Cassie swiveled away from him and eyed the menu Bonnie held out to her.
Logan shifted on his stool and gestured for the barmaid, ordering a St. Mungo for himself and Brambles for the ladies. No hard liquor for him. He’d stick to lager and hopefully keep his wits—and his cock—under control.
* * *
Two Brambles later, Cassie was feeling mellow and as fuzzy around the edges as her comfy sweater dress. Relaxed. As the evening wore on, Logan continued to be nothing but a perfect gentleman, and gradually, she’d let her guard down. Not once had he mentioned his internet show or that contract he’d wanted her to sign.
Instead, he regaled them with tales of his childhood growing up in a place called Lochalsh. Cassie adored the fact Logan really was a Highlander after all. She’d actually kissed a Highlander. Mid-Bramble number one, Cassie had started to mentally relive their kiss in her mind, and by Bramble number two she had moved on to imagining what it might be like to kiss him again. The ice clinked in her empty glass, and she looked over at Bonnie. “One more?”
Bonnie shook her head and hopped off the stool. “Not for me, thanks.” She blinked owlishly. “I think I’m going to head up to the room.”
Logan stood when Bonnie did. Cassie found his Old-World response adorable. He looked at her over the top of Bonnie’s mass of curls. “Should we walk her up?”
“Not necessary,” Bonnie answered for herself and yawned—a big, ridiculous monster of a yawn. Cassie felt a tug of affection for her best friend; she knew exactly what Bon was up to. Over the years they had spent countless sleepovers together, and Bonnie was always the last one to fall asleep.
“At least let us walk you up,” Cassie said as Logan settled the bill, another gallant gesture she both noted and appreciated. Unless, of course, this was all meant to be some big setup. Despite how much she’d enjoyed herself, a part of her still couldn’t help wondering when he’d turn the conversation back to that stupid prank for his show, but so far he’d been on his best behavior.
Her back to Logan, Bonnie winked at Cassie. “If you insist.”
Cassie took her friend’s arm, Logan following behind, acting as escort as they made their way to the elevator. When they passed the hotel’s other bar, a more open lounge area with low tables and plush chairs, Bonnie stopped and squeezed Cassie’s hand. “You two should stay here and have another drink. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Logan raised a questioning brow to Cassie. “I’m game if you are?”
Ignoring the cartwheels her insides were performing, Cassie shrugged and agreed. “Sure, just give me a minute.” She walked the few remaining steps to the elevator with Bonnie. “I know what you’re doing.”
With her big blue eyes, Bonnie already looked innocent by nature and could appear downright guileless when she wanted to. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She leaned closer to Cassie and grinned. “But I do know he’s been staring at your ass ever since we got off those bar stools. Ana was right about the dress.”
More than a little pleased, Cassie matched Bonnie’s grin with one of her own. “Ana’s always right.”
Bonnie laughed. “She really is. Before we left the pub she slipped me a key to their room. You know, in case I wanted to wait up for them in there.” The elevator dinged. The doors slid open and Bonnie glanced sideways at Cassie. “I think I might just do that.” She stepped into the elevator and raised a hand, fingers making the “okay” sign.
As the elevator doors closed on her best friend, a happy glow that had nothing to do with alcohol seeped through Cassie’s chest. Bonnie had sat with Logan, talked with him, got to know him a little. And her best friend approved.
Glancing back to where Logan stood waiting for her, Cassie felt a shiver of anticipation. She adjusted the charm bracelet on her wrist. Ana had been right about the dress. Perhaps Delaney would be right too.
* * *
Logan handed Cassie the drink he’d ordered for her while she’d seen her friend to the lift.
Her gaze traveled around the room as she let out a giddy sigh. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Peacock Alley, they call it.”
“Aye.” Logan nodded. The lass was rambling. Alone with him now, perhaps she was feeling nervous. “Loud buggers, peacocks.” He glanced around the lounge, recalling how he’d once released a brace of peacocks in this very room for one of his earlier pranks for Shenanigans. Not very original, he’d be the first to admit, but blasted funny—turns out peacocks are extremely fond of cocktail cherries.
