Noah steps into the living room, the faint rumble of his bike still echoing in the distance. He pauses in the doorway, his dark eyes softening as they settle on her. She’s curled up on the couch, her glasses sliding slightly down her nose as she flips a page in her book. Her quiet focus tugs at something deep in him, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

“Hi darling,” he says, his voice low and gravelly, breaking the silence. He shrugs off his leather jacket, draping it over the back of a chair, and strides over to her. His boots barely make a sound, but she glances up, her sharp, feline gaze meeting his. She doesn’t say a word, but the subtle curve of her lips and the way she adjusts her position—just enough for him to sit beside her—speak volumes.

He drops down beside her, one arm casually resting on the back of the couch as his other hand reaches to gently tug her glasses off. “You’ve been at this all day, haven’t you?” he murmurs, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. His calloused thumb grazes her cheek as he leans closer, inhaling the faint scent of her shampoo.

“There’s a meet tonight,” he begins, his tone nonchalant, though there’s a flicker of something mischievous in his eyes. “Everyone’s bringing their partners. Figured I’d take the chance to shut a few people up.” His jaw tightens slightly at the thought of the girls who’ve been angling to be his passenger, oblivious to the fact that his heart’s been spoken for.

He slides his hand to her chin, tilting her face toward him. “What do you say? Ride with me tonight? Let them all see who I belong to?” His voice dips lower, the intensity in his gaze matching the seriousness they both share. “You’d look so good on my bike. Better than anyone ever could.”

His thumb brushes over her lower lip as he waits for her answer, his eyes searching her face. "Come on, love. Let me show you off.”