by Kaylee, Katy
Amber sipped her water. “Why not?”
Taylor chuckled. “Because, that’s not how the world works. And you’re going to give yourself an anxiety attack. I think you should go, personally. You’re going to be around the entire family, with Bradley, in a comfortable setting. You won’t be doing it on the table by the turkey. You can engage with the people who love you the most, besides myself of course, and Bradley can be around his family too.”
Amber just stared at her. “Can’t you ever just take my side?”
Taylor shook her head. “Not when your side is boring and wrong. I speak the truth, my friend. Maybe it will allow you and Logan to get back into the groove of being around each other without either fucking or fighting. You’re going to have to work with him, even if it isn’t forever, and even though I think you will totally sleep together again, if you are dead set on making sure you don’t, then starting out in a friendly environment like that won’t hurt a thing.”
Amber sighed. “What about Bradley?”
Taylor shrugged. “What about him? You and I are the only two people in the whole world who know Logan is his father. I respected your wishes never to mention it, and I won’t be there. The only person who could possibly spill the beans is you, and I can’t see you just jumping at the chance to do that. Just let the kid be around his family. Logan will leave eventually, and he won’t even remember him when he gets older. Or hell, tell him the truth over the toast at dinner and let the chips fall where they may.”
Amber chuckled. “Uh, no. That would be the biggest disaster ever. My mom would faint, my brother would punch Logan, Melissa would scream, and my father would just sit there like a statue until he blew away with the wind. I don’t think that’s a very good start to a professional relationship. I just walk up when I’m leaving and say, ‘I’ll see you Monday. Reports will be on your desk. Bradley is your son. Goodnight.’ Yeah, right.”
Taylor giggled. “Hey, I was just showing you that you have more than one option. I didn’t say it was more than one feasible option. And trust me, you have blurted out crazy shit before when you get nervous.”
Amber groaned. “I know! Too many times I’ve done that, and it never turned out good in the end. If I go, I’m going to be silent the whole time. Just nod my head and smile politely.”
Taylor took a bite of her sandwich. “Mhmm. That’s a sure-fire way for no one to ask jabber jaws what’s wrong with her.”
They both giggled, and Amber looked over out the window. She still had no idea what she was going to do.
Logan
The chauffeur opened the door to the blacked-out town car and Logan stepped out, running his hand down his white button up. He adjusted the sleeves, rolled up to just below the elbow, and looked down at his jeans and loafers. It was as casual as he got anymore, but he was glad that he had changed out of his suit; that would have felt awkward. He climbed the stairs and rang the doorbell, hearing heels clacking across the marble floors.
Lisa opened the door and held her arms out. “Why in the world are you knocking? This is your home too.”
Logan smiled and hugged her, handing her a bottle of wine. “I brought this for you from New York. They have a fantastic wine cellar just down the street from my condo, and I know how much you like wine.”
Lisa oohed. “That’s lovely, Logan. And it will be perfect with dinner. Come on in, the meal is almost ready. Matt, Jordan, and Melissa are in the living room subjecting Melissa to baby videos of Jordan.”
Logan chuckled. “That sounds riveting.”
Just then, the door opened behind them and Amber ushered Bradley inside. Lisa bent down and scooped up the little boy as he ran straight for her with his arms out. Logan was shocked that Amber had actually come. He didn’t think there was a chance in hell she would show up that night. She glanced over at him while Lisa was busy with Bradley, and he could see a small blush move across her cheeks. He grinned and turned away so as not to embarrass her.
Lisa waved an arm. “Come on, you can show Bradley where you guys used to hide out in the backyard.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “This should be good.”
“My pixie!” Jordan shouted as he walked out of the living room.
“Hi, big brother,” she smiled, giving him a hug.
Melissa walked out behind him and smiled. “Amber, I’m so glad that you came.”
Amber hurried over and hugged Melissa. “Mom talked me into it. Besides, I can’t leave you here all alone. Dad might force you to watch old homemade movies.”