“Really? I didn’t know.” She sipped her drink and watched him from beneath lowered lashes, a very feminine gesture that had his body responding in very masculine ways. Every part leapt to attention, especially the one between his thighs.
Logan took a long pull on the double of Glenlivet he’d ordered instead of another beer. Who had he been fooling? He needed a round of something stronger. “I have an idea,” he said, easing back in the chair as liquid heat curled through him. “Let’s play a game.”
“A game?” Cassie dropped the straw she’d been twirling and peered up at him.
He took another sip of his drink and flashed Cassie another smile. “Yes, a game.”
She eyed him with a hint of suspicion before taking another sip of her drink. He liked the way she looked at him, a stubborn quirk to her mouth. An admitted flirt, Logan enjoyed the chase, and he loved a challenge. And Miss Cassie Crow, with her hot-as-hell curves in her snug soft dress and her chestnut waves and smoky dark eyes and her kiss-you-and-then-tell-you-to-go-fuck-yourself attitude … she was a challenge.
“Well?” Logan quirked a brow, hoping she enjoyed a challenge too. “You up for it?” He shifted on his chair. Christ knew he was.
* * *
Cassie poked at the orange rind curled in the bottom of her glass. Her fingers and toes felt pleasantly tingly, and her nose had started to go numb, her unofficial cue to cut off the booze. She wasn’t drunk—not yet—but another round of whatever was in these Edinburgh Brambles (tasty devil of a drink that it was) and she’d be approaching dance-naked-on-tabletop levels.
She wouldn’t mind some naked dancing. Just not on a tabletop. Maybe in her hotel room—with Logan. That, she wouldn’t mind at all. He’d switched to scotch when they’d moved to the lounge, and she liked the way he handled his drink. Liked the smooth way he sipped it, savoring the rich liquor in his mouth for a moment before swallowing, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing. She liked the way he held the glass in his hand, his long, strong fingers encircling the tumbler in a firm yet easy grip.
He set his drink down and laced his fingers together. She lifted her gaze from his hands to catch him watching her, a smile curling the corner of his mouth.
“Okay, a game,” she agreed, returning the smile.
“Twenty questions,” he suggested.
Cassie narrowed her eyes. “If one of them starts with, will you sign this form—”
“No, nothing like that.” Logan leaned forward in his chair, shoulder muscles bunching beneath the thin linen of his shirt. “Come now, give me a wee bit of credit.”
Hard to trust a man who had the devil’s own grin, but to be fair, he had been a perfect gentleman all night. “Fine. Twenty questions.”
“Favorite color?”
“Purple.”
“Favorite flower?”
“Irises.”
“Ah, because of the purple.”
Cassie nodded and took a tiny sip of her drink. Very tiny—she had to make this one last.
“Virgin?” he asked.
She sputtered. He wasn’t wasting any time, was he? “No.”
“Oh?” He quirked his satyr’s brow. “How many men have you slept with?”
“Pass.” This time she didn’t sputter, but she didn’t answer him either.
“Fearty cat.”
“Did you just call me a farty cat?” Despite herself, Cassie giggled. Damn alcohol.
Logan’s face twisted in confusion for a second, then cleared.
“No. A fearty cat, chickenhearted.”
“I’m not a chicken. It’s just none of your business.” She jabbed at the orange rind again.
“Fine, I’ll guess.” He took a slow sip of scotch and eyed her over the rim. “Ten?”
“Excuse me!?” The few other couples lounging in the chairs nearby glanced her way.
“What, a dozen then?” he asked innocently.
“Three! Only three,” Cassie answered in a furious whisper. She knew he’d been goading her into answering him and was annoyed he’d been successful. “How about you?” she challenged him. “How many?”
“I’m asking the questions.” He settled back in his chair, long legs sprawling. “Okay, three.” Logan held the tumbler in front of him and traced a lazy circle around the rim of his glass. “When?”
Distracted by a vision of his finger moving in the same gentle motion on her breast and possibly other places, Cassie didn’t think before replying, “One in high school, and two in college.” Eyes still trained on his circling finger, Cassie took another sip of her drink and tried to ignore how her nipples were poking through the barely there satin of her bra.
