I Need a Hero

by Gary, Codi

  “All due respect, but I can be a bit of a bear when I don’t eat. How about we eat and in return, I’ll do whatever you need me to for this shindig,” Oliver said.

  His suggestion rankled Eve; it was the same kind of thing her father did, trying to manage her life. Like when he’d told her that he’d only pay for colleges within a ten-hour car ride. Or when she’d come back from her first semester with pink tips and he’d commanded that she stop dyeing her hair “strange” colors. The trouble with commanding her, which her dad still hadn’t learned, was that she was too much like him to bend over and take orders from any man. Which is why she’d gotten a scholarship to Hart University in Hart, Mississippi—four days of driving away—but there was little he could do once she’d accepted. And even less when she’d come back the next summer with fire-engine red hair.

  When she’d graduated with her business degree, she’d lived in LA for a while, interning at a large PR firm, but when they’d offered her a position, she’d turned it down. It was an incredible opportunity, but she’d hated LA. So, she’d moved home and made a website, launching her own publicity management company, Reynolds Relations. Granted, it was a one-woman operation, but she was just getting started.

  Eve knew she was lucky that her dad had called her about the Alpha Dog Training Program. If she could put together an amazing event for the US military, it would put her name on the map.

  But fraternizing with Sergeant Martinez was not part of the plan, and that’s what would happen if they went to eat. They’d talk about things other than the project and she’d fall behind, all because she couldn’t say no to those beautiful blue eyes.

  “As hungry as you might be, I think you can wait until our meeting is over to go grab something,” she said.

  “Actually, I’m hypoglycemic. I have to eat every few hours or I could die.”

  “Really? It’s amazing you’ve lasted in the armed forces so long. You know, since they’re usually not so accommodating to specific eating schedules.”

  “What can I say? I’m special,” he said.

  Eve bit back a smile. “I’m sure you are.”

  “Now, I know you don’t mean that as a compliment, but I’m going to take it as one,” he said. “Come on, you can’t eat and work at the same time?”

  No, bad idea. Get things back on track.

  “Sergeant Martinez, I don’t want to stand here arguing about this. If you so desperately need to eat, then fine, we’ll go elsewhere to work. But we will be working.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

  Eve sighed and walked toward the exit, the heavy sound of his boots following behind her. She was weak. That was the only explanation for how easily she’d given into him. But she would keep the focus on the event and nothing else. No personal questions. She could handle sharing a meal with the man.

  It wasn’t that Sergeant Martinez made her uncomfortable—far from it. It was her reaction to him, from the moment their eyes had met, that threw her for a loop. The last thing she needed was to get involved with a military man, a lifer like her dad who put his country before everything else, even his family.

  She wanted a life with a man who would be home every night. A life in which they’d make dinner together. Those hopes were why she also avoided ER doctors, pilots, lawyers . . . Basically any job with long hours and business trips were crossed off the potential husband list. She just wanted a normal, decent guy with a nine-to-five job who would love every crazy hair on her head.

  Sure, she hadn’t found that guy yet, but she was only twenty-five, after all. She had time. All she knew was that she wasn’t going to find the man of her dreams in the military.

  They walked through the doors, and a sheen of sweat instantly formed on Eve’s skin as the hot summer air hit her. She was overdressed for June, but the sweater covered up the red halter top, making it more business casual. Once she took it off, she’d be ready to go out for drinks with her best friends tonight.

  “I’m parked right there,” he said.

  “And I’m parked over here.” She stopped next to her red Mini Cooper with a smirk. “I’ll follow you.”

  “There’s no sense in us taking two cars, and besides, we can work on the way.”

  “Sorry, cowboy, but I don’t get in the cars of strange men,” she said.

  Eve could almost hear the gears in Sergeant Martinez’s head turning, and finally, he shoved his keys back into his pocket. “Fine, I’ll ride with you.”

  “Yeah, you probably don’t want to do that,” she said.

  Sergeant Martinez had already rounded to the passenger side of her car. “What, are you a bad driver?”

  “Scary driver is the term polite people use,” she said.

  “Well, if you’re going to kill me, you might as well call me Oliver.”

  EVE DROVE TOWARD the café, weaving through the cars like a speed racer and grinning with every grunt from the man next to her. She could tell he was dying to say something about her driving, but instead, he kept his mouth shut and never once told her to slow down.

  She liked that. Some guys could be such whiners.

  But she still wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to this. It wasn’t just that he was pretty to look at; she’d been attracted to a number of men over the years but had never even been tempted to break her number one rule: no fraternizing with unsuitable men. It was a big deal to her, and yet, here she was, ignoring the little voice screaming at her to turn the car around and go back to the program building.

  No, she was pretty sure it was that he’d surprised her. Oliver had completely thrown her off her game and broken down her defenses. She’d thought he was shy and awkward when they met in the office, especially with the way the other men had teased him, but the minute they’d been alone, he’d become charming and funny.

  Damn it, why did he have to be funny?

  “So, your last name is Reynolds, huh? As in General Reynolds?”

