“Oh, um, yeah, I didn’t even think about Mom.” She whispered something else, but I couldn’t make out what she said.
Ellie started chewing on her lip, lost for a few moments in thought.
“Is that okay with you, Gunner? Ellie can take my room, and I’ll sleep on the sofa,” Jeff said, getting out of his truck to help Ellie get her things out of Ari’s jeep.
My heart dropped to my stomach, and I had to force my hands not to shake. Fuck yes, it was okay with me. I needed to make sure I acted cool. The last thing I wanted was for my best friend to know I had a hard-on just thinking about his sister staying in our house.
“Of course it is. Ellie can stay over anytime she likes. Our place is her place as far as I’m concerned.” I winked and smiled at Ellie, causing her cheeks to flush again.
Goddamn did I like that.
What happened next I was not expecting.
“Ah, Gunner, how very sweet of you. Now I feel like I have two big brothers looking out for me. You’re such a good friend.”
Fuck.
My smile faded instantly. She just put me in the friend’s corner. Had I been reading this all wrong? I mean, hell, she did just break up with her boyfriend. Did I really expect her to instantly start flirting with me?
I was a complete ass.
I took a few steps back and started replaying the afternoon in my head as Jeff helped Ellie out of the truck and started arguing with Ari again. Ari’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Have fun, Ells! I’ll give you a call later tonight to see how your night went!”
Ari honked her horn and drove out of the parking lot.
I was still feeling confused and trying to figure out how I had misread Ellie. Maybe I had just wanted her to react the same way to me as I had her.
Gently taking her arm, I said, “Why don’t
you sit up front with your brother, Ellie? I’ll sit back here.” I stressed brother for some reason, and I wasn’t sure why.
Her eyes bounced around my face, and she dug her teeth into her lip. “Oh, okay, um, thanks. I mean, I’m sorry if I kept you from something you had to do this afternoon. Thanks for all your help by the way. I really do appreciate it.”
My chest ached. I managed a slight grin. She was back to the fumbling, pink cheeks. “It was no problem at all. Besides the fact that you have a hurt hand, I’ve rather enjoyed my afternoon.”
Ellie glanced down to where my hand was still holding her arm. I quickly let it go and helped her into the truck. She gave me a sweet sisterly smile as I shut the door.
The drive back to the house was long and quiet. When we turned down our street, I let out a collected breath of air. Being in the truck with Ellie was starting to make my body overheat. I’d never been so affected by a woman in my entire life. And to top it off, she’s my best friend’s sister.
I’m so fucked.
“Is that your truck, Gunner?” her sweet, innocent voice asked.
Glancing over to my Ford F250, I grinned. “Yep. That’s my girl. My gramps gave her to me when I got accepted into UT. She’s a 1998 that was used on his ranch, but she’s never failed me.”
I got out of the truck and opened her door for her as Jeff grabbed her bag.
She chuckled. “You refer to your truck as a girl?”
My eyes went to my truck and back to Ellie. I smiled before saying, “Yes, Ellie. I refer to her as my girl. This way I know my heart will never get broken if she breaks down on the side of the road and leaves me stranded.” And just because I could tell my smile did something to her, I added a wink for good measure.
She swallowed hard but lifted her chin while staring into my eyes. “Well, I’m sure your heart is safe then. Aren’t Fords pretty reliable? I mean, I would hate to think of your heart being broken. It would make me sad.”
Jesus, she was looking up at me through her eyelashes, giving me an innocent yet sexy look that made my damn knees knock together. My smile grew bigger, and for the briefest moment, I thought about giving in to my own desire for this woman. I leaned down, itching to taste those lips of hers, but stopped myself before I kissed her.
Ellie Johnson has just beaten me at my own game.