I Need a Hero

by Gary, Codi

  Oliver pulled back, warning, “Watch out, he’s a mess.”

  Eve laughed, and to Oliver’s surprise, she knelt down in her slacks and held out her hand to Beast. “Are you a mess? Huh?”

  Her soft, cajoling tone made Beast pull harder, and Oliver relaxed enough to let the dog nuzzle her fingers. She ran her palm across his broad head, rubbing his floppy ears. With a groan, Beast sank to the floor, leaning into her massaging hand.

  Eve let out a husky laugh, and when she looked up, Oliver couldn’t look away from those shiny green eyes.

  “He is a serious ham,” she said. “We had a big dorky dog when I was a kid, but after Moose died, my mom wanted a Pomeranian. I want to get a dog, but my apartment doesn’t allow more than one animal and I already have a cat.”

  Oliver watched her, transfixed by her relaxed, playful manner. He wasn’t paying attention to Beast, who had managed to climb onto Eve’s lap.

  “Shit, I am sorry,” Oliver said. He was about to yank the dog away when she wrapped her arms around Beast and laughed again, kissing the big ugly dog on his head.

  The click of a camera drew Oliver’s attention to a lanky guy taking pictures of Eve as she cuddled Beast.

  “Okay, come on.” Oliver pulled the dog off her and groaned when he saw the mass of short brown hair covering her clothes. “I’m sorry.”

  Eve climbed to her feet and brushed at the hair. “It’s okay, it just means you know my secret.”

  “You like dogs?” He couldn’t help staring at her. Her sheer joy made him want to let Beast loose again to draw another one of those full-bodied laughs from her.

  “No, that I don’t mind getting dirty,” she said.

  Oliver knew Eve had no idea how her words affected him, and he tried to cover up the raw lust heating his body as he thought about all the dirty things he’d love to do with her.

  “Caleb, come meet Sergeant Oliver Martinez and his dog . . . ”

  “Beast,” Oliver said.

  Caleb put the camera back in his bag and held his hand out to Oliver. “Pleased to meet you. Evie said you two are planning this thing together.” Caleb leaned forward and whispered, “My advice is to just smile, nod, and do whatever she wants. She can be a pistol when she doesn’t get her way.”

  Evie? Oliver squeezed Caleb’s hand, a niggling of jealousy worming through his brain. Caleb’s advice was too intimate.

  “Good to meet you.” Releasing Caleb’s hand, Oliver turned to Eve and said, “Sparks is setting everyone up out back for the pictures. Figured if you wanted some shots of the guys training the dogs, it was the best place to do it,” he said.

  “Great. I ordered special jackets for the dogs to wear during the event—with cargo pockets. Easier to carry the money from the raffle tickets. Oh, and I want to talk to Sparks about setting up a demonstration at the event. I’m thinking we could show what the dogs are actually trained to do. It would be exciting. I’ve actually contacted a few of the local high schools to see if we can set up there for everything. I just think it would be easier to use their gym, auditorium, and campus, instead of having to set up fences and rent bleachers.”

  “Hey, you’re the boss,” Oliver said.

  “Man, do not encourage her,” Caleb said, earning a sour look from Eve that twisted Oliver’s guts up.

  “Sounds like you know her pretty well,” Oliver said. Had either of them noticed his sharp tone?

  Apparently not, because Caleb just laughed. “Our parents have been friends for a long time, and she used to constantly bug me to play Clueless and go to movies with her. She didn’t give a rip that I was a dude; she still tried to make me play Dion.”

  “Oh, come on, you loved it. And if I hadn’t kept you around, you never would have met your wife,” Eve said.

  “It’s true. I’m actually married to Evie’s best friend, Jenny, who played Ty,” Caleb said. “I owe Evie everything, so I also tend to say, ‘whatever she wants.’ ”

  “That’s because you’re a smart man,” Eve said.

  Oliver knew it was stupid to be relieved, but he couldn’t help it. The thought of Eve with anyone else grated on him, even though he knew he was playing with fire thinking about her as anything more than a means to get back in the field. Wrecking his career over a woman would be beyond moronic. And despite his reaction to her, a few hours of hot, world-rocking sex wasn’t worth derailing everything he’d worked for.

