Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Miles reappeared with a wallet and pulled out a few cards, handing them over to her.

"Thank you." She looked at his driver's license. She'd been right—six-four, two-twenty. Nice stats. "You are a dead ringer for Miles Coleville."

"I hope so." He folded his arms across his chest, and she found herself temporarily distracted.

Glancing away quickly, she turned to his military ID. A lieutenant in the Navy. Wow, that was even more impressive. He had also handed her an outdated card for the Northern Rodeo Association. "Glad you have proof that you are a roper."

He smirked at that. "Didn't want you to think I was lying about any of it."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intone … Everything just happened so fast, and I instinctively trusted you, but … With me being famous and maybe you orchestrated the attack and the rescue like we think Ryken did." She broke off at the tightening arou nd his mouth. "A girl can never be too careful. Sorry, I'll stop talking now." She handed the cards back, ignoring the rush from his fingertips touching hers.

She'd just made a fool of herself. She wasn't caught up in her fame, but she hadn't met a man in years who wasn't awed by her fame or wanting to use it to benefit him.

"No. You don't need to apologize." He put the cards in and then put his wallet in his pocket. "I'm grateful you're being cautious. It did all happen fast, and I should've found a way to reassure you more. I was focused on keeping you safe, but I'm incredibly impressed with how brave you have been."

"Ah." She put a hand to her heart. "That means a lot." Coming from this specimen of rescue hero, it really did. "You did reassure me. You're a poster for tough, honorable, military cowboys. I'm impressed and grateful. Thank you. For everything."

Now she was gushing. It wasn't to make up for doubting him; she felt all of it and wondered more with each passing moment if her first impression hadn't been dead on and this was the man she should've been looking for all her life. He'd not only found her but rescued her.

"It's nothing," he murmured softly.

Their gazes caught and held. Blue eyes like his didn't capture a girl every day. She'd seen a lot of handsome men in Hollywood. Miles was more than handsome. He was real, could tease with her, protect her, and though he seemed humble and drawn to her, he was confident enough to stand by her side, not be tongue-tied or grasping at her fame.

"We'd better get inside," Miles said. "We weren't followed, but better not to be where someone could get a glimpse of Eva Chevron. "

His words broke the spell. Probably for the best. She wanted to be safe, and she was moving much too fast with him, at least in her own head.

She walked over the threshold. Miles followed her, shut the door, and pressed a button to re-arm the security.

"Somebody's serious about their security, eh?"

He smirked. "It's Aiden Porter. This is the smallest of his homes, with the least gadgets. You should try to get into his headquarters. He puts a survivalist hiding from the Russian mafia to shame."

She barked a loud laugh at that.

Miles grinned.

Did he think her barking laugh was obnoxious? Lake had. She looked around. There were only accent lights on above the cabinets and high shelves and some lamps, but she could see a spacious living area with loads of windows, especially behind them overlooking the pool area and ocean.

"Could somebody see in?" She pointed at the patio doors and floor to ceiling windows.

"Tinted glass and bulletproof." He winked.

"The second top security specialist in the world thinks of everything. Aiden is like James Bond, Ethan Hunt, and Jason Bourne put together."

"Careful. It'll go to his head."

"You're going to repeat everything I say?"

"No. The thing you don't see are all the cameras recording everything we say and do." Miles lifted a hand, gesturing around the spacious room. "I was telling you I'd call him, but if I were a betting man, that comment will get us …" As if on cue, he pulled out his phone. He had it on silent, but the screen was lit up with a picture of the handsome, charming Aiden Porter .

"Aiden," Miles greeted him as if they were close friends. If Miles was staying at his house, he was closer to the charming Aiden Porter than most who claimed to be his best friend. Miles didn't seem to know the meaning of posturing. She loved that.

"Yes, Eva Chevron did just walk into your house with me." He smiled at Eva. "No, she's not here as my date. She's in trouble."

