Chapter 19

Eva was drained. Completely. They'd finally gotten through the Coast Guard questioning, then the police questioning, then the FBI had come in with more questioning. Through it all, Miles had stayed by her side. Aiden had shown up halfway through the FBI questioning. That made everything go a lot smoother. Their respect for Captain Aiden Porter bordered on worship.

She and Miles were at Aiden's house. She took a long shower in one of the guest bedrooms downstairs, reveling in knowing that Miles was in the next bedroom over.

Dressing in a comfortable T-shirt and shorts that Aiden had given her, she brushed out her hair, put on some lotion, and walked into the bedroom. She only wanted Miles. Opening the door to the hallway, intent on finding him, she saw Miles leaning against the opposite wall.

Miles. Her military cowboy. He would always be there for her. He was so loyal he'd swam through the ocean like Poseidon and risked his life covering her with his body when the bullets flew. This man would never leave her for a more famous option. Her Miles was one hundred percent devoted to her, and she believed he always would be.

His blue eyes lit up as he saw her. He pushed away from the wall and hurried toward her.

"Eva." He gently wrapped his hands around her waist, framing it with his large palms, his thumbs brushing her abdomen.

"Miles." She collapsed against him, wrapping her arms around his back and drawing strength from him. "Oh, Miles, thank you. You were like Poseidon in the water. You saved me. It was miraculous."

He cradled her close, sliding his hands around to her lower back and kissing her forehead. "I prayed so hard. I think God saved you and you saved yourself fighting free of Lake and getting off the WaveRunner. You are so brave, Eva."

They'd rehashed the story time and again with the authorities, but she could still feel the miraculous power of heaven. She hadn't thought she'd ever fight free of Lake's grip, but she had, and then Miles had somehow appeared in the ocean like a merman or, more accurately, a highly-trained Navy SEAL.

Josh and Tyler had sprinted down the beach and been able to commandeer some WaveRunners from the pier over a mile away. Neither of them could swim like Miles and hadn't dared attempt it. She didn't know anybody that could swim like Miles. He was definitely her hero.

"You saved me. Thank you." She arched up and kissed him.

Miles met her halfway, and she was swept away with the desire and joy from his kiss. Miles surrounded her with his strength and lifted her with his kiss, protecting her and making her believe in a future with him.

"Oh!" Aiden's voice interrupted their kiss as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Forgive me, friends, but somebody said Vietnamese food, and I missed dinner in my rush to fly to you. Are you joining us? Tyler and Josh want to brag about Miles being Aquaman one more time."

Eva stared up into Miles's blue eyes. "Miles isn't Aquaman. Too pure. Though I admit he moves like Aquaman in the water."

Miles smiled. "I need a few dozen more tattoos to be Aquaman."

"Let's stick with Poseidon then," Eva said.

Aiden chuckled. "Dinner?"

"I'm not hungry," Eva said, hoping Miles wasn't either.

"I am," Miles said, mischief filling his blue eyes.

"Oh. Okay. We can eat." They would have plenty of time to talk and kiss later. She hoped. She eased back.

Miles tugged her in tight again. "I'm hungry for your lips."

Aiden chuckled again as Eva's heart raced.

"That was cheesy," Aiden said. "I'll leave you two alone. We'll save you some."

"Thank you," Miles said, his head already descending toward hers.

"Yes, thank you," Eva echoed. "For everything."

"Think nothing of it." There was laughter in Aiden's voice. His footsteps retreated.

Miles stopped a breath away from Eva's lips. "Before I devour these luscious lips." He winked. "Does this mean you trust I'll be loyal to you until the day I die, and you're willing to give us a shot?"

Eva studied him. She loved him, though it was far too early to tell him that. "You're my hero, Lieutenant Miles Coleville. You protected me from being shot. The least I can do is let you woo me, date me, impress me, and devour me with your lips."

Miles chuckled and kissed her, but it was much softer and shorter than their previous kisses. "Eva," he whispered roughly against her lips. "I do want to devour your lips, but I need you to know … you're my match, the woman I want to spend every spare minute with. You're special and unique to me. Our connection and sparks are unparalleled. I feel heaven above brought us together. I hope you're ready for the most fiercely loyal Navy SEAL cowboy to be completely devoted to you and spend every moment I'm not on a mission waiting on your doorstep or on the set to your latest movie. Wherever you are, that's where I want to be."

Eva's spirit soared with his words. "I shouldn't admit this. It's far too soon. But I love you, Miles. When I saw you running on the beach, haloed with the sun, I had been praying for the good Lord to send me a man I could trust. He did. I hope you're ready for the most fiercely loyal hick actress to be completely devoted to you."

He grinned and then he captured her mouth with his. She was swept away in the passion and love he felt for her. She didn't have to choose to trust or love Miles. She felt both so deeply, she knew they would be devoted to each other. For this life and beyond.

His kiss was magic, their connection unparalleled. She could hardly wait to prove her own loyalty to him and grow closer each day.

Thank you for reading Miles and Eva's story!