Speak (Witches & Warlocks Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

look like a dumb old fish gasping for air. My gaze darts from his eyes to the balls of napkin I’ve left on the table.
    Noah sighs and reaches for my hands. “Let me drive you home.”
    I blink away my surprise. I’d love more time with him. But… “I can’t waste any more of your time.” I finish my thought out loud.
    “It’s not a problem or I wouldn’t have offered.” I’m distracted by the way the ping of golden contact has settled into a warm hum flowing from my hands, up my arms, and towards my heart. There’s almost a breeze, tickling my skin, rushing past my cheeks, and ever so softly whispering in my hair. What in the world is that?
    “I don’t want to put you out.”
    “Well. Put it this way. I’d be more put out if you turned me down.”
    Well, no. I don’t want that at all. My face is transparent and I know he can see the rush of fear that takes over me at the thought of upsetting him further. I smile quickly and drop my chin.
    “Well, ok, then. It’s really not that far.”
    Noah releases my hand and it’s like I can breathe again. Like his hand on mine was somehow shortening my breath. He circles the table and offers me his elbow. I’m surprised by the gesture and love it all at the same time. I drape my arm through his, loving the way it feels, expecting the ping of contact and am shocked when this warm melty glowy feeling emanates from him into me. If that sounds strange, then it does the feeling justice. Stepping into his personal space like that, being connected to him and oh, so close softens me somehow. Comforts me. Quiets me. Empowers me. It’s the best, strangest feeling I’ve ever had.
    He leads me to his car and opens the door for me. I can’t help but meet his eyes as I lower myself into the seat. “Thank you.” I nearly whisper the words, thankful they even came at all. Who is this girl? I don’t pick up guys at bars and let them drive me home. And considering the guy is someone like Noah? Well. It’s like I don’t know myself at all.
    I navigate him to my apartment and he pulls into the space Becca’s Jeep would normally occupy. Which kinda makes me want to giggle because a.) Becca is really territorial about her space and b.) I know it’s pretty much time to say goodbye and I’m not sure if Noah’s gonna kiss me or not.
    I’d love it if he tried to kiss me. I want nothing more than to feel his lips against mine, to breathe in his scent, to feel the prickle of his stubble scrape against my chin. I want his hands in my hair. Or maybe I want them wrapped around me. Or maybe I want one in my hair and the other pulling me close. Oh, they all sound good.
    I can’t bring myself to look at him as he turns the key in the ignition and kills the engine. The tiger is thumping her tail on the floor, impatient with my drama. I’m nervous, but it’s not because I haven’t kissed a guy before. I’m shy, but I’m twenty-three. I’ve had a few great kisses in my time. It’s just that I just live in a constant state of nervous. Any bit of stimulation ups the amount of nervous in my system.
    “So, which one is yours?” Noah is peering out the front window, eyeing the row of identical doors in identical buildings spread out ahead of us.
    I point to my door, directly in front of Becca’s parking spot. “That’d be me.” Is he gonna walk me to my door? Should I get out? I wish he’d give me some clue as to what he wants me to do so I can just do it already and stop wondering what the appropriate action should be.
    “I had a good time with you tonight, Zoe.” Oh man. My name sounds so good in his voice.
    “I had a good time, too.”
    Noah’s facing me. I can see it out of the corner of my eye. I give him a minute to reach for me, to say something, to do anything to let me know that he wants to kiss me as much as I’d like to kiss him. He doesn’t move. And now I’m just sitting awkwardly long in his car. Go figure. Me. Awkward. Who’d a thunk it? I reach for the