Chapter 31
Penny
Ifeel Iighter after coming clean to Miles.
Like I’ve been carrying a boulder on my chest for weeks, and he helped me set it down without even trying.
He was so understanding and mature. Didn’t yell. Didn’t judge me. Didn’t make me feel stupid for falling for Easton’s trap.
And when he looked me straight in the eyes and told me he was claiming me?
My inner cheerleader nearly blacked out.
Because this man—this incredible man—marched straight into a ballroom of Charlotte’s richest and most powerful people just to make sure I was okay.
Then, when he realized I wasn’t, he made it his mission to make me feel safe.
“We’re here,” Miles says as he turns into the parking lot of a ski resort.
“What is this place?” I ask, staring at the massive lodge ahead of us. The building is all dark wood, stone, and giant windows overlooking the mountains.
“The place where nobody will care who we are,” he says simply as he parks the truck.
“Shit.”
Miles freezes halfway through opening his door. “What’s wrong?”
“If I don’t have my wallet, then I don’t have my ID.” Penny creeps back in. “How are we going to check-in?”
My brain is already spiraling toward calling Mami, asking her to bring my things, and getting dragged right back into the chaos I wanted to escape.
So much for disappearing for a while.
Miles, however, looks completely unbothered.”
“Not true,” he says with a smug little grin.
I narrow my eyes. “What does that mean?”
He hops out of the truck and walks around to my side before opening the door for me.
“Let’s go, sugar.” His grin widens. “It’s time to make some introductions.”
When we walk into the resort lobby, Miles heads straight for the check-in desk.
“Hey there,” he says easily. “Is Amos around?”
The girl behind the desk nods.
“Can you tell him Miles MacAllister is here?”
As she reaches for the phone, I slip an arm around Miles’s waist. He pulls me closer and presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“How are you feeling?” he asks softly.
“Exhausted,” I admit. “I think I need a bath and a nap before we figure out what we’re doing next.”
Miles nods and whispers against my ear. “I can definitely help with some tension relief later.
A rush of electricity runs through me.
“Miles?” a voice calls.
We turn to find a man around Miles’s age walking toward us. Light brown hair, honey-colored eyes, khakis, and a white button-down shirt with the resort logo embroidered on the chest.
“Hey, man.” Miles gives him a quick half hug.
“What a surprise.” Amos’s gaze lands on me with curiosity.
“Yeah, well… shit hit the fan today, and Penny and I need somewhere to disappear for a few days.”
“Good to meet you, Penny. He offers me his hand with an easy smile. Amos Smith.”
“Penny Levine.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “No shit.”
“Well…” Miles scratches the back of his neck. “We left Charlotte in a rush, and she doesn’t have her wallet on her. Think we could check in as Mr. and Mrs. MacAllister?”
“What?” Amos and I say at the same time.
Miles shrugs like this is completely normal. “Well, yeah. We’re together.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling too hard.
Amos looks at me carefully. “Are you okay with that, Ms. Levine?”
“Sure. I just don’t want you getting in trouble because of me.”
“Not happening.” Amos waves the concern away. “Miles and I go way back.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, curiosity getting the best of me.
“Azalea Creek born and raised. Miles and I went to school together.”
“And his little sister, Meadow, went to school with Merlin,” Miles adds as he holds the office door open for me. “Our families have always known each other.”
I nod, remembering that Merlin is the MacAllister soccer star.
“That’s actually kind of impressive,” I say as Amos types on his computer. “I don’t think I’ve met many people from Azalea Creek who actually left.”
Miles and Amos exchange a look before laughing.
“Let’s just say the town wasn’t big enough for me and my ex,” Amos says dryly.
I glance at Miles, and he winks.
“I’ll tell you later,” he mouths.
After a few clicks, Amos grabs two key cards and hands them to Miles.
“Here you go, lovebirds. Enjoy your stay.”
“I owe you one, man,” Miles says as he takes my hand again.
Amos pats him on the back. “I’ll add it to your tab.”
Then he looks at me and flashes a flirty grin. “Great meeting you, Ms. Levine. Hope to see you around.”
“Fuck off, man. She’s taken,” Miles says, sliding a hand to the small of my back.
Amos’s eyes go wide with mock shock.
“Oh shit. This is serious.” He points at Miles. “Never thought I’d live to see the day. Miles MacAllister is a goner.”
His hooting and hollering echo through the lobby as he disappears down the hallway.
“Jackass,” Miles mutters, though he’s clearly fighting a smile.
I snicker under my breath as we head toward the elevators.
