AT LONG LAST (The Playas Series - Book 4)

by Brenda Jackson

  It seemed he’d finally gotten the message, though. There hadn’t been any more flowers, gifts or words of love and she was glad. But now, what she was dealing with were the emotions she still felt for him. Emotions he wasn’t deliberately stroking, but she was feeling them, nonetheless.

  It was plain to see Sean was doing as she’d asked, which was to stop trying to build a romantic relationship with her and concentrate instead on repairing their friendship. But in doing so, she was beginning to realize that a friendship with him is what had made her fall in love with him in the very beginning. She’d been as close to him in friendship as his fiancée Asia had been in their relationship. Because he and Asia had lived in different cities, Liz had definitely spent a lot more time with him. And she believed that because of their closeness, he had shared things with her he hadn’t even shared with Asia. So, in some way, their friendship had been more binding than any relationship could ever have been. The thought of that was giving her a headache.

  When the knock sounded again, she realized she still hadn’t answered the door yet. Taking another deep breath, she opened it. There, on her porch, he stood, dressed in what had become his regular attire over the past two weeks, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Both showcased the breadth of his shoulders and the length of his legs. It was only when he stood right in front of her that she realized just how tall he was. And he liked wearing snug jeans, the kind that eloquently displayed just what powerful muscles he had.

  She, more than anyone, knew he spent a lot of hours at the gym. Since being in Belfort, he’d joined the only fitness center in town. Liz knew it had nothing to do with him wanting an impressive body, but more of a way to work off the stress that came with their choice of career. When others’ lives depended on you, pressure was something you learned how to deal with. When they’d first met, finding stress relief in physical activity was one thing they’d had in common. That’s why, when he was at the gym, she’d been right there with him more often than not.

  Knowing that, she hadn’t been surprised when he had invited her to join him at the gym this week. She’d thought nothing of it, at the time. But she’d known she had made a mistake the minute she’d seen him bare chested, in his workout shorts.

  “Good morning, Liz, are the girls ready?”

  Sean’s greeting pulled her thoughts back to the present. “Yes, come in. They are just finishing their breakfast.” Before entering her home, he gave her a hug. It was something she would have expected from Sean, her friend, and hadn’t been surprised by it.

  “Before they go, they need to take one last potty break,” she said, trying to pull herself together. He smelled good but then, he always did. He was wearing the cologne Awesome. She’d bought him his first bottle for Christmas years ago and a part of her was touched that it was still his signature fragrance.

  “No problem. Besides, it’s something I need to get used to, right?” he said, smiling over at her.

  “What?”

  “Being the father of girls who will forever be late doing last minute stuff, whether it be for school, dance classes, recitals, dates…”

  She couldn’t help but grin. “Please, let’s not go there. I wish they would stay little forever.”

  “I know, but they won’t. That’s why I’m glad they will always have us.”

  Yes, she was glad too. “Are you all packed?”

  “No, that’s what I wanted to tell you. I called the hospital and got my leave extended.”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  “There was no way I could leave now, knowing you still had so much to do before you moved back to Boston.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that bad. The moving company will do most of it.”

  “Yes, but the least I can do is help you get there. You will have enough on your hands with the girls. I’ll worry about the three of you spending all that time on the road. So, as your friend and the girls’ father, I’m volunteering my service.”

  She thought it was nice of him to offer. And it would make things easier if there was a second driver. She’d never driven such a long distance with the girls. They’d always flown. “You’re sure it won’t be an inconvenience?”

  He shook his head smiling. “Nope, not at all.”

  “Thanks. I’d appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The one thing she’d noticed was that lately whenever he did or offered to do anything for her and the girls, he would justify it by saying…as your friend and as the girls’ father. It was as if he was trying to justify things with her. She felt bad that he needed to do that.

  “Daddy!”

  The girls came racing into the living room and he caught them in his arms and gave them huge hugs. It was quite obvious that in just a short time, Sean had wiggled his way into his daughters’ hearts. They adored him. Unfortunately, their mother adored him, too.

  “I’ll see you at the gym in an hour?”

  His question caught her by surprise as he headed toward her front door with the girls. Since he took them to daycare, it gave her time to go to the gym and he was usually there when she arrived. Just like old times, they’d started working out together. “Yes, I’ll see you in an hour.”

  Sean pulled into the lot and parked in front of Belfort’s Gym. He sighed as he turned off the ignition. So far, things were moving in the direction he’d hoped, thanks in part--a big part--to Lance Montgomery’s book.

  He’d only intended to read that one particular chapter but ended up finishing the entire book, and was glad he had. Montgomery was definitely a man who knew women. And now Sean understood, more than anyone, that Asia hadn’t stood a chance against Lance Montgomery. The only good thing was that Montgomery truly had loved Asia. Sean couldn’t blame the guy for going after the woman he loved; especially since he was doing the same thing.

