I gave him a wary nod.
He slid those strong, tattooed arms around my waist, drawing me close. “Here’s my promise to you. If you give me a fair chance, I won’t try to change your mind or ask you to love me. And I won’t cheat on you either. Only cowards do shit like that—” I opened my mouth, but he placed a finger on my lips. “No buts, Logan. This is it. We’ll take it one day at a time and see where it goes, see what awaits us.”
I inhaled a deep breath, my fears too deeply engrained to hope.
“Did you ever have a girlfriend?” I asked him instead.
“No.” A shrug. “Because none interested me, and chances were I would have fucked up any relationship I had.” He was brutally honest, I’d give him that. “Then there you were, and I was like the pathetic moth drawn to your light. So when you do kill me, dancing girl, do it gently.”
“Why do you call me that?”
A smile. “I’ll tell you...one day.”
I exhaled a shaky breath, feeling as if I’d run a mile. “God, Max, why do you want me? I live the life of a hermit. I don’t like parties or clubs. I only go because of my clients or when Ray threatens me. I’m no fun as she’s fond of saying—oh, shit! Ray.” I pulled away, staring at him in horror.
“Is my friend. Though, she did warn me she’d kick my ass all the way down Pine if I hurt you, and that’s a really long street for ass kicking.”
At his teasing, a smile tugged at my mouth. “She did? When?”
“The first day I met you. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.” He traced the corner of my mouth with a finger. “You have a dimple, a shallow one right there.”
He said it with such awe, you’d think he’d discovered the ninth wonder of the world or something. “You’re weird, you know that?”
His lips quirked. “That’s why we’ll work, the hermit and the weirdo.” Eyes gone a heated green, he lowered his head. His brow touched mine. “Say it, Logan. Say you want me.”
God, I’d wanted him forever, or at least that’s how long the passing weeks had seemed. Now that I could finally admit that to myself, I yanked him down by his shirt and put my mouth on his. Whispered, “You know I do.”
A groan rumbled out of him as if I pushed him over the edge. He took over, kissing me harder and deeper, his tongue licking and sucking mine. It warmed all the cold places inside me, lifted my heart to heights I never believed possible, and the horrible evening faded away. All I felt was Max—his touch, his warmth, his mouth on mine…
He kissed me like he was making love to my mouth. Like he couldn’t get enough—as if he were starving. God knew, I was. He was intoxicating. Hot. Tormentingly delicious. My body melted, wanting more. I slid my arms around his neck, and his hands lowered to my hips, holding me close, his erection pressing into my stomach. Right then, I wished I were taller and not five-four. I wanted his erection pressing against me in the place I needed him most.
It was my burning lungs that had me breaking the kiss and panting for air.
“I want you so damn bad, but this is hardly the place.” His chest heaving, he pressed his lips to mine once more, and I stroked my tongue along his mouth, loving the taste of him.
“Fuck, Logan—” He pulled back, his gaze turbulent. “You’re driving me crazy, you know that?” He exhaled roughly. “Do you want to go back inside?”
“No.”
“C’mon, I’ll take you home, then.” Grasping my hand, he turned to the Jeep and cursed at the other vehicles trapping him.
Max glanced around, then pulled out his cell, and hit speed dial. “I need your wheels, my Jeep’s hemmed in…okay, great.” All this without letting go of my hand, he ended the call and headed toward several bikes parked farther down to stop near a Suzuki.
War appeared moments later. Keys were exchanged, along with a helmet.
“Drop the Jeep off on Pine,” Max told him. “I’ll leave your bike there.” He gave War my address. The big guy glanced at me then back at Max and smirked. He ambled off, tossing over his shoulder, “Have fun, you kids.”
Uneasily, I eyed the dangerous-looking machine. “We’re going on this?”
“Yeah.”
“It suits you better.”
He cocked a provocative brow at me. “Because of my ink? That’s prejudiced, you know.”
I laughed, trying to stifle my uneasiness at riding a bike. “You have to admit, it fits your image.”
Max shook his head, helped me put on the helmet, then threw his leg over the seat. “Climb on.”
