by Linda Wisdom
Maybe it was the whiskey in the coffee that had him feeling this way. Even if the woman in question was sitting across from him with a whipped-cream mustache.
The table was small enough so he leaned across and kissed the cream away.
“It tastes better on you,” he explained. “Come to think of it, everything tastes better on you.”
“Ah, that’s just the whiskey talking.” She smiled.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t the best company at dinner,” he apologized.
“Logan, I understand about Brenda,” Lucy said. “I was there helping out while she was out with the baby. Now she’s ready to come back.”
He told himself he should be relieved. Memories of scenes with Shannon still haunted him. But Lucy had never staged a scene the way Shannon had. If Shannon wasn’t happy, no one was happy.
“Then you’re probably glad to get out of there.”
“Only when there’s a snake in the waiting room.” She drank more of her coffee and leaned her head against the back of the chair. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
Logan cocked his head to one side as the mournful wail of a coyote sounded in the nearby hills.
“I told you, they’re scared of Luther.”
“Understandable.”
“We could turn on the spa,” she suggested.
“Maybe later. It’s nice just sitting here where I can look at you.”
Lucy looked at him strangely. “Are you all right?”
“As long as I can look at you, I’m fine. So, is Nick with the Walkers for the night?”
Lucy nodded, obviously guessing where this was going.
Logan reached into his back pocket and pulled out a cellophane-wrapped package. “I brought my own toothbrush,” he said with a hopeful air. “And you did say something about using the spa. Except, I didn’t bring my trunks.”
“You know the nice thing about not having any neighbors close by?” She didn’t bother waiting for an answer. “When the kid isn’t home, you don’t need to bother with a bathing suit.”
IN NO TIME a naked Logan settled on a bench in the hot tub, steam from the bubbling water surrounding him. He never took his eyes off Lucy as she stripped off her clothes and folded them over a chair.
His hunger for her grew by the day, he realized. Not just for sex but the woman herself.
“You look entirely too serious,” Lucy said, walking across the spa to seat herself in his lap with her arms circling his neck.
He watched the rivulets of water stream down her breasts. All it took was a tip of his head for him to lean forward and catch the drop hovering on her nipple with his tongue. Then he closed his lips over the tip, pulling on it gently.
She closed her eyes and moved suggestively against him.
He grasped her hips and raised her up just enough then lowered her onto him.
When she tried to move against him again, he tightened his grip on her hips to keep her still.
Lucy opened her eyes and looked at him with questions in her gaze.
“A battle of wills,” Logan murmured. “So who do you think will win this time?”
Her smile should have warned him what was coming, but he didn’t expect her to contract her inner muscles around him. He hissed sharply. She flexed her inner muscles again, massaging him to a sensitivity he had no idea he could experience.
“I’d say there’s no reason why we both can’t win,” Lucy whispered, decorating his face with butterfly kisses as she clenched her muscles again.
Logan had to agree that Lucy was right. They would both win this battle.
Chapter Fourteen
Logan looked around at the people milling about. This could be one of his most successful Adoption Days yet. He was glad, since he had more animals than usual and the shelter was in danger of overflowing. He unhooked his sunglasses from the neckline of his shirt and slipped them on.
He could see Kristi assisting a couple admiring a calico cat while Nick was enthusiastically extolling the virtues of Jake, the Australian shepherd. So far, no one had wanted a dog with Jake’s high energy level.
His gaze kept returning to Lucy who sat at a table filling out a form for a couple that had chosen a poodle mix.
He thought of earlier in the day when he’d wakened with her in his arms. Lucy had reminded him she wasn’t a morning person, but a few kisses had woken her up almost as well as a cup of coffee did.
He’d enjoyed their shared breakfast duties and the teasing as they ate. Lucy had come with him when he’d returned home to shower and change clothes for the day ahead. Luckily, Kristi and Jeremy didn’t say anything when he showed up with Lucy and when Nick was later dropped off by Lou.
