“I’d say so. But I’m more worried about the wind when we cross the lake. I thought we’d take a rest up here, maybe have a drink and something to eat. But I think we should get back down right away.”
Her expression turned to worry. “Are we in trouble?”
“No big deal. Just to be safe, we should head back across the lake as soon as we can.” He drew two water bottles out of his small pack, handing one to Jade.
As he drank, he tried to gauge the speed and direction of the storm. The clouds were towering up fast, and the breeze was already gusting down the valley. It was impossible to guess the speed of the winds aloft, but the weather system was definitely moving in their direction.
“You ready?” he asked.
She nodded, handing back the water bottle.
“Sorry we can’t stay and enjoy the view.”
She started down the trail behind him. “Is this all a plot to prove you’re tougher than me?”
“I am tougher than you. But you’re plenty tough. I thought we’d have to turn back before now.”
“Wait a minute. You mean, we could have turned back?”
“Sure, if you were getting too tired.”
He felt her fist contact the center of his back. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“You did fine.”
“My legs feel like limp rubber.”
He felt a twinge of guilt. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I didn’t know the hike was optional. You’re like a drill sergeant, you know.”
“Everything’s optional.”
He turned on the trail, and she all but barreled into his arms. He held her.
“This, for example,” he said softly. Then he brought his lips down to kiss her. “Entirely optional.”
“You’re sucking up to me now.”
“I am.”
“My legs still feel like rubber.”
“My brain turns to rubber when I kiss you.”
Her eyes softened, and she gave a little sigh. “Logan.” She stretched up for a kiss.
He kept it tender but lengthened it out. Then he drew back. “Am I forgiven?”
“For what?”
He chuckled. “You’re tougher than you let on.”
“We New Yorkers walk everywhere. Okay, not always through the forest and up steep hills.”
He took her hand, turning back down the trail. “But you’re in pretty good shape.”
“Getting in better shape by the minute.”
“That’s the spirit.”
It took over an hour to get to the beach. There, Logan wasted no time in getting them back into their life jackets and launching them onto the water. The clouds had made their way across the sky, obliterating the sun. The wind was coming in gusts, and whitecaps had formed in the middle of the lake.
“We’re going to hug the shoreline to start,” he told her, as he adjusted the canoe’s direction. “Just paddle at a speed that’s comfortable. Any momentum you can add will help.”
She turned to look at him. “Okay, now you’re scaring me.”
“Why?”
“You’re being nice, and you’re not joking around.”
He smiled at her. “Shut up and paddle.”
She gave him a nod. “That’s better. Now I know we’re not going to die.”
“We’re not going to die.” He stroked his paddle through the choppy water. “But we’re not taking any chances either.”
They battled a headwind down the shore as raindrops started to fall, lightly at first but increasing steadily as time went on. Though they were getting wet, they were in little danger, since if they capsized they could easily swim to the beach. But they were also coming to the river outlet where things would change. Before the current grew too swift and pulled them in, they had to turn and cross the open water.
Logan didn’t like the size of the waves they’d be crossing, but it wasn’t going to get any better, so he turned the canoe.
“What are you doing?” Jade called back.
“We have to avoid the current from the river. Can you see the cottage?” The blue roof was barely visible through the rain and mist.
“I can see it.”
The canoe was starting to bounce with the waves, and a cross wind was buffeting them, trying to push them to the middle of the lake. Logan’s arms were growing tired, just when he needed all of this strength.
“If we capsize,” he told her, “swim for the point. The closest one with the two evergreens. From there, you can walk the shoreline to the cottage.”
She twisted her head. “You’re scaring me again.”
“We’re not going to capsize. But if we do, you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the river.” He paused. “Now, shut up and paddle.”
She flashed him a grateful smile. Even with her hair a stringy mess and her face dripping wet, she had to be the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
“Thanks.” She told him then turned to paddle.
Chapter Eight
Jade had never been more grateful to reach dry land. She was soaked to the skin, both from the rain pelting down on them and the waves splashing over the bow, threatening to swamp the little boat. They’d come frighteningly close to capsizing a couple of times. And when Logan turned the canoe over on shore, several gallons of water dumped out, making a rivulet in the sand.
She carried the pack, while Logan took the cooler and the paddles, and they trudged their way to the back door. The rain was blowing at an angle, and thunder began to rumble in the distance.
“Good timing,” said Logan as he pushed open the door, stepping back for her to enter.
“Perfect timing,” she deadpanned, dropping the pack on a small bench and shaking water from her fingertips.
“You don’t want to be out on the lake if there’s lightning.”
She tried to release the zipper on her saturated windbreaker, but her hand was shaking. It wasn’t from the cold, but from the fact that her arm muscles were thoroughly expended and her fingers were cramped from gripping the paddle.
Logan took over, pulling down the zipper.
He dipped down to look in her eyes. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Exhausted, but incredibly happy to be inside.”
“I can light a fire.”
