"When it comes to loving, it's never too late for anyone, Logan. No two days are the same, and there's never an end to the discoveries.” Selena tipped her head to one side, studying him, somberly. “Gregg and I have had a little practice at being a family,” she said. “We would be willing to share with you what we've learned. I believe the ground rules might be: we figure out the rest together."
What she said was very convincing. There was only one way to find out if her ideas would work. And research had always been his best subject. “I believe you've hit on the answers, Selena.” Logan enfolded her in his arms again, and her hands tugged his shirt loose from his pants. “I need you and Gregg to teach me about loving family style."
He placed slow, tasting kisses on her eyes, her lower lip. “I really, really need loads of practice,” he breathed against the delectable curve of her lips. “Say you'll marry me, Selena. We've wasted enough time."
Her hands burrowed inside his shirt, her fingers stroking softly through the hair on his chest. Logan's heart hammered, his ache for her becoming a storm, whipping like the wind throughout his body.
"Maybe,” she said, kissing the line of his jaw, working her way closer and closer to his mouth, “you could convince me better with a little demonstration.” Logan placed his hands on her small waist, lifting her, enjoying his sneak attack as she released a deep breath, twined her legs around his waist and her fingers behind his neck.
"No problem,” he said as he strolled out of the kitchen. She could make him feel as if he could conquer anything. Then Selena's lips nuzzled his neck, sending goose bumps down his spine.
"On second thought,” Selena murmured, “I'll say yes now. That way we don't have to interrupt your presentation."
"I'd better tell you, you won't be marrying a man with money in his pockets. All I have goes into the clinic. I barely manage paying my employees each month, and I still need to hire an experienced registered nurse. Preferably one devoted enough to work for peanuts.” Logan used Selena's slipper-encased feet that hugged his hips to push open her bedroom door.
"Just the interest from one million dollars’ worth of municipal bonds keeps me independently wealthy, Logan. Besides, if I wanted a wealthy man, I would have accepted one of the proposals made to me after Daniel's funeral.” She chuckled. “I could probably help you at the clinic. And, I wouldn't cost you a dime."
Logan nearly laughed. The bonds must have been a statistic his father missed in his dirt-digging inquisition ... or, they were the investment capital he thought she would use for the clinic. He sobered. He was familiar with the type of men she described, and he didn't like the idea of one speaking to her, let alone proposing marriage. “I don't need a real estate agent, Selena. I need a nurse."
"That's me,” she said. She shoved the door closed with her toes, enjoying her words of disclosure, and his round-eyed reaction. “Four years of schooling and twelve years of experience. Unless, of course, you need someone with more emergency room time than I have.” Now she wanted him to realize just how useful she'd been, and just how useful she could be.
Logan released Selena's waist, allowing her to slide slowly, caressingly, down his body and stand beside the bed. He tried to hide his surprise. Markie mentioned Selena's devoted care of Daniel, but she didn't mention her qualifications. “Is that the education Daniel provided you with?"
Selena gently but firmly shoved his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. “That's it, Logan. Daniel knew he would eventually need live-in care when he made his offer to marry me. He made certain I had a career in case something happened to him. Don't misunderstand me. If I had chosen a different profession he would have hired a nurse."
"Then maybe we should discuss a possible contract with the clinic.” Logan hoisted her sweatshirt over her head and tossed it over his shoulder.
Before he could do anything else, Selena knelt in front of him and untied his shoes. “Do you suppose we could save that for later? Right now we have important research to do. No one can contract without some research."
"I think that's best,” he groaned as he clasped her arms and brought her back to her feet. He sucked in a deep breath when her nipples pressed against his chest as she raised her face for a kiss. “We have forever to finish learning about each other,” he mumbled near her mouth, wanting their conversation to end and their loving to begin.
"I couldn't agree more,” Selena whispered, her lips parting, inviting him to stop talking. She sat down on the bed, pulling him with her. “Please, Logan, let's get started."
As Logan stretched himself over her, his reflection seemed aflame in her sienna eyes. Fate had taken its sweet time in their lives. First he'd decided on her name because her touch-me-not reputation gave him the greatest challenge, then he lost control to the fires of first love that flared. He'd reduced those fires to smoldering ashes. But they had never gone out, because now, he could feel their love blazing with enough energy to endure a lifetime and beyond.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow, he would get to know his son.
—THE END—
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