A Four-Gone Conclusion: Lone Star Lovers, Book 5

by Delilah Devlin

  Johnny bristled. No one called him a boy except Sam these days. And the way she said it with that wicked glint in her eyes told him she knew he didn’t like it.

  Killian leaned over the counter and tilted back his head. “Sweetheart, how come no one’s married you out from under this place?”

  Johnny stepped on Killian’s boot and ground his heel into his brother’s toe.

  Killian grimaced but didn’t turn away from Ellie’s narrowing glance.

  “Guess I’ve just been lucky,” she said, her tone brisk. “What’ll it be? We’ve got meatloaf and mac tonight.”

  “Just pie. Johnny here’s been goin’ on and on about how good your pie is.”

  “Has he now?” Her razor glance flicked to Johnny, and he felt its scrape against his cheek. She leaned closer, her face inches from his. “What do you say, cowboy? Want me to top it with cream?”

  He gulped at her throaty purr. Not a sound he’d ever heard her make. His dick stirred and his cheeks heated. “Vanilla,” he ground out.

  She tsked. “A shame. Not what I had in mind at all.”

  His mind went blank for a second. “Um, you meant whipped?”

  She gave a wicked chuckle, and his skin burned like fire.

  “Now, that’s more like it,” she said, her voice deepening into husky purr again.

  Beside him, Killian choked on laughter.

  Ellie straightened and raised both brows. “Pie comin’ up. À la mode.” She turned on her heel, but not before he saw a hint of a smile on her face.

  “Not bad, bro. Not bad at all.”

  “Not bad?” Johnny growled. “She thinks I’m an idiot.”

  “She was flirtin’ with you.”

  “She knows I can’t get a word out that makes a lick o’ sense around her.”

  Killian turned his gaze from the sashay of her pretty bottom. “She knows you’re interested.”

  “How long we gotta sit here?”

  “’Til this place closes down. Don’t eat that pie too quick.”

  “It’ll be soggy.”

  “Then get another slice.”

  Johnny ducked his head and turned to watch Ellie as she refilled glasses, pausing to share a word or a quick quip. She had a way with her customers. A sassy flare. With her other customers anyway. Most times, she just ignored him. Or teased him, like tonight, until he couldn’t think he was so damn hard.

  Her head tilted back in laughter at something a couple said to her, then turned to catch him watching her.

  For once, he didn’t let his glance skitter away. He held her gaze, let her note where he looked, and then burned a slow trail down her body.

  This time, he saw her throat work around a gulp.

  Killian nudged him with an elbow. “Not bad, bro. Not bad at all.”

  Chapter Two

  Ellie hoped like hell that anyone looking at her now would attribute her pink cheeks to the fact she’d been working over a hot stove. The last thing she wanted folks to guess was what a powerful effect the two men sitting at the counter had on her.

  The moment they’d slid onto their stools, she’d felt their gazes burning like brands against her skin. Before she’d entered the dining area, she’d been tempted to comb her hair, wash the perspiration from her forehead, and slick gloss on her mouth. But she couldn’t let them know they had that sort of power over her—the ability to rob her of good sense.

  They made her feel girlish, breathless—wildly aroused. And they probably took it for granted that every woman who crossed their paths felt the same way too.

  It didn’t help her peace of mind that they were so different. Two sides of a savory sandwich. Which was exactly where her mind went every time she saw them together. Both were thickly muscled and tall, but Killian’s face was classically handsome while Johnny’s darker visage was savagely blunt. Killian’s brown eyes always held a sparkle of sexy glee while Johnny’s black ones were so intense her toes curled just thinking about what it might be like to have that gaze slide over her naked skin.

  And lord, Johnny’s hair… She couldn’t count the number of times she’d gone to sleep imagining running her hands through the silky black strands.

  For her, Killian made better sense. He’d be easy to be around. Easy to flirt with. Johnny scared her half to death. His silences and stoic expression gave away little of what he thought, and were why every once in a while she gave into the urge to tease him, mercilessly, until his jaw sawed closed and stayed that way. The spark of anger, whether for her or himself, was at least a reaction. Proof that she got to him.

