Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
MILES
H er hazel eyes stare into mine as my heart thuds against my chest in a fast, rhythmic beat. I see the desire in her eyes and the part of her that wants to let go, but there’s also a part of her that wants to keep that control.
I couldn’t believe my luck when she just walked into my place. She’s just as beautiful as I remember, even more so if that’s possible. I know she’s fighting this attraction between us. I just don’t know the reason why. We’re two grown adults and perfectly capable of seeing where this goes.
“I can’t,” she finally says, looking away. “Things would get messy, and I can’t bring messy into my life.”
I didn’t expect her to agree, but I couldn’t help myself from calling her bluff. I can tell she’s not the type to jump every guy she’s attracted to, which makes me want her even more. Deciding to cut her some slack, I get up and grab my t-shirt that’s slung over the arm of the couch and put it on.
“Better?” I ask, sitting back down.
“Thank you,” she says, looking relieved.
“So, tell me more about this wine list that you’ve come up with. ”
Her eyes get excited, and I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm as she discusses her ideas.
She’s good at what she does and very knowledgeable about catering to specific needs.
When I first got the idea of a bar, I didn’t even think about adding wine until Savi and my sisters-in-law insisted I needed it on the menu.
I can name almost every brand of tequila and bourbon, but have no idea when it comes to wine.
“I love that you want to bring in wine from the local wineries in Florida. I plan on doing that with local craft beer from around the area. The food trucks will be local as well.”
“Exactly,” she smiles, and those dimples reel me in again.
“Blue Haven is a close-knit community. I felt it the moment I arrived, and I feel it in this place too. What you are doing to this place makes you feel welcome and at home. The community is going to feel that, too, and will love the fact that you are helping out local businesses.”
It makes me happy that she already feels exactly what I envision this place to be. “Let’s do it then,” I grin, sitting back in my chair.
“Which part? I went over a lot of my ideas,” she laughs, and I vow right then to make her do more of it.
“All of it,” I wave to the papers scattered across my desk. “The Sunday afternoon wine tastings, the monthly wine feature…you’re in charge of it all.”
“Just like that?” She asks, shocked. “Don’t you want to taste some first or do a trial run with me?”
“Nope. You’re hired. I’ll have Noah add some wine racks to the wall with the history of the local vineyards, like you suggested. I love the idea of being able to buy your own bottle to take home. My sisters-in-law are going to eat that shit up,” I laugh.
“I…I don’t know what to say. I’ve never been given free rein li ke this,” she tucks a strand of hair behind her ears and nervously laughs.
“Do you think you are ready for this?” I tease, knowing she’s more than ready.
“Of course, I’m ready. I know what I’m capable of, and you are going to be very pleased with the business I bring you.”
“I have no doubt I’ll be very pleased with whatever you bring.” My eyes lock with hers, and I quickly find myself drowning in them again. I don’t know what it is about her, but I can’t get enough of the way she makes me feel.
“We should celebrate,” I say, helping her gather her papers and handing them back to her. “How about dinner tomorrow night?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she says quickly, putting her folders back in her oversized black bag.
“I think it’s a great idea,” I grin. “It’s just dinner. You have to eat it anyway, so you might as well have some company.”
Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth, and every part of me wants to pull it back out with mine. “Just dinner,” she says firmly. I don’t know whether it’s aimed at me, or she’s confirming it to herself. “As friends,” she adds. “This is not a date.”
“You are friend-zoning me already? God, way to bruise a man’s ego.” I lay my hand across my heart, feigning pain.
“I’m sure you will recover,” she rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s trying not to laugh.
“I don’t think I will this time, but I’ll agree to a friend-only dinner if it means you’ll say yes.”
I can see the wheels turning in her head and hold my breath for a response. I’m not used to putting this much work into a girl, but I’m willing to put in so much more if it means I get to spend more time with her .
“Okay,” she finally nods her head, yes, and I breathe out relief. “Text me the time and place, and I’ll meet you there.”
I start to argue that I want to pick her up, but I bite back the words. She feels more in charge this way, and I’ll let her take control just a little bit longer if it makes her more comfortable and gets her to agree to see me.
“Sounds good.” I stand up with her and walk back out front.
“I just realized I don’t even know your name,” she says, stopping when we get to the front door and looking at me curiously.
“Wilbert. But you can call me Willy,” I say, trying my damnedest to keep a straight face when she looks so confused.
“Willy? Your name is Willy?”
“Yep.” I bite the inside of my cheek as she struggles to be polite.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then, Willy.” I break out into a grin and laugh when she gives me the evil eye.
“Your name is not Wilbert, is it?” She mutters under her breath.
“Hell no, it’s not Wilbert. Do I look like a Willy to you?”
“You are such an ass,” she laughs and swats my chest. I grab her hand and keep it on my chest.
“Miles. My name is Miles,” I say, turning serious. Her hand fits perfectly into mine and feels soft against my skin. Just this hand contact sends jolts through my body, and I can tell by her face that she feels them too.
“Miles,” she repeats softly. The sound of my name on her lips has me craving more.
I back her up to the door and brace my hand above her head, searching for any sign that she doesn’t want this as much as I do.
I just need one taste…one kiss to know what she feels like.
To test this power, she already has over me.
I slowly lower my head, and when I see her eyes slowly close and those beautiful lips part, I feel my body respond with such a force that it takes everything in me to hold back and go slow.
“Hey boss, do you…sorry. I didn’t know you were with someone,” I hear one of my workers say from the back door.
“Fuck,” I groan softly, mere seconds from getting what I want. They couldn’t have extended their lunch break an extra ten fucking minutes?
