Page 153 of Midnights
But I find nothing. Just a low chuckle that rumbles from his chest.
Against my better judgement, I place my hand in his. The moment our fingers connect, the world shifts. Every instinct I have screams at me to run. To fight. To do something. But I can’t move. His grip is firm, his presence is an unshakable force, and his gaze locks onto mine like he’s searching for something I can’t see.
With a fluid motion, he spins me, pulling me into the rhythm of the music like he’s done this a thousand times before. I barely have time to process the strange pull tightening around my ribs.
I let my gaze drag over him. He's in head to toe black, and looks tailored within an inch of perfection. It's not a suit, it's a declaration.
This is the kind of man who doesn't stumble into attention, he bathes in it.
And damn it, it’s working.
Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?
Heat rises up my chest, creeping up my neck, and I can’t tell if it’s from the dance or something else entirely.
The look on his face is dark and intense. A shiver runs through me, which is ridiculous, considering the hot flash I just had. He's ice, and I'm the one overheating.
Shit. I can feel my hands start to tingle and warm, and I force myself to keep moving, to focus on the rhythm instead of whatever the hell is happening. Why does this always happen at the worst times?
He’s effortlessly in control of every move we make as we swirl around the dance floor. As soon as I try to get a better look at him, he spins me and suddenly, he’s gone. Just like that, I’m in the arms of a new partner.
The intensity of the moment lingers, leaving me breathless. We didn’t exchange a single word, yet it felt like something just passed between us.
This dance is a whirlwind, each new partner barely giving me time to catch my breath. Laughter spills from my lips, and every now and then, I catch Rachel’s gaze across the room, and we exchange grins.
When the song ends, I step off the dance floor, and head toward the spot Rachel and I agreed on earlier. I need a moment to breathe.
I don’t get very far before the prickle at the back of my neck is back. Sharper this time.
I look around expecting to see nothing, but when I look to my right, there he is. The brick wall.
My heart stutters and those butterflies in my stomach lose their goddamn minds.
He leans against a column, all sharp edges and devastating precision, like something straight out of a dream. Or worse. Depends on the lighting, and my luck.
A wicked, knowing smile tugs at his lips, like he’s fully aware of the effect he has on me. And damn it, something about him feels achingly familiar.
I blink, and he’s gone. Melted into the crowd so seamlessly I almost question if he was ever there at all.
Umm… okay? That wasn’t weird at all.
Rachel appears out of nowhere, wrapping me in a tight hug.
“This is so much fun!” She exclaims, her grin so bright it's almost contagious. “Are you having fun? Dance with anyone exciting?”
I laugh, shaking off the lingering unease. “Yes!! I honestly can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”
It’s not a lie. The night is pure magic. And right now, in this dress, I feel like the Winter Queen herself, draped in stardust and mystery. Every single penny spent having this gown made was worth it.
Everything is perfect. The hum of conversation, the golden flicker of candlelight against the glass, the distant echo of laughter. Everything's spun in elegance, and it's intoxicating.
Rachel, unsurprisingly, soaks up attention like it's oxygen. Like moths to a flame. Her dress is a weapon. Blood-red silk hugs her every curve like sin itself. The slit alone should be illegal. The neckline's worse. It’s giving major Jessica Rabbit vibes.
I stand back watching her, and judging by the pack of men hanging onto her every word? Yeah, she knows it.
She beams. “Why have we never come to a ball before?”
I don't get the chance to answer before a tall man with a deep accent is in front of us. His mask is adorned in shimmering blues and purples that compliment his eyes. “Your dance cards aren’t full for this next song, I hope?”
