“It happened the night of the barbeque. Something changed and we both admitted we had feelings for each other. But we were both nervous about ruining our friendship. And that doesn’t matter anyway because he’s moving to New York.” She shoved the paperclips back together in one big pile and looked up at Brandi.
“Logan’s moving?”
I’m not going to do this. I will not cry about it. “Yeah, he is. It’s really the best thing for him.” Tears started blurring her vision. She looked up to the ceiling and began blinking rapidly, not allowing them to fall.
“Un-fucking-believable,” Brandi said. “I never considered it, but it’s perfect. You and Logan…you guys are perfect together.”
Gabbie met Brandi’s eyes. “What? We’re friends, nothing—” Hmm, she was going to say nothing more, but that wasn’t technically true anymore, was it? “We are…friends that are enjoying each other’s company. He’ll be gone soon.”
“I’m surprised he’s actually going to do it. The move and all. It’s ironic Blaze has moved back from there and now Logan is going to move there. I ran into Blaze while you were in Japan. Out of all the places I could possibly run into that jerk, you know where I saw him?”
“Where?”
“Coming out of Global Electronics. I had to pick Drew up after his doctor appointment and as we were walking out, Blaze was walking in.”
“Interesting. Maybe he’s applying for a job or something. Did he at least say hi?”
“I noticed him right away. He had his foot propped up on the running board of his SUV and had been rubbing his knee. I’m proud to admit—but never to him—that his ass is one of the finest I’ve ever seen.”
“Did he say hi, even?”
“Oh yeah, he said hi. Not much else, but at least he said hello.”
“I asked Marilyn what happened to him and she said he doesn’t talk about it. He won’t even open up to Blake. Just keeps saying he was injured and now he’s fine. But somehow, I don’t think he’s fine, do you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t care, anyway. He’s so rude to me. But back to you and Logan. Are you guys going to continue this…errr, arrangement while he’s still here?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since we’ve gotten back. He’s been too busy making arrangements to move as well as for the practice.”
Their last night in Japan had been full of making love. Neither of them had gotten any sleep, savoring every curve, every freckle and soft spot on one another’s body. She knew it had been the wrong place and time, but she wanted to share her story of getting pregnant far too early and why she had all of this baggage weighing her down with Logan before they had left Japan.
But again, she hadn’t been able to muster up the courage. Being able to tell him her story, even though it had been years ago, made her hopeful that the heavy weight of never telling her best friend about it, could be lifted once and for all.
“It will all work out,” she told Brandi. The problem was she wasn’t sure if she was convincing herself just as much as she was pacifying her friend.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Logan had everything finished up for the most part. With the majority of his clients, he planned to work remotely and finish any last documents they would need while he was in Manhattan. He’d convinced Gage and Amber to help him lease his house out so he wouldn’t be hung up trying to find someone when he could be out in New York getting settled in.
“Yes, me too. I’m glad you accepted my offer, frankly.”
Logan had called his dad the minute they’d gotten back to town and told him what he wanted to do about the firm. To Logan’s surprise Jack had been receptive and open to his offer, more so than Logan had originally thought he might be. Jack had arranged for Logan’s room to be cleaned from top to bottom.
“Nope. I’m getting everything tied up as we speak.”
Gabriella popped unbidden into his mind. An image of her, naked on his four-poster bed, her hands tied to the rails, had him briefly questioning his move. He was leaving the majority of his furnishings behind, as he was going to live with his father until a flat near REEVES opened up. The furniture he had wasn’t worth shipping out to the East Coast nor was it worth paying for storage.
Jack was truly excited and explained to Logan his business plan for Logan as he got acquainted with the other employees at the firm, who would eventually become his employees—If Logan could win them over enough to stay on-board and work for him. “That sounds like a plan, Dad. Are you going to be able to retire, though? What will you do when you have your free days?”
Logan hadn’t quite believed that his father would be able to retire—especially because of the money and his drive to make his clients happy.
Logan’s father assured him that he would be retiring. “Logan, I’ve got things I want to take care of and do. Listen, I have to go but when you move to the city, I promise we’ll spend a day together—away from the firm—and talk, okay?”
There was obviously something more his dad wanted to tell him, but Logan couldn’t guess what that could possibly be about. He would settle for now, but once he got to New York, he would be relentless. Jack would have to tell him what he had up his sleeve. “Sure, Dad. We’ll talk as soon as I get there.”
Logan hung up with his dad and thought of the things he’d gotten done. Everything that needed his immediate attention was done. His house and belongings were figured out. His truck was going to stay in his garage for now. He would most likely sell it when he came back for his mother’s annual Fourth of July party. That wasn’t so far away at this point and since the house had a double car garage, he wasn’t too worried about leaving it there while someone rented the house out.
Aside from some of his clients, as well as a few things he was working on for the credit union, he’d pretty much had everything figured out.
That left one important matter.
His Cinderella.
