Chapter 25
Miles
I’ve been busy planning my V-Day date with Penny. I even gave it a name: Indulgence Day.
River says it’s just an excuse to woo a woman I supposedly have no interest in marrying.
But that’s the thing—I’m not so sure I hate the idea of sharing my life with someone anymore. Things with Penny have been so effortlessly easy. Part of me thinks it’s because we both understand what this is: temporary, uncomplicated, no feelings attached.
But deep down, I think it’s something else entirely.
The way she looks at me when I cook for her… It’s like no one has ever taken care of her in the simplest ways. I could see Penny being the kind of woman who never lets anyone do things for her. She’s too strong, too determined, too used to carrying everything on her own.
But she lets me.
More than that, she enjoys it.
“Ready to head out?” I ask as Penny walks out of her room.
She’s freshly showered, her damp hair starting to curl up around her shoulders—my favorite look on her by far. Wild. Soft. Carefree.
“Head out? So early?” she asks, confusion all over her face. “It’s barely seven-thirty. I haven’t even had my morning coffee yet.” She practically whines as she flops onto the couch.
“That can be easily fixed, m’lady.” I give an exaggerated flourish as I hand her a freshly brewed cup of coffee with a splash of cream and just enough sugar to make her happy.
“You’re an angel,” she says dreamily after taking a sip.
I grin. “Just wait and see what I have planned for today.”
I extend my hand to help her up from the couch. She takes it easily, pressing a kiss to my cheek as she stands.
“Wait.” She pauses mid-step. “Don’t we need a weekender bag or something? I packed a few essentials."
She starts heading back to her room.
“I mean, you can bring whatever you want, but I’m pretty sure I already took care of every single detail.” I squeeze her hand lightly. “It’s Indulgence Day, after all.”
“Okay, let’s go.” She beams. “I like the idea of going with nothing but our hopes and dreams in my heart.”
She practically skips out the front door.
A quiet laugh leaves me as I follow after her.
She’s so damn excited. I swear I’d spend every single dollar to my name if it meant keeping her this happy.
“I love when you lower your walls, boss,” I tell her with a wink as we walk outside hand in hand. “You know you don't always have to be perfect with me.”
The second the words leave my mouth, my heart stutters.
I’ve never said love to a woman who wasn’t family before.
Luckily, Penny either doesn’t notice or doesn’t think anything of it, because she keeps walking toward the car with a pep in her step.
“Who’s this?” she asks when she notices the black SUV with tinted windows idling in my driveway.
“The guy driving us to the heliport.”
The moment my words register, she whips around to face me, both hands landing on my chest with a thud.
Good thing I gave her coffee in a travel mug, otherwise I’d be wearing most of it right now.
“Miles, you don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money on me,” she whisper-shouts. “You know I’d be perfectly happy spending the day here with you. Good food, wine, relaxing in the tub…” Her eyes widen meaningfully, like she’s trying to make a point without actually saying the words out loud.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I tuck a few strands of her hair behind her ears. “I told you today was about indulgence. All the benefits.”
Her eyes flutter closed under my touch.
“And don’t even start with this whole ‘too expensive for a blue-collar guy’ thing,” I add in a tone that leaves no room for argument. “I might not be a millionaire, but I’ve got enough to spoil you from time to time.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean—”
“Boss, it’s okay.” I cut her off gently. “I know who you are, I know who I am. No need for apologies. We’re just two adults enjoying each other.”
I give her a reassuring smile.
“Thank you,” she murmurs before pressing her lips against my chest.
I help her into the back of the SUV, and instead of buckling her seat belt right away, she curls into my side and rests her head on my shoulder.
When she sighs happily, completely relaxed against me, I feel like I’m the king of these fucking mountains.
The distant thump of helicopter blades cuts through the quiet a few minutes later.
I’ve never ridden in a helicopter before, so by the time we’re standing in front of Gio’s bird, I’m swallowing hard.
The roar of the blades is so loud and intense it rattles through my chest.
Then Penny slips her fingers through mine, squeezing gently.
“Hey,” she says softly. “It’s okay. Julian’s a great pilot.”
There’s no mocking, no teasing in her voice—just warmth.
Just Penny.
I inhale deeply through my nose before slowly letting the breath back out.
And somehow, with one of the strongest people I know standing beside me, I know I’ll be okay.