  Too bad his logic was being overruled by every other cell in his body.

  “I’m gonna get some other shots of the place, so I’ll talk to you all later,” Caleb said.

  Caleb took off, leaving Oliver alone with Eve, who was rummaging through her purse. When she pulled out a lint roller and started running it along her curves, his mouth dried up.

  “Is it all gone?”

  Oliver realized Eve was talking to him. “What?”

  “Did I miss any?” she asked, turning this way and that. As she spun around, Oliver couldn’t stop himself from eyeballing her ass in those simple black slacks.

  “I think you’re good.” Oliver met her gaze as she turned back around. A black eyelash rested on her cheek, and Oliver reached out to pick it up before she could move. Holding it up for her, he said, “Make a wish.”

  Before she could blow, sharp pain erupted down his shin, and Oliver hollered, jumping back. He bent over and lifted his pant leg to find four red abrasions on his shin where Beast had dragged his beefy paw. The dog had placed himself between Eve and Oliver, and Oliver got the feeling the dog was claiming her.

  “It’s on, Fido. I just became your worst nightmare,” Oliver said too low for anyone else to hear.

  Beast snorted, snot flying and smacking Oliver in the face.

  Oliver stood up with his eyes closed, the cool wet snot sitting on his eyelids. He was just about to drag his T-shirt over his face, when he felt Eve touch his cheek. Before he could move, she was wiping his face with something cold and wet, starting with his eyelids.

  “I keep wipes in my purse for when I spill things, which happens about five times a day. I’m one of those people who looks really responsible and put together, but in reality, I’m a mess.” Oliver opened his eyes, watching her as she cleaned him up and continued talking. “I mean, you should see what I carry around. People always joke about everything women carry in their purses, but I am prepared for every disaster.”

  As she rambled on, Oliver became aware that he had bent closer to help her reach his face. He inhaled the light, floral scent of her perfume and sweetness that seemed to be all Eve. It was bliss and torture at the same time, having her close enough to touch and taste, yet being denied the pleasure.

  When he couldn’t take it any longer, Oliver caught her wrist as she wiped along his cheek. “I can finish up.”

  Eve’s cheeks lit up red and she pulled away, holding the wet wipe out to him. “Sorry, I just thought you got some in your eye and was trying to help.”

  “I know,” he said, taking the wipe.

  After a moment of awkward silence, Eve said, “I guess I should go make sure that Caleb is getting everything. We need to discuss the social-media stuff after the photo shoot, so don’t take off, okay?”

  “I won’t,” he said.

  As she walked away, Beast whimpered, and Oliver frowned down at the dog. “Look, we’re stuck with each other. She is not going to save you, so you might as well forget about her. She’s not for you.”

  And definitely not for me.

  Beast grunted, as if he was disagreeing with Oliver. But even if Eve did want Oliver back, she would be his downfall. She might be stubborn and outspoken, but she was also too nice for her own good. He’d never had nice, didn’t even know what to do with it. The women he went for knew the score and never asked for more than he could give.

  And no matter how many naughty thoughts he might have about her, Evelyn Reynolds was a woman who wanted it all. She’d demand everything from him, and if he couldn’t deliver . . .

  He cou
ldn’t take the chance that she might ruin him.

  “No. She is definitely not for us.”

  “SO, YOU READY to work?” Oliver asked several hours later.

  Eve wanted to say yes, but the pictures had taken longer than she’d expected and she was so hungry she was ready to eat a horse.

  “Sure. Do you want to do this in that conference room?” They stood in the front lobby beside Beast, who sat panting at Oliver’s side. Everyone else was eating dinner in the large dining hall, and although Sparks had invited her to join them, she’d actually wanted to be alone with Oliver so they could get their work done.

  But it was almost too quiet around them, making the loud, rapid thud of her heart that much louder. She was still embarrassed at having practically molested him earlier, but she had to work with him, which meant shoving down her attraction to him. No more touching, flirting, teasing—nothing.

