Page 164 of Midnights
She’s still thinking about what I said and what we did. And she’s still feeling every damn second of it.
Satisfaction rolls through me as I guide her back through the greenhouse, our steps quiet against the stone path, and for the second time since we stepped away from the ballroom, I feel her start to settle.
Cam and Rachel appear in the doorway. Just like that, we’re yanked back into the present.
“There you are!” Rachel exclaims, putting a hand on her hips. “I thought Kane tried to kidnap you.”
Cam shakes his head, laughing under his breath. Always fucking amused.
Rachel’s gaze sharpens as she looks between Cam and me. “Okay, before anything else happens, can someone please tell me what you two are doing here? And how did you even find us?”
Cam flashes his usually charming, smug-ass grin. “Well, considering this is one of the biggest events in the area and a fundraiser, we always attend.” He throws me a look that makes my jaw tighten. “Call it… a write-off.”
Raven’s eyes lock onto mine, demanding answers.
“Okay, but how did you know it was us?” Her tone cuts straight to the point.
I don’t hesitate. “A blind man would know it was you.”
Her lips part and her expression falters, caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief. Her mouth opens like she wants to respond, but nothing comes out.
Rachel groans, rolling her eyes. “Still? Kane seriously? Do you have any game?”
Cam loses it, his whole damn body shakes with laughter as he leans against the door.
“Come on, ladies.” He grins. “Let’s get back to the dance floor before we get caught sneaking around.” He offers his arm to Rachel, who takes it without hesitation.
I extend mine to Raven, and she hesitates. A heartbeat, maybe two, then she slips her hand into mine.
And fuck, if it doesn’t go straight to my dick.
Her fingers are warm, but it’s the way her breath catches, that does it for me. I lean in, keeping my voice low enough that she has to lean to hear me.
“Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” I pause, letting the tension coil between us. “... hard.”
Her entire body goes rigid.
A thrill shoots through me, sharp and satisfying. I let a low chuckle escape, letting her know I see every single reaction she’s trying so hard to hide.
“You all right over there?” I ask, keeping my tone deceptively light, like I’m not fully aware of how I’m affecting her.
Truthfully, I don’t give a shit about her answer.
I care about the way her pulse flutters under my thumb. The way she sways closer to me, and the way I know, without a doubt, she’s fighting herself right now.
Knowing I can do this to her is intoxicating.
Before my cock gets any more bright ideas, I pull her through the doorway, guiding her back toward the ballroom.
The first notes of another song curl through the air and I don’t hesitate, I don’t even ask.
I drag her onto the dance floor, locking my hands on her waist. The music fades into something else and I guide her exactly where I want her. I want to keep her close enough that I can feel the stutter in her breath every time I move.
“I’m glad you guys are here.”
The words hit me somewhere unexpected.
I don’t answer immediately because, for once, I don’t know how to.
