Page 225 of Midnights
Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, the car begins to slow, and my eyes snap to the window. I suck in a breath as we approach the towering set of gates, their wrought-iron curves sending a jolt of surprise through me.
I whip my head toward him, eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you serious?”
A teasing smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, but he doesn't give me much as we pull through the gates. “You’ll see.”
The moment the car comes to a stop, I reach for the door handle, but his sharp tone stops me mid-motion. “Don’t.”
I freeze, hovering over the handle, biting back a grin. “What? I’m perfectly capable…”
He shakes his head, climbs out, and opens my door. His hand waits, dripping with the kind of confidence that makes me want to roll my eyes again.
I take it, letting him help me out, though my focus immediately shifts to the view in front of me. The sunset paints the stone in fiery golds and warm ambers. I don't think I'll ever get over how beautiful it is here.
“Thank you,” I murmur, quieter than I intend. “What are we doing here?”
He doesn’t answer, just steers me inside with that cryptic look on his face that makes my pulse stutter.
And then we step into the ballroom, and I stop dead. My breath catches, because of course he's gone and donethis.
The table in the center glows under the chandeliers, all golden and dreamy, and it feels almost unreal. There's a band in the corner playing music that curls through the air, and of course it's perfect.
“You really don’t do anything halfway, do you?” I murmur, glancing at him beneath my lashes. There’s a teasing edge to my voice, but I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince. Him or me.
His smile sharpens as he leans in. “Not when it comes to things that matter.”
I swallow, feeling the heat rise in my chest, making it impossible to look away. “Careful, Kane. I might start to believe you actually like me.”
He steps closer, and the space between us shrinks to nothing. “Maybe I’m just hoping you’ll let me have a redo.”
My skin betrays me, heating up the second he winks. Great. Love that for me. I drag my gaze back to the room, buying a breath before I have to face him again. But when I do—there's a softness there I don't know what to do with. The kind of look that looks dangerously like…feelings.
We make our way to the table and he pulls out my chair with a grace that feels almost unfair.
“I was going to make you wear your mask,” he teases, as the corner of his mouth curls up into a devilish smile. “But I’d rather see your whole face.”
“Oh, is that so?” I manage to reply, struggling to keep my voice steady.
He sits down, leaning back in his chair. “I know you're a bit of a picky eater, but I have a feeling you’ll approve of this…”
He nods and someone in an apron appears to my right. “What toppings would you like on your salad, miss?” The man asks, while filling our glasses with water.
I pause, caught for a second in the fact that, yeah, this is definitely orchestrated. I look between Kane and what I assume is the cook. “Um,” I hesitate, feeling ridiculous. “I’m not sure. Maybe cucumbers? Tomatoes? Or, I don’t know, whatever you think. I’m sure it will taste amazing. Thank you.”
The cook nods, and steps away.
Kane's grin widens, as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Hold on, you’re leaving this decision to someone else? A mystery order? Who are you, and what have you done with the girl I met at the bar?”
I roll my eyes, leaning back in my chair as a laugh slips out. “Something you should know about me is that I don’t do well with decisions. Winging it is way less stressful. And if it’s terrible, I can just blame you. Win-win.”
He chuckles, shaking his head slowly. “Good to know. We’ll make sure to avoid life-altering choices. Though, for the record, you don’t strike me as much of a winger. You seem more like the type who quietly obsesses over every detail and pretends not to.”
I narrow my eyes at him, “Well, you don’t know me as well as you think, Kane.”
He leans in, resting his elbows on the table, and his gaze drops to my lips before meeting my eyes. “Is that a challenge, Princess? Because I think I’ve got you pretty much figured out.”
“Is that so?” I arch a brow, refusing to back down. “Guess we’ll see.”
His expression darkens slightly, and something raw flickers behind that carefully constructed confidence. “Don’t pretend I don’t know exactly what makes you tick.”
