Page 33 of Mine to Love
Miles sighed. It sure did and he didn’t know how to explain it to her, much less himself. He was torn between asking her out again and getting up, walking home, and going to bed alone. Not once in his adult life had he ever found himself in this situation. All the women he dated were never meant to be serious, except Trixi. The ones who had other plans, he dropped like a hot potato, but even they didn’t want him for the long haul.
They wanted the challenge.
And he was glad to play for a short time.
Even though once or twice that had been a whopper of a mistake, like with Trixi. That one he had regretted. She was a nice girl and deserved better than his sorry ass.
But so did Liberty, which left him between a rock and a hard place.
“Wow. You’re deep in thought.” She nudged his arm. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this quiet or melancholy. What’s gotten into you?”
How the fuck did he answer that one? He tipped his head back and downed the last drop of his bourbon. It soured his belly. He set the tumbler down and stood. “I should go. It’s late.”
She jumped to her feet and curled her precious fingers around his biceps. “Have I done something to upset you?”
“No. Not at all.” He lifted the cap off her head, turning it and placing it backward so he could see her pretty eyes better.
Mistake.
Those blue pools fucking captivated him and drew him in like a spotlight in the harbor guiding the ships home at night.
“Then why are you running off and acting like someone sucker punched you in the gut?”
“You want me to answer that honestly?”
“Yes.” She nodded.
He blew out a puff of air. He was fully clothed, and yet he felt totally naked. “I can be your neighbor. Your friend. Your confidant. I have no problem doing that. But I need a moment to switch into that gear, and sitting out here with you any longer, I’ll want to do something stupid like take you to bed again. I can handle rejection. Happens all the time. But for whatever reason, when you do it, it does feel like I got kicked in the stomach and I’d rather walk away before I make an ass out of myself or you have to toss me off this porch.”
She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not going to ask you to leave.” She leaned into him, tilting her head.
Gripping her hips, he held his breath while his heart beat wildly in the center of his throat. He swallowed.
“I know who you are, Miles. And you certainly know enough about the baggage I bring to the table.” She pressed her lips against his mouth in an exotic dance. “This is me agreeing to go out on a date with you, and more.”
He arched a brow. “Seriously?”
“Do I have to repeat myself?”
“God, no.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, hard. It was the kind of kiss that let a woman know she was desired. Wanted. That she was the only woman he was thinking of and that there would be more to come. He palmed her cheek. “This is going to sound strange, but what about Gabriel?”
“He can take care of himself for a few hours.”
“I’m not leaving him alone while your asshole of an ex is unaccounted for. I don’t trust Charlie as far as I can throw him. Maybe Gabriel can hang with one of my brothers for an evening.”
“I’m sure he’d like that.”
“All right then, but not tomorrow night. We’re going to cook that fish. Gabriel deserves to eat what he caught.”
She smiled. “You’re a good man, Miles.”
“Don’t tell anyone.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He jogged down the stairs, pausing at the bottom to glance over his shoulder and wave.
And just like that, he had a date.
With Liberty.
“Hey, wait,” Liberty called.