When had Lucy become such an important part of his life?
“Please tell me all these critters are adopted out,” Jeff said, coming up and clapping Logan on the back.
He nodded toward the tent where Abby and their three children were walking among the cages. “Something that’s housebroken if you don’t mind.”
Logan grinned. “We’ll fix you up.”
The two men started toward the tent.
“Daddy!” One of the twin girls ran up and grabbed Jeff’s hand. “We found a doggy!”
“How do you feel about Great Danes?” Abby asked when the men approached her.
Jeff paled. “They’re bigger than the kids!”
“But the kids will grow and the dog won’t,” she pointed out. “And she has such a pretty face.”
“A Great Dane?” Jeff turned to Logan.
“Her name’s Becca. She’s eighteen months old,” he said. “Her owner was transferred out of the country and he wanted to find her a good home. She’s well-behaved and has been through obedience training.”
“That’s the most important part of pet adoption,” Logan said. “That they want to go with you.” He walked over to a table and picked up a leash. “Let’s go get your dog.”
Logan unlatched the cage and hooked the leash to the large dog’s collar. He then draped a red bandanna around her neck, indicating she’d been adopted. The dog’s body wiggled with excitement as the kids practically fell on her.
“I won’t even require references,” he said gravely as he handed the leash to Jeff. “Nothing’s too good for our local firemen.” He referred to Jeff and Abby having moved back to the area and Jeff now working at the local fire station.
“Something tells me this dog is going to eat a lot,” Jeff mumbled.
“As if you don’t.” Abby laughed. She turned to Logan. “I notice that Lucy does a little bit of everything around here.”
Logan looked over his shoulder and noticed that Lucy was overseeing the six puppies who were eager to make new friends. She crouched down to one little girl’s level while holding one of the puppies that was trying to wiggle his way out of her gentle grip. She laughed when the puppy twisted around and bathed her face with kisses.
Since Abby had been present when he’d gone primal and dragged Lucy out of his reunion, he had to try to be noncommittal when he could.
“She’s a great help,” he said trying to sound noncommittal. “We’ll be sorry to lose her next week.”
Abby looked up, startled. “Why would you lose her?”
“Brenda, my regular receptionist, comes back from maternity leave,” Logan said, not looking at her. “Lucy knew the job was temporary.”
“Mommy, Becca’s all ours!” Carrie and her twin sister, Cassie, ran up to them. “Her name’s Becca Walker now,” the little girl informed Logan.
“That’s good to hear,” he said, crouching down to her level.
“I told Daddy she can sleep in me and Cassie’s room.”
“Daddy’s biggest worry is how he’s going to feed her,” Jeff muttered, coming up with Seth seated on his shoulders and Becca trotting beside him. “Still, with her around, who’s going to bother them when I’m on duty at the firehouse?”
“Who’s going to bother them when Abby’s around? She’s scarier than a
ny dog,” Logan joked, then ducked Abby’s smack.
“Careful, Logan, don’t screw up the best thing you’ve ever had,” she said softly as they left the clinic grounds.
Logan reflexively looked toward Lucy.
“I hate to break it to you, Ab, but I’m not a member of the Walker family,” he said lightly.
Her smile had been the undoing of lesser men than him.
“Yes, but you forget something, my dear. Lucy is a member of the Walker family. We’re known for taking care of our own.” She walked away with two miniatures of herself holding on to her hands.
Logan walked around until he was near Lucy at the cat cages. She was assisting an elderly woman and by the sound of the conversation he shamelessly eavesdropped on, it was clear the woman wanted a cat, but she didn’t seem sure which one. Lucy was patient as she pointed out the different personalities of each adult cat. She glanced up, saw him and flashed him a bright smile.
He started to move closer.
So this is what it feels like to fall in love.
Logan stumbled as the words streaked through his mind.
Don’t screw up the best thing you’ve ever had.