  Tonight, she’d been just a little meaner than usual, her mood fueled by her intense attraction to both brothers. Killian Logan had flirted with her in front of Johnny, but drew attention to his brother. Why had he done that? It unsettled her. Made her itch. So she’d turned it back on him by going after the brother, making sure she made Johnny so uncomfortable his brows drew together over that feral glare, and his face hardened into stone. Even his skin was a darker, redder tinge. Maybe she’d gone too far.

  Still, Johnny had been watching her as she walked away. They both had.

  Trouble was brewing and Ellie was just desperate enough to welcome it. If she could manage to play it cool and pretend she wasn’t a mass of scorched nerve endings, anxious and aroused.

  It wasn’t like she had tons of options. She was pushing thirty. She dated, sure, but she hadn’t found that spark in any of the men she’d stepped out with.

  Maybe her standards were too high.

  Which had her wondering again, why these two men turned her head. Everyone said all four brothers were trouble in boots. They’d come to Two Mule with juvie records. Even ten years later, town folks were slow to let go of their initial suspicions that they’d run off with the silverware if they weren’t watched closely. Or worse, their women.

  It didn’t help that each of the four was intensely attractive in his own way.

  Maybe that was it. She was discovering a latent attraction to bad boys inside herself. Or maybe she just needed to get laid and they seemed the easiest bet.

  Ellie made a pass around the room, the pitcher of water her excuse to take her time before coming back to the counter and dishing out pie to the two rugged cowboys still watching her the way a pair of lazy cats might a mouse.

  When the last glass was filled, she straightened her spine, deciding that boldness was the smartest defense against their allure. She came around the counter and did her best to ignore them as she divvied up two generous portions of her pie then plucked an ice cream scoop from beside the sink and bent deep into the freezer to get the ice cream.

  A slow, quiet whistle had her popping up to aim a glare over her shoulder.

  Killian’s mouth kicked up at one corner. His brother’s gaze was pitch black, his lips tight. She shook her head, suddenly self-conscious of the size of her ass, but bent again, hoping the chilly air inside the freezer would cool her cheeks.

  Two rounded lumps of ice cream later, she slid their plates across the counter. “Coffee?”

  Johnny nodded, then cleared his throat. “Please…ma’am.”

  Lord, with any other man she wouldn’t have reacted, but the raspy gravel in his voice made her nipples tingle. Would he sound like that in bed?

  Fresh out of tart gibes, she gave a quick nod and poured them both steaming cups. When she set a cup in front of Killian, he reached for it, his sand-paper rough fingers sliding over hers before she had a chance to let go. She damn near dropped it.

  “Easy. It’s hot,” he said, covering her hand with his, cupping it against the mug.

  “Hotter than you can handle,” she quipped.

  “You sure about that?”

  “Killian…” Johnny ground out.

  Ellie licked her lips. Temptation wrapped around her, choking back the smart retort that flashed through her mind.

  “Wanna find out?” Killian asked slyly, his eyelids dipping in a sexy tease.

  Her tongue stuck to the
roof of her mouth and she swallowed hard, unable to get a word out. Apparently, he didn’t really need an answer, or something in her expression betrayed her.

  His curt nod was at odds with his previous teasing. “Make sure you close up on time. We’ll be waitin’ out front.”

  Her gaze darted between Killian and Johnny. Killian’s sharp gaze and the slight curve of his mouth was a dare she was tempted to take. Johnny’s harsh features seemed etched in stone, like he at least waited for her answer.

  Good lord, did they mean what she thought? Images of the three of them, naked and writhing on a bed had her breaths shortening. Dammit, don’t faint now.

  Ellie took a deep breath and eased her hand away to wipe it on her hip. “I’ve got customers,” she said, shocked at the breathy whisper she managed.

  “We won’t keep you. Go on now.” Killian picked up his coffee and gave her a wink before he took a sip.

  Ellie backed up a step, and then whirled and hurried to the kitchen.

  As she walked away, she heard Johnny whisper, “She didn’t say yes.”

