Logan (7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes Book 6) Read online

  And she was.

  She never really expected him to honor their bet. It was all in good fun and she wasn’t planning on holding him to it. The fact that he came and did it just made him even more attractive to her.

  Something she didn't think was possible.

  He wasn’t at the Vault last night so their last conversation was Saturday night when things got a little heated.

  And not in the good way.

  When she stepped into the wide-open doors of the shed, it took a minute for her to see him. The building was really more like a barn and it wasn’t well lit, but once he stepped out of the shadows, she couldn’t help but stare. He was currently shirtless and in a pair of faded blue jeans and looked sexier than any man had a right to. Using his T-shirt as a towel, he wiped his face and chest as he walked across the space. Piper must have made a sound because Logan suddenly stopped and looked at her.

  Her legs felt shaky and her throat went dry, and yet she was able to force herself to say a soft, “Hey.”

  His smile was slow and a little unsure and she knew he was probably feeling as nervous as she was. How was it possible they had spent less than a week together and yet she was inexplicably drawn to him? But as he slowly walked toward her, it seemed like he was experiencing the same thing.

  Piper stepped into the shed and met him halfway. “So, you mowed the property today, huh?”

  His laugh was low and husky and very sexy. “Yeah. I thought the ride-on mower would make it easy but…it was a bit more challenging than I expected.”

  Unable to help herself, she laughed. “Yeah, my dad was a little worried about you and how it was all going. I had to stop him several times from coming out and checking up on you.”

  “He’ll probably be cursing me tomorrow. I may have run over a couple of flower beds.”

  That just had her laughing harder. “You didn’t!”

  Nodding solemnly, he said, “I did. Nana is going to have a fit. I already called the nursery in town and replacement flowers will be here in the morning. Tell your father I’ll gladly meet him to help plant them.”

  She had a feeling her father would prefer if Logan stayed far away from the yard after this, but she didn’t want to be the one to tell him that, so she simply nodded.

  “So…I thought I’d see you last night,” she said shyly. “It felt weird having Grayson tending bar. He’s not nearly as talkative as you.”

  “Yeah, but he makes great drinks.” Maybe it was Piper’s imagination, but it seemed like they were suddenly standing closer together.

  “Listen, I want to apologize for the other night. Once again, I pushed and…I really need to stop doing that. I barely know you so I have no right offering advice or opinions on what you do with your life.”

  “Piper…”

  “No, I’m serious, Logan. I know you’re only here for a few weeks and I have no idea how much longer I’ll be here and…I’d really rather spend that time enjoying your company rather than fighting with you.”

  Okay, this time she knew they were moving closer together because she could feel the heat of his body, could smell the sweat on him, and she liked it. Without thinking, her hand reached up and rested on his chest. It was quite possibly the boldest thing she had ever done, but now that she knew what she wanted from him, she didn’t want to waste another minute.

  Swallowing hard, she looked up at him and gasped at the heat she saw in his gaze.

  The need.

  “Logan,” she whispered as he lowered his head. They were a breath apart and she was straining to close the distance when he pulled back. “Logan?” He took a step back and her heart sank.

  He raked both hands through his hair and let out a long breath before he looked at her. “I need to know, Piper. I need to know that you’re sure–that you don’t think this is a mistake.”

  And if it were possible, that one statement had her falling a little in love with him. She moved until she was practically pressed up against him, and her hand went back to his chest. “I’m very sure. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

  “Thank God,” he murmured before claiming her lips. The kiss was slow and tentative–like he was being overly cautious to give her time to really be sure.

  She didn’t need time.

  She was completely sure.

  Wrapping her arms around him, Piper pulled him in close until they were pressed together from head to toe and it felt glorious. She was the one to deepen the kiss–the one to stroke his tongue, the one to nip at his bottom lip–and his growl of satisfaction spurred her on.

  He maneuvered them across the room where there was a bench in the far corner. Lowering them, Logan positioned her in his lap as his hands gently grasped and squeezed her ass. His hands were large and felt incredible and all she could do was imagine how they’d feel touching her all over.

  His mouth left hers and kissed and licked and nipped at her throat, the delicate shell of her ear, and her jaw before claiming her lips again. It was making her crazy because she wanted more–more touching, more exploring, more…everything. She was shamelessly rubbing against him and knew if they didn’t stop soon, she’d beg him to make love to her right here in the shed.

  And as wild as she was feeling, she wasn’t sex-in-the-shed wild.

  Logan must have sensed her frustration because he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “Come out with me tonight,” he said breathlessly. “Let me take you out on a proper date. Please.”

  As if she could possibly say no.

  The sun had set and they were driving along the coast, heading back to his place. Logan couldn’t help but regret that he hadn’t made dinner for them at home. If he had, they would be naked and exhausted right now and it would be heaven.

  Soon.

  He knew he could wait and that Piper was worth it, but after the way she had responded to him in the shed, it was hard to think about anything else. When he glanced over at her in her little black dress that showed a whole lot of bare, tanned legs, it made him think about taking it off of her and having said legs wrapped around his waist.

