Page 119 of Tempting Miles
“You heard me,” I say calmly. “I’m not marrying you.”
He lets out an evil cackle.
It’s creepy as hell.
“Listen, Penelope,” he says, smoothing a hand over his perfectly styled hair like he’s trying to regain control of the situation.
But before he can say another word, someone violently yanks him backward.
My jaw nearly hits the floor when I see who did it.
“Miles,” I whisper, barely able to believe he’s actually here.
He’s wearing gray sweatpants and a MacAllister Construction hoodie.
His hair’s a mess, like he showered and ran out the door without bothering to comb it. His beard is more than a shadow, and the dark circles under his eyes make it obvious he’s been trapped in the same hell I have these past few weeks.
But I’ve never seen a more beautiful man in my life.
Because he came for me.
“She was pretty fucking clear, man.” Miles steps in front of Easton and shoves him back again. “She’s done with your sorry ass.”
“Don’t touch me,” Easton yells as he straightens his suit jacket, his face twisted in disgust. “Security, why haven’t you removed him yet? He isn’t a guest.”
The guards exchange awkward glances before slowly moving toward Miles.
“Don’t you dare lay a finger on him,” I warn as I move closer to Miles.
The moment he hears my voice, he turns toward me.
Our eyes lock, an entire conversation passing silently between us.
Miles gives me that crooked smile I’ve missed so badly, and I know exactly what I need to do.
“Penelope Levine, don’t you dare leave with that hillybilly,” Easton shouts, no longer caring who hears him or the scene he’s causing.
“Watch how you speak to my daughter, Easton Ryan.”
Dad’s voice booms through the ballroom entrance, silencing half the crowd.
“Because I’m tired of your family trying to steal my company.” His expression hardens. “And this time, I won’t hesitate to let the law finish their investigation.”
A collective gasp ripples through the crowd.
Phones start appearing in people’s hands, all aimed at Easton and my father.
“It’s your word against ours, old man,” Easton sneers.
“That’s for the court to decide.”
Dad calmly offers Mami his hand.
She takes it without hesitation.
The way they look at each other—with the same love and adoration after all these years—makes me realize I almost walked away from the kind of love people spend their entire lives searching for.
Mami looks at Miles, then back at me.
