by Vi Keeland
“I didn’t say you were.” She pulled the covers back exposing her sexy body to him. She knew the effect it had. She knew.
He flashed her a wolfish grin before climbing in next to her. He tucked her under his arm close to his chest, wrapping his other arm around her and kissing the top of her head.
“You cuddle?” She sounded surprised.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I wasn’t sure if Dominant men did that sort of thing.” She giggled and he found that he liked the way she teased him.
“There are exceptions to every rule and you seem to bring out my sensitive side.” He kissed each of her wrists. “For the record, I wasn’t that Dominant tonight.”
“There’s more?” She propped herself up onto her elbow and stared at him. “Like how much more?”
“Only as much as you say.” He rolled onto his side to face her. “Tonight was just a little slap and tickle. BDSM can be much more intense.” He hiked her leg over his waist running small circles along her hipbone with his thumb. “Or it can be only what we decide we want it to be.” He committed the softness of her skin to memory. He wanted to learn every last inch of her flesh.
“How far do you like to go?”
“That depends on my partner. I’ve been with some very submissive women and I’ve also had women who liked to pretend they were submissive.” He thought back to his experiences with Cora. She’d found out through a mutual friend what kind of games he had been into and approached him. She wanted to be tied up and spanked. The more time they spent together the more she wanted from him emotionally. He couldn’t give her what she needed.
Elyse also seemed to be lost in thought.
“Hey.” He tilted her chin again. “Did you enjoy the time we spent in the bedroom?”
“Couldn’t you tell?” She blushed. “I’ve never had three orgasms in one night. Not ever.”
“I’m flattered.”
“You’re good.”
“Let’s see where this goes.” He swiped his thumb across her bottom lip. “No expectations.”
“Will that be enough for you?”
He had to find a way to replace her insecurities. He leaned in and kissed her, running his hand along the side of her body. “What do you think?” He took her hand and moved it over his hardening cock. “If we’re keeping track of mind-blowing climaxes this evening, I believe you owe me one.”
“Hmm.” She pushed him onto his back and took his length into her palm. “Is this what you had in mind?” She kissed his neck as she stroked him.
“For now.” He tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her to his lips. “We have all night to even the score.”
Chapter Seven
The chilly October air whistled around the inn. The leaves had changed color and begun to blanket the property creating a postcard picture. Elyse looked out the kitchen windows as she waited for the last batch of her homemade chocolate chip cookies to finish.
She’d packed the picnic basket. It was cooler than she had expected, but she wanted to spend the afternoon outside. She’d remembered a rustic old gazebo not far back behind the inn. The former owners used to host walking tours along the trails. She thought the spot would be a perfect place for her and Logan to have lunch. He’d been working so hard on the renovations these past two weeks and making wonderful progress that she thought he deserved a special lunch.
Just as Elyse took the cookie sheets from the oven, Logan popped his head in.
“It smells wonderful in here. Is it lunch time?”
“You’re always hungry.” She turned to find him standing there in his faded blue jeans spattered with paint stains and a worn very soft looking gray flannel shirt. Her stomach tingled as her eyes crawled all the way down to his work boots. Her mind wandered back to yesterday’s escapades. They never made it up the stairs and Logan never made it out of those boots.
“I can’t help it.” His voice pulled her from her wicked thoughts. “Everything always smells so good in here. You’ve been in this kitchen all morning. What are you up to?”
She placed the first batch of cookies in a container and tossed them in the basket. “I thought we could go for a picnic.”
“It’s a little cool outside but if that’s what you’d like to do.”
“Is that gazebo out by the trail still there?”
He nodded. “You remember that old thing?”
“It had so much character. I used to dream I’d get married under it.” She laughed, but then stopped and remembered what had brought her to Pleasure Inn in the first place. My dream. The details were vague, but she’d dreamt of an elaborate wedding to a faceless man. She couldn’t picture him but she woke up feeling warm and loved. The next day she packed a bag and headed for Connecticut realizing there was nothing keeping her in New York.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” She looked up at him. “I’m just remembering how pretty it was.”
“Like everything else here at the Inn, that gazebo needs some work.” He picked up the picnic basket off the table. “Come down to the foyer; I want to show you something.”
He took her hand and led her down the main hallway to the front of the inn. “What do you think?”
“Logan, it’s beautiful! It’s so charming.” She let go of his hand and moved toward the antique desk that he’d placed at the entrance. “Where did you find this?”
“In the basement. There are tons of pieces of furniture and paintings stored down there. When I saw this desk, I thought it would be perfect for the reception area.”
“It’s wonderful.” She ran her hand along the smooth, cherry wood. “And it goes so well with the color of the wood of the staircase. The guests will get such a welcoming feeling when they walk through the doors.”
She looked around the entry way. “If you could get a companion piece for that desk, maybe something like a foyer table, you could set it up here.” She pointed to wall across from the desk. “When guests come to check in you could offer them seasonal drinks or snacks.”
