Page 21 of Tempting Miles
“Honey, I’m home,” I shout as I enter Rain and Xander’s house.
“Guncle Mies, Guncle Mies!” Sage, my three-year-old niece, shouts as she rushes toward me.
I’m not even sure where she came from, but this little one is full of energy—the complete opposite of her twin brother, Indigo, who’s morechill, like his dad.
“Hey, baby girl. How are you?” I ask in a soft voice once she’s perched in my arms.
“Good,” she coos, squeezing my cheeks with her tiny, chubby hands.
There’s never a time when I’m around them that I don’t smile—or when my chest doesn’t feel like it might burst open with love.
“Are you here alone?” I ask, arching an eyebrow for effect.
She giggles and covers her mouth with both hands, her unruly blonde curls bouncing around her face, and it makes me grin from ear to ear.
She’s so damn cute.
Sometimes I wonder what it’d be like to have a daughter. I think I’d be the most overprotective dad in the universe. If any motherfucker ever dared to even look at my kid the wrong way, I’d burn the world down.
Which is exactly why I’m never having kids.
“Noo. Mama and Dada here,” she tells me before squirming out of my hold.
The moment her little feet touch the floor, she darts toward the kitchen.
A soft chuckle leaves me as I take off my coat and hang it in the mudroom before following the sound of chattering. I’m sure I’m the last one to get here.
“Miles, you made it.” Rain hugs me, catching me off guard.
“Hey there, sis. Good to see you too,” I say, hugging her back. Her body vibrates, unable to contain her excitement.
I make the rounds, greeting everyone as they catch me up on the latest. Even if we see each other at least once a week, it’s always been like this.
“Hey, Granny.” I give her a tight squeeze and hear her suck in a sharp breath. “Shit, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” I ask, looking her up and down for any visible bruises. She’s always been like an oak—strong, steady, a constant presence in our lives.
“I might be old, but I can still handle a good squeeze,” she says with a reassuring smile. “How have you been, my boy? It’s been a while since you stopped by the house.” She gives me a knowing look.
I laugh. “Nah, Granny. Nothing like that. I’ve just been busy. Building the best ice rink in all of Western North Carolina isn’t a task I take lightly.” I try to sound playful, but her impassive face tells me she’s not buying it.
“That’s great, Miles. Your grandfather and your daddy would be so proud of you—not only for how hard you work, but also because you have such a strong work ethic.” She cradles my cheek with her warm, weathered hand. Her never-ending love seeps through her pores. “But never forget what really matters, Miles,” she says, patting my cheek before walking away.
I frown after her. What the fuck was that about?
“My Miles,” Mama says as she approaches me, and I lean down for a bear hug.
“Hey, Mama. It’s good to see you,” I tell her, meaning it. I squeeze her a little tighter than I probably should. I don’t say it out loud, but she knows my love for her runs deep.
“Good to see you’re alive and well, son,” she says with a smirk that gets a laugh out of me.
“I know. I’m sorry—I’ve been busy. But I promise I’ll come by soon.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” she says, her smile softening.
I don’t think about it much, but the house must be so quiet now that we’re all gone. It’s just her and Granny.
I pull out my phone and set a reminder to have supper with them next week. Make it a regular thing.
“Everyone,” Rain calls out, and the room settles.