  Soon.

  They had a fantastic dinner at one of his favorite seafood places on the water just thirty minutes out of King Harbor and they had both opted to skip dessert. The sultry look Piper had given him told him that she was just as anxious to leave as he was. Without conscious thought, he reached over and rested his hand on her knee. Her skin was warm and smooth and he couldn’t wait to feel more of it.

  She turned her head and looked at him with a serene smile on her face. “Thank you for dinner. I’ve always wanted to try The Atlantique but never could afford it.”

  “It was my pleasure.” And the thing was, she told him earlier that she would have been fine going to the diner or even one of the chain restaurants in town. She wasn’t like the women he usually dated and he realized just how much he had been missing out on by dating shallow women. Most of his dates contained lots of superficial conversation followed by mutually satisfying sex that left him feeling a little…unsatisfied.

  Well, maybe not completely unsatisfied, but there was never any real connection.

  He had a feeling it wasn’t going to be like that with Piper.

  For starters, he genuinely liked her. He enjoyed talking with her, playing games with her, and laughing with her. Hell, he almost didn’t mind fighting with her, either, because she challenged him and made him think in ways no one else ever had.

  Piper Stewart was the total package and he couldn’t wait to get her home and see what other surprises she had in store for him.

  No doubt it was going to be spectacular.

  “You’re awful quiet over there,” she said, breaking into his thoughts.

  Should he tell her what he was thinking?

  Yes…

  Glancing over at her, he said, “I was thinking how I can’t wait to get you home. So far this has been the perfect night and I’m dying to know how the night’
s going to end.”

  “Hmm,” she said softly. “When you say get me home, are you referring to dropping me off at my house, or are we going to yours?”

  Was she serious?

  “Uh…I was really hoping you’d want to come back to my place.” He paused and looked at her again, careful to keep his eye on the road too. “No pressure, Piper, but after that kiss earlier…”

  “I had planned on going home with you,” she said and he was a little shocked at her honesty. “I even told my father not to wait up.”

  “Oh, God…”

  “Relax, Logan. I’m a grown woman and…well…I just found out today that my father has a girlfriend so I think he was a little relieved I wasn’t going to be home tonight.”

  “I don’t even know what to say to that.” She went so quiet that he thought he had been too bold, but she rested her hand on top of his and gently guided it up her leg a bit. Another glance at her. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?”

  “Just offering a little motivation for you to get us home faster.”

  And as his foot pressed down harder on the gas, he prayed he wouldn’t get a speeding ticket.

  Beside him, he heard her low, husky laugh, and it was all he could do not to pull over and simply get a taste of her right here, right now. His hands were shaking and he felt a little out of his element. There were plenty of women he’d been attracted to–plenty he’d been more than a little anxious to sleep with–but Piper Stewart had him feeling all those things and more. For some reason, he felt like there was a lot at stake here, like this wasn’t just a casual hookup, which was more than fine with him. She had mentioned earlier about them spending the rest of the time he was here in King Harbor together and he really liked the sound of that.

  And what about after?

  Yeah. That was new.

  Logan knew he had a short attention span where relationships were concerned. Part of it was because he tended to travel so much–and it was normally of his own making. No one really pushed him to go from office to office–from Maine to Boston to L.A. to Kentucky…when he got bored, he usually chose to change locations.

  Probably not the smartest decision, but…no one ever asked him to stay.

  Funny how that never registered with him until now. For all the women who flirted with him, chased him, and propositioned him, none questioned it when he moved on.

  Would Piper?

  Did he want her to?

  He mentally shook his head because it was way too soon to be thinking like that. Granted, the night had been damn-near perfect already and he had a feeling it would hit the perfection level before the night was through. Still, he had to wonder what was going on in her mind. His curiosity had been driving him crazy as he tried to imagine what changed her mind where they were concerned. How had she gone from think that kissing him was a mistake to…she wasn’t going home tonight?

  Does it even matter? She’s here, isn’t she?

  She was, but…there was something about it that wasn’t sitting quite right with him.

  They turned onto his block and Logan swiftly parked the car in his reserved spot. He was out of the car and assisting Piper in the blink of an eye. Just the touch of her hand in his had him ready to toss her over his shoulder like a caveman and haul her up to his apartment.

  This was really one of the main reasons he wanted his own place here in King Harbor–he would never would have felt comfortable doing this at the estate. There was no telling who was hanging out there lately and right now, he was thankful for the privacy his own apartment allowed.

  Neither spoke as they entered the building and got into the elevator. He was tempted to press her up against the wall and kiss her, but it seemed a little too clichéd.

  His body was humming with anticipation and by the time the elevator doors opened on his floor, he thought for sure that he was going to go insane. Grasping Piper’s hand in his, they both seemed to speed walk to his door. As soon as they were inside, he did what he was tempted to do only minutes ago.

