by Vi Keeland
“You went to Yale?”
“Does that shock you?” He laughed. “I suppose I wouldn’t believe it either.”
“My father was a professor there. He was head of the Economics department before he passed away several years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear of his passing. Were you close to him?”
“Very.”
He watched as the pain tiptoed across her eyes.
“We used to come here whenever he could get away. I have so many memories of this place. That’s why I came back.”
“I’m glad you agreed to stay. Perhaps it will somehow make you feel closer to your dad.”
She nodded and then closed her eyes. He realized she was holding back tears when she opened her beautiful charcoal eyes. He wanted to run his tongue along her trembling bottom lip but her voice pulled him from that thought. “You don’t look like I picture a Yale graduate. You’re muscular… and… good with your hands.”
“Am I?” He reached across the table and took her small hand in his. “What is it about my hands that intrigues you?”
“I just meant you’re handy. You did an amazing job upstairs.” The rose color he liked when she was embarrassed filled her ivory cheeks. “I must sound like an idiot to a Yale graduate.”
“I think you’re extremely smart and quite talented. This is the best meal I’ve had in ages.” He let go of her hand and picked his fork back up.
“Well, that’s a relief since your refrigerator is stocked with beer and takeout containers.” She finished her wine and he refilled her glass. “By the way, I took the liberty of throwing out all of that spoiled food. Some of it was disgusting.”
“I’m good with my hands but not with housework. Eww,” he shuddered. “I’ll hire someone to do that when I get this place up and running.”
“You never answered my question.” She looked up at him. “When do you anticipate opening Pleasure Inn?”
I’m supposed to answer her? While she’s looking at me like that? “I-I don’t have a firm date. I still have so much to do around here; and then I need to decide on a business plan… staff… advertising…” He felt a knot form in his stomach when he thought about the work ahead of him. “It makes my head hurt. I’m a handyman not a businessman.”
“Then why did you agree to do it?”
“I didn’t agree.” He shoved another bite of the eggplant into his mouth because he simply couldn’t stop eating. It was so good! He’d eaten in many upscale restaurants in his lifetime, but no other chef had her flair for detail. “After college I didn’t adjust to office life the way my uncle had hoped. My mother came from old money and her brother – the original owner of the inn – managed my trust fund. I got into some trouble and he insisted I take over. He said I needed a purpose.”
“Have you found one?”
“I’m still looking.” He finished off the bottle of wine.
She watched as he drank from his glass. “What kind of trouble?”
“The kind a stupid, arrogant man gets into when he attracts the attention of a married young girl.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Let’s just say I got caught with my pants down and my uncle – along with most of the town – wasn’t impressed. So, here I am: the owner of this fine establishment.”
“That’s not a bad thing. It has so much potential.” Her face lit up as she looked around the kitchen. “I know people would flock to this place.”
“Maybe.” I’m glad you found this place. “Shall I get another bottle of wine?”
“No, thank you. I’m not a big drinker.” She traced the rim of her glass with her fingertip. “I met a friend of yours today.”
“Really? Who?”
“Cora.”
Shit.
“She’s an interesting one, isn’t she?” Logan cleared his throat.
Cora had been a recurring mistake Logan had made through the years. In the beginning things were fun and noncommittal, but in the last months of their relationship she kept dropping not so subtle hints about marriage and or moving in together. Logan had finally ended things and hadn’t seen her in over three months.
“She seems to have a thing for you.”
“We’re old news. We dated on and off for a while. Things didn’t work out. I hope she didn’t say anything to offend you.”
“What could she say to offend me? She just wanted to let me know she knew all about you and your inn,” she said with a mischievous smile.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “Maybe I should make the trips to the market from now on?”
“I don’t think so.” She stood to clear the table. “I’m not afraid of your ex. I can hold my own.”
“I’m sure you can, sweetheart.” He got up from the table to help her with the dishes. “Does that mean you’ll be cooking tomorrow night too?”
“If you want me to.” She opened the dishwasher and stacked the plates in neatly.
“I’ve been thinking…” He moved in front of the sink, closer to where she stood. “Would you consider staying here?”
“I thought I was.” She turned to face him with wide-eyed innocence.
“I know we just met last night; but I feel a connection with you.” He wondered if he sounded like some needy lunatic. He didn’t care. He’d never met anyone like her before and something inside him told him he needed to seize this opportunity. “You’re going through some – stuff and I don’t want to complicate things for you. It gets pretty lonely up here. I’d like the company. So, if you’d like to stay and clear your head – or whatever you need to do – I want you to stay as long as you’d like.”
She reached out and ran her fingers over the stubble on his jaw. He closed his eyes and indulged in the feel of her soft fingers caressing his face. “Just so you know, I’ve been over my ex for a while, so I’m not running from a past relationship. I left the city because I needed to leave – for me. I needed a change.”
