Page 6 of Tempting Miles
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 morenoticeable, 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.
