Page 32 of Heart Set on You

“Pay attention, baby Bennett, maybe you’ll learn something. It could even get you an upgrade from the children’s table at Christmas dinner.”

Rolling his eyes, Miles walks away, and I can’t help but watch his perfect ass as he goes.

“Your move, Liam,” Miles calls out. “You think you can tear yourself away from Ellie long enough to sink the white ball?”

“It’s funny that you’re under the impression that I’m not going to school you,” Liam teases. “Watch how it’s done, ladies and gentlemen.”

Liam’s brows knit together as he studies the table then bends over the edge of the felt, lining up his shot. He skillfully sinks a striped ball into the pocket then strides over to Ellie, settling between her thighs where she sits on a bar stool. “You see that, Ells, I told you I’m good at everything,” he jokes, one hand on the nape of her neck, his other on her baby belly.

“Nope. I didn’t notice,” she says. Liam assesses her with a mock-annoyed grin on his face then kisses the edge of her mouth.

They really are cute together. It’s obvious they’re both head over heels in love, and it makes me envy their relationship. The way his eyes find hers from across the room and his hands are almost always on her body. And the way she lights up whenever he looks her way. It’s what romance novels are made of, and it’s exactly what I want to find some day. If I’m being honest with myself, it feels like I’m halfway there.

Miles is up next. He sinks the first shot, then two more after that. “Since when did you become a pool shark, show performer?” Liam taunts him.

“Show performer?” Miles rolls his eyes, mock outrage in his voice. “Try A-list Hollywood action star. That’s more like it.”

Miles is the furthest thing from a conceited, egotistical actor, but he seems happy to play along with the fun, light-hearted banter. Watching him and his brothers interact is its own form of entertainment. It’s like sibling theater. Really hot sibling theater. I’m enjoying myself more than I could have imagined.

The night passes quickly and before I know it Liam and Ellie are saying their goodbyes and heading upstairs to bed. Parker, Olivia and I stay up a little later and chat for a while, but I can’t keep my eyes off Miles. He’s happy and relaxed and when I smile at him, he returns it with a wink. I manage to tear my gaze away and look over at Olivia, who is watching us with a knowing look.

She gives Parker a look I can’t read. When he doesn’t react, she clears her throat, interrupting the brothers’ conversation.

“Time for bed, Parks,” she announces, casting me a quick sideways glance.

Ahh, now I get that look she shot her husband. Parker, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be picking up on her not-so-subtle hint.

“Really?” he asks, looking at his watch with a puzzled look on his face. “It’s still early.”

“Really, babe?” Olivia answers, this time tilting her head in the direction of Miles and me.

“Oh,” Parker smirks, slipping from his barstool with a gleam in his eyes. “I see what you mean. Yes, I’m suddenly very tired.”

“Could you be any more obvious?” Olivia teases him, elbowing him in his side.

“Ouch. Like you were any better.”

I feel my cheeks turning pink, but I can’t help but laugh at the two of them. The grin on my face must be a mile wide.

And then it’s just Miles and I. After a long, hungry kiss, I tell him I should probably go. He softly kisses my forehead and I breathe him in.

“I’ll call my driver to take you home,” Miles murmurs into my hair, then takes a step back and holds his hand out for me to take.

I follow him upstairs to the front door, where he stops to grab his jacket along with mine.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m coming with you.”

“That’s not necessary. The car is more than enough.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” he says with a grin on his face, and I can tell there’s no sense in arguing.

Twenty minutes later, he’s walking me to my hotel room. Once inside Miles wastes no time putting his lips to mine. The kiss is lingering, slow and heart-stoppingly perfect. I’m love-drunk on this kiss.

And then I freeze.

Chapter Fourteen

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