I sat behind him and, about to wrap my arms around his waist, I moved them to his chest instead. I traced his nipple piercings beneath his shirt. He stilled. Smiling, I slid my palms down, absorbing every defined muscle until I settled low on his rock-hard abs. It felt so good to do that, to touch him.
A low groan escaped him. “You’re killing me, Logan.”
A smile touched my lips. I pressed my face to his back and hugged him. “You killed me that day in the bathroom with this body.”
His rough laughter vibrated through me. He kick-started the bike, and in a roar, took off from the alley.
And I inhaled deeply at this unreal moment—a dream. But the anticipation coursing through me felt very real, and a whole lot scary at the huge step I’d taken. I was riding on the back of a monster bike and taking a chance with Max. A former player. Two things I never thought I’d ever do.
Max
Finally, I had her. I was never letting her go. Shutting the door behind me, I followed Logan into the apartment. My stomach had been in knots from the moment she’d let that asshole tag along. But I was damn glad I’d gotten over the main hurdle. And she’d agreed to…a sex only relationship? Yeah, right.
This girl? I didn’t kid myself. It wouldn’t be easy. I was willing to do whatever it took to win all of her. Sure, I had a tough road ahead, but I never backed away from a challenge.
And this was Logan. She was mine. Now, I needed time to make her believe it.
She slipped off her coat, dropped it on the armchair, and turned to me, a smile on her mouth. Grasping my shirt, she tugged me down and kissed me. Christ, her mouth—it was heaven. I wanted to devour her. Before I lost whatever fast-fading common sense I possessed, I eased back. She took my hand and headed for the stairs. “Logan, wait.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why?”
The front door flung open. Ray barged in, looking all wild-eyed and ready to kill.
“That’s why,” I muttered under my breath. At the club, I’d managed to cut off Ray’s pursuit and asked her to let me see to Logan. She reluctantly agreed. It’d surprised me that she’d held out this long, considering how fiercely protective she was of Logan.
And now I understood why. Emotionally, Logan was fragile and so scarred from her break-up that she’d locked herself behind a mile-high wall. And Ray was the pit bull guarding her.
“Ila, you okay?” Ray tossed me my jacket I’d forgotten at the club and darted in front of me, effectively separating me from Logan. “What did the sea-snake do?”
Logan grimaced as she pulled off her heels, dropped them to the floor, and flexed her feet. “He didn’t do anything.”
“Then why did you run out?” she demanded.
I remained silent, wanted Logan to tell Ray the truth about us. She cut me a quick look where I stood behind her sister then back to Ray. “You worry too much.” She rubbed her sister’s arm and headed for the kitchen. “Everything’s okay, honestly.”
“Don’t lie.” Ray followed on her heels like a bloodhound.
“Okay, Ryder did act up,” she said. “I realized I made a mistake, letting him accompany us. Anyway, Max made sure I was all right and brought me home.”
No mention of us.
Right. Blowing out a rough breath, I dropped my jacket on the couch and followed them. At the entrance, I stopped and leaned a shoulder against the kitchen doorjamb.
“Good. I’m glad Max was there. Thanks, Max.” Ray cut me a grateful smile. I nod
ded. No way was I going to give weight to the lie that Logan and I were just friends now.
She put the coffee pot on and glanced at Ray. “Are you going out again?”
“Nah. I’m bushed. I’m going to take a shower. Then maybe have something to eat.”
Ray left, her footsteps echoing on the wooden stairs before fading. Logan retrieved three mugs from the cupboard. She crossed to the fridge, and lines marred her brow as she opened the door. I let my gaze drift over her. The short maroon dress she wore clung to her body and flowed out at mid-thigh, revealing her toned, tanned legs.
“Max?” She looked back at me, biting her lip.
I raised an eyebrow.
“We’re going to have to be discreet.”
My jaw clenched. She wanted to hide me like I was some dirty secret? Before I ruined everything I had built with this difficult woman, I pushed away from the doorjamb, reached for her and spun her to me. With my foot, I shut the fridge door and backed her up against it. “We’re alone now.”
