“Shane-”

“Please don’t do this,” I my voice angry and low, growling, reminding me of a rumbling lion.

“I have something to say, and I need you to listen.”

“I think I’ve given you just about all I can, so sorry, no,” I said and turned back around. She put a hand on my shoulder and I shivered violently, my face cringed as the first tear fell and I bit my tongue harshly to stop the rest, I tasted blood but didn’t care. I wiped the tear subtly and turned around, eyes fierce and wild with rage by now. I was mad- at my own emotions, at her wanting something more from me, and having the gall to ask for it. I melted under her touch, as much as the anger seared through me, so did the want and need. I felt the warmth of her palm as moisture from her touch radiated into my shirt like a comforting blanket.

“What else could you possibly take from me?” I asked her.

She looked at me, her huge brown eyes where full of worry, like she was frightened, also like she couldn’t breathe. Her eyes were shining so brightly and I was baffled by why they sparkled like that until I realized they were unshed tears. She was chewing on her lip like she always did and I reached my hand up without even thinking and touched that same lip- her lip. She looked even more frightened. I pushed her hand away and realized what I had done.

“Don’t,” I cleared my throat nervously and looked away, “Don’t bite you lips.” I said and pushed my hands into my pockets so that they couldn’t stray again. She looked at me, I realized what her previous face had reminded me of, it was as if she was standing on a cliff or something, and waiting to see if she would fall or not. But now, now her face was contoured into an extremely pained face as she turned her head to the side and blinked tears away. Now I wasn’t enjoying the hurt look so much. Now I need to make it go away. I had put it there and I had this extreme need to take it away, like she had done with the love in my heart, I thought bitterly even as I felt sorry for her.