Page 34 of Midnights
Because no one who kisses me after this will stand a chance. And that wasnothing.
I school my features into something vaguely resembling composure, even though every cell in my body is currently rioting against me.
This isnothow I imagined my grand exit would go.
I’m frozen, standing here like an idiot. He’s watching me like he knows I have no goddamn clue what to do with myself right now. I need to get out of here before I do something I'll regret.Like kiss him again.
Or worse,wantto kiss him again.
Summoning whatever shred of dignity I have left, I extend my hand, palm up. “Phone,” I demand, my voice blessedly steady.
His brows lift slightly, and I see a flicker of amusement dancing in those sharp, assessing eyes. Without hesitation, he slips his phone into my palm and his fingers graze mine just long enough to beannoyinglyintentional.
The slight lift of his lips tells me he wanted me to notice.
I narrow my eyes but say nothing, focusing on typing out my number. I add myself asYour Royal Highnessbefore handing it back. Petty is a personality trait at this point.
“If you turn out to be a creep, I’m going to bereallypissed,” I warn, crossing my arms.
His smile deepens, like I just handed him my resignation letter and he’s already planning my downfall.
“Oh, don’t worry,Princess,” his voice drags over the word. “If I were a creep, you’d already know it.”
My brows shoot up. “Wow. That’s… comforting.”
He winks.
I scoff, shaking my head. “Thanks again for not letting me fall,” I force a breezy tone even though my skinstilltingles where he touched me.
His smile widens like I’m entertaining him.
Perfect.That’s exactly what I need,himthinking I’m cute while I’m over here desperately trying not to combust.
And in typical, infuriating Kane fashion, he adds, “Anytime. Maybe you should go practice some darts, so that next time you actually stand a chance at winning.”
Mouth open, Istareat him for a moment, completely thrown.
Seriously?
He kisses me like that, practically melts my brain, and now he’s going back to this? I quickly recover, snapping my mouth shut before the wordsI’ll likely never see you againslip out.
Instead, I punch him. Apparently, I woke up from my nap today choosingviolence.
His deep, rich laughter follows me as I turn away, and I know that sound is going to haunt me later but over my dead body am I letting him have the last word.
Chapter 6
So Long
Raven
Rachel picks that exact moment to come over, likely saving me from my own self-destruction. We can dive deep intothatmind-fuck later. Maybe if I'm lucky, she didn’t notice.
But the second I look at her, I know with absolute certainty, that shedefinitelynoticed. And, judging by the barely-contained grin stretching across her face, she’s ready to talk about it right now.
I shoot her a pleading look that screamsNOT RIGHT NOW!
She clears her throat dramatically. “Okay, time for us to go home. It's late, and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow with our friends.”
