by LuAnn McLane
Bella narrowed her eyes, but then said, “Okay. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Do you parade around half-naked to try to get me . . . excited?”
“Truth.”
“I knew it!” She stomped her foot, forgetting that she was braless. Her breasts jiggled and she folded her arms over her chest. “My turn.”
“What?”
“You have to let me have my turn. It’s only fair.”
“Whatever.” Her pulse pounded, but she shrugged as if it were no big deal. “Dare.” She wasn’t about to tell him any more of her secrets.
“Touch me with both hands for one minute.”
Bella snorted. “That’s it?” She did a little head bop and put both index fingers on his chest.
“With your hands, Bella. Not just your fingertips.”4
Bella rolled her eyes and sighed. “Whatever,” she repeated, but when she splayed her hands on his warm skin, she had to swallow a moan.
“One minute,” he reminded her when she would have snatched her hands away. He knew her all too well.
“Right . . .” She tilted her head to the side and shrugged. “One minute.”
“I know . . . whatever.”
They stood there silently, and she started ticking off the seconds in her head. But when she got to thirty, she lost count, since all her brain could handle was her hands on his bare skin. Just when she was about to give in and pull his head down for a long-awaited kiss, he said, “Okay, time’s up.”
Bella wanted to snatch her hands away, but that would be a dead giveaway, so she leisurely slid her palms down his torso and trailed her fingertips over his skin before breaking contact. She had the satisfaction of feeling his ab muscles contract.
“Your turn.”
Oh no. “I need to finish making breakfast.”
“It can wait,” he said, and flicked off the burners. “Unless that was too much for you,” he challenged.
“Pfft. Okay, Logan. Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” he responded easily.
Bella decided to get even. “Put your hands on me for one minute.”
“Okay,” he said, and slid both hands up her big T-shirt.
“What are you doing?” Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
“It had to be bare skin, right?”
“Oh . . . right,” she said, shrugging to hide the hot shiver caused by his big, warm hands on her back. She tapped her toe as if bored, but in reality, her pulse pounded. She wanted so badly for his hands to roam over her body, but he stood very still. At about thirty seconds, his fingertips dug just slightly into her skin, and she knew he was having the same thoughts. Each second ticked in tandem with the slow thud of her heart. Heat radiated from his chest, and if Bella moved forward just an inch, she would be flush against his body. “Are you ready to end this stupid game?” Bella tried for a tight tone, but her voice came out breathy. She looked up at him and angled her head in question.
“No.” His eyes locked with hers. “Truth or dare?” he challenged.
“Truth!” If she had to put her hands on him again, she knew just where they would land.
“Do you want to kiss me?”
“No!”
“Tell the truth, Bella!”
“I did!”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t want to kiss you because I wouldn’t be able to stop there. How’s that for the truth? Are you happy that you’ve humiliated me?” She reached up and pushed at his chest, but he grabbed her wrists and held her firmly.
“Humiliated you?”
“Yeah! Why do guys like to do that?”
“Just how am I doing that, Bella? Huh?”
“I’m falling for you, and all you want is a piece of ass!” she sputtered.
“Really?” He dropped her hands and then took a step backward. “Wow. That’s what you take me for?” The look of hurt on his face went straight to her heart and squeezed. He looked at her for a long, measuring moment, but then shook his head. “You’re full of crap. You don’t really believe all I want is to bed you. How could you fall for a guy like that?”
Her chin came up, but she remained silent.
“You want to believe that, Bella. It’s your armor.”
“You’ll be leaving as soon as you get picked up by a minor-league team.”
“That’s a factor, but that’s not it either.”
“Really? So tell me, then. What exactly is my problem, Logan?”
“You said it before. David humiliated you. Hurt you. You’re not willing to risk it again. Pride and fear are getting in your way.” He shrugged. “Until you let go, you can’t move forward. Oh, believe me, I know that drill backward and forward.” He turned on his heel and started to walk away.
