Cougar's Eve (4 page)

Get a freaking grip, Eve!

“It’s okay,” he grinned.

Egads, he was not only nice but polite and sweet, too! There was no way this man could possibly be single. I felt his eyes on me as I locked the front door so it would stay closed. Nervously, I walked into the kitchen to get his refreshment. “Ice?” I asked.

“Please,” he responded as he joined me in the small space. He took the glass from me and downed the water as though he hadn’t had any for days.

“Refill?” I asked, wondering why we were only speaking in one-word sentences.

“That would be great, thanks,” he said as he handed the glass back to me.

Think, Eve! Con-ver-sation. You know how to do it. Now, start talking to the man!
I swallowed and racked my brain for a topic.

“So how long have you worked for Max?” Not that I really cared at the moment, but I did want to keep talking to him.

He took a drink of water then answered, “About three weeks. I work for a contractor out of Alton, Illinois who sent me to fill in for Max’s father while his arm heals.”

I calculated the number of weeks it took for a broken arm to heal and internally smiled. I would definitely send Max’s dad a card telling him to take all the time he needed to heal; in fact, maybe he should take a couple of extra weeks, if needed. Suddenly, I thought of all of the things I needed to repair around my house. “Do you travel a lot for work?”

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Yeah, mostly throughout the Midwest.”

“Where do you stay?” After the question was out of my mouth, I regretted it. I wasn’t planning to show up at his hotel room, and with the way he looked, he could easily have a woman in every town he visited. Though I was just making conversation, he probably thought I wanted to be added to the list. How embarrassing!

He laughed. “I’m staying at Max’s place right now.”

Since I’d already stuffed my foot in my mouth, I figured I might as well make room for the other one. “Does your family miss you?”

How’s that for asking if he’s single, eh? Good, right? Maybe? Ugh, I’m so bad at this!

“My parents and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye since I moved out about ten years ago. I enjoy being on the move,” he sighed. “It’s hard work, but I like it.”

I glanced at his ring finger but didn’t see a band or even a tan line. Then again, most people in construction didn’t wear rings since it could be hazardous to their job. It could get caught on something or easily bent.

“Your wife must be very understanding,” I pressed.

His smile was incredible. It lit up his entire face, and he had the most adorable dimples. He always looked directly at me when he spoke, and I felt as though I could drown in his eyes quite happily. I realized I was staring again.

“No wife and no girlfriend to be understanding.” His grin widened. Just as I was wondering if he was gay, which would be about my damn luck, he added, “No guy, either.”

Where was the nearest rock? I was definitely going crawl under it and hide for a while. “Sorry, I…um…” Shit, what did I say to that? I blushed even harder and looked at the floor.

“Maybe, we should start over,” he suggested. He held out his hand to formally introduce himself. “I’m Vale. Nice to meet you, Ms. Dubois.”

I took his hand in mine, and a spark of his energy zapped up my arm, making me gasp lightly. “I-I’m Eve.” Whoa, what the hell had just happened? I rubbed my hand absent-mindedly, still trying to figure out the cause of the electric shock.

“Eve…” he said as though considering my name. “Very pretty.”

I laughed and replied, “You wouldn’t think so if you knew my full name.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh really? Now, I’m intrigued.”

I shook my head. “Promise not to laugh?” It was quickly becoming easy to talk to him, and the words just tumbled out of my mouth.

His eyes sparkled with mischief. “You can’t tell someone not to laugh; it makes them laugh anyway.”

There was that sexy smile again. Part of me wondered if he was being so adorable on purpose then I found myself laughing with him. “How about
trying
not to laugh? Is that better?” I teased.
Please take me now, Mr. Gorgeous.

“All right, I’ll try.” He crossed his heart. “So, what is your full name?”

I took a deep breath then blurted out, “Evening Moonlight Dubois.” Only a handful of people knew my actual name, and here I was blabbing it to a complete stranger. I had just broken one of my cardinal rules, but I didn’t care. I cringed slightly as cold fear flooded my body. If he had slight magical abilities or knew someone who had them, I had just given him the ability to completely control me by telling him my full name.

He laughed, and I glared at him, but my faux-tough look only lasted for a minute. His adorable grin had won me over again and I couldn't stay mad at him, especially when it was only put-on.

