Page 37 of Tempting Miles
Her eyes open wide, her lips still pressed against the mug.
Why does every single thing this woman does look sexy? I get turned on just being around her.
Fuck. I gotta get laid.
“I thought we were literally buried in the snow,” Penny says as she gets up from the stool and walks toward the baywindow in the living room. “It’s beautiful.” She wraps her arms around her middle as she stands with her back to me, enjoying the view.
Like she’s pulling me in without even trying, my feet carry me straight toward her.
I stop right behind her.
Penny’s about five-foot-four without heels. I could easily rest my chin on top of her head, wrap my arms around her, and push her against me.
But that’s not what this is. I’m truly just helping a friend—an acquaintance.
There’s something special about the first big snowfall of the season. Everything goes quiet. Clean. The roads empty out, the mountains disappear beneath all that white, and the whole town looks different overnight.
I get why Penny’s mesmerized.
“What was it like to grow up in the mountains?”
Penny’s question pulls me out of my thoughts.
I take a second before answering.
“I’ve never really thought about it much,” I admit. “I’ve lived in the same town my whole life.”
She turns around then, giving me her undivided attention.
“The farthest I’ve traveled was for Rain and Xander’s wedding,” I continue. “So I guess I’ve never stopped to compare it to anything else.” I hold her gaze for a second, “It’s the only life I’ve ever known.”
“Okay, that’s fair,” she says, walking to the couch. She sits cross-legged and pulls the blanket on the couch over her.
For a moment, I can’t breathe. She looks so comfortable, so cozy, like she belongs in my space.
“What if you tell me a memory of your childhood?” she asks, patting the couch.
Shoveling and breakfast forgotten, I take a seat across from her in my reclining chair.
“Are you sure you have time? I had a great childhood,” I say with a smile. I don’t think there’s anything I cherish more than growing up with my siblings.
“Well, I don’t think we’re digging out my car today. Unless you have a mini snowplow,” she jokes.
I laugh with her, even though I know I could easily call River and ask him to help me get her car unstuck.
“Yeah, well. As much shit as I like to give to River, we’ve been best buds for as long as I can remember.”
Penny’s smile turns soft and genuine, and something about it makes me want to keep talking. Which is weird as hell. Penny knows my family, sure, but I don’t usually share personal details—especially not with women I’ve slept with.
“River and I used to ride around the farm with Dad in his pickup. We’d mark sick trees, fix broken fences, harvest fruit, help with whatever veggies Mama or Granny had growing in the garden. We’ve always loved being outside."
“I’ve always wondered what it's like to have siblings, you know?” Her smile turns wistful.
“Were your parents older when they had you? Or why did they decide to only have one kid?” I ask, honestly curious about her family.
“My dad is older than my mom. She was an exchange student when they met.”
I lift a finger, stopping her for a second.