  It was obvious to Sean, after reading the book, that Montgomery understood how a woman’s mind worked, had a grasp of their expectations when it came to relationships, and knew just what things they viewed as unrealistic.

  Right now, Sean was aware he fell into the unrealistic category with Liz. In her mind, she just couldn’t believe what he’d told her, that he’d loved her all along. The book had been enlightening, to say the least. And the sad thing about it was, had he known four years ago what he knew now, he wouldn’t be in this predicament. He would not only have recognized the signs with Liz but with Asia as well. He would have known there was more than friendship in Liz’s feelings toward him and that on the other hand, friendship was the only thing he and Asia could ever have shared.

  The book practically spelled it all out. Best friends could make the best lovers and subsequently the best spouses. However, he and Asia had never been best friends, but true friends. The book had explained the difference. True friends were held together by a single bond. For him and Asia, that bond had been David. His brother was what had brought them together in the first place.

  But he wasn’t going to make that mistake again. He refused to go from being best friends with Liz to true friends, where their daughters would be their only bond. According to the book, when faced with such a dilemma, the best thing to do was to revisit the reasons the two people had become best friends in the first place and go back there.

  So that would be his goal. He wasn’t going to waste time trying to court Liz. Instead he would do everything he could to recapture their friendship. And in the process, he hoped she’d realize that he could fall in love with her the same way she’d fallen for him.

  29

  LOGAN

  Claire walked through the doorway of her DC condo and glanced back over her shoulder at Logan. “I wish I could say I’m glad to be back but I’m not. I had so much fun with you.”

  Logan closed the door behind them and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans before crossing the room to stand in front of her. “And I had fun with you, Claire.”

  It was late and she’d invited him to spend the night b
efore he’d fly to Paradise in the morning. He’d yet to reveal anything about his motives for inviting her to go with him on vacation, but before he left, he would. He would tell her the truth about how he felt, and would ask her to believe in them enough to continue what they’d started. He’d noticed she hadn’t been as talkative on the plane as usual and wondered why. It was as if her mind had been preoccupied with something.

  “Have you talked to Lance lately?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  “Not since we left the Grand Canyon. The only person I’ve heard from is Carrie. She’s been sending updates about Pop’s budding romance. She finally got to meet the woman and really likes her.”

  “That’s good. I know how protective she is of your father.”

  “Yes, she is that. And speaking of Lance, I need to send a text to remind him I’m coming.”

  “He hasn’t forgotten. Asia mentioned it when I talked to her the other night. They’re looking forward to your visit.”

  Logan chuckled. “Are they?

  “Yes.”

  He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s not too late for you to change your mind about going there with me. I’m sure you want to see Leland.”

  “Yes, but…”

  He lifted a brow. “But what?”

  She opened her mouth to say something, but then, as if she’d thought better of it, she replied, “Nothing. I’ll get to Paradise just before I head back to Algiers. Besides, I’m leaving to visit Mom tomorrow in South Carolina.”

  Logan nodded. “Tell your mom I said hello.”

  He wasn’t sure why, but he felt there was something Claire wasn’t telling him. And it was something that was bothering her. Had she somehow picked up on his true feelings for her? If so, then now was as good a time as any to let her know what those feelings were. “Claire?”

  “Yes?”

  “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “Umm.” She leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “And there’s something I want to do with you that is a whole lot better than talking. Trust me. We can talk later.”

  She then covered his mouth with hers.

  Claire stretched out over Logan’s body. She wasn’t sure why it was important for her to take charge of their lovemaking now, but it was. She tried convincing herself it had nothing to do with the fact that this would be their last night together, that tomorrow, he’d be headed for Paradise…and a woman name Susan. A woman he didn’t know existed. One who could very well turn out to be his soulmate.

  The very woman Claire was not.

  She had accepted that Logan needed a woman in his life who was not afraid to fall in love again. One who embraced the idea of marriage and family without fear. One who was ready to settle down and make her man a permanent fixture in her life.

  But Claire wasn’t ready for any of the things Logan needed in his life. All they had was this.

  Their final night together.

  Even if she could be ready for those things, Logan had given her no reason to think he wanted them with her. So, it was a good thing she hadn’t fallen for him like Asia had warned. Although Logan was a man any woman would be proud to call hers, he deserved someone who was sure of what she wanted. And if Asia was convinced this Susan was the ideal woman for him, who was Claire to argue? Still, they had tonight. And she was determined to make it a night they’d both remember.

  She shifted her body above his shaft and began lowering her hips down to ease it into her body. She felt every inch of her insides stretch to accommodate him. She didn’t stop until he was fully embedded inside of her.

  Claire glanced up. Their hands were joined above his head and she felt connected to him from top to bottom, especially in the middle. For a moment, she didn’t want to move. She just wanted to feel him. Just knowing he was there--and how he was there--sent a rush of heat flowing through her.

