I start to move towards her, just to touch her, but that's when at the worst possible timing out two new top security guards chime in.
Jessica gives a nod of respect to Zoe, and Zoe returns it. However, Drake takes a more not-so-subtle approach, “Hey fuckers, are we ready to go?” He calls as he spins the car keys around his finger.
“That’s Mr. and Miss Karma to you.” I can’t help but let the growl leave my chest, and Zoe lightly smacks the center of my chest with the back of her hand.
“Yes, Drake, we’re ready.” She gives me a chastising glance completely oblivious to the simple fact that my heart just stopped from her touch alone.
She has no clue just how completely and utterly I am hers. I’d set the world on fire just to watch her face glow in the light.
We pile into the car, Drake in the driver's seat while I take the passenger side, and Zoe slips into her spot in the back.
I enjoy the silence of the ride for all of ten minutes until Drake says, “Wanna hear a joke?”
“No.” Zoe and I say at the same time; I glance back to see a smirk tugging at her lips.
Ignoring our uninterest, Drake continued, “What did the grape say when it got stepped on?”
To my surprise Zoe asked, “What?”
“Nothing,” Drake says as he holds back a laugh, “It just let out a little wine.”
I just groaned with a shake of my head as I focused my attention back to my phone to finish typing out a text for Brandon, but then the most incredible noise started to come from the back seat.
Zoe was laughing.Reallylaughing.
I didn’t know it was possible to have a favorite sound, let alone become instantly addicted to a sound, but Zoe’s laugh is a noise I now know I can’t live another day without. This isn’t just a giggle; it’s full belly laughter that I don’t think I’ve ever heard from her before. I pang of jealousy and something akin to rage chills my skin, because when I turn to look at her, she’s wearing this smile that has never been directed at me. A smile that is a bright sun to the dark and oily world we live in. It’s a smile that I didn’t think she’d be capable of after knowing the things she’s experienced, the things she’s done.
She clamps her mouth shut, and her teeth bite into her bottom lip, a sad attempt at stifling the laugh that bursts from her just half a second later.
And that’s when I know I am in love with Zoe Hera.
It’s a ridiculous notion, for I who have never known love like this, to believe it so devoutly. It’s like I’m seeing her for thefirst time, truly seeing her. Sure, I’ve always been attracted to her, and admired her work, but this? Love sounds like too weak of a word to describe exactly what I’m feeling. Passion is too fluffy. Maybe it’s devotion. To know that I’d move mountains to be sure that I can guarantee that she smiles at me like this daily. This feeling is an aggressive wish that time would stop for a single moment. This feeling is self-sacrifice, a glorious sense of defeat. It is the feeling that I have intertwined her soul with mine and it fits so well, it’s like we were always meant to be joined. She is a piece of me that I never knew was missing.
No, not love, but the sweetest break from sanity.
“Everything okay, boss?” Drake's voice breaks through my newest revelation like a wrecking ball.
“What? Yes, I’m fine.”
“You looked like you were going to set the earth on fire, you sure you’re alright, man?” Drake persists.
“Drake, I pay you for security and not therapy, get us to the warehouse.” I bite out. I’ll admit, I’m probably coming off as a bigger dick than usual, but I refuse to talk about what I just realized. I need to speak to my brothers first, they’ll know how to diffuse this… issue.
A few tense seconds passed, and thankfully Drake didn’t take it upon himself to psychoanalyze me more, but that sweet, sweet voice from behind me had my heart beating faster again.
“What should we expect when we arrive?” Zoe asks.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. We haven’t had any issues reported after we got rid of Darren, but I’d expect the best and prepare for the worst.”
“Understood. In that case, I’d like to play some music before we get there.”
I passed her my phone to let her play what she pleased and sat back and patiently. Soon enough “Descending” by Sleep Token flows from the speakers, surrounding me in haunting melodies and seducing lyrics. This isn’t similar to the music she’s played in the past and I’m curious what had changed her taste.
As we near the warehouse the lyrics to the song have totally run their course through my veins, wholly intoxicating me. My pulse is thumping, and I can feel my teeth beginning to ache at the pressure I'm putting into them as I grind my jaw.
Drake puts the car into park and exits, finally giving me a moment alone with Zoe as the song comes to an end. The tension is palpable and thick enough that the air in the car is harder to swallow back.
“Zoe.” I say, so quiet it was almost like a secret I want to keep to myself.
