Page 53 of Deception & Daylight (Oak Ridge #3)

Mags

? Till Forever Falls Apart - Ashe, Finneas

Cade: Well played, Barlow.

Luca: You forgot the shin pads but good job, bro.

Paige: Does this mean my bestie is finally moving to Oak Ridge for good?

Miles: Kicking and screaming, if I have to.

Mags: There will definitely be screaming. ??

Miles: Please don’t give me a boner before I have to board this airplane.

Mags: ??

Ivy: Sorry I have to steal your man back so soon. I owe you one.

Mags: Drinks on you when I get back into town.

Ivy: Deal.

T he proposal quickly makes the rounds on social media, accompanied by low-quality videos and photos of the entire incident.

At first, I worry Miles might be bothered by the publicity, but I’m swiftly reminded how my fiancé thrives on being the center of attention when he enthusiastically fields questions from a small crowd gathering at the back of the store as the event winds down.

Every once in a while, Miles and I lock eyes across the room, and it’s clear he’s more than proud of his very public claim on ‘The Smut Siren’.

After a vigorous celebration in Miles’ hotel room that lasts well into the next morning, he reluctantly peels himself out of bed, lingering in the doorway as he kisses me goodbye.

His flight back to Nashville departs in a few hours, and I won’t be going with him.

Miles has to be back in Oak Ridge by morning to meet with the inspector for the final walkthrough of Ivy and Luca’s house, and I have a few loose ends to tie up here in the city.

I’m sad to see him go, but I’m flying back tomorrow and we have plans to pick up where we left off.

Miles: These seats aren’t made for tall people.

Mags: Your girlfriend offered to upgrade your ticket, but you declined.

Miles: Didn’t think I needed a sugar mama, but if you’re offering…

Miles: I have to go. They’re giving me the “Put your fucking cell phone away so we can take off” warning glare.

Mags: Have a safe flight. I love you. xo

Miles: I love you, too. I’ll save you some biscoffs.

Mags: No flirting with the flight attendants, Barlow.

Miles: He’s not my type. ??

Packing up my suitcase doesn’t feel as heavy as I thought it would. If there ever was a time when Toronto truly felt like home, I don’t remember it. This city and the memories I’m leaving here don’t have a place in my future. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m going home.

The flight back to Nashville feels about as long as a Lord of the Rings Extended Edition marathon, and I should know, Paige has forced me to sit through that particular brand of torture more than once.

I’m dreading the lonely drive to Oak Ridge that follows, but what awaits me there will be worth every second of the anticipation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Nashville, Tennessee. Local time is 10:47am. It’s a beautiful fall day here, with temperatures around 68 degrees. We’ve reached our destination, and on behalf of the entire crew, thank you for flying with us today.”

I rush to the baggage cla im, my body operating on autopilot as I duck and weave between the other bodies, descending the stairs towards the carousel where the rest of the passengers from my flight are gathering.

I just want to get my things and be on my way.

My mind is so preoccupied by the bags landing on the conveyor belt, waiting for mine to drop, that I completely miss the figure looming in my periphery.

“You must be Maggie. I’m Miles. Fuck, you’re even more gorgeous in person,” he says.

My head swivels to the right where my fiancé is standing with one hand in his jeans pocket and a massive bouquet in the other. He has that devastating smile on his face and a backward baseball cap on his head. “Hey baby,” he says when my eyes finally meet his.

I rush towards him and leap into his arms, my body wrapping around him like a koala, as I seal my mouth on his in a passionate kiss. “What are you doing? I thought you had to meet with the inspector?”

“I lied. It’s been almost three years since you stood in this same airport waiting for me.

I needed to make up for that day and so many others.

We can’t go back in time, but I can promise I’ll always show up for you, Maggie.

No matter what.” A tear escapes down my cheek, and he captures it with his lips. “It should’ve always been you and me.”

“We’ll just have to make up for lost time,” I whisper, sealing my promise with a kiss. “Let me get my bags and we can go home.”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “Home. Fuck , I love hearing that.”

The drive back to Oak Ridge is agonizing, but not for the reasons I expected. My entire body is vibrating with need, and Miles' sidelong glances aren’t helping. “Did I ever tell you about the time Paige and Cade fucked on the side of the highway?” I ask, hoping he’ll catch the not-so-subtle hint.

“Not happening, baby.” I pout, and he spears with me a disapproving stare. “I know you can be a good girl for me. We’ll be home in less than an hour.”

“Why wait when we already know the truck works just fine for fucking?”

“That mouth is gonna get you in trouble,” he says.

“I sure hope so.”

Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he glides the other up my thigh, and I’m immediately regretting my choice of outfit. I didn’t think we’d be in this position, so I opted for comfort, and my leggings are only serving as an irritating barrier between me and Miles’ fingers.