He felt his breathing constrict and a heaviness in his chest that threatened to crush him.
If he didn’t know better he’d think he was set up.
But Lucy wasn’t looking for marriage either. They were merely enjoying each other’s company.
It was time for things to change. Nick’s community service would be up soon. And Brenda was coming back next week. Maybe this was a sign that he needed to step back before it was too late.
He liked keeping things casual. Keeping his emotions out of it.
So why did just looking at Lucy tug at him? And why did making love with her seem like the closest thing to heaven he’d ever experienced?
“Uh, Logan?”
He turned around. Nick stood nearby with a young girl. Logan recognized her as the girl who’d been with Nick at the ice cream parlor.
“Brooke’s mom is letting her get a kitten,” Nick said.
“Nick suggested I come to Adoption Day to find one,” she said in a soft voice.
“That’s great.” Logan made sure to keep his expression neutral. He wondered if Nick realized his ears were a bright red and the day wasn’t sunny enough to cause a sunburn. “We have several to choose from. Maybe that fluffy gray female with the white spot on her face,” he suggested, knowing that particular kitten was one of Nick’s favorites. “She has a very sweet nature and she’s real playful. Last I looked she was still in the kitten corral.”
“I like her,” Nick admitted.
Brooke’s eyes lit up. “Can I see her?”
“Sure.” Nick’s head bobbed up and down.
Logan watched them walk off. “Glad I could be of help,” he murmured.
“You were right, she’s interested in him,” Lucy said as she walked up.
“I can’t remember ever being that young,” he said, watching them as they stood by the enclosure holding the kittens. Nick reached down and picked up the kitten, handing it to Brooke. She smiled at him as the kitten snuggled up against her.
“It’s love at first sight,” Lucy mused.
“What?” He swore he felt his neck snap as he whipped toward her.
She sighed. “My baby boy is growing up. I’m going to have to come to terms with the idea that it won’t be long before he’ll be asking for a car and going out on dates. He’ll even want to learn how to dance.”
“You can handle it.”
“Easy for you to say.”
They watched Nick step back and gesture for Brooke to choose a collar for the kitten, usually a task for the volunteer. He blushed as the girl smiled warmly at him.
“That’s an adoption he’ll never forget.” Lucy smiled at Logan. “Your luck is running high today.”
“Yeah,” he murmured as he walked away. “I have luck in everything.”
Logan was afraid it would soon be too late if he didn’t start to back away now. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he was ensnared in something he couldn’t handle.
Namely one Lucinda Jeanette Stone Donner.
SOMETHING was wrong.
Maybe Mercury was in retrograde or the stars were improperly aligned. Or maybe Logan was in a bad mood.
Lucy didn’t know what was going on.
She knew she wasn’t the only one who noticed that he was quieter than usual during the Adoption Day pizza feast. Kristi shot Logan a few puzzled looks when he didn’t respond to wisecracks she and Jeremy made.
Nick appeared puzzled by Logan’s standoffish manner, but then seemed to shrug it off.
Lucy knew something had to be wrong when she saw Magnum look at Logan with what could only be called canine disdain when Logan ignored the dog’s pointed glances at his pizza. Lucy tempted the dog over to her with the crust from her pizza.
After they’d finished eating, Lucy and Kristi cleared off the table while Jeremy and Nick took the dogs into the enclosure for some playtime.
“What’s wrong with the boss man?” Kristi asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s just one of those days for him.” She didn’t want to reveal her worry.
“It’s just that he’s usually upbeat when we have a lot of adoptions. Today was one of our best days yet.” Finished with the cleanup, Kristi took one of the chairs and sat down. “Did you two have a fight?”
“Were we supposed to?” She chose amusement instead of pretending not to understand what Kristi meant. She knew there was no way the others couldn’t figure out what was going on between her and Logan even if they never advertised it.
