A Four-Gone Conclusion: Lone Star Lovers, Book 5 (2 page)

He trailed behind Killian, who stepped out with a bounce in his step, likely grinning his ass off that Ellie Harker was the first woman who’d come to his mind. What he didn’t know was that Johnny had been working up the courage to ask her out, sitting in the diner week after week, but never quite finding the right way to do it.

Killian pushed through the door of the café. Johnny caught it before it slammed in his face, but didn’t say a word. Already, he could feel his body tensing at the thought of talking to the woman.

She’d taken over the running of Katie’s Diner when Katie’s belly got too big and her husband, Cutter Standifer, had insisted she hire a cook until after the birth of their first child.

Inside, the smell of freshly baked apple pie assailed him, and his belly rumbled loudly. There could be worse things than being hitched to a mean woman, especially when she could cook almost as well as Gracie.

The place was busy. Wade Luckadoo’s girl, a college kid home for the summer with blue streaks in her white-blond hair, glided out of the kitchen with a tray balanced on one hand. “Someone’ll be right with you. Take a seat if you can find one.”

Killian headed to the counter and slid onto a stool then patted the empty one beside him. Johnny felt his face harden to stone, his usual mask in public, as he sat. From this vantage they had a view straight into the kitchen where Ellie was working.

One glance and his body stilled, breath leaving in a quiet sigh. She was a pretty woman, although her looks weren’t flashy like most men might prefer. Pale blonde hair, pretty milk-colored skin, and he didn’t need to see what stretched below. Her well-padded curves were burned into his memory.

Right now, her cheeks were rosy, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on her brow. Johnny stared, wondering, not for the first time, whether she’d taste like everything she cooked.

Ellie pushed back a lock of her pale hair that fell over her hazel eyes with the back of her hand and then glanced up. Her startled gaze met his for a second then quickly darted to his brother before falling away.

He kept right on staring, wondering how long it would be before she’d come out to check on the customers first-hand.

Killian leaned toward him to whisper. “See? She was lookin’.”

“She looked at you too. Would have looked at Ole Win’s ugly face if he’d taken a seat right in front of her.”

“But she wouldn’t have blushed.”

“She’s cookin’ over a stove. Of course her cheeks are pink.”

Killian grunted. “You are the stubbornest man I’ve ever known. She’s interested.”

Johnny didn’t like the little thrill of hope that warmed him. No use getting excited when Killian was only trying to warm him up to the challenge. “She looked at you too,” he repeated under his breath.

Killian arched a brow. “We could follow in the twins’ footsteps…”

“I’m not sharin’ a wife with you.”

“Only one of us can marry her, but seein’ as you’re a little stunted in the courtin’ arena, you might need someone watchin’ out for your interests. I can close this deal for you, bro.”

Johnny thought about all the times he’d rehearsed the perfect opening line but sat tongue-tied when Ellie’s attention landed right on him. He might need some help all right. “Say I was to agree to let you help. No one else would have to know?”

Killian’s lips curved in a sly arc. “No one other than Ellie.”

Johnny ground his teeth. “I might need a little help. The woman ties my tongue into a knot.”

“You just do what you always do. Play the silent Injun. Be mysterious. Leave the rest to me.”

Johnny didn’t like it one bit, but he didn’t see another way around it. And the last thing he’d admit to Killian was that Sam’s pronouncement had given him the nudge he’d needed. He’d had his eye on Mean Ellie Harker for weeks but hadn’t gotten up the gumption to do anything about it.

He nodded, then instantly regretted agreeing when Killian’s mouth stretched into a wider grin.

“Not a word to the twins,” he said, gritting his teeth.

“It’ll be our little secret.”

The kitchen door swung open and Ellie breezed out, a towel over her shoulder and a pitcher of water in her hand. She grabbed two tumblers from under the counter and set one in front of each man. “What can I do for you boys?”

Johnny bristled. No one called him a boy except Sam these days. And the way she said it with that wicked glint in her eyes told him she knew he didn’t like it.

Killian leaned over the counter and tilted back his head. “Sweetheart, how come no one’s married you out from under this place?”

Johnny stepped on Killian’s boot and ground his heel into his brother’s toe.

Killian grimaced but didn’t turn away from Ellie’s narrowing glance.

