Page 192 of Midnights
She hesitates, wrapping her arms around herself, waging some internal battle I can’t read. Then, she finally exhales. “Fine.”
By the time we're at the front doors, the rain’s coming down in sheets. I grab an umbrella from the stand at the door and step outside, waiting.
She eyes me as she walks right past me, into the rain. “You think I'm afraid to get wet?”
Even now, she’s still all fire. And it makes me want to drag her right back inside.
“Definitely not,” I say smoothly, falling into step beside her, thinking of how wet she was for me. Something is seriously wrong with me. She’s pissed as fuck at me, and I can’t stop thinking of all the things I could do to her.
Her lips part, but she just shakes her head, shutting whatever she wanted to say down. Again. I cover her with the umbrella, but I see the faintest shiver roll through her as our shoulders brush.
“I really did have fun tonight,” she murmurs after a beat. “And your home is beautiful. I’ve thought that since the first time I saw it.”
She reaches for the door handle. “Goodnight, Kane.”
I reach out and my fingers graze her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Her body stiffens slightly, but she doesn’t pull away. Slowly, I take her chin between my fingers, tilting her face up to mine. She's staring right at me, not backing down in the slightest. The look is layered with everything she’s holding back. But beneath it, there’s still something there.
Something I can work with.
“Don’t touch that door handle.”
My thumb brushes lightly against her jaw, savoring the feel of her. She hesitates for a second longer, then pulls away. “I’m sorry, Princess. I never meant to hurt you.”
I open the car door, but not enough for her to get in. “I hope you had a good night. I added a few last-minute touches when I found out you were on the guest list.”
Her lips part slightly, and I see the faintest crack in her resolve. For just a second, the fire dims, and something softer flashes in its place.
But she doesn't say anything, just slips into the car, and I close the door behind her.
As the driver pulls away, I step back, watching her go. And just before the car disappears down the long drive, I catch a glimpse of her through the window. She’s holding her necklace, but there's a faint smile playing on her lips.
Well, that went well.
I roll my eyes at myself. Guess it could’ve been worse.
The rain picks up, turning into a full downpour. For a moment, I consider heading inside, but instead, I just stand there, rooted to the spot. The rain soaks through my shirt, cold and biting, but I barely feel it. I’m too busy replaying every damn moment of the night.
I shake it off and turn to head inside, but something catches my attention.
All the outdoor lights are out.
Every. Single. One.
I pause, glancing around the property, feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Chapter 31
SomethingBad
Raven
Iadded a few last-minute things when I found out…
When he found out? So he knew I was coming?
So you went out of your way for me knowing I was coming to your house? Your castle! For a ball you conveniently forgot to mention?
I blink hard, trying to fight the sting in my eyes, but it’s pointless. The first tear slips free, hot and unwelcome, quickly followed by another. Before I know it, I’m full-on sobbing. Tears are streaming down my cheeks, and no matter how hard I try to pull myself together, they just keep coming.
