Page 37 of Deception & Daylight (Oak Ridge #3)
Ivy slaps him playfully on the chest, then rounds the desk to pull Maggie into a hug. “We’ll get outta your hair. Maybe I can drop by with lunch tomorrow? We can catch up. And for what it’s worth, it’s nice having you around, Mags.” She turns to me next. “Don’t fuck this up, Barlow.”
Her threat lingers as Luca takes her hand and leads her out of the inn.
It’s a stark reminder of the predicament I’m in.
I’ve turned it over a million times in my head, and I can’t see a way through without causing her more pain.
She’s just getting her fire back, and I refuse to be the one to snuff it out.
“Ok, Bossman. The first guests should be arriving within the hour. Give me a crash course. Willow Creek for Dummies or whatever.”
“Bossman? Now there’s a nickname I think I can get behind.
” I wink and she instantly rolls her eyes in response.
Stepping up behind where she’s standing in front of the computer, I reach around her body to pull up the check-in system on the screen.
My body heats at her proximity. With her intoxicating floral scent lingering in the air, I don’t know how I’m expected to keep my hands to myself while she’s working.
“We have three check-ins scheduled to arrive in the next few hours. You’ll take their ID and a credit card to keep on file, then tap this button and have them sign.
After that, all that’s left is to hand over the room key and the info packet here.
” I reach under the desk, my hand grazing her thigh through the slit in her skirt, and I hear her breath hitch.
Ignoring every urge I have to drop to my knees and feast on her right here and now, I carry on as if nothing happened.
When the first guest arrives, Mags greets them with a bright smile, and they instantly fall in love with her.
I get it — she’s always been charming as hell, except when she was handing me my balls on a silver platter.
But I think I liked her even then. Maybe even more so.
“You’re a natural, Wildcat. How about I make us some lunch? ”
She quirks a brow, arms crossed over her chest. “You cook?”
I shrug. “Not really. But I do make a damn good grilled cheese.”
“Sold. I’m starving.”
“One gri lled cheese coming right up. You know where I’ll be. Come find me if you need anything.” With a quick kiss on the cheek that catches her by surprise, I head into the kitchen.
Mags
Miles returns a while later with the best damn grilled cheese I’ve ever tasted — but I won’t tell him that.
I refuse to give him the satisfaction. Just because he’s given me a few mind-blowing orgasms and apologized for the past with a few pretty words and unspoken promises, doesn’t mean I’m not gonna make him work for it.
Once the last guests are checked in, I slump back against the wall. “Come on,” Miles says, holding out a hand for me to take. His palm engulfs mine as he leads me out to the porch swing, settling me between his thighs, my back resting against the hard planes of his chest. “You look exhausted.”
“Someone kept me up all night,” I tease, glancing over my shoulder. His fingertips glide along my collarbone when he pulls my hair to the side, kissing the spot behind my ear. The soft brush of his lips sends a shiver up my spine.
His voice is a soft whisper when he says, “Not gonna apologize for that. I can’t remember a more perfect night.” My heart leaps at his admission, and I have to remind myself not to get invested. I’m not built for staying. Maybe in another life.
We stay like that until the sun dips below the trees, and the moon shines overhead, the swing gently swaying, lulling me into a false sense of security.
The soft breeze rustles the leaves and the hand that had been stroking throug h my hair suddenly stops.
Miles’ lips brush against my ear as he whispers through clenched teeth,“Don’t move. ”
My heart begins to race and panic surges through me, but Miles reads me like a book.
“It’s okay. Don’t freak out. The little menace is back.
” He slowly lifts a finger, pointing towards the rose bushes just off the porch stairs.
The rustling sound comes again just before a tiny face pops out between the blooms. He — or I suppose it could very well be a she — sniffs the air before hopping onto the first step.
It’s a tiny thing, not more than a baby, and it cocks its head when it spots us.
It looks more curious than aggressive, so maybe that’s why I decide it’s a good idea to approach.
As soon as I stand, the bandit hops back down the stairs.
“Hey. It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you,” I murmur, sinking down against the wall.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the mini pack of gummy bears I keep on hand for snack emergencies.
“Mags, what are you doing?” Miles asks, sounding concerned.
It startles at the sound of Miles’ voice, so I shake the bag of gummy bears to distract it.
When it spots the treat in my hands, it hops back onto the stairs, its tiny hands clasped in front of its fluffy body.
After assessing the situation and concluding we’re not a threat, it steps fully onto the porch, less than five feet from where I’m seated.
I pull open the packet, put a few of the bears into the palm of my hand, then rest it against the floorboards.
It takes a few steps closer, eyeing me warily.
“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Miles whispers.
I spear him with a warning glare as the raccoon gets within arm’s reach of the sweet treat.
Its tiny hand is softer than I expect when it finally takes the offering, stepping a few paces back with its prize.
Not wanting to scare the little guy, I gently toss the rest of the gummy bears onto the porch and slowly stand.
It’s too busy with the snack to pay us any mind as I tug Miles after me into the inn.
In one smooth motio n, Miles cages me against the wall just inside the doors.
“Looks like reckless Maggie isn’t gone, after all. What the hell were you thinking?”
I shrug. “I was thinking it was hungry, and I had a snack.”
He leans against his forearm; his face is barely an inch from mine and it wouldn’t take much for me to close the distance. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”
“Yeah? What are you gonna do about it?”
“What’s your safe word, Maggie?”
“Daylight.”