The ride ends up being smooth the entire way to Raleigh, where we quickly board Gio’s private jet.
“Miles, this is so exciting.” Penny practically vibrates in her seat. “I have no clue where we’re going, but the anticipation is killing me.”
Her eyes are bright, her cheeks flushed pink from excitement. She looks gorgeous.
And the best part?
She’s smiling like this because of something I planned for her.
Granted, I’m pretty sure most women would enjoy getting whisked away on a private jet for Valentine’s Day.
But Penny grew up around this kind of luxury. None of this is new to her.
“The only thing I know,” she says thoughtfully, “is that we’re probably not going to Vegas.”
I frown. “How do you figure?”
“Well, that’s where Gio and Ruin went. If we’re going too, we’d have left with them.” She lifts an eyebrow like she’s daring me to prove her wrong.
I grin. “That’s solid logic.”
“I know.”
“But what if they just didn’t want to share the jet with us?”
Penny laughs. “Good point. Gio definitely wouldn’t want us third-wheeling their baby moon.”
Then her entire expression changes.
“Hey, hotstuff.”
I blink.
“I’m sorry—What did you just call me?”
“Hotstuff,” she repeats casually as she unbuckles her seat belt and climbs into my lap. “You’re always calling me sugar and boss and sweetheart.” She shrugs while lazily playing with my hair. “I figured I should probably come up with another thing to moan when you make me come.”
“Fuck, sugar.”
It’s the only thing I manage before I pull her mouth to mine.
I kiss her hard, gripping her ass and dragging her tighter against me.
My greedy cock is already hard by the time she starts grinding slowly against me, and somehow it still shocks me how much this woman affects me.
Who would have thought dry humping would be so hot at thirty? We’ve slept together more times than I can count now, but even this feels hot enough to melt my damn brain.
I’m pretty sure anything involving Penny Levine would.
The only reason we stop is because the pilot announces we need to take our seats for landing.
“New York?” Penny shrieks as the jet circles over the city, skyscrapers stretching up around us like we could reach out and touch them.
“Yeah.” I scratch the back of my neck, suddenly second-guessing every decision I made for today. “I hope you like it here.”
“I can’t wait to see what you planned for us,” she says softly, though she still hasn’t looked away from the window.
“Hey,” I wait until she finally turns toward me. “What’s wrong?”
She bites her bottom lip, and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“Nothing.” A small smile curves her lips. “It’s just… no one’s even done something like this for me before.”
It’s strange seeing someone as strong and as put-together as Penny look genuinely overwhelmed over my getaway plan. But I’m glad I’m the one giving this to her.
I reach for her hand and lace our fingers together.
“First I need to feed you, then we’re doing an activity I think you’ll really enjoy.” I kiss the back of her hand before we step off the jet together.
“Miles.”
Penny comes to a complete stop when she spots an SUV idling on the runway.
“What?” I ask, trying hard not to laugh at the look on her face. I glance away before she catches how pleased I am by her reaction.
“Please tell me this car isn’t waiting for us?” she whispers.
“Of course it is. How else was I supposed to get you around the city?” I grin. “You can’t seriously expect me to navigate the subway with you, sugar.”
“Oh, so now you think I can’t handle public transportation?”
“I’m sure you’d be perfectly fine.” I lean down, lowering my voice near her ear. “But I wouldn’t know how to get us anywhere. This is my first time in New York.”
Her face transforms with a gentle smile.
“Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m excited to discover the city with you.” I wink. “Besides, I wouldn’t be able to kiss you or touch you the way I want if we were underground with a hundred strangers.”
When I pull back, sure enough, her eyes are already sparkling with mischief.
“That’s what I thought,” I murmur as I open the car door and help her inside.
“I knew you were a gentleman, but the lengths you’re going to just to make today memorable…” Her voice trails off as the SUV starts moving, emotion shining in her eyes.
My heart does a damn somersault.
And the realization hits me hard enough to knock the air out of my lungs.
This version of happiness Penny’s been tempting me with? It’s exactly how I want to spend the rest of my life.
Making her happy. Being happy just because I’m with her.
“Hey,” Penny says softly as I close my eyes. “You okay?”
“I’m okay.” I keep my eyes shut as I squeeze her hand gently. “I think now that we’re finally on the ground, my nerves are settling.”
It’s easier than admitting the truth.