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The connection between him and Eva had him edging closer. “Eva,” he murmured. She met his gaze and everything settled. Of course Eva was the right one for him. Of course Lily would understand when he ended a thirteen-year relationship with a quick phone call.
No, he mentally yelled at himself. That was chicken crap. He was a Navy SEAL, a gentleman cowboy, a Christian, and a Coleville. His dad and heaven above wouldn’t accept him treating Lily like that. He wouldn’t accept it. She was an incredible lady and deserved better. It was on him that he hadn’t ended things six months ago.
Because of his duty to Lily, Eva would be back to her acting world before he was free to explain fully and pursue her. Eva was as far out of his reach now as she had been when she didn’t know him from Adam.
He stepped back and focused out the windows. The pool glowed blue, and a container ship was crawling past in the distance.
“Anything from Aiden?” she asked, her voice chipper, fake, not the real Eva he kept kidding himself he knew so well.
“Not yet.” He steeled himself to look at her and forced a smile to match hers. “He’ll be thorough and get the answers you need so we can keep you safe.” It wouldn’t be him keeping her safe. Would it? Could he volunteer? He wasn’t one of Aiden’s bodyguards, and he only had four days until he had to be back on base.
“That’ll be great. Thanks again for being here for me, rescuing me.”
“Happy to do it.”
This stilted conversation hurt.
“Are you hungry or thirsty?” he asked.
“No thank you.”
He drummed his fingers on the counter. What would they do until Aiden called? How long could it take to expose a dirty FBI agent? He almost smiled at that. It could take days or weeks, maybe months. Just him and Eva. Stuck in Aiden’s house until they got some answers. And he couldn’t pursue her or even talk to her normally.
“How long have you been in the Navy?” she asked.
“Twelve years.” He appreciated her trying to converse. “I left home right after high school graduation. I always wanted to be a SEAL.”
“And now you’re a lieutenant with your SEAL unit?” She smiled. “Impressive.”
“Thank you. Not as impressive as everything you’ve accomplished in ten years.” Her high school drama teacher had a connection in Hollywood and Eva had landed a role in a movie that took off right out of high school. Her career had launched quickly and now she was an A-lister.
She arched her eyebrows and settled onto a padded barstool. He pulled one out and sat down as well.
“Is it lame of me to admit that I hate that you know everything about me and I know nothing about you?” She bit at her lip.
Miles was grateful she wanted to know anything about him. The ‘girl back home’ comment seemed to linger between them.
“I don’t know everything about you,” he said.
“Oh really? So you don’t follow me on social media, don’t watch my movies and interviews, didn’t think it would be cool to meet and flirt with the famous Eva Chevron?” She didn’t sound confrontational, more disappointed.
Miles couldn’t lie to her, and that was a huge disadvantage right now.
“You’re right.” He spread his hands and grimaced at the vindicated and disappointed look in her dark eyes. “I was enamored with you, like most single men over thirteen, but I was enamored because I saw clips of you helping an older gentleman across the street, bending down and chatting with the children your co-workers ignored, standing by an actress friend when others defamed her, and you have to admit it’s incredible that you have an original number ninety-nine Wayne Gretzky King’s jersey.”
She actually smiled at that.
Maybe he should’ve stopped, but his tongue rattled on. “After meeting you, I’m even more impressed with how bravely you’ve handled this crazy night and how genuine and intriguing you are.” He took a breath, wishing he could say how her touch lit him up, how he imagined they had a unique and incredible bond. It was only fair that she knew. “Eva, the real you is a million times more impressive than your actress persona. I was enamored with you before. Now I’m mesmerized.”
“Thank you, Miles.” Her words were sincere. At least she’d accepted the compliment.
Their gazes met and held. Miles forgot his obligation to his SEAL unit, his family, Lily, his honor. Nothing mattered at this moment but Eva. She was destined to become the most important part of his life, and in her deep-brown eyes he could read that she felt the same way.
She moistened her lips, and he leaned in before he could stop himself.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pushed out a heavy breath, straightened, and ripped out his phone. It was a needed but unwelcome interruption.
“Yeah,” he barked into the phone without meaning to.