Bella blinked at his back. He was right. And she was letting him slip away because of it. She had to stop him! “Truth or dare?” she asked softly.
Logan stopped and balled his fists but didn’t turn around. When his feet finally moved, she thought he was going to keep on walking out of the kitchen and out of her life. Her heart pounded with sheer terror, and she knew now that she had never felt about David the way she felt about Logan. He was her friend, and she didn’t want to lose him. If he got called to the minor leagues, she would just have to follow him!
But instead of walking away, he pivoted to face her. “Truth,” he said firmly.
Bella pressed her lips together, swallowed hard, and then asked, “Do you care about me?”
“Yes. More and more each day.”
When he didn’t even hesitate, she put her hand to her mouth.
“Truth or dare?” he asked gruffly.
She removed her hand and gave him a trembling smile. “Dare . . .”
“Kiss . . .” Before he could get the rest out, she ran forward and jumped up into his arms. With a surprised grunt, he grabbed her and stumbled back against the wall. Bella wrapped her legs around his waist and shoved her fingers through his shaggy hair and kissed him. She kissed him soundly, deeply . . . wildly until they were breathless and laughing. He cupped her bottom in his big, capable hands.
“You didn’t let me finish my dare. “I was going to say kiss my ass.”
She shoved his shoulder. “You were not.”
“Kiss my . . .” he began, but was interrupted by the doorbell chiming.
Bella’s eyes widened. “Oh, my God!”
“Who could it be?”
“I just bet that’s my mother!”
“Holy crap,” Logan said with wide eyes.
“Yeah!” Bella scrambled to the floor. “Get some clothes on.” She looked down at his erection. “Oh . . . sorry. Hold that thought!”
He shook his head sadly. “Why is it that I have both the best and worst of luck?”
Bella giggled, but then nibbled on her bottom lip.
“Bella, she does know that I’m a guy, right?”
“Not exactly.”
He rolled his eyes. “Should I wear a wig and talk in a high-pitched voice?”
“Hey, my mother is a modern woman. She’ll be fine with this,” Bella assured him with a smile and a firm nod. She only hoped she was right.
When the doorbell chimed again, Logan hurried into his bedroom and Bella headed to the front door. Maybe it won’t be my mother, after all, she thought, but when she opened the door, Nicolina Diamante stood on the other side.
“Bella!” she said with a big smile, and dropped the handle of her huge suitcase. “Sweetie, it is so wonderful to see your beautiful face.” She reached up and pinched Bella’s cheeks. “I have missed you so!”
“Me too,” Bella admitted, and felt moisture well up in her eyes. Her mother could be a force to be reckoned with, but she loved her dearly. “Come on in and see my place.” She stood back and then reached over and picked up the handle of the bulging suitcase.
“It’s lovely,” Nicolina said, and spun in a slow circle. “You were lucky to have it furnished f
or you.”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” Bella agreed.
Nicolina reached over and put her hands on Bella’s shoulders and squeezed. Her mother was a tiny little thing, but made up for her small stature with her bigger-than-life personality. They shared the same wide mouth, petite nose, and deep brown eyes, but Nicolina’s hair was auburn and cut chin length and angled toward her face. “So, how have you been?”
“Good,” Bella said. “Busy.”
Nicolina angled her head and studied Bella. “There’s something different about you.” She rested a French-tipped fingernail to her cheek and tapped. “A . . . glow.”
Bella swallowed hard. “Um, I was in the kitchen, cooking.” She fanned her face. “I’m just flushed from the heat.”
“Mmm . . . no. I’m not buying that,” she said, and then her eyes opened wide when they heard the unmistakable sound of the shower starting. “Who is that?”
“My roommate,” Bella said nonchalantly, but she could feel heat creep up her neck.
“What is his name?” Nicolina asked.
“How did you guess?”