“Sounds like your parents and mine belonged to the same scar-your-kid-for-life naming club.”

“Oh, I doubt your name is worse than mine,” I scoffed at him.

“Not worse, but equally unique,” he replied then smirked, staring at me from just beneath the hair that had fallen over his eyes.

“Really?” I grinned excitedly. “Now, you have to tell me!” No one had a name worse than mine. I barely knew the man, yet he’d gotten under my skin so easily.

“Okay, drum roll, please…” He pantomimed playing the snare drum then announced, “Valiant King Arthur.”

I was shocked. No one named their kid Valiant; then again, no one named their kid Evening, either. I started to laugh and kept laughing, unable to stop even after tears fell from my eyes.

“What, you don’t like it?” he teased.

“Actually, I think it’s fitting. You are definitely Valiant.” I smiled as my laughter quieted.

Either ignoring my blatant staring or oblivious to it, he continued, “I go by Vale. It doesn’t sound nearly as pompous and Val would be confused to often with a woman’s name.”

“All right. Vale it is,” I said as I looked into his beautiful blue eyes. “You’re sworn to secrecy, by the way. I never reveal my entire name to anyone.”

“Guess that makes me kind of special,” he winked.

You have
no
idea!
“Yes, it does,” I agreed.

He put his hand over his heart. “My lips are sealed,” he said with a broad grin.

The phone rang, annoying me, but I answered it anyway. “Hello?”

“Eve, it’s Bud. You got a minute?”

No, and you have terrible timing!
I thought. Out loud, I replied, “Sure, is everything okay?” I glanced at Vale, who was looking concerned, and mouthed, “Sorry.”

His look of worry didn’t leave, but he nodded so I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable taking the call.

“Probably, but I wanted to let you know we never found those guys you ran into earlier today.”

Now, that was weird. The only way off the property was to take the highway because the surrounding bluffs only allowed one road to and from the limestone house. That meant the men were either on foot or had jumped in and floated down the Illinois River toward Alton, which didn’t make sense. Either way, they would have to take the road because the bluffs blocked the exit to the east. To the west, the road dropped off severely into the river, making it impossible to dock for three miles north or south of the old limestone house or my home.

Bud continued, “I really wish you’d get a dog, Evie. Murrlin is sweet, but he can’t protect you. A dog would be so much better for—”

“Not this again,” I said, cutting him off. “Seriously, you are the poster boy for dog lovers. Sheesh!” I said good-naturedly.

“Locking your doors and windows can help keep you safe to a point, but a dog…well, that’s like having a small army and a best friend all rolled into one,” he laughed.

“Maybe someday, not today, I’ll reconsider, okay? Are you happy now?” I teased.

“Yes, although I’d be even happier if I could stop by later and see you for myself. You know, just to be sure you’re all right.”

Bud’s behavior could be a bit overbearing, but because I cared about him and vice versa, I didn’t give him too much flack for being concerned about my safety.

“Not tonight, Bud. Thanks though. I think I’ll eat dinner, relax and turn in early.”

“Okay, just thought I’d ask. But, seriously, call me in the morning…early, all right?”

I sighed. “You’re the only one who could get away with that, you know, this innocent ‘call me in the morning so I know you’re okay’ business. I like my freedom, and checking in is about as pushy as I’ll let you get with me, mister,” I teased.

He laughed. “Guess it’s just my charm.”

“Oh, definitely,” I laughed. “Thanks for letting me know about the men, Sheriff. I appreciate it.” Hopefully, reminding him that he was an officer of the law would help the conversation go from personal to formal once again.

“You’re welcome. If I don’t hear from you tomorrow morning, I’m stopping by. You have been officially forewarned.”

Then again, maybe, it wouldn’t make any difference today.

“Gotcha. Bye, Bud.”

“Bye.”

Concerned about Bud’s news, I hung up the phone and turned back toward my guest, who was now petting Murrlin. The way he stood up, flexing his thigh muscles and his glutes, was enough to make my mouth water.

“Bad news?” he asked, actually seeming troubled.

I took a lock of my hair between my fingers and twirled it, the habit a nervous response since I was a child. “I’m not sure.”

“What’s wrong?”

