Page 139 of Midnights
He raises an eyebrow. “I was working.”
Well, okay then. Not exactly theintriguing mysteryI was hoping for.
I chuckle, playing it off with a casual shrug. “Hey, you never know. Some people keep interesting schedules.”
I let the conversation settle for a moment before glancing at him again, curiosity still pulling at the edges of my thoughts. Everything about Kane feels deliberate and intentional, so I want to know what he's thinking.
Today, he’s in a fitted black T-shirt, and the fabric clings to the defined lines of his chest and arms like it was made for him.
The tattoo winds up his forearm, and the ink catches the light in a way that makes it writhe, like it's alive. There's an energy about it that doesn't belong on someone this put together.
I force myself to look away, hoping he didn't catch me staring.
But even as I turn my focus back to the road, my thoughts linger on the contradictions he seems to embody.
His clothes, his presence, his voice. Everything about him screams power and control. He's either someone who hasmoney or wants to look like he does.
Either way, he pulls it off effortlessly.
Yet for all his polish, there’s an edge to him. A rawness. Like he’s spent just as much time in the dark. And I can’t decide which version of him intrigues me more.
God help me, my eyes dip lower, just a quick, totally harmless glance.
Big mistake.
Suddenly, my mouth is bone-dry, my thoughts absolutelynoton anything good. Licking my lips, I whip my head around and look out the window, pretending I’m very,veryinterested in the rain-speckled glass. But the heat simmering between my legs betrays me, making it impossible to ignore the way my body reacts to him.
Taking a steady breath, I try to focus on the passing landscape, but my curiosity has a mind of its own. Against my better judgement, I sneak another glance.
Bigger mistake.
I shift in my seat, cheeks heating as I pray the car suddenly develops ejector seats. Kane looks over, catching menot looking. The corner of his mouth lifts, like he seesexactlywhere my thoughts just went.
“Something on your mind, Princess?”
I clear my throat, gripping my phone like it’s going to save me. “Just enjoying the scenery.” I keep my tone light, forcing my gaze back to the window, where Iabsolutelydo not look at him again.
He chuckles, a deep, low sound that sends a fresh wave of heat through me. “I see that.”
I roll my eyes, determined to wrestle my brain back into something resembling submission.
One thing is obvious, Kane doesn’t look like a man who spends his days working outside. There's also no suit or tie, but there’s still something polishedabout him. He’s sharp and put together, but not in a way that screams desk job.
“What do you do for work?”
“Depends on the day,” he replies. “Today I was finalizing details with my secretary. She’s also trying to pick out a puppy. She’s only been talking about it for the last three years, so that was top priority today.”
I blink.A puppy?That was not what I expected. Secretary? I have so many more questions.
“Three years?” My curiosity is fully engaged now. “What, was she waiting for, a sign from the universe? Wait. Wereyouthe reason she didn’t get one? And, more importantly, what kind of puppy is she getting?”
His laugh is deep and unguarded. “Alright, Princess, one question at a time,” he shoots me a look. “We’ve got a bit of a drive, so no rush.”
I press my lips together to keep myself from grinning as he continues to tell me about it.
“And aye, three years,” he confirms, shaking his head like it still baffles him. “First, it was all the reasons why sheshouldget a dog. Then, it was all the reasons sheshouldn't. Then came the endless debates about which breed was smartest.” He chuckles again. “So no, it wasn’t my fault. Though, Ididthreaten to buy her one a few times just to put her out of her misery.”
I laugh, imagining the whole thing play out.Of coursehe would resort to brute force.
