Page 20 of Heart Set on You

“Rylee, wait.”

Miles’ hand reaches for me, wrapping around my wrist, and it causes the same reaction as it does any time he touches me. That spark. It’s a thrill. It’s electric.

“What are you doing?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Looking for you. You just got up and left. You didn’t say goodbye.”

“You were busy. I’m surprised you even noticed.” I hate myself for the clipped tone in my voice. This is not me. I don’t speak to people this way. Jesus, what is wrong with me?

“Noticed? I always notice you. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”

I’m not sure what to think. How does he expect me to believe him when he’s famous for not only his acting but for his social life too? Let’s face it, he has a different girl on his arm every week. I remind myself I was happy before I kissed Miles Bennett and I will be happy without him, but he needs to know how I feel. “Miles, what happened yesterday can’t happen again. It was a mistake.”

“Come here,” he says, taking my hand, pulling me into a darkened corner, away from people loitering in the street. “Is this about Violet? Because she doesn’t mean a thing to me. I swear.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression.”

“And maybe I didn’t give you the right one. I want to get to know you better. I’m not interested in anyone else, least of all Violet. Everything I said to you last night and tonight? I meant it,” he says, taking two steps closer to me. My pulse speeds and my cheeks burn, and I can feel the flush spread down to my chest. Instead of backing up, I stay where I am. His body is so close to mine, my chest is almost touching his. The look in his eyes makes me want to dig my fingers into his hair and kiss him, but I don’t. I’m still hurt.

His eyes flash. “I’m asking you to get to know me. That’s it. We can take things slow. I’m not going to push you, but you’re going to have to trust me. Can you do that?” His voice is low, but there’s an intensity in it. It’s only Miles and I, standing here in the dark, and that thought alone is sending shivers over my skin. My legs are shaking, and I’ve forgotten every reason I stormed out of the restaurant. All I care about right now is what Miles would taste like if he kissed me.

His hands come up to my jaw, taking my face into his hands. “Can you trust me, Rylee? I promise I won’t hurt you.” I know what I should do, but there’s no part of me that wants to move. Maybe I did overreact. Miles is a nice guy, maybe he didn’t want to embarrass Violet in front of everyone at the table. He seems genuine. I shut my eyes, regretting that I let Violet get the best of me. I want to trust Miles but even more than that, I want him to kiss me.

I might get my wish. He looks like he wants to push me up against the wall and tear off my clothes. And I want him to. I want him to do so much more than that. I couldn’t care less who might walk by.

My legs continue to tremble. “You’re blushing,” he says, brushing a thumb over my cheek. Oh my God, how is this man real? Five minutes with him in the dark and I’m spinning out of control.

“Say yes, Rylee.” His voice is barely above a whisper, it’s hypnotic. I suck in a breath. I feel as though I’m submerged in water, deep in an ocean. The way he’s looking at me right now makes it hard to breathe.

I’m in a daze, drunk on Miles, the scent of his aftershave doing crazy things to my libido. I whisper, “I want to say yes, but-“

“No buts,” he counters, his hands moving slowly from my jaw to the sensitive area behind my ears. “Give this a chance.”

I really do want to say yes. I want him to kiss me. His lips are so close to mine, but he holds back. He just watches me with a smoldering, alpha-male look. His eyes are focused on my lips and he’s waiting for me to answer. He won’t give me what I so desperately want until I tell him what he wants to hear.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I say, unable to think with his eyes locked on me this way.

“I can’t. I’m so fucking attracted to you. Please don’t make me beg.”

“I must be crazy,” I say, my breath catching as he looks at me, my whole body now nearly trembling.

“Only crazy not to give this thing between us a shot. Say it. I want to hear it, Rylee. Tell me we’re going to get to know each other and see where this can go,” he whispers, and his gaze intensifies. His fingers hold me tighter, excitement shivers over my skin.

My heart is pounding. A slow smile widens across his face. There’s no way I can answer him with anything but a yes. So I say it, giving in to him, to the idea of seeing where we could go. It feels absolutely terrifying.

“Yes. We’re doing this.” I breathe the words, needing his lips on mine in the worst way.

“You mean it?” he asks.

“I do.”

It must be written all over my face because his mouth is on mine before I can get another word out, and he doesn’t stop kissing me and kissing me until I’m light-headed and out of breath. It’s the hottest kiss I’ve ever experienced in my life. I can’t get enough of his mouth. It tastes like whiskey, like risk. We’re both breathing hard when he finally pulls back.

He pulls me against him, my arms snaking around his neck. His lips brush my ear.

“Fuck,” he murmurs. “I don’t want to stop, but kissing you like this in public could get us on the front page of every tabloid.”

It’s a sobering reminder and I reluctantly let go of him and take a step back. I must have lost my freaking mind kissing him like that just feet away from a busy downtown street. I am in over my head. I have zero interest in being the subject of gossip magazine headlines. What had gotten into me? I never lose control like that but with Miles, giving in is all too easy to do. Kissing him is like the high of a drug that hooks you after just one hit. His lips are soft and demanding, his tongue makes you want to beg for more.

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