re sh

empty doorway like

shaking. His who

bitch," he

d had gott

ed. No sound

his couch. Li

gut tw

ll of it

The words still crawled under Noa's s

over his face, like he co

ell you

ng hollow in the

morning w

rned until dawn, the sheets ta

nted him. Cold fingers traced paths do

sound in his throat hard, sw

uc

ns, a hoodie. Something casual, forgettable.

enough caffeine down his throat,

corner shop. Shadows un

black. N

e barista asked,

uld say

ldn't. There weren't wor

offee. Took a

his tongue

heat still curled low in

t, the stre

qu

ickled. Insti

was watc

sto

ply over hi

catch a glint

nted darker than legal. Engine idling, a fa

oze mi

ndow rolled down

here

es

smile like a tiger who had found its

t i

His fight-or-flight instincts ki

d himself to

He knew that. Not wit

happe

id ge

ised. No threat needed. It was the kind

swal

chase him? How fast

how much wors

very instinct told

minutes. You can survive five min

ok a

he said, jaw t

his head slight

i

The door thunked shut with a quiet finalit

ame expensive cologne that had been on Alessio'

gainst the knot

peak at first. J

of that gaze dragging over

d not t

il

ke me," Alessio said

my home," Noa shot back be

fond amusement, like Noa was an entert

o see how f

wer. Now leave me

er, body language s

N

jumped, stup

came out a lit

u're the first person who's look

e. They ghosted over Noa's wrist,

intoxi

s hand away l

re in

ed, eyes gleaming. "B

mn it

eart racing, body thrumming with adrenali

ar st

blin

the

with

were soft.

a cha

door. The cold mo

the car with a

fingers gripped his chin. Tilt

. Walk with me. O

yes made Noa's st

. Hated how his b

at. "I'm not

shoul

ter. A hunger that pressed against No

releas

en hard, got out fast.

tes," he w

cour

i

tone walls. Heavy doors that looked

skey, leather, smoke. Dim lig

ot the kind y

s stiffened. H

d him throug

ws, men and women both.

his place?

ral g

d the small of his ba

didn't move. Co

e off?" he hissed

arning

wh

aze burned

you're

breath

arp and hot lo

m n

t y

st

0s. All curves and danger

sio greeted, in

ess

oa, sharp as a blade.

houlders. "Not a

miled. Sa

e. Monsters don't l

love," Noa snapped

lower. "You're here because yo

p Noa's neck

ck

in. Breath warm

pered, voice like smoke.

His body betrayed him

said. But it so

s jaw. Gentle. Almost tender

But you'll st

allowe

be so

iled. Slow

a

d them. Eyes s

u play a dan

lway

e could

him

d back to Noa

eeing each

ell," N

acing. His fists cl

eep down wasn't s

mile deepen

brought

ked th

ted

hecked i

apartment like

pered to the empty r

ped off the hoodi

rned where Alessi

with unwanted heat

s eyes began to close a so

oa

voice. L

p. I wa