Cursing, he moved, bumped his head against the roof of the car, and cursed again.
She giggled. “Poor baby.”
She was still chuckling when he started the car. “You think this is funny?” He reached for her hand. “Feel what you do to me.” He pressed her hand against his crotch. Her breath hitched and she leaned in for a quick kiss.
“Now behave,” she admonished, folding her hands primly on her lap.
But he simply had to take her hand again while he was driving. He glanced at her, and that was all it took for his body to react to her again. He was like a sex-starved schoolboy. Surely, he could talk about normal things and not only think about the next time he could have her again?
Talk. Yes. They’d been distracted earlier. He turned into the street where she lived. “You haven’t answered my question yet. Has Lindsay heard from her ex-boyfriend again?”
Charlie shook her head. “No. But I...” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth while she turned around in her seat and glanced over her shoulder.
“What?” he asked as he parked in front of her house.
“I don’t know. Maybe it was nothing; maybe...”
Really upset now, he scowled. “Charlie, damn it, what happened?” Just the thought that something might be troubling her upset him.
“I was walking home last night when I saw a car parked here in this street, close to our house. It’s not a car I’ve seen here before and it quickly sped away when I approached it, but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
“But you’re worried.”
“We’re...more on edge, I’d say.”
“Will you please let me know if anything happens that worries you or bothers you? The county sheriff and I went to school together. I’ve spoken to him about the message Lindsay’s received. I’ll tell him about this, as well.”
“You really don’t have to...”
He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. “Of course I do. If anything happened to you...” Not a sentence he wanted to finish.
Smiling, she softly touched his face. “Underneath the tie and suit, you’re a nice guy, Logan Johnson. Thanks for the ride.”
“Will you join my family and me for dinner tonight?” he asked.
She grinned cheekily. “Sorry, I already have a date.”
Completely taken aback, he frowned. He hadn’t even considered the possibility that she might have another man in her life. “Oh. Okay.”
Angry and upset, he quickly got out and opened the door for her. She’d spent the afternoon with him, but she was going with some other man on a date? So the mind-blowing lovemaking just now was just another item on her Friday agenda?
Here he was, ready to throw her over his shoulder and take her far away so that they could be together—uninterrupted—but she had another date.
“Logan...” she began.
“No need to explain. Goodbye.” And without looking back, he drove away.
The damn man was going to pay for behaving like a spoilt brat. Charlie combed her hair back with her fingers. She was still so mad, she hoped Logan’s tongue would drop to the floor when he saw her. Dressing to look sexy had never been a goal for her, but tonight all she could think about was bringing Logan to his knees.
She, Gavin, and Lindsay had arrived at the restaurant minutes before. Earlier that afternoon, she’d only been teasing Logan. She was going to explain that his mother had already invited them, but by that time he’d already gotten all haughty and angry. The imbecile. He should know...after that afternoon...he should know she’d rather be with him than with anyone else.
Gavin parked in front of the restaurant. “I’m impressed,” he said as they all got out. “This looks very nice.”
Lindsay grabbed Gavin’s arm and grinned at Charlie. “Alisson is a growing town, dear brother. Charlie, we have ourselves a very attractive man tonight; let’s go make everyone jealous.”
“And you gals look great, as well.” Gavin smiled.
“Charlie is looking particularly sexy tonight. I wonder why?” Lindsay teased.
Before they’d reached the front door of the restaurant, someone called out their names. Alarmed, Lindsay looked around quickly, but her frown quickly turned into a smile. “It’s Eleanor and Brooke. And of course, Logan.”
Charlie turned around and there he was. Handsome as sin and with a glint in his eye. Ah. He’d finally figured out who her date was.
“Logan, you haven’t met our brother yet,” Lindsay said. “Gavin, this is Eleanor’s son, Logan. Logan, our brother, Gavin.”
The two men shook hands and Logan grimaced.
“Gavin, seriously,” Charlie scowled. Her brother was always testing the men around his sisters by nearly crushing their hands.
And then Logan was beside her. “So this is your date? And you didn’t think to tell me?” he said under his breath, his eyes raking over her.
Lifting her chin, she looked away. “You didn’t give me a chance to explain.”
The rest of the party were entering the restaurant. Grinning, Lindsay glanced at them. “I suppose you need a few minutes to talk to Charlie about...your back?”
Before Charlie could say anything, Logan had her by the elbow. “Yes, I do. Five minutes.” Without waiting for Lindsay to reply, he steered Charlie to the side of the building where they couldn’t be seen from the street.
“Logan, really...”
But before she could complete her sentence, his mouth was on hers and she forgot what she wanted to say. His hands swept down her sides before he cupped her breasts. Against her body, she felt his growing desire and her knees buckled. This man could turn her to mush simply by touching her.
Gulping in fresh air, he cupped her face. “I was an idiot. But the idea that you’d go on a date with someone else after this afternoon... I lose all logic when I’m near you.” He groaned. “Look at you—you’re beautiful, sexy, exquisite. How the hell am I supposed to keep my hands to myself?”
“You don’t approve of what I wear, remember?”