“I get that.” He leaned into her palm. “I’ve been searching for a fresh start for some time.”
“Maybe once you get the inn going you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
“I think I might already have.” He took her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers. She moved closer to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and letting him take the lead with the kiss.
The feel of her warm lips against his own fueled his desire for her. When she sighed against his mouth he slipped his tongue between her lips. He eagerly sought out her tongue tasting the wine that lingered there and as he continued to kiss her, he pinned her against the counter. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her against the bulge in his pants.
“Logan.” She pushed against his chest. “Stop.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Everything is just happening really fast. I’ve never—”
“It’s okay.” He moved away from her – not because he was offended – but because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to give her the space she wanted. She had asked him to stop and he would respect her boundaries.
“I don’t want you to think I’m not interested. It’s just – I’m not usually this impulsive.”
“I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. I hope you won’t let that change your mind about staying. I don’t want to do anything you don’t want.”
“I just need some time to process what’s going on.”
“You’ve worked hard all day. You must be exhausted. Why don’t you go take a bath and I’ll clean up the kitchen.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I insist.” The distance from her would do him good. He could be a gentleman if the situation called for it, but having her this close to him right now was far too tempting and he didn’t want to try to change her mind. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to. “Thanks for dinner. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.”
“You’re sure? I don’t mind cleaning up.
”
“I have some plans to look at for the new sunroom. I’ll finish up in here and then I’ll work on those. Have a good night, Elyse.”
“You too.” She paused for an awkward moment. “I liked getting to know you tonight.”
“Me too.”
She kissed him on the cheek before scampering out of the kitchen. Logan smiled as she made her way up the back staircase to the third floor. Getting to know her was going to be fun. He finished cleaning up before he retired to his study. He poured himself a two-fingered whiskey, turned on the gas fireplace, and settled into his comfortable leather recliner, peaceful in the knowledge that he still had Elyse under his roof.
Elyse tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before she finally drifted off into a light slumber. She couldn’t get Logan or that kiss out of her mind. She wanted so much more, but when he’d turned up the heat, she’d panicked. She remembered Cora’s words form earlier in the day.
Logan is the town player…
She heard her say it over and over again. How many Cora’s did Logan have?
He likes to play games…
Elyse had had enough games with Phillip. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake again – especially not with a man she barely knew. She had never been much of a risk taker. Two weeks ago she wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of staying in the same house with a complete stranger; but there was something about Logan that made her feel – secure.
The sound of ice jostling against the side of a glass woke her from her restless sleep. From the corner of her eye she saw him sitting in the chair by the window; perfectly still except for the clinking of the ice in his drink. She jolted upright. He dangled his hand toward the floor, holding what appeared to be scotch or bourbon. She wasn’t sure what his liquor of choice was, but she remembered that it was hot on his breath the night before.
“Logan?”
“You didn’t lock your door.” He took a sip of his drink never taking his eyes away from her.
“I didn’t think I needed to.” She got out of bed and walked toward him… stopping just before her legs touched his knees. “Is something wrong?”
“Wrong?” He laughed. “You’re here. What could be wrong?”
It was clear to Elyse that the drink in his hand wasn’t his first.
“I wanted to be close to you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “That kiss wasn’t enough.”
His words coursed through her body, filling her with desperate need. No man had ever shown this much interest in her. She’d been with Phillip since high school and he wasn’t the most passionate man. She’d had nothing to compare him to until now. She’d never considered having a fling… but the opportunity had never presented itself. Maybe she should live by Logan’s words.
I believe in the here and now. And I don’t like to miss opportunities.
She reached out with a trembling hand and traced his lips with her fingertips. They were soft and warm. She wanted to feel them against her mouth, so she leaned forward. “I want you to kiss me again.” She straddled his lap.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
She licked his bottom lip, tasting the alcohol there. Bourbon, definitely bourbon.
He reached down and placed his empty glass on the floor before taking her face between his hands like he had in the kitchen. He kissed her with the same patient fierceness he had earlier, but this time she didn’t pull away. She sought more as she inched closer to him, running her fingers over his bare chest.
He moved his hands from her face, tangling them in her hair as he pulled her closer to his eager mouth. Her body responded to his rough touch as he stoked her desire. She ran soft kisses along the fresh stubble of his face, enjoying the way his jaw tensed against her lips. Gripping her hair harder, he pulled her mouth back to his, biting down on her bottom lip.
She cried out – stunned that he’d bitten her – but it didn’t frighten her; it aroused her.
He ran his tongue over the spot where his teeth had just left. “I’m Dominant.” He moved his hand to her throat. “And I like to play.”
“What?” Her heart jumped. The thought of him Dominating her – even though she didn’t know quite what that meant – caused her nipples to harden against the thin material of her tank top.
