Page 87 of Stolen Bases

I kiss my way up her neck and over her jaw before covering her mouth with mine. Her sugary lips mold to mine, moving in perfect unison then parting on a moan, allowing me to deepen the kiss.

She tastes as sweet as I remember. Gripping her ass tight, I pull her closer, exploring her mouth with a feral hunger.

Fuck, I missed her so damn much.

A throat clears, popping our blissful bubble. Talia drops her forehead to my shoulder with a giggle as she disentangles her body from mine. I place my girl on her feet and look over her shoulder.

“The lady’s bag, sir.” The driver smirks at us and holds a small tote for me to take.

“Thank you.” I take Talia’s white and pink bag by the handles.

“You’re welcome, sir.” He pulls out a business card from his lapel pocket and hands it to me. “Should you need my services again, Mr. Miller, please ring me personally. I’d be happy to be of service. Compared to some of my younger colleagues, I am … discreet.”

“Duly noted.” I read the card, finding what I need. “Cliff.”

“Have a good evening.” He tips his head to me and Talia, then gets in the driver’s seat of his car and drives away, the gate closing behind.

I place the card in my back pocket and turn to Talia. Her cheeks are pink, and her lips are swollen from my kisses.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” She bites that damn sexy bottom lip of hers, and I can’t stop from dropping one last kiss on her.

“I like this.” I tug at the dress strap, grazing her soft shoulder. Goosebumps break across her skin at my touch. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Really?” She kicks out a leg, showing off her shoes. “I forgot sandals.”

“I like the sneaker look.” I wink at her and grip her small hand. Leading Talia up the steps to my front door, I pull her inside and drop her bag by the door. “Welcome to chez Miller. Please make yourself at home.”

She looks around, taking in my space before taking off her shoes. “This isn’t what I expected when you said you lived in Malibu.”

My home is on the smaller side. I went for location, not size, when I picked the contemporary space. I liked the open-concept kitchen and living room. The place still has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It’s large without being intimidating.

It’s simply decorated with white walls, black furniture, and varying pops of blue. Above the gas fireplace hangs a sixty-five-inch flat screen TV. Framed pictures and a few pieces of art decorate the walls. A huge black micro suede sectional and matching ottoman fill the living space. The pool and patio are visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass pocket doors that adorn each side of the fireplace.

It’s modern and simple, but this place has everything I need. I’ve only had family over since I bought it a little over a year ago.

I chuckle. “What did you expect?”

Talia shrugs and walks down the steps to the couch. She runs her palm over the soft fabric, observing every aspect of the room with meticulous eyes. “I don’t know. A bachelor pad? Leather couches. Mirrors.”

I bark a laugh, following behind her. “Thanks, babe.”

She smirks at me over her shoulder. “I’m kidding. But I should have known you’d be full of surprises.” She picks up the bluepillow on the couch, and her eyes snap to mine. “The house in Arizona is yours, isn’t it?”

I knew she’d figure it out eventually. My mom decorated this place too. Both spaces are aesthetically identical. “Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” She tilts her head to the side, waiting for me to answer. It’s so fucking cute when she does that.

“Do you think your brother would have stayed there if he knew?”

“Hell no,” she exclaims. We both burst out laughing. “He wouldn’t have stepped a foot inside, let alone let me stay there if he knew.”

I pull her into my arms and tilt her chin up. “That didn’t work out too well for him, did it?”

She shakes her head. “No. It didn’t.”

I duck my head and press my lips to hers in a soft, languid kiss. Talia melts into me with a sigh. We break apart far too soon for my liking, but I have plans.

---