  “She sure didn’t say no,” Killian replied just as softly.

  Inside, she leaned against the metal counter while she willed her heart to slow down. She’d lost her mind. That was the only thing she could believe, because she was already thinking of ways to clear the diner by seven sharp.

  Her belly trembled; her fingers felt icy cold. Her nipples… She palmed them, giving them a squeeze to ease the taut, nearly painful sensation. Well, she’d wanted sex. Looked like she’d have more than she could handle.

  At six thirty, Ellie gave another surreptitious glance at the clock. Johnny and Killian had stirred restlessly on their stools and then left, promising to see her when she closed. At least she hadn’t had to pretend she was oblivious to the tension swirling in the room.

  Ole Win was the last customer. She hadn’t managed to hurry him to the door. His newspaper was pulled up to his nose, but his gaze rested on her. Had he heard Killian Logan’s bold invitation? The old curmudgeon was the biggest gossip around. If he waited long enough, he’d see her leaving with the two men and her reputation would be in shreds.

  Cindy Luckadoo topped off the last saltshaker. “I’ll give the tables a quick wipe,” she said smiling.

  Any other time, Ellie would have appreciated the girl’s diligence. “Thanks, Cin. I’ll take the trash out to the dumpster. Then we’re closing.”

  The glass door of the diner swooshed open, and Ellie’s heart fluttered, but it was another set of Logan boys, the twins. She had yet to be able to discern between them they looked so alike. “We’re getting ready to close,” she said, hoping Winston would get the hint too.

  “Can we get some pie? We won’t keep you long. Promise,” one of the boys said with an innocent smile.

  “What is it with you boys and pie?” she muttered. “Sure,” she said, smiling tightly, knowing it’d take more to cajole them out the door than just serve them the damn pie.

  She busied herself behind the counter dishing it out. Damned if she’d offer them cream too. Quicker they ate, the quicker she could get out the door and see if Killian and Johnny had been serious.

  As she watched both men mill into their desert, eyes closing in ecstasy, she shook her head. They were beautiful. While Killian and Johnny were cut from a more rugged stamp, these two were blond Adonises. A matched pair that could make any woman sigh.

  “You busy tonight?” the one with the smile asked around a bite of pie.

  “As a matter of fact, I am.”

  “Gotta date?”

  Ellie arched a brow. “What business is it of yours?”

  The two men shared a devilish wink.

  “Whatever’s goin’ through your minds right now—”

  “Just makin’ sure you’re available.”

  “Well, I’m not.” At least, not to you two tonight. Maybe. “And you need to hurry it up because I’m closin’ in five minutes.”

  The one with the smile pushed away his plate. “I’ll be outside,” he said to his brother, then gave her a quick wink before turning toward the door.

  Lord, there’d be a whole damn family reunion in front of the café.

  She raised her head to spear Ole Win with a last exasperated glance. “We’re closin’, hon.”

  He set aside his paper. “See ya for breakfast. You be careful, hear?” He ambled out, but with a glance over his shoulder as he left, like he was afraid he’d miss something.

  Anticipation set her heart pounding. Ellie glanced toward Cindy who was straightening napkins in a holder while she tried to be subtle about watching the cowboy still seated at the counter.

  Ellie cleared her throat. “Cindy, can you take this one’s money while I take out the trash?”

  Cindy blushed, but nodded.

  She gave the remaining twin a pointed look. “Hope you enjoyed your pie.”

  “I did indeed.” His grin was blissful, but something in his eyes hinted at mischief.

  Ellie returned to the kitchen, wrestled with the trash bag lining the large bin then headed outside. As soon as the door closed behind her, she strode toward the dumpster next to the chain-link fence.

  A scrape sounded behind her, the fence jangled. She glanced back, but something dropped over her head, blinding her. Hands grasped her wrists, and she let go of the trash bag and tried to turn around, but she was dragged backward against a hard chest. Before she could suck in a deep breath to scream, her hands were released, and strong arms enfolded her midriff, cutting off her air.

