Steele (Arizona Vengeance 9)

Ella looks dazed as she murmurs, “Not quite like that.”

My arm around her waist tightens, and I press her into me so she can feel the fact that just that hard-and-fast kiss made me hard for her. “Do you make him feel this way?”

She shakes her head, breathlessly admitting. “Not yet.”

Christ, is this guy gay, or is he just too fucking scared to make a move on this incredibly gorgeous and sexy creature in my arms? Not that I’m not grateful he hasn’t, but still… I have to wonder about him.

One more thing I need to know, though. I loosen my hold, bring my hand to her lower back, and then slide it down her ass, cupping her intimately from behind. Moaning, Ella leans into me. “Does he touch you like this?’

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she lets her eyelids flutter closed as her teeth bite into her lower lip.

Fuck. I could drag her to the floor right now, and we could go at it. My body wants it.

Without a doubt, my heart demands it.

Instead, Ella comes to her senses, blinking rapidly and giving me a tiny shove backward. I release her immediately.

“You’re not playing fair,” she accuses.

Damn right I’m not. I grab her upper arms, pull her back into me for one last kiss before I let her go just as quickly. “I’m playing to win. Fairness has nothing to do with it.”

Ella takes a step back, brushes a wisp of hair from her temple, and puts on a cool expression. “That’s not going to make me take you back.”

I smirk.

She waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t get me wrong. You’re great with your hands and your mouth, but a lot of men know how to please a woman.”

I’ll give her points for trying to make me jealous, but I refuse to fall for it. Instead, I give her a devilish smile and dip my head toward her. “That may be true, but no one will ever please you the way I can.”

I’m enjoying this little rift of matching wits, and I expect Ella to come up with a snappy retort that might make me kiss her again.

Instead, her expression saddens. “I wish I could be happy with that.”

My heart squeezes, and I lift a hand to palm the side of her neck. I wait until she meets my gaze. “We’re more than just sex, Ella. I just wanted to remind you of one thing we had that was incredibly good.”

Her eyes drop and she nods, admitting reluctantly. “I haven’t forgotten.”

When I squeeze her neck, she lifts her eyes. “But I also know you need and deserve more. As I said, I’m ready to prove that to you.”

Finally, something that seems to resonate. Ella jerks in surprise as if she suddenly understands my game.

Except it’s not a game. I love my wife, and I am going to get her back.

I lean in, pressing my lips to her forehead. “Remind Lucy to be ready at nine sharp in the morning.”

She doesn’t respond as I pivot and head through the living room, letting myself out the front door.

All in all, I think that went very well.CHAPTER 2SteeleLucy answers the front door as soon as I knock on it—promptly at nine. She even smiles as she tosses her backpack over her shoulder, and I lean in to grab her rolling suitcase. She has a ton of stuff over at my house already, but she still insists on bringing more.

This bothers me, obviously, because it means she’s resolved that Ella and I aren’t getting back together. Of course, she’s never been given any reason to think otherwise.

I glance past her into the living room to part of the kitchen I can see. “Your mom around?”

“Nope,” Lucy replies, stepping past me onto the porch. “Out for a run.”

Interesting.

Two things are, to be exact.

First, I was actually feeling a little desperate to see Ella. I couldn’t stop thinking about that moment we shared in the kitchen yesterday, and while I didn’t expect any major conversation, I wanted to see her.

Second, I find it interesting she’s out on a run and not here to say good-bye to Lucy. I mean, she’ll only be gone for the day and evening with me, but Ella is always there to send her off with a kiss and an “I love you”. I can only surmise she said her goodbye’s earlier and went on a run to avoid me, which doesn’t bode well.

Whatever.

I’m determined, and that won’t dissuade me.

Once Lucy’s bags are in the Rover and she’s belted in the front seat, we take off.

“Want to get some waffles for breakfast?” I ask. It’s her favorite, and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at them either. I’m generally diligent about my diet and exercise routine because… hello, professional athlete. But I occasionally like to indulge. What better way to do it than with my daughter?