“I think that’s a good plan.” Ava had to swallow the lump of emotion threatening to close her throat.
“The second thing is that I’m going to sell the ranch that Frank left me. I don’t want a daily reminder of what he did to this town or to me personally. An adjoining ranch once made an offer to buy it so I’ll see if they’re still interested.”
Logan seemed to be divesting himself of his life in Corville one step at a time.
“And then?” Would he tell her he was leaving town? Starting all over?
“Then I start the search for my mother. I need the closure of giving her a proper burial, Ava. She’s been disrespected enough.” Suddenly Logan the lawman was back, his shoulders straight, his expression dark. “I want to settle the cases on Mom’s and Margaret Bryson’s deaths officially by re-opening them and including all the statements that were hidden. I can’t prove it with forensics but I can close the files with an official conclusion that Bill Bryson was the murderer.”
Ava reached across the table and tentatively placed her hand on Logan’s. She needed the connection to him, wanted to draw the pain from his body and take it into her own.
“Sounds like you did a whole lot of thinking out there. What about the vigilante?” Ava’s voice was still thick with tears.
Logan shook his head and stood, her hand falling away from his. “My gut is telling me that George didn’t do it.”
“Then who did? Someone who knew the Bryson family and wanted to avenge something they’d done?”
“I’m looking at every angle. Including the family. Jared should call soon with their credit card information.”
“What if you don’t find anything?”
“Then it’s back to square one,” he said crisply.
“Not really square one. We have motive now,” she observed.
“Square two then. Bill, and maybe George, get added to a long list of murders where the motivation is clear but the opportunity is not.”
“We’ll have to go back to the beginning. See who had opportunity at the wedding and cross-check for opportunity for the other murders.”
“I’ve had Drake working on that since we found out Bill was killed by the vigilante. He’s been through more than half of the guest list.”
Ava knew it would be tedious, time-consuming police work. The kind they didn’t show on television.
“So do we head back to Corville tonight?” The sun was low on the horizon and it was a long drive.
Logan gave her a lopsided grin. “We aren’t done with our talk yet, good girl. No, we’ll head back in the morning.”
“What else is there to talk about?” Ava asked tremulously.
“Us.”
“Us?” She didn’t know whether to run and hide or stay put exactly where she was.
“Us,” he replied his face relaxing into a smile. “We need to talk about the future.”
“Do we have a future?” she asked carefully. “I mean after this case is solved.”
“I think we do. You love me, good girl. I recognize the look in your eyes. My mother had the same look. Minus the lust, of course.”
She didn’t like the way she felt exposed. It was like she was sitting butt-naked in front of him. And not in a good way.
She chewed on her lip. “So what if I do? It doesn’t mean anything.”
“It sure as shit means something,” he said incredulously. “No one has ever loved me since Mom died.”
“I’m sure someone has,” she argued. “Christina loves you. There are probably dozens more.”
“Christina loves what she thinks I am.” Logan shook his head. “You love the real me. You even sing with me in the shower.”
He’d promised to never bring up that day they’d sung “You’re The One That I Want” under the steamy spray. She couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.
“I can’t believe you brought that up,” she said crossly. “You promised.”
“You sing pretty good. I also promised I’d never fall in love and I broke that one. I guess I can’t be trusted.”
He was the most trustworthy person she’d ever met. Wait…what did he just say?
“Say that again,” she demanded.
“I love you, good girl.” His expression had gone all soft and gooey and there was tenderness in his eyes she wanted desperately to believe in. If he thought she could sing, he must be in love.
“When? How long?” She practically choked on the words.
“It wasn’t a moment. It just kind of snuck up on me gradually. Under the radar, so to speak. I’m not sure I can make you happy, but I damn sure know no one else is going to get to try. Besides, I know you love me back. I can see it. I’m greedy for it. I can’t tell you how much I want it.”
“How long have you known I love you?” She was deliberately stalling and he seemed to recognize the fact. His lips twisted into a knowing look.
“I just realized it today when I remembered my mother. I guess I’d blocked the memories that didn’t jive with my reality. I see everything so clearly now.”
She placed her hands flat on the table as if to steady herself. “I won’t ask you for any commitments. I won’t tie you down with a lot of promises about the future. When you want to walk out the door I won’t stop you or anything.”
He walked over and pulled her out of the chair, tipping her chin up so she had to look at him.
“Stop offering me things I don’t want. I’m in this for the long haul. I didn’t think I was capable of it, but I know different now. I’m in love with you, good girl. The real forever kind. You’ve got me twisted into knots. I love your brains and your heart. I love your passion and your gentleness. I just love everything about you.” He pressed his lips to hers lightly and her heart started to pound, as her head started to believe. “I know you like getting tied up. Is it so hard to believe I like being tied down?”
She slapped at his arm but a smile curved her lips. “Stop teasing. It’s not nice.” She sighed, blissful as she basked in his admiration and love. “Say it again. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing it.”
