Ellie nodded but said nothing.
Lucky leaned in just a smidge, and with a rumbled whisper, he told the mouthwatering attorney, “The truth is, I think you smell fucking delicious.”
If Archer was there, the other man would no doubt threaten to kick his ass. But while the comment was highly suggestive and far less than professional, Lucky hadn’t technically broken any rules.
Sorry, Arch. I promised not to sleep with her. Never said a word about flirting.
It was, after all, one of his many God-given talents. Sure seemed like such a waste not to use it. Especially when it came to the very sexy Eloise Fisher.
And if there was ever any doubt, the woman’s sudden, sharp intake of air was all the proof he needed.
Chapter 12
Ellie wiped a hand across the bathroom mirror, her damp palm leaving a trail of dripping steam in its wake. She watched as the droplets fell to the mirror’s black frame. Some collected there, while others made their way down onto the granite countertop below.
Her countertops were gone. Her entireapartmentwas gone. The fire had taken everything, and now…
Now she was left wondering what the hell she was going to do now.
She had no home. No clothes. Even the toothbrush she’d just used was an extra one Cassie had included in the collection of toiletries she’d put together for her.
You have your life, El. That’s a hell of a lot more than some.
Thoughts of the elderly woman who’d lost her life in the fire came rushing back. With it came the threat of tears, but she pushed them away, refusing to let a single one of them fall.
The time for crying had passed. Twenty minutes spent hiding away in Lucky’s shower had taken care of that. Now was the time to act. Only problem was, she had no idea where to start.
You could start by opening the door, finding Lucky, and letting him know how grateful you are.
Nowtherewas a thought Ellie never saw coming. Just like she never saw the real Lucky.
That man showed up tonight. In a big, big way. He’d comforted. Protected. Promised everything would be okay.
And when she’d been standing there behind that yellow tape…lost in a haze of fire and disbelief…it had been Luckywho’d stepped up and taken charge. With Detectives Knox and Brandt. His team leader. Archer.
The sexy former SEAL had even taken control where she was concerned, having demanded she stay here, with him. In his apartment.
I’m in Lucky’s apartment. I just got out of his shower. I spent hours tonight dancing in his arms.
And the most shocking part? She’d actually enjoyed it.
Recent memories had Ellie’s heart thumping hard and her sex full and aching with need. God, she’d hadsomuch fun dancing with Lucky tonight. More than she ever imagined was possible.
Even now, if she tried hard enough, she could almost feel his hands still wrapped snuggly around her waist. The way he’d held close while they danced to the slower songs while she’d kept a steady grip on his strong, broad shoulders.
Ellie’s lids fell shut, her lips parting slightly with a slow, soft exhale. As clearly as if he were dancing with her now, she recalled how it felt to have his hips swaying back and forth in time to the music. To feel the heat radiating from his hard, toned body to hers.
I think you smell fucking delicious.
Those uttered words combined with the memories of her and Lucky moving as one on that dance floor, and soon, those memories morph into something much different. Images of a night that didn’t end in fire—but one that was still very much filled with heat—began to consume her.
A night where the dancing had ended, and hot, sweaty passion and hunger began.
Ellie’s eyes flew open and, for a moment, all she could do was stand there and wonder…
What. The hell. Was that?
It was a fantasy about her and Lucky, naked and in bed.That’swhat that was. And while it wasn’t the first time her sex-deprived mind had traversed such thoughts, itwasthe first time they’d come to her while standing in the middle of the man’s bathroom…when she was about to spend the night in his apartment.