Page 231 of Midnights
“Because you like pretending you’re untouchable. It’s cute.”
My jaw tightens, and heat flares in my chest as I take a step closer. I tilt my chin to meet his infuriatingly steady gaze, and tell him exactly what I think about that. “The only thing cute here is your inflated ego. Although, even I can admit, tonight you’ve been rather charming.”
His grin is entirely too confident. “Admit that you like it.”
“I’d rather choke,” I snap, but my voice betrays me.
Kane pushes off the shelf, closing the distance in two slow strides. He’s so close now, I can feel the heat radiating off him, his presence swallowing up all the air in the room.
“You keep looking at me like that, and I might think you’re asking for trouble.”
I swallow hard. My heart is pounding so loudly I’m sure he can hear it.
“Maybe I am.” The words slip out before I can stop them, and his predatory grin sharpens.
His hand comes up and his fingers brush along my jaw before tilting my chin up. I suck in a breath as his thumb skims the corner of my mouth. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Princess.”
“And what if I like danger?” I challenge, but my voice is barely more than a whisper.
His eyes darken, the teasing edge vanishing, replaced by raw intent. “Then you’d better be ready to lose.”
I stare at him, thinking of some way to respond, but I don't get the chance. His lips are on mine, and the kiss is rough and consuming. His hands grip my waist, pulling me against him, and my body arches instinctively as heat floods through me.
My fingers tangle in his shirt, pulling him closer as his tongue slides against mine. This kiss is consuming and I feel like I’m drowning in him.
Kane doesn't hesitate. His hands slip lower, gripping my thighs as he lifts me effortlessly onto the edge of the table. His movement is so fluid, it leaves me breathless.
His hands skim up the side of my legs, bunching the fabric of my dress as he steps between my thighs. His mouth doesn’t leave mine, not even for a second. His grip tightens, and his fingers dig into my skin in a way that’s more intoxicating than it should be.
I gasp against his lips as his teeth graze my bottom lip. The slight sting sends sparks shooting down my spine. I tighten my legs, locking him into place so he can’t pull away this time. His touch is rough and unapologetic, and I need him. Everywhere.
The sound of a book sliding off the table brings me back to reality for half a second, but it doesn’t break the hold he has on me. I pull back just enough to catch my breath and my forehead presses against his as I struggle to steady myself.
“This is insane,” I whisper. I can hear the tremble in my voice, along with a mixture of adrenaline and want.
“Completely,” he agrees. His voice is a low rumble that wraps around me like a vice. When his lips curve into a grin, it makes me realize I’m completely fucked.
“But you started it.”
“Are you going to finish it?” I challenge.
“Eventually.”
His lips claim mine again with renewed urgency, leaving no room for argument. The world narrows to the heat of his body, the relentless feel of his mouth, and the thunder of my own heart. I tilt my head, deepening the kiss, and a faint groan rumbles from his chest. It feels like a shockwave vibrating through me, igniting every nerve in its wake.
His hands side up my waist, pulling me closer until there’s nothing left between us but the thin barrier of fabric and air. His palm drifts lower, pressing firmly against the small of my back, molding me to him as if daring me to break away.
God, how does he make breathing optional? His lips move with a deliberate slowness, savoring every second like he’s got all the time in the world.
His tongue teases against my lips, and when a small, involuntary gasp escapes me, his control unravels just enough to send a rush of heat straight to my pussy.
This is just a kiss, for fuck’s sake.Yeah, a kiss that’s making me forget how to breathe.
His mouth curves against mine, and I can practically feel the smirk that follows. He knows exactly what he’s doing. That bastard. His hands tighten on my hips, and my body reacts on instinct, arching closer, craving more.
Another low groan vibrates from his chest, and the sound of it unlocks something wild and reckless in me. My fingers dig into his shoulders, pulling him closer, feeling the solid strength of him beneath my hands.
Time slows, and the world dissolves to nothing but the relentless heat of his body and the fire winding tighter inside me. Just as my eyes flutter shut, a sudden flash of light sears against my vision, cutting through the haze.
