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“No. My agent did. I was planning to look into it after I returned from Wyoming. I had plans to visit my family after we finished filming.”
“Hmm. I’ll be in touch soon,” Aiden said. “Thank you, Miles. I’m certain Eva feels the same, but I’m grateful you happened upon her tonight.”
“Me too,” Miles and Eva said at the same time.
Aiden laughed at that, and she smiled, embarrassed.
“Aiden,” Miles said, thankfully interrupting her embarrassment. “I chucked her phone onto the pier and some kid took off with it. I think this Ryken was tracking her with it. Can you have one of your tech people kill it so nobody can get her information from it?”
Eva appreciated him dealing with that concern as well.
“Of course. Phone number? Carrier?”
Eva rattled both off.
“Got it. All right, hang tight.” Aiden hung up, and silence filled the large living space.
Miles pocketed his phone, pivoting slightly. Eva stared at the gun tucked in the back of his waistband and asked, “Why didn’t you just beat up Ryken or threaten him with the gun? Why did we run?” Running had felt like the right move to her, but she didn’t have fighting skills like Miles did.
“If your FBI agent really is dirty, we need answers before I show him my face. I could either get arrested for thumping an FBI agent or lose the anonymity I currently have. I told you my name while the attacker was passed out and only my first name. Whoever’s after you won’t know who’s protecting you. Especially since your attacker said he took out the patio camera.”
She stared at him for a beat. “So you’re not just a tough, handsome cowboy lieutenant. You’re a thinker too?”
He grinned and her insides did a happy dance. “I am a SEAL. They expect us to think, not just be tough.”
“You’re … a Navy SEAL.” She moistened her lips. “That is even more impressive.”
He ducked his head slightly. “Forgive me. My mama would not like me bragging.”
“You weren’t bragging.” He became more impressive and appealing by the moment.
He arched an eyebrow. “Would you like to shower or change your clothes? Do you want something to eat or drink?”
The redirection was intriguing and disappointing. She hadn’t let down her guard around a man since she had finally broken free of Lake last year. Miles had acted enthralled with her when they first met, but now he seemed to be withdrawing.
“I’ll stay in my clothes until we know I can’t go back to my house tonight,” she said.
Both eyebrows lifted at that. He didn’t think she’d be returning anytime soon. Was Ryken a ‘dirty’ agent? The thought blew her mind, but she also realized how gullible she’d been if he was. She’d let him set up her security and been alone with him.
“Some ice water and Tylenol would be fabulous, and I’d love to use a restroom to wash up.”
“Your head.” He shook his own head. “I’m sorry. I forgot in all the uproar. The perp knocking you around and knocking you out must’ve hurt, and coming to after being unconscious is vicious. You are very brave.” He didn’t wait for her response, rushing into the kitchen area to open a cupboard.
She followed him. He opened a bottle of Tylenol, cupped his free hand under hers, and tilted a couple pills into her palm.
Eva was frozen by the warm pressure of his hand cupping hers. No, frozen wasn’t right. She was warm all over. Miles’s blue eyes met hers and all the danger, uncertainty, and worries disappeared. Nothing could ever go wrong. There was no danger in this world. If he was close by.
He surprised her when he stepped back, slid his hand away, and refastened the pill bottle lid. He put it back in the cabinet and shut the door, then hurried to another cabinet, grabbed a glass, and went to the fridge to fill it with ice and water.
Eva watched him. Was she misreading the signals he had given before or was he interested in her? She hadn’t met a single man in years who hadn’t either acted awkward in her presence, ‘preened like a peacock’ in her dad’s words, or made a play for her. She knew they were after her because of her fame, not anything to do with the real her.
Miles confused her. She’d never been drawn to a man like this. It could be argued her attraction was simply gratitude for her rescuer or because he wasn’t hitting on her nonstop, chasing her like most other men did. He was a brave, tough cowboy and Navy SEAL, protecting and taking tender care of her. That could be why he was irresistible.
Yet she felt like they had something more between them than a hero complex or him playing hard to get. Something deep and promising. In this temporary safe haven of Aiden Porter’s home, could she explore this interest in Miles and see if he returned it?
He walked over with the glass of water and offered it to her. Eva murmured her thanks and took it from him, brushing his fingers in the process.
He sucked in a breath and didn’t move. Eva placed the Tylenol on her tongue and then took a long drink of the water. Miles watched her mouth the entire time. She shouldn’t have done it, but she let a drop of water roll slowly over her bottom lip. The water clung to her lip, and she figured, why not? She gave him a ‘come hither’ glance with her eyes, lowering her eyelashes and looking up from underneath them.
