Chapter 3
MELISANDE
Icouldn’t believe the number of photographers who were camped out on the sidewalk in front of my apartment building when I got home last night.
Luckily, I had spotted them as I was driving past and was able to find a parking spot in the attached garage instead of having to use the overflow lot across the street, which would’ve meant I’d have been forced to walk through them to get inside.
My sister had thought it was hilarious when I’d called to complain, but it wasn’t as though I could lay into her too much since she’d sent me the details for my flight this morning while we were talking.
When she’d told me someone was going to pick me up so I didn’t need to worry about leaving my car at the airport, I assumed she was sending a rideshare or something.
But I wasn’t expecting a knock on my door five minutes before I was supposed to leave.
Afraid that an overzealous photographer decided to stick around all night and had snuck into the building as people were leaving for work, I went to the door and rose on my toes to peek through the peephole into the hallway.
My eyes widened as I took in a guy who was attractive enough for me to tell he was hot even with my limited and distorted view.
He fit tall, dark, and handsome to a T, and his looks only improved when I unlocked and opened my door. “Hey, are you my ride?”
Of course, I blurted that out instead of coming up with a clever greeting of some kind.
My awkwardness was a big part of why I rarely dated, and it got really bad when I was around hot guys.
But the man at my door didn’t seem to mind.
His lips curved in a grin, and his dark eyes were full of humor before his gaze dropped to take in my outfit.
Since the flight was going to be long, I’d gone for comfort when getting dressed.
I was wearing a pair of black leggings and a form-fitting T-shirt but hadn't thrown on my oversized sweatshirt yet.
There was no missing any of my curves with the tightness of what I had on, and his dark orbs flared with desire when his gaze made its way back up again.
I had a feeling my reaction to him was just as evident in my eyes, and my cheeks filled with heat when his grin widened.
I shouldn’t be too embarrassed since no woman alive would blame me for appreciating the hunk standing in front of me.
Between the lock of dark hair that had fallen on his forehead, square jawline covered in scruff, and broad shoulders, he was pretty much irresistible.
I was willing to bet his tips from female customers more than made driving people to the airport worth his time.
“Yeah, and judging by the crowd of reporters out front, it’s a good thing that Oriana gave me your address.
I would’ve hated for you to be stuck walking the gauntlet on your way out to a cab.
” His smile widened as a gleam of satisfaction shone from his dark eyes.
“Your sister told me how to get in the garage, so we should be able to make a clean getaway without any of the reporters knowing you’re in my car.
If not, I’m sure I’ll be able to lose ’em on the way to the airport.
And if I’m wrong, they won’t be able to follow us when we get there since the plane is in a private hangar. ”
My hand tightened on the edge of the doorframe as my brain caught up with the second half of his answer. “Hold up. You’re not just giving me a ride to the airport?”
“No, I’m Devon Miller, your”—another lock of dark hair fell against his forehead as he made air quotes with his fingers—“knight in shining armor.”
Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome was the guy who had paid cold hard cash for the privilege of flying me out to Portland?
Thinking about how the true crime podcast I liked to watch had mentioned that serial killers tended to be charming and attractive, I flashed him an apologetic smile and stuck a finger up in the air. “Give me just one minute, please.”
I gently shut the door in his face before making a mad dash over to the kitchen counter to grab my cell phone. Pulling up my sister in my recent calls, I paced back and forth while I waited for her to answer. After the third ring, she finally said, “Hey, are you and Devon headed to the airport?”
“You didn’t tell me that I was being picked up by the guy who won the bid,” I hissed.
“Of course, I didn’t. You would’ve just obsessed all night long over the possibility that a serial killer was going to come knocking on your door, and then you would’ve been too tired to enjoy Harry’s party when you got here.”
I wanted to bang my head against the wall a few times—but only because my sister wasn’t here, so kicking her butt wasn’t an option. “You just sent a perfect stranger to my home, Ana. I think I have the right to be a little worried here, and not just because I’m a fan of true crime podcasts.”
“Relax,” she chided. “Jeff asked the cop who lives down the street to run Devon’s name before I called him.
The guy doesn’t even have so much as an unpaid parking ticket.
And he tried to lecture me about how risky it was to put you up for auction, which is not something a serial killer would do if he was planning to make you his next victim. ”
My gaze slid toward the door I’d just shut in his face. “Did Devon happen to mention why he bid on me?”
“The dude really is a knight in shining armor, sis. He’s former military and works for some fancy-schmancy security firm that has its own planes.
He saw the interview because his boss’s wife came into the office to talk her husband into letting you use the plane, and he decided to just go ahead and bid since he’s got his pilot’s license and was worried something would go horribly wrong with my plan. ”
“I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“Maybe start with thank you?” she suggested, sarcasm thick in her tone.
“You don’t understand,” I whisper-yelled, turning away from the door just in case he could hear what I was saying. “He’s hot. Like super-hot. And apparently also kind and extremely capable.”
My sister laughed. “Oh, so you’ve moved on from freaking out about him maybe killing you to worrying about how many times you’re going to embarrass yourself?”
“I’m talking drop-dead gorgeous here, Ana,” I said as I moved farther away from the door.
“I really wish you’d see what everyone else does when you look in the mirror.
You’re not the same girl you were back in high school.
” She sighed, and I pictured her squeezing her eyes shut and pinching the bridge of her nose like she always did when she got frustrated with me.
“You’re freaking gorgeous too, which is a big part of why so many people on social media are rooting for you to fall for your knight in shining armor.
In the photo I picked for the auction, you look like you just walked off the set of a romance movie. ”
“I absolutely do not look anything like a movie star.” I rolled my eyes because she was so biased it wasn’t even funny. “But even if I was, this guy would still be way out of my league.”
“I disagree, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter how hot Devon is.
What’s important is that he’s going to get you here in time for the birthday party.
Even if you embarrass yourself in front of him a dozen times on the way to Portland, it’ll all be worth it when Harry comes running out of the house to tackle hug you. ”
I straightened my spine and nodded. “You’re right.”
“You could’ve saved us a lot of wasted time if you’d just admitted that sooner. Now go to the airport with the hottie and get your butt here so I can say ‘I told you so’ in person.”
“Yes, ma’am. See you soon.” I raced into my room to toss on my sweatshirt and shoved my feet into a pair of shoes. Then I rolled my carry-on over to the door and took a deep breath before I flung it open. “I’m so sorry I left you standing out here like that.”
Devon pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against and asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yup, I’m all ready to go.” I rolled my bag closer to my side, and my cheeks filled with heat when his lips curved into a grin.
“I’m guessing you called your sister to make sure I wasn’t just making shit up to get you into my car?”
My blush deepened as I wondered how much he’d been able to hear through the door. “Um, yeah. I feel a little better knowing she at least took a few precautions before giving you my address.”
“She gave me a whole lot more than directions to your place.” His smile turned a little wicked as he reached for the handle of my carry-on. “C’mon, I’ll tell you all about it in the car.”
Oh, dear lord. What had my sister gotten me into this time?