Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

Eva could feel Miles studying her. She resolutely kept her eyes shut, proud of her acting skills with her hatred of inactivity. She must've drifted off, because she woke to the plane landing. It was smooth. Paul, the Air Force too-long title guy who liked to tease Autumn, was a great pilot.

She felt groggy and awful. Like a cow who'd been driven on the range all night long, then branded with a hot, burning iron before breakfast.

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice scratchy, keeping her eyes closed. Thankfully, the cabin lights were still dim.

"Almost one in the morning," Miles said. "Here." He pressed a cold plastic bottle into her hands. "How's your head?"

"Thank you. It's still attached, unfortunately."

He chuckled softly.

She blinked her eyes open and peered at his face in the dim light. Why did he have to be so appealing and so taken? She twisted off the lid and took a long drink, blinking quickly. "Do I have time to use the restroom?"

"Of course." He pointed at a door in the back of the plane as they taxied to a stop.

She took another drink of her water bottle and left it in the cup holder. Standing, she felt disoriented and dizzy.

Miles sprang to his feet and wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her in to his solid, steady, warm, perfect, desirable, bergamot and pineapple, head-clouding, enticing side. Okay, she had to stop this. Where was Autumn or Tasha when she needed them? A girlfriend or sister would be such a help. There was too much stress surrounding tonight, and her longing for Miles was helping nothing.

She peered up into Miles's eyes. In the dim light, they were more of a smoky blue. How did he smell so enticingly manly? "Was I teetering like the town drunk?"

"I don't know. We don't have a town drunk in Coleville." He winked and grinned.

She laughed. "Ha ha. Only in Wyoming can anybody drink excessively."

He smiled. "You did look unsteady though. Which is why I … wrapped you up."

"Is that the only reason?" She could've bitten her own tongue in half.

His eyes darkened, and she thought he might show her the real reason he wrapped her up, but he only asked, "Are you all right?"

"Sure. Exhausted, overwhelmed, terrified, wishing I had my purse and phone and my bed and my life back."

"I'm sorry to take all those things from you. I will take care of you, Eva. Aiden and his people are incredible. They will fix all of this."

"Thank you."

She moistened her lips, and his gaze sharpened on her mouth. His arm around her made her feel like she was happily floating. Before she could even think about what she was doing, she wrapped her palms around his broad shoulders and was pulling herself up toward his enticing mouth.

The cockpit door opened, and Miles quickly turned her with his arm. "The bathroom is this way."

Awkward.

He walked her to the bathroom as if she were an old lady who'd lost her cane. Opening the door, he ushered her in. Automatic lights came on, and Eva shut the door—too firmly. She looked in the mirror. It was worse than she thought. Red-rimmed eyes, dark smudges underneath her eyes from mascara that hadn't stayed put, and no lip-stain left on her dry-looking lips. Oh, boy. She looked worse than a drowned rat.

What did it matter? Miles was taken. Had he leaned down, or had she only arched up? As she replayed the near-kiss in her mind, she realized with horror … She had been the only one who'd made a move. The only willing participant. He also hadn't risen to her baiting him and asking if he had another reason for wrapping her up in his arms.

Ah, no. She pressed a hand to her forehead. Miles was acting as her bodyguard, wrapping an arm around her to steady her and saying he'd take care of her. She took every look, every touch, every kind word as if he wanted to kiss her.

Out of control. That's what she was. Desperate for love? Maybe Lake had destroyed her confidence just like her sister Tasha had feared. When she first went to Hollywood and had quick success, she'd dated a lot of actors, athletes, and influencers. She'd learned that they were looking for the ‘next best thing'. For years she'd kept herself safe emotionally and physically, perfecting the art of being kind and fun but distant. Except for her mistake of trusting Lake. Her feelings toward Miles were strong, unexpected. In her mind, they had something unique, but that couldn't be true for him.

Somehow, she needed to keep her distance from her own bodyguard. That wouldn't work. She needed to channel some of Autumn's sass, then, and pray for strength.

Please help me not throw myself at Miles and be obsessed with him. Please bless that Aiden, Paul, and Autumn can fix the huge mess I'm in and I can return home.

It was interesting to note that she was obsessed with Miles. She'd had many, many men obsessed with her. Jorge Augilar had been the most terrifying, but she'd had stalking situations, notes, presents, flowers, men calling to her that she was meant to be their wife. Now she was the one obsessing over a too-appealing man. It was worse from this angle. At least she could gain some empathy for her male fans through the experience.

