He watched, frowning, as the couple entered the room. Hand-in-freaking-hand. Ellie’s date was a tall, twenty-something guy with tanned skin and a head of wavy brown hair. He kind of looked like that singer, Enrique what’s-his-last-name, which was odd, because he didn’t think Ellie went for the Latin heartthrob type. Especially considering that Scott Whelan, her ex-fiancé, had been the All-American football quarterback, with blond hair, blue eyes and a set of straight white teeth that no doubt sparkled in the sunlight.
Luke moved his gaze to Ellie, trying not to notice how good she looked. She wore a short yellow dress that barely grazed her lower thighs, and her chocolate-brown hair flowed over her shoulders in shiny waves. Gripping Enrique’s hand, she sauntered into the bar, her hips swaying.
Damn, where had she learned to walk like that? Had her stride always been this sultry, this blatantly seductive? And if so, how had he never noticed?
The couple seated themselves at a table in the far end of the room, right near the jukebox. Great. He’d never be able to hear what they said from all the way over here.
“Another beer?”
A tall, red-haired waitress approached his table, temporarily blocking his line of vision and shielding Ellie from view. “Yeah, sure, a beer. Maybe two.” Anything for you to move out of the way.
The waitress scurried off just in time for Luke to get an eyeful of Ellie’s shapely legs. Her skirt was hiked up, revealing one firm, tanned thigh. His fingers tingled with the urge to march over there, pull her skirt even higher, and run his hands along her soft skin.
Every part of him grew hot and hard at the thought.
Damn it, what was the matter with him? This was Ellie. Elenore Dawson, the girl he’d watched grow up. He blinked, hoping to direct his mind to the vision of her in her silver braces and pigtails, but his brain refused to comply. Instead, all he could see was that golden skin. Those luscious breasts and endless legs.
“That’s so funny!”
Ellie’s melodic laughter floated in his direction and settled between his legs. Fire began simmering in his blood, heating up all the parts that already ached for her. He watched as she leaned forward and touched her date’s hand, and even from across the room he saw her dainty fingers trembling.
Was she nervous? According to Josh, she’d refused to date after Scott had broken off their engagement. Was this the first date she’d had since?
The waitress strolled up to his table again and deposited two beers. He gripped one bottle between his fingers. Ellie laughed again, louder this time, and she was gazing at her Latin lover as if he were the only man in the room.
Jealousy pricked Luke’s insides. What he wouldn’t give to have her look at him like that. In bed.
Josh’s sister.
His jeans tightened over his erection, making him curse the mantra that had become so damn ineffective.
“He’s gorgeous.”
Ellie suppressed a grin and tried to keep her gaze glued to her date. Hard to do, of course, when Luke sat across the room, looking like he was about to pull a Rocky Balboa and start pounding someone. Exactly the reaction she’d hoped for. Jealousy was a powerful emotion and she was banking on it to help her plight. She needed Luke so consumed with jealousy that he acted on his attraction. Of course, acting on it would scare the crap out of him, he’d panic, throw in a quick you’re Josh’s sister, and leave town. Hopefully.
“Yeah, I guess he’s gorgeous,” she agreed. Grudgingly. “If you like the cranky type.”
“Oh, I like.” Miguel leaned forward and clasped her hand with his. He stroked her fingers and offered a seductive grin. “I could just eat him up.”
She laughed, eyes twinkling with mischief. “What about Ricardo?”
Ah, Ricardo. Miguel had gushed so much about his significant other during the car ride over that Ellie felt as if she knew everything there was to know about Ricardo Diaz. He was twenty-nine, worked on a factory assembly line, was apparently drop-dead gorgeous, and Miguel was absolutely crazy about him. Ellie’s date had spoken about his boyfriend with such passion and adoration that she’d felt a pang of envy.
When was the last time she’d felt that way about another person?
“Ricardo and I have an agreement. We’re allowed to window-shop. Going into the store is another matter.” Miguel chuckled. “But trust me, if I wasn’t taken, I’d buy out your friend’s store.”
Ellie rolled her eyes and then snuck a look in Luke’s direction. She turned her head before their gazes could meet, but his furious expression had been unmistakable. When she glanced back at Miguel, he was watching her knowingly.
“You totally want this guy, don’t you?”
She sighed. “It’s that obvious?”
“Yes.”
Her sigh turned into a low groan. “I always had a crush on him, you know? But he constantly treated me like a kid. He still treats me that way now. He thinks he can snap his fingers and I’ll get on a plane like an obedient child.”
“He’s your brother’s best friend, right?” When she nodded Miguel shrugged. “So tell your brother to call the guy off.”
A burst of laughter shot out of her mouth. “My brother is the one who sent him.”