Page 39 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

“Because I wasn’t ready to go home and Jenny had already asked you to.”

Mike’s hands circled her waist and he lifted her up onto the seat. He helped secure her seat belt, and before he shut the door, he said, “Or maybe you didn’t call anyone else because you knew I was the only one who would show.”

Chapter Twelve

Mike drove toward Ellie’s place, feeling like a total dick. He glanced over at her, but she was turned away from him, staring out the window.

He almost laughed aloud as he realized that he could be back at Wendy’s apartment now, probably having sex, and instead, he was driving home a girl he hadn’t even liked a few days ago.

For some reason, when the time had come for him to make his move on Wendy, he hadn’t even been tempted. Yeah, Wendy was beautiful, but that was all that was between them. There was no zing.

He had a stronger connection to Ellie, and there was no way he was going there.

“Look, I’m sorry for what I said. I know you could have gotten a ride home.”

“Damn right I could have,” she murmured.

Mike grinned at her sass. “Do you really mind that it’s me?”

Ellie hesitated. “No.”

The car went quiet for several ticks, and Mike realized that he wasn’t ready to go home alone.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

“Not really.”

“Want to come over for coffee and a movie?”

She seemed surprised by his offer. “Sure.”

He turned the car around and headed back to his house.

“I take it the drink didn’t go well with Wendy?” she asked.

Mike wasn’t sure how to explain that there wasn’t a spark between him and Wendy without sounding like Mr. Sensitive. He was supposed to be turning into a bad ass. Bad asses did not pass on sex with hot women.

“It was fine. We just called an early night.”

“Hmm, so she didn’t try to drag you back to her place and have her way with you?”

He pulled into the driveway and parked the car before he answered. “She offered, but I took your advice and am making her work for it.”

“Well, good for you.”

Mike looked at her closely. Had she sounded jealous or was he imagining it?

She climbed out of the car, and he followed suit. He could hear Smalls howling as he unlocked the front door. He’d left him alone for only a couple hours tonight, with a stop back home in-between, but apparently, he was lonely.

Just like me.

The minute they got inside and Mike flicked on the lights, Ellie made a beeline for Smalls’ playpen and picked him up.

The puppy licked her chin excitedly as she crooned, “Oh, baby, did the mean man leave you all alone?”

“Hey, it wasn’t that long. I was at home checking on him when I called you.”

Ellie sat on the couch with Smalls, stroking him from head to tail. “I believe you. I mean, how could you neglect this sweetness?”