Page 43 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

“I’m sorry; I was just trying to say thank you. For the coffee and movie. It was nice to hang out and watch a movie without fighting off

unwanted advances the whole time.”

“And nothing says thank you like static electricity and an unexpected kiss.” Mike stood with her, trying to be funny to hide the fact he wanted so much more than that little peck she’d given him. He wanted to sweep her up and trace every inch of her lips and mouth with his tongue until she was putty in his hands.

The unexpected lust made him want to rush her out the door as fast as he could.

“Don’t make a big deal about it,” Ellie said. “It was just a little kiss. What I just gave you is something I’d give to my brother if I had one.”

That rankled Mike and he growled, “I am not your fucking brother.”

Ellie blinked at him, obviously thrown. “I don’t have a brother. I was just likening it to that platonic, not-big-deal kind of thing.”

Mike spoke harshly. “No, I’m telling you that I am not your brother. I am not your gay best friend. I am a straight man you hardly know, and I am attracted to you.”

Her jaw slid open and she stared at him in horror, and he was disgusted. Did she really think she could just go around kissing and teasing men and no one was going to take her seriously?

“So the next time you get the idea to thank me or taunt me, don’t do it. I know you’re used to being able to control men and keep them in check, but I’m not one of those guys. I thought you understood that, but apparently you need another lesson.”

He leaned closer, his hand moving up to tangle in her messy hair. His mouth moved right next to her ear and he felt her shiver. “You’re out of warnings. Next time, I’m going to show you this thing is anything but brotherly.”

“What thing?”

Mike’s hand traveled around to her lower back and his palm pressed her forward until he was sure she could feel every inch of his excitement. At her sharp intake of breath, Mike said, “This thing.”

Ellie didn’t move or try to pull away, but if he didn’t get away from her, he was going to kiss her. Maybe more.

But she isn’t what you’re looking for. Remember?

Mike pulled away from her, his hand sliding off her back with regret. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ellie woke up late the next morning and stumbled to the kitchen for a much-needed cup of coffee. The smell of eggs and bacon made her mouth water, and she smiled.

“Jenny, I hope you made enough for two, because I am hung…”

Her words trailed off as she stopped in the doorway, taking in the scene.

Jenny was standing behind Dalton Mitchel, her arms wrapped around him from behind. Dalton was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and Jenny was clad in her favorite sleep shirt. The whole thing was incredibly cozy, and Ellie wished she could back away slowly so she didn’t disturb them.

“Dalton! Hi! I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.” She shot Jenny a “What the hell happened last night?” look and her friend just smiled, her cheeks flushed red.

“Sorry, El, I didn’t know you were home,” Jenny said. “I didn’t see your car when we got home.”

“I left my car at Buck’s, remember?” Ellie didn’t elaborate that Mike had driven her to pick it up early this morning, or Jenny would have more questions Ellie couldn’t answer. Like what was going on between her and Mike.

She still remembered the heat of his hand on her back. The warmth of his breath against the shell of her ear.

And the hard arousal pressing against her stomach.

It had been all she could do not to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him for real.

But that would have been a mistake. Hanging out with Mike last night had been fun, comfortable, and she wanted to do it again. If she hooked up with him, their budding friendship would be over.

“So, you were here all night?” Jenny asked.

Ellie snuck around the two of them and poured herself a cup of coffee from the full pot, ignoring the question. Once she’d doctored the hot liquid to her satisfaction, she faced them again. “So. How long has this been going on?”

---