Page 24 of Tempting Miles
Penny gives Granny a soft, genuine smile, and something inside me stirs.
Penny’s already part of this family. Everyone loves her. Respects her. But hearing she took care of all that for Granny without ever mentioning it hits me harder than it should.
I haven’t seen much of her this week—we’ve mostly stuck to emails instead of her stopping by my office—but fuck if my body doesn’t light up the second I see her.
She’s so fucking gorgeous. She’s wearing black pants and a deep red sweater. And my body reacts like it remembers every inch of hers.
“Miles, are you okay?” Gio asks.
I frown, not sure what he means. Then I glance down—my spoon’s frozen midair, my mouth hanging open.
Fuck.
“Yeah, of course. Just thinking about all the shit I’ve got to do tomorrow,” I say, trying to play it off, but Gio’s not buying it.
“Tomorrow? I sure as hell hope you’re not working weekends,” he says, his brows pulling together.
“Pfft, no. Just stuff at home.”
Before Gio can keep questioning me—and before I have to come up with another shitty excuse—I stand and head to the kitchen to rinse my plate and load it into the dishwasher.
Now that the sight of Penny has me all revved up, the last thing I need is more pie.
Even if it was damn good.
I take a breath and head back. I don’t want Penny to see how she affects me. I don't want her thinking she has any kind of power over me.
“Congratulations, sisters,” I say as I lean down and hug each of them. “Thanks for making Mama the happiest grandma ever—and taking that pressure off me.”
A few laughs ripple through the room, and some of the tension leaves my shoulders. But when I look up and catch Penny watching me, my heart stutters.
There’s something in her eyes—intrigue, maybe a little mischief.
Still, I haven’t forgotten she ignored me. And if I’m being honest, that shit stings a little.
So instead of giving her my usual smirk, I turn and hug Mama and Granny.
“See you around, everyone. Don’t have too much fun without me,” I call as I head for the door.
I’m just about to open it when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
“Hey, do you have a minute?” Penny asks with that easy smile back on her face.
“Not really. I don’t make time for people who ignore me.”
I don’t stick around for an answer. I’m out the door and in my truck in a flash.
I can be civil at work, but I don’t have to pretend I’m fine around her. Not here.
It was a one-time thing.
At least… that’s what I keep telling myself.
Chapter 7
Penny
Miles shutting me down has been living rent-free in my head for the past three days. I mean, what the hell did I do to that man? I was just trying to be friendly, especially since we hadn’t really seen each other at work all week.