She used the bathroom quickly, washed her hands, splashed some water on her face, and rummaged through the cupboards. She found lip gloss, travel-size mascara, and vanilla-scented lotion. Ah, that was thoughtful. She hurriedly eradicated the black smudges, fixed her mascara, and put on the lip gloss and lotion. Bless whoever had left these on the plane. Most likely Chalisa Porter. Too late, she realized it was crossing boundaries to use someone's lip gloss and mascara. It was the country girl coming out in her.

"Sorry," she muttered to Chalisa.

At least she looked more like herself. She could face Miles with her chin held high. She walked out and Miles was waiting for her. He smiled, holding the small suitcase.

"Paul just gave the all-clear to exit the aircraft. My brother's waiting."

"Which brother?"

"Clint."

"That was nice of the sheriff to come."

"I doubt Aiden gave him much choice." He smiled, but it was grim. "Let's get you home so you can rest."

She stared at him. Get you home? It wasn't her home. Was he feeling awkward taking her ‘home' when he had a girl at home? Would she meet this lucky woman? She prayed not.

"Thanks."

Miles took her hand and escorted her off the plane. She wanted to take exception to that as he wasn't a free man and holding hands meant you were a couple in her mind, but she was too tired and confused to know where to start right now, what to think. She savored the feel of his large hand surrounding hers. He was her bodyguard and an honorable cowboy and Navy SEAL, not her future. She needed to repeat that a few hundred times.

They walked out into a cool summer night. She hadn't felt the fresh touch of a mountain summer's night since Wyoming. Ah. The dry air. The scent of sagebrush and pine. The sparkling stars filling the sky beyond the small airport's lights. It was familiar and beautiful, and maybe Montana was almost as good as Wyoming.

Miles walked her to a white four-door truck where a tall, fit cowboy waited. She could easily see the family resemblance in the strong jaw and blue eyes. Miles's brother wore boots, jeans, and a T-shirt. The outfit showcased his well-built frame without even trying to. He had a cowboy hat on even though it was nighttime and leaned casually against his truck with one boot crossed over the other as he talked to Paul. He wasn't posturing like most men in her world would. She doubted this guy knew what the word ‘preen' meant. He was simply John Wayne reincarnated. This man fit the image of every cowgirl's dreams.

Not hers, though. She glanced up at Miles, then quickly away. She'd met the man of her dreams earlier tonight, and he was taken.

Miles's brother focused on her, straightened to full height, and tilted the tip of his cowboy hat down. "Ma'am."

Eva couldn't help but smile, especially when she noticed Miles's hand tightening around hers. "Hello." Her voice was shy, almost awe-struck. There was something about this guy. He engendered respect and wasn't someone you messed with. She doubted even Autumn would tease him. Well, Autumn probably would.

"Sheriff Clint Coleville. Pleased to meet you." He stuck out his hand. She tugged her hand free of Miles's to shake. Clint's handshake was firm, his hands calloused. He was a good-old boy to a T. She felt none of the sparks she felt from a simple brush of Miles's skin against hers.

Not that she'd admit to that.

"This is Eva Chevron," Miles said.

"I might be a hick sheriff from Montana, but I actually know who Eva Chevron is, little brother," Clint drawled. "Though she's even more beautiful in real life."

"Well, thank you. It's been a hot minute since I've been in the presence of a real-life cowboy sheriff. Not just an actor pretending to be one."

"Happy to oblige." He grinned and tipped his hat again .

There was no denying he was a handsome one with an appeal all his own. Sadly, he wasn't Miles. Sadly for her, nobody was, and Miles wasn't free.

"Good to see you, Clint." Miles and Clint clapped each other on the back. As they pulled back, Miles slugged his brother in the shoulder. Really hard.

"Not so little as you remember, maybe, big brother." Miles gave him a heartfelt smile as Clint shook his arm out. Eva hoped they wouldn't duke it out.

Paul chuckled.

"We'll see." Clint looked Miles over but thankfully didn't slug him back. The sheriff tilted his head to Eva. "We'd better get you home to Mama. She's been cooking, baking, and cleaning since we got the call from Aiden."

"She should be sleeping," Eva burst out.

"Try telling her that," Clint said, and he and Miles both laughed. It seemed to ease some of the tension.

"Thank you, Paul." Miles shook Paul's hand.

"Are you leaving?" Eva asked.

"Yes. Aiden's given me a break from flying all over the world to follow leads on your case and give Autumn a hard time." Paul grinned. "Very nice to have met you, Eva."

"Thank you."

