Oh, he knew who Ellie was, all right. He knew her better than she’d ever realize. Just not in the way he really wanted.
And boy, did he want.
His first introduction to the spunky lawyer had been a few months back, at Archer and Cassie’s engagement party. Cassie had been making the rounds, introducing Ellie to the team.
One look in those deep blue eyes was all it took for Lucky to want her. When she’d turned him down with a sharp tongue and a smile, he’d craved. And that craving, well…
It hadn’t stopped.
“Oh, yeah.” He feigned sudden recognition. “Ellie. Now I remember.”
They breached the building’s double doors and made their way out onto the sidewalk. The mid-morning sun beamed down on them from up above, making Lucky squint the second his booted foot hit the pavement.
As if they’d rehearsed it, every man on the team reached for either the tops of their heads, the collar of their shirts, or one of their pants pockets to retrieve their dark-lensed sunglasses. Archer and Logan continued conversing about their women and Arch’s afternoon plans while they walked together toward the two-level parking garage attached to the building’s south side.
Beside Lucky, Chase’s thumbs flew over the screen on his phone as he texted back and forth with someone outside the team. Van walked in silence, staring straight ahead without uttering a word.
With everyone else occupied—or, in Van’s case, keeping to himself—Lucky was left with nothing else to do but think. He thought about his plans for the rest of the day…wings with Chase, and then…he’d probably just go back to his empty house.
A sexy brunette’s face flashed before his mind’s eye, and he suddenly wished his plans included seeing a certain mouthwatering lawyer. And just like that, he knew his afternoon would be spent remembering…
And wishing.
Chapter 3
Two days later…
“I hear congratulations are in order.”
Ellie froze, her hands hovering motionless over her keyboard. She knew that voice well, though she wished like hell she didn’t.
Great. Just what I need to have to deal with today.
Turning her gaze toward her office door—a door that, as of a few seconds ago, had been shut—Ellie forced a tight smile and a polite, “Hello, Neil.” With an unnecessary glance down at her desk calendar, she said, “I didn’t realize we had an appointment to meet today.”
The passive-aggressive comment had been purposeful. Ellie didn’t have to look at her calendar to know there was no appointment on her schedule today. Or any day, for that matter.
“Heard you finally nailed Leonard Knowles,” Neil stepped closer into the room. “Since I was in the neighborhood, I figured I’d offer my congratulations in person.”
A twinge of annoyance churned inside her gut. Once upon a time, she’d been excited when the rich and powerful Neil Peterson would show up out of the blue. Not because his family had more money than God or because he was the top-rated prosecutor in Seattle…but because he was fun.
Casual, no-strings, spontaneous fun.
For a few months, the arrangement seemed perfect. But then everything changed. Correction,Neilchanged.
He became clingy to the point of needy and started talking all kinds of crazy. The guy started making plans for a future he’d assumed she would share. He’d started telling her things likehow many kids he hoped to have, which school districts were the top-rated in the city, where the best neighborhoods were to buy a house…
Basically everything Elliedidn’twant. Or rather, things she wouldn’t allow herself to wish for. So of course, she ended things with Neil and never looked back.
Too bad he can’t seem to do the same.
“That was very kind of you.” She stood from her desk and forced a friendly smile. “Thank you.”
“I always knew you’d get him.” Pride and something she refused to acknowledge filled the man’s light blue stare.
Neil was handsome, she’d give him that. Six-two. Thick, dirty-blond hair that rarely seemed out of place. A perfectly toned runner’s build. Even the guy’s nose was perfectly straight. Add in a jaw that looked like it was chiseled from stone and a smooth-talking tongue, and he’d been exactly what she’d been looking for at that time in her life.
Until he wasn’t.