Page 132 of Midnights
She tilts her head, studying me for a beat before laughing. “Smart man.”
“I try.”
Carrie shakes her head, and walks out. Time to handle the rest of the shit on my plate.
I look at my schedule, scanning the list of meetings, calls, and security briefings I still need to get through before this weekend.
I lean back, and a sharp wave of nausea crashes over me. It's so sudden that my pulse skyrockets and I try to catch my breath. And just like that, it’s gone. What the fuck?
Maybe I need to get back in the ring with Cam sooner rather than later if my body’s pulling this kind of shit.
Chapter 22
Long Story Short
Raven
Every instinct in me is screaming that this is a waste of my time. The things I’ve gathered about him so far don’t exactly screamvaluable business opportunity.It’s actually more likewalking red flag.
Curse Steven for making me handle this. He could’ve dealt with it himself, but no, apparentlyI’mthe picture of responsibility these days. Lucky me. When I get back I need to have a sit down with him about my roles and responsibilities.
After giving myself a quickbe-a-responsible-adultpep talk, I’m good to go. Maybe Mike-n-Ike just has terrible email etiquette. Maybe he had an off day when he sent those delightful passive-aggressive messages. Maybe his entire personality isn’t actually insufferable, and his bad attitude is just the unfortunate byproduct of a bad mattress situation. Stranger things have happened.
Once I'm satisfied that I’ve sufficiently worked through my frustrations with Mike-n-Ike, my mind drifts to more… interesting matters.
Specifically,thatkiss.
Epic kiss number two.
I thought maybe the first one was a fluke. A side effect of a little alcohol and the perfect storm of bad decisions. But nope. Turns out it wasn’t just a lucky shot. It washim.
My stomach flips just thinking about it, and I have to resist the ridiculous urge to smile to myself like some lovesick fool. But, that kiss is definitely going to live rent-free in my mind forever. Definitely a core memory.
The thought of texting him flickers through my mind, just to see what he’s up to tonight. But the second that thought forms, I shove it back down where it belongs.
Down girl.
As if the universe is testing my willpower, my phone buzzes on the seat beside me. Speak of the devil.
Kane.
Just his name on my screen is enough to send a little rush through me, which is absurd.
He’s asking how my meeting is going. I don't know why, but something about the fact that he’s checking in sends my pulse skittering.
I stare at my screen, trying to figure out what the adult version of myself would say to his response that I just got.
I take a deep breath, gripping my phone a little tighter as my brain stops working for a solid three seconds.Would I like a demonstration?
He thinks he’s the hottest thing since sliced bread. Which, to be fair, he kind of is. And that’s exactly why I need to get a grip.
This man is a disaster waiting to happen, and I refuse to be his next casualty. That would, without a doubt, become the disaster of the century.
Decision made. Kane is going under thesummer’s epic flingcategory. He's just a perfect distraction, nothing more. I’ll enjoy his company, have some fun, and keep things light.No strings. No mess. Just a little heat to brighten my stay here.
I just need to keep my head in the game and my heart far, far away.
Now that he’s thrown down the gauntlet with his bullseye bet, I can’t help but smile. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as proving someone wrong. Especially when that someone has an ego the size of Scotland. Watching his face when he realizes he’s underestimated meis going to be so worth it.
