Chapter Four
Eve couldn’t say that Beck scared her. The fact was he downright terrified her. And not simply because he was famous and might bring the media down on her, exposing Paisley to online pictures, and possibly leading to Mark finding them. It also wasn’t that she feared Beck would hurt her or Paisley physically, but he could destroy them both emotionally. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was just a challenge to the impressive, playboy hockey star and as soon as he won her heart he’d move on. Paisley was young enough she’d probably heal okay and someday forget how fabulous Beck was. Eve didn’t know that she ever would.
Eve sometimes wondered if she could claim she was healed from her ex. No matter how pathetic that made her, as Mark was not worth any of the pain he’d caused her. Was she insane to let another man into her heart? Maybe. Was she completely lame to be thinking so seriously about Beck when all they’d had was one lunch date? Probably.
Paisley talked of little else that night or the next morning but her new friend, Beck. To hear Paisley tell it Beck was as strong as Uncle Isaac, as funny as Uncle Caleb, as smart as Uncle Josh, as brave as Uncle Seth, as “hot” as her newest Uncle Abe, and he smelled as good as Uncle Luke. Luke smelled incredible because his wife Mar and Isaac’s wife Cosette owned their own perfume company. All the other descriptors fit too. Oh my, Eve and Paisley were both in trouble.
Eve couldn’t help but think it was adorable how smitten Paisley was with the tough, impressive, confident, handsome, and obviously successful Beckett Tanner. Yet what would happen to both of them when he found another large chested redhead to date? Eve felt instant guilt for being jealous of every well-endowed redhead.
She packed a huge lunch for Beck, using high-protein bread, lean turkey, cheese, avocado, and lots of fresh veggies on the sandwiches as well as nuts, cheeses, and veggies for side dishes while Paisley ate her breakfast and prattled on about Beck. It was hard to not get completely enamored herself, simply from the way he looked at her with those incredible blue eyes. Paisley falling for him so quickly made it even more difficult.
It bugged Eve that she was suddenly lacking confidence and thinking she couldn’t possibly be the woman a man like Beck Tanner would pursue. Men stared at her, flirted with her, and asked her out all the time. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know she was attractive or desirable. Sadly, Mark’s desertion always reared its ugly head and made her doubt her value as a wife to anyone, as well as doubting the sincerity of every man besides her brothers and dad.
She pushed it all away as she loaded Paisley and the lunch into her Cherokee and drove the short distance to her gym. She loved her beautiful neighborhood on the west side of Golden—she’d always felt safe and welcome there. Her house was a gorgeous two-story colonial. It felt good to have bought her own house, to have almost paid off her gym, to be successful without her five million dollar inheritance that would come in eighteen more months. Mark had married her for that five million dollars, then dropped her like a hot rock when he found out she wouldn’t get it for seven more years. Served them both right. She’d been stupid and naïve, not listening to the Holy Spirit’s gentle caution or even giving her family a chance to warn her away as none of them had ever met Mark. Mark was a selfish jerk and the signs had been there but she rushed in thinking she was in love. But she had got Paisley out of it and that was all that mattered.
She walked hand in hand with her daughter into the gym, kissed her goodbye, and hurried to meet her first appointment. Beck came in a few minutes later than usual. He caught her gaze and gave her an irresistible grin. She couldn’t believe how much she loved dimples on a man. They had the effect of softening his otherwise completely manly, tough, handsome, incredible face.
“Eve?” Her client, John, was staring at her, and then he easily followed her gaze to Beck.
“Oh, sorry.” Her face and neck heated up as she realized he’d completed an exercise and she’d been distracted by ogling Beck. “Lateral raises. Forty-fives, please.”
He obediently grabbed the weights and slowly lifted but his dark eyes seemed troubled. He was a nice guy, an accountant in Denver about her age. He’d asked her out and she’d explained that she didn’t date clients. That one always came in handy.
“You do realize he’s dated every redhead this side of Kansas?” John gritted out as he strained to lift the weight.
Redheads. There they went tormenting her again.
“I’m not that into social media,” Eve said. Usually, she wasn’t into social media. She’d looked at it plenty since she’d met Beck. “Shelve the weights and twenty burpees please.”
He arched his eyebrows but obeyed.
Eve let her gaze wander to Beck again. He was using the cable machine for upright rows but her stomach dropped as she saw a gorgeous redhead in tight, ultra-short shorts flirting with him. Eve looked away quickly. Redheads. She’d never felt much jealousy in her life. In high school, she’d had plenty of boys after her then she’d fallen hard and fast for Mark on her senior trip and married far too young and quick. After that, she’d cut herself off from dating completely and focused on Paisley. She didn’t like feeling all jealous and grumpy and wanting to sneak into redheads houses at night and dye their hair black. Oh, my.
She concentrated on her client and somehow got through until noon. She hurried to pick up Paisley from the kids’ care. Rounding the corner to the back hallway she sucked in a quick breath as she saw Beck waiting for her, leaning casually against the wall. He looked simply… incredible. His golden-brown hair was brushed away from his handsome face. His dimples were on fine display. His blue eyes twinkled happily as if he could hardly wait to spend time with her. Eve’s stomach did a little flip. Was this really happening? Was she ready? Could she trust him? She knew most men were great guys, unlike Mark, but her ex had done a number on her.
“Hey.” He pushed away from the wall and strode quickly to her. Reaching her, he tenderly swept her long ponytail off her shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for this lunch like a four-year-old waiting for his first hockey stick.”
She smiled. “Because that is every child’s desperate wish.”
He shrugged. “The smart kids.”
She laughed and Beck’s face lit up. “I love your laugh,” he said, his voice deep and sexy.
He leaned closer and Eve’s eyes widened. What was he doing? The more important question as she found herself arching up while he leaned down: What was she doing?
Beck’s gaze traveled over her face as tender as any caress and then his large palms cupped her cheeks. Eve shivered with anticipation and delight at his warm, tantalizing touch and the smoldering look in his blue eyes. He could look at her all day and she wouldn’t complain. As he lowered his head and their lips were moments from connecting she decided he could look at her all day, after he kissed her good and long.
“Mama! My Beck!” Paisley’s happy voice rang out from behind them.
Beck whirled around and away from her, and Eve hurried to take Paisley from Abbie’s arms.
“Sorry,” Abbie whispered, her face flaring red. “Paisley said she saw you and you always come at noon and so I walked her out…” Her voice trailed off as she stared at Beck. “Wow. You really are Beckett Tanner.”
Beck smiled and extended a hand. “I really am. Nice to meet you…”
Paisley launched herself at Beck. He easily caught her, giving her a huge grin and a hug before transferring her to his left arm and shaking Abbie’s hand.
“Abbie Lower. My husband’s a huge fan. So huge. I took him to a game for his birthday present last year and they treated us so nice, probably because of the wheelchair and…” Her voice trailed off and her face turned red again. Abbie did not like to draw attention to her difficulties.