“So,” I ask, remembering we still haven’t checked the room assignment, “which room are we in?”
Miles flips over the key cards, then he whistles low.
“Honeymoon suite, baby.”
I lift my eyebrows in surprise.
“Well…” He gives me a teasing grin before offering me a bow. “Should I carry you to our suite, Mrs. MacAllister?”
I melt a little at the playful affection in his voice.
We walk into the suite, and exhaustion crashes into me all over again.
“Scale from one to ten,” he asks as he tosses the keys onto the table, “how tired are you?”
“Hmm…” I kick off my shoes. “About an eight?”
“Good.” He gently grabs my waist and lays me back against the bed.
“What do you mean good?”
“I mean,” he says as he climbs onto the mattress beside me, “we can have a little fun first and get you all the way to ten. Then you’ll sleep like a rock.”
I cackle at his logic. “You’re so full of shit, MacAllister. “
I swing one leg over his lap and straddle him slowly, grinding my aching chore against him.
“Just admit you can’t wait to be inside me.”
A rough sound leaves his throat, and his hands land on my hips, guiding my movements instead of stopping them.
“Yes, sugar,” he says darkly. “I can’t wait to feel that greedy pussy squeezing me again.”
Heat rushes through my body. I quickly pull my shirt over my head while Miles watches me like he’s starving.
“I’ve missed these,” he murmurs as his hands slide up my waist to my chest.
He hooks his fingers into the cups of my bra and slowly pulls them down, exposing my sensitive nipples to the cool air.
A shiver rolls through me, and I cover my chest as his gaze darkens even more.
“Miles,” I whisper breathlessly. “I’m a greedy hoe for you. Can you please fuck me now?”
I start pulling his sweats down his hips.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, his voice rough with want. “Whenever you want.”
In one quick movement, he flips us over until I’m beneath him.
I yelp, excited at the change of pace.
He shoves down his boxers just enough to free himself, and my mouth nearly waters at the sight of him hard and ready for me.
I make quick work of removing my shorts and panties.
Then his expression changes.
“I need to warn you,” Miles says as he lines himself up to my entrance. “I’m not going to be gentle. I’m not going to take my time.” His forehead presses against mine. “I want to claim you, brand you. Sear into your heart and soul that you belong with me.”
Heat races through me.
“With me,” he growls. “Not with a richie rich asshole. Only me.”
My hands slide into his hair. “With you,” I whisper before pulling his mouth down to mine, fusing our lips.
He thrusts into me in one deep stroke.
“Fuck, Penny,” he groans against my lips. “You’re so fucking wet for me.”
Then he starts moving in earnest.
It’s hard. Deep. Relentless. Exactly what my body has been craving.
I cling to his shoulder, loving the feeling of him ramming into me.
“You like that?” he asks roughly between thrusts. “You like when I fuck you hard, boss?”
I can barely form coherent thoughts, let alone words, so I nod instead.
“That’s my girl.”
The praise alone nearly makes me come apart.
“Tell me who fucks you like you deserve to be fucked?” he demands softly.
“You.”
“Who wants to spend every single minute of the rest of his life making you happy?”
“You.”
His eyes lock onto mine. “Who loves you more than his life?”
I stare at him, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs.
“That’s right,” he says hoarsely. “Penélope Marie Levine, I. Love. You.” Each word punctuated by a deep thrust.
Emotion crashes into me so hard it physically hurts.
“You,” I gasp, cupping his face between my hands. “Miles John. You and only you.”
A broken sound leaves him. “Fuck yes, sugar. Me. Your man.”
The intensity of it all becomes too much, and my walls clench around him.
“That’s it, give it to me. I know you’re close.”
“I fucking love you, Miles,” I shout as a blinding light clouds my vision and pure ecstasy travels through my veins.
Miles follows right after me with a rough groan, burying his face against my neck as he rides out the wave with me wrapped tightly around him.
For a long moment, neither of us moves.
Then he lifts his head just enough to grin down at me.
“That was the most beautiful declaration of love, sugar,” he murmurs. “And you cursing as you came? Fucking perfection.”
I laugh breathlessly before pulling him down for another kiss.
“Thanks, baby,” I whisper against his lips. “I officially feel relaxed now.”
He pulls out, but instead of getting up and looking for something to clean himself with, he drops to his knees.
My eyes widen when I realize what he’s doing.
“Miles…”
“What?” he asks innocently, settling himself between my thighs. “I’m not done taking care of my woman yet.”
The look in his eyes sends another shiver through me.
And instead of protesting, I relax into the pillows, widen my legs, and let the man I love worship me until exhaustion finally pulls me under.