Clint waved and walked around, opening the passenger side door. "Eva."

Miles grunted. He put a hand on her lower back and walked her around. Eva was instantly too warm. How would she stay impervious to him when her heart had fallen the instant he gave her that first smile when he ran the beach, and then been sealed his when he gallantly rescued her and she realized this humble yet gallant man's touch was magical to her ?

Miles lifted her up into the large truck. His large hands encompassed her waist, and she was out of breath and everything but him forgotten.

He smiled at her. Instead of leaning in to kiss her, he released her and pressed the door to close it, but before it latched …

"Navy SEAL bully," she heard Clint grunt at him, before he slugged him in the shoulder.

"Stop hitting on Eva," came a low growl.

Eva stared out her window. She feared they'd brawl right there, but they had a stare down that lasted a long, tense moment, then Clint smiled.

"You look good, bro. Lily will be happy to see you."

Lily. The girl was Lily. Her heart seemed to seize. Lily. It was a sweet and beautiful name. She would have to be a beautiful sweetheart to capture Miles Coleville's heart.

"You look good too. Sparring ring still in good condition?"

"Oh yeah."

"Perfect." Miles pumped his eyebrows. "Tomorrow?"

"Soon as I can get there."

Miles looked over at Eva and he must've realized the door wasn't shut as the interior truck light was still on. He gently shut her door and then loaded up directly behind her. Clint strutted around the front. It wasn't an actual strut because he wasn't trying to show off; he just oozed masculinity and didn't know how not to strut.

The ride home was quiet. Tense. What was going on with these two? Miles had spoken warmly about his brothers. Now they were slugging each other and setting up sparring times?

She must've drifted off again. She woke to the truck stopping and doors opening and closing. Blinking, she saw a large two-story lodge-style home with a welcoming front porch complete with flower boxes filled with brightly colored blooms and rocking chairs. Lights blazed in most of the downstairs windows. It had to be two a.m., but these people looked ready for an important guest. She supposed she was the important guest.

Her door opened and Miles offered her a hand and a smile. "I'll try to keep Mama's nurturing to a minimum tonight so you can get some rest in a bed."

"I've slept on the plane and in the truck. Maybe I don't need any more sleep."

"Maybe I'm the one who needs the sleep." He gave her a teasing smile.

She slid out of the truck and to her feet. Miles did not step back, and she found herself pressed against him. Her heart sped up and her thoughts scattered. Sparks lit the air between them.

Miles released her hand and gently cupped her hips with his large palms. Eva's hands instinctively rested on his chest. She savored the feel of firm muscle under her fingertips.

His blue eyes captivated her. "Eva," he whispered. "I?—"

The front door banged open, and a woman cried out, "My boy!"

Miles stepped back and escorted her around the truck door, shutting it. "My mama," he said, ushering Eva forward as a lovely middle-aged brunette and a broad cowboy hurried to meet them. Two younger cowboys were behind them.

"Whoo-hoo!" one of the younger men whooped, swinging his cowboy hat around his head. "It really is Eva Chevron! Somebody punch me."

"Gladly," the other cowboy said and slugged him in the arm.

"Boys!" Miles's Mama harrumphed at them and rushed down the stairs .

Miles released Eva to pick his mama up off her feet and hug her tightly.

"Oh, love, you're home. I'm so happy!" His mama kissed his cheek. Miles set her down but kept her in the circle of his arm. "If you aren't the most handsome Navy SEAL on the planet, then I don't know how to bake."

Miles only laughed at that, but Eva wanted to shout her agreement.

"Mama, Papa, this is Eva Chevron." He sounded proud to introduce her, but she knew it was only her famous status, not that he was introducing her to his family because she meant something special to him.

Miles's dad shook her hand. "Nice to meet ya."

"It's a real honor, Eva," his mama said, hugging her. "We'll take right good care of you now. You're safe with my family watching over you. My boys are the bravest and toughest and smartest and most handsome men on the planet. But you've already noticed that, right?"

"Mama," Miles groaned, shaking his head.

"What? You don't brag about yourself near enough. You're a Navy SEAL hero and I can brag all I want. I'm the mama."

Eva couldn't hide her smile. Mama was great, and she was right that Miles didn't brag. It was one of his many incredible qualities.

"Why don't you brag more?" Mama insisted.

"Oh, Mama." Miles gave her another hug. "You brag enough for all of us."

Everyone cracked up at that. Mama put her hands on her hips. "Well, I never." She rolled her eyes. "Eva? You agree I have a right to brag."

