Page 94 of Midnights
“The answer is stillno, Rachel,” I mutter, trying to ignore the urge to throw something at her.
She just laughs harder, flipping her hair over her shoulder like she’s done me the biggest favor in the world. “What? The tension in here is going to fry all our brains, and I’m way too hot to die!”
Cam shakes his head, already checked out of this conversation. “Don’t look at me.” He says, hands raised in surrender. “I'm not getting involved.”
Kane is still standing way too close for comfort, his presence presses against my senses, making the heat in the room feel a little too real. I'm starting to get sweaty.
“Still?” He whispers. That cocky, infuriating smirk firmly in place.
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my composure, and step around him. “It’s nothing personal. Don’t you worry, I'm sure there’s a lovely woman waiting for you in a basement somewhere.”
Rachel snorts, while Cam raises his brows, clearly confused. Kane, on the other hand, just stares at me, like he’s already won the invisible game we're not playing.
I glance around the room, making sure everyone knows I'm sticking to my plans. “I am still swearing off all men. Nothing has changed. Everyone calm down. End of story.”
Rachel bites her lip, looking like she’s seconds away from outing me for something. Cam leans casually against the counter with his arms crossed, fully invested in the show. Meanwhile, my body is clearly having withdrawals from the lack of physical contact, reacting to the dumbest things, like Kane’s stupid smirk or the way he says my name. It’s honestly embarrassing how deprived I feel.
Although Cam has been calling most of the shots, I've noticed the subtle glances he sends in Kane’s direction. And honestly? I get it. Kane commands attention.
Once we’re back to preparing dinner and not talking about my sex life, or the lack thereof, I don’t exactly volunteer the fact that I hate cooking. Instead, I just follow their lead, grateful someone else is taking charge.
Cam assigns Rachel and me the task of washing, peeling and cutting potatoes for the fries. Or rather, thechips. Apparently, we’re making homemade fish and chips.
Joke’s on him, I love fish and chips.
Kane moves around the kitchen like he owns the place. It’s hard not to sneak glances at him, though I try to keep it subtle. Every so often, despite the size of the kitchen, his shoulder brushes against mine when he walks by. And every time, a little spark rushes through me.
Thunder rumbles outside and occasional flashes of lightning cast shadows across the room, adding to the cozy atmosphere. The sound of the rain would be soothing, if not for the ridiculous tension thickening in the air around me.
While Rachel and I handle the potatoes, the guys prep the fish and set out sauces on the table. I’m busy focusing on cutting a lemon when Kane laughs at something Cam says. Instinctively, I pause to look over at him.
That laugh hits me like a gut punch. My grip on the knife loosens, and it almost clatters to the floor.Oh fuck. That was close.
Every time I see him let his guard down, it’s a direct hit to my self-control. Honestly, he’s straight-up bad news for my lady parts.
I have zero complaints about being on prep duty if it means I get to watch these two fry up our dinner looking like that. I'm sure they’ve been cooking their whole lives by the way they move around the kitchen. Well, Cam actually has, which works out great for me and my lack of cooking skills. Kane, though? He hasn’t really said much about his childhood. But right now, none of that matters, because watching his muscles flex while he works is… well, distracting enough. Unfairly so.
I bite my lip without realizing it and Rachel nudges me with her elbow, wearing a look I pray she won't voice. “You doing okay there? Need a napkin?”
“Shut up,” I whisper. Trying and failing to hide the blush creeping up my neck.
Of course that's the moment Kane looks over and catches me staring. One brow lifts and a slow, devastating smile tugs at his lips.
“Enjoying the view?”
My face flames as I snap my attention back to the lemon in front of me. “Just making sure you’re doing it right. I wouldn't want to get food poisoning.” The words come out way too fast, and I curse internally.FUCK.Of course, I’d get caught staring at him.
I can hear him laugh and Rachel loses it. “You’re hopeless.”
I shoot a glare in her direction but can’t help the smile trying to make an appearance. “NO BOYS!” I declare over the laughter, attempting to reinforce myveryshaky stance.
Rachel rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, we get it.No boys.Except… well, you know.” She winks, and I want to crawl under the table.
Kane decides this is a good moment to chime in. “Good thing I’m not a boy.”
No, no he’s not.Boys don’t look like that.Or move like they were carved from temptation itself. And this man? He could ruin me with just a look, and I’d probably thank him for it.
Despite my resolve, my eyes betray me. I know I shouldn't look over, but when I do, he’s leaning against the counter watching me with a look that practically drips with amusement.Great.
