Steele (Arizona Vengeance 9)

Before I can reply, she’s running up the stairs.

I have to say—having kissed Ella just a week ago in addition to our little interactions since then, I don’t feel as much a stranger in this home as I used to. My gaze lands on the couch—a dark blue leather monster Ella picked out. It’s so comfy I could nap there forever.

The coffee table which Ella, Lucy, and I sat around and played board games.

The corner where we put the Christmas tree last year… and I couldn’t get the damn thing to stay straight no matter what I tried.

I miss this home.

Not a house, but the home it had become with Ella and Lucy.

There’s a light rap on the door, and my head swings that way. It’s Mr. Ordinary, who apparently isn’t all that ordinary.

I glance toward the master suite, but the door is closed. Ella is probably putting on the finishing touches of her makeup or jewelry. Lucy is quiet upstairs.

Nothing left to do but let him in.

Forcing a smile, I open the front door. While I’m not one to judge another man’s looks, I’ll admit he would be considered handsome. I can see the appeal for Ella, and I hate it.

He blinks in surprise to see me standing there, and I know I can do one of two things—easily dispel the awkwardness by being cool, welcoming, and explaining our schedules happened to overlap.

Or… I could use whatever amount of alone time I have with this man to instill some doubt in him.

It would be a dirty play, but, as I told Ella before… I play to win.

Broadening my smile, I stick my hand out. “You must be David. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Jim.”

He seems momentarily frozen, but then basic manners take over. When he shakes my hand, it’s a bit limp, perhaps denoting a lack of confidence. After I release him, I bid him entrance with a sweep of my hand. “Ella’s in the bedroom. She’s still getting ready.”

David frowns over the fact I know Ella’s in the bedroom. Probably over me even being here to talk to him. But I don’t dispel any innuendo he might glean from that.

I loop an arm around his shoulders, clamp down, and start guiding him to the kitchen. “Come on in and sit for a bit while she’s finishing up. Want a beer?”

David moves to one of the island stools, looking completely frazzled. “Um… no, thank you.”

I shrug, moving to the fridge and opening it up. Grabbing a bottle, I say with a sly grin as I close it. “So glad Ella still stocks my favorite beer.”

That’s the truth. It’s Ella’s favorite beer, too, but I don’t tell him that. Instead, I let the implication that I come over and have beers hover. David’s frown deepens.

“Ella tells me you travel, teaching other surgeons robotics.” I take a sip of my beer, then lean my forearms on the island directly across from him so we’re eye level.

“Yeah… that’s right.” Poor David. He seems incapable of carrying on a polite conversation with the husband of the woman he’s dating.

I’m going to give him a pass. Setting my beer down, I straighten. “Let me go tell Ella you’re here.”

“Um… you don’t need—” he starts to say, but I move past him without a backward glance. Through the living room, down the small hall, and a hard left takes me to the master suite. The door’s closed. I don’t bother knocking, just walk right in. I know Ella’s dressed.

I find her in the bathroom, her makeup drawer open and she’s huddled over it, touching something inside.

“Your date’s here,” I announce.

She lets out a yip of fright, shoving whatever it was in her hand to the back and slamming the drawer closed.

“Damn it, Jim,” she snaps, her palm pressed against her heart. “You scared the hell out of me. And what are you doing in my room?”

“Just running an errand for you,” I reply casually. “Letting you know your date is here.”

“You aren’t supposed to be here yet,” she grumbles. I’m sure she’d set the time for me to pick up Lucy very carefully so this run-in between David and me would be avoided. I had thought about this. Of course, it may have been a bit intentional to put myself in her neck of the woods early.

“Don’t worry,” I assure her with a mischievous grin. “I welcomed him in, offered him a drink, and made small talk.”

She rolls her eyes, rising from her vanity chair. I think she might chastise me for some other offense as she steps closer to me. Instead, she says, “Are you going to tell Lucy about the puppy foster program tonight?”

Caught off guard, I hesitate. “I had assumed you’d want to do it together?”

“Nah…” Smiling, she waves the suggestion off. “You tell her. Enjoy the unconditional love and joy that will come directly after.”