“Right next year.” Luke’s chest began to ache and so he quickly ended the call. With an abrupt goodbye and the promise he’d call soon, he hung up the phone and let out a ragged breath.
With a sudden burst of determination, he hopped out of the car and strode up the path leading to Ellie’s door. He needed to convince her to come home. That’s the only way he could put a stop to this ridiculous infatuation he’d suddenly developed for her. Once Ellie was in San Francisco, Josh would get off his back. He could take an assignment that required he trek off to some remote location and forget all about that explosive kiss he’d shared with Ellie.
Feeling like a man with a plan, he rapped his knuckles against the door and waited. No more playing around. Time to show her who the boss is.
When the door swung open, however, it became clear exactly who the boss was. Not him, that’s for sure.
“Were you in on it?” she demanded, her blue eyes blazing.
“Huh?”
She either ignored his startled expression or was just completely oblivious to it. With a loud huff, she spun on her heel and stormed back inside, leaving him standing in the open doorway.
Okay. So Ellie was pissed, that much was evident. But what was she pissed about? Fuck if he knew.
Luke stifled a groan, stepped inside the house and headed down the hallway. He found Ellie waiting for him in the middle of the living room, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. He wondered if she realized how sexy she looked when she was angry. Her cheeks all flushed. Eyes on fire. He grew hard just looking at her.
“Since Josh is conveniently not answering his cell phone, I’d like you to pass along a message,” she said in a clipped tone.
Luke slung his hands in the belt loops of his jeans. “Okay.”
“Tell him that his little games aren’t going to work. I called the bank and changed my account information, so let him know his latest ploy failed.”
Though Luke had no idea what she was talking about, it wasn’t hard to figure it out. Josh had obviously tried to manipulate his sister again, and as usual, Ellie wasn’t having it. It was a game they’d played for years.
“I’ll pass it along,” Luke replied in a mild tone.
“Good.” Her eyes continued to smolder. “Now I want to know if you knew about any of this.”
“If it helps, I still don’t know what you’re talking about. Scout’s honor.” He held up three fingers in a sign he was fairly certain didn’t represent the Boy Scouts whatsoever.
Ellie broke out in a grin. “We both know you’re no Boy Scout.” She paused. “I just made some lemonade. I’ll get you a glass.”
Before he could blink she bounded into the kitchen. What the hell? He had no idea what to make of her swift exit or the way her anger had melted away like an ice cube in the sun. But he’d seen that little glint in her eyes, the one that said she was up to something, and with Ellie that something always proved to be a headache.
In less than a minute, she reentered the room with two cups of lemonade and motioned for him to join her outside. She wore a filmy pink skirt that hugged the curve of her ass and Luke couldn’t help but admire the sway of her hips as she walked. He fought the urge to run after her, spin her around and kiss her again. Then he cursed himself for having that annoying urge and trailed after her.
Luke sat on the chair across from hers and reached for the lemonade. After taking a long sip and hoping the cold liquid might numb his groin, he took a breath and spoke. “I’m sorry about last night.”
The look of surprise on her fair face unnerved him. “Why are you sorry?”
“Because I barged in on your date. Because I, uh, kissed you.” Damn, why did his voice sound so hoarse?
That uncharacteristic knot of insecurity coiling in his gut made him push forward. He wasn’t going to give her the chance to speak, the opportunity to convince him the kiss hadn’t been a mistake or that maybe more could come of it. “I want you to come home with me. Today.” He held up his hand before she could object. “I’m serious, Ellie. No more excuses. You’re leaving.”
“Forget it.” The fire returned to her eyes, the heat of it searing right through his cotton T-shirt.
“Why the hell not?” His words resonated with the frustration he felt.
She lifted her glass to her lips and took a long swig, then slammed it on the table. “My reasons are private, Luke. All I can say is there’s nothing for me back in San Francisco.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. You brother is there, the ballet company is there.” He fought an impatient breath. “I get that you’re still upset that Scott left you, but trust me, there’ll be other men.”
She ignored the last remark. Raked her fingers through her chocolate-brown hair in an act of sheer aggravation. “Why can’t you just accept that I need time away? Why must you and Josh keep pushing me?”
He softened his tone. “Do you think I like pushing you? Do you think I like pressuring you, making you angry? Do you think I like—” He clenched his fists, refusing to vocalize his attraction. “Please, just help me out here. Come home.”