But my man is not deterred as he slides his hand beneath the waistband, finding me wet and ready for him. “Is this what my girl wants?” he asks.

I moan as he circles my clit. “More,” I breathe.

His eyes are still fixed firmly on the road while his fingers play me like a violin, driving me closer and closer to the brink of orgasm. Just when I think I’m going to combust, he removes his hand from my pants and licks them clean.

“What the fuck, Miles?”

“Maybe next time you’ll learn to be patient.”

I grumble an impressive stream of expletives, even for me, and Miles smirks, tugging my hand to rest on his thigh before weaving his fingers through mine. “Have a nap. We’ll be home before you know it.”

When we pull up outside of Miles’ house, there’s a familiar figure sitting on the porch swing. Lucy’s smile lights up when she sees us, and it’s hard to believe it’s only been three days since I le ft.

Miles briefly kisses his mom on the cheek and heads inside with our suitcases, leaving us behind on the porch. I join her on the swing, glancing around at the landscape and the place I get to call home.

It’s much too early in the season for the leaves to be changing, but I can almost smell a shift in the air.

I’m eagerly waiting for the day when I’m surrounded by hues of yellow and orange, listening to the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze.

It’s a heady feeling, knowing I’ll be here when that happens.

“Welcome home, sweet girl,” Lucy says, wrapping me in her motherly embrace as the swing sways gently on its hinges. “I knew he’d bring you back to us.”

“I never should’ve left.” I admit. I knew it then, but I wasn’t ready to accept what was right in front of me, letting fear hold me back from the inevitable.

“With distance comes perspective. Now show me that rock!”

I hold out my hand for inspection, and Lucy practically melts. “The pictures don’t do it justice. My boy did well.”

I rest my head on Lucy’s shoulder, locking eyes with Miles as he steps out onto the porch with two cups of tea and a packet of biscoff cookies. “Be still my heart. A girl could get used to this,” I say, taking my first sip from my favorite mug.

“I sure hope so,” he says, smiling brightly.

Miles

The movers arrive two days after Maggie and I get back to Oak Ridge, and we spend the morning unpacking her things. Having her in my space, now our space, feels fundamentally right, but there’s still one thing missing — a promise I intend to keep.

“Are you almost ready?” I ask through the locked door to our bedroom. I’ve been banished from the premises since I can’t keep my hands to myself long enough to let her get dressed. If I had it my way, she’d never wear clothes while we’re home.

“Almost. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Nope. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Fifteen minutes later, I pull up outside of the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, where Ivy is waiting for us on the stoop. “Ivy needed some help with something. We’ll just be a few minutes.” The lie flows effortlessly off my tongue as I interlock our fingers and pull her along the sidewalk.

When we enter the building, Ivy guides us through a long hallway that looks more like an office building than a typical animal shelter.

Each dog has their own enclosure with glass doors and windows, bedding, and all the essentials.

They yip and bark when they see us, tails wagging in greeting, but I only have eyes for Maggie.

She smiles at them, and I can tell she wants to stop and pet every dog she passes.

Ivy glances back with a smirk on her face, coming to a stop in front of a door with a sign on the front that says “Hello. My name is Max. I am a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix. Likes: cuddles and belly rubs. Dislikes: Capitalism and the 1%.” Below that, there’s another sign that says “Adoption Pending.”

Maggie practically melts into a puddle when she sees the floppy eared tricolor spaniel mix.

“He’s so cute!” she says, brows drawn together as she crouches down to place her hand on the glass.

Max boops her palm against the barrier and I see the moment she falls head over heels in love with him.

Ivy produces a key, unlocking the door but my girl is too distracted to notice.

“Hi, Max. Do you wanna meet your mommy?” I ask, catching Maggie off guard.

Maggie stands, bringing her hands to my chest. “What did you just say?” she stares at me incredulously, while over her shoulder, Ivy attaches the lead to Max’s collar. I shrug in response, leaving her to mull over my words.

Smiling, Ivy says, “Come with me.” We follow her into the adjoining meeting room with a plush armchair and toys.

Bypassing the chair entirely, Maggie seats herself on the floor against the wall, waiting for Ivy to set Max free.

Once the leash is off, Max barrels towards my girl with hearts in his eyes.

He flops down against her legs, offering up his belly.

His tongue lolls out of his mouth as she rubs his tummy, and she giggles when his scratch reflex kicks in.

“Is he really ours, Miles?” she asks, looking up at me with pleading eyes. Max takes that moment to curl up in her lap, resting his head against her thigh.

“I don’t think I could say no even if I wanted to, Wildcat. He’s as gone for you as I am.”