Chapter Eleven
Milo
The night before, I drove Eden to her apartment at the far end of town, walked her to her door, spent a heavenly few minutes kissing her, and barely—just barely—managed to bid her goodnight before things got too heated.
With hazy eyes, she murmured the words back to me and I had to fight the urge to tug her back into my arms.
This was a marathon, not a sprint.
It was slightly more difficult to keep myself distracted on Saturday, since that was the day Rafael worked the store alone unless we had a special event on the calendar, and Dueling Dragons was closed on Sundays. At home with Jiji, I was all too free to let thoughts of Eden occupy my mind.
Thoughts, fantasies…and memories.
Sunlight glinting auburn in Eden’s hair. The curve of her thigh peeking from beneath those petticoats. Her black satin corset falling to the floor. The sweetness of her mouth, the sounds tumbling from her lips.
I killed a few hours doing laundry, cleaning up the house, and cuddling with Jiji, all while trying to keep myself from texting Eden. As though he could hear my agitation, Maverick invited me and Mark over for a Davies game night at his place, and I immediately accepted.
Of course, Mark’s wife, Libby, had a standing invitation to these game nights, but she usually took the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet at home instead. She’d attended often enough over the years to hold her own, even if she wasn’t quite as good at video games as Eden.
I couldn’t wait to introduce the two of them. My sister-in-law was an amazing person and I had a feeling she would hit it off with Eden right away.
Unfortunately, Mark waited too long to confess his undying love to Libby in their youth—she and their other best friend, Henry, started dating in high school and got married in college. Somehow, they all managed to stay friends despite my brother’s heartbreak.
When Henry and Libby realized they weren’t right for each other after only a year of marriage, they got divorced. Mark eventually gathered the courage to speak up about his feelings, but it took almost a decade before he overcame the fear of messing things up further.
Miraculously, their friendship survived that hurdle, too. It was like our own Spruce Hill soap opera.
If Maverick’s experience had taught me to be careful about not giving my heart to the wrong person, Mark’s taught me that when it was right, it was right, and hesitation might mean losing everything.
Carter threw open the door when I showed up, his eyes alight. “Uncle Milo! I was just telling Uncle Mark about your girlfriend.”
“Of course you were,” I grumbled, tousling his hair.
“How did I get so far out of the gossip loop that this is the first I’m hearing about a girlfriend?” Mark demanded as I threw myself down on the other end of the couch.
“First and foremost, she’s not actually my girlfriend.” Not yet, anyway.
“Dad said she’s the one from Comic Con,” Carter cut in, dark brows scrunched together. “I thought she was the love of your life.”
Maverick showed up with three beer bottles and a can of Sprite, shaking his head. “I don’t think those were my exact words, buddy, and I learned my lesson. I’ll be keeping my big mouth shut about Milo’s love life from here on out.”
“Wow,” Mark breathed. His gaze darted between us as he absorbed the information. “I missed more than a little gossip, I think.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a game controller from the coffee table. “When it’s official, I’ll let you know.”
“She owns a lingerie shop,” Carter whispered to Mark.
“Lingerie, huh? Do you even know what that means?”
Carter’s expression was perfectly serious. “Nightgowns and stuff for ladies, I think.”
“Does she do gift wrapping?” Mark asked. “Maybe I should stop in. Libby’s birthday is coming up.”
“Seems like a better gift for your birthday,” Maverick muttered.
Carter blinked at him. “Why?”
“I think we should stop talking about lingerie. And Eden. And my love life,” I suggested, though I should’ve let Maverick sweat longer under his son’s guileless gaze.
The three of them fell silent while Carter loaded up the game, then he gave me a quick side-eye and said, “She’s really, really pretty.”
My brothers burst out laughing.
“I’m going to have to crush you for that,” I said to Carter, keeping my eyes on the television screen.
The game proved to be a distraction for about half an hour before we took a break to eat some pizza, then Mark tipped his head at me between bites.
“How serious is it?” he asked softly.
Though our middle brother looked like a surfer with his tanned skin, sunkissed blonde hair, and the laid back charm to match, he’d always been astute, able to read people at a glance. Whatever he saw in my face must have been enough to answer the question, because his lips curved upward.
“Excellent. I look forward to meeting her.”
I sighed, but part of me looked forward to that, too.
