Five Alarm Lust by Elise Whyles (reading cloud ebooks .TXT) 📗

Luke shot Jack a glance, a frown plucking on his brow before he shrugged. “A two-by-four has nothing on this guy.” Luke pouted. “Straighter than straight. Makes for a very uncomfortable situation. I, uh … I think he caught me in the shower.”

“It was bound to happen. What did he say?” Jack tensed, a low burning anger filling his eyes.

Gillian eased a few inches away from Jack at the tightening of his muscles, the drop in his voice. What would cause the anger in his eyes? Surely nothing she’d…

“Nothing.” Luke shook his head. “See, this is what’s weird. He comes from a very strict background. He was raised that homosexuality was bad, but Sean doesn’t seem to hold that against me. He’s great. He’s got a great laugh, is funny, smart, knows more about birds than ten people, everything I could want. Except for the not being gay part. I hope he didn’t actually see me in the shower.”

“Why?” Gillian sipped at her coffee, her gaze darting between them.

“I was doing something better not seen by another man unless he’s gay.” Luke flushed bright red.

“I don’t…”

“He was masturbating,” Jack whispered in her ear. “Probably fantasizing about Sean.”

Gillian clapped a hand to her mouth, her eyes widening as her face burnt with mortification. “Oh, oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Luke shot her a quick grin. “I’d say you’re more embarrassed than I am. What can I say, the man’s got a body any man or woman would want. The end of the season can’t come fast enough for me.”

“How much longer is the season?”

“October.” Jack shook his head. “Another six months.”

“Five months, four days, and about twelve hours.” Luke chuckled. “But who’s counting?”

“Which tower are you at?” Gilli struggled to remember which tower was close.

“I work out of Banff.”

“Um, isn’t Banff open year round?”

“Yep, but I’m only there for the summer. I specialize in land management. I’m up there to watch out for forest fires,” Luke explained. “Usually we go up and stay there until the season’s over, except this year I had to come back out for a personal emergency. I go back in a few days.”

“I can imagine the emergency.” Jack laughed. “Running from your partner.”

“Do you do tours?” Gillian pushed her glasses higher on her nose, ignoring Jack’s banter. “I have a couple of ideas if we could arrange things. I don’t think it would be an issue to get a bunch of—”

“You bring the kids up; I’ll show ’em around. Unless we’re busy with a crisis. Though for me they never seem to end.”

“We’re not talking shop, Luke. Nope, not a chance. Not tonight.” Jack pointed at Luke and stood. “I promised to feed Gilli, and I’m not going to sit here and let you hog her.”

“Well why don’t we go over to Don’s?” Luke straightened, a quick killer grin pushing away any shadows from his gaze. “They have some of the best food there. They’re not busy, never really are.”

“Luke, I don’t…” Jack started.

“Nope, I think Don’s is perfect.” Luke slapped the counter. “Right, Gilli? We’ll head over and order the biggest burger on the menu or maybe steak. Trust me, you don’t want him to cook for you. Last time he burnt my steak. It was so bad I couldn’t even eat it.”

Gillian laughed and followed Luke past a grinning Jack. Shuffled into her coat, they hurried to the truck. Casting Jack a quick glance, Gillian offered a slight smile and a raised brow as his hand slid down the curve of her back, over her ass, to the hem of her skirt. She shuddered, her body humming with his touch. She leaned into his embrace, willing him to forget food and Luke. His fingers traced over the black stockings for a moment before she climbed inside and settled on the cold bench seat.

She bit back a moan and prayed Luke wouldn’t notice her nipples erect beneath her bra and shirt. Hunching forward, she listened to the door slam as Luke settled on the bench seat next to her.

“I still think we should just head—”

“Jack, you’re my best friend, and it saddens me to say this, but you’re such a guy!” Luke gaped at him. “You’ve got a hot woman on your arm, the night is young, and you’re thinking of a Barbecue. Wait until I tell your mother.”

“Oh no, not that.” Jack laughed, his hand resting on Gillian’s knee. “She’d tell you she wanted to meet her and to quit poking fun at me.”

“Hmph, you better watch him.” Luke nodded at Jack, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s been known to listen to his mother.”

“Egad! How horrid.” Gillian giggled and then slapped her hand over her mouth. She berated herself for the old-fashioned words coming from her lips at Luke’s teasing. They’d think her an old-fashioned hick. She cast a glance through her eyelashes at Jack, folded her hands in her lap, and straightened.

“Gorgeous and got a great laugh.” Luke leaned forward. “You better keep her.”

“I’m trying.” Jack smiled down at Gillian as they pulled out of the driveway. “I’m trying.”

With a flush at the heat in his gaze, she shifted, her shoulder rubbing against him as they drove in near silence.

Her brow raised when they pulled into a parking lot. “This is Don’s?” She gaped at the aged wooden building. It looked more like someone’s home rather than a restaurant or bar. Gravel covered the ground in front of it and several cars were parked near the door. Beyond them a single motorcycle rested on its kickstand.

“Are they open?”

“Yep.” Luke popped the door open and turned to her with a grin. “And they have the best steak you’ll find. I love coming here.” The door slammed on Luke’s retreating figure as Jack popped his door open and clambered out, his grip tight on her wrist.

“I thought Ellenora’s was the best.” Gillian gasped as Jack tugged her out into the cool night air.

“It is,” Jack whispered close to her ear.