Less-than-Innocent Invitation

by Shirley Rogers

  Cara. His gut twisted. How could he wonder why Melissa had listened to Cara’s lies? Like a fool, he’d trusted Cara, too. And his brother. “Hell, sweetheart, we both believed her.”

  She ran her hand along his shoulder, then touched his face. “I thought if you loved me, you’d come after me.”

  “I did love you.” Logan raised himself above her.

  She stared into his eyes. “Why didn’t you try to find me?”

  He swallowed hard. “At first I thought you wanted a career as a reporter and I didn’t want to stand in your way.”

  “At first?”

  “I’ve never been good at this kind of thing, Melissa,” he confessed.

  She frowned. “What kind of thing?”

  “Talking. Sharing what I’m thinking. My mother was gone early in my life and my father wasn’t very sociable. Bart and I never got along. I never had anyone to talk to. After some time had passed, it was easier for me to let you go than to deal with why you left.”

  Melissa reached up and kissed his cheek. “You’re getting better at it,” she said. “Logan, why didn’t you tell me about the will?” she asked, needing to know.

  “God, sweetheart, I don’t know. I guess somewhere inside I was afraid you’d think exactly what you did, that I was using you.”

  Which showed he hadn’t trusted her feelings for him, Melissa thought. No more than she’d trusted what he felt for her. “I guess we were both young and vulnerable.” Now, though together temporarily, they’d both changed.

  Except her love for him hadn’t faded at all. It was still there, threatening to consume her.

  Logan traced her thigh with his finger, running up her rib cage to her nipple. He began toying with it and she sighed sweetly. Aroused, he moved over her, straddling her thighs. Her auburn hair spread out on his pillow and he couldn’t get enough of looking at her.

  Melissa felt his hardness pressing against her as his mouth took hers on a passionate journey.

  Sweet.

  Sensitive.

  Hot.

  Demanding.

  Her eyes closed as she arched against him and eagerly responded to his lovemaking. He shifted and his hands found hers. Holding them on both sides of her head, he pushed inside her when she opened her legs for him.

  Logan groaned as he ground his hips against hers. “Open your eyes, Melissa. I want to see you come apart for me.”

  She did and met his burning gaze. His eyes held hers in a spell as he pushed even more intimately into her. The sensual journey began again, slowly at first, then building in intensity until she could no longer think. Her mind splintered in a thousand pieces as he ground his teeth together and called out her name, taking them both over the cliff of ecstasy.

  Within that precious moment, Melissa knew Logan had broken through the barriers she’d erected around her heart.

  Melissa stirred and lazily opened her eyes. Morning sunshine peeked through the curtains. She lay in bed with Logan, her body pressed against his. It had been a long time since she’d spent the night with a man, but with Logan it felt so natural.

  Their night together had been incredible. Logan had been tender, yet demanding, evoking a response from her that only he was capable of. Melissa had never forgotten how Logan’s touch could build her desire for him until she couldn’t do anything except feel how perfectly they responded to each other.

  It had always been like that between them. And, oh, it was almost devastating to know it still was.

  Until now she’d never faced the truth. Moving away from him hadn’t purged her love for Logan from her heart. She’d only successfully kept it locked away where she wouldn’t have to analyze her feelings.

  So where did that leave her?

  For the past several years, she’d focused on her career. She’d worked her butt off to move up the ladder of success. Now, this promotion was at her fingertips.

  It was what she wanted, right?

  She sighed wearily. For the first time, she wasn’t sure. Being with Logan was incredible. There had been no feeling that she’d been making a mistake. Here, in his arms, was where she wanted to be.

  “What’s wrong?” Logan asked, his voice hoarse from sleep. He’d heard Melissa’s sigh and alarms went off inside him. Was she regretting sleeping with him?

  Melissa turned in his arms until she was facing him. “Nothing.”

  She smiled, but he saw sadness lingering in her eyes. He suspected she was holding something back, but, not willing to break their fragile bond, he didn’t push her. “Are you all right?”

