Owned by Night

ar through the winding streets of Manhattan. I kept my gaze fixed on the skyline, watching as t

elf I wasn

li

y that made it impossible to forget who was sitting beside me. Damien Blackwell didn't just comman

as no e

through the silence, low and sm

him my address. "You don't have to

shot me a sidelong glance, one brow arched in subtle

y in my seat. "I didn'

be I

ogether, unsure how

ally resting on the steering wheel as if he had all the time in t

Harlem. 145

ightly, but he said nothi

f the city behind, the flashing billboards and

ked, his voice breaki

to the seat. "You could say

n't for the fa

it is

f silenc

ay it safe, though," Damien said, h

What makes y

with me la

sed my arms tightly over my

s i

es

ed, but he didn'

ft it at that – let the conversation die and focused on getting home. But som

I said, not bothering to hide the

ow en

ctly do you t

y, his gaze lingering on me a

said softly, each word deliberate. "I know that yo

my heart hammeri

I shot back, but even I could hear

his breath warm agains

n't

roat when I realized just how close he was – his e

a split second, I wondered if he cou

ous game," I whispered,

dangerou

away. I should've

I di

t and teasing, and I felt every nerve i

l – vulnerable, exposed, and y

ent, I wasn't sure if I wanted h

e curb, his hand linge

ipping the door

I said, keeping my to

eyes narrowing slightly as if he was re

night

, the cold air hitting m

as I climbed the st

nd me, I could still feel Damien

-

g day, I cou

rofessor Carter said. Every time I closed my eyes, Damien's voice e

ila for lunch, I wa

sleep," she said, stirri

nto the seat across

s shot u

ded quickly, but she

ed to stop pretending

not a

night with Da

ng my temples. "

n on her palm. "And yet, here you ar

n't d

triumphantl

d. I glanced at the screen, my heart

n Bla

thumb hovering

widened. "

nable to fi

wer

ressed accept, bringin

el

ce was just as smoo

ed. "How did you

ve my

ly. "Why are y

want to see

's eyes practically burning holes t

id, trying to so

oftly. "I'll pick

protest, the

e'd won the lottery.

ure if she

er than necessary, I knew one thing for cer

sure I want