Chapter 2
Miles
One Month Later
Penny Levine has been on my ass since seven this morning.
About materials. Timelines. Orders. Things I’ve been handling on my own for years without anyone hovering over my shoulder.
And I get it. This isn’t just another job. There’s a lot of money riding on this project, and the community is amped up about it.
Still doesn’t mean I have to like it.
I let my mind wander for a minute to simpler times. To when she fit perfectly between the palm tree and my body. The way she kept asking for more as I slid inside her tight pussy, making her come again and again, while the ocean breeze cooled our skin as we burned under the moonlight.
A sharp tapping sound pulls me out of the memory.
“Miles, when did you order these pipes? I thought we agreed to place all orders on Fridays,” she says, her pen tapping against that fancy little notebook of hers. Or whatever the hell it’s called.
It’s been a week since we broke ground on the ice rink, and I’m already fucking exhausted.
I get it. Gio is the main investor on this project, and he wants everything to run smoothly. But I’m not used to someone overseeing my every move.
“Well, we needed those pipes first thing next week to start pouring the concrete columns and running the lines,” I say, my tone sharper than usual. “If we waited until today, they wouldn’t have made it on time.”
Penny closes her eyes for a second before pushing out of her chair. She’s got one of those converted shipping container offices set up on site.
Everything is white and gold.
In the middle of a fucking construction zone.
Yeah, Ms. Penny Levine is a millionaire bad ass, hotter than all other women. And because life apparently loves irony, she also comes from one of the richest families in Charlotte.
Not that I ever wanted that kind of money. I’m good with a solid house, food on the table, and enough to pay the bills without stressing.
So no, this isn’t me being upset because a woman is my boss. It’s about stepping into territory that’s way bigger than what I’m used to.
Ever since I started working in construction, I’ve worn all the hats—project manager, builder, electrician. I know my shit. But this project is something different. I’ve mostly worked on houses and smaller builds.
An ice rink is a whole other level.
At this rate, I’m not sure who’s going to blow a gasket first.
My money’s on me.
Penny leans forward, rolling her shoulders as she presses on her neck, and the movement pulls my attention to her breasts.
My memory decides to be a menace and goes right back to having those bouncy tits in my mouth. The way she said my name—like a damn prayer—as I sucked hard on her nipples.
Fuck. I take a deep breath. Like the other three-point-four million breaths I’ve had to take since that night.
Penny Levine is impossible to forget.
“Miles?” she calls.
When I look at her, she’s all business. Lips flat, eyes sharp.
“Sorry, Ms. Levine. Next time I’ll ask permission before buying something we actually need and delaying the inauguration,” I say, throwing her a wink as I turn on my heel, ready to bolt before I tell her I’m done with this bullshit.
But she’s not done.
“Miles MacAllister.” She says my full name in that bossy tone of hers, and I freeze mid-step. “Wait a damn minute.”
My spine straightens, but I don’t turn around. There’s a very real chance I’ll kiss her instead of keep arguing over fucking pipes.
The carpet in her office muffles her steps, so I don’t hear her coming, but she’s in front of me in seconds, blocking my escape like she planned it.
“This project is going to take at least fifteen months—twelve if we’re lucky,” she says, lifting her hands and counting all the things she’s doing but isn’t a fan of.
“I drive back and forth from Charlotte every day. I had to cut my office essentials to what you see here. I don’t even have a private bathroom. ”
I cross my arms, not bothering to hide my annoyance at her rich-girl complaints. “Listen, sugar. I’m sorry this job site is below your standards, but no one forced you to take charge. I’ve been doing this gig a long time and never had an issue managing the money and the work.”
“It just so happens that this time you’re not just building a house, Miles. It’s a freaking ice rink. Millions of dollars are being invested here.”
“So what—you think I can’t handle that? Or that I only got this job because I’m Gio and Xander’s brother-in-law?”
I see the exact moment my words land. Her whole posture shifts, going rigid.
I have to fight the urge to smirk. She looks way too good when she’s pissed.
“No, I didn’t say that, and you know it,” she snaps, her arms dropping to her sides as she stomps one heel into the carpet. There’s no sound, which somehow makes it worse. Instead of looking like the badass boss she is, she looks like she’s about two seconds away from throwing a fit.
“Maybe the real issue here is that, for all intents and purposes, I’m your boss on this project, and you don’t like having a woman in charge.”
I roll my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t get stuck. “For fuck’s sake, Penny, be real. I might not be the most feminist guy out there, but I’ve got zero problem with a woman being in charge.” The words are out before I can stop them. “More than anyone, you should know that.”
I see it happen—upset flips to full-on mad.
Fuck.
“Oh, so that’s what this is about.” She mirrors me, crossing her arms. With her, though, it just makes everything more noticeable, and I have to clench my jaw to keep my eyes where they belong.
“You’re having trouble reconciling the fact that you’ve seen me naked, so now you can’t work with me?”
She storms to her desk, and her perfume hits me as she passes—sweet, with that hint of berries—and my brain goes straight to places it shouldn’t.
Her nails digging into my back, her sugar-and-spice scent filling my lungs and getting permanently engraved in my brain.
I grit my teeth.
“I thought you were a grown man, Miles,” she says, swinging her bag onto her shoulder and knocking into my arm on her way past. “Guess I was wrong.”
Wait—she’s leaving?
I follow her out before I can stop myself, completely incapable of doing a single thing to save my ass from my mouth.
“Ms. Levine, do you have a minute?” Christian, one of the employees, calls out.
I stop a few feet away, suddenly unable to let her walk away just yet.