  “Oh, yeah.” She stretched, then trailed her hand down his chest to his flat stomach. “How about you?”

  Logan’s hips moved as blood surged through his body. His erection was immediate and intense. His gaze met hers. “Take your hand lower and you’ll find out.”

  She did, and he groaned with pleasure as she stroked him. Leaning closer, she kissed him deeply as her hand continued to explore him. He was hard and smooth, and oh, so hot.

  After a moment, Logan clamped his hand around her wrist. “If you don’t stop, you’re not going to be able to join the party.”

  “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” She made quick work of the condom, then shifted over him, straddling him, taking him inside her.

  Logan pushed deeply into her until he was completely surrounded by her feminine heat. “No, sweetheart, we can’t.” Straining, he held back his release as she began moving her hips. His hands cupped her breasts, massaged her nipples, then skimmed to her back and pulled her to him.

  “You feel so good inside me,” she murmured, her breathing growing rapid as gratification swiftly changed to an ache so desperate that she thought she’d die if he stopped moving. Her body convulsed as her climax began. “Now, Logan,” she cried, and let him take over the rhythm.

  Logan’s hips rocked faster, until she tightened all around him and cried out his name. His own climax came and, unable to hold back, he joined her in the sweet release, his pleasure deep and intense, overwhelming him. And he knew Melissa had not only eased his desire for her.

  She’d eased the ache in his heart.

  Eight

  Breathing heavily, Melissa lay sprawled across Logan. “I hope you have a drawer full of those.” She raised herself up and gave him a teasing look.

  Logan grinned at her. “Don’t worry. If we run out and you get pregnant, I’ll make an honest woman of you.”

  Although he was joking, his words touched a place in her heart. If she hadn’t been so naive ten years ago, she’d already be his wife and maybe they’d have had children. But that could never happen now. “Right. And you’d move to Houston?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  He propped his arm on the bed and watched her gather her clothes. A tense silence fell between them. Melissa stopped in the process of looking for her bra and faced him. “C’mon, Logan, let’s not fool ourselves. What’s happened between us is wonderful, but it can’t last. We both know it.”

  Logan sobered. She’d said the words he’d been thinking ever since they’d kissed last night. He’d told himself that he could live for the moment, that he could be happy being with Melissa—making love to her—even if it couldn’t last between them. Hearing her confirm his own thoughts disturbed him more than he’d expected. “Yeah, I know.” But he didn’t have to like it.

  She licked her lips. “I don’t want any secrets between us, Logan.” She sat on the edge of the bed, leaned over and kissed him, sighing when his tongue met hers. She ended their kiss and looked at him, unsure what to think of the apprehension in his eyes.

  “Can you stay for a while after your story is done?”

  She shook her head. “I’m up for a promotion as soon as I return.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “What kind of promotion?”

  “There’s an opening for a weekend news anchor. If everything falls into place, this should be my last assignment as a reporter.”

  A dull pain stabbe
d him in the chest at the thought of her leaving. As much as he wanted her to stay, he didn’t have the right to ask her to. She’d worked hard to get where she was. It would be selfish to ask her to give it up. “I see.”

  At his quick compliance, sadness filled her. What had she wanted? That he’d beg her to stay? If she were honest, a part of her had. Which was a foolish thought. Her life was in Houston. “It’s what I do, Logan.”

  “I know.” She was being forthright with him, and he had to accept it or risk ruining what time they had left together.

  Melissa brushed her fingertips across his forehead. “I’ve got to get dressed. If I don’t find Rick, he’s liable to go off on some cowboy roundup or something. I think he’s forgotten that he’s working.”

  Logan drew her to him for a kiss, then let her go. She stood and looked down at him. “Do you have a robe or something? I don’t want to get caught sneaking across the hall-naked.”

  “Hold on.”

