Page 31 of Heart Set on You

“Don’t care,” he says, pulling back momentarily to look at me with hunger in his eyes.

I’m so turned on by the way his fingers are touching me that I almost give in to him. It takes every ounce of willpower to remind myself that his brothers should be back any minute and we really need to stop.

“Meeting your family with your tongue down my throat is not the good first impression I’m trying to make,” I say, untangling my body from his arms.

“I guess I can’t argue with that,” he says, running a hand through his hair and then reaching for his pool cue. He eyes the table. “Where were we before you decided you couldn’t keep your hands off me?”

I roll my eyes and laugh. “Very funny.”

We’re in the middle of our game when we hear voices upstairs. “Sounds like they’re here. You ready to meet my brothers?”

I nod, a little anxious.

“Relax, babe. You’re going to love them,” he whispers as we hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

I meet Liam first, the tallest and broadest of the three Bennett brothers, who politely holds out his hand for me to shake. Next is Parker, who introduces the beautiful blonde at his side as his wife Olivia. Finally, I’m introduced to Ellie, Liam’s fiancée, who is very clearly pregnant.

Introductions out of the way, I take a second to appreciate how insanely handsome Miles and his two brothers are, wondering how it is possible that they were all blessed with such incredibly good looks. All over six feet tall with thick dark hair, athletic builds and smiles that you’ll never forget. I can’t imagine what must happen when they all go out in public together.

“I hope Miles hasn’t been too much of a diva on set,” Parker says. “We know how he can get when he’s hungry or needs a nap.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I answer with a grin. “I just send him to his trailer when he throws a tantrum.”

Everyone laughs, including Miles, and it’s the icebreaker I needed to relax and enjoy the night.

We order Thai food from a restaurant Miles recommends and while we wait for our food, Parker gets behind the bar, mixing us each a gin and tonic and a grapefruit juice and soda for Ellie.

Drinks in hand, Olivia, Ellie and I sink into one of the plush couches and the two of them take turns asking me questions about where I’m from, and about life in L.A. Ellie tells me that she and Olivia practically grew up together and it’s obvious that they’re very close, there is such a relaxed and easy banter between them. I like them both instantly.

I steal a glance at Miles, who is sitting at the bar with his brothers. I’ve been in the room with them for all of 20 minutes, but I can already see that Liam and Parker live to keep their famous little brother’s ego in check.

“But seriously,” Parker says, holding up his phone to show a recent red carpet photo of Miles. “How long did you have to sit for that spray tan? It must have been hours.”

Liam grimaces, swirling the ice in his glass. “Did you specifically ask to look like a walking orange? Because if so, they nailed it.”

Parker and Liam laugh at their brother’s expense, and even Miles can’t resist a sheepish grin as he shakes his head at their ribbing.

“It’s crazy, right?” Ellie sighs, catching me looking at Miles with his brothers. “The three of them together? They’re way too handsome.”

“It is kind of overwhelming,” I admit with a laugh.

“It can be very annoying, especially when your ankles are swollen to the size of a small elephant’s.” Ellie rubs a hand over her pregnant belly, rolling her eyes in the direction of the guys.

Olivia swats at her arm. “Stop it, Ells. You have never looked more beautiful.”

“And that’s why I keep her around,” Ellie says with a wink.

A little while later, the Thai food arrives, and we all go upstairs to eat it around the outdoor patio table. The view from the porch is one I’ve only ever dreamed of, with an unobstructed view of the ocean and the edge of Vancouver Island in the far distance. Dinner is delicious and the conversation flows easily. Miles was right, I had nothing to worry about. It's been a great night.

After dinner, we take the party back downstairs for a game of pool.

“Tell us, Rylee. Just how bad is my brother at pool? He’s probably never seen balls that big. I bet he finds them intimidating,” Parker jokes from across the pool table and I can’t help myself from laughing at Miles’ expense.

“Your fascination with my junk is alarming.” Miles delivers the comeback as smooth as honey.

Parker scoffs. “Your junk isn’t worth mentioning.”

I watch Miles shake his head. “Wow, my much older brother is bringing it with the sarcasm tonight.”

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