Chapter 18
His question hung in the air like a giant, ugly elephant.
A pit lodged in Reid’s gut. He hated that Eve assumed he was some pig who had a rotating lineup of women coming into his home.
She’d be shocked to learn he’d been with no woman since he’d moved to Cloud Valley.
Sure, he loved to charm his way into an enjoyable evening with interesting company.
But after he’d set eyes on Eve, no one else in town held a candle to her.
Which was exactly why he’d never asked her out.
Whatever this feeling was could crash and burn, and he’d not only lose the prettiest thing to ever steal his heart, but his friend as well.
He’d rather die alone than hurt her, the fear of repeating the same mistakes as his father a constant flashing caution sign in the back of his head.
Eve avoided eye contact and traced the pad of her finger around the rim of the coffee mug.
“I don’t know what to think. I see you at the bar, laughing and flirting with women.
As much as it pains me to think of what happens once I turn on that closed sign, I can only assume how your nights end.
I just want to know if I’m one of many.”
The hesitancy in her voice crushed him. “Honey, you’re one of a kind in every single way.”
“I’m not sure if I buy that,” she said with an indelicate snort.
Reclaiming his stool, he widened his legs so her slim thighs fit between them.
He rested his hands on her knees. “I need you to. Because trust me when I tell you that I’ve never met a woman like you.
Not here. Not in Indiana. Not anyone in this whole damn world.
I might smile and laugh and look like I’m the jolly freaking giant, but none of that means a thing. ”
Frowning, she narrowed her gaze. “What does it mean then?”
The question made him squirm a little, but he wouldn’t evade it.
Not this time. “It’s easier for me to joke around and keep things casual than let anyone in.
I don’t open myself up often, which is why I’ve never brought a woman back to this apartment.
Ever. I don’t like letting people see the other parts of me.
Parts of me that are ugly and scarred and better left in the dark. ”
She sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide. “No part of you is ugly, Reid.”
Scrunching his nose, he tunneled his hand through his hair.
He’d gotten a little off topic. He wanted Eve to be secure in the knowledge that bringing her into his home was a first for him, not confess all his deepest secrets.
“I don’t agree, and honestly, that’s a big discussion to have at another time.
But for right now, I need you to know I’m not the guy you think I am. ”
A shy smile finally settled on her face. “You’ve really never brought anyone here?”
“You and Tara. That’s it.” Something she’d said crept back to the forefront of his mind. “What did you mean, it pained you when you saw me leave the bar?”
Now it was her time to squirm. A light blush spread over her cheeks, but she held his gaze.
“Watching you flirt sucks. When you come into the bar, it always makes my day better. My night more enjoyable. But when other women set their sights on you and you’d give them that handsome smile or some witty banter, it’s like a knife in the heart. ”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” He had his own reasons for not giving in to his feelings for Eve.
Reasons that grew more and more insignificant with each minute he spent with her.
He’d never considered she had her reservations about considering a relationship with him.
He’d always figured she preferred to keep their friendship as it was because she didn’t look at him as anything more than that.
“I value your friendship. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. And besides, I work long hours and most guys aren’t a fan of that. I’ve tried it before, and it doesn’t work.”
The way her focus shifted back to her coffee made him guess she wasn’t being completely transparent. “Is that it? You don’t want to risk our friendship?”
“I don’t think I could go back to the way things were, and it scares me to death.”
He tucked his thumb under her chin and gently shifted her to face him. “Does it make you feel better to know I’m scared, too?”
“Not really.”
He barked out a laugh. “Listen, we can both be scared and unsure of what the future holds. But just know this, you are not one of many. You’re the only one I’ve been looking at for a long while, and it’s about damn time we see if this thing between us could work.”
“Are you sure you won’t get sick of me?” she asked. “Maybe it’s the danger we’re running from that’s exciting you.”
“Honey, trust me. As far as I’m considered, you’re downright dangerous.” He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Now, how about that breakfast?”
“I say you better get cooking. I’m starving.” She grinned up at him, and all the tension in the room evaporated. “What’s the plan after we eat?”
Making his way to the stove, he gathered everything he needed to start breakfast. He settled two frying pans on the burners and cracked eggs into a bowl. “Scrambled okay?”