  “Yeah, but at the risk of you getting pissed, I’m pretty hungry,” he said. “Maybe we could order a pizza or something?”

  Eve’s stomach rumbled at the thought. “I would love some pizza.”

  Oliver pulled out his cell phone and dialed. Before she could pick it up, he reached out and grabbed her bulky laptop bag, waving at her to follow him. “Yeah, I’d like to order a large . . . ” He paused, looking at her.

  “I like pepperoni and olive,” she said.

  “Pepperoni and olive pizza, a two liter of Coke, and add some of those cheesy breadsticks . . . eight of them, with marinara and ranch. Yeah, delivery.” As Oliver led her into a small room with a rectangular table and several chairs, he set down her bag and rattled off the address and his credit card number.

  Eve took a seat, watching him end the call, and her gaze was drawn to the tan, sinewy muscles of his arm.

  “Are you mad?” Oliver set his cell on the table and sat down next to her. She shifted her chair a bit away from him, trying to put some distance between them.

  Damn, why does he have to smell so good?

  “About what?” she asked.

  “That I didn’t let you pay for the pizza. I didn’t even ask if you liked Round Table; it’s just what I always order ’cause I live right down the street.”

  “No, that’s fine,” she said.

  Suddenly, Beast was pushing his way between their chairs, and Oliver cursed. “Will you get out of the way?”

  “For a guy who’s supposed to be training dogs, you don’t seem like much of a dog person,” she said.

  “My dad worked with German shepherds and rottweilers as police dogs, so I was around them, but we never had one as a pet.”

  “That’s too bad,” Eve said, reaching down to stroke Beast’s big head. “Dogs are awesome. I bet if you gave this guy a chance, you’d love him.”

  “He’s pushy,” Oliver groused.

  “Ah, you don’t like him because he’s like you.” Eve grinned as Oliver glared at her.

  “So, this social-media stuff. Tell me what you want me to do,” he said.

  Eve pushed her irritation down at his brusqueness. What had happened to the guy who’d tried to charm her over lunch? Or the one who’d looked at her earlier with so much heat, she almost combusted just being near him? Had that all just been one-sided? Had she imagined it?

  What does it matter? Didn’t we already decide that getting involved with him was a bad idea? That we weren’t going to be ruled by sexual attraction?

  Shaking off her hurt, she took out the laptop to show him her spreadsheet. “Okay, I took the liberty of setting up your website domain, your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, since your guys hadn’t done it yet.”

  “Hey, why do I get lumped in with the rest of these guys? I just got here.”

  “Because I saw your Facebook page, and you really are barely there.” Shit, she had just admitted to cyber stalking him. Great.

  “You checked me out, huh?”

  “Don’t get too excited,” she said. “I wanted to show you the basics of how to get in and out of the accounts, set up events, and post. Do you have the apps on your phone?”

  “No, like I said, I barely look at my personal Facebook account,” Oliver said.

  She sighed loudly and held out her hand. “Give it.”

  “Has anyone told you you’re bossy?”

  “All the time, but it tends to be effective when I want things to get done,” she said.

  Oliver picked up his phone and held it out to her. Just as she was about to take it, he pulled it back. “First, say please.”

  “Really?” She sounded exasperated, but that was too bad.

  “You want my phone and my help? Then I’m going to need you to have a little patience and treat me with respect. Understood?”

  He could tell he’d surprised her by her wide-eyed, horror-filled expression. After several seconds she flushed crimson and looked away from him.

  “I’m sorry. I was rude. May I please have your phone?”

  “Thank you.” He placed the phone in her hand and watched as she bent over the screen, noting that her cheeks were still a dull red. He got the feeling that Eve didn’t get called out on being anything but nice too often, but he didn’t want Eve to think he was weak and that she could just run roughshod over him and he would sit back and take it. She was a strong, independent, sexy woman, but he was a man. A strong, virile man who didn’t cow or bow to anyone.

  When she finished downloading the apps, he reached out to take her hand. Her soft, warm skin against his rough palm was irresistible, and he couldn’t stop from running his thumb across the back of it as he studied her nails. Each one had a different design. At first, she tried to tug her hand away, but when he held it firm, she relaxed. Slightly.