“You’re as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I sort of had an inkling when you failed to mention a name to me. I can always tell when something is up. So enlighten me about this roommate of yours.”
“His name is Logan Lannigan, and he plays baseball for the Cricket Creek Cougars.”
“Are you sleeping with him?” she asked in true Nicolina Diamante blunt form.
“Mother!” Bella protested in a stage whisper, and glanced down the hallway.
“Well?”
“No! We’re roommates for convenience’s sake. Sharing expenses and the rent . . .” She recalled what her mother almost walked in on, and willed herself not to blush. “That’s it.”
“Really? Then why do I feel as if I walked in on something?”
“I was cooking breakfast! Follow me into the kitchen and see for yourself.” Bella used the opportunity to turn away from her mother and head down the hallway.
“Quite a feast you’re cooking up for your so-called roommate of convenience.”
“It’s opening day. I wanted Logan to have a big breakfast,” she said, and then realized how intimate it sounded. “Help yourself to some coffee, Mother,” she offered, and turned the burners back on. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished,” Nicolina admitted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten a big breakfast like this.”
“The mugs are in the top cabinet,” Bella said as she opened up the carton of eggs. Her gaze darted to the doorway, and she wondered when Logan would make his appearance.
“Thank you.” She stood up on tiptoe and reached for a mug. “So, do you like living in this small town?”
Bella paused, but then gave her an affirmative nod. “Yes, I do. Mother, you’ll just love Wine and Diner. Jessica has done a fabulous job combining down-home cooking and an elegant flair.”
“And Madison? How is she doing?”
“She’s helping out at the diner until she starts teaching creative writing at a local liberal-arts college. Oh, and she is engaged to be married!”
“So you told me. To a local boy?” Nicolina asked, and arched one auburn eyebrow as if it were hard to believe.
“Mother, don’t be a snob. Jason is a wonderful man.”
“I’m not a snob!” she protested, looking a bit put out. “I will admit that having you suddenly moving to this little town has been a shock to my system, but I have an open mind. In fact, I’m looking forward to the baseball game. You know how we loved going to Cubs games.” Her smile was a little wistful, and it hit Bella hard that her mother must miss her only daughter living in Chicago. After all, it was only the two of them plus a handful of relatives that they saw on holidays and at funerals. A sudden flash of guilt washed over her.
Bella flipped the sausage links over and then turned to her mother. “Mother, Madison had a suggestion that I think you might want to consider.”
“The look on your face suggests that I should sit down for this.” She carried her mug over to the table and sat down.
Bella leaned one hip against the counter and said, “There are some lovely storefronts almost finished near the new stadium. As a matter of fact, one of them is going to be a bridal shop.”
Nicolina cradled her hands around her coffee mug. “And?”
“You design lots of jewelry for weddings.”
“Bella, are you suggesting that I open Designs by Diamante here in Cricket Creek, Kentucky?”
“A big portion of your business could still be online. But this location would be perfect. Grammar’s, a wonderful local bakery, is going to open a small store specializing in wedding cakes in the same shopping center, and I think a florist is going in there as well.” Bella felt a shot of excitement. “The more I think about it, the more it could work. Mother, I don’t have to stay hostess at Wine and Diner forever. I could help you. . . .” She lifted one shoulder and decided not to press too hard, too soon. “It’s just a suggestion, but this weekend while you’re in town, you should check it out and at least consider it. This little town used to be quite a tourist attraction, and when the economy comes back, it’s going to break loose. I know you had your sights set on Chicago, but this just might be the ticket.”
Nicolina pursed her lips and nodded slowly. “I’ll take a look and give it some thought,” she answered in an even tone, but Bella could see a spark of excitement in her mother’s eyes.
