With no barriers between them, they came together. He wanted to touch her everywhere, couldn’t wait to make her his.
He lay her down gently on the bed. He lowered his head, fusing their mouths in a soul-searching kiss that left her breathless. She felt his hardness against her, and her body quivered with need. She ached to feel him inside her. Her breath quickened at the thought.
He continued his sensual assault on her mouth, her breasts.
Her passionate response was driving Logan crazy. His sexual desire rose and mingled with an emotion so strong he didn’t recognize it.
Her body quivered as his hands moved over her, arousing her even more. Then he lifted himself up and looked into her eyes. He wanted her hot and ready.
She opened her thighs, wanting—demanding—he take her.
“This time, sweetheart, there’s nothing to stop us,” he whispered and reached for a box on the nightstand. It was already open, and he let the contents fall on the hard surface.”
“That many?”
“We have the whole night,” he whispered as he lifted her hips to receive him. His erection nudged her thigh, gently seeking until it found what it was searching for, then nestled in the soft tuft of hair between her thighs. His hand moved lightly over her breasts, trailing down her ribcage to her waist and belly. He leaned down and whispered love words in her ear.
Josie clutched his shoulders and arched her back, groaning for him to take her.
He entered that first little bit, teasing her until she was writhing beneath him. He responded by settling himself in deeper and then pulling out slowly, keeping to a long slow rhythm.
Josie clutched him to her and wrapped her legs around his hips, matching him rhythm for rhythm. Nothing had ever felt this good, she thought as she moaned with pleasure.
Logan felt her tightening around him just before she climaxed, and he quickened his pace until they both cried out together.
Later, he was wild to possess her again. This time, though, Josie’s hand took possession of the velvety warmth of his erection, eager to discover him in turn.
Josie stared at the tangled covers, recalling what they’d done the night before. She moved slightly and groaned, her soreness obvious. They had both been so hungry. He’d been gentle, then ridden her hard, each time different than the one before.
“I hope you’re thinking good thoughts,” he whispered into her ear.
For a moment she felt embarrassment at her nudity, and she burrowed deeper under the covers.
His hand reached up to touch her cheek. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered before slanting his mouth over hers in a seductive kiss and pressed her closer. Later, as Josie drifted off to sleep, it occurred to her that good sex had been sorely lacking during her married life.
Chapter 10
Josie hadn’t heard from Logan for five days. That meant she only had two weeks left before school started for Michael, and she would have to get moving. She wasn’t sure what to do. There wasn’t enough money saved to pay off repairs on her car, so that left her with two options: she could ask her parents for the rest of the money, or she could stay in Sandera and work.
She was glad the restaurant was closed for the day and that Michael had gone with Consuelo, to see her mother and sister. It would give her a chance to do some serious thinking. Josie also planned to use the time to write her aunt and parents letters. But there was another reason she had stayed behind—Dylan had called and asked to talk to her.
Josie grabbed her stationary and pen and walked downstairs to wait for him. She chose the table where Logan had sat on the day she and Michael had returned from the park. As she gazed out the window, she recalled that Logan had done the same thing. She wondered what he had been thinking that day.
What was he thinking now? Whatever it was, she doubted it included her. Otherwise, she would have heard from him by now. Josie was honest enough to admit that if he chose not to see her anymore, she had no right to be angry. There had been no promises, no commitment. But that didn’t mean that it wouldn’t break her heart. She sighed sadly. She would miss him more than she cared to admit
Dylan had assured her that Logan was fine. However, he’d offered no other explanation for wanting to see her.
Josie tried to shrug off a vague sense of unease by staring down at the blank sheet of letterhead stationary in front of her. She had no idea what to write her parents. She always said the same thing—I’m fine, Michael is fine, don’t worry about us. Of course, now she could write, I’ve fallen in love with a man who I suspect is afraid to love me back.
She remembered how he’d made her body pulse with life, how he’d seemed so honest in his feelings for her, so loving. But she was almost certain that there could be no place in Logan’s heart for any woman as long as he remained haunted by his past. His grief about Stevie’s death made that impossible.
And she would accept no less.
A knock on the large door made her jump, and she went to open it.
“Hi, Josie. How’s it going?” Dylan asked.
“Fine, come on in.” She tried to smile.
“I hope I didn’t keep you from any important plans.” He looked uncomfortable, and again she felt a stab of discomfort.
“No. I was just writing my parents. Have a seat and I’ll get us some tea. I’m sitting over at that table,” she said, gesturing to where her stationary and pen lay.”
When they were both seated, she leaned forward and waited.
Again, he looked ill at ease. Then he reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.
“Logan asked me to give you this.”
Josie frowned and accepted the paper. “Where is he? Why didn’t he deliver this himself?”
Dylan leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “He’s been out of town, and will probably be back in a day or two.”
“He’s been gone all week, then.” It wasn’t a question.
Dylan didn’t meet her eyes. “He left three days ago.”
