Page 296 of Midnights
His eyes flick to mine, and I can see the amusement written all over his face. “Easy, killer.”
I glare, but my body softens. I should hate this. I know if I don’t get the fuck out of here, I won’t get anything done and it'll just be harder to leave later.
“I have to go back to my house to get some stuff.”
The words come out too fast, and his usual composed mask slips neatly back into place. But there’s something in the way he nods that tells me he’s reading me like an open book.
“I'll have my driver ready in ten.” He pauses, studying me, and the look makes my stomach knot in ways I don't like.
“Would you like to come back later? Cam will be here, and we could go over some things over dinner? I'm sure he’ll have more answers for you by then.”
For half a second, he’s not the cocky, insufferable man I can’t stop thinking about.
He’s just… Kane.
God. What is this man doing to me?
I swallow, braving eye contact even though it’s a mistake. “Yeah, that sounds fun.”
That sounds fun? Really? That’s the best you could do?
“Come on, let’s get you home.”
The last few weeks have been nothing short of insane. Magic, secrets, an entire history I didn’t even know belonged to me. And yet, here I am, scrolling through my emails like my life is still normal. I know I have to think about all this, process it. But I just need to get everything here sorted first. Then I can breathe and make a plan.
A dry laugh escapes me. Who am I kidding?
I just found out I have actual magic, and I’m supposed to care about business details? The thought alone feels surreal, like I’m playing a part in a life that isn’t mine.But maybe it always has been? I just clearly was the only one who didn’t know about it?
All those years of training with my grandfather suddenly make sense. Was every lesson meticulously crafted to prepare me for something I didn’t even know existed? Maybe I really am the idiot, because he always seemed to know more than he let on. It's only just now starting to click into place. How could they have not told me?
The thought tightens in my chest, and it feels like a deep ache between my ribs.
I don't have time for this. Not now.
I shove that emotion down too, before it can take root. I have enough to process without opening that door.
My phone pings, pulling me out of my spiral and shocker, it's Mike-n-ike.
A quiet giggle escapes me at the nickname I gave him that won't seem to go away. Sometimes it's the small things in life.
I reread the email, narrowing my eyes. Celebrate this next step together?
I laugh, rolling my eyes.Mike Wazowski strikes again.Who does this guy think he is, casually summoning me? But honestly… I respect it. He’s direct, and he runs his company like a damn fortress. And I can't ignore that. It's a little impressive.
Not to mention, tying up this last loose end might be exactly what I need before heading back to Nveri.
The thought of leaving tugs at something inside me, and my mind goes straight to Kane. I don’t know where this leaves us. I know we're never going to be anything serious, because I have no clue how long I’m going to be gone. Even though the sex is amazing. And he's the hottest man I think I've ever seen. But I also know one thing for certain, I have much bigger things to deal with right now, and I don't have time for men.
I need to figure out who I am. What this magic means. What it means for my family, for my life. No matter how intense things with Kane have been, I can’t let myself get lost in him.
Maybe that’s why I let this morning happen, because deep down, I know I need answers more than I need distractions.
Even if those distractions come with dimples and an orgasm-inducing smirk.
I huff out a breath and type out a quick response to Mike, letting him know I’ll be ready in a couple of hours. Daylight feels like a safer bet for this meeting. That, and it gives me enough time to get back to Kane’s and make plans with Cam for the trip back to Nveri.
A flush creeps up my neck, and heat starts to spread under my skin just thinking about this morning, but I shake it off, marching straight to the bathroom.