“We could go down to the basement tonight and see what else is down there.”
“Cool.” She thought for a moment. “Wouldn’t warm apple cider and homemade caramel apples be the perfect treat after driving up here on an autumn afternoon?”
“I like it,” he agreed.
“At Christmas, you could have fresh baked gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. I bet people would come back every season just to see what you’re serving upon check-in.”
“I think I’d come back here just to see you.” He pulled her toward him. “You’re incredible.”
“Me?” She glanced around the foyer. “Look what you’ve done with this place in the time I’ve been here.”
“You inspire me.” He brushed his lips against hers.
She pressed her palm to his cheek. “Your tender side is so adorable.”
“I thought you liked my rough side.” He nodded toward the staircase. “I can still hear you screaming at what we did up there last night.”
Delicious sensations coursed through her landing between her thighs when she thought about what they had done on the steps.
“I’m beginning to fall for all of your sides. This side, this side, your back side, your front side…” She touched him inappropriately as she spoke, but then she took his hand. “Let’s get going.”
He grabbed her jacket from the hall closet and held it for her to step into. Once they were out back, Elyse realized she had no idea which direction to head. It had been too many years since she’d been out there.
“Come on.” Logan laughed. “The spot you’re looking for is down here.”
They walked through the large backyard and down a small hill. As soon as they were through a patch of trees, Elyse remembered. She took off toward the gazebo.
“It’s right through there.” She pointed. “I remember riding a horse along these trails.”
“Oh, that’s right. We did keep horses for a few years. I learn
ed to ride here.” He shook his head. “I had forgotten all about that.”
She stopped and stared at the large gazebo. The years and the weather had taken their toll on the once spectacular structure. “Can you fix this?”
“It just needs to be stripped, primed and painted.” He nodded. “It’ll probably have to wait until spring, but I can restore it.”
“Good, because I was thinking this is a perfect location for a couple to have a romantic lunch or dinner.” Or even a wedding, she thought. “Everything could be prepared at the inn and then set up out here. You could even hire musicians – violins or a harp.” Elyse closed her eyes, as if she could hear the music, and thought about the menu she would prepare. She could make four courses with a delicate wine and raspberry cheesecake for dessert. “Can’t you see people getting engaged here?”
“When do you have time to think this stuff up?”
“It’s Pleasure Inn.” She shrugged. “I can envision couples coming here for all sorts of fantasies from just a weekend getaway to something spectacular. There is no other place like it, Logan. You can make this place into anything you want. I think people would come from all over to stay here.”
He retrieved the blanket from the basket and spread it out. “You sure have a lot of confidence in me.” He took her hand and pulled her down onto the quilt.
“Is that a bad thing? I didn’t mean to overstep, but you’re working so hard on restoring this place that I want it to be perfect for you.”
“I’ve been a screw-up most of my life. The rich kid who could have anything he wanted. When I got into Yale my family was shocked. They never expected me to finish my degree. When I couldn’t cut it in the business world, no one batted an eyelash. I decided to go into the remodeling business. My mother had a ton of friends who wanted work done. It didn’t take me long to figure out I was getting so much work because of my looks. And I used that to my advantage.”
“You were young and having fun.”
“A little too much fun.” He handed her a bottle of water. “I drank all the time, went through thousands of dollars and slept with most of my customers. When I got caught with a married woman, it was time to reevaluate.”
Elyse saw the remorse in his eyes. He harbored so much regret.
“I thought I’d travel. Maybe go to Paris or Rome, but my uncle forced this place on me. I hated it. I think that’s why it took me six months to renovate my bedroom. I had no desire to reconstruct any of this, much less be an innkeeper. I don’t think my uncle thought I’d actually get the inn up and running. My family just wanted to keep me busy.”
“Oh.” Elyse hadn’t realized Logan never wanted to make Pleasure Inn a success. “You must think all of my ideas are crazy. I thought I was helping you.”
“You are.”
“You just said you didn’t want to be an innkeeper.”
“I didn’t.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Not until you showed up and started cooking in my kitchen. I love all of your ideas. With you here, I actually think I could do this.”
“I know you can, Logan. I believe in you.” She leaned in and kissed his jaw, rubbing her cheek against his stubble. “You have a gift. The rooms you’ve already tackled are gorgeous.”
“You think so?”
She cuddled closer to him.
“I’m going to start working on the guest bedrooms tomorrow. I want to refinish the hardwood floors and upgrade the bathrooms.”
“That’ll keep you busy.”
“At least through Thanksgiving. I was thinking maybe I’ll have the grand opening in June.” He looked through the picnic basket. “Just in time for summer weekend getaways.”
“That sounds romantic.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Oh really? Just what are your thoughts on romance in June?”
“June is a big wedding month, so maybe you should target anniversaries. Market that month as a place to come and rekindle the flame.”