  Eve had been waiting for him to make the connection between her and her dad and was surprised it had taken him so long. “Yep, he’s my dad.”

  “So, did he actually hire you for this or strong-arm you into helping out?”

  It was a valid question that anyone who knew her dad would ask, but she still stiffened, ready to defend him. It was one thing for her to think he was an overbearing ass sometimes, but she didn’t like other people alluding to it.

  “He hired me to help me out. I just started my PR company a few months ago, and this event could be great for my career,” she said. “How did you draw the short straw of helping me out?”

  “Well, I didn’t volunteer,” he said.

  “I didn’t think so.” She swerved into the left lane and hit the gas to pass a minivan going ten miles under the speed limit. “Asshole.”

  “I’m assuming you aren’t talking to me?” he asked.

  “People should not get on the freeway if they don’t know how to drive,” she said.

  “Agreed.”

  “Sorry, I have a bit of a road rage issue. It’s one of my many flaws.” So much for not getting personal. “Anyways, not many guys want to plan parties. At least, not many straight ones.”

  “Is that your way of asking me if I’m on the down low?” he asked.

  Eve’s cheeks burned because that was exactly what she’d been doing. “No, of course not. It’s none of my business what team you bat for.”

  He laughed, the deep rumble sending a quiver through her body. “Since we’re talking about it, I like women.”

  What kind of women, I wonder.

  She didn’t ask, though, because that was definitely something personal, and she’d already overstepped the line with him. Several times.

  “I also happen to have two younger sisters. Twins. And after helping with quinceañeras, proms, and weddings, I will probably be more help than you think.”

  The information was delivered with a touch of exasperation, but beneath it was a warm tone she recognized. An affection that said he
loved his family no matter how much they aggravated him and would lay down his life for them.

  Eve knew that tone well. It was the same one she used when talking about her brother and parents. Even when they were making her nuts, family was family.

  “Quinceañeras?” She’d heard the word and knew it was some kind of party, but that was about it.

  “Yeah, when a girl turns fifteen, her parents throw a huge party to celebrate,” he said. “Fancy dresses, lots of people. It’s a big deal. You want to get off on Tenth and make a left.”

  “Wow. All I got for my fifteenth birthday was my permit and gift cards.” She exited the freeway and turned left.

  “Yeah, I can’t remember my fifteenth birthday. It’s more of a girl thing. Besides, I’m not sure I’d look good in a ball gown,” he said. “It’s up there on the left.”

  Liar. You’d probably look good in anything.

  “So, what’s your plan for this thing, anyway?” he asked.

  Gripping the steering wheel, she made a sharp left into the café parking lot, the sound of a horn blaring loudly as she crossed in front of several cars. “I was thinking a bachelor auction.”

  As she parked, Oliver scoffed. “I don’t think you’ll get very many volunteers for something like that.”

  “I wasn’t talking about you guys. I was talking about the dogs,” she said. She climbed out of the car and smoothed her skirt. She liked to at least look put together, even if it wasn’t how she felt.

  “The dogs? Seriously? How is that going to work?” Oliver caught up with her just as she stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the café and reached past her to get the door. Before she could walk through, three women in their early forties came out, eyeing Oliver like he was a piece of smooth milk chocolate.

  “Ladies, have a good day,” Oliver said behind her. He had moved closer, pressing his big, muscular body against her back, and she felt drops of perspiration run down her forehead that had nothing to do with the heat. No, her sudden rise in temperature definitely had more to do with Oliver’s proximity.

  “You, too,” one of the ladies said, while the other two giggled.

  When they were far enough away, Eve asked, “You got a thing for cougars?”

  “Cougars? Come on, they weren’t old enough to be my mother,” he said.

  Eve stepped into the café with a snort. “I see you didn’t answer my question.”

  “This way.” Oliver pointed, indicating a table free in the middle. Once they were seated, he added, “Are you asking because you really want to know?”

  “Honestly, it’s none of my business the kind of women you like.” Eve grabbed a paper menu from the holder behind the salt and pepper, cursing silently. She couldn’t seem to curb her reaction to him. Yes, she wanted to know what kind of women he liked, but she had no right to ask. She would just be setting him up to think she was interested in whatever he had, but she didn’t want complicated and she definitely didn’t need heartache. “I was just making an observation.”

  “But you’re curious,” Oliver prodded.

  Eve looked up and met the blue depths of his eyes, but she was unprepared for the heat in them. Or the challenge. Whatever answer he had waiting for her was a loaded one, and she knew she shouldn’t ask.

  “Are you ready to order?” the server asked, coming up alongside their table. She was a young African American woman with brightly colored string weaved into her intricate braids, and she looked weary.

  “Actually, I need a few minutes,” Eve said, glancing at Oliver.

  “I’ll just have a coke for now,” he said.

  “Okay, I’ll come back in a few minutes,” the server said.

  But before she could leave, Eve said, “I have to tell you, I love your hair.”

  The server’s face brightened. “Thank you, I just got it done a few days ago.”

