Page 167 of Midnights
Rachel narrows her eyes, unconvinced. "Uh-huh," she drags the sound out, like she's about two seconds away from saying something else that'll make me regret every life choice I ever made.
I glance away, and the memory tugs at the edges of my thoughts again. It wasn't just the tree though, I remembered something else the other day too, in the bathroom. I hesitate, considering whether to tell her about it. "I guess I'm just remembering these stories all of a sudden because of Scotland. It's weird timing, but maybe that's all it is."
Rachel pauses mid-step, and her expression shifts from playful to something more serious. "Okay, but why now? Why is this all happening here?"
Heat ignites in my palms, and it's the same strange warmth I felt earlier. It lingers just long enough for me to notice, before disappearing completely.
Rachel turns, narrowing her eyes and I open my mouth to say something, but I don't get the chance.
A low voice dripping with confidence cuts in. "Why, hello, ladies."
We both turn at the same time as a man steps forward. His presence is commanding attention before he even reaches us. His voice is smooth, and his accent is thick and velvety, instantly drawing my focus. He looks at me with a knowing smile.
"I saw you from across the room and had to come over," he continues with an easy tone. "I'm here to humbly plead for a dance. You, in that dress, are nothing short of a vision, and I can't stand the thought of you hiding away like a wallflower when everyone should appreciate the view."
He extends his hand, and the gesture is all confidence. My pulse picks up under his scrutiny, and I hate that my body keeps having reactions without my consent.
Rachel's jaw drops, and for a second, I think she might intervene. But then she quickly recovers.
The blue-eyed mystery man I first danced with appears behind her, offering his hand.
I glance back at the stranger, taking a deep breath, and I can feel the heat crawl up my neck, but I refuse to let it show.
"I'd love to," I say smoothly, sliding my hand into his with practiced ease.
His fingers curl around mine. His charm is effortless and it's disarming. For a split second, I'm stunned by how easily the air moves around him.
He leads me onto the dance floor with ease, twirling me once before pulling me close. His hand settles on my waist, and I can't help but notice the way he moves.
My pulse skips, even though the rush feels different from what I feel with Kane. It's less charged, but more unexpected.
He leans in and I can feel his breath against my ear. "I'm so very grateful you said yes. I'd hate for this to be a missed opportunity."
His voice sends a ripple of awareness through me.
I tilt my head, letting a hint of challenge slip into my tone. "Do you?"
His chuckle is low, and his eyes look over me, sharp and assessing. "Very much so." Then, after a beat, he says, "I have to say, your dress is… something else. Whatever you set out to accomplish with it, you succeeded."
A small smile tugs at my lips.
I did choose this dress to feel powerful, to feel beautiful, and to feel like maybe, just for one night, I could be untouchable. Like I was in control of the attention I drew.
Mission accomplished, I suppose. But I keep those thoughts to myself, letting out a soft, nervous laugh instead.
His eyes linger, and their intensity makes me hyper-aware ofevery single movementas we glide across the floor.
His grip tightens just slightly, and there it is again. The same faint pulse. I can feel it where our hands connect. It's subtle, but it's there.
It has to be some weird adrenaline response, nothing more.
I shove the thought aside, locking it down as I refocus on matching his steps, refusing to let even a whisper of hesitation show.
"You dance beautifully, by the way," he whispers, pulling my attention back to him. His tone is flirty, but underneath his charm, there's something else.
"Thanks," I say lightly, and a little breathless. "I think you might be lying though, because I've only had a handful of lessons. You're not so bad yourself."
He chuckles like I just said something funny. "I've got a lifetime of practice." His grip is steady as he guides me around the floor. "You, however, certainly look like a queen tonight."