He kissed her head. “I’m so glad you’re here. I could never come up with this stuff.”
“About me being here.” She bit her bottom lip because she hated to think about leaving. “I need to go back to New York.”
“What?” He turned her to face him. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. But when I came here, I didn’t intend to stay for more than a week or two. It’s getting colder and I need to get some of my winter clothes.”
“You want to stay through winter?”
“You’re talking about remodeling bathrooms. Did you think I’d leave before seeing that project finished?”
“I guess I can come to the city with you.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “When did you want to go?”
“You’re too busy and now you’ve got a projected opening date.” She couldn’t wait to see the inn in full swing. “You can’t leave.”
“I don’t work that well without you.” He stroked her cheek. “You inspire me, remember?”
“If you really can’t live without me…”
“I can’t.” He smiled. “How would I eat?”
She shoved his shoulder. “Barbarian.”
“Can’t we just go shopping for new clothes? I’ll buy you anything you want.”
“I don’t think so.” She rolled her eyes.
“As a thank you for all you’ve done here to help me.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Don’t leave,” he insisted.
“I can’t let you buy me a new wardrobe.”
“Sure you can.” He moved his lips along her neck, slipping her jacket from her shoulder “I want to.”
“No.”
He arched a brow at her. “I don’t like that word, cupcake.”
“Hmm.” She closed her eyes when he nibbled on her neck. “My friend, Audra…”
“What about her?” He kissed her as he unfastened the first two buttons of her shirt, slipping his hand against the warmth of her breasts.
“She can go to my apartment and…” she tried to say around his kisses. “…send me some things… Does that work?” She straddled his lap, pressing her sex directly on the bulge in his jeans.
“As long as you’re not leaving.” He gripped her hips and rocked her against him. “I don’t care how you get those clothes here.”
“Are you ready to eat?”
“Are you offering?” He buried his face in the valley of her breasts.
“Lunch!” She giggled uncontrollably. “I thought you were hungry.”
“We can eat food later.” Pushing her onto her back, he rested on top of her. “I want you.”
She reached up, taking his face between her hands. “I’m yours.” She said, remembering him calling her his last night.
Chapter Eight
Logan switched off the television just as the movie finished. He and Elyse had spent the entire day taking down old wallpaper and stripping the chipped paint from the windows in the third guest bedroom.
“Hey.” Elyse stretched against him. “Why did you turn the off the movie?”
“It’s over.” He pulled her into his side. She’d taken to wearing his pajama shirts to bed. He liked the way she looked in them.
“I fell asleep.”
“About forty minutes ago.” He laughed. “I think I’m tiring you out with all of these renovations.”
“I like doing them with you. It’s different than cooking. I never thought I’d learn to be so handy.”
“You’re a big help. I’m getting done much faster than I had originally thought.”
“I like the time it gives us to get to know one another.” She kissed his cheek. “I like being your helper.”
“You do talk a lot.” He teased.
She poked him in the arm. “I can’t help it! It’s always been a bad habit of mine.”
“No, I think it’s wonderful. I’ve been here alone for so long, I’d started talking to myself.” He turned so he could look into her beautiful eyes. “I’m not very interesting company for myself.” He kissed her.
“And I love the sound of your voice.”
“I spend so much time in the kitchen that when I get out I find this incessant need to talk. Phillip hated it. He would tell me to find my off button.”
“Bastard.”
During the time they spent renovating the bedrooms, Logan learned much about Elyse’s past relationship. At first she was apprehensive about opening up, but once he convinced her he wanted to understand what had happened with Phillip, she held nothing back. The more she told him, the more he hated the man who had broken her. “I was young and stupid.” She ran her finger along his bottom lip.
He caught her hand before she could pull away and placed soft kisses on each of her fingertips. “He was the stupid one. Any man who would cheat on you is nothing more than a fool. I promise I’ll never hurt you.”
“I believe you Logan, and that scares me.”
“I respect your honesty.” He understood her apprehension. He’d been struggling with his own doubts ever since she’d come into his life. He didn’t know if he was capable of giving her everything she deserved. He’d never had to be more than a good time for any other woman in his life.
“Things happened between us so fast. When I came here, I never expected to find someone like you. I was looking for an escape. A way to forget my past. That first night we were together, I didn’t think it would be anything more than sex.”
“What’s between us is much more than sex. Do you want to know how I know that?”
She nodded.
“I’ve never had anything more than sex with anyone else. With you everything is different. We happened quickly, but it feels right.” Logan had never put himself out there for anyone, but he’d never experienced such intense feelings. “Can’t you feel it?”
“I do,” she whispered.
“Give me a chance to show you I’m not Phillip. The fact that you stayed with me without knowing me proves you want more. I want to give you more.” He’d give her the fucking moon if that’s what it took.
“You’re a complicated man.”
“I’m trying not to be.” With Elyse he wanted to be himself.