He frowned, tracing the line of the off-the-shoulder shimmering blue top she was wearing. “But I do I love it when your shoulders are bare and I...” He touched her earrings with his one hand while the other one slipped below her top to cup her breast. “I dream about these damn mini-chandeliers.”
“Mini-chandeliers? Seriously?” Her giggle turned into a gasp. He was fondling her breast; thinking was fast becoming impossible.
“Charlie! Logan! Where are you guys? We want to order!” Eleanor called from close by.
Swearing, Logan dropped his hands. “I have to...give me a minute.”
Combing her unsteady fingers through her hair, Charlie inhaled deeply. “I’ll see you inside.”
Fortunately, Eleanor was not waiting for her, so she could slip into the bathroom. She definitely needed a minute, as well. Her heart was beating out of control. She sagged against the wall. How was she supposed to resist him?
Her legs were rubbery, the stupid butterflies frantic, and her whole body was aflame. How she was going to sit and eat and talk about ordinary things as if nothing had happened, she had no idea.
When Logan finally reached the table, Charlie was pulling out a chair. He stepped closer. “Let me?” he asked softly, and felt her shiver before she sat down. He sat down next to her, moving his chair slightly so that he could easily touch her.
“Well, isn’t this lovely?” Eleanor beamed.
Logan caught the waiter’s eye. He needed a drink. The blood was still roaring in his ears. Damn, this woman was killing him. He’d been livid when he’d left her earlier that afternoon, thinking she’d made a date with someone else. It was only after they’d parked in front of the restaurant that his mother had casually mentioned that the Wilsons would be joining them.
Charlie had wanted to explain; he hadn’t given her a chance. He’d been so quick to jump to the wrong conclusion. Why? He glanced sideways at Charlie. She was laughing at something her brother was
saying to her, and again he felt the strange shift inside of him.
“...heard anything about the car parked in your street?” Brooke’s voice penetrated his thoughts.
Charlie had mentioned it earlier but he’d been so upset about the thought she’d be with someone else, he hadn’t given the strange car another thought. He’d only been thinking of ways to get them alone again—damn it, he was completely out of control around her.
“I don’t know,” Lindsay said. “I haven’t heard from him again—”
“But you are still taking the self-defense classes?’ his mother interrupted her.
“Well...” Lindsay shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I don’t know if that will necessarily help. And ...”
“Am I too late?” someone asked and when Logan turned his head, there was the damn martial arts instructor, as well. What the hell?
But his mother was all smiles. “Blake! I’m so happy you could make it. Do sit down. I’m so glad I was able to change your mind. We’re just talking about your self-defense classes. How are things going in the new dojo?”
The only available chair was next to Lindsay, and Blake pulled it out while he nodded to everyone around the table. “It’s a slow start, but we’ll get there,” he said.
Charlie leaned forward. “Hello, Blake. Now is your chance to try persuade Lindsay she needs to continue with your classes.”
“I’m fine,” Lindsay said crossly.
Just then the waiter approached their table. “I’m sorry, I’m looking for Lindsay Wilson,” he said.
“Why?” Gavin asked, getting up.
“There’s a phone call for her.” The waiter pointed in the direction of the entrance.
Lindsay paled visibly.
Charlie got up quickly. “I’ll take the call, Linds.”
“Follow me,” the waiter said and walked toward the entrance of the restaurant.
Before Logan could react, Gavin also got up and took Charlie’s arm as they left.
Charlie was so angry; if she’d ever had the misfortune of seeing Mark-freaking-Taylor, again, she would throttle him. This could only be him. But how did he know they were here?
Gavin was standing close to her when she answered the phone. “Yes.”
“Lindsay?” It was Mark’s voice.
“Yes.”
“I’m coming for you, bitch,” he snarled before the line was disconnected.
Charlie shivered and put the phone back.
“Who was it?” Gavin asked.
“It was Mark.”
“What did he say?” asked Logan.
Charlie turned around; Logan had also followed them.
“He’s coming for her. He used a more colorful description.”
Gavin swore. “So if he called here, it means...”
“He’s around.” Charlie nodded. “He knows our movements. Or someone else is telling him where we are.”
Logan took her hand. “I’ll speak to the sheriff again and tell him about the car and the phone call. If this guy is in Alisson, they’ll find him.”
Gavin was staring at their clasped hands. “And this?” He glared at Logan. “If you mess with my sister, there’ll be hell to pay,” he growled.
Charlie placed a hand on his arm. “Down, boy.” She smiled. “We’re having fun. I’m not his type; he’s told me.”
“What the hell?” Gavin nearly bellowed. “And you let him touch you?”
Charlie took her brother’s hand. “Relax. Neither of us wants anything more; we’re both in this with eyes wide open. Come on, Lindsay will want to know who phoned.”
Gavin relaxed slightly, but he was still glaring at Logan. “Are we going to tell her?”
Charlie nodded. “Yes, she may not know it yet, but she’s strong. She can handle it. She has us.”
Chapter 12
Lindsay sat staring at Charlie long after she’d finished telling everyone about the call. Logan watched her. Like Charlie, she was beautiful, but at the moment she looked fragile. For a minute he was worried she might faint. But then she squared her shoulders, and lifting her chin, she swore softly.
