Black Silk

CHAPTER 8 Pebbles At Dawn

NADIA'S POV

Raheem opened the passenger door, a quiet habit he never made a show of. I slipped in, and he walked around to his side with that calm confidence he always carried, like the world moved a little slower around him.

The car hummed to life. He glanced at me, one hand resting on the wheel, the other on the gear stick.

"So, straight home love?"

"Yeah. Please."

He nodded and pulled out into the road. His arm draped casually against the window frame, fingers loose on the steering wheel. The city lights slid across his face in intervals, and for a second, I wondered if he knew how distracting he looked when he drove like that—one hand, relaxed, in control.

Focus, Nadia.

I turned to the window, pretending the night outside was more interesting than the man next to me.

"Can I ask you something?" I finally said, mostly to break the silence that had started to feel like something else.

He smirked slightly. "You just did."

"Raheem—"

"I'm joking," he said softly. "Go on."

I hesitated, then looked over. "How do you even know where I live?"

He chuckled, eyes still on the road. "I've got my ways."

"That's not creepy at all," I muttered, crossing my arms.

"If I didn't," he said, "how else would I show up at your window in the middle of the night?"

I blinked. "Wait—what?"

He laughed under his breath. "Relax, I'm not that bad. You're too jumpy, Rose."

"Don't call me that."

"Too late. It suits you."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the tiny smile that slipped through.

"Anyway," he said after a pause, "I wanted to ask you something too."

I arched a brow. "This should be good."

"Between us," he said, tone casual but eyes a little too sharp, "does Taliya like anyone? Hamzah told me to find out."

I frowned. "What—no. Not that I know of. Why?"

"Because he likes her," he said simply. "But don't tell him I told you that. He'll pretend he didn't."

"Oh. Does he know you're outing his secrets like that?"

"He'll live."

I studied him for a moment. "So, you told him about me too then?"

"Yes" he said, like it was obvious. "We talk about... a lot."

"Well, I haven't told my friends about you," I said.

That made him look at me properly. "Really?"

"Nope." I popped the P.

His jaw tightened just a little, something flickering in his expression before he looked away. "Noted," he said quietly, the humor gone from his tone.

We pulled up outside my house. He parked neatly against the curb, not needing directions once. I reached for the door handle, but before I could step out, his hand caught my wrist.

My pulse skipped.

"Raheem..." I said, my voice lower than I intended. "Don't start that again."

He exhaled, gaze fixed ahead. "I just wanted to say I'm glad you agreed to this," he murmured.