Eva studied Miles's face as he explained everything that had happened to her tonight to the Aiden Porter. Surreal. This entire night and that she was standing in Aiden Porter's home. She might be famous, but Aiden was legendary. Miles being friends with and staying in Aiden Porter's house was no small matter. She was grateful for Miles's connections and willingness to help her. A notorious friend like Aiden Porter made Eva think that Miles might not be star-struck by her. He might be interested in the real her like those lingering blue-eyed glances were saying, and not just after her because she was famous.

Miles put the phone on speaker.

"Eva," Aiden said. "Welcome to our home."

"Thank you." She assumed he meant his gorgeous wife Chalisa Anderson Porter, sister to Princess Reagan Anderson Magnum as the ‘our.'

"Lieutenant Miles Coleville is a trustworthy and impressive man, but you probably already know that."

Miles ducked his head slightly. Was he actually humble too? Had the good Lord created her perfect man? She'd prayed and Miles had appeared. Her body tingled at the thought. She might be in grave danger, but the gift of Miles in her life would be worth finding out her FBI agent wasn't a good guy. Especially if Aiden could fix it all and she could be back to work and her house come morning .

"I learned that firsthand tonight," she admitted.

"Are you comfortable waiting at my home alone with Miles until we get a take on this situation and this Agent Henderson, or would you prefer I have one of my operatives in the area come for you? I'd trust Miles with Chalisa's life and he's as tough and well-trained as my people, but I realize you don't know him and you are Eva Chevron. I swear to you I'll have a security turret drop from the ceiling and shoot Miles in the hand if he tries to get too friendly."

She barked a laugh at that surprising line. Especially as Aiden had said it with all his characteristic charm.

Miles smiled, but then he held her gaze. His enticing blue eyes asked her to wait with him, to get to know him better and see where it could lead. She knew little about him besides that he was a military cowboy, but she trusted him. He'd fought for her, hidden her, protected her in every way.

"I'm comfortable with Miles," she admitted.

"Perfect. Thank you. Now, Miles. In the master suite, there are plenty of Chalisa's clothing that will fit Eva and toiletries or anything else she might need."

Eva didn't want to take Chalisa Porter's clothing. She hoped they could sort out this mess and she could be back home well before she needed clothing or toiletries. She wasn't on location, but they were filming some wrap-up scenes at the studio for her latest movie. As soon as she got that done, she could fly to Wyoming. She couldn't hide out here infinitely. Even if the mesmerizing Miles Coleville was by her side.

"Thank you," she said rather than express all her concerns and timelines. Better to see what they found out. But there was something she and Miles had forgotten. "Miles didn't tell you, but can you also look into Jorge Augilar? He became obsessed with me two weeks ago, apparently after he saw The Broken Warrior in prison." The film was adapted from a Taylor Hart novel. It was a couple years old and used to be one of her favorites, with action, intrigue, and romance. Jorge had ruined that for her. "He sends me messages from prison constantly."

"Jorge Augilar?" Aiden repeated. "I put him in prison. He tried to take advantage of Chalisa." His voice was as hard as she'd ever heard it. But then she'd only heard him in interviews when he was delighting a talk show host with witty banter.

"Ryken told me you did," she admitted.

"Interesting. This Ryken is a name-dropper, eh?"

Eva looked to Miles. She'd accused him of being a name-dropper when he told her he knew Aiden Porter and Quaid Raven.

"He likes to brag, that's for sure." She realized with the suspicious light now cast on Ryken that she had appreciated but never relaxed around her FBI agent. She'd thought that was because he had hit on her and asked her out, but maybe it was something deeper. Was Ryken a bad guy, a schemer trying to get a famous actress to like and trust him, or was he a pawn for Jorge?

"Sounds like an odd flex, telling a target inside information. I will definitely check into Jorge. Maybe even pay him a visit in prison." Aiden sounded like he would enjoy that. "Did Agent Henderson always come alone?"

"Yes. Is that wrong?"

"FBI agents can work alone, but in the field they typically have a partner. It seems as if he wanted you all to himself."