His mother grinned. “That’s my girl. Look around this table, sweetheart. We’re all here for you. Brooke and I know most of the people in this town and we’ll spread the word. This guy is not going to get close to you if we can help it.”
“He’s stolen my joy before. I’m not going to let him do that again,” Lindsay declared.
“So does this mean we can continue with Blake’s classes?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, okay, I’ll go back. But,” and she glared at Blake, “you’re not to keep using me for demonstrations. And I’m not standing in the front row.”
Blake nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And don’t ma’am me,” she scolded. Pleased that the tension had been somewhat relieved, everyone laughed.
Their food arrived and the talking became more general.
“Are you working tomorrow?” Logan asked Charlie under his breath. He hadn’t planned on asking her, but sitting here, so close to her, he couldn’t think about anything else other than trying to be with her again.
She turned and looked at him. “I have one client at ten but then I’m free for the day.”
“Want to go with me to a cabin near a lake tomorrow? We’ll be back on Sunday.”
She quickly glanced at Lindsay. “I’m not sure if I want to leave Lindsay alone...”
“Your brother is here,” he said, and put his hand on her knee underneath the tablecloth.
She inhaled softly. “You can’t do that!”
“Watch me.” He grinned and swept his hand up her leg to touch her intimately. He waited for her gasp before he brought his hand back up from under her dress.
“Logan,” she scolded, her cheeks flaming.
“I need to be with you, Charlie. Without interruptions.”
She exhaled slowly. “I’ll text you tonight.”
By the time there was a knock on her front door at lunch the next day, Charlie was a wreck. She checked her watch. One o’clock on the dot. Logan was here to pick her up.
She shouldn’t go with him; this whole thing had heartache written all over it. She was setting herself up to be hurt. Badly. Gavin’s words of the night before had also been bothering her for the fast eight hours. Her brother was right—she shouldn’t let someone who’d told her she wasn’t his type even touch her, let alone go away with him.
But when it came to Logan Johnson, her brain seemed to stop functioning. Refusing him was not an option. This was all temporary; he’d made that perfectly clear right from the beginning. And she knew she was not what he really wanted and needed in a wife. Also something he’d been very honest about.
He might want her for the moment. Need her, he’d said. It wouldn’t last: she knew that. But her whole being wanted to be with him; she wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.
Picking up her overnight bag, she glanced around the room, making sure she’d taken everything.
Lindsay knocked and opened her door. “You ready? The sooner you leave with Lover Boy, the better. Our brother is just about foaming at the mouth.”
“Aargh, there really is no need. I told him last night, I’m very much aware that this is short-lived. Nobody has to get so worked up about it.”
“You sure about this?” Lindsay asked.
Combing her fingers through her hair, Charlie sighed. “I want to be with him, sis. It’s that simple.”
Lindsay stared at her for a few minutes before she smiled slowly. “Don’t tell me... You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Charlie’s breath hitched. “Don’t be silly. I can’t...I don’t...of course I’m...” But that was exactly what had happened. Feeling numb, she stared at her sister. “I love him,” she whispered. “How did that happen?”
“Oh, Charlie.” Lindsay gave her a quick hug. “We sure pick ’em, don’t we? So what are you going to do?”
Charlie shook her head slowl
y, her thoughts chaotic. “I can’t go away with him. It was okay before I didn’t know what this craziness inside me was, but now...” Pressing her fingers against her eyelids, she shook her head. “I can’t go. And anyway, we have our life here. A home, peace—that’s the only thing I want right now.”
Lindsay frowned. “It’s not your job to ‘make a home’ for me, Charlie. Why would you think you need to do that?”
“After everything you’ve been through...”
Lindsay gave her a quick hug. “You were there for me when I needed you and I know you’ll always be there for me, no matter where you are. Please don’t put your own life on hold for me. I’m a big girl.”
Charlie swallowed a sob that was threatening to escape. “It’ll break my heart when he leaves.”
“So what do I tell Logan?”
“Tell him...or no, wait, I’ll tell him myself,” Charlie murmured. She put down the overnight bag and inhaled deeply before she brushed past her sister.
The moment he saw Charlie coming down the stairs, Logan knew something was wrong. She didn’t quite look him in the eye.
“Gavin, can you give us a minute?”
Gavin stubbornly crossed his arms and leaned against the kitchen door.
“Please?” she asked her brother again. “I’m...not going with him.”
A sharp sword pierced Logan’s heart. Gavin smiled triumphantly and moved into the kitchen.
“What the hell, Charlie?” Logan got out when Gavin was out of earshot.
Charlie’s eyes were swimming with tears. “I can’t go with you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“I’m not what you want, Logan. You know that.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room. “What happened between yesterday and today? Last night you were with me, I—”
“I’ve had time to think.”
He cupped her face, his eyes taking in every beautiful thing about her. “I can make sure you don’t think.”
She turned her face into his hand. “I know. It’ll be so easy. It won’t last, we both know it and I...” One tear slipped down her cheek. “I thought I could be with you on a temporary basis, but I can’t.”
Kissing Charlie Page 9
