Kade thought about the evening he had planned and what she might be wearing, and his blood headed south. “I can’t wait to see you in it,” he drawled. Meaning I can’t wait to strip you out of it.

Ellie glanced around. “Everything in the apartment seems to be okay.”

“Doesn’t look like you spend much time here.”

She laughed. “That’s why I have artificial plants.”

He took the hanger from her hand and started across the living room. Before he reached the door, a solid knock sounded.

Ellie walked up to check the peephole, then pulled it open. “Justin.”

“Hi, Ellie, I thought I heard you in here. Haven’t seen you in a while.” He was younger than Kade, maybe thirty, with thick blond hair a little too long and a pale, close-cropped beard. The T-shirt he wore showed off a sculpted body and solid biceps. GYM RAT was printed on the front.

Kade disliked him instantly.

“Justin, this is my friend Kade Logan.”

Friend, my ass, Kade thought.

“Kade, this is my next-door neighbor, Justin Cooper.”

Justin’s lips barely curved. “Logan.”

Kade tipped his head. “Cooper.” Neither offered a handshake. A look passed between them that said Justin wasn’t pleased to see Ellie with another man. Kade wanted to take the damn garment bag and wrap it around surfer boy’s blond head.

Ellie must have felt the tension. “I’m sorry, Justin, we were just leaving.” She walked over to the still-open door and waited for her neighbor to walk past her into the hall. “Thanks for stopping by,” she said.

“Way it goes, I guess. I’ll see you next time.” Justin sauntered away.

Ellie waited for Kade to walk out and joined him in the hall. Justin’s door closed behind him as they headed for the elevator.

* * *

It was quiet in the car on the ride back to the hotel. Ellie could tell by the knot in Kade’s jaw exactly what he was thinking.

“Justin is just my neighbor, okay? Nothing more.”

He flicked her a sideways glance. “So you two never dated?”

“He took me out for pizza a couple of times. If you’re asking if we’ve had sex, the answer is no.”

Kade grunted. “Not because he doesn’t want you. He hardly took his eyes off you the whole time we were there.”

“That’s his problem. I’m not interested in Justin.”

Kade pulled the car up in front of the hotel, and the valet opened her door. They walked through the gleaming brass doors into the lobby, but instead of looking up at the colorful skylight or the wrought-iron balustrades that wrapped around every floor, she headed straight for the elevator.

When they reached the suite, Kade carried the garment bag directly into the bedroom. He had only said a few short words since they’d left her apartment.