Melissa pouted. Amber wrapped her arm around Melissa’s waist, leading her to the back door, which Bradley was already running through. “They already started, didn’t they? I’m sorry, girl. I should have gotten here earlier.”
Melissa shrugged. “I saw a video of Jordan at fifteen. It was hilarious.”
Amber nodded. “Awe, yes. That was the Metallica, braces, headgear, freckle face phase. Not one of his more handsome moments.”
The girls laughed as Logan and Jordan followed them outside. Across the yard, Bradley waved his little arms. “Mr. Logan, come see.”
Logan looked at Jordan and laughed. “Kids always did stick to me like glue.”
Jordan took a sip of his beer. “Better you than me, unless it’s that little man. Then normally I would fight you for favor. I’m going to let it pass this time, because you are new and shiny to him. Eventually it will wear off.”
Logan smiled. “Thanks, man, that’s so nice of you to say.”
Amber stopped him on the way across the deck. “You don’t have to…”
Logan scoffed. “Please, we’ve got treasure hunting to do.”
Jordan clapped his hands. “Amber, you remember when we sent you to go find the treasure in the shed?”
Amber winced. “Yes, and there were about a million spiders and no treasure. Then you locked me in there and the light wouldn’t work. You guys freaked out because the lock got stuck, and left me in there until dinner when Mom and Dad finally realized I was missing.”
Jordan put his arm around Amber and winked. “We love you, little sis.”
She elbowed him and they both looked over at Logan in the yard, playing a rousing game of chase with Bradley. The little boy giggled loudly, and Logan ran and jumped, making him laugh even harder. Jordan furrowed his brow. “Funny, I’ve never actually seen him play with a kid. Bradley reminds me of Jordan when he was younger. It’s cute.”
Amber swallowed hard as Jordan walked back inside. Melissa stared at her for a moment, then put her hand on her arm. “Did you and Logan ever date?”
Amber’s eyes shot over to her. “What? Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, it just seems different between the two of you.”
Amber shook her head wildly. “No. We grew up together, in the same house. That’s all.”
Out in the yard, Logan laughed, chasing the little boy through the grasses. He was running slowly, trying to let the boy have a chance. Finally, he caught up with him and scooped him into his arms, tickling his belly. Bradley giggled loudly, and Logan laughed. “You sound like your mommy.”
Bradley sighed. “I love her. She has to start work soon. I’m going to miss her, but I think it’s good for her.”
Logan was surprised. “Well, aren’t you wise beyond your years? Why don’t you go in and help your grandma get the table set up?”
He set Bradley down and he took off back toward the house, grabbing his mom and pulling her back into the house. She glanced back at Logan quickly and his heart skipped a beat. He sighed and shook his head, walking back up to the house.
Dinner was ready right on time as usual, and Logan had to admit it was the first home cooked meal he’d had since the last time he visited.
Lisa frowned. “That was a year ago.”
Logan shoved a bite of mashed potatoes into his mouth. “I know. I’m not much of a cook.”
Logan was really glad to be closer to home. He missed his family, he missed his
best friend, and as always, he missed Amber. The idea of him staying there in LA instead of living out of New York passed across his mind. He liked the thought of it, but he knew that he needed to see what came out of he and Amber first. If nothing did, then he would go back to the East Coast. To him, if he couldn’t have Amber there was no way he could work around her all the time. It would be too hard on him.
They sat around the table for hours, eating, drinking, and talking. Jordan and Melissa talked about their wedding plans, Amber talked about Bradley, and Matt talked about the new movie coming in for filming in a week or so. Everything was exactly as it should have been, and how he had missed it the most.
When dinner was done, Amber stretched and looked over at Bradley, who was passed out in Pawpaw’s lap. “It looks like we should be heading out. The little guy is tuckered from a day of macaroni houses, baths, and Pawpaw.”