A shiver went down her spine. It seemed she was lucky Ryken hadn't done anything to her before now. If this was all his doing .

"Agent Henderson also helped her install her security system," Miles put in. "I didn't share that earlier."

"Even more interesting. But he didn't recommend you hire private security or relocate to a gated and secure community?" Aiden asked.

"No. My agent did. I was planning to look into it after I returned from Wyoming. I had plans to visit my family after we finished filming."

"Hmm. I'll be in touch soon," Aiden said. "Thank you, Miles. I'm certain Eva feels the same, but I'm grateful you happened upon her tonight."

"Me too," Miles and Eva said at the same time.

Aiden laughed at that, and she smiled, embarrassed.

"Aiden," Miles said, thankfully interrupting her embarrassment. "I chucked her phone onto the pier and some kid took off with it. I think this Ryken was tracking her with it. Can you have one of your tech people kill it so nobody can get her information from it?"

Eva appreciated him dealing with that concern as well.

"Of course. Phone number? Carrier?"

Eva rattled both off.

"Got it. All right, hang tight." Aiden hung up, and silence filled the large living space.

Miles pocketed his phone, pivoting slightly. Eva stared at the gun tucked in the back of his waistband and asked, "Why didn't you just beat up Ryken or threaten him with the gun? Why did we run?" Running had felt like the right move to her, but she didn't have fighting skills like Miles did.

"If your FBI agent really is dirty, we need answers before I show him my face. I could either get arrested for thumping an FBI agent or lose the anonymity I currently have. I told you my name while the attacker was passed out and only my first name. Whoever's after you won't know who's protecting you. Especially since your attacker said he took out the patio camera."

She stared at him for a beat. "So you're not just a tough, handsome cowboy lieutenant. You're a thinker too?"

He grinned and her insides did a happy dance. "I am a SEAL. They expect us to think, not just be tough."

"You're … a Navy SEAL." She moistened her lips. "That is even more impressive."

He ducked his head slightly. "Forgive me. My mama would not like me bragging."

"You weren't bragging." He became more impressive and appealing by the moment.

He arched an eyebrow. "Would you like to shower or change your clothes? Do you want something to eat or drink?"

The redirection was intriguing and disappointing. She hadn't let down her guard around a man since she had finally broken free of Lake last year. Miles had acted enthralled with her when they first met, but now he seemed to be withdrawing.

"I'll stay in my clothes until we know I can't go back to my house tonight," she said.

Both eyebrows lifted at that. He didn't think she'd be returning anytime soon. Was Ryken a ‘dirty' agent? The thought blew her mind, but she also realized how gullible she'd been if he was. She'd let him set up her security and been alone with him.

"Some ice water and Tylenol would be fabulous, and I'd love to use a restroom to wash up."

"Your head." He shook his own head. "I'm sorry. I forgot in all the uproar. The perp knocking you around and knocking you out must've hurt, and coming to after being unconscious is vicious. You are very brave." He didn't wait for her response, rushing into the kitchen area to open a cupboard.

She followed him. He opened a bottle of Tylenol, cupped his free hand under hers, and tilted a couple pills into her palm.

Eva was frozen by the warm pressure of his hand cupping hers. No, frozen wasn't right. She was warm all over. Miles's blue eyes met hers and all the danger, uncertainty, and worries disappeared. Nothing could ever go wrong. There was no danger in this world. If he was close by.

He surprised her when he stepped back, slid his hand away, and refastened the pill bottle lid. He put it back in the cabinet and shut the door, then hurried to another cabinet, grabbed a glass, and went to the fridge to fill it with ice and water.

Eva watched him. Was she misreading the signals he had given before or was he interested in her? She hadn't met a single man in years who hadn't either acted awkward in her presence, ‘preened like a peacock' in her dad's words, or made a play for her. She knew they were after her because of her fame, not anything to do with the real her.

