Toxic Impulse ⁕

eight.

Astraea let another four days pass before Hale's number had yet to be dialed. It was not done intentionally, for she has not had a craving for him yet, until now.

She flashed down the streets of D.C, carefully keeping an eye out for speed traps. Her sharp ambers darted towards the time along the square shaped screen. It's late in the afternoon, and that craving that was absent for the past few days was beginning to rise.

While she sped down the street, the upcoming light flashed to a yellow-orange before soon flashing red, giving her ample time to make her call. Her midnight beauty came to a steady halt as she made a verbal command through her computer system.

"Call, Showers," Astraea instructed. The voice replied with its female automated tone, reiterating her command for assurance. "Ugh, yes," Astraea hissed, her tone signaling impatience. The system complied and dialed his number.

As it rang through the car it was answered short after the second ring.

"Hello?" Hale's vivid voice flowed within her vehicle, vibrating against the speakers near her left leg. She resisted the urge to bite her lip just from what his sound was doing to her.

"Mr. Showers?" she asked with a politeness and a hint of inducement. There was a brief silence in the car before he responded.

"Astraea," Her name left his mouth in almost a murmur, as if he couldn't believe she was on the other end. He did it again, saying her name in a way that affected her so. Her name rang through his voice did things to her as her right hand gripped the steering wheel. The lights above her flashed green and she was off again.

"I want to see you," she said. She could almost feel him smiling through the call.

"That can be arranged, when?"

"Now," she commanded, though it sounded more of a gentle order. She was ready for him now, but if he was not at this moment, then it would be his own opportunity lost.

"Now?" he repeated, hesitation present.

She raised her brow, "Is that a problem?" she asked, prepared to end the call as soon as he said the words.

Once more, silence occupied the car. Her nails tapped the rim of the steering wheel, her lips curling impatiently. She opened her lips to speak but his baritone voice pleased her ears once more.

"No, not at all. I'm working now, but it won't be a problem. I want to you see you as well, Astraea," he explained. "I'll send you the address right away."

Astraea's lips curved into a smirk. "Good," she said. "And Hale?"

"Yes?"

"Don't ever hesitate on me again. I'll see you soon." With that, she pressed a button on the steering wheel to end the call. About a moment later a text came through the screen. Diverting her attention to and from the road to the screen, she highlighted the address and voice commanded the GPS. It responded about a second or so later, then she held her finger down waiting for the paste option. She activated her destination as the voice immediately responded.

"In 1000 feet, turn left,"  it instructed. She was on the far right, but no matter, she'd have no problem crossing lanes even if she had to aggressively force her way in. Luckily for other drivers, there was enough space between them and her as she expertly weaved through the lanes, wasting no time. Her eyes glanced towards the ETA, he's about 8 minutes away.

As she flied down the streets and avenues, turning and driving down familiar blocks, she saw on the screen that she was nearing her destination. While she drove down 14th street, the automated voice informed her that her destination will be on the left. She hissed. The GPS did not route her on the same side of the road where she'd be going. With cars in front of her moving leisurely, it gave her a chance to scope out the address on the lined up spaces along the street.