“I see.” She had difficulty getting the words past the painful lump in her throat. She stared down at the paper Dylan had given her. “This is a paid receipt for my car repairs. Are you saying that Logan paid my bill?”
“Look, Josie. I’m just supposed to tell you that the bill has been paid, and that you’re off the hook.” He downed the rest of his tea.
She wanted to run to her room. “I see.” she said, but she didn’t, not really. “Then why didn’t Logan tell me himself? He could have called.”
“He’s been tied up as a jury witness for a case. That’s all I know.”
She felt something break inside her.
Dylan frowned. “I’m sure he’ll see you first thing when he gets back.”
“Of course,” she said, trying to hold on to her dignity. “Thanks, Dylan. Would you mind giving him a message for me?”
“Sure.”
Josie grabbed her pen and scribbled something on a sheet of paper. She picked it up delicately, folded it in half, then slipped it into a matching envelope and handed it to Dylan.
He slipped it inside his breast pocket and looked out the window. “There’s someone from Tino’s right now with your car. He was supposed to meet me here. I have to take him back.”
“I understand,” she said, and rose.
“Well, you take care,” he said, and hugged her.
He returned a second later with her car keys.
She forced a smile and waved good-bye.
A moment later, she walked over to the window and glanced out in time to see him getting into his car. For a second she thought the man had brought her the wrong car. It looked brand-new. Not only was it repaired, it had a new layer of brilliant red paint.
She switched her attention to the sky. It was eerily overcast outside. The clouds had darkened, and droplets of rain began to fall against the pane, smearing the dirt.
She picked up the teacups from the table and took them into the kitchen. When she return
ed, she picked up her stationary from the table.
It wasn’t until she reached her room that she cried.
Something painful ripped inside her. She’d fallen in love with him. Nothing would ever change that. But love, for her, had proved to be elusive.
She opened a drawer and dropped the receipt inside. While she had been thinking of him—and there hadn’t been an hour when she hadn’t—he’d been planning the ultimate insult.
His message had been clear. The fact that he hadn’t delivered it in person made it that more painful. He’d paid off her bill because it meant she would have her car back. And of course, she’d told him that she’d be on her way out of town just as soon as her car was out of hock.
She’d gotten the message like a slap on the face. He wanted her to leave. How could he be so callous? Didn’t he at least owe her a phone call?
She shook her head. The sad truth was no, he didn’t. He didn’t owe her anything. She was the one who had backed herself into a bad emotional corner.
Josie sat on the bed, covered her face in her palms, and cried. Once the tears started flowing, she couldn’t stop them. The pain almost choked her.
The sad truth was that life didn’t dole out guarantees.
But he could at least have said good-bye.
Logan unfolded the note and stared at Josie’s feminine scrawl. It read, you win. He frowned. What did that mean? Running a hand through his hair, he studied the message again. What had he won? What the hell was going on? He hadn’t expected to be gone so long, or he would’ve given her the news before now. That’s why he’d sent Dylan, before Tino or someone else told her.
“What did she say?” Logan asked his brother.
“She acted a little strange.”
“What do you mean, strange? Did you tell her what I told you to?”
“Word for word. But I have to say, bro, she acted upset that you didn’t deliver the message yourself.”
“You did tell her where I was, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. I told her I thought you’d be back today or tomorrow.”
Logan shrugged. “The trip was unavoidable. And to make matters worse, Elena is ill. I have to get back inside. I’ll see Josie later.”
“That’s a good idea.”
When Logan entered the house, he couldn’t help worrying about Elena. She had bronchitis, and at her age, she had to guard against getting pneumonia. He remembered how ill she’d been with it before.
Logan and Consuelo exchanged worried glances. She sat in a chair beside Elena’s bed.
“Honestly, I feel much better,” Elena said.
Consuelo leaned forward. “You should rest. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
“What about your restaurant? You need to be there.”
“I close on Mondays, remember? Don’t worry.”
Logan sighed. As soon as he’d gotten back he’d wanted to go to Josie, but Elena’s fever had gotten worse. Even though his marriage had ended, he still loved and respected his ex-in-laws. That would never change.
Elena fell into a fit of coughing. “This weather is worsening. You should have brought Josie and Michael with you. I’m worried about them.”
Consuelo shrugged. “Josie told me she was expecting a call from her parents. That was yesterday.” She glanced up at Logan. “I think she’s made up her mind to leave town—if she hasn’t left already.”
Logan’s gut twisted uneasily as he stared at Consuelo. “When did she tell you that?”
“It’s just something I’ve known since she hit town, although I had hoped she’d change her mind.”
Logan walked over to the window and stared at the battering rain. He had a bad feeling about this. As usual, he’d bungled things. He should have gone to see her.
But she had scared the hell out of him. She was becoming a necessary part of his life. He hadn’t counted on her becoming so important. He figured he wasn’t much good as a family man. Hadn’t he already proved that?
He tried to remember when she had gotten to him. When had she gotten past his heart into his soul? Damn. He should have told her how he felt about her, and begged her to stay. What if it was too late? What if she was out there on the road somewhere, stranded?
