Tempting Miles (Azalea Creek #2)

Chapter 1

Miles

Idon’t do love.

Not the forever kind, at least—the kind that wrecks you when it’s gone.

My parents had that kind of love. They argued like every other couple, but it never took away from what mattered.

You could feel it in everything they did, especially in the way my dad looked at my mom, as if he saw only her.

When he died, Mama wilted without him. And that was enough for me to swear I’d never put myself in the position to feel that kind of loss.

Across the room, Rain laughs, glowing in a way that feels almost unreal. She’s an hour away from walking down the aisle, and she looks exactly like Ruin did on her wedding day—completely gone, completely in love.

I don’t understand how they do it. Both my sisters have been through more than their fair share of misfortunes, but somehow, they still found men who love them fiercely and without hesitation.

If I thought they wouldn’t give me shit for it, I might ask them if they’re ever scared. If that fear ever creeps in when things are quiet. But I’ve spent years building a version of myself that doesn’t ask questions like that.

To everyone else, I’m the guy who doesn’t stick around—the one-and-done type. It’s not exactly flattering, but it keeps things simple.

More importantly, it keeps women who want something real at a safe distance.

River elbows me, pulling me out of my thoughts, and passes me a glass of scotch. I nod my thanks, taking a sip as the burn settles into my chest.

“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?” I ask Xander, glancing over at him.

“Of course I am,” he says, grinning.

I shake my head, smirking. “You’re so fucking in love, it’s almost disgusting.” I love giving him and my other brother-in-law, Gio, shit for how pussy-whipped they are.

Right on cue, Gio snorts while both he and Xander roll their eyes at me, used to my shit by now. Truth is, I’m thrilled my sisters found men like them. They deserve someone who shows up, someone who doesn’t make them question where they stand.

We’re in one of the bungalows at the resort Xander and Rain rented out for the wedding—some over-the-top private island off the Colombian coast where his family’s from.

Ocean on one side, jungle on the other. Not exactly my scene, but it works for them.

All of us groomsmen are just killing time in here, waiting for the ceremony to start.

There’s a knock on the door, and we all turn toward it.

“River?” the wedding planner calls, peeking her head through the cracked door.

My oldest brother lifts his hand, almost shyly, and I can’t help but chuckle. He’s a grumpy bastard most days, but when it comes to our family, he’s basically a soft teddy bear. Today, he’s walking Rain down the aisle—just like he did for Ruin all those years ago.

I can’t even begin to imagine the weight he’s carried, stepping up and taking over everything at twenty-two.

He kept the orchard running, held the family businesses together, and made sure we all stayed afloat until Rain was ready to take over the diner.

His personal life, though? Pretty much nonexistent.

At least, that’s what it looks like from the outside.

A weird ache hits my chest. Guilt? Maybe pity?

Nah. Just the scotch burning on the way down.

Yeah, that’s it, I tell myself, squishing the feeling down where it belongs—same place I’ve kept everything since Dad died.

“We’re ready for you to get in position,” the wedding planner says, glancing at River as he heads for the door. “Everyone else, start making your way to your spots.”

River follows her out, and Xander lets out a loud whoop, bouncing on his heels. “Let’s do this!”

We head out behind him, making our way toward the beach where the ceremony’s set up. A few of Xander’s old teammates are already there waiting. He used to play pro hockey for the Carolina Red Wolves and just retired after back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.

“Look at you, goat,” one of them says, giving him a once-over. “You look so happy and relaxed.” He actually shudders.

I glance around at the sun, the ocean, the whole damn tropical paradise. We’re in the middle of the tropics—how the hell is he shuddering?

“Oh, Cody boy. When you meet the one, you’ll see—everything just clicks. Falls into place,” Xander says, slinging an arm around Cody’s shoulders.

“Yeah, no thanks. I’m in no rush to find my forever pussy.”

Everyone laughs, but the damn nagging in my chest pulls tighter. Thumping now. Like it’s trying to wake something up I’d rather keep buried.

I rub at my chest, willing it to settle. My brain must be short-circuiting with all the love talk.

I take my place in line with the rest of the groomsmen, suddenly restless. I tug at my collar, letting the breeze hit my skin, then roll my neck side to side until the tension eases. Slowly, I start feeling more grounded and finally take in the setup.

I know Rain’s been talking about this nonstop for the last few months, but I’m a visual person.

