“I want you, Allison. I want you so bad, I can hardly breathe.” He slipped the band out of her hair and twisted his hands in her silky mane. “God, I want you.”
“Then take me, Logan. I want you to take me.” She rose from the couch and took his hand, leading him to the bedroom. She slipped off her bra and slid her arms around his waist, pressing her chest against his. The feel of her bare skin on his tightened his stomach, sending blood rushing to his groin.
She kissed his neck, trailing down to his pecs where she playfully lapped at his nipples, hardening them with her tongue.
“God, woman. You’re driving me crazy.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Her mouth found his again, and her hands found the button on his jeans. She undid the zipper and slid his clothes over his hips, licking her lips as her gaze locked on his erection. She slipped out of her running clothes and stood before him, beautifully naked.
His gaze took in her feminine form, and he tried to memorize every delicate dip and curve of her body. As his eyes met hers, she held him with a sincere gaze, the purity of her intentions swirling in the air around her. She wasn’t after his money. Didn’t care about his status or what he could do for her. She wanted him. Pure and simple.
“Oh, hell.” He took her naked body into his arms and crushed his mouth to hers. The feel of her soft skin pressed against his was enough to make him lose control. They fell to the bed, and he spread her legs with his hips. His desire overwhelmed him, and he wanted nothing more than to please her. To taste every inch of her body and watch her squirm with pleasure.
He trailed the tip of his tongue down her neck and across her chest, taking her breast in his mouth. He teased her nipples, reveling in the soft moans that escaped her throat. He worked his way down, kissing and tasting her, grazing her delicate skin with his teeth as she whimpered with desire.
Settling between her legs, he kissed down one thigh and up the other, shuddering when she softly moaned his name. He tasted her, bathing her sensitive nub with the warmth of his tongue, slipping his fingers inside her and driving her closer and closer to climax. Her scent. Her sounds. Her taste. Everything about this woman made his head spin. Her hips bucked as she cried out in ecstasy, trembling with her release.
“Oh, Logan, please. I want you inside me.” She reached for him, pulling his face to hers as she whispered, “Please.”
“Do you have protection?” he whispered into her ear.
Chill bumps rose on her skin. “In the nightstand beside the bed.”
He found an unopened box of condoms in the drawer and rolled one down his length. Holding her gaze, he slid inside her, shuddering as her wet warmth enveloped him. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he was there, in the moment. Making love to Allison because he wanted her. No other reason. She held his gaze as he moved in and out, letting him know she was there too. Mind, body, and soul.
He couldn’t hold back any more. Letting need consume him, he thrust harder and faster, sending her over the top again. She was incredible. Her body. Her mind. Everything. She was all he wanted. Everything he needed. He climaxed, calling her name as his trembling body found its release.
This is how it’s supposed to be. He rolled onto his side, and she curled up in his arms as he stroked her hair and kissed her. He definitely could not stay away from this woman. No fucking way.
* * *
Allison wrapped herself in the warmth of Logan’s embrace, snuggling into his chest as he stroked her hair. She felt safe in his arms, a feeling she wasn’t used to. What had come over her? It was so unlike her to be as aggressive as she was with him. Of course, she hadn’t been with a man in so long, it was no wonder she couldn’t control herself. That box of condoms had been sitting in her drawer for almost two years. Thank goodness she hadn’t thrown it out.
And the way he touched her, like he knew exactly what she wanted, what she was feeling. Everything about him felt so right. She smiled and raised her head to look at him.
“Hi there.” He gazed at her with hooded eyes, and an intoxicated smile slid across his face. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
“Hi.” She laid her head on the pillow with his, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. “That was…”
“Amazing.”
“Yeah.” She lay on her side facing him, their legs intertwined beneath the sheets. His heavy gaze seemed burdened, like he had something on his mind. Something he wanted to tell her. She was tempted to read him, to see what he was feeling, but she wouldn’t do that without permission.
She knew about his reputation with women. Could that be the issue? Maybe he was looking for a way out. Deciding which line to give her so he could slip out the door and never call her again. That might not be such a bad thing.
“If you need to go, I understand. You don’t have to make an excuse.”
He stared at her in silence for a moment, searching her eyes. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he took her hand in his. “I don’t want to go anywhere, Allison. Unless you want me to leave.” He kissed her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I want you to stay. I just thought…”
He smiled and propped his head on his hand. “You thought since I had my way with you, I’d be done with you?”
Heat flushed her cheeks at the truth in his accusation. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay. I don’t have the best reputation, do I?”
“No, you don’t.”
“Allison, I…” He pushed into a sitting position, leaning his back against the headboard. “I wish I could say it wasn’t true, but it is. I’ve never had a meaningful relationship.”
She sensed the fear and loneliness emanating from him, though she wasn’t trying to read him. It was the same feeling she got that first night at his house, and he was desperate for her understanding. She sat up and put her hand on his shoulder.
“It’s okay. You can talk to me.”
“Christ, Allison. I know I can, and that’s what’s so scary. I’ve never wanted to be in a relationship.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Why?”