“Guess I’ve just been lucky,” she said, her tone brisk. “What’ll it be? We’ve got meatloaf and mac tonight.”

“Just pie. Johnny here’s been goin’ on and on about how good your pie is.”

“Has he now?” Her razor glance flicked to Johnny, and he felt its scrape against his cheek. She leaned closer, her face inches from his. “What do you say, cowboy? Want me to top it with cream?”

He gulped at her throaty purr. Not a sound he’d ever heard her make. His dick stirred and his cheeks heated. “Vanilla,” he ground out.

She tsked. “A shame. Not what I had in mind at all.”

His mind went blank for a second. “Um, you meant whipped?”

She gave a wicked chuckle, and his skin burned like fire.

“Now, that’s more like it,” she said, her voice deepening into husky purr again.

Beside him, Killian choked on laughter.

Ellie straightened and raised both brows. “Pie comin’ up. À la mode.” She turned on her heel, but not before he saw a hint of a smile on her face.

“Not bad, bro. Not bad at all.”

“Not bad?” Johnny growled. “She thinks I’m an idiot.”

“She was flirtin’ with you.”

“She knows I can’t get a word out that makes a lick o’ sense around her.”

Killian turned his gaze from the sashay of her pretty bottom. “She knows you’re interested.”

“How long we gotta sit here?”

“’Til this place closes down. Don’t eat that pie too quick.”

“It’ll be soggy.”

“Then get another slice.”

Johnny ducked his head and turned to watch Ellie as she refilled glasses, pausing to share a word or a quick quip. She had a way with her customers. A sassy flare. With her other customers anyway. Most times, she just ignored him. Or teased him, like tonight, until he couldn’t think he was so damn hard.

Her head tilted back in laughter at something a couple said to her, then turned to catch him watching her.

For once, he didn’t let his glance skitter away. He held her gaze, let her note where he looked, and then burned a slow trail down her body.

This time, he saw her throat work around a gulp.

Killian nudged him with an elbow. “Not bad, bro. Not bad at all.”

Chapter Two

Ellie hoped like hell that anyone looking at her now would attribute her pink cheeks to the fact she’d been working over a hot stove. The last thing she wanted folks to guess was what a powerful effect the two men sitting at the counter had on her.

The moment they’d slid onto their stools, she’d felt their gazes burning like brands against her skin. Before she’d entered the dining area, she’d been tempted to comb her hair, wash the perspiration from her forehead, and slick gloss on her mouth. But she couldn’t let them know they had that sort of power over her—the ability to rob her of good sense.

They made her feel girlish, breathless—wildly aroused. And they probably took it for granted that every woman who crossed their paths felt the same way too.

It didn’t help her peace of mind that they were so different. Two sides of a savory sandwich. Which was exactly where her mind went every time she saw them together. Both were thickly muscled and tall, but Killian’s face was classically handsome while Johnny’s darker visage was savagely blunt. Killian’s brown eyes always held a sparkle of sexy glee while Johnny’s black ones were so intense her toes curled just thinking about what it might be like to have that gaze slide over her naked skin.

And lord, Johnny’s hair… She couldn’t count the number of times she’d gone to sleep imagining running her hands through the silky black strands.

For her, Killian made better sense. He’d be easy to be around. Easy to flirt with. Johnny scared her half to death. His silences and stoic expression gave away little of what he thought, and were why every once in a while she gave into the urge to tease him, mercilessly, until his jaw sawed closed and stayed that way. The spark of anger, whether for her or himself, was at least a reaction. Proof that she got to him.

Tonight, she’d been just a little meaner than usual, her mood fueled by her intense attraction to both brothers. Killian Logan had flirted with her in front of Johnny, but drew attention to his brother. Why had he done that? It unsettled her. Made her itch. So she’d turned it back on him by going after the brother, making sure she made Johnny so uncomfortable his brows drew together over that feral glare, and his face hardened into stone. Even his skin was a darker, redder tinge. Maybe she’d gone too far.

Still, Johnny had been watching her as she walked away. They both had.

Trouble was brewing and Ellie was just desperate enough to welcome it. If she could manage to play it cool and pretend she wasn’t a mass of scorched nerve endings, anxious and aroused.