“Oh, boys then.” He shook the ice in his glass, dismissive. He was baiting her, had tossed the line out, and was waiting for her to bite.
Cassie couldn’t help herself. She bit. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged. “Nothing.”
His response was a tease. A non-answer that left the ball in her court. But she knew exactly what he was hinting at. “And with you?” she prodded, playing along. “I suppose that would count as being with a man?”
With calculated casualness Logan set his empty glass on the table between them, all confident male grace. Electricity pulsed, zinging along an invisible current connecting her to him. “I dinna ken, lass.” He leaned closer and smiled. The line tightened, bait bobbing on the surface of his tempting grin. “Why don’t you tell me?”
And just like that Cassie was caught—hook, line, and sinker.
* * *
Logan stood back as Cassie pressed the button for her floor. While she’d finished her drink, all he’d been able to think about was getting her mouth on his again, of getting his hands on her ass. He’d offered to escort Cassie upstairs, not with any hopes of staying, her friend had already gone up to the room after all, but maybe he’d score a few hot moments on the ride up. And now here they were.
The lift had barely dinged past the ground floor when she shot him one of those heated looks of hers, eyes gone all smoky dark. Then she lowered her gaze to his mouth, and Logan didn’t need any more invitation than that. The attraction between them had sizzled until it seemed to be a tangible thing, her body sending out a signal that his body was more than ready to answer.
He pulled her to him and kissed her, the whisky on his tongue mingling with the fruity taste of her drink. Sour and sweet. Soft and hard. Christ, she was so soft and he was hard … and getting harder by the second.
Logan sucked in a breath as Cassie brushed a hand down the front of his jeans, her fingers outlining the shape of his growing erection. Here he’d been thinking he was the one who had been too forward. He couldn’t believe he’d asked those questions about her sex life. Bloody alcohol always loosened his tongue. But he’d found her honesty attractive. How about a bit of honesty of your own, mate? You find everything about her attractive.
They missed her floor—twice—and when they finally tumbled out of the lift and into the hall, Logan seriously considered pulling her back inside and not getting off until … well, they got off. Before he could make good on that plan, the doors slid shut behind them.
She led him down the hall to her room, and Logan valiantly tried to ignore the fact her dress was riding higher up her thighs than it had been before they’d entered the lift. He tried, but failed miserably. Instead, he focused on pulling himself together and smoothed the tails of his shirt down over his jeans. On the lift, she’d undone the first few buttons on his fly, releasing the tip of his swollen cock. Fastening them back up now would risk serious injury.
Cassie swiped her key and opened the door to the silent, unlit room. Logan tugged on her hand. “I guess this is goodnight?” he asked, whispering, in case her roommate was already asleep.
The fact he was supposed to ask the lass something else flashed through his mind, but the thought was gone before he could hold on to it. He leaned down to kiss her, but she stepped inside, opening the door wider. She glanced over her shoulder, peering into the dark quiet of the room behind her for a moment, before turning to face him.
“Bonnie must have decided to wait up for the others over in their room.” Cassie shrugged. If she’d meant to appear nonchalant, she ruined the effect with a naughty smile that sent a surge of lust snaking down his back to settle at the base of his spine.
The light from the hall caught the wicked promise curving her cheek as she tipped her face up to his. His balls tightened with anticipation.
“Would you like to come—”
Answering her with his body, he followed her into the room and kicked the door shut behind them.
CHAPTER 4
THE SOUND OF the door banging shut reverberated through Cassie, her pulse leaping exponentially with each step Logan took toward her. She stumbled backward, reaching for the lamp on the desk and flicking it on.
“Aye, that’s good.” Logan pressed his body close, trapping her against the desk. “I want to see you.” He lifted her, setting her on top of the desk. Cool polished wood kissed the backs of her thighs as he hiked her dress up to her ass. “You are so fucking gorgeous. This dress … Christ, lass.” Logan nudged her knees apart, moving to stand between her legs. It was the most natural thing in the world to wrap her legs around him, ankles locked against his back.
