You won’t lose this time.
He thought about the last time he’d seen his ex-girlfriend, when Robin’s final lie floated to the surface and slapped him in the face like a splash of ice-cold water. The betrayal still resonated in his blood, slithered through his system like a hefty dose of arsenic. But hell, at least he’d learned his lesson. He’d strayed from his bachelor lifestyle, committed himself to one woman, only to have it all blow up in his face.
He wasn’t about to make that mistake again.
Luke grabbed the keys for the SUV he’d rented and headed for the door. No, he wouldn’t lose this time. He wasn’t going to let another woman play him for a fool.
Even if that woman was Ellie.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled up in the driveway of her little pink bungalow. He stared at the house, noting just how Ellie it was. Pink and sweet and easy on the eyes.
He got out of the car and strode up the flower-lined front walk. There was no doorbell, so he rapped his knuckles against the sleek white door, waiting. When she didn’t answer after his first few knocks, he called out, “Ellie?”
“I’m out back!”
Her voice drifted in the wind, and he made his way around the bungalow toward the beachside backyard. When he spotted her, she was sprawled on a lounge chair, wearing a yellow halter top and denim shorts.
“Hi,” she called as he came near.
“Hi, yourself.” He sank on the beach chair next to hers and stretched out his legs.
He couldn’t stop himself from giving her a long once-over. Nobody could argue that Ellie wasn’t cute. A pair of oversized sunglasses sat perched on her dainty nose, and she’d tied her hair up in a messy ponytail. His eyes briefly rested on her bare legs, admiring the sleek, golden tone of her skin. She looked young, healthy and really, really good.
Josh’s sister.
Those two words were all it took, the same two words he’d used almost as a mantra each time he’d found his thoughts drifting into forbidden territory. Josh was the best friend he’d ever had, and he wasn’t about to mess around with his sister.
Of course, that didn’t mean he hadn’t wondered what it would be like to date Ellie. She was so different from the women he typically went out with. Sassy, sarcastic, the kind of woman who never backed down from a challenge. He’d been with all types of women. Strong CEO types, ditzy supermodel types, complacent yes types, but never someone like Ellie.
Truth was, there wasn’t anyone like her. She was one of a kind.
“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” she chirped, sliding up the chair so that she sat cross-legged.
Her feet were bare, and her shiny pink toenails made his groin stir. He pictured her wearing those dainty little ballet slippers and his groin stirred some more. He’d always thought ballerinas were extremely sexy.
Josh’s sister.
“It’s a very nice day.” He noticed his voice sounded hoarse.
“I’m glad you came over for a swim. Viv was here a while ago, but she hates the ocean. She’s terrified of it, actually.”
Luke lifted a brow. “Vivian, terrified? Seems like she has nerves of steel.”
“She does.” Ellie shrugged. “But ever since she watched a documentary on currents and riptides, she’s boycotted the ocean.”
“I’m actually surprised you called me.” He searched her big blue eyes for a reaction, hoping she’d reveal a hint of her true intentions, but her gaze remained innocent. Too innocent?
“I hate swimming alone,” she replied. “And since you’re refusing to get out of here, I figured we could spend some time together.”
He forced his eyebrows to stay in place and not shoot upwards. She wanted to spend time with him? Now he was certain she had something up her sleeve.
“That sounds terrific,” he said, matching her cheerful tone.
If she wanted to play games, he was more than ready to play back.
“So, ready to take a dip?”
No, he wasn’t. He wanted to sit here next to her and do some digging. Find out why she’d suddenly decided to welcome him with open arms. But the afternoon sun beating down on his head already caused beads of sweat to dot his forehead, and the blue-green water lapping against the white sand looked mighty inviting.
“Sure,” he finally said.
Luke stood up and unbuttoned his shirt, then dropped it on the chair. As he took a step forward, Ellie’s voice stopped him.
“Would you rub some suntan lotion on my back first?” she said, her big eyes focusing on his. “I burn easily.”
His throat went dry. “Uh…”
“Please, Luke? You don’t want me to get a sunburn, do you?”
He found his voice. “Of course I don’t.”
“Good.”
He thought he saw a whisper of a smile—a satisfied smile—sweep over her mouth, but he must have imagined it, because when he looked at her again her lush lips were closed in a straight line.
“Is that what you’re wearing in the water?” he asked, gesturing to her shorts and halter.