She ran her hand through his hair and gently clasped the back of his neck. “You’re lonely, Logan. And scared. What are you afraid of?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Well…You for one thing. I’m terrified of getting close to you.”
“And yet, here you are in my bed.”
“I know. I can’t stay away from you. I don’t want to stay away from you.”
“But you keep everyone else at arm’s length. You don’t let anyone get close to you. You’re a beautiful person, so why do you hide?”
He laughed cynically and leaned his head against the wall. “If you could feel what I feel. If you could read people like I can, you’d know. Ninety percent of them aren’t worth my time.”
She smiled. Logan wasn’t aware of her gifts. She never told him she was a psychic. “And what about the ten percent who are?”
“I…” He took a deep breath and blew it out hard. “I’m afraid I’ll end up just like my dad. He abused my mom. God, Allison. I went into business with him. I just don’t want to be any more like him than I already am.”
She folded her hands in her lap and looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. But you won’t be like him. I don’t think you have it in you.” There was no way this kind, sensitive man could end up an abuser.
“I don’t either, but I—” He clenched his fists as he stared at the ceiling.
“There’s something else, isn’t there? Another reason?”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” He took her hands and looked into her eyes. “I like you, Allison. I like you a lot, and it scares me to death. But right now…at this moment, we’re together, and I don’t want to think about anything else.”
“I’m sorry.” She stared at their joined hands. She was pushing him too hard,
and if she didn’t stop she’d probably push him right out the door. He lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to look at him.
“Hey, don’t be sorry. It’s me, okay? I have issues. I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.”
“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “You’re so beautiful.” He slid his hands into her hair and coaxed her lips apart with his tongue. She opened her mouth to let him in, and desire pooled below her navel. Everything about this man called to her.
His cell phone rang from the floor. He pulled away and cursed under his breath. “It’s probably Trent wondering where I am. Can you hold that thought?” He placed a finger on her lips. “I need to answer it.”
“Sure.” She smiled as she watched him slide out of bed and walk across the room to answer the phone. He was built like a Roman god, each muscle skillfully carved out of perfect stone. He was so confident. So comfortable in his nakedness, he didn’t try to hide his body. And what a view.
He dug the phone out of his pants pocket and checked the caller ID. “It’s my sister.” He put the phone to his ear. “Hello?” His face lit up when he heard the voice on the other end, and he whispered to Allison, “It’s my niece.”
He rested the phone on his shoulder and picked up his pants, folding them and placing them on the nightstand. “Hey pipsqueak. What are you up to?”
She watched in amusement as he folded the rest of his clothes and then moved on to hers.
“Another tooth? That’s great, Caitlyn!” His voice raised an octave when he spoke to the little girl; he was obviously enamored of her. “Okay, sweetie. Tell the tooth fairy 'hi' for me. Bye-bye.”
By the time he ended the phone call, all of their clothes lay in neat piles on the table. She glanced at the stacks and then at him.
He followed her gaze to the table. “Sorry about that. It’s a habit.”
“It’s okay. How old is your niece?”
“She’s six. She wanted to tell me she lost another tooth.”
“That’s sweet. Do you see her often?”
He sighed. “I used to, when I lived in New York. I don’t see her nearly enough now.” A grin stretched across his face, and he ran his hand through his hair as he stared into her eyes.
She crawled toward him on the bed. What was it about this man that created such an insatiable lust inside her? She licked her lips, and his cock twitched.
“Let me call Trent real quick, so we don’t get interrupted again.”
She said nothing as she rose to her knees, sliding her hands up his bare chest.
He sucked in a deep breath. “Real quick. I promise.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, he dialed Trent’s number as she explored his body with her hands. His muscles were firm, his skin soft, and she couldn’t get enough of him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and trailed kisses up and down his neck.
“Hey, Trent. It’s Logan...Yeah, sorry man. I’m with Allison. Yeah.”
Her hands slid down his stomach and he let out a whimper as she wrapped her fingers around his length. His hardness grew in her hand as she stroked him.
He stifled a groan. “Yeah, man. I’m good. But I don’t think I’m going to make it tonight. See you tomorrow.”
She slid to the floor and knelt between his legs. He tossed the phone onto the table as she kissed his stomach, tracing the contours of his muscles with her tongue. He took a deep, shuddering breath as she slid her hands up his thighs and took his erection in her mouth. He moaned as she sucked him, his hips rocking to her rhythm as she pushed him toward climax. But she wasn’t done with him yet.
She released him, rising to her feet and pushing him back on the bed. He went down willingly, allowing her to drench him in the same careful attention he’d given her before. She wanted him. Wanted every inch of his body to be hers, and she wouldn’t stop until it was.
She pulled a condom out of the drawer and slid the rubber over his shaft. She watched his eyes as she sheathed him, watched him as the rise and fall of her rhythm exhilarated them both. He clutched her hips, guiding her up and down, plunging himself deep inside her. The orgasm coiled in her core, releasing in a wave of ecstasy as he spasmed inside her.