The rain showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, it was getting worse. He watched it pound against the windowpane.
Worried, he returned to Elena’s bedside. “I should have told Dylan to bring them here.” What if something happened to them? He didn’t even want to think about what that would do to him.
His concern grew. On the day Stevie died the storm had been just like this one.
Elena looked up. “Logan. Go to them. I don’t trust this weather. You know how bad the river can get. If you hurry, you might be able to get through.”
He had tried to call Josie earlier, but no one had answered. It wouldn’t hurt to try again.
He went over and picked up the phone. The line was dead.
Logan frowned. He could only hope the storm would blow itself out. “The phone lines are down. I can’t even get through to my office,” he told Elena. “I’m going over there.” To Consuelo, he muttered, “Wait here. It’s safer.”
At first, the brooding weather had only heightened Josie’s despair. Now, as lightening danced across the sky, she began to panic. She’d been waiting for the rain to slack off so they could leave. She’d packed most of their clothes.
Folding one of Michael’s shirts, Josie hugged it closer to her chest. Why did she still hurt so much? Now that she was free to go, why did the prospect seem so painful?
She placed several shirts in Michael’s small suitcase. Lightening hit nearby, and they both jumped.
“That sounded pretty bad, Mom. Menudo is nervous.”
Josie glanced out the window. It was looking worse out there. She hoped Consuelo and Elena were safe.
“Mommy?”
“What is it, sweetie?”
“Why do we have to go away? I like it here.”
Josie swallowed a lump in her throat. “You knew we would only be here for a little while, baby. Just until I could get my car repaired.”
“I know, but don’t you like it here?”
“I...yes, I do.” Josie was so depressed she couldn’t bring herself to finish packing; even knowing she was free to leave. It was turning out to be one of the worse days of her life. She was in love with Logan, but he didn’t love her, probably never had. And the thought of leaving Consuelo, and some of the other people in the town who had come to mean so much to her was painful beyond compare. She’d been so busy guarding her heart that she’d failed to see the magic and love that was right in front of her.
How she would miss Consuelo! She would miss everyone.
“Let’s go downstairs and get something to eat,” she said. She needed to do something, or she would go crazy.
“Can we at least stay a while longer?”
Josie reached down and touched his cheek. “Yes, sweetie, we’ll stay a little while longer.”
The lights were starting to flicker, and Josie decided against turning on the stove. She set about fixing salads for them.
All through their meal, Josie continued to feel anxious. When she looked out the back door, fear gripped her heart like a cold hand.
The river was rising.
“I think maybe we’d better get to high ground,” she said, more to herself than to Michael. “The closest place is the courthouse. I have some of your clothes packed. I’ll just take a few things, and we’ll come back for the rest later.” That is, if it isn’t under water, she thought.
By the time they reached the door, the downpour was hitting mercilessly against the building. Trees were bending. Again, Josie prayed Consuelo and Elena were safe. She had tried to call them earlier, with no luck.
“Michael, you’d better wait here,” she ordered. “I’m going to put these things in the car. Then I’ll drive it up as close to the door as I can.”
“Okay, mommy.”
Just as Josie opened the door another bolt of lightning hit, closer this time, and Josie shivered. Hard pellets of rain were slashing against the door and windows.
“Menudo!” Michael screamed.
Josie turned just in time to see the dog streak out the door.
”Mom, he’s scared. I gotta go get him.”
Josie shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous out there. Menudo will come right back as soon as he figures out that it’s dryer in here.”
“But he’ll get lost. Please, Mom, we have to get him.”
Before Josie could stop him, Michael ran past her.
“Michael. Come back here!” she shouted.
Josie raced after him. Her clothes were drenched within seconds. She blinked, trying to see where she was going, but could see nothing beyond the gray sheet of rain that was beating against her body.
“Michael!” she shouted. But it was no use. He either couldn’t hear her, or refused to listen.
She felt so damn helpless. Where was he? Oh, God, she couldn’t see him! She tilted her head, listening for some noise, something that would help her find him. He had on a tan shirt and slacks, making it difficult to see him in the downpour. The river was now over the bank, and Josie felt stark terror.
She inclined her head again to listen—for anything. Then she heard it—a dog barking. Faint at first, it grew stronger.
She moved as fast as the rain would let her. Now and then, she reached up and wiped the rain from her eyelids.
Suddenly, up ahead of her, she spotted Michael. He was charging after the dog, who was yapping though the sound was muffled.
Darkness was spreading, and Josie tried to get her bearings. She could see the river, could hear it rushing, swirling past. The water seemed huge and black now, with water rising along the banks. Panic set in, and Josie watched the current swirl around them. Panting with fear, she called out again.
For a moment the rain let up, and in that instant Josie saw Michael. He was picking up Menudo.
“Michael!”
He turned, saw her, and started running toward her.
Destination: Love (The Sandera, Texas Series) Page 12
