And she's right. I don't give up that easily.
Since I can't tear the blasted underwear off her, I pick her up by the waist and lay her down on the sofa beside me. I make quick work of getting rid of those knickers, flinging them across the room so they get caught in a ruffled layer of one of the curtains. The pale-blue lace panties stand out against the white curtains.
"There," I say, setting her on my lap again. "Please continue."
Elena flashes me a naughty smile while she begins unbuttoning my shirt. "It's like Christmas morning, unwrapping you."
The door bursts open.
We both swing our heads around to look at the man who's lugging a huge suitcase into the apartment. Head down, he grunts when he lifts the suitcase to get it over the threshold.
"Hey, Ellie," he says without glancing up. "I know I'm home early. Cancun was---"
The man lifts his head and spots us. His expression goes blank.
Elena leaps off my lap. "Kyle, what are you doing here? Your trip was supposed to be ten days."
"Yeah, but like I was about to say, Cancun was awesome until the hurricane hit." Elena's brother drags his suitcase to the bar. "We got out just in time. I dropped Amelia off at her place."
Elena fusses with her dress, which only makes her look more guilty.
Kyle wanders over to us, stopping at the end of the sofa. His gaze flicks to the blue knickers hanging from the curtain and then narrows on me. But he's squinting at Elena when he says, "Who's the dude making time with my sister on the sofa?"
I get up and offer him my hand. "Chance Dixon. Elena and I work together."
"Uh-huh." Kyle shakes my hand. "How come Ellie didn't mention you to me? We talked and texted since I left for Cancun."
Elena wraps her arm around mine. "Chance and I met after you left. I didn't tell you about him because this is so new, and we're not sure if it'll go anywhere."
"I get it." Kyle's mouth twists into a sarcastic smile. "I leave you alone for a few days, and you hook up with the first British guy you meet. It's cool."
"Are you being snotty, or are you really okay with this? I can't tell."
Kyle laughs. "Come on, Elena, we're all grown-ups here. Do the nasty with whoever you want, as long as it makes you happy."
I wish my ex-wife had the same mature attitude.
Elena hugs her brother. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm glad you're okay with this, because I really like Chance. A lot."
My lips tighten into a smile, and I make no effort to stop it. Elena likes me a lot. My smile broadens. She likes me.
So much for being a mature adult.
"Don't mind me," Kyle says. "I'm gonna drag my stuff into my room and crash. Unpacking can wait till tomorrow."
He does exactly that, hauling his suitcase down the hallway.
Elena and I watch, and I wonder what my odds are for seducing her tonight---with her brother in the apartment.
At the door to his room, Kyle pauses to smirk at us. "Make as much noise as you want. I'm so bushed I'll be dead to the world the second my head hits the pillow." He nods at me. "Nice to meet you, Chance."
"Pleasure meeting you too, Kyle."
He goes into his room and shuts the door.
I turn to Elena. "Where is your room?"
"Right across the hall from Kyle's."