Page 299 of Midnights
He chuckles, holding the door open for me as we step inside. “When I see something worth pursuing, I don’t waste time.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes, because I’m not sure if he’s talking about the deal or me.
We’re led to a booth tucked into the corner, and it’s just secluded enough to feel deliberate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he totally planned this.
Once we’re settled in, and the moment our menus are set aside, Mike launches into business talk.
His pitch is polished with every detail meticulously tailored, and, if I’m being honest, it’s solid. I nod along, asking a few clarifying questions, but the more he talks, the more I realize he’s already accounted for most of my concerns.
He’s good. I’ll give him that.
When he finally leans back, his expression remains unreadable, but I know he’s watching me carefully. Waiting for my approval or waiting to see if I’ll challenge him.
“What do you think?” His tone is all casual, but his body language is anything but.
“It’s good,” I admit, meeting his gaze.
His lips curve, but I don’t miss the flicker of something sharper when I suggest a slight revision.
For a second, something flashes in his eyes that looks an awful lot like annoyance. He schools his features quickly, nodding like my suggestion doesn’t bother him at all, but I giggle to myself that it got to him. “I’ll have my team make the adjustment and send over the revision as soon as possible.”
Mike is undeniably attractive, and for the most part, he’s thoughtful and polite. But something about him is just too polished. There's also been a few moments when the mask slips just enough for me to catch him being sweet.
And that interests me far more than his proposal could.
I don’t even need to be here. I’m not the one signing the contract, Steven is. I’m just the one who knows what he will and won’t go for. And this little power play won't fly.
I keep my tone polite. “As long as that revision is handled, we should be good to go.”
Mike’s smile returns, but it’s not quite as relaxed as before. “Of course, I’ll send the updated version over soon.”
Our food arrives just as I start debating whether or not I actually want to keep entertaining this little game he’s trying to play. Luckily I don’t have to decide, because I’m starving. I want to eat.
“I’m actually heading to Skye soon,” I swirl my fork through my food, looking up at him. “Then, I’ll probably head home after. If I’m gone too long, Steven might replace me.”
“Well,” he smiles. “I hope you’re not leaving too soon. I’d love to take you out to dinner before you go.”
Ah. There it is.
I’m not surprised by the invitation itself, but I am surprised by the sudden shift in his demeanor. I debate telling him I’m not interested, because I doubt I'll ever see him again, but maybe I’ll just take the easy way out on thisone. Once the contracts are signed, I can gracefully back out of the date he’s wanting.
“Let me figure out when I'll be back from Skye, and I'll let you know!”
His smile widens slightly, and I can see that smug satisfaction written all over his face.
“I would love that.”
I stop to really look at him. The sharp lines of his jaw, the effortless way his suit fits, the sheer confidence in his every movement. He dresses like a man who knows exactly what he wants. Yet, I don’t feel the same spark with him like I do with Kane.
Mike leans back, and his tone shifts into something more playful. “Well, Raven, darling, I’m off to work. I’ll get everything sent over to Steven for him to review, and in the meantime, I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting for you to let me know when I can take you out.”
He chuckles, leaning in like he's sharing a secret.
“I know a few places you’d absolutely love, but the rest? That’s a surprise.” A confident smirk tugs at his lips when he places his hand over mine. “If you want to know what it is, you’ll just have to come and see for yourself.”
There’s an effortless charm in the way he says it, and I hate that it almost works on me. Despite myself, my lips twitch into a smile. But I shut it down just as fast. He doesn’t need any more encouragement, and I refuse to be another name on his list. If he wants to impress me, he’s going to have to do a hell of a lot better than a smile and a little charm.
He stands, pulling a sleek wallet from his pocket and tossing more than enough cash onto the table to cover lunch and then some. “Please, don’t feel the need to rush on my account, your driver should be outside whenever you’re ready.”