“I like it rough… and I like to be in control.” He licked her lips. “Right now I’m too drunk to be in control.” He lifted her off his lap and stood, but he lost his balance. She grabbed his arm in an attempt to hold him up, but he was too big. They tumbled onto the bed. “See cupcake? I’m too drunk.”
He pinned her to the bed, holding her hands over her head. “The things I want to do to you…” He trailed his hot breath down her throat.
When she wrapped her legs around his waist, she felt his erection press against her stomach and shivered.
“Fuck.” He thrust his hips forward and rubbed her center.
She wanted more. She wiggled higher, so they were properly aligned.
“No more,” he whispered into her neck. “We have to stop.”
“Why?”
He rolled off her and onto his back. “Because I’m drunk. And I never play when I’m drunk.”
“Why can’t we just fuck?” He had her so worked up, she blurted out the words without thinking. She’d never spoken to anyone that way before. Her own boldness shocked her.
“My sweet cupcake has a dirty mouth. Remind me to take you over my knee for such language.” He closed his eyes as his breathing slowed. After a few minutes, she heard his deep breaths turn into soft snores.
She propped herself up on her elbow and watched as this gorgeous man slept beside her. She traced her finger along his jaw, over his neck and down his chest. She couldn’t resist touching him. She relished in the way his muscles felt under her fingers. The warmth radiated off his tanned skin. He looked so peaceful as he slept. She wondered what kind of troubles he had that would make him drink the way he did.
After a while her eyes grew heavy. She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
He opened his eyes and smiled before pulling her into his chest and curling his arm around her. “I want you close,” he mumbled before falling back to sleep.
She liked the way he said that and how he felt under her cheek. She could get used to falling asleep snuggled against him every night. He’d given her a lot to think about, but she had a feeling the only thing she’d be dreaming about tonight, as she slept wrapped in his arms, was making love to him.
Chapter Four
Logan opened his eyes and groaned when the sunshine poured through the thin white sheers. He pulled the pillow over his face, inhaling her sweet scent. Why did his pillow smell like her?
Fuck!
Tossing the pillow to the floor, he sat up and wracked his brain for a moment. He glanced around the room, spying the empty glass by the chair in the corner of the room. He’d passed out. How could he have been so stupid?
He pulled himself out of bed, stopping to gaze out the window. Her car was still here. That had to be a good sign. He showered, threw on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt and made his way down the back staircase to the kitchen. The smell of fresh brewed coffee and bacon assaulted his nostrils. She’d made him breakfast. Another positive. Maybe he hadn’t screwed this up irreparably.
When he reached the kitchen, he found Elyse mixing some sort of batter.
“Morning.” She turned and smiled at him. “Sleep well?”
He couldn’t help but take in her completely sensual appearance. She wore a figure hugging pair of skinny jeans and a scant navy blue tank. Her black lace bra peeked out of the top giving him a tantalizing view of her full cleavage. His cock stiffened as he thought about bending her over the table.
“I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving.” He stalked toward her, intending to pin her against the counter.
“I’m making French toast stuffed with blueberries.” She t
ook a small step backwards and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “The coffee is ready.”
“Smells great.” He placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer as he trailed his nose along her neck. “You left me in bed.”
“I thought you might like breakfast; so I ran to the market to get what I needed.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I saw your friend Cora again.”
“Did you?” He placed hot, breathy kisses across her jaw as he pressed his body into hers.
“I told her I wanted to get back before you got out of bed.”
“I’m sure she loved that.” He brushed his lips along hers and spoke into her mouth. “You’re a bad girl, making her think we’re sleeping together.”
“We did sleep together.” She pressed her mouth to his, inserting the tip of her tongue just between his lips. Logan thought he might come just from the taste of her.
He pulled away because he needed to gain some composure before he ripped her pants off right there. “You stayed the whole night with me?”
“You wouldn’t let go of me. I had to pry myself away from you this morning.”
“I dreamed about you all night. I was disappointed when I opened my eyes and you weren’t there.” He slipped the straps of her tank top down her shoulders. “I don’t like to be disappointed.” His eyes burned into hers.
He heard her breath hitch as he kissed a path to her breasts. “Logan.”
He slowly lowered her top, exposing her to him. Her nipples threatened to spill over the thin material of her bra. “Is this for me?” He moved his fingertips over the hardened buds, eliciting a moan from her when he pinched one of them.
“In my dream I couldn’t get enough of your tits. I licked and sucked them until you came all over my cock.” He swiped his tongue over one rosy nub through the lace of her bra, feeling it harden as he continued to lick.
She clutched the back of his head, pressing him wantonly against her breasts.
“Have you ever worn nipple clamps?”
“No,” she whispered as she arched her back to offer him more.
“Maybe we’ll try that later.”