When had she become his? Maybe the last night they had been in Japan and hadn’t gotten any sleep, and he now knew that he had been the only man in her life to make her scream in pleasure, to watch her writhe her body in heat and anticipation, waiting for his lips to bring her to orgasm. Or maybe she’d become his when they were in the second grade and Billy McKenny had tripped her in the lunch line and she’d started to cry. Logan had helped her up and vowed from there on out that no one would ever make her cry that way again.
That had been the first day of their future.
He tried to ignore the sudden pain in his chest as he thought about leaving Gabriella. The decision had been a lot easier before he’d slept with her. Now, when he thought about her, the thought of leaving didn’t sound as appealing. He liked the way she looked at him—trust in her eyes as she clung to every word he said. He enjoyed the way she whispered his name in bed, while he kissed her supple body. He couldn’t be any happier that he was the one she confided in, the one she told everything to about her life and business. And he loved how, somewhere deep down, he was certain he could convince her to bear his children. And not because he didn’t respect her decision, but because he never believed her enough that what she said was true.
He had this strange feeling when it came to that issue—she could and would, trust in him enough to believe in herself as a mother. He could help her get passed her belief of thinking she wouldn’t ever be good enough to make the best decisions for her children, but he knew better. He knew her. He knew how smart she was. How she never let her better judgment get in the way of her feelings. He knew she loved children even if she didn’t believe in having her own. He also had a gut feeling there was more to her stance than she was letting on. Had she been sexually assaulted? He didn’t think so, but anything was possible. He knew she’d never been pregnant, so he wasn’t convinced about her “no children ever” policy.
Would he be okay never having children if he couldn’t convince Gabbie to change her mind? Why was he even thinking about all of these hypothetical ques
tions? He was moving to New York for work and Gabbie was never going to leave Lolita’s behind, even if her life depended on it.
He still didn’t like the sense of dread he felt picking up his phone knowing he was calling her, and this would be one of the final moments of their togetherness they would have before it would come to an end. She would eventually meet someone else and so would he and of course, they would still be friends. They would still call and text—see each other on the odd Sundays he could be home at his mother’s house. Life would still be good.
He pressed the photo of her smiling up at him from his phone and brought the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up.
“Hello?” she answered breathlessly.
“What are doing? Running?”
“I was in the back and left my phone on the counter. I didn’t want to miss you.” She then added, “because you haven’t called since…well—”
“I’m sorry. I got too caught up with work and tying up loose ends. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my house and my truck. All of that is figured out now.” I saved the best for last.
“What day are you leaving?” He hated hearing the hurt in her voice.
“Tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I have to Cinderella…I’m sorry.”
She put on her brave face, he could almost see it through the phone lines, could definitely hear it in her voice. “I know. It’s for the best, right?”
“Yes.” That’s what he was telling himself. But a huge part of him felt like he was leaving a lot behind. “Can I come over tonight?” He rolled his eyes. When had he started asking her things and not just doing it like he had all of his life?
“Of course, I need to talk to you anyway. There’s something I want to tell you.”
“I’ll bring Chinese. The usual?”
“Yes. Okay, I have a customer. See you tonight!”
“Laters.” Logan ended the call and wondered what she wanted to talk to him about. It must be important to her, otherwise she would’ve just told him on the phone. He couldn’t wait to see her and make the most of the small amount of time they had together.
Logan’s truck was sitting in a parking space when she pulled into her parking spot. Her heart fluttered at the sight of his truck, knowing he was in there waiting for her. Okay, breathe. It wasn’t like they hadn’t met like this a million times in the past.
It was just a little different now.
Now, she knew what his towering frame felt like hard and sweaty against her body. She knew what his fingers felt like as they skimmed her skin as if he were playing the piano. She was familiar with the way he smelled, and it wasn’t just from being around him—It was smelling him, on her clothes, and on her pillow in Japan, that had given her an up-close and personal treat to the sandalwood and musk smell that was Logan. She knew how demanding he got in the bedroom and she knew how much she liked it.
“Hey there.” Logan was already behind her, much too close for her to do anything but turn around and greet him. And what a sight he was. His blue eyes were shining bright and the turn of his lips forming that sexy half grin she couldn’t seem to forget, made her heart stop.
“Hi. It’s good to see you.” There was nothing she wanted more than to hug him, so that’s what she did. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, plastered her body against him, giving him the biggest hug she could muster from within. He hugged her back, as much as he could with the bag of take-out food in one hand and the keys to his truck in the other hand.
“Let’s go inside.”
She released her hold on him and led the way into her condo. She flipped the lights on and immediately kicked off her heels.
“I can’t believe you already leave tomorrow.”
Damn it. She had a talk with herself, reminding herself all day she would do everything in her power to not bring up the touchy subject. She didn’t want him to see how depressed she had been feeling since she’d spoken with him on the phone earlier. Well, since he told her in Japan that he would be leaving. She had to buck-up and steel her heart. Be a big girl!
But the sight of him in his worn denim jeans, leaning against her counter and opening Styrofoam take-out boxes loaded with Chinese food—food he knew what to order without asking her what—had her aching in her heart as well as between her legs.