  “Well, it’s fabulous, and I love the colors,” Eve said.

  “Thank you.” As she walked away, Eve noticed a new skip in the woman’s step and couldn’t stop grinning as she looked at her menu.

  “That was nice of you,” Oliver said.

  Eve glanced up at him and raised her eyebrow. “What? Telling her I like her hair? I do.”

  “I think it was more about making her feel good, though. Am I right?” Oliver said.

  Eve shrugged. “She looked like she was having a bad day.”

  Oliver laughed, and she glared at him suspiciously. “What?”

  “Nothing, it’s just . . . You’re so nice,” he said.

  “And?”

  “I’m just thinking you must have gotten it from your mother,” Oliver said.

  Bristling, she slapped her menu down. “You don’t know my dad. You know the general, your boss.”

  Oliver’s dark eyebrows rose, and his eyes danced with amusement. “Well, that’s something you got from him.”

  “My ability to call it like I see it?”

  “Actually, I was going to say your protectiveness of your family, which is just like him,” Oliver said.

  For a moment, his answer stunned her, and she could feel the warmth of embarrassment staining her cheeks.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter Three

  OLIVER COULD TELL he’d unsettled Eve, but the server’s return crushed whatever moment they’d been having. After asking if they were serving lunch yet, Eve ordered a burger and fries with a Coke. Oliver wondered what her story was. She wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean anything these days.

  “And how about you?” the server asked.

  “Hot roast beef sandwich with extra barbeque sauce and fries,” he said.

  “All right, I’ll get these put in and have them out as soon as they’re ready.”

  As she walked away, Oliver opened his mouth to ask Eve about herself, but she cut him off.

  “Okay, I think we should just stick to planning the event and spend less time talking about our personalities.” Eve pulled out several color-coded folders with a rainbow of sticky notes poking out from the top and a planner so worn and thick it was held together by hot pink and black duct tape decorated with little white skulls.

  Oliver fought another grin. How in the hell did the general raise someone like you?

  As she flipped the folder open, she started in, talking fast. “So, I think we should have a family-friendly environment. Have the dogs’ temperaments been tested?”

  “Um, I’m not sure. Sergeant Best would be a better choice for that question, since this is only my first day,” Oliver said.

  “You don’t know anything about the program?” she asked.

  “Not much. Best and Sparks are friends of mine, so I know a little, but—”

  “Why would they assign you to help out with PR if you know nothing about the program?”

  “Well, actually, your father just assigned me this morning. He said it was an opportunity for me to learn discipline,” he said.

  “What did you do to deserve that?” she asked.

  “Got your brother arrested,” he said. It had come out blunter than he’d meant it to, but he wasn’t going to lie about it. True, this might blow any chance he had with her, but—

  Whoa, chance? She is the general’s daughter, dude. You shouldn’t even been thinking about chances.

  “Well, that would definitely do it. How did you get him arrested?”

  “He was wasted and hitting on some women who weren’t interested. When I suggested he leave them alone, he took a swing at me and I put him down. Cops were called—”

  “And as soon as you mentioned you were military, they let you off the hook,” she said.

  Her tone was snide, and anger coursed through him. “Actually, the fact that I was sober and your brother was mouthing off made my side of things pretty cut and dry. And for the record, I’m not sure what kind of pull my military status would have with civilian cops.”

  After a moment of silence
, she said, “I’m sorry.”

  Oliver’s temper cooled slightly at her apology, but knowing she was off limits made his reaction to her harder to take. Every time she blinked those thick black lashes or pursed her bee-stung lips, his cock twitched in frustration, and it was crazy. He shouldn’t care what she thought about him. This was temporary. This was just one side-step in his career, and soon he’d be back to doing what he did best. It didn’t matter how attracted he was to her. If landing the general’s son in jail had gotten him here, he couldn’t imagine what nailing the general’s daughter would get him. Maybe a few weeks in the brig?

  Or he’ll just kill me and make sure my body is never found.

  Regardless of the consequences, Oliver could not go there with her. He just needed to get over it. To think about something else.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

  Awkward silence descended on them, but luckily their food arrived. Oliver picked up the top bun of his sandwich and dumped the extra barbeque sauce over the meat.

  “So, what exactly do you need me to do for this thing?” he asked.

  “Well, once I find out more about the dogs, I can start making a list of venues to contact.”

  He looked up from what he was doing in time to watch her take a huge bite of her burger and chew it slowly with her eyes closed for half a second. After she swallowed, she released a little sigh and licked her lips.

  “Man, I love a good burger, don’t you?” she asked.

  Oliver nodded, even as his dick hardened. When had a woman eating become so fucking arousing? Or maybe it was just the look of pure bliss on her face that was turning him on?

  And, damn, but he liked how secure she was in her own skin. Some girls would order a salad or cut their burger in half and chew tiny little bites behind their hands, but not Eve. She dived in and ate with gusto.

  “Do I have mustard on my face?” She picked up her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. “Sorry, but I have been living on protein bars for days and it is awesome to sit down and eat.”