“Of course not. Well, I’m going to get some sleep because while some people are just lying about being lazy, some of us have to work.” I’m going to look up this fuck named Jacob. He’s a dead man.
“I’ll tell him you said that.” I laugh and hang up. I’m sure my godfather will be up and working before the doctor clears it, but my godmother won’t allow that shit. I’m grateful that he’s going to make it, but it seems someone else won’t.
Chapter Two
Elsa
Summer seems to drag by with visits from Miles becoming more and more frequent to check in on my father. It irks me as much as it excites me. Not once do we speak about the forbidden, hideous mistake of a kiss, if I can call it that. My first kiss was a sham. I planted my lips on the man I’ve been crushing on since I can remember, only for him to go stone cold in the middle of the hospital waiting room and my brother to walk in and save him from me.
God, I don’t know what’s worse: the mortifying look on Miles's face, or the conversation with my brother afterwards.
He pulled me aside and asked, “Have you lost your damn mind? Miles is my friend and a huge part of the family. He isn’t the kind of man to love anybody. It would be foolish for you to fall in love with a man who would only hurt you in the end because it would cause a war between us.”
“Why would you say something like that?” I asked him.
“Miles doesn’t date people. He’s all about business and power; you don’t fit anywhere in there. The man is stone cold, and I mean that in the best of ways in other things, but when it comes to love? Well, I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Thanks, but it was spur of the moment.”
“I hope you don’t go around thinking of people like that.”
“Of course not. I was extremely emotional, and it wouldn’t happen again anyway. Now, will you leave me alone so I can go into a hole and disappear?”
“Relax. It’s no big deal.”
“You’re over here scolding me, so I think it’s a big deal.”
“Trust me, Miles will forget about it. He’s got more important things to worry about.”
“I got it. I know I’m on the bottom of Miles's totem pole list.”
“Good. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Thank you. I love you, bro.” He gives me a giant brotherly squeeze.
“I love you, too. You deserve someone special who’s going to treat you great.”
“You don’t think highly of Miles, do you?”
“I do. It’s just that he’s not a man who wants a wife. I’ve never heard him mention it once. If he did, I think he’d make a great husband, but until that day comes…”
I can’t believe how naively stupid I was. Maybe he’s aware of how mortified I was and is taking pity on me, or he’s doing his best to avoid the situation as well. Maybe my brother’s right, and he’s just forgotten the incident entirely. Either way, it’s for the best.
Unfortunately, we’re all going to Steeleville together. We’re going to be locked in on one massive private jet to visit his family and ours for the annual gathering of all the Steele Riders. Last year he wasn’t even there, so everyone is going to be excited to see him. I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
All the non-related, unmarried girls will be gushing over him, while I do my best to pretend I hate him. I’m returning to college next week, and then I’ll be seeing a lot less of Mr. Miles “High and Mighty” Ivanov. Goodness—Miles Ivanov. What kind of name is that anyway? Seriously, what were his parents thinking? As if making his first name gentle was going to help him be less dark and dangerous. The bastard has to be twice as attractive as he is mysterious.
“Are we ready?” my father asks, passing by my open bedroom door.
“Yes, I am.” I start rolling my suitcase to the door, and then Miles pops up. “What the hell?” I squeak.
“Young lady,” Miles gasps, pressing his hand to his mouth. The humor in his eyes makes me want to kick him in his shins, but my parents would scold me and it’s only another win for him.
“Whatever. You scared me. Why are you stalking me?”
“I’m not stalking, Princess. I offered to carry your suitcase so your father doesn’t have to do it.”
“I can do it myself, you know.” The rush of anger shoots through my body as well as the desire for this man. Why does he have to torment me like this? Always around, always helping while I’m suffering from my crushed heart.