  Piper’s back was against the wall and her hands were in his hair as he did his best to consume her. It was all teeth and tongues, a little wet, a little messy, and yet it was more of a turn-on than a kiss had ever been–including their first one only a few nights ago.

  He wanted to taste and touch her everywhere and from the way she was responding to him, she wanted that as well.

  But there was no way he was going to let that happen in the entryway. Logan let his hands glide down her back, over her perfect ass, and to the back of her thighs before he hauled her up. Those glorious legs of hers wrapped around his waist as he stalked across the room to the bedroom area. For days he had envisioned Piper sprawled out on his bed and he couldn’t wait for the reality of it.

  Gently, he lay her down and broke the kiss. He straightened and stared down at her. She was a beautiful mess–her dress twisted and bunched up at the top of her thighs and exposing a pair of hot pink panties. His mouth instantly watered and he nearly ripped all the buttons off of his shirt in his haste to get it off. Shoes and socks went next, followed by his belt before he all but dove onto the bed so he could kiss her again.

  Time lost all meaning and when they broke apart again, he was a little in awe of having her there with him. As he caught his breath, Logan reached up and gently caressed her cheek, her lips. He touched her hair and couldn’t seem to make himself stop. “I can’t believe you’re here with me,” he said, his voice a little gruff. “After the other night…”

  This time it was Piper’s hand reaching up. She placed a finger over his lips. “I told you, I was wrong. If I was honest with myself, I would have admitted I was tempted to stay. One kiss wasn’t nearly enough.” Then her smile went from sweet to sexy. “It’s still not.” Her hand moved from his lips to around his nape where she pulled him back down to her and kissed him senseless.

  After that, it was hard to say who was seducing whom. Clothes fell away as they rolled from one side of the bed to the other and by the time he had her naked, he had to force himself to simply pull back and take in the sight of her.

  She was perfect–all lush curves and soft skin. He was a man who appreciated a woman’s body, but he’d never found himself speechless over the sight of one. There were no words to describe how beautiful he found her or how sexy she was. They all sounded lame in his head. Piper reached out a hand to him and her smile was small and a little hesitant.

  “Logan?”

  He realized all his quiet staring had probably come off as being weird and maybe she thought he didn’t like what he saw.

  Then he’d just have to show her, wouldn’t he?

  Slowly, he let his hand trail from her slim ankle up her calf and to the sensitive spot behind her knee. He watched her shiver and a slow smile crossed his lips. Up further, he gently tickled her inner thigh until her legs spread slightly. It was hard not to linger there, but his hand continued its journey upward. He stopped to marvel at her full breasts and that’s when he leaned forward and spent some time licking and kissing them until she was squirming beneath him–panting his name.

  Biggest. Turn-on. Ever.

  Lifting his head, he looked down at her. “Tell me what you want, beautiful.”

  “I want more, Logan,” she said, her voice a breathless whisper. “And I want it all with you.”

  He knew his smile grew and he felt like the luckiest man in the world because this woman–this beautiful woman–not only wanted him, but she trusted him. And that meant more than anything else ever would.

  “That’s good, because I want to give you so much more,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “And I want to give it to you all night long.”

  Piper’s arms and legs wrapped around him and pulled him in close as she whispered in his ear, “Then what are you waiting for?”

  Hell if he knew, but now that he knew she was ready, he’d give her everything he had.

  And more.

  7

  It should have been
awkward.

  But it wasn’t.

  She should have been looking for excuses to leave.

  But she didn’t.

  And as Logan approached the bed wearing nothing but a pair of dark boxers and carrying a tray piled high with breakfast foods, she felt pretty damn content.

  Not only was the man an attentive lover, but he cooked too.

  Yeah, falling in love with Logan Blackthorne would not be a hardship.

  She had to stop thinking things like that! This wasn’t about falling in love. This was about having herself a little fling before she moved away and started her career and began her search for someone to spend the rest of her life with. This little break from her norm was a distraction–a great distraction but still a distraction. And there was no way she could regret it.

  Especially not after the night they just shared.

  It was a good thing she had the day and night off again today because at some point, she was going to need to catch up on some sleep. There had been very little of that last night and while she hadn’t missed it at the time, she knew it was going to catch up with her later on.

  Logan placed the tray over her lap and Piper pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts while she ate.

  “Now that is a shame,” he said as he carefully sat down beside her. “Don’t cover them up on my account.”

  She swatted his arm playfully before reaching for the mug of coffee on the tray. “Hush. A gentleman would have offered me a shirt or something to put on.”

  He nipped at her shoulder before kissing it. “It’s a good thing I never said I was a gentleman.”

  Laughing softly, she smiled at him before taking a sip of the coffee. “Mmm…a man who brews a good cup of coffee and makes breakfast? It’s like seeing a unicorn; I didn’t think they existed.”

  Settling in against the pillows, Logan laughed. “I’m not sure I like being compared to a unicorn, but I appreciate the compliment.” He reached for a fork and cut into the omelet he prepared for them. Holding up the fork, he gave her the first bite. “What do you think?”