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“What are your plans?” Elena asks.
“Oversee the work on my house. I’m going to set up an office here, too. I’m done traveling for a while.”
Layla flinches. I’m watching her constantly, acutely conscious of any change in her demeanor.
“It must get lonely sometimes,” Elena says, nodding. “Maybe now that you’re here, you’ll finally settle down.”
Another flinch from my woman.
There I go again—my woman. I can’t stop thinking of her like that.
Noah chuckles warmheartedly. “It would have to be a miracle woman to convince Miles to settle down.”
“You don’t want a wife one day?” Elena asks, then laughs softly. “Sorry. I don’t mean to interrogate you the second you walk through the door.”
I take the serving platter and place some fresh bread, cheese, and grapes on my plate.
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “Noah’s just teasing. I’ve often said I’ll leave the romantic side of life to him.”
“But why?”
Everybody turns to study Layla. She looks directly into my eyes. It’s the tone of her voice, the emotional edge to it. There’s bravery in her expression and some sassiness, too. It’s like she’s challenging me.
I stare right back at her—another mistake.
It triggers temptation. Instructions, almost.
Flip the table. Drag her into your arms. Kiss her. Own her.
“Oof, that’s a tricky question,” Noah says, still good-naturedly.
“I tried dating when I was in my twenties. It’s thethingto do, isn’t it? Find a woman, settle down, and start a family. My career was going well, so I thought, why not?”
“So, what’s the problem?” Layla asks, calming her voice just a little. Maybe she doesn’t want to get Elena and Noah all suspicious, but would they ever dream we’ve kissed and want each other?
“You couldn’t find anybody?” Layla goes on.
“I had some dates and a few relationships, but nothing ever stuck. After a while, I realized I was the problem. I’m too emotionally distant. Too committed to my work. I get bored too easily. It wasn’t fair to go through the motions, to pretend I wanted a life I didn’t. So, I stopped trying.”
“You haven’t dated inyears?” Elena asks. “I didn’t know that.”
“I know. What a waste,” Noah laughs. “Miles has always been the handsome one.”
Elena takes my brother’s hand, aiming a look at him that’s so love-filled, warm, andwifely. I feel like dirt from the thoughts colliding endlessly in my mind.
“I’m sorry, Miles, but I have to disagree with Noah there.”
I smirk. “No offense taken.”
“Maybe now that you’re home, you can try again,” Layla says.
“You’ll have to give me some tips,” I reply, hoping it sounds playful, joking, with no hint of the fiery desire blazing in me.
Layla scoffs. Her smile is a gift, even the small ones, the twitch in her lips.
“I’m not much of a dater either.”
“Too committed toyourcareer?” I ask.
