My drive to Miles’ estate is uneventful as expected, and I’m not even stopped at the gate like usual. I suppose since he’s not here, there’s no worry that I’ll accidentally run into one of his women. They open up for me, and I’m allowed in. As I exit the vehicle, the doors open and the little Mistress jumps out the front door yapping and wagging her tail.
“Whoa, relax, baby girl. Give your mommy some breathing room,” Miles says. I gasp as I take him in. He’s standing there in just a pair of gym shorts, chest bare and sweat glistening over his perfectly sculpted muscles. Why does he have to be so amazing, and I’m just the girl he shunned?
“Maybe Daddy should take the same advice,” I reply with pursed lips. He isn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow night.
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“You weren’t supposed to be here,” I state. He takes the few steps down his stone porch, closing the small distance between us and forcing me to take a step or two back, but then Mistress runs behind me. I lose my footing, but Miles is quick, and he has me in his arms, holding me firmly to his chest.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his fingers brushing the loose strands of hair behind my ear.
“Yes, but is Mistress?”
“Look,” he chuckles and smirks. She is jumping after a butterfly.
“Good, I would have been devastated to have crushed her.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t run away from me.” The deep rumble in his chest sends shockwaves of desire and confusion through me.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be chasing me?” What am I saying? I want this man chasing me, craving me like I crave him.
“That’s like telling Icarus to stop flying toward the sun. Not going to happen.”
“You’ve lost it. Did you work out too hard?”
“No—”
“Sir, you have a call. It’s Miss Steiner.” There is the reminder I need that I’m not the one for him, and he’s not the one for me.
“Thank you,” he grunts to Carl, clearly annoyed that he interrupted us. “I need to shower. Can you take care of the little girl here?”
“You have a staff, and you don’t need me here for that.” I want to tell him that Miss Steiner can care for his dog since he’s handing her his private number, but I control myself.
“I know, but I’d like you to help with her.”
“Fine,” I huff. He turns around without another word and goes inside, leaving me with the exuberant puppy. We run around outside for a little longer before she gets tired, and then we stroll inside.
I spend two hours in his house lounging about with Mistress while enjoying the luxury as if I don’t have the same thing, but there is something warm about his place. “Come on, girl. Let’s go raid his library. I don’t know where your daddywent, but I’m getting bored.” I wonder if he went out on a date and just left us here without any notice.
We roam over to the library and push the door open to find Miles reading a book. “Are you freaking serious right now?”
“What?” he asks, lowering his book.
“I’m here watching your dog, and you’re here just chilling out.”
He shrugs. “I’m actually spending some time in my house. I never said I was leaving after my shower. You’re the one who assumed that.”
“Well, since you’re home, I have to go. Besides, she’s fine and can spend time by herself.”
“Sit with me, Elsa.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to.”
“What if I don’t?” He grabs my hand and drags me down to his side on the sofa. I plop down, and my heart can’t handle being this close to him. Why am I so flustered being this close? Because the last time we were this close, I made a fucking fool of myself. He looked mortified.
“Tough.”