Logan yawned. “Me too, but not from macaroni houses. I’ve been up since about four working on something for work. I am beat, I won’t lie.”
Amber was the one who left first, carrying Bradley out and carefully strapping him into his car seat. She waved goodbye to her family, who all went back inside, all except Logan. He watched as she put the key into the ignition and turned it, the sound rattling and then nothing. She tried it again, but this time it just clicked. He could see her lower her head and shake it. Logan made his way down to the car as she stepped out. “Pop the hood, let me see.”
He looked under the hood and stared. Amber walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. “You have no idea what you are looking for, right?”
Logan laughed. “Not a clue, but I had to offer.”
Amber tapped her hand on the side. “I think it’s the starter. I’ll have to have it towed to the auto place in the morning.”
Logan thought for a second. “Why don’t you let me drive you home? I have the town car over there waiting to take me back, and you aren’t that far away from me. Then you can have the car towed in the morning, and tonight you can just get the little man home.”
She looked at him, over at Bradley, and then back at him apprehensively. “I don’t know. I mean, Dad will just lend me one of his cars and I can drive it back tomorrow.”
Logan just stared at her. “Or get a ride from me and have the rental meet you there tomorrow.”
Amber took in a deep breath and finally agreed to it. “Okay, let me just get Bradley out and then grab his car seat for your car.”
Logan nodded. “I’ll help.”
Logan walked over and opened the passenger door, reaching in and carefully unbuckling him from the seat. He lifted him up and put his head on Logan’s shoulder. When he turned around Amber was just staring at him. “Grab the car seat, okay?”
Amber nodded, acting strange, but Logan just ignored it. He stood to the side as she loaded the car seat and then set Bradley gently inside, stepping to the side so Amber could buckle him in. She slid in next to him and Logan took the front seat with the chauffer. They headed over to her condo and parked the car out front. He got out and headed to Bradley’s side, opening up the car and pulling him out as Amber grabbed her bags. “You don’t have to carry him.”
Logan smiled. “I like it. He’s a cool little kid.”
She smiled and headed to the elevators. They climbed inside, but didn’t say a word to each other the whole way up. The elevator opened, and Logan followed Amber to the condo and went inside. She set her keys down and motioned for him to follow her. They went into Bradley’s room, which Logan was completely in awe over. It was a deep blue with planets and solar systems painted all over it. His furniture looked like small space shuttles, and he had his own walk in closet.
Logan laid him gently down on his planet sheets and stepped back, letting Amber attend to him. “I’ll step out here.”
She nodded and smiled and he turned, walking back down the hallway. He thought about leaving; that was what she had originally said she wanted, but he couldn’t just do it. He wanted to at least be able to say goodnight to her. Instead, he put his hands in his pockets and paced the entry way, looking at the different art pieces she had on the wall. To the left was a large canvass with two large green eyes. It was almost mesmerizing to look at, with how the broad strokes were painted, how the colors seemed to sparkle, and how the eyes never left you.”
“I found that at an art market in the Valley,” Amber said, walking up behind him.
He turned toward her. “It’s cool. Like eerie, but interesting at the same time. They are actually about the same color as my eyes.”
Amber looked at the picture and then back at him. “Huh, that’s funny. I never even thought about it. Crazy, since your eyes are so unique. But anyway, thanks for the ride, I really appreciate it. I hate when Bradley misses his bedtime. He’s a horror the next day.”
Logan stepped closer. “It was no problem. I want to make sure that the two of you are safe and taken care of.”
He took another step closer, feeling that pull, that magnetic grasp that she had on him. She stepped forward too, her chest heaving. “We appreciate that. No one really looks out for us like that.”
He was almost touching her body with his. “That’s a damn shame.”
They stared at each other for a moment, then Logan leaned forward, kissing her long and hard. He gave zero fucks at that point.