“I meant—”
I didn’t give her a chance to talk. When she spoke shit like this, it just frustrated me. I glided my mouth across hers, gently sucking on her lush lower lip. She put her hands around my neck and kissed me back with the same hunger I recognized in myself. My heart nearly cracked through my ribs. Yeah, I’d have to show her that she wanted more than just sex with me.
Our mouths still joined, I shifted and leaned against the counter, pulling her closer. It took everything in me not to remove her underwear and sink into her—I wanted her that badly.
She moaned, pressing harder into me as if to find me.
With my height and her lack of it, it was damn hard this way. I picked her up and set her on the counter. As she parted her knees, I moved between them and trailed my mouth along her jaw. And stroked her bare thighs. “I’m dying to taste you, Logan.”
She fastened her luscious mouth back on mine. I kissed her deeper for a minute. “Not those lips”—my thumb stroked her core—“here. I want my mouth on your clit, I want to lick and suck you, and make you scream my name as you come.”
Amber eyes widened. Maybe my raw words had shocked her, but I didn’t care.
I reached beneath her dress, pulled off her panties, and dropped them on the counter. Sliding my hand up her thigh, I stroked her wet center. Knowing I had caused that, a groan of pure primal need escaped me.
I pushed her back on the granite top, and she hastily balanced on her elbows. Didn’t care that Ray could come down any second. “Put your feet on the counter.”
She stilled. I waited. Yeah, she’d be exposed to me and she knew it. Slowly, she pulled her feet up. My gaze lowered to her glistening core. “You’re so damn sexy, you know that?”
Her slumberous but wary expression told me there’d be a lot of firsts I’d be introducing her to. I was so fucking glad. I parted those wet lips I hungered for with my fingers and ran my tongue down her cleft, licking her.
“Oh, God—” she moaned, grabbing my hair as l ate her, savoring her musky-sweet taste. Her body jerked. Her soft cries grew. The delicious little noises escaping her had my dick in a vise. Her legs slid over my shoulders.
I wanted her to scream my name. Out loud. But we weren’t alone.
“Shh, you don’t want to bring Ray down here.” I lapped at her, then ran my tongue down one side of her clit and up the other. Clamping my lips around her swollen nub, using my teeth and tongue, I sucked her softly, then with firmer pulls.
Her fingers tightened in my hair, and she bit her lip, silencing her cries. Next time, I’d make her scream.
I pushed a finger into her, added another as I sucked. The wet sounds of my fingers thrusting in and out of her filled the kitchen. With a hard pull on her clit, her inner muscles clamped tightly around my fingers. I felt every ripple as she fell. Her cry tore free—
“Ila?” At Ray’s voice, I lifted my head. Logan’s eyes snapped open. Blindingly gold, she stared confusedly at me, her chest heaving as if she’d run a mile. It took her a moment, maybe two before she rasped, “Yes?”
“You okay?”
As if in a daze, she nodded. “Yes…I am.”
“I’ll be down in a minute.”
I licked her one more time, not satisfied with this quickie, and she jerked.
Still sensitive, was she? I filed away the info; straightened and kissed her on her mouth.
She scooted closer and deepened the kiss, her slender body pressing into mine. Fuck. My cock ached as I tightened my arms around her. And as the irresistible heat between her thighs pressed against my throbbing dick, a torturous groan escaped me.
At the sound of footsteps running down the stairs, she broke free. “Max—”
Shit, I didn’t want Ray to see the boner I sported. I hastily helped Logan off the counter. She wobbled and grabbed me, then let go. Wide-eyed she stared at me as I took a seat on the barstool and discreetly readjusted my aching sex.
I could still feel her silky, soft flesh against my tongue—I bit back another groan. Big mistake, tasting her. Now my cock just plain fucking hurt trapped behind the confines of my jeans.
“Ila, you seen my flip-flops?” Ray called out from the living room.
“Yes, in the corner near the couch, by the window.”
“You okay?” I asked Logan quietly. Her golden skin was flushed, like she’d been thoroughly fucked—even if it was only from my mouth—which made me feel possessive as hell. Nodding, she turned around to the percolator. Her hand shook slightly as she poured coffee into the mugs.