“Great.” Bella smiled and was about to expand on the idea when Logan walked into the room. He wore designer jeans and a black golf shirt with a Cricket Creek logo stitched in gold. His hair was slightly damp but neatly combed, and as usual, her heart skipped a beat at the mere sight of him. Logan was simply gorgeous, and Bella felt a sense of pride. She wanted to tell her mother that he was becoming more than just a roommate, but the suddenly more serious tone of their relationship was still too new. She was worried that her mother would think that Logan was a rebound relationship after David and that it was too quick, too soon. But in her heart, Bella knew it wasn’t so.
“Good morning,” Logan announced in his deep, sexy voice. His teeth flashed white against his golden tan.
“Good morning.” Bella felt her cheeks grow warm when their eyes met. “Logan! I’d like you to meet my mother, Nicolina Diamante.” She swung her hand in an arc toward the kitchen table. “Mother, this is my . . . roommate, Logan Lannigan.”
Logan walked over to the table and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Diamante. I hope you’ll enjoy the game today.”
“It is nice to meet you as well, Logan. I’m quite the baseball fan, so I’m looking forward to the game. I understand we have amazing seats behind home plate.”
“We’ll try to bring you a win.”
“And what position do you play?”
“I’m a pitcher. I’m coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, so I will only pitch in relief until my arm is ready.”
“Well, the best of luck. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Thanks,” he said politely, and then headed over to the coffeepot. “Breakfast looks amazing,” he said to Bella. He looked so nervous that she wished she could give him a hug.
“Thanks. Have a seat. It’s almost ready.”
“Want your coffee heated up?” Logan asked, and held up the pot.
“Yes, thanks.” Bella had to admit that she was enjoying this domestic feeling. She was relieved that her mother seemed to have taken the news of Logan being a male roommate so well, but, then again, her mother was a liberal thinker. Nicolina Diamante could be smothering at times, but Bella suddenly hoped that her mother would give real consideration to moving to Cricket Creek.
“Do you need any help, Bella?” her mother asked.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it,” Bella replied as she cracked eggs into a bowl. She flicked Logan a shy, reassuring glance. His gorgeous male presence seemed to fill the small room, and once again Bella wished she could wrap
her arms around him. Her body still hummed with passion interrupted by the arrival of her mother, and she had to wonder when they would get the chance to finish what they had started.
“Logan, come and have a seat,” Nicolina said. “Save your energy for the baseball game.”
As she popped English muffins into the toaster, Bella could feel her mother’s gaze on her, even as she made small talk with Logan. Bella was certain that her mother could feel the vibe between her and Logan, and Bella knew she would probably be grilled about it later. But for now she wanted to enjoy breakfast with the two people in the world who mattered the most to her.
As she retrieved a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator, Bella had to marvel at the crazy turn of events her life had taken in such a short amount of time. Just a month ago, if anyone had told her she would be living with a man in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, she would have laughed. And yet here she was . . . and happier than she had been in a long time. Logan was right. It was high time that she let go of pride and fear and went full speed ahead with confidence.
23
Game On!
Jessica flipped the sign around in the window of Wine and Diner to read closed and headed outside to watch the opening-day parade march down Main Street. Since just about everyone in town would be attending the baseball game, it was pointless to keep the diner open. Plus, Jessica wanted her employees to have the opportunity to watch as well. So after the lunch rush, she opted to close the doors and head out to take in the opening-day festivities.
Cricket Creek had been blessed with an unseasonably warm spring day and a cornflower blue sky. Bright sunshine sparkled off squeaky-clean storefront windows and glossy painted signs. Excitement crackled in the air, and spectators sat on curbs and lined the sidewalks, waiting for the parade to begin.
Jessica smiled when she heard the enthusiastic sound of the Cricket Creek High School marching band playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Honking horns and the wailing siren of fire trucks mixed with lively chatter and laughter. The streets of Cricket Creek hadn’t been this packed in years, and it sent a thrill of hope shooting through Jessica’s body. She weaved her way through the crowd until she spotted Madison, Jason, Aunt Myra, and Owen in a perfect location on the corner of Main and Second streets.
