Double the Heat by Deirdre Martin, Lori Foster, Elizabeth Bevarly, Christie Ridgway Page B

me, one day looking like a librarian, and the next like . . . I don’t know. A complete hottie.”
    “We wanted her to attract male attention, doofus.” Joe sipped at his drink. “Although, I gotta tell you, with that fitted dress and exposed cleavage, the glasses are overkill.”
    “Yeah,” Dex said. “She does wear glasses with a certain panache.”
    “It’s called elegance,” Hart mumbled.
    Joe agreed with a nod. “She was attractive and appealing enough in the shapeless suit with matronly shoes at the bottom of those extra-long legs.” He took a sip of his drink. “Like this . . . well, it makes me wonder why you’re dragging your feet.”
    Hart’s jaw worked as he gnashed his teeth together. Joe was right; no matter what, Lisa turned him on.
    Tonight, she looked downright incredible. The trim but classy cream-colored dress ended just above her knees. Pearl buttons marched from the hem to the heart-shaped neckline, where she showed off the upper swells of her breasts. Her high heels made her legs look longer than ever.
    “She does have great legs,” Dex agreed. “Looks like most of the guys here have noticed too.”
    Hart scowled at them both. “I’m glad you two can have your jollies at my expense.”
    Joe chuckled. “Why don’t you just give it up and admit you’re sunk?”
    “Sunk?” Yeah, he was, but he didn’t need to admit shit to his cousin or his brother. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Flattened,” Dex clarified. “Head over heels. Boggled and blinded. All that good stuff.”
    “Don’t worry,” Joe told him. “It only hurts until you stop denying it, and then it’s not so bad.”
    “Oh, shit.” Hart forgot his objections to Joe’s claim when Lisa slipped off the barstool. She gave him a quick, sultry glance before strolling toward a table where two men sat.
    “She hasn’t approached anyone else,” Dex pointed out, all teasing gone. “You think those are the guys?”
    Joe said nothing. He was too busy sizing up the dudes at the table. He had that certain look about him that spelled trouble.
    For the other guy.
    When one of the men touched her arm, Hart wasn’t able to stand it. Knowing how unscrupulous and dangerous the two men could be, he didn’t want Lisa anywhere near the bastards. He started to rise.
    He got yanked back to his seat by Joe. “She’s fine, Hart. Nothing will happen in here. Let her do her thing.”
    Lisa had moved out of reach with a laugh, so Hart sank back into the chair. “If they touch her again, I’m breaking their arms.”
    “You’ll get your chance.” Shrugging, Joe stayed alert, but didn’t stare. “But for now, you’re too obvious. I’ve got them in my sights, so why don’t you chat with your brother or something?”
    “Yeah,” Dex said, taking the hint. “Tell me how you talked Lisa into coming to the bar with you. Last time I saw her, she looked ready to skin you alive.”
    “I reasoned with her.” Hart didn’t want to make small talk, but he didn’t want Lisa’s efforts to be wasted either.
    “There,” Joe said. “She’s on the move again. No, Hart, you stay put. I’ll trail her out and see what’s what. I’ll call you when I know it’s clear and no one is watching us.”
    Dex took pity on him. “You trust Joe. You know he won’t let anything happen to her.”
    Hart watched as Joe, staying several yards behind, followed Lisa out of the main bar area, without looking like he was following her. When they were both out of sight, it was all he could do to contain himself. He should be the man looking after her, not his cousin.
    Dex tried to engage him in conversation, but Hart couldn’t seem to center his thoughts on anything or anyone other than Lisa.
    In a dozen different ways, he wanted her—to talk with her, protect her, laugh with her, and tease her. He enjoyed matching wits, arguing with her, and God knew he loved making love to her.
    Tonight he’d have her again, and he planned to make