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“The Coleville cowboys have not signed an employment contract with Aiden that specifies at the top of the first page, right after swearing to devote our lives to protecting the innocent and eradicating evil … ‘Under no circumstances are male operatives allowed to dish it back to Autumn or beat her at sparring and knock her onto her back.’”
“Ah, very funny. You’ve never let me win.”
“I signed the contract, now didn’t I?”
Eva smiled at their banter, feeling much more relaxed. “Who is Easton?”
“Yes, who is this specimen of a man who can keep up with my wit and fighting skills?”
“My brother,” Miles said. “A famous bull rider and ultra-tough and charming cowboy who puts your flirtations to shame, Autumn.”
“You had me at your brother.” Autumn grinned even as Eva’s gut tightened. Why did the woman claim Eva and Miles had sparks between them, and then flirt with him nonstop? “Does he look like you, Lieutenant Coleville?”
“Remarkably. The two years younger and much more handsome and charming version,” Miles said. He glanced over at Eva. She wanted to tell him no one was more handsome or charming than him, but he had a girl back home. Why had she agreed to go to his ranch? Would she meet this lucky woman? It was exhilarating and at the same time difficult to be around him, knowing she could never be with him.
“Sign me up,” Autumn said. “Though truth be told, I’d take the original.” She gave Miles a wink and Eva a sly smile. “If the two of you didn’t have sparks crackling between you.”
Eva froze. An awkward tension filled the backseat—no sparks crackling like Autumn had said.
“Ah, now I’ve gone and made it awkward, haven’t I?” Autumn tsked and looked to Paul. “Get us to the airport quick so I can send you all on your awkward way. Unfortunately, I must stay here and pretend to be Eva, sick in bed. I don’t have to smell like vomit or cold-induced sweats to complete the picture, do I? I certainly hope some idiot who dared put a dark web bounty on my friend Eva’s head comes to visit.” She lifted her phone. “If not, I’ll have plenty to keep me busy, Googling my future boyfriend’s bull riding videos.”
“Easton is going to devour this attention,” Miles said. “Forget I said anything.”
“Ah, no. Too late now. You’ve made my week. Fresh blood.” She held up a video of a bull rider flying around like a cowboy rag doll on a huge bull’s back.
Eva sucked in a breath. She’d watched bull riding at rodeos growing up, but it had been a while. She’d forgotten how vicious the event was.
“Don’t worry.” Miles put his hand over hers where it rested on the seat. The warm pressure of his hand lit a fire within her.
“Look at that,” Autumn exclaimed.
Eva yanked her hand back, face flaring red, but Autumn wasn’t looking at or exclaiming over them touching hands.
“He rode out the full eight seconds with style. What a man.”
Eva could see the cowboy, Easton Coleville apparently, leap clear of the bull, who immediately spun and zeroed in on him. The bullfighters distracted the massive brute animal, and a horse with a cowboy on his back flew to Easton’s side. Easton swung up behind the horseman and waved to the cheering crowd.
“Future boyfriend for certain,” Autumn said. “Put in a good word for me, Miles.”
Miles chuckled. “Don’t worry, I will.”
“Tell Easton not to hold his breath,” Paul teased. “Autumn will never let her guard down for any man.”
“Ah, now.” Autumn patted his hand on the steering wheel. “I am proud of you for taking your shot. Really, I am. It’s not you, it’s me.” She fluttered her lashes.
Eva felt bad for Paul, but he laughed as loud as she’d heard him laugh. “Ah, Autumn. If any of us thought we had a shot, we might take it. And it is definitely you not me. I’m one of the few people in our industry who doesn’t have relationship issues.”
Autumn joined him in his laughter. “That’s why you’re thirty-five and still single.”
“Just waiting for you.”
“Patience is such a sweet characteristic, but it will never win this lady’s heart.” She put a hand dramatically over her heart and one over her eyes.
Eva and Miles joined in their laughter as they kept bantering. She was grateful they’d moved on from the tension of Autumn teasing her and Miles about sparks, but she wished she hadn’t pulled her hand away. She could be enjoying the show in the front seat with Miles’s hand cupping hers.
Chapter
Seven
