Page 61 of Reckless

He laughed, keeping an arm around her waist as they headed to the car at the curb out front of the building. The driver opened their door, and Miles took a moment to watch Harlow get in, those legs of hers visible as the hem of her dress rose.

The place he’d brought her was old school elegance. She used her serviceable French and wished she’d taken a few more semesters of it. Still, it was enough to order a drink and some appetizers.

The chef came out to let them know he had a multi course meal planned for them based on whatever Miles had told him before they’d arrived. Harlow figured it’d be great because Miles paid attention to what she liked and didn’t.

He clinked his glass to hers. “To the most beautiful woman in my world.”

She was already all worked up from their little interaction before they’d left the apartment and when he was this way it only made it harder not to jump on him.

“You’re so good for my ego,” she told him with a laugh.

“It’s not hard to say nice things about you. Believe me, Harlow, you’re on my mind pretty much twenty-four-seven, and it’s all good.” His expression said a lot of that thinking was probably sex related, and that was totally okay with her.

“I’m glad we have these days all to ourselves. I like everyone else, don’t get me wrong. But I do like not having to share you. No media. No interviews. No shows. Just us.” Sure, people looked at him. How could you resist those good looks? Harlow really couldn’t blame them. As long as they kept their distance there wasn’t a problem.

“I’m always all yours,” he murmured, and she smiled again. Good lord, he was irresistible.

Harlow’s phone vibrated and she ignored it. Everything could wait. The outside world was far less interesting to her than this brief and magical time she had with Miles.

Then dishes began to flow from the kitchen. Small plates full of deliciousness. The first were thin slices of buttery soft smoked salmon she managed—barely—to eat with perfect sized slices of slightly toasted bread instead of inhaling them on their own immediately.

Bites of smoked meat came next, along with some sort of crispy potato thing and some delightful roasted vegetables.

Her phone vibrated several more times. Enough that she excused herself to look at the screen and make sure no emergencies had come up.

There were two voicemails from…her mother. Three missed calls from her as well. A text from Hector and another from Mindy.

“What’s wrong?” Miles asked, snagging her attention as she read her brother’s words.

An interview came out and it’s got Mom furious. Watch out for her call.

Mindy’s was similar though there was another apology for what had happened back in Atlanta, and the things Hector had said before the show. As well as a warning that Gloria had gotten worked up over some interview.

“Family crap.” With forced calm, Harlow turned her phone off entirely and tucked it away. Whatever it was, it’d hold until after their date.

Naturally though, Miles Brown was not used to being told no when he wanted something. And Harlow knew by the way he looked her over so carefully that he wasn’t just going to let anything go.

Damn it.

“Gloria?”

“Yes. Gloria crap and it’s not going to ruin this lovely dinner so let it go. I have. Phone is off. In an emergency, my dad, Nora, and Brian know they could call you and you’d know where I was. So. No need to do anything but enjoy this lovely meal.” Her smile was probably a little feral, but he paused. At least for the time being.

“Fine,” he said at last, refilling her wine glass. “But you’ll tell me about everything once we’re back at the condo.”

Harlow didn’t bother telling him she didn’t even know just exactly what Gloria was upset over. There was no way she was going to listen to those voicemails and let them ruin her meal.

Miles frowned at the mention of Gloria. He’d hoped she’d slink off and lick her wounds and leave Harlow the hell alone. Gloria didn’t seem to want contact with her daughter so why the fuck was she trying to upset her?

Still, Harlow had that stubborn set to her mouth and even though he wanted to kiss it, lessening whatever it was she was holding back, he nodded and let it go. For the time being.

He wanted a nice night out too.

“You realize this is a date, right? We’ve eaten in restaurants and gone places, but this is just me and you. I like it. I think we need dates. Plus it allows me to show off the gorgeous woman at my side and let the world know she’s mine.”

Harlow smirked at him. “Doesn’t hurt that we’re in a whole different country that feels less obsessed with you than the one to the south.”

“Obsessed?” He snorted.

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