  “Shhh, it’s me, Mace Logan,” came a teasing whisper beside her ear. “We’re gonna play a little game.”

  “A game?” she squeaked.

  “Yeah, promise we mean no harm.”

  We? Ellie wriggled hard inside his embrace, but his steely arms didn’t give an inch. “Look, dumbass, you’d better let me go now before this goes too far. Don’t think I won’t press charges.”

  “No cause for that, now. Swear we won’t hurt you. We won’t do anything you won’t want.”

  The way he said it, so cheerfully, calmed the fear that had had her gasping. Would a serial rapist sound so blithe? “Did Killian put you up to this?” Was this what he’d had in mind when he’d told her to be ready?

  Masculine chuckles rumbled next to her ear. “No, but it looks like we all had pretty much the same idea.”

  Ellie stomped her loafer on his boot, whirled inside his arms then tried to wriggle down his body to escape, but he gripped her waist and tugged her higher, sliding her body up some interesting bulges.

  “You’re insane, you know,” she said, trying to catch her breath.

  “And you’re not an easy woman,” he mumbled.

  “Does this actually work for you?” she said in a harsh whisper.

  “First time I ever decided to kidnap a girl. Wouldn’t have thought to try it, but Sam did mention he was tired of stew.”

  “What?” she asked, trying to make sense out of what appeared to be a kidnapping in progress.

  “We asked at Shooters—who’s the best cook in town? The best unmarried cook? Your name was mentioned more than once.”

  “So you’re kidnappin’ me for my pie?” she asked, her voice rising.

  “Not just your pie. You’re pretty too.”

  Ellie gave an exasperated growl. “Of all the cockeyed ideas. Get this sack off my head!”

  A hand soothed up and down her back. “Promise we’ll treat you nice. We just didn’t think you’d say yes.”

  Ya think? “To what?

  “To spending time with us. Getting to know us.”

  Her body reacted to the low rumble of his voice as well as the hard body she was pressed against, softening inside, warming. Yup, she’d completely lost her mind. “That’s all you expect?”

  “Well, we’re not gonna attack you or anything. Not unless you want us to.” And then he chuckled again.

  Ellie couldn’t help it. She laughed. If there was a note of h
ysteria in her voice, well who’d blame her? She’d been bored. Thought her dating options were drying up. But in the space of one night, four handsome men had sought her out. Not in a way she would ever have imagined it happening, but she stopped wrestling, resigned that whatever came to pass, it was going to be a very interesting night.

  Johnny pulled in front of the diner just in time to see the Luckadoo girl heading to her Corolla. The sign on the diner door read Closed. “Get out and see if she’s ready.”

  Killian gave him a crooked smile. “You’re grumpy when you’re horny.”

  Johnny grimaced. “Don’t say that word to me. What I am at the moment is mad. This was a dumb idea.”

  Killian laughed and stepped down from the cab. He ambled to the door. He tried it then glanced over his shoulder and shrugged.

  Johnny hit the steering wheel with his hand. She’d run. He guessed that was answer enough.

  Killian cupped a hand over his eyes and peered through the glass before walking back to the truck and climbing inside. “Know where she lives?”

  He did, but he wasn’t telling Killian. She’d made up her mind. “Let’s go home.”

  “You’re gonna give up? Just like that?” His mouth pursed, then his head swung back toward Johnny. “Maybe she wants us to give a little chase so we appreciate her when we catch her.”

  Johnny shook his head. “She’s not the type to play games.”

  “She’s got a smart mouth. Maybe she does.”

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Let’s go home.”

  Killian sighed. “I’m sorrier than I can say this didn’t work out. I was really lookin’ forward to rumplin’ her starchy hide.”

  Johnny shot him a killing glare and put the truck in reverse, backing up then making a U-turn in the middle of Main Street to head home again.

  Killian grunted then turned in his seat. “You’re not gonna give up that easy, are you? What about Sam?”

  “Sam can hire a damn cook.”

  They passed the saloon on the left. The music was loud enough to be heard above the rumbling diesel engine.

  “Want to get a drink before we head home?”