Page 54 of Just Desserts

Jonathan had been the only person I ever slept with, and just because he was able to sleep with others so easily didn’t mean I had the same disposition. I didn’t want anything hanging over me when Myles and I finally came together. I didn’t want Jonathan’s presence to linger, staining what should be precious moments between Myles and I. When I gave myself to him, I wanted to be free to do so completely. I think a part of me knew once we crossed that line, there would be no coming back for me.

As it was, Myles was already sewing the pieces of my broken heart back together day by day. He reminded me that there was more than just the drama that had taken over my life the last year. When we were together, everything outside of us disappeared. Slowly, Myles was helping me to get back to the woman I was before. No, he was helping me become the woman I never believed I could be.

It was a difficult line to navigate, wanting to jump his bones one second then second guessing everything else the next. Myles never waivered, never pushed, and was always there for me. He was proving to be so much more than I could ever have hoped for in a partner. His biggest focus was making sure I saw myself the way he saw me. As if just the thought of Myles conjured his presense, I was pleasantly surprised when Myles walked into the bakery right before closing.

"Hi! What are you doing here? Did we have plans that I forgot?" I asked embarrassed .

"No, you didn't forget. I just wanted to see you so I decided to swing by. Can I help you close up?" He asked.

He looked delicious as usual but something was amuck. Myles was always calm and collected. He had clearly raked his hands through his hair multiple times and was missing his tie. Combined with his loosened shirt, it was obvious he was worked up about something.

"Give me a few minutes, why don't you take a seat over there for now. I'll be out in a minute." I pointed to what had become our table. It was in the far corner and we frequently sat there during lunches or dinners he brought over when he wasn't whisking me away to new restaurants or food carts to try. I headed towards the back and popped my head into the kitchen, finding Carrie cleaning up.

"Carrie? We're gonna close early today so you can head on out. I'll close up."

"You sure?" Carrie popped her head up at the sound of my voice, then caught sight of Myles walking over to our table. Her smile turning big she started pulling at her apron strings quickly shrugging it off.

"You got it boss I'm out the door now."

From my view behind the counter I watched as Myles took his coat and suit jacket off and rolled up his sleeves. We said a final goodbye to Carrie then I went to lock the back door as Myles locked the front. When I came back out to the main room, Myles was grabbing the cleaning supplies and getting ready to move tables around.

Stopping him, I gently pulled him towards me. He looked downconfused until I forced him into his usual chair. I brought him over a cup of coffee and one of the double chocolate chip cookies I know he likes. With my own cup of tea I sat down across from him.

"What happened? You're upset." I asked, then waited, letting him answer when he was ready. He looked startled at my question then shook his head before taking a sip of his drink.

"Ok I guess I'm not as good at hiding my emotions as I thought, at least when it comes to you." He said, drinking some of his coffee before slumping back in his seat.

"Alyssa was at the hotel today. Sarah recognized her and alerted both me and Sully. She stayed in the lobby for over an hour alone. It made all of us uncomfortable so Sully said he would keep an eye on her." He said, reaching out to hold my hand.

"I want you to keep an eye out too. I'm worried. I don't know why she was there but I don't like the idea of her anywhere near you." Myles' concern vibrated through him.

"Thank you for telling me." I said, interlocking my fingers with his.

"I'm sorry that my drama is spilling into your workplace, I wish I could say I was surprised this happened but at this point I'm not. I can't make the mistake of underestimating her again." I frowned, just when I thought things were getting back to normal something like this happened.

"Please don't be sorry, you have nothing to be sorry for. I want to be a part of your life, that isn't reserved to just the pretty parts. I want all of you, Isla." Myles assured me, making sure I took him seriously.

My heart thudded in my chest. How did he always manage tosay the right things? He gave my arm a small yank urging me out of my seat and into his lap. I curled up and rested my head on his shoulder. The rest of the night passed quickly, in a companionably rhythm we cleaned and shut down the shop. Myles followed me home where we ate a quick dinner I cooked for us before cuddling up on the couch.

It was getting harder and harder not to fall asleep with his big arms wrapped around me. Around midnight I felt him stirring then I was airborne. In the twilight stage between sleep and awake I watched him as he gently deposited me in my bed. Taking care to pull the covers down and back over me. As he bent down to kiss my forehead I moved, pulling his mouth to mine.

After a second of hesitation he gave in with a sigh and allowed me to pull him down on top of me. Needed air I broke away, my hands crawling up his back, my breath coming out in puffs against his neck. He pulled away, making a move to get off the bed.

"Please. Stay with me? I mean if you want to, you could stay here, in bed with me." I stuttered out, words becoming difficult. Myles looked down at me, his eyes bright in the moonlight.

"Of course. Anything for you." He said, his voice lower than usual.

I watched with bated breath as he emptied his pockets before stripping out of his shirt and pants revealing the intricate tattoo I had only seen glimpses off. It wrapped around his arms, up over his shoulders and across his chest. I pulled the blankets back and shifted into the middle of the bed, giving him room to lay down next to me.

He slid in and covered both of us with the blanket beforepulling me into his side, my upper body draped over his chest. Heat radiated off his body and seeped into my bones, I felt surrounded by his scent and the combination quickly had me falling back asleep. Before sleep swept me away, I whispered against his chest.

"You have more of me than you'll ever know Myles Bennett, you gave me back pieces of myself I didn't even know were missing."

Chapter 38

Alyssa

Since that awful scene at Jonathan's house with his parents, things continued to go downhill. The added stress of seeing Isla with Myles wasn't helping matters. As much as I tried I couldn't stop thinking about it. How did Isla always come out smelling like roses? How, out of anyone else in this world, did she wind up with Myles? I didn't understand, it wasn't like Wes and Myles hung out often.

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