Rain went all out. It’s… kind of unreal.

Everything’s soft and floaty—lots of tulle dancing in the wind. Massive floral arrangements overflow with flowers in every shade of pink imaginable. Tea candles line the path from the resort down to the beach, leading to an arch made of flowers and hockey sticks where the officiant waits.

And Xander—Mr. Everything Just Clicks—is sweating through his dress shirt.

Oh, shit. Is he freaking out?

I lean in, unable to help myself. “Whoa, brother… You nervous?”

“Shut up, Miles. I’m about to marry my soulmate,” he mutters, jaw tight, like he’s barely keeping his emotions in check.

“Aww, that’s sweet. But she’s already got you by the balls. You know that, right?” I grin.

He huffs, then smirks. “If you only knew.”

“Ugh, fucker. I don’t need that picture of you and my sister in my head,” I say, disgusted.

Xander throws his head back, laughing. “Never start shit you can’t handle.”

The violinist kicks in, the wedding march carrying over the water, and everyone turns as River and Rain appear at the end of the candlelit path.

Xander sobers, straightening his shoulders. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he takes my little sister in.

Rain looks… yeah. Beautiful doesn’t even come close. She’s in this flowy dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, and tiny flowers decorate her hair.

River walks beside her, expression locked down. I know he’s happy for her—he’s told me so—but you wouldn’t know it looking at him. Nothing gets through. It makes me wonder if he’s been carrying everything for so long that he doesn’t even know how to put it down anymore.

I love giving him shit, but I want more for him than that.

As Rain gets closer to the altar, I scan the guests. Everyone’s smiling, their attention bouncing between her mischievous grin and Xander barely holding it together.

“You good, bro?” I ask quietly.

His gaze stays locked on Rain, but he cocks his head to the side. “I just… have this overwhelming feeling like my entire universe is walking toward me. How the hell did I get so lucky?”

He dabs his eye with the side of his finger, and without missing a beat, his dad passes him a tissue.

I drag my attention away from them and scan the guests instead. That’s when I spot Penny Levine sitting in the front row beside my mom and Granny.

I’ve known Penny for years. She’s always been fun. Easygoing. The kind of person who can make an entire room feel lighter.

But lately—ever since we started working together on Xander’s ice rink—I’ve started noticing her differently.

She’s smart. Beautiful too. Actually, she’s gotten more beautiful over time.

Her hazel eyes catch the light when she laughs, little gold flecks flashing.

The way one eyebrow lifts when she’s waiting for an answer gets a reaction out of me every damn time.

She’s polished— always dressed to the nines, not a strand of hair out of place, high heels all day long.

I can’t help but wonder if she’ll still show up like that once we break ground. Doesn’t seem practical. Or safe.

My gaze drifts lower before I can stop it, and when I look back up, she’s already watching me—brow arched like she’s calling me out for looking at her titties.

Busted.

I clear my throat and tug at my collar again, letting the sea breeze cool me off. By the time I turn back, the officiant is already singing the couple’s praises.

I shouldn’t be looking at Penny Levine. Definitely shouldn’t be drooling over the woman’s chest. She’s got her life completely in order. Successful, refined. And rich—filthy rich. And not just from working as Gio’s financial advisor either. From what I’ve heard, she comes from money.

Yeah, I definitely can’t go there.

I’m doing fine for myself, but I’m not built for a lavish lifestyle. I’m no man for a brat.

Although if she ever decides to test drive my dick, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

Fuck, here I go again.

I press my lips together as Granny’s voice cuts through my thoughts. One of these days, that head you let do all the thinking is going to get you in trouble.

Shaking it off, I push the thoughts away and focus on my sister’s wedding.

Tonight is about Rain and Xander. Nothing else.

The reception’s in full swing, and Xander and Rain spared no expense.

Three chefs are working different stations—a full seafood bar, a grilling station, and a spread of traditional Colombian food.

I’ve eaten enough to knock me out for the night, but I’ll be damned if I tap out before the bride and groom.

Now that both my sisters are married, God knows when the next wedding will be.

River’s too busy outrunning all his trauma to see what’s been right in front of him for a while now.

Merlin—my youngest brother—just signed with an expansion team in the National Soccer League.

Kid’s living his dream. And me? Yeah, no thanks.

Everyone knows attachments aren’t my thing.

“Miles.”