“If Heath lends you a pair of his Wranglers, you’ll know you’re in.”
“Fuck, I better hope I walk away with a pair of another dudes sweaty jeans then.”
I let out a cackle of a laugh. “It’s a bonding experience, what can I say?”
He just shakes his head, grinning as he puts the car in park and we both jump out.
I had forgotten just how much I love Miles’s smile, but now that I’ve got it back, I don’t know how I could ever give it up again.
We haven’t talked about the fact that in no more than fourteen days, he’s going to be cleared for work again, meaning that theoretically, he’ll be flying away from me in two weeks.
I ignored it completely as we went shopping for the new house yesterday, as he let me pick out appliances to fill the kitchen, and handed over his card at the counter.
I ignored it when the mattress got delivered this morning and we christened it. Twice.
I’ve been putting off thinking about it for as long as I can, and I think Miles is too, but that doesn’t make the date come any slower.
Miles grunts as he pulls on the gigantic front doors of Heath’s house—I wouldn’t even call it that, he doesn’t sleep in this building, he stays in what looks like nothing more than a shed out by the barn.
He likes to be in nature, he says, not in a house that echoes his every footstep. I can’t blame him; in a house this big, it would feel lonely being by yourself.
Miles makes a noise as if he’s impressed as we walk through the big archway that leads to the living room and kitchen.
“Wait till you see the pool,” I say, leading him through the space until we reach the bifold doors that lead out to the patio and gigantic pool.
“Herding goats is not how I thought I’d spend my Saturday, but I’m not complaining,” he says. “Not with this view.” He holds his hand up to shade his eyes as he takes in the rolling hills of green that serve as a backdrop for Heath’s villa.
“Howdy, team,” May says from her spot at the edge of the pool. She’s wearing a sheer white cover-up and has her feet dangling in the water. Meanwhile, Isla pops up from under the water, clearing it from her eyes before giving us a, “Oh, hey guys. The guys are out in the barn, Miles.”
“Okay, thanks.” He turns to say something to me, but I’m already stripping off my T-shirt.
His eyes lock on my chest and the little leopard print bikini top that barely covers my nipples. “Are you trying to make me question my life decisions right now?” he says, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
“Is it working?”
“Fuck yes it’s working, Marina,” he groans. “Are you sure you didn’t leave something in the truck?”
“Everyone would know exactly what is going on,” I say.
He’s so close to me that I can feel his breath on the apple of my cheeks. “You didn’t seem to care when you were screaming the entire neighborhood down this morning.”
My mouth drops open. “Go and herd some goats already.”
He shakes his head before gripping my waist and dragging me towards him, capturing my lips in a kiss that promises trouble later. One that has me panting when he finally pulls away. “I love you.”
I’m frozen as he turns and walks towards the barn, my knees feeling like they might give out any moment.
I have never heard those words leave his mouth, and yet he just said it like it was so obvious. Like we’ve said it so many times before. In my head, I have, but never out loud. Not back then, and not now.
I blink away those thoughts, finally turning to see my friends staring at me with wide eyes and open mouths. I feel a blush heating my cheeks. For a minute, I forgot they were there. It’s like as soon as Miles steps into my space, nothing else exists.
“Tell me he’s fucked the shit out of you, because people don’t kiss each other likethatunless there has been someamazingsex go down.”
“Ew, okay.” Isla puts her hands over her ears. “Go, tell her.”
“Let’s just say I’m officially joining the earth-shattering orgasm club.” A grin splits across her face, and I feel like a giddy teenager.
“Oh hell yes!” May says, clapping her hands. “You’ve been needing that.”