Page 93 of Midnights
Cam points a finger at her. “First of all, that song is iconic.”
“And second?” I ask, grinning.
“There is no second. That was the point,” Cam replies, making everyone laugh.
I look over at Kane, who tries to hide the fact that he was just smiling. “Alright, so if we have permission to stay here? Where exactly are we going to sleep?”
Kane chuckles, shaking his head. “Yes, we have permission. And as for sleeping arrangements, there are plenty of rooms for everyone.” He looks the same calm as he always does, but his voice sounds like there's an inside joke I'm missing.
Cam claps his hands together. “We can figure that out later. Food first. Unless anyone prefers to starve?”
Right on cue, my stomach growls, loudly. “Okay, yes. Dinner first. I’m starving.”
Rachel laughs, patting me on the back, “That makes two of us. Let’s eat before I have to go out and find a cow.”
A slow smile spreads across Kane's face as he nods toward the doorway. “Alright, follow me.” His hand brushes the small of my back as he walks past me toward the door.
It’s barely a touch, but it brands me all the same.
A slow flutter of anticipation curls low in my stomach the moment we step into the kitchen. I stop dead in my tracks.
Holyfuck.
It’s massive. This is the kind of kitchen that shouldn’t belong inside a castle and yet somehow fits perfectly. Everywhere you look, earthy tones of rich brown and deep green dominate the space. And it's accented with just enough white to make everything pop. It’s modern, but every detail speaksof warmth, and somethinglived in.Gold accents are scattered throughout the room, and it's subtle but undeniably stunning. I mean, wearein a castle.
The countertops are a polished dark granite and the deep green cabinets contrast beautifully against them. The whole space is designed with an effortless kind of sophistication. It’s amazing. It's also clearly renovated, but whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. The balance between classic and modern is seamless.
I look around and the floors are covered in plush rugs that make me want to take my shoes off and walk around barefoot. It softens the space, adding a cozy, almost intimate feel. I'm obsessed. And off to the side, there's a massive oak table that sits near the windows. It looks worn and heavily used.
Yep. Someone definitely lives here.
I go to say something to Cam, but I see the hanging planters overflowing with trailing vines and the potted herbs lining the windowsill. I take a deep breath and it reminds me of how my grandmother's kitchen smelled. All this greenery breathes life into the space, making it feel… real. Not just a castle, but a home. Whoever lives here is living their best fucking life.
I bite back the jealousy threatening to spill out. If I had a place like this? I’d never leave.
I turn to Kane, trying to push that aside and get this over with. “Alright, what are we making, and what can we help with?”
Is it getting hot in here for anyone else?
Rachel looks between us, and a slow grin stretches across her face before she starts laughing.
“Oh, my God, can you two just fuck already?”
Cam chokes so violently on his drink, I half expect him to drop dead on the spot. He sprays liquid all over the counter, coughing while he tries to recover. Rachel just beams like she’s cracked the world’s biggest mystery.
“Holy shit, Rachel!” Cam sputters, wiping his mouth, still half choking.
I gape at her, horror and mortification slamming through me in equal measure. “What the—”
Meanwhile Kane’s not even fazed. He just tilts his head to the side and leans against the counter, watching me squirm like this is the best entertainment he’s had in years. “Tempting, but no.”
Wait. Excuse me? Ass hole.
Heat floods my face instantly. I want to crawl into the nearest pantry or cupboard and die. Meanwhile, Rachel is practically vibrating with joy, her smile is nice and smug as she shoots me a wink.
“You’re welcome,” she mouths.
I level a glare at her that promises death.
