TOUCH .

after pleasure Island

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✨✨✨✨✨ RAVEEN'S POV ✨✨✨✨✨

The adrenaline was still coursing through me as I helped Maya adjust herself after we... well, after everything. We were both a little breathless, but the high of it made me feel invincible. A quick glance at Maya told me she was still recovering from what had just happened, but I couldn't help but smile. She was so damn hot, and the way she looked at me? Made me want more. But not right now. We needed a moment, something to ground us back to reality.

"Let's ditch," I said, my voice low, teasing, as I grabbed my jacket. "School's overrated, and I don't think I can sit through another lecture right now."

Maya shot me a look but didn't hesitate. "Fuck it, I’m in," she said, her voice full of that fire I loved. "But I’m driving."

I raised an eyebrow. "You? Driving? You sure you’re not still dizzy from earlier?"

She rolled her eyes, but I saw the playful smirk tug at her lips. "I’m fine. Let’s go. I know a place."

We slipped out of the school, and Maya led the way to her car. The keys dangled from her fingers as she slid into the driver’s seat. I took the passenger side, throwing my bag in the back. She started the engine, and as soon as we hit the road, she cranked up the volume. Some 6lack and Khalid came on, and I found myself tapping along to the beat.

“So where exactly are we going?” I asked, glancing at her, intrigued.

“There’s this diner I know,” she replied, not taking her eyes off the road. “The food’s great, and it’s... special.”

My heart picked up a little speed. “Special, huh?”

“Yeah,” she grinned, her voice taking on that mysterious tone. “You’ll see.”

The wind whipped through the windows as Maya sped up, her hands steady on the wheel. I couldn’t help but admire the way she drove, her focus intense, yet easygoing. There was something about her, something unpredictable that kept me on my toes.

We pulled up to the diner, a small but cozy spot that looked like it belonged to another world. Maya and I walked in, and the familiar smell of comfort food hit me right away. There was something about this place that made me feel at ease. The place was buzzing with people, but it felt intimate, like it was just the two of us in our own little bubble.

“Raveen, you getting the usual?” Ray, the waiter, asked as he made his way over.

I grinned. “Yeah, I’ll take the usual. One vegan brownie for two, please.”

Maya raised an eyebrow. “Vegan, huh?”

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “It’s got a kick, but it’s smooth.”

We ordered our drinks, and Maya opted for an iced tea, while I stuck with my usual chocolate slime shake. Ray brought over our food in no time, and we headed back to the car.

“So, where are we going next?” I asked, taking a bite of my brownie and feeling the high hit me almost immediately.

Maya laughed. “Honestly? I don’t know yet. I thought we’d just drive around. Maybe go to the beach or something. What do you think?”

I leaned back in my seat, letting the world outside blur as I focused on Maya. “Sounds perfect,” I said, my voice low, but full of intent.

As we drove, the city lights flickering past, I couldn’t help but feel a spark between us, something electric that made my heart race. Maya had this effect on me, and I wasn’t sure what would happen next—but I was ready to find out.

---

The brownie kicked in fast, the warm buzz spreading through my veins, and I leaned back, letting the feeling settle in. Maya looked over at me, and I caught that glint in her eye—a mix of curiosity and something more. I couldn’t help but smile at how unpredictable she was.

“You’re awfully quiet,” she teased, glancing at me as she swerved around a corner. “What, you thinking about your next move?”

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. “Thinking about how damn good you look, mostly.” I let the words hang in the air, enjoying the way they made her bite her lip, clearly trying to play it cool. But I could see that little blush creeping up her neck, and that only made me want to push a little more.

She didn’t answer right away, just focused on the road, but I could feel the tension build. It was like we were both trying to hold back, knowing what could happen next if either of us gave in too quickly. I loved it. I thrived on that tension.

“You know,” I continued, my voice dropping lower, “you’ve got this way of making everything seem... easy. Like you’re in control of it all.” I watched her, waiting for her reaction, gauging whether she’d admit she liked the power she had over me.

She kept her eyes forward, her jaw tightening just slightly. "Oh, I am in control, trust me." There it was—the fire I loved to see in her. “Don’t get it twisted, Raveen. You’re not the only one who knows how to drive things.”

I grinned. “Oh, I know you’re in control. I’ve seen it up close.” I shot her a look, my grin widening as her face flushed a little darker. “And I gotta say, you’re damn good at it.”

Maya shot me a playful glare but didn’t say anything more. The drive was smooth, but it was the kind of silence that spoke volumes. The kind where you don’t need words because you already know what the other person is thinking.

When we reached the beach, I could feel the cool breeze hitting my face. It was a little more quiet here, the waves crashing softly in the distance. Maya parked the car, but neither of us moved right away. She just sat there, looking out the window, and I took a moment to admire her profile—the way her hair framed her face, the curve of her neck, and the faint trace of a smile she tried to hide.

“Want to walk?” I asked, breaking the silence, eager to get closer. I was never one to let a moment slip by without making my move.

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. “You really think I’m going to let you win this one?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Maya, I don’t need to win. I’m just here to enjoy the view—of you.”

“Flatterer,” she shot back, but I could hear the edge in her voice. The edge that told me she was enjoying this as much as I was.

I leaned back in my seat, letting the quiet moment linger, but I wasn’t about to let things get too peaceful. The urge to tease her was still there, just under the surface. “You know, you should really let me take the lead more often. I’ve got a lot of skills you haven’t seen yet.”

She snorted. “Oh really? You’ve already showed me what you’ve got. But I’m sure you’re hiding a few tricks up your sleeve.”

I didn’t answer right away, just grinned at her, letting the silence stretch a little. Maya was so easy to mess with, but I loved how she always had something up her sleeve too. It was part of what made this dynamic between us so damn fun.

As I stepped out of the car and walked around to open her door, I couldn’t help but feel a rush. The night was still young, and with her by my side, I knew I was in for a wild ride. The best part? I had no idea where it would end, but I wasn’t worried. I was with Maya, and that was all that mattered right now.

We started walking toward the beach, the sand soft under our feet. I looked over at her, and she met my gaze with that confident smile.

“So, Raveen,” she said, looking me over as we strolled, “what’s next? You really think you can keep up with me tonight?”

I turned to face her, my gaze smoldering. “Baby, I’m just getting started.”