and revel in the moment. “You made the right choice.” My voice drops several octaves, almost raspy with want.
Slow. You’re not ready, I remind myself.
With a mental shake, I continue into the living room, stopping at a row of picture frames spread on a console table behind the deep brown leather sofa. I lift a picture of Etta, Duke, and a man who must be Etta’s husband.
How long will Etta wait before telling Miles I was supposed to be her patient?
“What’s that frown about?” Miles gently removes the frame from my grasp, setting it back on the table. With a crooked finger, he nudges my chin up to make eye contact with him.
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t hide things from me. We’re only just beginning.” His voice is low, eyes drilling into mine.
If only you knew what hides behind my closed doors , I think sadly.
“Lacey stopped by the library to chat after work today,” I blurt.
His eyes darken with annoyance. “What did she want?”
I lift my shoulders but don’t break eye contact. “According to Lacey, you’re dating her. Exclusively.”
Miles take a frustrated step backward, thrusting his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “God, when will she figure it out?” He turns to me urgently, grabbing my shoulders in his hands and holding me tightly. “We haven’t been together for years. It wasn’t until Blue in Green opened earlier in the year that she started buzzing around again.”
“Miles – ”
“No.” His voice is hard, urgent. “Listen to me, Lacey and I are the opposite of together. We’re apart, and there’s zero chance of reconciliation. Ever.”
“Miles?”
“What?” he snaps, agitation rolling off him in waves. He shakes his head slightly. “I’m sorry. Lacey meddling is an unpleasant nuisance, to say the least.”
“I was going to tell you I don’t believe her, but you might want to straighten things out if…” My cheeks heat.
“If what?” His tone is coaxing, a pleased smile replacing the agitation.
“If you and I are going to continue seeing each other, I would prefer you don’t see anyone else,” I say bravely, meeting his gaze. “And I’m aware that I asked for things to move slowly between us, but if I’m dating you, I’m only dating you.”
His brows draw together. “I didn’t realize this needed to be said explicitly after I practically threw down with your brother.” He leans down, lips hovering over mine. They’re so close I can nearly feel the pressure and warmth. I want him to kiss me. Badly. But he doesn’t touch his lips to mine; instead they whisper across my cheek and come to a stop at my ear. “I’ll set her straight. But for the record, I’m not seeing anyone else, and neither are you.”
“No,” I murmur. “No one else.”
When he’s close like this, his scent tantalizing me, my thoughts scramble and nothing’s coherent.
Gulping a fortifying breath, I turn to continue my exploration of his home. I find myself in the open kitchen. Like the rest of his house, it’s masculine with dark wood cabinets and speckled granite countertops. The space is equipped to be a chef’s dream, with a six-burner stove top and double oven. The memory of Miles making homemade brownies for me causes my stomach to go soft and melty.
I spread my hands across the countertop, watching as he lazily makes his way toward me. All of his body language is non-threatening, a relaxed gait and gentle smile. But his gaze reveals how he’s really feeling. He’s got the eyes of a hunter, trained on me. Irises darkened with lust, pupils dilated. It’s clear what Miles wants, but he’s trying not to scare me by being too aggressive.
Whether he knows it or not, Miles is the right man at the right time in my life.
“How do you propose we catch this mystery sand artist?” I change the subject.
He pretends to mull over my question, drumming his fingertips on the countertop. “We could set a trap.”
“A mouse trap with
Slow. You’re not ready, I remind myself.
With a mental shake, I continue into the living room, stopping at a row of picture frames spread on a console table behind the deep brown leather sofa. I lift a picture of Etta, Duke, and a man who must be Etta’s husband.
How long will Etta wait before telling Miles I was supposed to be her patient?
“What’s that frown about?” Miles gently removes the frame from my grasp, setting it back on the table. With a crooked finger, he nudges my chin up to make eye contact with him.
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t hide things from me. We’re only just beginning.” His voice is low, eyes drilling into mine.
If only you knew what hides behind my closed doors , I think sadly.
“Lacey stopped by the library to chat after work today,” I blurt.
His eyes darken with annoyance. “What did she want?”
I lift my shoulders but don’t break eye contact. “According to Lacey, you’re dating her. Exclusively.”
Miles take a frustrated step backward, thrusting his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “God, when will she figure it out?” He turns to me urgently, grabbing my shoulders in his hands and holding me tightly. “We haven’t been together for years. It wasn’t until Blue in Green opened earlier in the year that she started buzzing around again.”
“Miles – ”
“No.” His voice is hard, urgent. “Listen to me, Lacey and I are the opposite of together. We’re apart, and there’s zero chance of reconciliation. Ever.”
“Miles?”
“What?” he snaps, agitation rolling off him in waves. He shakes his head slightly. “I’m sorry. Lacey meddling is an unpleasant nuisance, to say the least.”
“I was going to tell you I don’t believe her, but you might want to straighten things out if…” My cheeks heat.
“If what?” His tone is coaxing, a pleased smile replacing the agitation.
“If you and I are going to continue seeing each other, I would prefer you don’t see anyone else,” I say bravely, meeting his gaze. “And I’m aware that I asked for things to move slowly between us, but if I’m dating you, I’m only dating you.”
His brows draw together. “I didn’t realize this needed to be said explicitly after I practically threw down with your brother.” He leans down, lips hovering over mine. They’re so close I can nearly feel the pressure and warmth. I want him to kiss me. Badly. But he doesn’t touch his lips to mine; instead they whisper across my cheek and come to a stop at my ear. “I’ll set her straight. But for the record, I’m not seeing anyone else, and neither are you.”
“No,” I murmur. “No one else.”
When he’s close like this, his scent tantalizing me, my thoughts scramble and nothing’s coherent.
Gulping a fortifying breath, I turn to continue my exploration of his home. I find myself in the open kitchen. Like the rest of his house, it’s masculine with dark wood cabinets and speckled granite countertops. The space is equipped to be a chef’s dream, with a six-burner stove top and double oven. The memory of Miles making homemade brownies for me causes my stomach to go soft and melty.
I spread my hands across the countertop, watching as he lazily makes his way toward me. All of his body language is non-threatening, a relaxed gait and gentle smile. But his gaze reveals how he’s really feeling. He’s got the eyes of a hunter, trained on me. Irises darkened with lust, pupils dilated. It’s clear what Miles wants, but he’s trying not to scare me by being too aggressive.
Whether he knows it or not, Miles is the right man at the right time in my life.
“How do you propose we catch this mystery sand artist?” I change the subject.
He pretends to mull over my question, drumming his fingertips on the countertop. “We could set a trap.”
“A mouse trap with
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