"It seemed personal."
"You're new at this girlfriend thing, but I'll give you a hint. It's okay to ask personal questions. As you noticed, I have no problem with it."
She's right. Another casualty of my previous personality. "Okay, I'm a little rusty. How's this—did you and Pierce work things out?"
"Good job," she praises. "I know you and Miller shared stories and you're partly to thank for his advice."
"I didn't mean to betray—"
"You didn't. It's natural for couples to talk. I don't feel betrayed at all. To answer your question, Pierce and I are great, and everything is back to where they should be. But this thing with Stephanie threw me for a loop. My best friend in the world has met a man, and she held back because she thought I was too overwhelmed. It was an eye-opener."
"I wasn't much better. I didn't pick up on it. The better question is when do we get to meet him?"
"Meet who?" Miller's voice comes from behind and both of us jump in surprise.
"Miller! You can't sneak up on a pregnant woman like that!" Darby squeaks, dropping the knife.
"I walked into my house. How's that sneaking up?"
Pierce comes in behind him with Runner trotting straight to Darby's stool and nosing at her knees.
"In case you didn't know, pregnant women don't have the best reactive instincts." She wriggles to get up, and Pierce is at her side in an instant, nudging Runner out of the way.
"I'll help you." He takes her hand, looks at her sparkly nails, and kisses along her fingertips. "Beautiful."
She melts into him, and my heart does a flip at the sweet gesture.
"Do I even want to know what that was about?" Miller's face scrunches as he watches them disappear down the hall.
"I think she has to use the restroom. That baby has her going all the time, hence the surprise."
His expression relaxes and he steps into me, his eyes lighting with humor. "Got it, no more surprises."
My gaze travels over him, taking in the workout shorts, his wet shirt, his hair damp, the smell of his cologne mixed with sweat, all of it the image of raw sex appeal. My mouth waters as the air between us heat.
"You see something you like?"
"Admiring the view." I use his words from the morning he watched me stripping wallpaper in my bathroom.
His arm slinks around my waist, pulling me to him and dropping his mouth to mine. My lips automatically part, welcoming the way his tongue sweeps through, curling around mine. I grip his biceps, hoping my wobbling knees don't give out.
His mouth moves possessively over mine, sending blazing sparks of hunger racing through my body. He slides his hand up my back and into my hair, slanting my head so he can deepen the kiss. I'm powerless, drowning in him as he kisses me like a starving man. A little whimper escapes when he slows, easing back and sucking on my bottom lip.
He keeps our faces pressed close, tugging and fisting at my hair for a few seconds. Then he licks his lips, his eyes glittering. "Been waiting for that kiss all day, Princess."
"Me too," I reply breathlessly. "How was the gym?"
"It was the gym. How was spa day?"
"Divine."
He grins, brushing his lips across mine once more before stepping back and taking in the dishes covering his countertops.
"I may have gotten a little carried away, but I've been without a proper kitchen for a while. Beef Wellington is an intense dish," I rush to say.
"This is your kitchen now."
Like many times in the last few days, his meaning is clear. This isn't about dinner, it's about us.
Runner chooses that moment to nuzzle up to my legs, circling me for attention. "Hey, sweet boy." I bend and wrap my arms around him, and he shows his appreciation by licking my cheek.
"Be careful," Miller commands, and Runner slinks to my back.
"You hurt his feelings."
"He's about to take you down."
"We're fine." I pat the dog's hip and stand. "We had a German Shepherd growing up. I learned how to brace."
His face softens and he brushes his hand across my cheek. "Love learning these little things."
I smile shyly back at him. "It's coming naturally."
"Want to tell me who you were talking about when we came in?"
The conversation comes back to me and I smile wider. "Stephanie has met someone. I was asking when we get to meet him."
His face registers understanding and he nods. "The mystery man. Pierce told me all about it but said Stephanie had yet to give Darby many details. She's keeping a lot under wraps. They're coming Thanksgiving weekend."
My face falls and my mood instantly evaporates. "I'll miss him."
"You'll miss him?"
"I'll be in Atlanta for Thanksgiving."
His face is blank.
"Seriously, Miller, Janette Rhodes turns into a different beast at Thanksgiving. None of us miss it."
He studies me for a beat, then his grin turns wicked. "We'll see."
Chapter 15
Miller
Andi pops her head into my office, gauging my mood before she walks in.
"It's safe. The distributor knows I'm pissed. We should have the replacement fixtures by Friday." I hand her the file that was laying on my desk this morning with the bold message about a problem with material delivery.
"Great, now only a dozen other issues to deal with. I swear this is the craziest Monday in months."
"Anything else I need to handle?"
"No, but I don't remember November being this insane."
"That's because last year you were Pierce's assistant and his focus was on Darby in Aspen."
"Oh yeah. Maybe this is a better gig. He was wound tight. Must have blocked those months out of my brain." She laughs, pulling another folder out of her stack and pushing it across my desk. The "Rhodes Reno" label catches my eye instantly.
"There better not be a problem here." My voice comes out more abrasive than intended.
"Just opposite, take a look." She sits back smugly.
I scan the documents, once again thankful for Andi's organization. Then I catch what
