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“I can’t do this,” she murmured, turning away from him and brushing angrily at her tears.
He had no clue how to respond.
Apparently not hurting Lily wouldn’t be possible.
He couldn’t abort the mission, but he prayed it wouldn’t be a failure. Somehow, he had to get through to her.
Chapter
Thirteen
Eva helped Easton and Walker with chores. When they got back to the house and Miles still wasn’t home, she wanted to just take a shower and go to bed, not think about him being with Lily, holding her hand, cuddling her, kissing her. Her stomach turned over, and she feared she’d puke.
Easton and Walker didn’t let her wallow. They let her shower and change into a T-shirt and shorts, but then they made popcorn, compiled drinks and treats, and started the movie A-Team in the theater down the hall from Eva’s bedroom. Easton promised the show was ‘gas’, even if she wasn’t starring in it. His teenage lingo was funny.
Eva liked the action and witty dialogue in the movie. She knew a couple of the actors personally but still had to pretend to be invested. She was miserable inside. Miles was with Lily. If Eva cared about Miles and his happiness, and had felt bad for Lily, she should be happy for both of them. He was finally with his girl back home. She selfishly wished he’d choose her. That was messed up. Lily had been loyal to him for how many years? It sounded like a lot. Now Miles was seeing her again, holding her, kissing her.
Eva flinched and stood quickly.
“You all right?” Easton asked.
“I need to use the bathroom,” she said, rushing out of the theater into the hallway and pumping down the stairs. She pushed down the handle on the front door, shoved it open, and ran out onto the front porch. Pausing by the railing, she drew in some breaths of fresh air. If only she could go on a long walk in the crisp night air. She knew this ranch was safe, but they were all still diligent with her protection, and she didn’t want to stress anyone if she took off.
“Eva,” Walker called, and she heard his footsteps on the stairs.
Lights flashed through the trees and the rumble of a truck approached. Eva backed up as Walker reached her. He steadied her with his hand on her arm.
“You all right?”
Walker noticed the headlights before she could respond. He stepped in front of her to shield her and ushered her back into the foyer. His body was coiled, the muscles in his arms flexing, one palm resting on his sidearm.
Then he relaxed. “It’s my truck. It’s Miles.”
Eva did the opposite of relaxing. Her body filled with warmth and longing. Miles was back. Had he come for her? She edged around Walker, anxious to see him. Then disgust at her own reaction filled her. He’d been with Lily for over two hours. She was certain of it. She had never fallen prey to the loose guidelines about relationships that seemed to prevail in her industry. She wouldn’t be the other woman. Why was she letting down her guard now?
The truck stopped, the engine cut, and Miles hopped out. The front porch lights revealed his handsome face shadowed by the cowboy hat. His strong form outlined in a T-shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and hat. Her body filled with warmth. He was irresistible. It wasn’t just his good looks. She was drawn to him, body and soul.
“Eva,” he said so softly she barely heard it.
Butterflies filled her stomach, and her breathing shortened.
Miles strode across the driveway and to the porch. A man on a mission.
Eva’s feet betrayed her, and she rushed to meet him.
Miles pounded up the steps, determination in the lines of his face and body, anticipation in his blue eyes.
He stopped on the top step. She was at the edge of the porch. They were close to the same height, and the look of longing he gifted her with set her heart racing.
“Eva.” He said her name reverently. “There’s so much I have to tell you. I …”
Then he wrapped his arms around her, and she willingly went into his arms. He held her tight to his chest. Every wrong was made right. Being in Miles’s arms was her spot. She owned this spot and never wanted to leave it.
The door closed behind them. Eva turned to look, but the porch was empty. Walker had stepped back into the house to give them privacy.
She looked back around at Miles. Being in his arms thrilled her. What would he tell her? Could she believe him? Trust him? She hadn’t trusted a man in years. Even with how confused she was about him and their relationship, if they even had one, she knew Miles was honest.
She waited for all those things he had to tell her, but his gaze dropped to her lips, and he breathed out, “I’ve known you for twenty-four hours, Eva, and I feel like I’ve been resisting kissing you for several lifetimes.”
