Page 31 of Mine to Love
“That’s not necessary,” Liberty said, realizing she wasn’t getting out of this conversation, and it did feel good to talk to another female she could trust. “His reputation is troubling. Not only for me, but because of Gabriel. I’m also not sure I’m ready to even think about dating.”
“But you slept with him.”
Liberty tried not to smile, but it was impossible.
“And you liked it.” Trinity gave Liberty’s leg a little shove.
“He is incredibly sexy. Charming. Kind. And everything a woman could want in a man. Which makes me believe he’s justtoo damn good to be true and all those women are right. On the other hand, a fling wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, if only I knew I could protect Gabriel and it wouldn’t affect his relationship with Miles.”
“I can understand your concern there, but trust me when I say, Miles isn’t that guy,” Trinity said with conviction. “All those women, they don’t know the real Miles because he doesn’t let them in. He barely ever brought any of them around the family. When we have family gatherings, he comes alone.” Trinity waggled her brows. “He would have never brought someone over here when he wanted to go fishing with Emmett. Or invite a girl to his brother’s wedding. He doesn’t mix his love life with his family. He wouldn’t want any of those ladies to think what they had with him stood a chance. And he wouldn’t want to give us the wrong impression.”
“And what impression is he giving you now?” Liberty asked with her heart hammering in the center of her chest.
“Um, that man has it bad and he wants something different out of life.”
The sound of boat engines and men laughing filled the air. Liberty sat up taller as Emmett pulled the fishing boat toward the lift.
“One last thing before we’re bombarded by testosterone,” Trinity said. “I know you’ve got a lot going on in your life right now. And on the outside, Miles doesn’t look like the kind of guy you’d want to get involved with, but trust that he’s one of the best men you could ever have on your side. He’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you or Gabriel. He’s honest. He’ll never lie to you. He might get cold feet and start pushing you away, but if he does that, you’ll know it’s because he’s scared of how he feels and his insecurities are getting the better of him. All you need to do is call him on them.”
“I don’t know. I want to go for it because it would be different and something that I don’t have to consider the future. I can live in the moment for a change,” Liberty whispered. “But?—”
“No buts. Do you like him?”
“That’s not even the point.”
“Look. Miles has closed himself off for two reasons. One of them I understand. Watching what his parents went through was rough. But all he needs is one good woman to show him he’s good enough. All he needs to learn is that love isn’t all bad.”
“Oh, and you think I’m that woman?” Liberty glared. “I just told you I’m not looking for love.”
Trinity shrugged. “I certainly wasn’t looking for love when I walked into this town, but it came up and bit me in the ass. Go out with Miles. See what’s there. What’s the worst that can happen? Besides good sex, because by that smile and the twinkle in your eye, I’d say that man rocked your world.”
Liberty laughed. “That’s one way of putting it.” Lighthouse Cove was her fresh start in life. It was her chance at a new beginning. A new chapter. There was no reason she had to live under a rock and Miles wasn’t a bad man. He was kind. Considerate. Generous.
A date wouldn’t kill her.
Actually, it might do her some good.
Besides, even if it went nowhere, the one thing she did see was that all these women who warned her off Miles were still friendly with the man. That had to mean something. That at the very worst, he wouldn’t break Gabriel’s heart.
Miles once again found himself sitting on Liberty’s front porch with a short glass of bourbon. He should get up and leave. Hewasn’t even sure if Liberty was going to come back out and say goodbye. She’d made it clear they were done for the evening when she told him it was late and Gabriel needed to go to bed.
But she had given him a drink, so there was that and by damn, he was going to finish it.
Just one of the many mixed messages she’d been giving him all night. Damn, if he didn’t suck at relationships. He could do flings. He could do a good time. But the last time he tried to have a real connection with a woman, he broke her heart.
He could live with himself if he did that to Liberty, only he couldn’t let it go. It was as if she was the air that filled his lungs. The food that fueled his body. He’d never needed anyone, except his family.
And now he found himself needing her in ways he couldn’t fathom.
He stared out into the dark night. A few neighbors strolled by and waved. He’d always enjoyed living in the heart of town, near the hustle and bustle of what little action Lighthouse Cove offered. He could walk to a few local watering holes for a drink or dinner, since cooking for one kind of sucked.
But lately, he had the itch to move to the water and closer to one of his brothers. It wasn’t that he was all that far. It was only a three-mile walk to Emmerson’s place and Jameson was only a few streets from that. But the pull to be near that liquid gold had called to his heart.
He never had a reason to want a big house with a pool on the Intracoastal. He had brothers who provided all those fun extras. And a mother who had a mansion. What more could he possibly want?
The sound of the front door screeched across the floorboards.
Liberty.