It wasn’t like she had tons of options. She was pushing thirty. She dated, sure, but she hadn’t found that spark in any of the men she’d stepped out with.

Maybe her standards were too high.

Which had her wondering again, why these two men turned her head. Everyone said all four brothers were trouble in boots. They’d come to Two Mule with juvie records. Even ten years later, town folks were slow to let go of their initial suspicions that they’d run off with the silverware if they weren’t watched closely. Or worse, their women.

It didn’t help that each of the four was intensely attractive in his own way.

Maybe that was it. She was discovering a latent attraction to bad boys inside herself. Or maybe she just needed to get laid and they seemed the easiest bet.

Ellie made a pass around the room, the pitcher of water her excuse to take her time before coming back to the counter and dishing out pie to the two rugged cowboys still watching her the way a pair of lazy cats might a mouse.

When the last glass was filled, she straightened her spine, deciding that boldness was the smartest defense against their allure. She came around the counter and did her best to ignore them as she divvied up two generous portions of her pie then plucked an ice cream scoop from beside the sink and bent deep into the freezer to get the ice cream.

A slow, quiet whistle had her popping up to aim a glare over her shoulder.

Killian’s mouth kicked up at one corner. His brother’s gaze was pitch black, his lips tight. She shook her head, suddenly self-conscious of the size of her ass, but bent again, hoping the chilly air inside the freezer would cool her cheeks.

Two rounded lumps of ice cream later, she slid their plates across the counter. “Coffee?”

Johnny nodded, then cleared his throat. “Please…
ma’am
.”

Lord, with any other man she wouldn’t have reacted, but the raspy gravel in his voice made her nipples tingle. Would he sound like that in bed?

Fresh out of tart gibes, she gave a quick nod and poured them both steaming cups. When she set a cup in front of Killian, he reached for it, his sand-paper rough fingers sliding over hers before she had a chance to let go. She damn near dropped it.

“Easy. It’s hot,” he said, covering her hand with his, cupping it against the mug.

“Hotter than you can handle,” she quipped.

“You sure about that?”

“Killian…” Johnny ground out.

Ellie licked her lips. Temptation wrapped around her, choking back the smart retort that flashed through her mind.

“Wanna find out?” Killian asked slyly, his eyelids dipping in a sexy tease.

Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth and she swallowed hard, unable to get a word out. Apparently, he didn’t really need an answer, or something in her expression betrayed her.

His curt nod was at odds with his previous teasing. “Make sure you close up on time. We’ll be waitin’ out front.”

Her gaze darted between Killian and Johnny. Killian’s sharp gaze and the slight curve of his mouth was a dare she was tempted to take. Johnny’s harsh features seemed etched in stone, like he at least waited for her answer.

Good lord, did they mean what she thought? Images of the three of them, naked and writhing on a bed had her breaths shortening.
Dammit, don’t faint now.

Ellie took a deep breath and eased her hand away to wipe it on her hip. “I’ve got customers,” she said, shocked at the breathy whisper she managed.

“We won’t keep you. Go on now.” Killian picked up his coffee and gave her a wink before he took a sip.

Ellie backed up a step, and then whirled and hurried to the kitchen.

As she walked away, she heard Johnny whisper, “She didn’t say yes.”

“She sure didn’t say no,” Killian replied just as softly.

Inside, she leaned against the metal counter while she willed her heart to slow down. She’d lost her mind. That was the only thing she could believe, because she was already thinking of ways to clear the diner by seven sharp.

Her belly trembled; her fingers felt icy cold. Her nipples… She palmed them, giving them a squeeze to ease the taut, nearly painful sensation. Well, she’d wanted sex. Looked like she’d have more than she could handle.

At six thirty, Ellie gave another surreptitious glance at the clock. Johnny and Killian had stirred restlessly on their stools and then left, promising to see her when she closed. At least she hadn’t had to pretend she was oblivious to the tension swirling in the room.

Ole Win was the last customer. She hadn’t managed to hurry him to the door. His newspaper was pulled up to his nose, but his gaze rested on her. Had he heard Killian Logan’s bold invitation? The old curmudgeon was the biggest gossip around. If he waited long enough, he’d see her leaving with the two men and her reputation would be in shreds.