Kristi shrugged. “Maybe he’s got PMS. Seems only fair the guys find out what it’s like.” She stood up and raised her arms over her head in a bone-cracking stretch. “Nick, Jeremy! Want some help putting the kids to bed?”
“We’re fine.” Jeremy waved back.
“Hey, boss, I’m outta here,” she called to Logan who stood by the enclosure watching the dogs race around with Jeremy and Nick. He didn’t turn around but waved his arm over his head to indicate he heard her.
“Yep, PMS,” she told Lucy. “See you next week.”
“No, Brenda will be back,” Lucy replied.
Kristi shook her head. “I can’t see her staying long. Did you see her face every time she talked about the baby? No, she’d rather stay home.”
“New mothers tend to feel like that. I was lucky in that I could work from home when Nick was a baby.” Lucy looped Domino’s leash around her hand. She suddenly felt very tired. She had no idea why Logan was acting standoffish, and right now she didn’t care to find out why. All she wanted to do was go home and soak in a bubble-filled tub.
“Good night, Lucy. I know we’ll be seeing you back here.” Kristi grinned as she headed for her motorcycle. “And not just to drop off and pick up Nick either.”
Lucy watched her ride off.
“We’re just getting the dogs put away now, Mom,” Nick said as he trotted past.
“Okay.”
“I’ll help Jeremy, Nick,” Logan said as he walked over. “You and your mom had a long day.”
Lucy looked at him with surprise. “I don’t mind waiting.”
He didn’t look at her. “No, that’s fine.”
Nick looked from one to the other.
Lucy wasn’t going to argue with Logan in front of Nick and Jeremy. Something was wrong and she had no idea what it was.
“All right. Good night.” She didn’t look at him either as she urged Domino toward her vehicle. She mentally added a glass of wine to go with her bath. A very long bath and a very tall glass of wine.
She didn’t expect him to kiss her in front of them, but she didn’t expect him to ignore her either.
“Why did Logan act that way, Mom?” Nick asked as he buckled up. “Did you guys have a fight or something?”
“No, we did not have a fight,” she said between teeth that were
clenched so tightly they were starting to ache from the pressure.
Nick wisely didn’t ask any more questions the entire ride.
ONCE HOME, Lucy told Nick she was taking a bath. He nodded and disappeared into his bedroom.
“Men stink,” she muttered, pouring herself a glass of wine and carrying it back to her bedroom. “Except for you, sweetheart,” she assured Domino as she filled the tub with hot water and added bubble bath. She powered on her CD player and undressed, sinking into the steaming water.
What went wrong?
In less than six months, Lucy had seen her life take more than a few unexpected twists and turns.
The most unexpected was Logan.
The man’s kisses were better than chocolate. Better than her first cup of coffee in the morning, and she considered that more important than air.
Dammit! He made her fall for him! He not only made love to her as if she was the most important woman in the universe, he gave her an ankle bracelet to remember that night at Mañana.
So what happened between this morning when everything was peachy keen and tonight when it seemed nothing was good for them? As the day had worn on, he’d seemed to withdraw until by evening he’d acted as if she was little more than an acquaintance.
There is no way I will ask myself what I did wrong!
She knew for a fact she didn’t make mistakes some women did. It’s not as if she talked about their going long-term. She didn’t suggest he leave a change of clothing at her house or that she leave a few of her things at his house. She didn’t refer to them as a couple.
Had it all happened too fast?
Or did Logan desire to move on to someone else?
At the thought, she felt a jolt of bitterness well up in her throat.
Memories long suppressed reasserted themselves with startling clarity.
Ross’s anger when she’d told him she was pregnant. His insistence that their marriage didn’t include children. That night, he’d slept in the guest room with the assumption she would come to terms with his viewpoint on what would remain in their marriage and what wouldn’t.
Since she didn’t, he’d filed for divorce the next day. She returned to her family who’d gathered her in but wisely didn’t try to cushion her from the grief she needed to work through because her marriage had ended before it had had a chance to start.