“That’s good because I intend to say it all the time. I love you. I’ve never said that to any woman before, Ava. I’m going to need to hear you say it every day. Will you do that for me?”
“How can you doubt how much I love you?” she asked, holding him extra tight. “But I’ll say it at least twice a day if it will make you feel better.”
“That should do it.” Logan nodded in satisfaction. “There’s no way any doubts could seep in if you do that.”
A terrible thought occurred to her.
“What about our geographic situation? I live in Portland.”
“I’m well aware. Don’t put up barriers, honey. We’ll figure it out, and we have a lifetime to do just that.”
The certainty in his voice made her believe in miracles, and the love shining from his eyes pushed away her last doubts.
Logan Wright loved Ava Hayworth.
If anyone had told her at that fateful wedding reception that she would be planning a future with a rakish playboy she would have laughed until she cried. But something deep and profound had changed this man’s mind about himself and she could only be grateful and happy.
“What happens now?” she asked, laying her head on his chest so she could hear his steadily beating heart. It made it all seem so real, so grounded.
Logan swung her up into his arms and headed straight for the bedroom. “Now we make love. Tomorrow we keep working on the case. I like working with you, good girl.”
She had no objections to that turn of events. He dumped her onto the bed and began to pull off his clothes, revealing his drool-worthy body to her hungry gaze.
She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve this man. Maybe she’d eaten all her vegetables or helped an old lady cross the street. Whatever it was, she thanked the heavens above and began tugging off her own clothes.
It was time to get down and dirty with the man she l
oved.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Logan had known Ava loved him but he hadn’t expected it to feel quite this good. He’d been expecting there to be some trepidation or fear but if anything he felt free and unencumbered. The shackles of his past were gone and he wanted to put them firmly behind him. Looking back was a waste of time for the most part and he’d spent too much doing just that.
Lying on his back, he pulled her on top so she was straddling him. Her silky skin brushed his leaving a trail of heat wherever she touched him. He reached up and cupped her generous breasts with his hands, teasing the nipples with his thumbs. Her thighs tightened on him in response.
“You are a bad boy,” she gasped when he pinched the taut peaks with his fingers. He chuckled at her predicament. She might be on top but he was in the driver’s seat. His favorite place to be.
“Then how come you’re getting the spanking?” he teased, giving her a quick smack on her round bottom. Her breath quickened and her eyes sparkled. He did it a few more times before tangling his fingers in her golden brown curls and pulling her down for a kiss.
He took his time, exploring the warm cavern of her mouth, not wanting to rush this moment. His cock ached to be inside her but it would have to wait. He lifted his head and pulled on a curl, watching it spring back into place. An image of a round faced toddler with those same curls and blue eyes flashed in front of him.
A thought like that should have sent him running for the nearest exit but he wasn’t even tempted. Instead he folded that picture away in a file titled “Someday Soon”, tucking it away for the right moment. Their love was too new to ask Ava to consider something so life changing. Already he was going to have to ask her to move to Corville. If she wasn’t willing, he’d quit his job and move to Portland. But it would be nice if they could settle here. He loved the wide open spaces, plus Ava had her parents and sister. It wasn’t a bad place to raise a family.
Her palms skated down his torso and she slid until she was perched on her knees between his legs. Dipping her head, she snaked her tongue around the head of his cock. A bolt of electricity shot from his balls to his toes dragging a groan from his lips. She gave him a saucy smile.
“Like that? I can do it again.”
“Again,” he growled. “Don’t think you’re in control just because you’re on top.”
She caressed his balls sending shocks of pleasure through his body. “I think I have your undivided attention.”
Scrunching the sheets up in his fists, his breath hissed out as she engulfed the head of his cock with her mouth. She flitted her tongue on the underside as her head bobbed and he had to grit his teeth together to keep from cursing.
“Where did you learn to suck cock like that?” he asked, barely able to breathe.
She giggled and her cheeks turned a pretty pink. “From my friend Kaylee’s books. She writes erotic romance and we critique each other’s work.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “I aim to please.”
He reached down and hauled her up his body by her arms. He couldn’t take any more torture.
“You please very well but I don’t want to come yet.”
Ava leaned over and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. “I know exactly what you want.”
Logan sat up – this was going too fast. “Easy, honey. I’m not ready to saddle up and ride.”
“I’ve never tried riding a bucking bronco.” Ava kissed his chin and let her tongue trace his bottom lip. “Will you throw me off?”
He wouldn’t hurt her for the world but a hard and fast ride wasn’t how two people should seal their love.
“We should do this soft and slow. No broncos.”
Ava ran her hands up and around his neck. “Why? I love it no matter how you give it to me.”
“Dammit, Ava, I’m trying to be romantic,” he huffed. This woman was going to be the death of him.
“You are romantic,” she assured him, leaning forward to whisper in his ear. “Now fuck me like you mean it. I’m ready for you, bad boy.”
There hadn’t been nearly enough foreplay but it was impossible to deny her when she was in this mood. He plucked the condom package from her fingers and tore it open with his teeth. He had to stifle a moan when her fingers joined his to help roll it on.
