Chapter 128: Let me hear you (M)
"I need some air," Noah muttered, avoiding Ryder’s eyes. He felt the shame creeping in, mixing with the confusion and the feelings he didn’t want to confront.
Before Ryder could say anything else, Noah turned on his heels and walked out of the bar, his footsteps quick, his mind still trying to process what had just happened. What was I thinking?
Ryder watched him leave, frustration and confusion battling in his chest as Noah disappeared through the doors. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the loss of Noah’s warmth still buzzing on his lips.
Ryder found Noah standing just outside, leaning against the cold wall of the building, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. The smoke curled lazily into the night air as Noah glanced at him, his eyes unreadable. His face was slightly flushed from the chill, or maybe from something else.
"You want a smoke?" Noah asked, his voice low, almost teasing, as if daring Ryder to say something.
Ryder raised a brow, stepping closer, his eyes locked on Noah. "Since when did you start smoking?"
Noah chuckled, the sound deep and a little bitter. "Stress," he said simply, taking a slow drag from the cigarette before exhaling, the smoke clouding between them. "It helps, I guess."
Ryder moved in closer, their bodies almost touching now, his voice dropping to a whisper. "There are other ways to relieve stress, you know," he murmured, his breath warm against Noah’s cold skin. "Why ruin your health?"
Noah’s pulse quickened, his body suddenly alert to Ryder’s proximity. He blew out another puff of smoke, his eyes lingering on Ryder as he asked boldly, "What other ways?"