Page 6

I watch the clock move at a snail’s pace all afternoon long. When the darn thing finally hits six-forty-five, my heart starts to pound. I’m really doing this. I’m not sure when it happened, but the smoking-hot hockey player got under my skin. Big time. I’m pretty sure I’m at least halfway in love with him already. Who am I kidding? It’s really around ninety percent. I’m in so much trouble here.

At five minutes until seven, the bell over the door rings and I groan. Great, a last-minute customer. I paste a fake smile on my face and turn to the door.

My heart drops when I find Miles standing there, and I wonder if he came by to cancel.

“Uh, hi.” All my thoughts scatter as disappointment cuts through me.

“Hello, honey bun.” He walks over and takes my hand. “I know you want to drive to my place, so I came by to follow you.”

“Why?” I attempt to wrap my mind around his words. None of this makes sense to me.

“To make sure you get there safely.” He smiles down at me before leaning over to place a soft kiss on my cheek. His warm lips barely brushed my skin, yet I’m ready to jump his bones.

“Silver Spoon Falls isn’t exactly a dangerous place,” I remind him. “And I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” It’s the same argument I’ve had with my overprotective brother for years. In fact, Fischer makes me call or text him every night when I get home from work, so he knows I’ve made it safely. It gets old, but I love my brother and want to keep the peace.

“I have no doubt you can take care of yourself, but you don’t have to. It’s my job now. I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re well taken care of.”

Hello, twilight zone, you have a new resident. “We just met two days ago,” I remind him.

“It only took me two seconds to fall for you.” I hope it’s not a line because I just fell the last ten percent myself.

“Oh.” This is all happening so fast. I’m having trouble keeping up. “I need to lock up, and then I’ll be ready to head out.” Disappointment fills his gray eyes, but I’m not ready to hand over my heart on a silver platter. The hot hockey player has to earn it first.

Within five minutes, I’m in my tiny car following behind his mammoth SUV. I’m pretty sure he could fit his entire hockey team in that thing. The entire ten-minute drive to his house, I give myself a pep talk, but all my thoughts scatter the second we turn down his long, winding driveway.

He pulls into the attached garage and then hops out to walk over to my car. “You can park in the extra garage spot if you’d like.” He points to one of the three other garage openings.

“Okay.” I park my car and take several deep breaths before I open my car door and slide out.

Miles takes my hand and leads me through the door that leads to his huge, modern kitchen. “You can do some cooking in here.” I gasp as I take it all in. It’s easily four times the size of the kitchen in my efficiency apartment. Dark wood cabinets with white marble tops line three walls in a U-shape with a matching huge center island.

“Honestly, today is the first time I’ve used it except to make coffee in the morning,” he admits.

“It’s a sin not to put this to use.” I glance around and notice the tall double door in the center of the long wall. “Is that a hidden pantry?” What can I say? I’m a Pinterest junky.

He smiles and nods his head. “The builder talked me into it. Want to check it out?”

“Heck yes.” I can’t wait to see a hidden pantry in person. He pulls the doors open, and I almost drool over what he reveals. The hidden room is nearly the same size as his kitchen. It has white cabinets and countertops. “This is a lot of storage.”

“You’re welcome to use any of my storage.” He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “I have four bedrooms with large walk-in closets and a secret library hidden behind a bookcase.” Miles winks. “I’m not above using my house upgrades to win you over.”

His teasing attitude melts my heart, and I decide to play along. “I need to see all these upgrades before I make up my mind.”

“Come on then, and I’ll show you what I’m offering.” While his house is awesome, I’d rather own his heart.

“This is beautiful,” I tell him as we walk down the hallway. Each room he shows me is nicer than the next. “Why are you using the small bedroom instead of the master?” The smallest bedroom in the back of the house is the only one furnished.

“I’ve been waiting to find my soulmate. I wanted to let her decorate it.” He pauses. “You.” I’m done. The sincerity shining from his eyes seals the deal. “I want you to make the entire house your forever home. Do whatever you want with it.”

“This is a lot to take in.” It’s too late for me to walk back from this. My heart is already in it for the long run.

“I know. Since the first second I laid eyes on you, I’ve felt like a cartoon character who’s been hit in the head with a giant hammer,” Miles admits, and I laugh at the silly expression on his handsome face.

“Before I commit to anything, I need to see your impressive library.” I’m only teasing a little bit. I really do want to check out this library.

“Come this way.” He stops at a bookcase built in under the stairs and pulls a book out. “I couldn’t resist the secret book handle.” He laughs. “Even though I know it’s corny.”

“It’s not corny at all.” I step into the room and gasp. “I freaking love it. This is gorgeous.” With floor-to-ceiling bookshelves wrapping around the oval-shaped room and a large sitting area that consists of four large leather sofas, this room is heaven. I walk over and stare out the window that covers the entire back wall. The perfectly landscaped back yard has a rectangular pool with a waterfall on one end.