Page 18 of Daddy's Pride

Miles returns to the bedroom, naked. The sunlight streaming through the window highlights a few water droplets on his tanned skin. Damn, he’s gorgeous. The way his powerful muscles flex as he opens the drawers and gets dressed makes me drool. I can’t quite comprehend how getting lost and breaking down ended up with one of the hottest hook-ups I’ve ever had.

He comes to the bed and gives me another toe-curling kiss, then goes downstairs. I drag myself out of bed and into the shower. By the time I’m done, the delicious scent of bacon and sausage fills the room. Miles has put my rucksack on the bed. I dress quickly and walk to the kitchen.

“Good timing.” Miles plates up a full English breakfast.

“It looks and smells amazing.”

“It’s nothing much.”

“Uh-huh. If I were at home, I’d be eating cereal. Or leftover pizza.”

He raises one eyebrow. It’s a talent I envy. My eyebrows only move as a pair.

“What? Cold pizza is an awesome breakfast.”

He grunts and sits at the table.

I push bacon, sausage, beans, and egg onto my fork. I hum as I eat it. “But not as awesome as this. Damn, you cook a better breakfast than most hotels serve.” I wince.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I forgot to call the bed and breakfast to let them know I’d been held up. I hope they haven’t given my room away.”

“Call them after breakfast.”

“Good idea. And then I’ll call for a tow. Can I ask you something?” Like how can he look so sinfully sexy eating beans and eggs?

“Of course.”

“Why the army?”

“I was in the cadets through high school. I enjoyed the regimented way of life, so I enlisted as soon as I was old enough.”

When he was sixteen. Wow.

“How long did you serve for?”

“Twenty years.”

I widen my eyes. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Every second. Yes, it was hard and often scary but also exhilarating and fulfilling.”

I push beans around my plate. Is it okay to ask the question on the tip of my tongue?

“Spit it out, boy.”

“Why did you leave?”

Miles uses a slice of toast to mop up the last of the tomato sauce and egg yolk. “I decided I’d pushed my luck enough times, and it was time for a change.”

“Do you miss it?”

“Yes. I didn’t expect to miss it as much as I do. It’s a way of life. I still make my bed and iron my clothes to army standards.”

I smirk. “You didn’t make your bed this morning, Daddy.”

“That’s because a beautiful boy was lying in it. I’ll make it later.”

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