She nodded.
“We should talk to Deputy Silver and Deputy Hill. Last night we were exhausted, so I didn’t ask many questions about what they’ve uncovered about Tyson Brown.
I want to know if they have any more information that could be beneficial.
” He found a whisk in a drawer and beat the eggs, adding milk and a little shredded mozzarella before pouring the mixture into a pan.
“Do you think anyone else working the rodeo circuit knows this guy? If so, they might have an idea where he’s hiding.” Eve sipped her coffee, her eyes following along with his every motion.
“Another question for the deputies. I’ll ask Madden as well. He’s been out there the last couple of days.”
She winced. “That’s right. I forgot you’re supposed to be helping with guarding things while the events are underway.”
He waved off her comment with his spatula.
“You’re my priority. Sticking close and keeping you safe is all that matters.
Besides, Dax and Ben are lending a hand.
They should have things covered.” An image of Eve spinning around the dance floor sprang into his mind, and he tightened his grip on the utensil.
“Of course, I’ve had my share of problems with Ben’s hands and where they’ve been. ”
Laughing, Eve shook her head. “A girl dances with one handsome stranger and it causes all sorts of drama.”
“You think he’s handsome, huh?”
She rolled her eyes. “Stop. I came home with you, didn’t I?”
“And don’t you forget it.” He grinned, enjoying having her in his kitchen.
“I’m working the lunch shift today. Things will still be busy, and I don’t want to leave my staff shorthanded. Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all.” He stirred the eggs then laid strips of bacon on the larger of the two pans. “Once you taste my cookin’, you might want to put me to work in the kitchen today instead of sticking me behind the bar.”
The door swung open, and Tara bounced inside.
“I’m back! Man, I love this town. The shops are so cute, and I can’t wait to explore them all.
Everyone is so nice, and if the rest of the food is as good as what I had at Tilly’s last night and the pastry I had this morning, I better find a gym to join. ”
He had a hard time keeping up with the rapid-fire words coming out of his sister’s mouth, but her happiness practically oozed from her pores. “You plan on staying awhile then?”
She slipped out of her shoes and carried her haul to the island. She set down a white paper bag and a bundle of flowers wrapped in brown paper. Heaving out a large puff of air, she anchored a fist on her hip and grinned. “I’m thinking about it.”
“I love that,” Eve said. “And I see you stopped by Sweet Stems. Don’t they have the best selection? It’s one of my favorite spots in town. The owner even keeps jars full of fresh flowers in the cutest stand by her house.”
“Actually,” Tara said, grin growing, “I ran into a man at the coffee shop who asked me to give these to you. How sweet is that? Seems like you have your share of admirers in town.”
Wide-eyed, Eve rose to her feet and backed away from the explosion of colorful blooms.
Raw, hot anger mixed with ice-cold fear, causing spikes of adrenaline to pump through Reid’s body. “What did the man look like?”
Oblivious to the shift in energy, Tara chuckled and shook her head in an aren’t-you-jealous way. “Don’t worry, he wasn’t nearly as handsome as you, Reid. Not unless Eve has a thing for long bushy beards and dirty jean jackets.”
“He knows I’m here,” Eve said, her voice breathless. “He knows Tara was coming back and would see me.”
Tara frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Gritting his teeth, Reid fought the urge to throw the flowers in the trash can. “The man who gave these to you isn’t Eve’s admirer. He’s her stalker, and he’s dangerous. And now he knows you’re both here.”
As much as Eve loved visiting Lily at her family’s ranch, showing up at her and Madden’s doorstep to discuss a murdering asshole wasn’t exactly how she’d wanted to start her day. The sound of horses playing in the pasture turned her toward the frolicking animals.
She wished it was just another day. That she was here to enjoy a morning off work with her friend. Maybe sit in one of the rocking chairs on the wide porch and stare at the mountains over girl talk. Or take a walk through the meadows down to the creek behind the barn.
Anything other than creating a plan to evade the man desperate to terrorize her.
Tara stood close to Eve’s side, her arms wrapped around her middle. She hadn’t said much since she’d learned exactly how close to danger she’d been.
Reid knocked on the door, standing in front of them, gaze darting all around as if someone waited to jump out and grab her.