Page 44 of Heart Set on You

When he’s finished with my neck, he rolls us over so I’m underneath him, every hard inch of him pressed against my skin. It lights a fire in me to know how quickly I can turn him on. He’s rock-hard for me the second we start to kiss.

“Miles,” I say against his mouth, running my fingers over the stubble of his jaw.

“I’m a little distracted here, Ryls,” he teases, continuing to kiss me like it will kill him if he has to stop. He presses a kiss to my jaw before pulling back and looking me in the eye. “Tell me, babe. What is it?”

“It’s been a really great 24 hours with you. That’s all.”

Miles’ hand gently sweeps a strand of hair from my face.

“It’s only just the beginning.”

Chapter Eighteen

Miles

Parker, Liam and I sit on an outdoor patio at an upscale restaurant overlooking the ocean. We’re tucked into a corner, out of sight of paps and fans, my bodyguard standing a few feet away. Olivia, Ellie and Rylee are meeting us here soon, after they’re done with their manicures and pedicures. It’s my brothers’ last few days in Vancouver before they fly back home to Reed Point with Olivia and Ellie. What I wouldn’t give to be flying home with them, with Rylee in the seat beside me.

“I’m going to miss you assholes,” I say, sipping from my beer.

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Parker laughs.

“I’m not going to miss these damn photographers,” Liam complains. “The guy in the parking lot could have gotten himself killed jumping in front of the car like that. Why anyone even wants a picture of your ugly mug is beyond me.” He smirks in my direction, pulling my attention away from the patio door, where I’ve been hoping to see Rylee appear.

“Don’t feel bad, Liam,” I tell him. “I’m sure Mom still has your photo on the mantle at home.”

Parker seems to take notice when my eyes return to the door. “Are you worried she’s left town with some other guy? Jesus, Miles, you haven’t taken your eyes off that door since we sat down.”

“Our little brother has misplaced his balls somewhere,” Liam jokes, leaning back in his chair and crossing one knee over the other. “I seem to remember getting shit for that very thing not long ago. Pot meet kettle.”

“Fuck both of you very much,” I say, slipping on my Ray-Bans to hide the smile in my eyes.

“Things must be pretty serious with Rylee. Admit it, bro. You’ve got it bad for this girl,” Parker says.

I put my hands up in surrender. “I like her. I’m not hiding anything. It’s fucked up, right? But there’s an expiration date on us. She’s on a plane outta here after the movie wraps.”

“Who says she has to go back?” Liam says. “Maybe that was her plan before she met you, but plans can change.”

“Yeah, they can, but that decision isn’t up to me.”

Parker clears his throat. “So you’re good if she leaves at the end of this? You’re totally okay with ending things, or with trying long distance?”

“I don’t have a choice. She’s going back home, a tiny place called Deer Lake. Try to find it on a map. There’s no way I can go with her, unless I want to shit all over my career.”

Liam gives me a look over his bottle of beer. “Come on, Miles, I’m not buying it. Why can’t you fly back and forth for work? People do it all the time.”

“I guess it could work in theory, but it wouldn’t be easy. Let’s face it, when I’m not halfway around the world shooting, I need to spend my time in Los Angeles. That’s where the work is.”

I’m trying not to show how bothered I am by the idea of Rylee leaving, but I’m pretty sure I’m failing. My brothers know me too well. If this is what Rylee wants, who am I to try to stand in the way of it? I know all too well what it’s like to miss your family. This whole situation sucks.

My shitty mood lifts when I see Rylee walk through the door with Ellie and Olivia by her side. Finally. She slips into the chair next to mine and I immediately pull her closer. You’d think we’d been apart for months instead of just a few hours, that’s how happy I am to see her.

We place our lunch orders and the girls catch us up on their day out while we wait for our food. After a feast of appies and pasta, we’re all stuffed, but Ellie insists on ordering dessert. When it arrives – a towering piece of triple layer chocolate cake – she squeals, then digs in like it’s her last meal.

“Are you sure you’re not eating for three?” Olivia asks her with a grin.

“Just two,” Ellie says, rubbing her pregnant belly. “Olivia, you are such a big bully.”

Liam snickers at his soon-to-be wife, draping his arm around the back of her chair.

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