All That Went Unsaid | Complete (18+)

Chapter 23

Sophie Esinberg's POV

When I stepped out of my cabin, wallet in hand, the sight that greeted me made me pause. Raymond stood with Zahra, his shoulders relaxed, his lips curved in that easy grin of his. He said something—too low for me to catch—and Zahra laughed, bright and unguarded, her head tilting back ever so slightly.

A strange pang settled low in my chest, sharp enough to make me falter. Jealousy. I hated that word, hated that it belonged anywhere near me. I shook it off, forcing my feet to move, forcing my expression to stay composed, casual. He was just talking to her. Nothing more.

"Zahra," I called out smoothly as I approached, "this is Raymond Reynolds." I kept my tone even, brisk, as if the introduction weren't unnecessary—because Zahra clearly already knew who he was. "Raymond, this is Zahra Karimi, my colleague."

Zahra flashed me a grin, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "We've already met. And might I say, Sophie, you forgot to mention just how charming he is."

I narrowed my eyes at her in warning, the kind of silent glare we both understood, but she only pressed her lips together to stifle another smile.

"I forgot my wallet," I explained, holding it up like proof.

"are you sure it wasn't your heart?," Zahra teased, and though I rolled my eyes, I couldn't ignore the heat in my cheeks. She didn't push further, but her smirk said enough.

Raymond gave me that look—quietly amused, like he'd just witnessed some private joke he wanted to be let in on—but thankfully, I ushered us both out before Zahra could add fuel to her teasing.

We left the lab behind, the sky already fading to shades of gold and ash over the mountains. By the time we reached the edge of the city, both of us were starving, so we stopped for takeout—injera folded into warm parcels, spiced lamb, lentils, the air thick with cumin and berbere.

The harder part wasn't choosing what to eat—it was deciding where.

"My hotel penthouse," Raymond offered easily, leaning against the car with that dangerous, knowing grin.

I shot him a look. "That's clearly out of the question."

"Why?" His voice was innocent, but the glint in his eye betrayed him.

"You know why," I said firmly, climbing into the driver's seat before he could make the suggestion sound more tempting than it already did. "You ruined the word penthouse for me," I said, folding my arms, trying to sound firm.

Raymond's grin was pure mischief. "I was hoping I ruined other guys for you instead."

Heat prickled across my cheeks before I could stop it. "Don't flatter yourself."

He leaned back in his seat, casual but with a glint that made my stomach knot. "I don't have to. You just did it for me."

I scoffed, turning toward the window to hide the stupid smile threatening to tug at my lips. "Unbelievable."

"Unforgettable," he corrected smoothly.

I shook my head, biting back a laugh. "You know, one day, that ego of yours is going to need its own zip code."

He chuckled low, leaning closer until I felt his breath against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "And yet, you still can't stop looking at me when you think I'm not paying attention."

My heart tripped, traitorous, but I refused to let him win. I snapped my gaze back to him, arching a brow. "Trust me, Reynolds, if I was looking, it wasn't admiration. It was strategy."

"Strategy?" he asked, clearly amused.

"Yes," I replied primly. "To remind myself exactly why penthouses are off-limits."