If my gut feeling was correct, that our connection went beyond one hookup and a couple sorta-dates, I wanted her to get to know my family.
We were tight, like Eden was with her cousins, even though she’d made it clear she wasn’t close to her family beyond that.
My brothers might love any excuse to rag on me, but they did occasionally know when to let a subject drop. Since they didn’t bring her up again, I decided it was my lucky night.
Sunday morning, I hit the grocery store in town, did some meal prep for the week, and lounged around until I couldn’t stand it anymore.
Eden had given me her phone number during dinner at my house, but I didn’t want to interrupt her at work.
Besides, I knew she had shorter hours on Sundays and would be closing up at three, so I forced myself to be patient.
I had just stretched out on the couch when Jiji hopped up and settled himself on the center of my chest. Stroking a hand over his sleek black fur, I stared up at the ceiling, completely ignoring the mindless television show playing across the living room.
At five after three, my phone buzzed, startling us both. Jiji’s claws tensed into my skin, but I managed not to dislodge him as I wrestled my phone from my pocket and read the text from Eden.
What are the chances you’re free tonight?
I blew out a breath, grinning stupidly at the screen. Extremely high. Jiji misses you, he wants me to make dinner for us. What do you think?
I think that sounds amazing, though I didn’t mean to invite myself over.
Don’t worry, I was going to text the invitation once I was sure you were done at work. Five o’clock good for you?
She didn’t respond immediately, so I closed my eyes and imagined her in one of those sweet outfits of hers, locking up the store and walking to her car.
My mind rotated through a few clothing options, from the swingy retro dresses to the prim and professional look she’d sported on Friday, then my phone vibrated again.
Absolutely. See you then.
Dinner preparation was well underway when my doorbell rang. Jiji sat perched on the back of the couch, grooming himself like he wasn’t as excited about Eden’s arrival as I was.
At least, that was my interpretation of his twitching ears and big yellow eyes.
I swung open the door to find Eden wearing black leggings and a bright turquoise shirt that fell off one shoulder, revealing the wide strap of a black bra or tank top underneath.
She looked like she’d stepped out of an eighties-themed exercise class, minus the legwarmers, and damn if this look didn’t do it for me just like everything else I’d seen her wearing.
“Hey,” I said, my voice coming out lower than usual.
Eden’s eyes warmed. “Hi.”
“Come on in. Jiji’s been waiting for you.”
I tried—I swear to God, I tried—to keep my gaze from dropping to her ass, but when she bent down to nuzzle Jiji, I lost the fight. It hadn’t even been forty-eight hours since the last time I saw her and I felt like I was starved for her.
“Dinner smells wonderful,” she said as she straightened.
Though my gaze shot to her face, I knew she’d caught me. Her lips tipped upward, she crossed her arms over her chest, and those twinkling eyes narrowed. I fought the urge to cover the distance between us and kiss that adorable smirk off her face.
“See something you like, Milo?”
“Fuck yes,” I muttered.
A startled laugh burst from her lips, then it was Eden closing the distance, rising up on her toes as her arms tangled around my shoulders. My hands went to her waist, slipping under the fabric of her shirt so I could brush my fingertips over bare skin.
“Then what are you waiting for?” she whispered against my lips.
I couldn’t manage more than a growl before I captured her sweet, laughing mouth.
It took less than a heartbeat for her to melt into me, each soft curve of her body molding against my frame.
When I stroked my tongue into her mouth, she purred deep in her throat, and I let one hand slide down to cup the perfect ass she’d caught me admiring.
A persistent beep from the oven timer cut through the bliss of having her in my arms, and we drew reluctantly apart. Eden’s cheeks were pink, her eyes a dark, hazy gold. I couldn’t resist another quick touch of our lips before taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen.
“What are we having?” she asked as she climbed onto a stool at the breakfast bar.
“Herb-crusted chicken and rice pilaf, with fresh buttermilk biscuits and corn. I hope you’re hungry, because I’m not used to cooking for two people and I might have overestimated a bit.”
She laughed. “I’m starving, so extra sounds great.”
It felt good, having her here with me as I moved throughout the kitchen. I enjoyed cooking because I enjoyed eating, but it wasn’t often that I had company to appreciate the fruits of my efforts. As I was flipping the chicken breasts, Eden’s voice broke through the quiet.
“I hate cooking.”