Chapter 37 Call it What You Want… #2
He leans in slightly, dropping his voice into a low, velvety murmur. “Let me guess, you’re replaying the ball in that head of yours?”
I arch a brow, refusing to let him see how much his tone gets under my skin. “It was an eventful night,” I shrug, keeping my tone casual. “And for the record, I don’t scare easily. You just have a talent for popping up at the worst possible moments. Must be your thing.”
He laughs, and the sound curls around me like smoke. But instead of being charming, like it usually is, it sets me on edge.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I can see the amusement dancing in his eyes, and resist the urge to roll mine. “Seems like I’m exactly where I need to be. Especially when it involves you.”
The blush creeping up my neck betrays me, but I manage a small smile, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “Well, you definitely excel at being in places where you’re unexpected. Is that another one of your talents?”
He leans closer, and it blurs the line between playful and flirting, but I allow it. “I'm just looking out for people who might need it. Seems to me you fall into that category.”
My lips twitch, but I maintain my composure. “You must be exhausted then, considering all the people out there are in need of a savior. That’s practically a full-time job.”
Mike’s eyes flicker with challenge, and his smile sharpens. “It’s rewarding work.” He straightens, changing the subject. “Have you made it over to Skye yet?”
“Not yet,” I shake my head. “But I think I’m planning to go tomorrow.”
“Good,” he says. There's something about his voice that makes it hard to look away. “Skye has a way of working its magic on people. You’ll love it.” It's almost cute the way his grin lights up his eyes. “Just promise me one thing. Don’t let anything distract you while you’re there.”
I bite back the smile threatening to break free, ignoring the heat that's creeping into my cheeks. “It must be exciting if you think anything out there could hold my attention long enough to count as a distraction."
The way his smile tilts makes my stomach dip. It's like he's two steps ahead and enjoying every second of it.
“You never know. Some distractions are worth the risk.”
“I guess I’ll have to see for myself,” I keep my tone light. I’m honestly not sure what’s even happening right now. Are we still talking about Skye?
He chuckles softly. “I like a challenge, love. I wouldn’t be too quick to underestimate me.”
I open my mouth to reply, but his phone buzzes, slicing through the moment like a cold splash of water.
His jaw tightens, and he glances down at the screen, muttering something under his breath.
The irritation in his expression is small but telling, but it’s gone just as quickly, replaced by his usual charm.
“Work,” he mutters, like the word itself is an excuse. His eyes hold mine for a beat longer, softening at the edges. “And just when I was starting to enjoy myself.”
His lips curve into a polite smile, as he answers his phone. “I’ll talk to you later, Raven.” He winks, turning on his heel.
I watch him go, but something tells me I’ll need to keep an eye on Mike-n-ike.
The house is too quiet and it feels like my thoughts are growing louder by the second, echoing in my head, becoming a challenge I can’t ignore.
A sigh escapes me, and I let my head fall back against the cushion, staring up at the ceiling.
My hands are tingling again, which seems to be my new normal.
The warmth spreads through my palms like an itch I can’t scratch.
I press them together, trying to chase it away, but it lingers.
I wish I could at least figure out how the hell I can make it stop.
The feeling triggers a memory I haven’t thought about in years.
My grandmother’s voice was always guiding me when we sat cross-legged on the floor. “Focus on your heart, love,” she’d say, with her hands gently cupping mine. “Find your center. Balance is everything. If the heart is steady, the windows will open.”
Every single time, without fail, I’d drift off mid-session and wake myself up snorting seconds later. I can almost hear her laughter now. “You’ll get there.” She’d whisper, brushing my wild curls back from my face.
The ache in my chest is immediate and bittersweet. Maybe she was right. Lately, I’ve been so on edge, the idea of balance feels laughable. But maybe meditation could help. If nothing else, it might keep me from spiraling into whatever hell this is.
I shift into a comfortable position, listening to the crackle of the fireplace.
I close my eyes, and focus on my heart, letting the memory of her voice guide me.
A familiar pressure builds in my chest, and I can feel the warmth radiating outward like a flickering flame.
It’s comforting and strange all at once.
The tingling in my hands pulses immediately, almost like the warmth is alive, responding to my thoughts.
