Page 57 of Midnights
“You know what.”
I can't help but smile, thoroughly entertained. “Enlighten me.”
I settle in, watching the way the pink in her cheeks deepens. She grabs her glass, taking a big gulp of water.
I lean in just enough to make her breath hitch again. “One bite isn’t going to kill you, Princess. All you have to do is put it in your mouth.”
Her lips part slightly and the color on her cheeks deepens as she bites her lip. I swear to God, if she bites that lip one more time, I might just have to reconsider my plans.
I catch the flicker of curiosity in her eyes, that playful challenge I'm quickly becoming addicted to. She’s caught between fighting me and giving in, balancing on the edge, unsure whether to snap at me, or accept it.
I see it the second she makes her choice.
Her shoulders drop and the tension melts away, but her attitude is still on full display.
“Fine.” Her voice drips with defiance. “But what do I get out of this deal?” She tilts her chin up, all sass and stubbornness, but there’s hesitation beneath it. Like she’s not entirely sure if she wants to play this game.
I lean in closer, keeping my voice low enough for just her to hear. “Whatever you want.”
Her eyes narrow, but the corner of her mouth twitches, betraying her.
She likes me getting under her skin.
“You’re annoying,” she mutters, but it holds zero weight.
“And you’re stalling.”
I grin and her glare is full of fire, but she grabs her fork like a weapon.
Yeah. I want to fuck her.
Not even an option right now, but my body has other plans. The way she fights me and pretends to be unaffected, only to give in at the last second is addictive.
I shift in my seat, again. And of course, Cam catches it from across the table, letting out a knowing chuckle.
I shoot him a glare.Don’t even fucking start.
Raven doesn’t notice. She’s too busy psyching herself up, trying to convince herself she’s still in control.
She’s not.
I watch her drain the rest of her water, fidgeting in her seat. She’s thinking about backing out, but she won’t. That would mean I win. And there’s no way in hell she’s letting that happen.
I lean back, stretching my arm along the back of the booth, watching her squirm.
While we wait for our food, Cam tosses out random questions that send the girls into a battle of ridiculous retellings. They argue over details, each version more absurd than the last. Their voices overlap as they fight over thereal version.
Rachel waves her hands around like a dramatic reenactment is necessary. Raven, on the other hand, is all razor-sharp wit until she gets into it, and suddenly she’s fully invested, defending whatever point she was trying to make like it’s a blood sport.
My cock is really straining to make a reappearance, so I shift in my seat, grateful that so far my struggle has gone unnoticed. I’d rather not have to explain that over dinner.
But listening to them, I can’t ignore the thoughts that creep in. They’re wild. Unpredictable. And they attract chaos like it’s second nature. It's got bad news written all over it.
The second the food hits the table, the energy shifts and everyone digs in, everyone except Raven. Her usual confidence is cracking just enough for me to notice. It’s amusing, and I’ll admit, kind of cute.
But if I so much as chuckle right now, she’ll definitely back out. And I’m not about to let that happen.
Rachel’s already pulled out her phone, and her camera's aimed like she’s about to document history.
