She blinks.
“Oh—um, yeah, no, uh, I’m fine.”
She shakes her head like she’s waking up.
“I’m fine,” she repeats the last and relief hits me so hard my knees almost give out.
“Are you sure?Let me see your wrist.”
It’s bullheaded, but I can’t help it.
It’s like sane Noah is taking a backseat to super obsessed Noah—and this guy?
This guy needs to make sure she’s safe.Unharmed.Whole.
I step closer because the music is loud—and I really want to be close to her.
I bend my head and speak right by her ear.
“No bruises that I can see, but can you move your wrist alright?”
She nods and makes a circle with her wrist.
Then she glances toward the crowd.
Back to me.
I take a deep breath and my eyes roll back.
She smells so good.
Like lemon drops and sugar.
I watch, riveted, as she licks her lips.Then she leans her head back and says the one thing I’ve been hoping for all bloody night.
“Do you, um, want to get out of here?”
For a moment, I just stare at her.
Because holy hell.
It feels like every dream I’ve had about this woman just stepped straight into reality.
I swallow hard.
Trying not to grin like an idiot.
“Yeah,” I say quietly.“Yeah, Love, I’d like that very much.”
Chapter6
Chiara
The night airhits my face the second we step outside the party, cool and sharp after the noise and heat of the crowded room.
For a moment, we just stand there.
The music thumps faintly through the walls behind us, laughter spilling out every time the door opens, but out here everything feels quieter.Slower.