Oh, what the heck, I might as well tell him; after all, where was the harm? “Earlier today, I ran into two men who were trespassing on my property. They seemed suspicious even though they tried to be friendly.”

“That is odd, especially if they came all the way out here. It sounds like you’ve done everything you can so far by reporting them.” He thought for a moment. “Are you sure your boyfriend can’t stop by later?”

I looked at him with confusion. “Boyfriend?” It finally dawned on me that my guest was referring to Bud. “Oh, no.” I laughed. “He’s just a good friend.”

Vale actually seemed relieved, his smile widening. “I’m sure they’ll leave you alone. No one wants to get caught trespassing twice.” He winked.

I nodded. “Yeah, but…it just felt—” I stopped talking, suddenly self-conscious about telling him any further details. I had been ridiculed enough in my life due to my sensitive abilities; I didn’t want to drive away a hot, sexy man by making him think I was some kind of mental case.

“What?” he asked.

I laughed uneasily and tried to brush it off. “I’m sure it was nothing. I’m just being silly.”

“I don’t think you’re silly. Gut feelings are there for a reason,” he said as he walked toward me. Standing less than a foot from me, he reached out and touched my arm. “Tell me what you felt,” he softly encouraged.

I looked up into his crystal blue eyes and knew I could talk to him. He wouldn’t laugh at me or think I was ridiculous.

“It just felt…” I searched for the right word to describe the men, “wrong.”

He nodded. “This feeling you’re describing, do you misread those vibes very often or are you right ninety-nine percent of the time?”

My hand touched his arm as I shook my head. “I’m never wrong about those vibes. Ever.”

“Then I’d say you should trust your instincts,” he reassured me. A smile crossed his lips. “What do you think of me?” he asked as he leaned in closer.

“I…” I blushed but didn’t pull away.
I like you and think you’re freaking hot!

Loud pounding on the door made me jump, and I immediately moved to open it. Max greeted me. “Ms. Dubois, have you seen Vale?”

From behind me, Vale answered, “Yeah, man, I’m in here. I was getting a glass of water.”

Max glanced at me then to Vale and smirked at his working partner. “Let’s get back to work.” He turned around, not waiting for Vale to follow him.

Don’t just let him leave, you fool!
I silently screamed in my head. Vale was the first nice guy I’d met in
way
too long, and I had a good feeling about him.
Ask him out, ask him to dinner, ask him to watch the grass grow for crying out loud, but
ask
him to do something!

Vale walked toward the front door while I watched him, contemplating my options and losing the ability to make my lips move. Just as he was about to leave, I blurted out, “Dinner?”

I felt completely idiotic for saying it that way. I sighed, embarrassed once again.

“Would you like to have dinner?”

“I’d love to,” he grinned at me. “When were you thinking?”

“Is after work too soon?” I asked hesitantly.
Nope, I’m not desperate…ugh!

His smile widened. “I don’t have a change of clothes with me, and I’d like to shower first.”

“Sounds great,” I replied, maybe a bit too enthusiastically.

He grasped the doorknob in his hand, and before he closed the door he said, “I look forward to it, Evening Moonlight Dubois.”

The door closed, and I whispered, “Me too.”

The hot, sexy man was having dinner at my house! I covered my face with my hands and did a little happy dance. I couldn’t wait to tell Karisma and started dialing.

Chapter Four

I watched the front slowly roll in as I listened to the weather alert station predicting doom and gloom. Tonight’s storm was predicted to be rough due to the heat that had stayed in the valley for months and the sudden cold air sweeping in from the north.

Since childhood, I’d loved the sound of rain on the roof. I’ve never been bothered by storms. Instead, rumbling thunder and a downpour soothe me. Murrlin was a different story completely. If my brave feline heard even a sprinkle of rain hit the roof, he would dash back under the bed in fright. He would cower underneath my bed, making certain he was against the wall and directly under the center of my headboard. He refused to be coaxed out by any means.

This was quite different behavior from the big tough explorer who had specifically calculated my opening the front door this morning with his mad dash to the great outdoors. My crafty feline only succeeded in escaping every once in a great while, but I’d decided to get him neutered to prevent ten thousand other little Murrlins from driving our owners mad with worry when they too escaped.