Page 174 of Midnights
He takes a step closer, and it's just enough to steal my breath. “What do you want to do,Princess?” His voice is a weapon, designed to ruin. “Another dance? A private tour…” He pauses, his lips curving. “Or a trip back to the swing?”
His tone is laced with something far more sinful than a simple stroll under the stars and my body responds immediately.
I lift my chin slightly, refusing to let him win whateverthisis. “You wish.” My voice is smooth despite the riot happening in my chest. “Surprise me.”
There's a subtle shift that flashes across his face, and then his smirk fades into something darker.
Every last shred of morality between us has snapped, dissolving into something dangerous. My pulse pounds, a steady drum against my ribs, as my mind goes completely, utterly blank except for one singular thought…
I want him.
Here. Now. Against the wall, in the dark, hands gripping, mouths clashing. Heat licks up my spine, pooling low in my stomach, just thinking about it.
I can see from his expression that he knows exactly what's racing through my mind, and exactly how far I’ve let myself fall. His gaze drags over me, lingering just long enough to feel like a promise.
“Surprise you?” His voice is rough. The edge of it cuts through my already ragged composure. “You don’t exactly strike me as someone who enjoys surprises.”
His fingers brush against mine, but it’s enough to send a jolt of something raw and consuming through my body… again.
“And if you’re not careful,” he whispers. “I just might take you up on that.”
God help me,I just might let him.
His words linger in the air, curling around my throat like silk and steel. My breath catches, and I can feel my pulse stuttering as something unravels between us, something neither of us is willing to name.
I try to speak, but my voice fails me. “I—”
His smirk is going to be the death of me.
I tear my gaze away, desperate foranythingto break the moment before I do something stupid. A slow smile tugs at my lips as I turn back to him. “The gardens.”
He's so damn hard to read, but it looks like surprise flashes through his eyes, then he grins, offering his arm like he was expecting this all along.
“Right this way, my lady.”
I slip my hand through his arm, letting him lead me toward the back doors. Except he veers left, heading down the hall instead.
I shoot him a look, about to ask if he even knows where he’s going, but before I can speak, he glances back at me, lifting a brow with that infuriating look on his face.
“Yes, I know where I'm going.”
Did I say that out loud?
The offense in his tone is almost too much, and I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing.
He narrows his eyes. “I can hear you thinking, Princess.”
I snort. “Yeah? And what am I thinking?”
His grin sharpens. “That I’m making shit up as I go.”
Idolaugh at that, and he just shakes his head, muttering something under his breath as we continue down the dimly lit hallway.
“We’re just making a quick stop,” he whispers. His eyes sweep the corridor ahead, checking for any sign of security before tilting his chin, silently signaling for me to follow.
Chapter 28
It Hits Different