"Yes, ma'am." What else was she supposed to say? Miles gave her an appreciative look, his blue eyes lighting up the night for her.

"None of this ma'am stuff. You can call me Mama or Mama Millie. Whatever you like. Are you hungry, thirsty, simply exhausted?"

"Thank you, but I'm fine. You all shouldn't have stayed up waiting for me."

"Well, we had no choice, pretty lady," one of the younger men said. "It's not every day the most beautiful and incredible actress visits Coleville Ranch. I'm Easton, by the way, the perfect Navy SEAL's most handsome and charming brother who he conveniently forgot to introduce."

The other brother shoved at him. "I wouldn't waste my time introducing you either."

"Oh, boy," Clint said from his position leaning against the front of the truck. "I'm going to head out. See you all later this afternoon. Eva, it was a pleasure." He tipped his hat to her.

"Thank you, Clint. I'm grateful you'd come pick us up so early in the morning."

"Not a problem." Clint gave her a warm smile.

"I volunteered, but Sheriff Clint was having none of that," Easton threw in.

"Eva deserved at least a moment's reprieve before meeting you," Clint tossed back.

"A girl does have to prepare herself for charm such as mine." Easton didn't seem offended at all. "Watch out, brothers. Let me show you how a real man impresses Eva Chevron." He swaggered down the steps and toward her, sticking out his hand.

Miles rolled his eyes, and the other brothers groaned.

"Oh my," Mama Millie said.

Eva was amused, but she knew Easton's type—overconfident, flirtatious, and he knew ninety-nine percent of women would swoon when he looked their way. "Nice to meet you," she said, shaking his hand.

"I know it is." Easton winked.

"And who is your incredibly handsome twin?" Eva asked, smiling over at Walker.

A gradual, show-stopping grin lit up the twin's face as everyone but Easton laughed. Walker hurried down the steps and strode over. "Walker Coleville, ma'am. It is truly an honor."

"The honor is all mine," she said as she shook his hand and batted her eyelashes. "I hear you're the best steer roper in all ten states."

"What?" Easton burst out, glaring at Miles. "You showed her roping videos and not me bull riding?"

Miles chuckled. "I'm going to escort Eva to her room now, let her get away from you two and get some much-needed rest."

"Yes, you do that." Mama bustled up the porch steps in front of them.

"Nice to meet you all." Eva lifted a hand to Miles's brothers and dad as they walked past.

"You too," his dad and Walker said. Clint lifted a hand and pulled open his truck door. Interesting he'd said goodbye but had waited. Wanting to watch the drama Easton created or dispel it?

"I'll be seeing you in my dreams, Eva," Easton called as Miles held the front door for her, her small suitcase in his other hand. "Just like I do every night."

"Knock it off," Clint growled at him. "She was attacked tonight and doesn't need to deal with your stupid lines."

"She was attacked?" Easton yelped. "You just told me about the request on the dark web. Ah, shoot. Eva, I'm sorry. "

Eva shook her head. "I'm right as rain. No apologies necessary. Goodnight."

"Night," they all echoed more solemnly.

Eva walked with Miles into an open entry, a staircase in front of them with an office to the right and an archway into a large open room to the left. It smelled of cinnamon and apples baking.

"Why didn't you give me all the details?" Easton asked behind them.

"Why can't you not hit on?—"

The door shut on Clint's words. Probably for the best. Eva was used to men like Easton hitting on her, but it was kind of Clint to be thoughtful.

"I'm sorry about my boy," Millie said. "He's always a flirt, but put Eva Chevron in front of him and …" She shrugged.

"It's fine." She was used to flirtations and over-the-top come-ons. "Really. Thank you for opening your home to me. It's lovely and smells delicious."

"Ah, thank you, darlin'. You sure you're not hungry? Thirsty?"

"I'm worn to a frazzle."

"All right then." She nodded to Miles. "Well, hustle her on up to bed. She'll stay in the room we put all the pretty girls in and you'll stay right next to her, not in your cabin. Sorry, love, I know you like a bit of space so Lily …" She trailed off and looked from Eva to Miles.

Eva's stomach turned over. Lily … what? Did ‘his girl' stay at Miles's cabin?

"It's great. Thank you, Mama." Miles kissed his mama's cheek, then escorted Eva up the stairs with one hand on her lower back and one hand holding the suitcase.

She thrived on his touch and that was a very bad thing for her. Now that they were here, would he stick close by Eva's side or sneak away to meet Lily at his cabin every chance he got? Her head pounded.

