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Her forehead wrinkled. “I don’t want you giving up a thirteen-year relationship for me.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t. It was past time we broke it off, and Lily agreed. We were dating in name only. What I’m trying to do is brag a little. Which I don’t usually do.”
She studied him. “I know that about you, and I appreciate it.”
“Thank you.” He swallowed and continued, “I was loyal to Lily, and she lived hours away and our relationship was stagnant and forced. What you and I have is special and we hardly know each other. Those feelings are going to grow, deepen, and flourish, and I promise I will be fiercely loyal to you.”
Her mouth opened and then she put her fingertips to her lips. He imagined she was remembering their intense kisses and wanted to give her more to strengthen his case. He stepped through the door and onto her small front porch instead. “Lock this and arm the system.”
She shut it in his face. He heard the deadbolt turn and the beep of the alarm system. Good.
Miles smiled ruefully at her all but slamming the door in his face. He brushed his hand through his hair. He missed his cowboy hat.
Turning, he knew he should pull up an Uber, but he started walking instead. It was only a couple miles to Aiden’s house. He needed to move and process and pray. Eva might finally trust that he would be loyal to her, and then again, she might slam the door in his face.
He had no idea which direction it would go tonight.
Chapter
Seventeen
Eva watched Miles out of the peephole. Everything about him appealed to her, especially his humility, his bravery, his toughness, and his ability to see past her acting and into her heart. His magical touch, enchanting eyes, and all-consuming kiss swept her away.
But could she trust him? Would he really be fiercely loyal to her as their relationship grew and flourished? She loved the image and hope of that, but she’d had that hope before.
Yet Miles was right. What they had was incredible and special. He swore he’d never felt it before, and she knew she never had. She could understand holding onto a lackluster relationship for safety from Lily’s side and not to hurt Lily in Miles’s mind. He was that good of a guy, and she appreciated that he hadn’t kissed her until he’d broken things off with Lily. She wanted to trust him and build a relationship together.
He walked away to the north, and she went to her bedroom and forced herself to lie down. After half an hour of tossing and turning and daydreaming of Miles, she climbed out of bed, walked into her living room, and said into one of the cameras, “I’m going on a walk on the beach. You’re welcome to follow me if you feel it’s necessary.”
“On my way,” a male voice said through the camera.
She jumped and then barked out a surprised laugh. “I didn’t know you could talk back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Laughing again, she waited for the knock on the door, then she and her guard Tyler headed across her patio and along the sand. It was a gorgeous late August afternoon. A lot warmer than Montana. She walked into the ocean and let her feet and legs get soaked with the cold sting of salt water.
When she got back to the house, she thanked Tyler and glanced at her watch. Five-thirty. Miles would be here soon. She wanted to talk to him, be with him, kiss him, but she was nervous about whether they could make it work. Would she take the plunge and try or would the deep-seated fear of more pain and the fact that Hollywood and military relationships were difficult ruin their chances?
Changing into a fitted T-shirt dress, she smiled to herself, thinking how Miles had liked her T-shirt nightgown that she’d had in Montana. She refreshed her makeup, sprayed on some coconut body splash, and paced the main room, tempted to say something to her buddies watching the camera.
A loud rap came on the back patio door, and she startled. Her heart leapt. Had Miles come up the beach from Aiden’s house? She hurried over, peering through the glass, and her heart dropped. Not Miles.
Lake. Ah, shoot. She had to get rid of him. She didn’t want him here when Miles showed up. Miles was humbly confident and wouldn’t be threatened by Lake, but Lake would posture and be annoying.
“Miss Chevron?” the guard said through the camera walkie-talkie thingy.
“It’s fine. It’s Lake Eastwood.”
“Oh.” Obviously the guard knew who Lake was.
She turned off the alarm and yanked the door open. “Lake, get your hind quarters off of my property before I sic my guard dogs on you.”
“Always so eloquent.” Lake smiled rather than scowling like he had the past few times she’d seen him. “You look stunning, Eva. Are you doing all right? Did they catch the loser that was after you?”
“Yes.” She nodded and leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms across her chest. “What’s your damage, Lake?”
His handsome face lit up in a smile, but there was something lurking in his blue eyes. He was up to something, and it wouldn’t bode well for her. Lake was so self-consumed he never thought about anyone but himself. She glanced around for paparazzi, but the beach appeared quiet.