  Logan went into the bathroom and returned with a blue terry robe. Its thick softness enfolded her as he helped her into it. Breathing deeply, she noticed his scent clung to it. She halfway decided to take it when she left. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He hugged her. “When are you going into town?”

  “Within the hour. I’m going to ask Sheriff O’Neal if he’ll release the pictures of the Halifax Exhibit vandalism. Then Rick and I will scope out the museum and determine if I’ve chosen the best place to tape. We’ll visit the library, too. They probably have a genealogy section, which will have a lot of facts.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  Melissa recognized his no-nonsense tone, remembered his intent to shadow her. But that had been before they’d slept together and she’d believed his motives were to talk about their past. “Logan, you don’t have to babysit me.”

  Logan pulled on his jeans. Although she wasn’t concerned about danger, he wanted to be with her. With Jonathan Devlin’s murder under investigation, Logan didn’t feel comfortable with Melissa asking questions around town on her own. He didn’t care if it was her job or not. He wanted her safe while she was here, while he could take the liberty to watch over her. “I want a chance to see you work.”

  Surprised, she grinned. “We won’t film today. We’ll just go over some of the details,” she told him, pleased he was interested in her work. “I’ll meet you at breakfast in about an hour. I hope Rick will be there. If you see him first, tell him we’re going into town.”

  Leaning up on her toes, she kissed his mouth. What started out as a simple kiss grew into an intimate mating of their tongues. With reluctance, she pulled away. “You’re trying to sidetrack me.”

  Logan skimmed his hand down until he cupped her breast. “Is it working?”

  “Yes, which is why I’m leaving now. Another minute and I’m going to have my way with you.”

  He groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  When he reached for her again, she batted his hands away and walked to the door. “Work, then play.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  Melissa looked back and gave him a wink. “No, honey, that’s a threat.” She darted out before he could answer.

  Several days later, Melissa and Rick began preparations for filming from the Historical Society Museum. She’d spent the past few days researching Jessamine Golden and had gleaned a wealth of material at the local library with the help of the informative staff. Gavin O’Neal had granted her a few minutes of his time, as well as photos of the Halifax Exhibit vandalism. In the meantime Jonathan Devlin’s autopsy results had reached the Devlin family and Logan had told her they were anxious for his killer to be caught.

  She and Rick had nosed around town on their own. It seemed there was a lot of interest in Jessamine’s map. Word had gotten out that Melissa would be filming today and a crowd had gathered to watch, more visitors than usual for the middle of the morning.

  Aaron Hill, the director of the museum, had met with her yesterday, and he’d shared his knowledge of the intriguing Jessamine Golden legend. It was going to make quite an interesting story.

  A nervous energy filled the room as Rick positioned the camera at the correct angle for shooting the segment. If there was indeed gold hidden somewhere in Royal, Melissa felt the map held the key. She looked around at the many people gathered to watch—Aaron, the museum employees and visitors—and couldn’t help but wonder if one of them was Jonathan’s murderer.

  Logan stood at one of the entrances to the gallery, mesmerized by Melissa’s movements as she talked with her videographer. Due to a special function being held at the museum, they hadn’t been able to do the shoot the previous day, but the director had given them permission for today.

  Dressed in a red blouse and a black suit with a skirt that came to her knees, Melissa looked both beautiful and professional—the essence of a career news reporter focused on her responsibilities as she prepared for filming. Logan had been here for a couple of hours, keeping an eye on things as Melissa and Rick worked. Now Rick was doing the last sound check as Melissa went over her notes again.

  It almost hurt to watch her. This was what she lived for.

  Hearing his name called, he turned to see Mark Hartman walking toward him. “Hey, Mark.”

  “Logan.” Mark scanned the area. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Melissa is about ready to film. With so many extra visitors here today, Aaron asked that we be more vigilant when the map is out of the display case. Stand at that entrance and keep your eyes on the map at all times. It’s going to be on that podium.” He pointed to the stand in the center of the room. “My focus is going to be on Melissa as well as the map.”

