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“Hm?” I answered, only half-aware that my name had just been announced to the entire street.

For some reason, all I could think about was how greasy his hands were, and the incessant flapping of the paper menus haphazardly taped to the outside of the food truck. I blinked up at him, trying to focus my gaze properly.

“P-please, sir—it’s an honor. Food’s on us!” A sound erupted as the workers behind the counter scrambled, packaging whatever Noah had picked out and sliding the food down to us with shaking hands. A few of them waved at me.

I gave a polite nod of thanks, catching the sharp look Noah shot me from the side. His jaw tightened, just enough to make me grin. The free food hadn’t cost him a penny, but it did cost him his mood. Was that jealousy in those eyes, Raven?

“You know him?” Noah blurted before we were even far enough away from the truck to be out of earshot.

“I know a lot of people, Noah.”

“Yeah but, well. Do you know him well?”

I leaned in to more closely study his pouting face. “I know you well, Noah. And jealously suits you.”

His nostrils flared at that.

“For fuck’s sake, Noah, you think I’m fucking the taco truck worker? I know I’m here with you, but I do have standards.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he growled, clearly not happy with the joke I made. He shoved whatever snack he’d gotten into his mouth and stewed. He was so fucking cute when he was pissed off.

It hit me then, suddenly, that I wished I could show him public affection. Put one of my arms over his shoulder, or something like that—more so than to just hold myself up to walk straight. Anything that could potentially show him that he was the one I wanted, not some patron on the side of the road. That wasn’t a reality for us. Not yet, at least.

Or maybe…not ever, my mind thought bitterly.

The gasps of surprise from the people outside alerted me to the arrival of my Royce and driver. The pods of people parted as the vehicle approached, my driver taking care to pull closely to the curbside next to us.

Noah was still glaring at me when I nudged my head to the side, signalling.

“Ride’s here. Let’s go.”

NOAH

We toppled into the car. I was still irritated with Silas for flirting with the damn taco worker, so I wasn’t looking at him. But I remembered hearing the instructions he gave to his driver.

“Take us to Pinnacle.”

I could imagine the look on my face was one of confusion. Pinnacle was where Silas worked. Why was he taking us there?

I dared a glance up at his gray eyes. They were already dead set on me, his demeanor primal as ever, except for the slightest hint of a smirk tracing the line of his lips.

I exhaled quietly. Holding onto my anger felt pointless. I didn’t think I could stay mad at him if I tried. Our eyes stayed stuck there, neither of us looking away, the silence stretching thin between us.

And then a subtle tilt of his chin downwards. His fingers inching across the seat, closing this distance between us. His knuckles found their way under my palm, stroking the inside of my hand with an unspoken invitation.

Electricity buzzed around me, and I wanted to touch him more than anything I’d ever wanted before. I wanted to finish what I had started the last time I was in his car. I yearned for it. My pants were tight with my erection and I knew he could see it. His eyes were gleaming through the light of the evening trickling through the car. He wanted me. I wanted him. We were driven by this undeniable force and I couldn’t stay away.

He was air.

He was sin.

What’s the word he used earlier? Hooked?

“Touch me,” I whispered, bridging the gap and leaning my head against his shoulder. My hand shot to his thigh.

Silas cleared his throat, leaning forward and fiddling with the buttons on the side of his car. The partition rose between us and the driver, sealing off the front and back seats. Maybe I hadn’t whispered the words. Who cares?

His hands snaked around my waist and he pulled me closer with a grunt. My head nuzzled into his neck and I began leisurely marking his skin with my tongue and teeth.