Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
In my bedroom, I stare at myself in the mirror, muttering a silent promise that I won’t do anything to jeopardize Noah’s chances of happiness. Unlike me, he was searching for love for most of his life.
He thought he had found his dream woman once until he discovered she’d cheated on him several times. He called me a few weeks before they were supposed to get married, drunk, crying, and explaining everything.
“I promise, bro, you’ll find a woman who deserves you one day.” That’s what I said to my little brother.
He’s only two years younger than me, but I’ve always looked out for him and fought for him when needed. Yet, that night, it was like a magnetic pull to kiss his stepdaughter. What’s the matter with me?
I turn at a knock on the door.
“You coming, Miles?” Noah asks.
“Yeah, two secs.”
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I am determined to be strong and do the right thing. Even if it means being cold with Layla, which is the last thing I want, even if it means convincing her I’m not interested. It’s my duty.
My resolve almost crumbles when I walk onto the back porch. Layla is standing at the table, her back to me, showing me her wild brown hair cascading down her back.
An instinct touches me. I walk up behind her and gently smooth my hand through her hair. But then the savage desire will take control, guiding my hands down her curvy body to her thick thighs and wide hips—hips perfect for childbearing.
Jesus.
I promised myself I’d be better.
I can’t let those thoughts return—the ones that have hounded me ever since the kiss, ever since I knew, in one bright moment, that Layla belonged to me and always would. Nobody else would ever touch her.
If she were a mother, it would be for our children one day. No other man gets to kiss her, be intimate with her, and have babies with her.
That’s my future.
We sit around the table together, the seating arranged so I’m facing Layla. She clasps her hands, staring down at her plate, unwilling to look at me.
How does she feel about the kiss? Does she regret it? Does she also want to do it again, like I do, despite knowing it’s wrong?
“I’m glad you’re home,” Noah says, grinning across at me, the years melting until he’s a little kid full of fear and hope again.
“Me too,” I reply. I lie.
It would be good to be here if it wasn’t for the angel sitting across from me.
“What are your plans?” Elena asks.
“Oversee the work on my house. I’m going to set up an office here, too. I’m done traveling for a while.”
Layla flinches. I’m watching her constantly, acutely conscious of any change in her demeanor.
“It must get lonely sometimes,” Elena says, nodding. “Maybe now that you’re here, you’ll finally settle down.”
Another flinch from my woman.
There I go again—my woman. I can’t stop thinking of her like that.
Noah chuckles warmheartedly. “It would have to be a miracle woman to convince Miles to settle down.”
“You don’t want a wife one day?” Elena asks, then laughs softly. “Sorry. I don’t mean to interrogate you the second you walk through the door.”
I take the serving platter and place some fresh bread, cheese, and grapes on my plate.
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “Noah’s just teasing. I’ve often said I’ll leave the romantic side of life to him.”
“But why?”
Everybody turns to study Layla. She looks directly into my eyes. It’s the tone of her voice, the emotional edge to it. There’s bravery in her expression and some sassiness, too. It’s like she’s challenging me.
I stare right back at her—another mistake.
It triggers temptation. Instructions, almost.
Flip the table. Drag her into your arms. Kiss her. Own her.
“Oof, that’s a tricky question,” Noah says, still good-naturedly.
“I tried dating when I was in my twenties. It’s the thing to do, isn’t it? Find a woman, settle down, and start a family. My career was going well, so I thought, why not?”
“So, what’s the problem?” Layla asks, calming her voice just a little. Maybe she doesn’t want to get Elena and Noah all suspicious, but would they ever dream we’ve kissed and want each other?
“You couldn’t find anybody?” Layla goes on.
“I had some dates and a few relationships, but nothing ever stuck. After a while, I realized I was the problem. I’m too emotionally distant. Too committed to my work. I get bored too easily. It wasn’t fair to go through the motions, to pretend I wanted a life I didn’t. So, I stopped trying.”
“You haven’t dated in years?” Elena asks. “I didn’t know that.”
“I know. What a waste,” Noah laughs. “Miles has always been the handsome one.”
Elena takes my brother’s hand, aiming a look at him that’s so love-filled, warm, and wifely. I feel like dirt from the thoughts colliding endlessly in my mind.