They walked down a wide hallway.

"Mama and Dad's room is downstairs along with the living areas, kitchen, an office for the ranch, and a security center," Miles explained. "There are four suites up here and a game room and theater."

An open door on the left showed a king-sized bed with plush white and gray bedding and pillows.

Miles set the suitcase inside the door and stepped back, gesturing to her. "The room for the pretty girls."

"You've had a lot, I take it?" She leaned into the doorframe, tired but not wanting to say goodnight to him. What was wrong with her?

"I've had …" His brow furrowed. "Oh, you mean we've had numerous ladies stay here for protection details?"

"Yes, that's what I meant."

His blue eyes showed he knew she'd been trying to pry out details.

"Aiden dropped Jacey Oliver Miller's name," he said. "Her brother Quaid is a close friend of mine. We used to be in the same unit. Before Jacey, we had a few protection details come through, mostly Clint helping out his buddy with the FBI or something with the sheriff's office. When I explained to my family we had to hide Jacqueline Oliver from her fake and twisted nightmare of a mother, my dad and Clint completely upped the game."

"How so?"

"My dad has trained all of us for as long as I can remember to shoot, fight, pay attention to detail, strategize. He was a Green Beret." He pushed a hand through his hair. "That's why Clint and I both went into our careers."

"That's impressive."

"Thank you. When Jacey came, he and Clint got busy replacing some of the ranch hands with retired military, and training all the hands so they could double as security guards. They took the perimeter fence from something that either looked good or kept animals in or out to eight feet tall, barbed wire at the top, electric. Quaid had Aiden send him all the latest in security sensors, cameras, and other protections. Lieutenant Hays West, Elizabeth Oliver's current protector, explored the entire property and made certain nobody was getting in without our permission."

"Wow." She didn't know who Lieutenant Hays West was, but everybody knew Elizabeth Oliver, the former senate candidate who had disappeared when her father was exposed for being an underhanded and brilliant criminal and frustratingly escaped arrest and hadn't been found.

He leaned a bit closer. "We can and will keep you safe, Eva."

"Thank you."

He nodded. "I'm also sorry about Easton. I'll talk to him."

"It's fine, Miles. Do you have any clue how many men hit on me like a bunch of cocksure roosters crowing for a chance?" The line had come out as too cocky, but he needed to know she wasn't some wimpy girl. She was from Wyoming, first of all, but she'd had to scrap and fight to succeed in one of the toughest industries in the nation. She could handle putting a guy in his place.

"I don't want to imagine," he said softly. His blue eyes looked pained.

That made her mad. "I'm sure you don't," she snipped back. He could have his Lily. It wasn't as if she was hurting for male attention. But why did this male seem so ideal? Lieutenant Miles Coleville felt as if he should be hers.

"You handled him well," he said.

"Lots of practice. If Easton is the champion bull rider, I'm the champion male-rejecter." She gave him a challenging look, but she didn't much like the way she was acting or this conversation.

"Hmm." Miles held her gaze for so long, she wanted to look away. She didn't. He studied her as if he would pry past her tough veneer. Finally, he tilted his chin up. "I hope you can rest well. If I'm not out here waiting for you when you wake up, please rap on my door. I'd like you to stay by my side at all times. Even though the ranch hands are exceptionally trained and trustworthy and will be on high alert knowing we're guarding a VIP, there's no reason for them to know Eva Chevron is here. We'll clear areas before I take you anywhere, even on the ranch."

"All right. Goodnight."

She felt his eyes on her as she walked in. She turned as she closed the door. His blue eyes lit a fire of longing inside her chest. That wasn't fair of him at all. She slammed the door in his face.

"Stay by my side at all times," she snipped. "He can stay by his Lily's side for all I care."

She'd said the words much too loud. He'd probably overheard. Pushing out a heavy breath, she blamed her out-of-control longings for a man she couldn't have on exhaustion. It had been a very long, disturbing, and yet thrilling day. How could she stop longing for Miles when his touch was enchanted and his blue eyes stirred something in her soul she never thought she'd feel?

She sank to her knees next to the bed. "Please help me sort this out in my head," she begged heaven above. "I'm not seeing anything clearly right now."

Who knew how much later she awoke, splayed against the side of the bed. Her knees hurt, and she had no answers. Miles Coleville was her rescuer, and he was also the biggest temptation and pain in her backside she'd ever encountered.

Lord give me strength , she muttered mentally, standing and walking to the bathroom. She would try to sleep in for a very long time tomorrow.