Chapter Six #2
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 daddy went, 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.”
“Miles,” I whine.
“Yes, Elsa.” The way he says my name sends a delightful tingle through my body, and it’s all wrong. It’s how I ended up against him, embarrassing myself.
“I need to go. I have a test to study for,” I blurt out as I jump off the sofa.
He sighs and then nods. “Be careful, and we’ll talk about this living arrangement later.”
“Fine.” I’m not even sure how we came to share a dog, but Mistress is his, not mine. Even as I say that, I don’t believe it anymore.
The next morning, I go to school and see Johnny; he avoids me completely. “Stay away from me, Elsa.” I don’t miss the black eyes that are healing along with the small bandage on his nose. His eyes widen, and that’s when I spot my father’s security team nearby.
“No problem, Johnny.” I walk away without another word to anyone. After my classes, I’m having a major sit down with my father. He has to call off his hound dog. Even if Johnny’s family is in the mafia, I’ll shut the situation down so he has no reason to get involved.
My mind isn’t on my schoolwork at all. I can’t make it through any classes, so it’s a merciful blessing that they have canceled my last class.
I drive to the hotel and go up to my father’s office. He’s in a meeting with my brother, but their assistant allows me in. Thankfully, Miles is at the casino, and I don’t have to see him because I don’t have the nerve to face him right now.
The assistant barely opens the door before I barge in and close it behind him. “Please excuse her. Someone forgot her manners today,” my brother apologizes for me.
“What’s on your volatile mind, Princess?”
“Your guard dog needs to back off.”
“What guard dog? All of your security has kept their distance.”
“Miles. He’s… he’s…” I blush because I can’t describe why I’m so damn pissed without giving myself away.
“He’s what?”
“He’s sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“What do you mean? Is he harassing you? Do you not like him?” My face heats and turns completely red.
“Sweetheart, do you want to tell me what’s going on between you and Miles?”
“Nothing, Daddy.” Other than he broke my heart without even trying and he won’t allow me to get over it. It’s a perpetual vicious cycle.
“Why are you lying, baby?”
“I’m not lying.”
“You have been upset with him for a long time. You come in here spitting fire because he’s bothering you. Now, I know you’re crazy about him, so I don’t understand why you’re so upset with him. Has he hurt you?”
“No, of course not. It’s nothing like that.”
“If you’re not going to tell him the truth, I am.”
“What’s going on, Son?”
“The day you were in the hospital having your surgery, she kissed Miles.”
“What?”
“Yeah. And he didn’t kiss her back. He froze like a damn statue.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“So what’s the point in liking somebody who doesn’t like you back?
So I don’t need your guard dog protecting me all the time, Daddy.
It’s hard enough to have a crush on somebody and then to have them around all the time when they don’t like you, but then I already made a fool of myself.
Then he goes and beats up guys that do like me. ”
“Els, just because he didn’t kiss you there? Come on—what did you expect him to do? Toss you on the ground in the middle of the waiting room? The man is trying to be respectful at a time where you were grieving and scared. Taking advantage of you wasn’t the right thing to do.”
“He’s right, sweetheart. Miles’s feelings for you are real, baby. His protection is more than just at my request. He told me himself. When it comes to beating up Santos, he had his reasons, and he’ll do much worse if Santos ever approaches you again, so don’t argue with any of us on that.”
“Are you serious?”
“About Santos? Deadly.”
“I’m talking about Miles.”
“Of course. He’s crazy about you.”
“Do you think I pushed him too far?”
“I was told you were here,” Miles growls from the doorway.
Milo walks up to Miles and says, “You hurt my sister, and all bonds we have are cut.”
“Understood, but first I need to have a talk with this crazy woman. She and I have a lot to clear up.” He walks right up to me and his mouth lands on mine. I freeze, stunned because my father and brother are right there.
“Damn, we’re zero for two,” he teases as he pulls back.
“Maybe not try kissing in front of me, dickhead.”
“I just wanted her to see what it was like to be stunned.” He looks at me right in the eyes. “Now come on, princess. You and I have a lot to discuss, and our baby girl needs a walk.”
“I’ll be working from home tomorrow morning, and we can discuss matters tomorrow evening at my home over dinner,” Miles says, leading me from the office, and no one says another word.
I’m actually still so shocked by everything that I move with him and don’t even open my mouth until we’re outside the room.