Page 7 of Mine to Love
And his odd charm. It was different from Charlie. More subtle and genuine. As if everything he said and did was just the way he was, no matter who he was talking to, man or woman.
“My name hasn’t changed since five days ago,” Miles said.
Liberty cringed. Pissing off Charlie wouldn’t help her situation. It would only make matters worse.
Perhaps it was time to tell her sexy neighbor a few things.
Charlie pointed his key fob in the direction of his new toy. “Go ahead and get in the passenger side. But don’t touch anything, okay, buddy?”
“Sure thing.” Gabriel raced to the side of the sports car and climbed in.
Charlie inched closer to Miles.
Shit. This couldn’t be good.
She flew down the steps two at a time, prepared to separate the two.
“I don’t know who you think you are,” Charlie said. “But that’s my wife. I expect you to be gone when I get back.” He turned on his heel and marched to the car, sliding behind the steering wheel and revving the engine before backing out of the driveway.
Miles pulled his phone out of his back pocket and tapped at the screen. “I suppose you heard that,” he said without looking up.
“I did,” she admitted. “Who are you texting?” Not that it was any of her business, but damn if she wasn’t curious.
“I’m not sure you want me to give you an honest answer to that question.” He stuffed his phone back in his jeans pocket.
She’d only known him for two months. The first time they’d met was the day she’d moved in and he’d helped unload the boxes from her U-Haul. She didn’t have to tell him a single thing about Gabriel; he’d figured out all on his own that he needed to keep a safe distance and to let Gabriel dictate his own comfort level with Miles.
From there, Miles would be outside, sitting on his front step, with a football in hand. He’d wave, smile, and wait for Gabriel to interact.
Miles had a kind heart. She could see that from day one.
And he was damn fucking sexy with his thick, dark hair, intense blue eyes, and muscular frame.
As she navigated her way through town, she heard a few stories and Miles was a ladies’ man. Full of charm. Definitely not the settling down type.
Not that she was looking.
“Now I have to know,” she said.
“Chris Manzo, one of my mother’s deputies.”
“You didn’t.” She planted her hands on her hips. “You know my brother has issues with authority. If a cop pulls over Charlie, my little brother might freak out. That’s the last thing I need.”
“Relax. Chris won’t pull him over with Gabriel in the vehicle. But if Charlie does anything remotely stupid, he will the second he leaves this house, without Gabriel in the car.” Miles lowered his chin. “I wouldn’t do that to Gabriel. You should know me better than that by now.”
“The only thing I know right now is that you and I need to have a little chat.” She grabbed him by his thick biceps and immediately wished she hadn’t. Sparks flew from his skin through her fingertips and right to all her girly parts.
Not a sensation she welcomed.
She dropped her hand to her side as she made her way to the front steps and plopped down on the last two. “Why are you dressed in jeans and a T-shirt? I thought you were at your brother’s wedding.”
“I changed.” He shrugged before planting his ass on her porch steps. “What has you so upset?”
“Many things, but only one that I’m going to discuss with you.” She reached behind her head and tugged on her ponytail. “Look. I do really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. For Gabriel. You’re so good with him and I value that. It’s so nice to know that he’s got a job that he’s thriving in because…” She swiped at her eyes, fighting the tears. “…well, he’s never been able to have one before. And it makes me having one that much easier.”
Miles rested his hand on her knee and squeezed. “All he needs is a little understanding and for people not to freak out on him when he makes a mistake, which all of us do anyway. He’s no different in that regard.”
“Yeah, but most don’t see it that way.”