  “Live, Love, Laugh, Repeat,” he read aloud. The words were staggered in black across the white nail polish. “I like it.”

  “Do you want me to bring you a catalog next time?” The laughter lacing her tone was a little shaky, and he wondered if his touch made her nervous or if she was still put out with him.

  “Catalog?” he said, bewildered. He looked up from her nails and met her gaze, the green of her eyes sparkling behind her glasses. His hand tightened on hers, and he started to lean in.

  “For the nails. It’s a press-on thing.” Her words were nearly breathless, and he was sure she’d leaned into him, too, her mouth opening slightly.

  Oliver reached up, his fingers itching to tangle in her loose, dark hair . . .

  “Whoa, am I interrupting something?” an amused voice asked from the doorway.

  Oliver clenched his fist as his gaze swung to Best lounging in the doorway, grinning. Oliver wanted to drag him outside and knock that smirk off his face, but Eve nearly jumped out of her seat.

  “Actually, I forgot I had plans tonight, and I’m already late,” Eve said, turning off and closing up her laptop. She put it away before swinging the laptop bag over her shoulder. “I’ll post the pictures tomorrow. If you can take photos and videos throughout the week and upload them to the program page, that would be great. And if you have any trouble with posting media, let me know and I’ll be in touch. But don’t post more than five times a day, unless it’s important.”

  “Evelyn, wait.” Oliver stood up and tried to reach for her, but she eluded him, her color high. She was out of reach and out the door before he could stop her.

  Oliver glared at Best. “Has anyone ever told you that you have shit timing?”

  “What? You should be thanking me,” Best said.

  “And why is that?”

  “Because I just saved you from an agonizing death at the hands of General Reynolds. If he found out you were making a move on his daughter . . . ”

  Oliver knew what he meant. If he got involved with Evelyn, he could kiss his career and his dick good-bye.

  Chapter Five

  ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, Eve was curled up on the couch watching The Walking Dead, but she wasn’t really paying attention. Since last night, all she’d been able to do was replay that mo
ment with Oliver, the one where he’d been two seconds away from planting those delicious-looking lips on hers. His eyelids had been heavy, already starting to close, and that hand had been coming up to her face, probably to cup it. Both had sent her pulse racing so fast she’d actually been a little dizzy.

  Eve flopped onto her side, groaning. Her cat, Matilda, who’d been comfortably laying across her lap, meowed and stood up, her back arching as she stretched.

  “Sorry, babe, but mommy’s having a moment over here,” Eve said.

  Matilda’s yellow eyes were unsympathetic as she twitched her fluffy black tail.

  Eve reached out to rub Matilda’s ears, attempting to pacify her. As the cat leaned into her ministrations and purred loudly, Eve’s mind drifted back to Oliver. Last night, when he’d called her out for being rude, she’d been horrified that he’d been right. She had been trying to put some distance between them, and her best defense was a “brick wall of superiority”—as her freshman science partner had told her once. Like her father, she had the ability to lead people, but it didn’t always make her a fan favorite.

  Oliver had known what she was doing and yet, he’d just accepted her apology and moved on. Hell, if Best hadn’t walked in, he would have kissed her.

  And there was not a doubt in her mind that she would have let him.

  She knew he wasn’t right for her, even for a brief fling, but she also couldn’t deny that she wanted him.

  Bad.

  And she hated it. Obsessing over a guy was something she’d thought she’d outgrown, yet here she was, unable to get the loaded question out of her head . . .

  What would’ve happened if we hadn’t been interrupted?

  Their kiss could have been a dud, and working with him would have become awkward as ass until they got over it and realized they’d dodged a bullet.

  Somehow she doubted it, though. Just Oliver holding her hand was enough to light her up. She’d spent the better part of last night imagining his lips and hands all over her body, driving her crazy until she exploded.

  Then she’d started worrying about what would happen after the mind-blowing sex—sex that was so amazing, she actually threw out her vibrator and locked him in her closet, only to take him out whenever she wanted him.