“You’re tired, too.” She’d worked as hard as she could out there, but she knew Logan had provided the vast majority of the horsepower. Halfway across the stretch of open water, she’d taken a look at the fatigue and determination on his face. Then she’d worried that his arms would give out and they’d drown in the lake.
He helped her out of the windbreaker. “Go get into something dry.”
“That’s my plan.” She kicked off her runners and stripped off her soaked socks.
Logan tossed her a beach towel, and she dried her feet before making her way through the living room and upstairs. She changed into the black leggings and knit dress, again putting on the pair of fuzzy socks. Then she towel-dried her hair and combed it out.
As she made her way down the stairs, she could hear the crackle of firewood in the glass-fronted fireplace.
Logan had changed into dry jeans and a green flannel shirt. His hair was still shiny and wet. Beard stubble shadowed his square chin. But he looked tough and resilient, and oh, so sexy.
He tossed in another log and closed the glass door. “I’m boiling water for hot chocolate.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
“Orange, coffee or Irish cream liqueur?”
“Irish cream,” she answered, fighting an urge to throw herself into his arms.
“Marshmallows?”
“No, thanks.” Maybe if she moved closer, he’d spontaneously hug her.
“I’m starving, going for speed here.” He moved toward the kitchen. “Grilled ham and cheese okay for you?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” Okay, hugging would have to wait. The poor man had probably expended several thousand calories out there. H
e needed to eat.
Her stomach rumbled, and she realized she was starving, too.
“Can I help?” she asked, following him.
“Nope. Hop up and drink.” He gestured to one of two bar stools at the kitchen island.
The kettle whistled, and he efficiently put together the hot chocolate drinks then passed one across to her.
It was sweet, hot, and intensely satisfying. Logan drank his while he heated a griddle and assembled the sandwiches. The fire grew as more pieces of wood caught, and the heat radiated out to warm Jade’s back. The gloom gathered outside, and the flashes of lightning were bright in the windows.
“Do you get a lot of storms here?” she asked.
“Sometimes. Though it’s a bit late in the season.”
“I guess Elroy won’t be flying in any time soon?”
Logan smiled as he flipped the sandwiches onto plates. “We won’t be seeing Elroy tonight. Maybe tomorrow if it clears.”
Jade couldn’t help but be glad about the delay. It probably wasn’t right or wise, but she was in no rush to confront the outside world. And the thought of another night with Logan had her body humming with anticipation.
He pushed a sandwich across the island counter and took the chair cornerwise to hers.
She took a bite of the warm, crispy sandwich and groaned in appreciation. “Do you have a secret recipe?”
“Ham, cheese and bread.”
“These are delicious.” She took another bite.
“What did I tell you? Hard days, soft nights. Everything is better after the exercise and excitement.”
An image of what else she wanted to do for excitement bloomed in her mind. She didn’t dare look at Logan.
“It’s almost worth it,” she admitted.
“It’s completely worth it,” he countered. “We got some exercise. We had fun.”
“You call that fun?”
“It was exciting,” he amended.
“It was exciting,” she agreed. “You know, I never liked vacations before now.”
“Who doesn’t like vacations? What’s not to like about vacations?”
She took a drink of her hot chocolate. “They seem a little pointless.”
“Pointless?”
“You never accomplish anything.”
“The point is to have fun, Jade. And we accomplished something today. You learned how to canoe. You climbed a mountain and saw a vista you’d never seen. You’re in better shape now than you were this morning.”
“And how,” she agreed, stretching out her legs and rolling her shoulders.
The tone of his voice went lower. “And you know me better than you knew me this morning.”
She turned to look at him.
“Was that pointless?” he asked.
She thought about her answer for a moment. “It was fun.”
He took her hand in his, rubbing his fingertips across her knuckles. His eyes darkened. “And it’s going to be more fun still.”
She swallowed, her own voice going husky. “You think?”
He kissed the inside of her wrist. “I know.”
Then he came to his feet, smoothing back her damp hair. “I’ve never been partial to the drowned-rat look. But all the way across the lake, all I could think about was holding you, kissing you, making love to you.”
She put her palm against his chest. “You were amazing out there, so strong and capable.”
He covered her hand with his. “So were you.”
Then he leaned down to kiss her lips. The kiss went deep, curling down to her soul. He tasted of chocolate. He smelled fresh, like the lake and rainwater. His body was a solid block of warmth that engulfed her and kept everything but him at bay.
“We have to make love,” he told her.
“Right now?” She was game.
“Right now. Tonight. Tomorrow. Maybe we’ll never stop.”
She didn’t have an answer for that, and she certainly didn’t have any objection. So she wrapped her arms around his neck, sliding off the stool to kiss him, bringing their bodies tight together.
He flipped off the light then took her hand, leading her to the front of the fireplace.
“Warm enough?” he asked.
She nodded.
He smiled. Reaching down, he peeled the knit dress over her head, leaving her in the tights and a black bra.
“That’s nice,” he said, stroking the back of her neck and drawing her in for a kiss.