Miles confused her. She'd never been drawn to a man like this. It could be argued her attraction was simply gratitude for her rescuer or because he wasn't hitting on her nonstop, chasing her like most other men did. He was a brave, tough cowboy and Navy SEAL, protecting and taking tender care of her. That could be why he was irresistible.

Yet she felt like they had something more between them than a hero complex or him playing hard to get. Something deep and promising. In this temporary safe haven of Aiden Porter's home, could she explore this interest in Miles and see if he returned it?

He walked over with the glass of water and offered it to her. Eva murmured her thanks and took it from him, brushing his fingers in the process.

He sucked in a breath and didn't move. Eva placed the Tylenol on her tongue and then took a long drink of the water. Miles watched her mouth the entire time. She shouldn't have done it, but she let a drop of water roll slowly over her bottom lip. The water clung to her lip, and she figured, why not? She gave him a ‘come hither' glance with her eyes, lowering her eyelashes and looking up from underneath them.

Her parents would be appalled at the ‘seductive moves' she'd learned from many a role, but her sisters would cheer. Especially if they could see this handsome cowboy and Navy SEAL lieutenant who'd rescued her. Eva was slightly embarrassed that she was using tricks from her acting career to draw this man in, but she owed him at least a hug of thanks, if not one sweet kiss.

She waited, and Miles took the bait. He eased closer and touched the moisture with the pad of his thumb. Eva sucked in a breath at the feeling of his touch just below her lip. Then he took it to the next step, trailing his thumb up and over her lower lip.

She felt like she had entered the romance scene of an action movie. On screen, it was all business and no real feeling. Right now, she experienced every feel. Miles's touch, Miles's heated gaze, Miles's large frame overshadowing her. His touch was magical, better than anything actors could try to replicate. She'd never been part of such a slow, tender moment. Most men came at her hard and fast, thinking they could get her to like them if they went at her with gusto.

Miles was in no rush. She'd never met a hero the likes of this guy. Maybe what she'd been doing wrong was dating celebrities. She should've been looking for a military cowboy. Not just any military cowboy. Only Miles would do for her.

Her lip trembled under his touch.

"Eva," he murmured in a husky groan, his blue eyes deepening to a smolder that made her heart race out of control.

She set the glass on the counter and slid her hands across his muscular shoulders, and he let out a soft, telling moan. He cupped her jawline with his large palm and continued to gently trace her lower lip. Her mouth parted in anticipation, waiting for him to replace his thumb with his lips and create unparalleled sparks. They would deepen this bond between them, and she would relish every moment.

Miles didn't kiss her. He studied her, as if checking for sincerity, or maybe he was too much of a gentleman to kiss a woman he hardly knew, and a famous woman at that. She wanted the man she fell for to want her for her, not because she was famous. Miles had known who she was, probably from the first look as he was running. She hadn't liked that, but it wasn't his fault. They'd only met an hour ago, and he'd done everything to protect her and help her, with no thought of reward.

She was ready to give him a kiss of gratitude, but he wasn't complying.

Arching up onto tiptoes, she slid her hands up and around his neck, threading them along his scalp and eliciting another groan. His hand came around her neck, into her hair, and created the most incredible sensation as he gently massaged her scalp.

His other hand cupped her waist and hip, bringing her body flush against his.

Eva was on fire and looking forward to a better kiss than she'd ever experienced in her life. When he still didn't bend down to kiss her, she moistened her lips again and said, "Is it out of line to give you a kiss of gratitude for rescuing me?"

His body stiffened against her, and he said in a rush, "Eva … you have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now, but …"

Eva liked everything about his sentence. Except for the but. She waited. He didn't continue. Was she acting too forward? She spoke her mind and was bold, but she'd never had to beg for a kiss before.

"But you're protecting me?" she guessed.

He swallowed and nodded.

She fell back onto her heels, disappointed.

"And there's a girl back home …" He took a deep breath. "Ah, man."

"Sheesh!" She ripped herself away from his grasp and knocked the glass of water over. "Dang it all to heck!"

Miles righted the glass before she could and grabbed some paper towels, mopping up the mess.

