Money for something she would gladly do for free? Eve knew she should say no. But after years of working long hours and barely getting by, the idea of turning down such a generous offer stuck in her throat.
Besides, Eve had plans for every extra cent she earned. If Dylan wanted to contribute, who was she to argue?
“One month.” Eve felt it was important to set a firm timeline. “Promise you won’t ask me to stay longer.”
When Dylan hesitated, Eve wondered why. He was the one who asked for a month. Why wasn’t he happy that she agreed?
“If you need a promise, fine.” Dylan nodded. “I have a caveat.”
“I’m listening,” Eve said with trepidation.
“After four weeks, if for any reason you want to stay, tell me.” Dylan smiled. “I won’t argue.”
“I won’t ask for an extension,” Eve assured him.
“You might,” he said.
“Nope.” Eve was determined to stand firm—especially in the face of Mr. Smirky Pants.
“One more thing.” Dylan held up a hand before Eve could comment. “I want you to feel comfortable and safe.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked.
“About what happened yesterday. The three kisses—”
“For the love of Pete,” Eve sighed. “Can we save time and sanity and simply refer to it as the kiss? Every time you add a number, I want to slam my fist into your obnoxiously pretty face.”
“There’s the Eve I’ve come to know and tolerate,” Dylan said, laughing when she let out an annoyed growl. “You shouldn’t worry that I’ll expect a repeat of the kiss.”
“We already agreed what happened was a onetime thing.” Eve shrugged. When her heart pounded a little too hard in her chest, she told her libido to behave. “As long as we agree, there’s nothing more to say.”
“I don’t want any tension between us.” Dylan leaned his back against the wall, his pose casual and non-threatening. “Just to clarify. Other than to help you out of the car, or an accidental brush of my hand when we pass in the hall, I won’t touch you. Sex will not be mentioned.”
Eve appreciated that Dylan understood how much a woman alone needed to feel safe. She didn’t know many men who would recognize how awkward she might feel living in his house without another woman around.
For a moment, Eve feared she might start crying again. She cleared her throat.
“Thank you, Dylan.”
“However.”
“Yes?” Eve asked, racking her brain.
Dylan’s expression remained cool, calm, and with an undertone of gravitas.
“Let’s put the same conditions on sex as we did on the timeline for when you leave,” he said.
“I’m not certain what you mean.” Eve frowned. “Conditions?”
“Nothing sinister,” Dylan assured her. “We agreed that if you change your mind at the end of the month, you can stay. No questions asked. Right?”
“We also agreed that I wouldn’t change my mind.”
“Your words, not mine,” he reminded her. “As something physical? Something sexual? The same thing applies. If you decide you want to kiss me or touch me. Or something more? I won’t object.”
Eve opened her mouth to respond but all she could manage was a surprised squeak.
Dylan straightened to his full height. Annoyed, Eve tilted her head to look him in the eyes.
“Glad we hashed things out.” He smiled. “I’m satisfied. Are you?”
Not sure exactly what just happened, Eve nodded.
“Need help with anything before we leave?”
“No.” Eve sighed. “I finished packing last night.”
“Then I’ll be back for you and Daisy in a few hours,” Dylan said. “If anything comes up, call me.”
Eve let herself back into the apartment, leaned against the door, and slid to the floor. In less than half an hour, Dylan Montgomery had changed her life—once again. The man had the flair for the dramatic.
First, he swooped in without warning, determined to take Daisy from her. Then, just when she resigned herself to the fact that she would need to relinquish her rights to the little girl, he talked her into moving to Seattle.
Logically, Eve understood that she hit the jackpot. She would be with Daisy, live in luxury, and get paid to boot. Everything was in her favor.
So why did Eve have the feeling Dylan somehow conned her? In the pit of her stomach, she felt uneasy. As though he knew something she didn’t and by the time she found out his secret, it would be too late.
“I’m overthinking things,” Eve told herself. “If I get to Seattle and things aren’t as rosy as Dylan painted, so what? I’ll have Daisy. And she’ll have me. Besides, anything is doable for one month.”
When Daisy called her name, Eve picked up the little girl, hugging her close. Eve shut her eyes, taking comfort in Daisy’s nonsensical run-on sentences.
Alone, without Dylan’s knowing glances, she could admit to herself that she wasn’t worried about living with him for a month or even a day. Just the opposite.
What if Eve liked Seattle? What if everything was perfect? A month might not be enough.
“What if I never want to leave?”
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
CHAPTER TWELVE
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
“I CAN’T BELIEVE you own a private plane.”
Eve turned in a slow circle, trying to take in every detail. She wanted to remember because she knew without a doubt that she would never fall into an opportunity like this one again in her lifetime.
“I don’t own the jet,” Dylan told her as he settled a sleeping Daisy into a special baby seat. “Riley Preston offered me the use of the plane as a favor.”
“Who is Riley Preston?”
Eve's question elicited a gasp from the flight attendant who greeted them as they boarded, telling them her name was Sara.
“Don’t worry,” Dylan smiled at the woman, turning on the charm. “Eve isn’t from another planet. She simply isn’t a football fan so you can’t expect her to know that Riley owns the Knights.”
“I thought everyone knew,” Sara whispered.
As if I can’t hear you. Eve wondered as she watched Sara melt like an ice cream cone under Dylan’s warm gaze. Rolling her eyes, she checked on Daisy.
“Am