Then he stripped off her tights and socks, leaving the scrap of her black panties.
“That’s even better,” he mumbled, kissing her more deeply.
Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her into his arms, easing down on the sofa, settling her on his lap. The fire was warm on one side, while Logan was heat on the other. His hands stroked her body, from her neck to her breasts, to her hips and thighs, all the way down to her bare feet.
“You are so soft,” he told her. “And smooth, and warm, absolutely everything I ever wanted.”
He flicked the catch on her bra, tossing the bra away. He kissed her bare breasts, teasing the nipples, sending shoots of desire into her belly. She reflexively arched her back, gripping tight to his shoulders. He stripped off her panties, leaving her naked, curled against him, her desire intensifying as he kissed and caressed his way across her body.
Impatient, she pulled off his shirt, kissing his bare chest, running her hands over his broad shoulders.
She shifted her body, planting her knees on either side of him. He helped her strip off his jeans, kicked them loose then bracketed her hips with his hands, bringing her down on top of him.
She tipped her head back, moaning in absolute pleasure. He kissed her neck, teasing it with his tongue while his hand closed over her breast. He moved his hips, and she shifted her weight, helping him with the rhythm.
Sensations built and tightened, radiating out from the spot where their bodies joined. His arms wrapped fully around her, holding her tight against his chest. He captured her mouth in a drawn-out kiss, his tongue tangling with hers.
The fire popped and crackled, sending out swirls of heat that hung in the air around them. He grasped her thighs, pulling her hard against him, increasing the pace until the lightning seemed to penetrate her brain. She cried out his name as colors exploded around her.
“Jade,” he groaned. “Jade, Jade, Jade.”
Waves of pleasure all but paralyzed her. The last of her strength was drained from her muscles, and she slumped against him, melting against his body.
He held her close, smoothed her mussed hair, ran his hand down her back, along her thighs, squeezing her knees, before he gently touched his forehead to hers. “You are amazing.”
She settled her head on his shoulder. “I think you might actually have killed us.”
His body rumbled with a chuckle. “If that’s dying, bring it on.”
She whooshed out a breath. “We shouldn’t be liking this that much.”
“It does defy logic, doesn’t it?”
She nodded against him, and they both fell silent.
“I’ve been thinking,” he rumbled in her ear.
“I haven’t. My brain shut down about twenty minutes ago.”
“I can probably get them to drop the charges.”
Jade pulled herself back to blink at him. “Your aunt and uncle?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want you to do that.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why not? Why wouldn’t you?”
“Because I’m innocent.”
“Then dropping the charges makes sense.”
“Not as a favor to you. They’d always think I was guilty. You’d always think I was guilty. You still do, don’t you?”
“I don’t know. How can I know?”
She straightened. “You’re saying that just because I’m willing to sleep with you doesn’t mean I’m not a criminal?”
She started to move from his lap, but he grasped her arms, holding her fast. �
��Don’t you dare.”
“Dare what?”
“Back off. Get mad. Draw away from me. You rock my world, and I don’t give a damn if you’re guilty or not. Logic tells me it’s a fifty-fifty chance. But instinct tells me to make love to you until neither of us can move. We can argue for the rest of the night, if you’d prefer, but it’ll all be the same in the morning.” He paused. “What do you want, Jade?”
She stared at him. She’d never been presented with anything even approaching his argument. Then again, this had to be a ridiculously unique situation. Did she want to stress her point? Yes. Did she want to make love with him? Yes.
She couldn’t do both.
While she thought it through, he leaned in and kissed her.
Then he kissed her again.
The third time, she kissed him back. Forget stressing her point. She could do that tomorrow.
*
By ten o’clock the next morning, Logan was at the controls of his airplane. Elroy was in the co-pilot’s seat, and Jade was tucked in the back. Sam had sent word that they should come back to Mirror Falls, and Logan had absolutely no idea what would happen next.
He brought the plane down on Mirror Lake, gliding it to a stop close to his dock like he had a thousand times. He taxied up and shut off the engine, while Elroy jumped out and tied them off. He stripped off his headset and looked over his shoulder at Jade, taking in her gorgeous face and that sweet, soft hair that he’d touched and smelled all night long.
He tried to come up with the right words. Was this goodbye? Was it see you later?
Before he could speak, Elroy pulled open the back door. Jade moved, and Logan’s attention was distracted by a group of people making their way along the dock. He was surprised and worried to see Bonnie and Mike marching toward them. Amy was in the group, and Logan could only hope she was still on Jade’s side.
“What are they doing here?” he called out to Elroy.
“Who are they?” asked Jade, glancing from the group to Logan.
“My aunt and uncle, for one, the Twin Peaks owners. What’s going on, Elroy?” Logan couldn’t help but wonder if this was a setup.
“Beats me,” said Elroy.
“Cast us off,” said Logan. “Jade, don’t get out of the plane.”
“Seriously?” asked Elroy, clearly shocked by the request.
An Extraordinary Match (The Match Series Book 3) Page 11