She could feel him now. Barely restrained inside his open jeans, the hard length of him pressed against the thin barrier of her panties. He circled his hips, the teasing friction of each rotation making her warmer, wetter, wilder. A groan of need tore from Cassie’s throat, and she flexed the muscles in her thighs, tightening her hold and pulling him closer.
But rather than move nearer, he eased back. She made a sound of protest, and he silenced her with a kiss, pressing his mouth to hers at the same time he pressed his hand between her legs. He rested the heel of his palm against her, exerting a firm pressure that made Cassie’s legs twitch uncontrollably.
“You feel amazing,” he rasped against her lips as he slid her panties out of the way and dipped a finger inside her. He kissed her again, his tongue thrusting deep into her mouth while his finger thrust deeper into her slick heat.
Cassie moaned and rubbed against him. It felt good, so good. But she wanted more. She unclasped her legs and scooted back, working the rest of the buttons of his fly. “Oh.” She sucked in a breath as he sprang free. “Oh, my.” Unable to resist touching him, she wrapped her hand around the base of Logan’s cock. “You, ah, feel pretty amazing too,” she said, sliding her hand up his thick, full length.
As she stroked her thumb over the swollen head, it was his turn to suck in a breath. The sound made her mouth go dry with need. “I want this—I mean you—inside me.” She tore her gaze from his cock and met his eyes. “The desk.”
“I ken you’re on the desk, lass,” he murmured. “Do you want to move—”
“No.” She shifted her legs. “Open the desk.”
He hesitated a moment, and then pulled open the drawer, comprehension dawning on his features when he glanced inside. He picked up the condom box and stared at her, eyebrows arching—in surprise or curiosity, she didn’t know and sure as hell didn’t care.
Finally, she was getting to the good stuff.
She grabbed the box from him and ripped it open. She’d been carrying this damn thing across Europe for long enough.
“A bit anxious, lass?” He closed the drawer and chuckled, a throaty sexy rumble that made something low in Cassie’s belly tremble.
&n
bsp; “You have no idea,” she said and tore open a foil wrapper.
He took the condom from her, rolling it over his shaft while she watched, so very glad she’d turned the light on. He tugged her panties off and moved between her thighs, pressing close, positioning himself. “Are you ready?”
“God, yes.” For years, she’d been so focused on work that trying to find time to date felt like, well, work. The guys she met were usually at events she was covering for the show, so flirting was out of the question. And even when she did find someone she was interested in pursuing something with, her schedule got in the way. The timing never seemed right. So she gave up trying and appeased the occasional twinge of loneliness by promising herself one day, she’d find the time to say yes.
Now was that time, and Cassie was ready. Very ready. Legs splayed wide, she braced her palms on the desk. This was what she’d been waiting for for much too long. He was the right man, this was the right moment, and she was done waiting. She arched her body up to meet his. When he entered her, she opened herself to him without hesitation, welcoming his invasion, relishing the way he stretched and filled her. The sharp sweet sting as he slid deeper inside her.
He reached between their bodies and flicked the pad of his thumb over her clit. She gasped. The move caused everything inside her to hum, setting off a chorus of tingling tremors that rolled to the beat of his body rocking in and against hers. Another thrust of his cock, another stroke of his thumb, and the rhythm ricocheted.
“Oh, that’s it,” Cassie breathed, her body pulsing, clenching tight around Logan as her orgasm swept over her, flooding her senses. “That’s it, that’s it, that’s it,” she chanted as he continued to move within her, coaxing wave after wave of shuddering sensation from her.
“Hold on, lass,” he grunted, his hands gripping her hips. “I want you to come for me again.”
Was the man serious? Her legs were like water, loose-limbed and heavy. She could barely muster the energy to lift her head and look at him. But then he raised her hips off the desk and pushed forward, thrusting deeper than ever, and she gasped, her body quivering around him as he filled her completely. She grabbed on to his shoulders for balance, tilting her face up to his. He stared down at her, the gold flecks in his green eyes glinting in the glow of the lamp. He kept his eyes locked on hers as he continued to thrust, his movements growing rough and fast, making the desk drawers rattle and shake.
Getting Hot with the Scot--A Sometimes in Love Novel Page 5