Ray walked in, raking her cap of damp hair. She opened the fridge. “I’m hungry—how about some toasted sandwiches?”
Logan cut me a quick look, then her gaze widened in horror. I glanced at the counter and saw her tiny black lace panties I’d tossed there.
Grinning, I grabbed them and shoved them into my jeans pocket as Ray approached, arms piled high with the makings for the sandwiches—cheese, tomatoes, cold cuts of meat, mayo, and whatever else—and dropped her load on the counter in front of me.
“Thanks,” Logan mouthed.
I shook my head, pressing a hand to my lips, hiding my smile.
As our impromptu meal progressed, I watched Logan while she ate her sandwich, pretending I was nothing more than Ray’s friend, nothing to her. And I realized I couldn’t give in to her demands. Sure, I’d give her the illusion of a no-strings-attached sexual relationship, but I would have what I wanted. Her.
The meal over and the kitchen tidied up, Ray yawned and said goodnight, disappearing up the stairs.
Logan grasped my hand, her eyes taking on a golden glow of desire. “Come on, your turn.” She pulled me toward the stairs.
“Logan, wait.” At her questioning look, I kissed her lips that were still slightly swollen from my sensual attack earlier. “I must have lost my mind—but, no.”
She blinked. “What do you mean, no?”
I have a lot more riding on this, sweet Logan. I come in there, and I lose everything I want.
Lines furrowed her smooth, tan brow. “You want me, I want you, it’s why we’re both here. What else is there?”
Exactly. She refused to look for anything deeper—anything that could make her heart emerge from the steel cage she’d trapped it in. Usually, my dick led the way, and I pretty much followed. But it was different with her. Even though she kept shutting me out, something inside me had fastened on her and refused to let go.
Strange, considering I loved no one but my mother. So whatever this was that I felt for her, I was determined to hang on to it.
Instead of laying out all my confused emotions, I lowered my head to hers, a whisper of a breath away from her lips. The anticipation was the best thing about waiting, knowing I could finally have her in my arms, in my bed—or hers, for now.
I brushed my lips against hers. “Good night, dancing girl. Dream of me.”
Aware of her confusion, I rested my arm on the bannister and watched as she climbe
d the stairs.
She wanted sex only. I wanted her.
Now to convince her I wasn’t anything like that loser ex of hers.
Chapter Nine
Max
“Home, sweet home!” Ray piped up with a sleepy yawn from the back of the Jeep as I drove into the tarred driveway of the Logan family residence late Friday afternoon. Seated beside me, Logan cut me a quick look, her lips quirking in a little smile. It took everything in me not to haul her close and kiss her tempting mouth.
Two long days had passed with just stolen kisses between us since Ray was home, and when she wasn’t, Logan was stuck in the studio with the silver fox. Or off consoling her friend Charli. But I was grateful the pinup asshole was still away. At the thought of her painting him, his naked body on display, anger simmered awake.
Pushing away thoughts that would screw with my head, I switched off the engine and took in the neatly trimmed front lawn and the paved path leading to the few stairs up to the sheltered porch. Lights brightened the gray-trimmed windows of the white, picturesque, two-story building with its steeped, slate-gray roofline. The place had a tranquil feel to it.
I headed for the back of the Jeep and removed the bags when the front door opened and a tall, well-built, older man with short, dark brown hair walked out.
“Dad!” Logan and Ray sprinted across the lawn. The man laughed, his hazel eyes gleaming, and I was sure there were tears there as he hugged his girls.
My father couldn’t stand me.
A low throbbing started in my skull again, reminding me just how screwed up my life was. My fingers tightening on the straps of the bags, I shut off those memories.
“Maximus, come on! Come meet my dad,” Ray piped up. She raced back, grabbed my arm, and yanked me along with her to her father, as if I’d get lost on my way to them. “This is my dad, Sean Logan.”
“Maximus, welcome.”
Dammit! Did Ray have to use the ridiculous nickname she’d saddled me with at this important intro? I was meeting my girl’s father.
Breathless (Players to Men) Page 12
