He looks at me, curious. “What’s up?”
I bite my lip, pondering how to phrase it. “Do you wonder why we got kicked out of Nocté? Like, did they know about us beforeweknew about us?”
He nods slowly, his expression turning thoughtful. “Yeah, I’ve thought about that, too. It’s weird, right?”
I shrug, the mystery of it making my writerly brain go into overdrive. “It kinda feels like they found out. But how? It’s not like we were obvious about it. I haven’t gone back to Nocté since that night, either. Did …” I clear my throat, uncomfortable about having to ask. “Have you?”
I hold my breath waiting for his reaction.
When he shakes his head, I exhale.
“No, there was a certain redhead who consumed my time,” he says with a smirk.
I grin back at him, my brain still churning out ideas. “Well, then it doesn’t make any sense. Unless ...” I trail off, thinking back to the conversation with Lily.
“Unless what?” Adam prompts, leaning in closer.
“Unless someone in our circle spilled,” I muse. But there’s a part of me that can’t see Lily running off to London and tattling.
Maybe the follow Adam on Instagram and put two and two together there?
Adam takes my hand again, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Well, whatever the reason, it doesn’t change anything for us. But yeah, it’s intriguing. Nocté’s always been synonymous with mystery. Maybe that’s part of its allure—the way they want to keep it.”
I nod, my thoughts drifting to the elusive figure behind Nocté. “You know, whoever created Nocté, they’re not just running a club. From an author’s perspective, it’s like they’re orchestrating an elaborate game, one where the rules are known only to them. It’s fascinating.”
Adam cocks his head, considering. “I agree. There’s something pretty awesome about that place. And to think—that’s our origin story.”
“Yeah,” I say, a grin floating to my lips. “That’ll be an interesting one to explain when people ask.”
Adam nods, his eyes reflecting a hint of excitement. “We should probably play that one by ear. You know, read the room. Maybe we save the full truth for our close friends. But to everyone else, we met at St. Mary’s. Both are technically true.”
I lean back and chuckle. “A very good point.”
His gaze holds mine, and in that moment, the air between us crackles with unspoken promise. The mystery of Nocté, the exhilaration of my revelations, our past experiences together—it all converges into a palpable tension, ripe with anticipation.
I lean closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Speaking of good points …” I cringe internally at the terrible segue, but my hand finds his, our fingers intertwining. “There’s one more adventure I’d like to embark on tonight.”
His response is immediate—desire and understanding lighting up his eyes. “Carlie, I’m all in. Whatever you want, wherever this night takes us. I am. All. In.”
The room, once filled with the weight of secrets and revelations, now pulses with a different energy—one of desire, intimacy, and the thrill of new beginnings.
Maybe Grandma will get use out of her earplugs after all.
“We’ve had two unforgettable encounters,” I say, a playful challenge in my tone. “Think we can make the third time the charm?”
Adam’s smile grows wider, a little hint of mischievousness despite the tender undertone. “With you? I have no doubt.”
He stands, offering me his hand, and I take it, letting him pull me to my feet. As I step closer to him, my body tingles with an electric current that needs no words.
I lead him towards the bedroom, my heart thumping for a very different reason than when we first entered my apartment.
The mystery of Nocté and the outside world fades away, leaving only the here and now—a moment of discovery and hopefully, passion.
But most of all, uncharted territory waiting to be explored.
CHAPTER35
Adam