Page 32 of Midnights
His attention snaps back to me, his cocky grin spreading like I just made another bet. “Aye, I’m sure Rachel’s got loads of dirt on you too.”
I scoff, folding my arms. “Bold of you to assume I have anything to be embarrassed about.”
My pulse flickers wildly in response. And judging by the way his eyes darken just slightly, he knows it too.
He shifts closer, his voice dipping as he looks behind me. “They’re definitely blowing past your two-minute mark. You lost. Are you okay?”
I snort, looking over at Rachel and Cam, who are locked in conversation, oblivious to anything but each other. “There’s still time for her to change her mind.”
“Doubt it.” His eyes flick back to mine, softer now. “I’m sorry your grandfather couldn’t be here.”
For all his cocky remarks and smug little grins, the unexpected kindness catches me off guard.
I look at him, surprised. “Thanks.” My voice is quieter than before as I turn my attention back to Rachel, watching her closely. Cam’s pulling out all the stops, his charm is dialed in. And judging by the way she’s leaning in, and tilting her head, she’s loving every second of it.
“She’s a goner, he’s getting her number.”
I shake my head. If there was no Bobby, he would be completely right.
“She’ll walk away.”
He huffs out a low laugh. “Not a chance, or she wouldn’t still be there.”
I study Rachel again, watching the way her fingers graze Cam’s arm, and the way she angles herself just enough to brush up against him.
Damn. He’s right.
I roll my eyes and exhale dramatically. “Fine. Maybe she’s charmed by him. But don’t get all cocky about it. It’s not cute.”
“Too late.” His smirk is instant.
I narrow my eyes, fighting the urge to roll them right out of my skull. But the truth is, he’s right. Rachel isn’t about to pull the plug. She’s fully caught up in Cam’s charm, and I’ve officially lost.
I, on the other hand, am currently dealing with a different kind of problem. The kind that involves Kane standing too damn close. His presence wraps around me like a goddamn noose.
I really don’t appreciate my body reacting without my consent. Every time I look at this infuriating asshole, something inside me snaps to attention. Like my body is caught in some cruel game it refuses to let me win.
And I’mnotinterested.
Not even a little. Despite what my pulse is doing, and despite the warmth curling low in my stomach.
I force myself to shake off the thought, but before I can make my escape, Kane breaks my concentration. His voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.
“It's been thirteen minutes. You lose,” he murmurs, eyes locked onto mine. “Too bad we didn’t make another bet.”
“Damn. And here I was, justdyingto lose more imaginary things to you,” I say, flashing him a smile as I turn around to take a step toward Rachel, nearly taking a table with me, but I don’t get far.
A hand closes around mine.
I whip my head back toward him, ready to throw out a smartass comment, but the second we make eye contact. The words catch in my throat.
“So when are you going to give me your phone number?”
I swear the temperature spikes at least twenty degrees and for the first time in my life, I wish I was cold. Instead, I’m overheating in places that have no business reacting.
My pulse is out of control. My body is at war with my brain, and I pray to every God listening that he doesn’t notice the way I’m unraveling right in front of him.
Wouldn’t be the first time tonight.
