6. Eve

Chapter 6

Eve

As the plane climbs higher, rolling above the patchwork of fields and tiny houses, I can’t shake this feeling of being out of my depth. Typically, I’m a confident woman who strides through life like I own the place. But this? This feels like a whole new terrain I’m not sure I’m equipped to navigate.

Meeting Eric has changed my plans. He’s slowly unraveling me in ways I never expected. The powerful chemistry flowing between us terrifies me a little. I’ve never been one to let myself get swept away by anyone, but with him, I find myself teetering on the edge of something intense. And, God help me, it scares me how much I crave him.

As the plane levels off, the shuddering motion subsides, and I barely notice. I glance at him, and he meets my gaze, a lazy grin spreading across his handsome face. Then, out of nowhere, he takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, sending a shockwave through my system. It’s just a touch, but it makes my heart race like I’m on a speeding roller coaster.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice low and warm, pulling me in deeper.

“Yeah, all good,” I reply, my breath quickening against my will as a blush creeps up my cheeks. What the hell is wrong with me?

I fidget in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position as a battle rages inside me. I’m half-tempted to lean closer and let my curiosity take over while the other half desperately tries to maintain some semblance of control. I can’t let him see just how deeply he affects me, can’t risk showing any hint of vulnerability.

Then, right when I think I might be able to reign it all in, he throws back his head and laughs at something the pilot just said over the intercom, and the sight of him stills me. He looks so carefree, so alive in his element, and a flash of recognition slams into me like a freight train.

“Holy shit,” I mutter under my breath, my eyes widening as I realize just how much he resembles Rylan Rhodes, the reclusive Hollywood actor. The strong jawline, the chiseled features, and that irresistible charm… Why the hell didn’t I notice this before?

“Are you related to Rylan Rhodes?” My mind races with ideas. This brand-new realization sends my heart pounding harder against my ribcage as if my body can’t decide whether to swoon or panic.

The pieces all slot together. Eric’s brooding presence, the way he carries himself with fierce confidence bordering on arrogance. It’s enough to have my thoughts spiraling.

A brief flash of apprehension crosses his face, enough to make my stomach knot. “Yeah, uh… actually,” he says slowly, his voice tinged with that mix of apprehension and something deeper. “I used to be Rylan Rhodes, but I left that name behind with my old Hollywood life.”

“Holy shit,” I murmur, incredulous. I feel my heart race, a mix of disbelief and confusion swirling like a storm inside me. “Wait a minute.” I hold up my hand. “You’re really Rylan Rhodes?”

He shifts in his seat, and I catch the tension playing across his features; it’s a damn near palpable struggle. “Look, I was going to explain everything once we’re on the yacht,” he says, his tone serious yet steady. “But yes, I’m Rylan. I went back to my real name when I left Hollywood.”

My mind spins, trying to catch up with the revelation. All the stories, the gossip, the Hollywood glitz, they’re standing right in front of me disguised as this down-to-earth guy. Since he never really had high-profile relationships, most people assumed he wasn’t into women. “I can’t believe this.”

“I know it’s shocking,” he replies, looking slightly more relaxed now that the truth is out in the open. “I got fed up with the bullshit. It’s not what it appears to be, you know? It’s all smoke and mirrors, a never-ending facade that drove me insane.”

I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. Rylan Rhodes, the man who once captivated audiences and filled theaters, chose to detach himself from the glittering chaos? It’s wild and intoxicating, and suddenly, I feel like I’m peeking behind the curtain at a whole new world I never expected.

“Why move here?” I ask, genuinely curious, leaning in a little closer. “You could have gone anywhere. You could have kept your fame, and people would have welcomed you with open arms.”

He shrugs, his expression softening just a bit. “I wanted to live a normal life. Somewhere I could blend in without constant scrutiny.” He pauses, the weight of his words hanging in the air between us. “I just wanted to find out who I really am when the world isn’t watching.”

The vulnerability in his confession tugs at something deep inside me, triggering a pang I can’t quite describe. Here’s a man who practically wore the world’s expectations on his shoulders and decided it was time to shake it off, to break free.

“Why did you agree to the auction if you’re trying to lay low?” I ask, genuinely confused.

“Roman caught me at a weak moment,” he admits, a wry smile forming. “And I figured The Sterling Rope is one of the safest places for me with all their privacy standards.”

“Wow.” I don’t know what to feel right now.

I sit back in my seat, the low hum of the engines filling the quiet between us, and let my mind race. As the airplane glides smoothly through the sky, thoughts about Eric swirl around like a tornado, throwing me off balance. I can’t believe he’s Rylan Rhodes, the Hollywood icon.

But I can’t be upset with him for keeping his real identity hidden. We just met! The words swirl through my mind like a mantra. I try to tamp down the irritation flickering inside me. I’m so conflicted, but I don’t want to give up the chance to get to know him.

“Okay,” I say finally, breaking the silence as I turn to him. His revelation doesn’t change anything between us. “I get it. You’ve got your reasons for hiding who you are. But I want to get to know the real you. Not the movie star or whatever persona the tabloids have dreamt up.”

He turns his head slightly, his expression softening, and I feel a pulse of something unnamable shift in the air. “I’m glad to hear that.” His voice drops low, almost like he needs reassurance, and I’m caught off guard by how much it stirs something deep within me.

“But don’t expect me to go all ga-ga over you.” I smirk at him.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be crazy about me, but it won’t be because of my former career.” His arrogance turns me on in a way I can’t explain.

As the minutes tick away, I watch him relax against the seat, arms folding behind his head. Underneath the arrogance, I catch glimpses of vulnerability, and it intrigues me even more. “What made you give up your career and hide out in Silver Spoon Falls?” I ask, half-teasing, half-probing.

“I wouldn’t call it hiding out.” He shrugs, shifting his gaze to the window, almost lost in thought. “I woke up one day and realized I was miserable. I hated everything about my life.” I totally empathize with him. I got tired of my busy, stressful career in New York and decided to move to Silver Spoon Falls for a change of pace. “So, I did something about it,” he confides, like giving up his career and leaving Hollywood is no big deal.

“And you don’t regret walking away from Hollywood?” Before I let him all the way into my heart, I want to make sure he isn’t going to run back to his old life.

“Not in the fucking least,” he says, his raw honesty giving me a window into his world. “I love my new life, but I didn’t completely walk away from everything. I still write screenplays under an alias.”

“Oh. Do you ever plan to return to acting?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

He smirks, the corner of his mouth twitching. “There’s nothing that would ever convince me to return to acting. That part of my life is over for good.”

I’m not sure how it happened, but Eric already has a tight hold on my heart.