“Yes, of course,” Penny says easily as she bends slightly at the knees to meet a little girl I hadn’t noticed before at eye level.
Penny gives her a small wave, and the girl shyly waves back.
“Ms. Levine, this is my daughter, Madison.” Christian pauses, clearly nervous about whatever he’s going to say next.
He takes a deep breath before continuing.
“She’s smart as a whip, and last summer, after Mr. González mentioned the hockey rink opening here in town, she became obsessed with hockey. And by obsessed, I mean obsessed.”
He chuckles while Madison groans beside him.
“That’s great, Madison. I hope you get to sign up for the summer program,” Penny says without missing a beat.
“Well…” Madison shifts awkwardly. “Daddy said I could sign up if we can afford the equipment, which isn’t cheap, let’s be real.”
The girl sounds about fifteen, even though she can’t be older than ten.
“I’m a businesswoman,” Penny says in the calm, confident boss voice of hers that revs me up, “so I’m guessing that’s why you came to talk to me.”
Madison nods, her expression full of wonder and hope.
“Okay, I’ll make you a deal,” Penny says, smiling softly. “You keep your grades up—As and Bs for the rest of the school year—and you convince enough girls to form a team. If summer comes around and everybody’s still doing well in school, I’ll sponsor an all-girls team.”
Madison launches herself at Penny before she can even finish speaking.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she repeats breathlessly.
Penny laughs and awkwardly pats the girl’s shoulder. “You have spunk, Madison. We need more of that in this world.”
After Christian thanks her about fifty times, and Penny reassures him she’s genuinely happy to help, she starts walking toward her car again.
“I expect a detailed list of materials for the next three weeks on my desk by eight Monday morning,” she throws over her shoulder. Have a good weekend, baby boy.”
A shiver runs through me as a memory from that night crashes into the front of my brain.
“That was good, baby boy. Maybe you’ll get lucky again sometime.”
She flashes me a too-sweet smile, and my body reacts without my permission.
I shouldn’t enjoy going at it with her this much, but no one’s ever pushed me like she does. It was supposed to be a one-night thing.
My dick didn’t get the memo.
“Baby boy?” I mutter, already moving.
Fuck, is she trying to kill me?
I reach her BMW in a few long strides and rap my knuckles against the window. When she lowers it, I lean in just enough.
“I might be a lot of things,” I say quietly, “but I’m no baby boy.”
Her eyes flick to my mouth.
“I watched you come on my grown-ass man cock, darling.”
Heat climbs up her chest, and her cheeks turn a dark pink.
“That might be true, but grown-ass men usually let go when they agree to no-strings sex. And you, baby boy, seem to be stuck between the palm trees and the ocean.”
With that, she throws the car in reverse and hauls ass out of the job site.
I stay there, rooted in place, watching her taillights until they blur into two red dots and disappear.
She’s right.
And I fucking hate that.
Still doesn’t change the fact that I can’t get her out of my head.
It’s not like I’m in love with Penny.
Fuck.
That night, we moved like we were on the same frequency. Every touch, every shift of her body—she somehow knew exactly what I wanted before I said a word. She was so fucking responsive. Everything between us felt so damn natural, like her body was made for me.
It’s time for me to go vibe somewhere else.
I quickly fire off a text to the group chat before I head to my office to grab my shit.
Miles: He-yo! What are we doing tonight? *eyes emoji*
As soon as I get in my truck, I check my phone.
Gio: Hey! I’m grilling steaks for dinner, then we’re having a dance party with the twins. You’re more than welcome to join us.
Xander: Rain’s been throwing up all day. Chicken soup and saltines for us.
Manny: Throwing up? Do you want me to stop by? Tommy and I are having pizza and movie night. You can join us if you want, Miles.
River: I’m going to check on Mom and Granny, then I’m going home.
Merlin: I just landed in Miami. The match is tomorrow at twelve-thirty. I hope you all watch, assholes. *heart emoji*
That last text pulls a faint smile out of me. I’m so fucking proud of my little bro. He’s the only one of us who didn’t let Dad’s death derail his life, and now he’s out there living his dream with a National Soccer League team.
Miles: You all are boring as fuck—except you, Merlin. Proud of you, bro! I’ll catch you all later.
Xander: That’s what happens when you’re single and have no wingman, Miles. Go to the bar and get a beer or two. Maybe you’ll meet someone.
Xander: Thanks, Manny. But there’s no need for you to come over and check on Rain. She’s pregnant—nothing you can do about that.
River: WHAT??? MY SISTER IS PREGNANT AND THAT’S HOW YOU TELL US, ASSHAT?!
Gio: Oh! Now my wife’s behavior makes so much sense! Congrats, Xander. Welcome to the Dad club!
Manny: Happy news! Congrats, Xander.
Xander: @ River oops! Sorry, bro. I wasn’t supposed to share that yet. Whenever Rain tells you please act surprised!! She’s going to kill me. *dead emoji*
Merlin: Awww, another niece or nephew to spoil? Congrats, Goat!
Miles: Oh shit, Xander. How can you spill the beans like this? My sister is going to rip you a new one.
Xander: In my defense, I’ve been taking care of my woman, and my brain might not be functioning properly on little to no sleep.
I chuckle at Xander’s text. I can picture him following Rain around, taking care of her day and night. He’s head over heels for her.
Miles: Congrats, man. I’m happy for you both.
Miles: Anyway, happy Friday everyone! See you all later.
With zero desire to head to the bar, I head to the Rustic Spoon instead. I need a solid meal, then I’m crashing in my bed.
Alone.
Still thinking about Penny fucking Levine.