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?
4
DEVON
Ihadn’t been prepared for my reaction to Mel when she had opened her door. It shouldn't have been possible, but with her hair a couple of inches longer and the pale green shade of her eyes more startling in person, she was more beautiful than she’d been in any of the pictures I’d found online. And I saw a fuck ton of them because I did quite a bit of research into Melisande Bisset last night. As a member of Kane Security, I had a lot of information available to me, and I used it to my full advantage to dig into her past.
I didn’t even try telling myself that I was looking into her because I was treating this trip like a job. My need to learn more about Mel was entirely personal. So was my impulse to win the auction her sister set up. I’d never played the knight in shining armor for a woman before, but I’d eagerly stepped into the role for her. Hell, I’d even happily paid for the fucking privilege. Knowing how out of character I was acting over her, I shouldn’t have been so damn surprised by her impact on me now. But nothing could have prepared me for the unexpected warmth in my heart that went along with the rock-hard cock that I’d been sporting since she opened the door.
Mel was quiet as we made our way to my car. Once I was certain the reporters camped out in front of her building hadn’t followed us, I asked, “Are you doing okay?”
She nodded jerkily, the stiffness in her body impossible to miss. “Yeah, I’m just not used to this kind of attention. I’m much more comfortable going unnoticed.”
I had a hard time believing she was overlooked by any man who was lucky enough to be near. She was too damn hot for guys to miss, no matter how big of a crowd she was in. And the fact that she seemed so unaware of how fucking gorgeous she was made her even more attractive. “This much media presence could make even the most experienced celebrity uncomfortable.”
Some of the tension left her shoulders as she relaxed against her seat. “My sister mentioned that you work in security. Have you protected a lot of stars?”
I shared a couple of funny stories about famous clients without giving her any names since that would violate our nondisclosure agreements.
She was much more relaxed as I exited the highway. “Do you do stuff like this often?”
My head reared back as my brows drew together. “Fuck, no.”