Amber
Amber sighed and leaned into him, lifting her arms up and wrapping them around his neck. She wanted to fight him, but gave up after about two seconds. She knew that when she was feeling like that about him, there was no use in fighting it. She just needed to give in. He had been the perfect gentleman all night long. He had played with Bradley, he had smiled at her across the table, and then he had taken her home and carried Bradley all the way upstairs.
Amber had spent so much time being self-sufficient that she didn’t know what it was like to have someone there to help shoulder the burden. Whether it was something that would last or not, she didn’t care, and she realized just how much she felt like she needed Logan in that moment. She twisted her fingers through the curly ends of his hair and opened her mouth, letting his tongue explore hers. Her body was pressed tightly against his and he had his other arm wrapped around her waist, making sure she couldn’t run off anywhere.
She leaned up on her tiptoes and he lifted her off the ground, wrapping her legs around his waist. They stood there in the entry way unable to move any further. They were completely and totally wrapped up and lost in the kiss that they were having. It was passionate, emotional, and had more to it than just lust, from both sides. Butterflies were churning wildly through her stomach as she felt the explosion of emotion between them. There were fireworks going off in her head, and the feeling of his heartbeat against her chest made her sink even further into him.
Slowly, he lowered her back to her feet and she took his hand, not saying a word, and led him down the hallway into her bedroom. She closed the door behind them and walked up to him, staring him straight in the eyes. She went to reach for his shirt buttons, but he grabbed her wrist, smiling. He ran the back of his hand down her cheek, across her neck, and between her breasts. He carefully unbuttoned each button of her blouse and slid it off her arms, letting it drop to the floor.
Logan leaned forward and kissed her skin as he unclasped her bra, spilling her breasts out. As he stood back up he rubbed his palm over her nipple and pulled on her skirt, dropping it around her feet. He took her hand and helped her step out of it before leaning down and cradling her in his arms. She held tightly around his neck, kissing his rough cheek as he carried her to the bed. Carefully, he laid her down and slipped her panties off, setting them on the nightstand.
He didn’t say a word, just stared intensely at her, scoping over every single part of her body. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, his tight muscular body glimmering in the light from the moon. He took off his pants and shoes and rubbed his hand down his hard shaft. Slowly, he pulled himself over Amber and s
he watched as he skimmed his lips against her flesh, carefully pressing his lips to her skin as he went. He moved over her entire body, kissing her breasts and down her stomach. He trailed his fingers over her stretch marks from Bradley and kissed them too, before moving back up to her lips.
He hovered over her, just inches from her lips. “You are so beautiful.”
She could feel the heat moving to her cheeks, not expecting that kind of gesture in the least. Her breath caught in her throat and she thrust her head up, kissing him deeply. She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him down beside her, turning on her side to face him. They laid there, intertwined, their bodies touching and their lips swirling over one another’s. He moved his hand down her stomach and between her legs, cupping her pussy. She moaned softly as he rubbed her clit, keeping his lips pressed to the skin on her neck.
Amber’s eyes rolled back from the feeling of his touch and she rolled over, spreading her legs apart. He followed her, pleasuring her at every moment. He pulled up onto his knees and ran his hand down her mound, collecting her juices and back up, rubbing circles around her clit. She stretched her arms out to the sides and moaned, grabbing tightly to the bedspread. He moved his hand down again, this time dipping two fingers inside of her and then pulling back up. She reached down, laying her hand on top of his as he repeated the motion over and over again.
Amber could feel the fire burning deep inside of her, the pleasure completely engulfing her senses. She reached up and grabbed his cock, pulling it out of his boxers and rubbing her hand down the firm shaft. He groaned and pushed his fingers back inside of her, this time as deep as he could go. She screamed out in pleasure, lifting her hips from the bed, feeling him flick the tips of his fingers inside of her. She gripped his cock tighter as he moved faster and faster, fingering her at full speed by that point.
Her head flew back and her mouth opened, feeling the heat igniting. He bit his lip and watched her. “Yeah, baby. Cum for me.”