

"We're friends, Saige- not friends with benefits." He pushed away from me then and disappeared down the hallway.