Ellie knew an opportunity when she saw one. This was it, her chance to drop the mother of all ultimatums on Luke Russell. As much as she wanted to continue arguing with him, to tell him exactly where he and her brother could go with their demands, she had to play it cool.
Josh’s little trick with the bank today proved that it was time to take control of her own life. She’d always be grateful to her brother for being there for her during her childhood. With their aunt off gallivanting around town and neglecting her sister’s orphaned children, Josh had stepped in and assumed the role of parent and protector. He’d given her advice when she needed it, encouraged her to work hard at ballet, held her in his arms when she woke up late at night after a bad dream. But Ellie was all grown up now, and she didn’t need Josh’s protection. Or Luke’s.
Especially Luke’s. The longer he stuck around, the greater the risk that she’d fall head over heels for him. She couldn’t let that happen, not when she knew a relationship would never be in the cards for the two of them.
It didn’t help that he looked so damn good today. His dark hair was tousled, as if he’d just rolled out of bed, though only the woman he’d rolled into bed with would know for sure if that’s how his hair looked fresh from sleep. And the way his defined pectorals rippled against his navy-blue T-shirt and gorgeous gray eyes shone under the afternoon sun only deepened his sexiness. No, he was more than sexy. Far more than that.
He was unadulterated temptation.
“I think I know a way we can help each other,” she finally answered.
Suspicion instantly flooded his face. “Oh really?”
She took a slow breath. Okay, she could do this. Just play the part of vixen. She was good at pretending. Every ballet she performed she’d had to play a part, become another person. This would be a snap.
Yeah, right.
“Last night when you kissed me…” She let her voice trail off in what she hoped was a breathy way. “It made me realize something.”
Luke shifted in his chair. “What’s that?”
“How much I want you.”
Desire flashed across his face, followed by discomfort. His obvious reaction to her caused her confidence to soar.
She got up with as much sexy grace as she could muster and eased down on the chair directly next to his. She could swear she saw him squirm. Good.
“Ellie—” He managed a strangled warning that abruptly halted the second she lowered her hand and pressed it directly on his firm thigh.
“I know you want the same thing as I do.” Her confidence grew as fast as the bulge in his pants. Oh my. She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice and control the rush of warmth spiraling through her. Then she slid her hand higher and placed her palm directly over his hard-on. “Don’t bother denying it, Luke. I can feel it.”
His erection jutted against her hand, sending a rush of pure longing to her bloodstream. She lifted her head and locked her gaze with his. He looked as aroused as she felt. Her confidence tripled.
“So here’s what I’m thinking.” She ran her hand up and down his shaft, biting back a moan when she felt it stiffen even more. “We both want something from each other.”
“Yeah?” A visible pulse throbbed in his throat, telling her that Luke Russell was most certainly not as controlled as his steady voice suggested.
“Oh yeah. You want me to return to San Francisco. And I—” She grasped his erection and pulled it gently. He exhaled sharply. “I want something a little different. Do you know what I want, Luke?”
“What do you want, Ellie?” he choked out.
Suddenly the stifling heat in the air had nothing do with the rays of the sun. Suddenly everything around her turned into an aphrodisiac. The hot grains of sand beneath her bare feet. The wicker chair beneath her butt. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Luke.
She leaned closer so that her lips brushed his ear, and whispered, “I want you to fuck me.”
She pulled back just in time to see raw lust swimming in his silvery eyes, a look he quickly concealed with a furious scowl. “Christ, Ellie, where’d you learn to talk like that?” She simply smiled. “You can’t be serious,” he growled in response.
“I’m dead serious.” She stroked his erection again but this time he pushed her hand away.
Knocking the chair back, he stumbled to his feet. “Well, forget it,” he shot out.
Ellie leaned back and crossed her legs, casting him an innocent look. “The offer’s on the table, Lucas. I’ll come home. In exchange, you…” She trailed off and raised her eyebrows suggestively.
“I’m not going to sleep with you,” he replied flatly.
“Why not? It’s obvious you want to.” She gave a careless shrug and sent a pointed stare at his impressive hard-on.