  “Claire…”

  Suddenly, he said her name in a distinctive ragged tone. “I’m here, Logan,” she said, meeting his eyes and holding them. She wished she could tell him that she would always be here for him, but she knew that was not true. When it came to matters of the heart, when the going got tough, she got going.

  Then she began moving while leaning forward a little to offer him her breasts. His mouth snagged a nipple and began a sucking motion. Not to be outdone, she arched her back as she eased off him and then came back down. Withdrawing… almost… and then coming back down. Over and over again.

  She wanted this. She needed this. With Logan. Only with Logan. He was making the sound of full-throated carnal pleasure while feasting on her nipples. Those sounds and the feeling of their bodies mating began pushing her over the edge, but she fought to hang on a little longer.

  “Keep those strokes coming, baby,” Logan murmured, urging her while grabbing hold of her hips.

  She began riding him hard, in a frenzied need that seemed to consume her. Her inner muscles tightened, caught total hold of his shaft and seemed to squeeze tight. The heat building between her legs where their bodies were joined radiated fire.

  “Logan!”

  She screamed his name as a climax ripped through her and before she realized what was happening, he shifted his body so that she was on her knees in bed with him behind her. She felt his hands gliding to the area between her legs just seconds before he thrust hard inside of her.

  He began pounding hard and she succumbed to the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Groans versus moans. Every hormone in her body sizzled in need. She could feel him graze his beard against the center of her back as he continued to thrust into her from behind.

  Her body began throbbing all over again, a primal reaction to his every stroke inside of her. She could feel her control slipping. And when he growled out her name, she felt him explode inside of her, felt liquid heat shoot straight from his groin to her womb. It was as if their bodies were burning and there was no way to put out the fire. So, they didn’t even try. His masculine power surrounded her. Was in her. Became her.

  She screamed his name one last time as sexual fulfilment curled in her stomach. Then she let herself drown in a sea of erotic pleasure that she knew would be a part of her forever.

  Logan pulled Claire down into his arms as they fought to tame their rapid breathing and heartbeats. They hadn’t talked yet, but they would in a minute. But for now, they needed to consume more oxygen and come back down to earth.

  He loved her so damn much and wished they could stay in this bed forever and never return to reality. But they had to and the sooner they talked, the better.

  “Ready to talk now, Claire?”

  When she didn’t say anything, he glanced down at her and saw that she’d fallen asleep. “I guess you aren’t.”

  Tightening his arms around her, he joined her in sleep. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  Claire awakened to the aroma of morning coffee. She slowly pulled herself up in bed and remembered making love with Logan last night. Wow! If she didn’t know better, she’d think he’d been trying to make some memories last night as well. They had made love over and over, catching only moments of sleep in between.

  She had to grab a few things before she visited her mother and Timothy now that they were back from their recent cruise. But she couldn’t seem to put the fact that Logan was going to Paradise—and Susan—out of her mind.

  Claire wasn’t sure of what Asia had planned, but she knew her sister wanted to help Logan meet someone who could satisfy all his needs. A part of Claire wanted to be mad at Asia, but then, her sister had given her fair warning. Accept Logan as the man any woman in her right mind would want to love…or step aside.

  More than anything, she wished she could accept him, but couldn’t accept any man for fear of…

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  She glanced across the room. Logan, dressed only in jeans, was leaning in the doorway with a cup of coffee in his hand. A gush of feminine awareness jolted her
to the bone when she saw him. Only he had the ability to arouse her with only a smile.

  She smiled at him. “Good morning. You’re up early. It’s barely dawn.”

  “I leave for the airport soon and we still need to talk,” he said, crossing the room and handing her the cup of coffee.

  “Thanks,” she said, and then took a sip. She loved the way he made coffee. She wondered what he wanted to talk about. He’d said the same thing yesterday, and like now, he’d looked rather serious. She hadn’t wanted serious at the time, she had only wanted him. This morning she didn’t want serious either, especially since she had an idea what that serious look on his face was about.

  A part of her figured that now that he had gotten a taste of how good a casual relationship could be, he wanted them to continue.

  But she was a loner, at heart, regardless of how much she had enjoyed this vacation fling with him. All things had to come to an end, sometime. Besides, Logan was a forever kind of guy who needed a forever kind of girl. And that, she was not.

  She glanced up at him and drew in a deep breath. “Okay, let’s talk. What’s on your mind, Logan?”

  Logan slid on the bed to sit beside Claire and gazed over at her, the woman he loved today more than he had yesterday. The woman he loved more now than he had when they’d first begun their vacation together. “There was a reason I invited you to come with me, Claire.”

  He watched her nod as she took another sip of her coffee. “I know,” she said softly. “I was a pitiful mess, filled with grief over losing my friends. Being the kind and thoughtful person that you are, you wanted to take me away to forget my troubles.”

  “Not exactly, although I figured that’s what you would think. I wanted us to get to know each other. Although we’d met three years ago, we really didn’t know each other.”