  Understanding flashed in Mark’s eyes. “You’re involved with her.”

  Logan gave his friend a dark look. “We knew each other a long time ago.” He didn’t confirm or deny Mark’s comment.

  “The way you disappeared from the ball together, I figured that.” Mark adjusted his hat, then his gaze traveled to Melissa and back.

  Color climbed into Logan’s face. “I hadn’t expected to see her there,” he answered. “We had a few things to discuss in private.” The rest of his friends had yet to mention it, but he suspected the time was coming when they would.

  “You were in love with her once?”

  Swallowing hard, Logan nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And now?”

  Logan shrugged. “Now we lead separate lives. Hers is in Houston.”

  “And she’s going back?” Mark asked, his tone subdued.

  “Yes. When she’s finished with her work here.”

  He frowned. “Do you think she’s in danger?”

  “I don’t know, but with Jonathan’s murder, we can’t rule out that someone may be desperate enough to kill to get the map.” Logan looked around. The visitors were gathering to watch. Surrounded by glass walls, the gallery was accessible from two doorways. Logan was standing at one. “I’m not taking any chances with Melissa’s life. I’ll be watching from this angle.” He pointed across the room to the door opposite him. “With you over there, we’ll have a good view of everything.”

  “Right.”

  Melissa walked up to them, and Logan broke off the conversation to put his arm around her possessively. “Melissa, this is a friend of mine, Mark Hartman.”

  Melissa smiled at Logan’s handsome friend. Nearly as tall as Logan, his cropped black hair and teakwood brown skin set off his hazel eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hartman.”

  “My pleasure, Miss Mason,” Mark returned, his slow Texas drawl seeming to caress his words. “Please, call me Mark.”

  “All right, if you’ll call me Melissa. I appreciate your helping us out today, Mark. I hope this won’t take long. One take, maybe two, and we should have it.”

  Rick signaled to her.

  “I think we’re about ready.”

  “Take your time. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take up residence at the back of t
he room.” Mark sauntered away.

  Meeting Melissa’s eyes, Logan pulled her closer. “I’d kiss you, but I don’t want to wreck your makeup.”

  She laughed, then lifted her face. “Don’t let that stop you. My lipstick is right here in my pocket.” She patted her hip.

  Logan gave in to his need to taste her, albeit briefly. His mouth touched hers, lingered momentarily, then he set her away from him. “You’d better go before I get carried away.”

  Her gaze glittered with awareness. “See you in a few minutes.”

  Logan watched her walk to the middle of the room. She picked up the microphone and waited for her cue. After a few moments, Rick gave her a prompt, then she began speaking. Pride filled him. Melissa was articulate and savvy, her voice eloquent and expressive. It was easy to understand why she’d been offered the anchor position.

  A pang struck his heart as Logan thought of her returning to Houston. But he steeled himself to accept that she wasn’t his to have.

  Not all those years ago.

  Not today.

  Logan heard a loud crack and his body tensed as he scanned the room, unsure of what had caused the sound.

  Another crack reverberated, this time louder and more threatening.

  Logan’s gaze shot to the iron chandelier above Melissa. It was shaking precariously. At the juncture of its base, plaster crumbled as the chandelier began to rip away from the ceiling.

  “Logan!” Mark shouted from across the room at that same instant.

  Logan bolted for Melissa as people began screaming. In one fluid motion, he tackled her, protecting her from the fall with his body as they hit the floor. Holding her tight, he rolled away from where she’d been standing a second before.

  Iron landed with a thud as glass shattered, spilling across the floor like fragmented diamonds. Logan felt a sting as a piece of flying glass hit his forehead.

  As the chandelier settled, screams from the fleeing observers filled the sudden stillness. He steadied himself, looking around to see if he could spot any further danger. Still covering Melissa, he saw Mark racing toward them and waved him off. “Secure the museum!” he shouted, then he lifted himself off Melissa.