Noah's fingers still when I don't start walking again. "Are you okay?"
I nod. "Yes. I just...this, I don't know. It all seems insane to me. I mean, you're old enough to be my father."
He starts laughing, the sound low and rich. "Out of all the reasons you could be freaking out right now, our age difference is what's bothering you?"
"Don't laugh." I turn around, hoping I'm facing him. "It's something you should be worried about too. Not that this is anything between us, but you're dragging me somewhere and surprising me with something, which makes me think that maybe you care a little more than I thought you did, and then there's the?—"
Warm lips press against mine, hands cupping my face. One of the hands buries itself in my hair, holding me tight against Noah.
He tastes like a mix of mint and the air after it rains. I don't know what it is, but it's addictive. It draws me closer and closer.
His hands slide down my body, gripping my waist, fingers sinking deep into my flesh.
My lips part more on a moan, his tongue tangling with mine, fighting for the dominance I know I'm going to readily hand over to him.
There's nothing I like more than letting him take control, getting a break from my own mind for once. It's relaxing to know I don't always need to keep my shit together, to have someone to fall apart with.
Except he's been enemies with my family for as long as I can remember. And once he's done with me, he's going to kill me.
Yeah, nothing much to worry about there.
Or about how thiswillall blow up in my face eventually.
The kiss ends, and he pulls back, his touch softer on my waist. "Where did you go just now?"
"Can't really go anywhere. You've still got me blindfolded, and all I can hear is people talking, so I really have no clue where I am at all, and I'd really like to know where I am since I don't know where you brought me, and you don't really have the best track record with taking me places either."
He chuckles, taking me by the hand, turning me back around, and leading the way to wherever it is we're going.
I still don't know.
And it's not like he's willing to give me any more information either.
Finally, he stops, letting go of my hand and moving to stand behind me. "You can look now."
The blindfold is pulled from my eyes, and for a moment, all I can do is squint against the bright sunlight.
Birds chirp in the trees, and kids run by me, laughing and tugging their parents along under the sign for the Central Park Zoo.
Noah's hand presses against the curve of my waist. "I know shit started pretty fucked up between us. Thought we could go on a date, and I could make it up to you."
There's no way I heard him right. I couldn't have. Out of all the energy he gives off—possessive asshole being the main energy—I didn't think he'd ever be the kind of man to take me on a date.
I tilt my head to the side, looking back at him. "A date?"
He stuffs the blindfold into his pocket, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together to tow me along through the crowd of people in front of us. "Yes. I'm sure you know what that is. Or maybe not. None of those university boys showing you a good time?"
I snort and roll my eyes, but I can't help but like the feeling of my hand in his. "You wouldn't know what me and those university boys are doing."
He shrugs. "Doesn't matter. They're all too young for you either way."
"And you're too old for me. Besides, most of the guys in my class are only a year or two younger than me." I wait to the side as he pays for our tickets.
When he comes back to me, holding out the wristband and helping me put it on, I eye him.
Noah smirks, pressing his hand to my lower back and guiding me forward toward the first exhibit. "Worrying about that again, are you?" He shakes his head. "You grew up fast. You can't tellme you didn't. You lost both of your parents young, and I can't imagine being raised by Aiden allowed much time to be a child."
"You don't know the first thing about it." I bristle a little, not sure where this conversation is leading.