Eva backed away and watched him, pressing the heel of her hand into her forehead. She'd forgotten all about her headache while he touched her and she anticipated his kiss, but now it came back full force. What had she been thinking? What had he?

A girl back home? Someone he'd always loved? A committed relationship or simply the girl he'd never been able to forget? Was Miles a two-timing jerk? She'd been around far too many actors who insisted they could ‘hook up' while on location and then go back to their respective spouses and girlfriends. She'd had fans and even stalkers who claimed she was the love of their lives and that they were ditching their spouses for her. She wanted no part in such immoral exchanges. She wanted real, devoted, loyal .

And this five-minutes-ago-perfect-to-her man … Miles had protected her, made her feel special. She'd never experienced a connection and draw like this. The cowboy and Navy SEAL lieutenant coming on to her while he had a committed girl waiting for him? It didn't fit.

Was this all about her making the moves on him, pushing him when he wasn't interested? Yet he'd held her hand, touched her, protected her, given her those longing looks.

She hung her head. She'd obviously been seeing it all wrong. Miles had been taking care of her and being a gentleman, not hitting on her. It wasn't like they'd had a lot of time to talk about … anything. She barely knew his name; she was the one making a mess of this situation. She felt more sympathy for the men who'd hit on her when she wasn't interested. This was more awkward than a cow in a prom dress from the pursuer's standpoint.

"Excuse me," she murmured. "I'll just … use the restroom." She looked around, but all she saw was the massive great room, some stairs, and a loft area above them.

Miles glanced at her, his hands full of wet paper towels. He looked somber and regretful. Maybe he wished he didn't have a girlfriend or a ‘girl back home', whatever that meant. It didn't matter. She wasn't into two-timing. She'd heard lewd comments such as, ‘My wife would understand, since you're my hall pass,' from male fans, and ‘What happens on location stays on location' from fellow actors. Such sentiments were disgusting, immoral, and unacceptable. Miles would never be gross like those men. She'd instigated the exchange, and he could have easily kissed her. The fact that he was loyal to his Montana girl made her respect him, and made him off-limits.

He pointed. "There's a bathroom off the garage or four bathrooms attached to each of the suites downstairs. Upstairs is the master where Chalisa's clothes and toiletries would be."

She nodded, dodged to the stairs, and pumped up them. She wasn't going to change her clothes and get comfortable, but she wouldn't mind washing up and using some lotion.

"Wait, please."

She whirled halfway up the stairs. Miles climbed the stairs and stopped just below her. His blue eyes consumed her. She wrapped her hands around the railing behind her and pressed back against it, determined not to reach for him. He was faithful to his ‘girl back home'. As he should be.

"I know Aiden's house is secure, but I don't want to take any risks. Let me do a sweep."

"Oh." Even though she'd been determined not to reach for him, it still stung that he hadn't come after her to explain about the girl. Maybe he'd thought he loved the girl from home, until he touched Eva, and now he knew who his soulmate was.

She nodded and looked away, embarrassed. Was she trying to steal Miles now? She wasn't some boyfriend stealer. And if Miles decided he didn't want his girl because he had a more famous option, just as Lake last year and a dozen other boyfriends earlier in her career had done to her, she would lose all respect for him.

She could feel Miles's gaze on her, but she did not look up.

He ascended the stairs, and she waited, clutching the railing and pettily wishing she didn't know about the other girl. This perfect hero she'd built up in her mind and fallen for the past hour as he protected and helped her was definitely not her match. She appreciated his loyalty and integrity to his girl, and it made him off limits.

A drug lord was obsessed with her from prison. An FBI agent might be misusing his power to get her attention or, worse, be working for Jorge. She'd been attacked and knocked out by a vicious brute.

Despite all of that, all she could focus on was Miles not being her dream man.

Depressed wasn't strong enough. Mortified might fit. Devastated was even better.

Tonight had morphed from a romantic suspense with hope of the hero saving the day and winning the heroine's heart to a horror movie where every likeable character died.