No amount of Googling has helped me figure out why this keeps happening, so I might as well give this a shot. But just as I start to lean into the feeling, my thoughts drift to Kane. And that’s when my attempt at mediation derails completely.
The images of him flash through my mind like a movie I've watched too many times. It’s a fan favorite, that’s for sure. The memory of him kneeling between my legs, his mouth glistening as he licked me off his lips—like a dangerous promise. Ugh. I need to get a grip.
The shiver that runs down my spine hits hard and fast. My thighs clench together, searching for relief as the sensation builds, winding me tighter. I can't stop the way I squirm, catching my breath on a gasp.
So much for balance.
I try to redirect my thoughts, but every time I push one memory aside, another takes its place.
“This is ridiculous.” I don’t need to be thinking about sex right now. Who said anything about sex?
I groan internally, trying to shove the thought aside. This is why I can’t be trusted to sit still for more than five minutes.
Who am I kidding? He’s all I’ve been thinking about, and that’s the real problem here.
Taking a deep breath, I focus on my hands again, willing the restless energy to settle. Slowly, the warmth subsides, and for the first time in days, I feel a sliver of calm. It’s refreshing to feel a rare moment of peace after endless sleepless nights. Maybe meditation does work.
Recharged, I stretch and reach for my phone, already planning a long bath before I leave. But the moment my eyes land on the screen, my stomach drops. 3:46 PM?!
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter, glaring at the time like it’s personally offended me. How did the entire day just vanish? I was sure I stayed awake during that meditation. Apparently not.
Panic slams through me, and I dart into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in a desperate attempt to snap out of the post-nap haze. It helps, but only a little. Time’s ticking, and I need to pull myself together before he gets here.
Rummaging through my closet, I settle on a casual dress that’s been begging to see the light of day. Why not? Dinner calls for more than the leggings and hoodies I’ve been living in.
I pull the dress over my head, smoothing out the fabric as I look at myself in the mirror. My hair's wild, as always, and clearly has its own agenda. “Whatever, good enough.” I roll my eyes, snatching my coat from the hook and slip on my Docs.
My chest tightens at the thought of seeing Kane again, and I shove the feeling aside. This is just dinner. Just dinner with a guy who practically burns holes through my soul every time he looks at me. No big deal.
Right on time. A knock echoes through the house. My head snaps up, and my heart skips a beat. I grab my bag and head for the door, when I hear…
“You should really keep your door locked if you’re in here alone.”
The words hit me like a challenge, stirring a flutter of something between nerves and defiance. I look up at him with a sarcastic retort already on my lips, but the way he’s looking at me stops me cold. His gaze sweeps over me with an intensity that makes my cheeks burn and my pulse race.
I shift under the weight of his attention, folding my arms across my chest in a defiant attempt to hold my ground. “What?” I challenge, tilting my head as if his staring is unwarranted, like my heart isn’t trying to climb out of my chest.
“You look stunning.” His words curl through the air and I watch the corner of his mouth lift into that confident smile, and all I want to do is punch him. I honestly don’t know where I stand with him right now. I’m still annoyed, but I know I have no leg to stand on.
I scoff, forcing a smile of my own, even though the warmth in his voice is unraveling my defenses faster than I’d like. “Thanks.”
For a second, his control slips and I catch the heat that flashes across his face. “Remind me to do that more often.”
“Do what?” I narrow my eyes, letting my curiosity get the best of me. “State the obvious?”
“No,” he smirks, taking a step closer. I can feel his presence pressing in around me. “Make you smile.”
The air between us gets warmer and that somehow feels more dangerous. It’s like standing on the edge of something I don’t fully understand, and I can’t decide if I want to step back or dive in headfirst.
“Don’t get used to it.” I’m trying to hold onto my anger toward him, but he’s making that impossible.
“Too late. Let's go, Princess.”
I roll my eyes even as a reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Bossy as ever, I see.”
He holds the car door open for me, not even hiding his stare, and it sends another jolt of heat through me. Ugh.
Once we’re on the road, he looks over and smiles. “I have a confession.”
I arch an eyebrow, leaning back against the seat. “Should I be worried?”
He shakes his head, but the look in his eyes gives nothing away. “Cam isn’t coming.”
I blink, going into full panic mode. “Why not?”