Clutching her hips, he positioned her on top of him. If she wanted to ride a bronco, he’d damn well give her what she wanted.
“Do it,” she said huskily.
He entered her in one mighty stroke. The sensation of being balls deep in her hot tight pussy almost sent him over the edge immediately. He gritted his teeth and dug his heels into the mattress as they started out at a canter. Her hips were grinding against him, undulating in a rhythm designed to drive them both out of their minds.
The movements sped up, their breathing becoming increasingly ragged. A fine sheet of sweat covered their bodies and the air was perfumed with the musk of their arousal. Only the sounds of their gasps and moans could be heard.
He tried to hold on as long as he could but the pleasure was too great. He reached between them and ran his thumb over her swollen clit. She screamed his name and threw her head back. Her body arched, thrusting her breasts out as she leaned back and braced herself on his thighs.
His own orgasm was wrenched from his soul, shattering him into a million pieces. Making love with Ava was more. More beautiful. More pleasurable. More satisfying. Everything that had come before had simply been a rehearsal for the real thing.
She collapsed on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back, while their hearts still raced out of control. Eventually he pulled away, missing her warmth immediately. He tucked her under the covers so she would stay comfortable.
“I’ll be right back.”
He quickly took care of things and headed back into the bedroom. Ava was a lump under the covers, the blankets pulled up to her chin.
“Room for me?” He yanked at the comforter and she giggled, scooting over. He curled his body around hers and nuzzled her neck.
“I love you, good girl.”
“I love you, bad boy.”
“Are you going to make me dinner?” He loved to tease her.
“Since I’ve promised to make breakfast, I think you should make dinner.”
She’d kept that promise since the day she made it. He really should let her off the hook.
“You don’t always have to make breakfast. I’ll make breakfast sometimes too.”
“I’m not going to argue.” Ava yawned. “How about we take a nap and then we both make dinner?”
He nodded and let himself relax for the first time in a long time. There was much to be done but it felt good having made some decisions about his life. The most important decision was lying right next to him.
* * * *
Logan’s voice pulled Ava from a deep sleep. They’d gone to bed late last night after a good meal and a deep conversation about the case. They’d vowed to go back to the beginning and go through the guest list for anyone who might have had an opportunity to know about the Bryson family sins.
She rubbed her eyes and tried to focus on what Logan was saying. He was sitting upright on the bed with his cell to his ear, a serious expression on his face.
“Thanks, Jared. I appreciate all the work you did. I know I dumped a lot on you.”
Logan hung up the phone and tossed it on the mattress. She waited for him to speak but whatever Jared had said had him lost in his own world.
“Did Jared find anything?”
Logan nodded, rubbing his chin. “He found a gas purchase just a few blocks from one of the vigilante murders in Reed’s town. It was in the window of the possible time of death. He also found a restaurant receipt for lunch the day of one of the murders in Griffin’s town. It’s hours before the actual time of death but it could still be significant.” He leaned back on the headboard, his hand covering his eyes. “He decided to look further and found two of the three brothers have a .38 registered to them. That’s
the same caliber that the vigilante uses.”
Realizing the seriousness of what Logan was saying, Ava took a deep breath. “All three of them? Then which one is it?”
Her heart beat fast in her chest and a strong sense of foreboding took over. She couldn’t see Logan’s face but she knew it wasn’t good.
“Christ, all three of them might be working together. Wade and Aaron have the credit receipts and Wade and Lyle both have guns registered.” Logan’s voice was hushed as if saying it out loud somehow made it truer.
Ava’s heart plummeted to her stomach. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been hoping Logan’s friend wouldn’t find anything on the Bryson brothers.
“They must have known about their father. Wade saw him kill his mother, after all. All of them would have had opportunity at the wedding,” Ava reasoned. “Can they shoot a gun?”
Logan pulled his hand away from his eyes. “Yes. Their dad taught them. I remember when Wade got his first rifle. I got one too from my dad that year for Christmas.”
She rubbed his thigh through the sheet. “I’m sorry, Logan.”
His eyes were bleak, his mouth a grim line. “So am I. Although we don’t know for sure. This will give us enough for search warrants. I want that gun for a ballistics match.”
Logan was holding out hope still and she prayed he was right. There wasn’t much left to say. They showered and dressed, eating a quick breakfast before packing the truck and getting on the road. They deliberately kept to neutral topics, talking about when they would visit Helen again and what kind of house Logan should buy when he sold the current one.
By the time they arrived back in Corville, Ava’s nerves were stretched thin. She wanted to scream in frustration. When she was this close to the end of a book she got the same way. She would write day and night, eschewing eating and sleeping until she wrote The End.
There was no such option this time. The wheels of justice grind slowly and Logan would need to get a warrant before anything else could happen. There wasn’t anything she could do to speed this process up in the least.
Her phone buzzed in her purse and she pulled it out with a sigh. “Hi Mom. What’s up?”
Cowboy Truth: Cowboy Justice Association #3 Page 23