She collapsed on his chest, panting and fighting to catch her breath. As she slid to the bed and curled up beside him, he absently stroked her arm, his intense, sapphire gaze holding hers. The corner of his mouth tugged into an adorable, crooked grin, and her chest tightened.
She could fall in love with this man if she wasn’t careful.
CHAPTER TEN
Logan held the faceless woman he loved as the other woman cried out to him. She wore a long, white gown, and blood dripped down her featureless face. He clung to his lover with resolve, feeling nothing for the woman in white as her desperation drove her to the window ledge.
“I’m your wife, Alex. Don’t you love me?”
“No. I love Allison.” The woman in his arms rested her hand on his cheek, and he gazed into her eyes. Allison’s eyes. Relief washed through him as he held her to his chest. Then he turned to face the other woman.
“Alex?” Her features slowly began to take shape in his dream, and he gasped as he stared into Allison’s eyes again. How could it be her, when he was holding her in his arms? He looked back and forth at the two versions of Allison, and the woman in white dove head-first out the window.
“No!” He shot up in bed, grasping at the covers and gasping for air. “Allison.” He stared around her room, felt the cotton between his fingers. Her bed. Her sheets. But where had she gone? His vision had taken an unexpected twist, and now he was confused as hell and worried about her safety. He stumbled out of bed and padded down the short hallway where a light emanated from the bathroom.
Running water and hot steam mixed with Allison's sweet scent wafted out through the half-open door. She stood in the shower, not crumpled on the pavement below. Could Allison really be the woman from his vision? But which role did she play? She couldn’t be both.
He stood there for a moment watching her, the half-open door a clear invitation. He could’ve gone in and joined her in the shower. The thought of his hands on her body, slick with soap, as the hot water rained down on them was more than appealing. The silhouette of her perfect form through the translucent shower curtain had him cursing himself and his damn peculiarities. Showering was a ritual, and he’d never been able to overcome his obsession with the routine.
Shit. He stomped back to the bedroom and cringed at the thought of putting on his dirty clothes from yesterday. His bag was still in the car, with fresh clothes and everything else he needed to get ready for the day. He could go down and get it. Get ready at Allison’s.
But what would she think about that? How would he explain that he was planning to spend the night at Trent’s place? He couldn’t tell her about the ghost; she’d think he was nuts. No, he’d just have to bite the bullet and put on his dirty clothes. Then he could swing back home and clean up there. He gritted his teeth as he pulled on his jeans, but he completely forgot about the grimy feeling his imagination rendered when Allison walked in the room wearing nothing but a soft, blue robe loosely tied at her waist. Her damp hair was combed back away from her face, and her cheeks were still pink from the heat of the shower.
“Hi.” Her smile made him weak in the knees.
“Hey.”
She slid her hands up his chest and laced them around his neck, pulling his face to hers. He took her mouth in a soft, tender kiss.
“I tried not to wake you. You were having a pretty fitful sleep. Nightmares?”
“Something like that.” His vision had him so confused he didn’t know what the hell to do about it. He wanted to tell her, but he’d never told anyone. It was too damn weird.
She sat on the bed, and her robe gaped open ever so slightly at the top, revealing the sensuous curves of her breasts. His hands twitched with the urge to touch them, but he balled them into fists and sat down next to her.
“Do you w
ant to talk about it?” Her smile was soft, her voice reassuring. She made him feel so damn comfortable, he’d tell her his whole life story if she’d listen.
“Not really.”
She shrugged. “Okay. I promised Lucia I’d go in early today to finish clearing her auction items. You’re welcome to use my shower if you want.” She hesitated, then stood and went to her closet.
“Allison, do you think people can see the future in their dreams?” As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he wished he hadn’t said them. She was going to think he was a fucking idiot.
She smiled and turned to face him. “Sure I do. Premonition is a powerful psychic ability if you can control it.”
He laughed. “I’m not psychic.”
“I am.”
She looked at him with such sincerity, he believed her without question. Why hadn’t she told him before? Maybe because he never asked her what she did. All she told him was that she worked at Lucia’s, and he was too wrapped up in burdening her with all his issues to even ask her about it.
What an ass.
“I’m sorry. I feel like that’s something I should have known by now. I spend way too much time talking about myself.”
She slipped on a pair of tight jeans and pulled a purple sweater off the hanger. “It’s okay. I have that effect on people. It’s part of the reason I want to be a therapist.”
“And I still think you’ll make a damn good one.” He pulled his shirt on over his head. “What do you do as a psychic? And why do you work in an antique store?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I have time.”
She put on the sweater and leaned against the doorway. “Lucia took me in after my mom died. Helped me get back on my feet. She gave me some space for an office, and in return I clear the negative energy out of the furniture she sells.”
“Negative energy?”
“Things can absorb energy, and over time the buildup can affect even non-sensitive people. You won’t realize what it is, of course, but you might always get in a bad mood when you sit in a certain chair, for instance. I clear out the energy, and it helps her sell the items.”
To Catch a Spirit Page 10