She watched him in silence, thinking she would never get tired of this sight. His hair had effectively turned mostly blond from the light brown it normally was, from their few days walking in the sun in Japan. His long legs were covered in his worn jeans and he wore Converse shoes—he was all laid back. No one would ever guess he practiced law. He unconsciously hummed, as he always did, while he opened the boxes of food and opened the plastic bags full of utensils so they could eat.
My heart is killing me. She would miss this more than Logan would ever know.
Taking his attention off the food, he met her gaze. Sparks immediately sizzled between them. Who was she kidding? She wanted him. Not Kung Pao Chicken or Combo Lo Mein. Only him. She was aware of the fast rise and fall of her chest as the spark in his eye went from hungry to hungry for her and it took everything she had not to squeeze her legs together to fight the need brewing from within.
“Keep looking at me like that Cinderella and our dinner will get cold,” he warned.
Brazenly, she opened her mouth and let her thoughts come out. “Let it get cold, Logan.” Please do the things you did to me in Japan. Tell me it wasn’t the exotic locale that tempted you. She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as if he wanted to say something. She didn’t look away, she couldn’t. She was hypnotized, waiting for his next move.
He took his time pulling the lids back over the cartons. He folded the box full of rice back into its proper position and then turned to her.
He repeated what he told her on the phone. “I leave tomorrow night.”
She hated hearing those words from him. It made her feel…empty. Lonely. Desperate.
Desperate to enjoy this last chance they had left. After tonight, everything would change. Everything would go back to the way it was before their attraction began. No, it would be worse.
They would be separated.
This one night was all she had to let go, to trust and be free with a man. After tonight, she would become the scared woman who was before, frightened to have sex for fear of having a repeat mistake. She would go back to being that woman who couldn’t orgasm because she couldn’t trust someone enough to let herself go. She would be that woman who believed she would end up being like her mother.
She shuddered.
“We don’t have much time then, do we?” She hated the anguish in her voice, the heavy pain in her heart, but when Logan came to her without hesitation, picked her up like a kid, the pain in her heart was forgotten.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked between kisses.
“We only have tonight.” She had tonight to be brave. To do things to Logan she’d imagined but had never done to any man because of her fear and discomfort. Tonight, she vowed, she would be Gabriella, sexual Goddess that gave her all. If tonight was all she had, she wanted it to be the best fucking night of her life. She wanted to give Logan pleasure every which way he wanted it but hadn’t asked for it. She wanted to please him the way he kept pleasing her over and over. She wanted to feel powerful—to give as good as she’d gotten.
Most of all, she wanted to let go. She wanted to experience the woman she was when Logan was around. The trusting, carefree, not-afraid-of-anything woman that he helped her to be when they were together.
Tonight, she was going to be the seductress in her marketing campaigns.
He had her butt pressed up against the counter, her legs spread out around his waist. “Let me down,” she asked.
He bent his head back and his eyebrows quirked together in that way she always interpreted as his what-the-hell-for-look. He set her down and she prayed to Aphrodite to g
ive her the sexual confidence she needed to do what she was about to do to Logan. She started with his shirt, helping him take it off over his head. She grazed her fingertips along the fine hairs on his chest, moving across his skin and down to the button on his jeans.
She managed to get them unbuttoned and unzipped this time with steady hands. She looked up at Logan, wanting affirmation she was doing things right. His eyes were intense, focused not on her hands, but her. She felt the blush creeping into her cheeks as her attempt at seduction started to falter.
“Keep going.”
His husky voice brought her inner Goddess back and she managed to pull his boxers down enough that she was able to grasp his erection into her hand. As if he knew she needed encouragement to continue on, Logan whispered, “Don’t stop.”
And she didn’t. She slid her hand up and down his shaft in slow doses. Kneeling in front of him she licked the tip of his head, unsure if she liked the taste of semen. She stole a glance up to his face and his eyes appeared closed. The seductress in her rose up again and she took him into her mouth.
A growling sound came from his throat and Gabbie assumed…hoped…she was doing it right. She continued her assault on his cock, trying to ignore her own arousal long enough to make him come. His hand gripped her head as she worked her mouth and her tongue, up and down his shaft.
He warned her first before he came but she didn’t know what else to do except allow him to fill her mouth with it. She was almost thirty for God’s sake and she had no idea what she was doing! She swallowed the warm fluid, still unsure if she liked the taste as Logan tightened his grip on her head and with his other hand, he gripped the counter, letting out those guttural sounds of pleasure she hadn’t been able to get enough of.
She started to stand and he helped her up, sweeping her back into his arms, he kissed her with a fierce passion that left her breathless. He took her into her tiny living room and guided her to the carpeted floor.
The carpet was a little rough on her exposed skin but touching Logan and feeling the weight of his body on hers made her forget about it rather quickly. With a fierceness she had yet to experience from him, he had her clothes off in seconds and was driving into her with need and desperation.
Pistol Whipped (Love on Target Book 3) Page 11