“I…I should be going,” she hurriedly fumbles with the door, and I step back as she opens it. “Thanks for the, um, opportunity. I’ll get to work on the orders this week for you.” She waves goodbye and is hightailing it out of here before I can even get a word in.
Sighing, I run an aggressive hand through my hair and watch her red jeep race down the hill. I stay out there until I no longer see anything but a billow of dust. Turning, I head back inside, trying to convince myself of all the reasons why murdering one of my workers wouldn’t be a good idea.
“Where are you going, looking so nice?” Savi walks in the house just as I’m grabbing my keys from off the counter.
“Just out to dinner with a friend.” Even just saying the words doesn’t feel right. I have no intention of being just a friend to Olivia, but for now, I’ll take what I can get.
When I texted her last night after our almost-kiss, I had doubts that she would still go today, but she surprised me by saying she was still coming. She also mentioned we could make it a work dinner and finalize what she put together after our meeting. I pretended I didn’t hear that part.
“A friend.” She looks at me with questions brimming in her eyes. “Is this a boy or a girl type of friend ?”
“Does it matter? I’m just going to grab a bite to eat.”
“You don’t wear your nice pants and lucky t-shirt to hang out with the boys, and you don’t take girls to dinner.” She hops on the counter and starts swinging her legs.
“You are on a need-to-know basis, and right now, you don’t need to know.
” I chuckle at her frustrated grin. I don’t know where this is headed, and I’m not ready to share just yet.
I’m in unknown territory and figuring things out as I go.
Usually, I go to the bar, find some willing company for the night, and move on.
This has felt different from the beginning, and I’m not sure what to make of it. I need to process it myself first before my whole family gets their noses in my business.
“Gizmo is all fed, but can you take him out for me before you go to bed?” I look down at him, and he immediately flips over onto his back, giving me a hopeful look as his eye excitedly watches me upside down.
Bending down, I scratch his belly and am rewarded with a contented snort. I still haven’t decided if I’m actually keeping him, but for now, I agreed to foster him for a bit. When it came down to it, I didn’t have the heart to send him back to the shelter.
“Of course. He can snuggle with me until you get home. Unless you aren’t coming home tonight?” Her eyebrow arches as she fishes for information.
“Like I said, she’s just a friend,” I say, not falling for it.
“I love her already. She’s making you work for it, and you never have to do that. It’s nice to see you sweat a little,” she grins.
“It’s not my fault I was born looking like this and blessed with skills in the bedroom.” My lips twitch when she rolls her eyes.
“Maybe I should go with you so you don’t blow it.”
“Not a chance in hell,” I laugh, standing up.
Gizmo wiggles on the hardwood floor, scratching his back before finally getting the traction to flip back over.
I shake my head at his antics before heading to the door.
“Don’t worry, sis. I’ve got it all under control.
No one can resist my charm for too long.
It’s just a matter of time before she comes to her senses, and I’ll be right there waiting when she does. ”
I look back at her and grin as I shut the door to the eye roll she gives me.
I pull up to Molly’s a short time later and back my bike into a parking space. Ryder and Jake love this place for date nights, so I’m hoping to impress her with the cozy rooftop atmosphere overlooking the water. The sky is beautiful tonight, so the sunset should be amazing.
I secure my helmet before walking inside. I’m a little early, but I wanted to make sure we get a good table. Bypassing the front dining area, I take the elevator to the rooftop bar.
Molly’s is an old historic hotel that’s been here forever.
A few years back, it was completely renovated, and they added a whole restaurant to the upper level.
I step out onto the grey-tiled floor. A bar sits in the middle with seating around it as the bartenders mix and pour drinks.
Various outdoor sectionals are scattered about for a more social setting.
Tables meant for couples to dine are lined against the glass railing overlooking the water. I find a vacant one in the corner and head that way while I wait for Olivia to get here.
I’m scanning the menu when I feel her. It’s like the whole room gets electrified as my body reacts to her presence.
I search the restaurant before my eyes lock with hers.
She’s wearing a sage-green summer dress paired with gold sandals.
It’s strapless and hugs her curves, ending at her ankles.
A slit up the side gives me a glimpse of her long, tanned leg, and my mouth suddenly goes as dry as the Sahara Desert.
I notice the group of guys sitting near her go silent as they take her in.
A wave of possessiveness rushes through me, taking me by surprise.
It’s not a feeling I’ve ever felt before, but it’s there as I watch other men stare at her ass as she walks to my table.
The need to tell them to keep their fucking eyes to themselves has me curling my hand in a fist under the table.
Her sweet honey scent surrounds me as she reaches me, and I stand up to pull her chair out for her.
“Hi,” she says softly. Her eyes look striking against the green of her dress, making them stand out even more. She has her hair pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck, and all I can think about is what her slender neck would feel like against my palm as I’m deep inside her.
“Hi,” I finally manage to get out. I pull out her chair, and she takes a seat. “You look beautiful,” I murmur, bending close to her ear.
“Thank you,” she says quietly. Her chest expands with each breath as her breathing increases.
Black ink catches my eye, and before I can stop myself, I’m tracing the image on her skin.
A cute, small honey bee sits behind her ear, its wings spread in flight.
Behind it sits a dainty black line that forms a heart before curving to the bee, showing the path it flew.
“Sweet like honey,” I murmur, tracing the lines on her soft skin. Seeing the ink on her skin stirs something inside of me.
I’ve never felt the urge to make someone mine.
Until now .
On my next breath, my lips touch ink, and I hear her breath catch. My tongue swipes for a taste before I even register what I’m doing. All I know is she’s left a mark on me that will never fade, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine.