"What do you want to do?" he asked, while pinning me against the counter. I shutter as we're now connected from hip to chest. I wanted to force Logan to drag out the Christmas decorations, and hang some stockings. Our relationship was relatively new, even though we've known each other basically for-freaking-ever, but I felt like I was still treading on thin ice, inviting people over.
"I don't know. Maybe have a late informal Christmas dinner, just close friends. They can stay here, get drunk, play some board games, and we can all watch football the next day. If that's okay with you? I'm avoiding my parents. If Nathan wants to spend time with me, he will. I can host at my apartment, if you don't want to deal with people being here," I suggest. It makes me happy feeding people. I like watching their reactions, especially when they really enjoy the food I made. Self-satisfaction was what it was.
"What about the bakery?" he asked, nipping my earlobe with his teeth. A surge of excitement and heat runs down my body.
"We decided not to open day after Christmas just have a long weekend," I said on a rushed breath out because my body was humming.
"We can have it here. As long as we have our own Christmas first. By that, I mean you're staying here Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after deal?" Our very own Christmas, um, hell yeah! Standing on my tip toes, my fingers on one hand reached into his hair pulling his mouth to mine. I kissed him while running my other hand down his chest. Two can play this seduction game.
"Deal. Would I be pushing my luck if I asked about decorations?"
He chuckled as this mischievous ear-to-ear grin crosses his face. "I'm willing to offer a trade." His hands firmly squeezed my ass.
"A trade?" I asked, intrigued.
"I'll bring the boxes down from the attic in exchange for a sexual favor of your choosing?" I laugh. Logan had avoided initiating anything sexual, besides kissing and sensual hair washing, since the robbery. I was horny and it's nice to know we're over that hump. He was back without the kid gloves.
"I can handle that especially since I spent an hour in Victoria's Secret this morning." Biting my lip, I tried not to smile. He perked up, immediately, he headed towards the attic. He pulled several boxes from the attic, as I went into his room and changed into a sexy red, satin and lace babydoll. It was partially see through and the right amount of skimpy.
Leaning on the doorjamb I watched him make several trips carting boxes. With the last box sitting on the floor, he closed up the attic.
Gazing down the hall at me, he looked up his eyes locked with mine. He turned on his heel and stalked towards me. His hands were at my bottom hefting me up. His eyes moved over my face, as my legs wrapped around his hips. Slowly, I grinned at him, and he kisses me. He leisurely strolled into his bedroom shutting the door behind him.
Kneeling on the bed, he slowly leaned forward, resting my back on his big bed. With his weight on top of me, his lips trailed from my ear, to the hinge of my jaw. Tingles shot down from my belly to my toes. His lips left my skin and his body pulled back. My fingers gripped his shirt, stopping him from escaping. I wasn't sure why he stopped.
"You should be on top." He rolled over onto his back bringing me with him. He was leaning back on his elbows, and I was now confused, straddling his hips. My knees tucked into his sides.
"Why?" I asked, as his fingers brushed along my satin covered breast. My nipples got hard. He was holding onto his control but barely.
"I'm afraid I'll hurt you. Your ribs." He said against my neck. I pulled back staring at him for a beat. He gives a loose strand of my hair a gentle tug, my eyes shoot back to his, and I nodded.
Gripping the bottom of his flannel shirt, I yanked it up, pulling it over his head. My fingers trembled as they scrape across his chest and down his magnificent abs.
His lips trailed along my breasts pulling down the satiny fabric. His lips latched onto my hard nipple, as his fingers brushed along my thigh tracing the outline of my barely there panties.
Finally making it between my legs, one of his fingers slid in. He found my clit, rolling and pressing causing me to cry out. My eyes fluttered shut, I was close. My whole body arched as I neared the finish line, but I wanted him.
"I need you," I moaned. "Condom. We need a condom." I rolled off him slipping my panties off, as he dug in his nightstand for an essential packet. I watched enthralled as he removed his jeans and rolled it on his rock-solid member. He joined me on the bed. Pulling me to my knees, and over on top of his body.
I felt the tip of him at my entrance, and I lowered down. I was full of him, and he felt huge. I wanted to move. No, needed to move.
My hips pitched down, as his thumb circled my clit.
Oh, God. It was glorious.
My thighs trembled, and I made a noise as I felt it starting. His hand held my hip driving deep into me.
"I'm coming," I cried out, arching my back as it hit. And it hit me hard. My body shook so hard it was stunning. My orgasm eased, as he took control of my hips thrusting deeper. His orgasm swept through him. His fingers tangled in my hair pulling my face down to his as he relaxed in bed.
"Are you okay?"
"More than okay, baby," I said, smugly.
He kissed me long and sweet. I rolled onto my side, letting out a deep, contented sigh.
Nuzzling my face in his neck, I snuggled into his side and slept.
######
My bruises were still visible, but they've faded to a green yellowish color. I still had pain, but it was manageable. Even though it's bearable, Logan ordered me to stay inside while he's off checking the mares in the horse barn. Several are due to foal soon. Even though it irked me to comply, I did.
I had the radio on to keep me company while I cook. I was use to the bakery being loud, busy, and sometimes a little hectic. All the quiet was starting to drive me nuts.
Spending most of the week together, helped Logan and I solidify our relationship. I was happy, we've settled into a routine. So far it's easy. But we'd truly test the waters, once I was back at the bakery full time.
It's late Saturday afternoon when Nathan and Tyler show up. Tyler pulled a blueberry muffin from the cake stand. Nathan gives me a hug that lasts longer than normal. I couldn't really hug him back, as I was trying to tie up a flank steak I just stuffed. Once he's satisfied I was in one piece he pulled back.
"Are you all moved in?" I asked Nathan. He and Ty look beat, but Gram's old house had a lot of stairs. Nathan had a few big pieces of furniture, call me selfish, but I didn't really miss not helping him. It would have been a pain even if I wasn't injured.
"Pretty much. Talked to Logan last night," Nathan replied, pulling a muffin out for himself. Guess that meant Logan explained the details of the robbery, earning him another sexual favor. I didn't mind giving those as payment.
"It looks like Christmas threw up in here. What's the deal with Christmas?" Nathan asked. Looking around I might have gone a little overboard decorating, but I was bored this morning, and there were boxes upon boxes of decorations.
"We're going to have a late dinner Christmas day. Get tipsy, play some board games. Everyone can crash here and we can lounge and watch football the next day. No stress. No drama. Just good food, and friends."
I finished tying the flank steak and wash my hands.
"Guess everyone doesn't include Mom and Dad?"
I didn't know what people couldn't understand about why I wanted to cut negative, toxic people, specifically my mom, out of my life. Nathan knew best how malicious she could be towards me. When I said toxic it's like a dark fucking cloud, and I was tired of being judged by her. Constantly being put down by the one person who's supposed to love you unconditionally was hard, and also humiliating. It's amazing how long I'd put up with it and stayed strong. I wanted to have uplifting sunshine in my life. Those rays are Logan and Nathan (when he's not trying to force me to include Mom).
I was facing the stink drying my hands, so Nathan missed my eye roll. "Mom and Dad will not be invited. You're more
than welcome to come over too, Ty."
"You make that bacon apple pie again, I'll be here," Ty answered then shoved the remaining half of the muffin in his mouth. I laughed at him, as I put the flank steak in the oven. Logan walked in as I was setting the timer. He had his jeans rolled up to avoid tracking mud in on the floor. I smiled at his thoughtfulness toward avoiding making a mess.
"That was a really great pie," Nathan admitted.
His arms inched around me, drawing me back into his body. Tilting his head down he whispered in my ear, "I love you." My body stilled, as my stomach dropped in excitement. "What pie?" Logan asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
I grinned. "I made a bacon apple brie pie for Thanksgiving," I told him. There's a disappointed look that crosses his face. I knew he was sad, he missed my experimental pie. Hell, I was sad I missed it. And, he missed it because he left early to take care of me. "I'll make one for Christmas. I wanted to try it too."
"What was that dessert you made when I visited you in Boston?" Nathan asked, like it was just last week and not well over a year ago.
"I have no idea. You'll have to describe it to me."
"It was cake, but had filling like a donut, and chocolate icing. How do you not remember what you made?"
My ex's family hosted a clam bake, where we all got toasted. The rest of the trip we spent most of Nathan's visit drinking craft beers, because that's what Nathan liked to do. And, being a nice sister I obliged him. Spending most of his visit in local breweries was the only thing I remembered. That was another perk of the East Coast. Taxis were easy to find. If you couldn't find a taxi you just hopped on a bus, or a train, if you were too drunk to drive. Getting lost while drunk was a bitch, though.
"Maybe 'cause that was like two years ago, and I've baked a lot of stuff since then. Sounds like a Boston Cream Pie?" I asked.
"I guess? I want that for Christmas too." Not exactly a traditional dessert, but why not?
"You two staying for dinner?" Logan asked. Tyler nodded.
"Is there enough?" Nathan questioned.
"Of course there's enough," I tell him. I'd make a quick side of green beans or something, but we definitely wouldn't have leftovers. These boys liked to eat, as much as I enjoyed cooking for them.
"Yeah, we'll stay. Not like Ty has a date." Nathan lightly punched Ty in his bicep.
Logan leaned down giving me a quick peck. "I'm gonna jump in the shower. Ty why don't you get the hockey game on?"
I never asked to watch hockey around Nathan. Mainly because Ashlee, the bitch with the bedazzled vajayjay, left him for a hockey player. More like she cheated on Nathan, but the guy was drafted in to the NHL a few years ago. I was too chicken shit to ask if we could watch. Girly sensitivity to the situation, I guess.
Bringing the tortilla chips, plates, and seven-layer dip into the living room, I plopped down in-between Ty and Nathan. They unloaded my arms and dig in.
I'd missed this. Don't get me wrong. I loved hanging out with Annie, but I'd missed zoning out watching sports with my brother. I smiled and watched hockey while dinner cooks.
After dinner's on the table, I started planning my reward for Logan. I loved him too, and I planned on elaborately showing him once we're alone.
Chapter Nine
Back to the Grind
The next few days passed in a blur. Randy discovered some new information on our robbers. Turned out we weren't their first robbery, bad news in a way. But good news, bail was denied and they had a bunch more charges and the likelihood we'd have to testify was slim. This made me beyond happy.
The bakery re-opened and we had more customers than before. I wasn't sure why, maybe people were hoping to see blood spattered on the walls or something morbid like that. They were here spending their money, so in the end, I didn't really care why they were here.
I was not sure if it was the robbery or word of mouth from our Thanksgiving pie event, but we're up on orders for Christmas. Great for business, but bad for my personal life. I'd have to plan all my shopping out ahead of time because I would be stuck at work for at least forty-eight if not seventy-two hours before Christmas. Procrastinating Christmas shopping was my normal MO. No last minute Christmas shopping for me would be really hard.
It's an hour before we closed, the walk-in door opened and Logan joined me. The walk-in was basically a big commercial size fridge. A big grin was spread across his face. He had to be up to something. He squatted down next to me, taking my cold face in his warm hands. He leaned in and kisses me. My free hand went to his neck running my fingers through his longer hair at his neck.
"I didn't think you'd make it into town today," I said. He kept his eyes glued to mine.
"Babe, I wanted to see you. Plus it's your first day back after the robbery, wanted to check-in on you and Annie. I brought some poinsettias for the front." Randy's tight on time between work and school. It wouldn't surprise me, if he asked Logan to stop by to make sure everyone was fine.
"Annie and I are behind on decorating, so thank you!" I smiled. It's genuine. I was happy to see him; and he smelled delicious. I'd never tire of smelling cake, but Logan smelled of leather and something earthy, I couldn't place. Just manly.
"You’re more than welcome."
I looked down at my paperwork. I tapped my pen a few times finding the courage to bring up what I needed to tell him. I took a deep breath and powered through.
"We're in the clear on the baby scare. Mother Nature reared her ugly head this morning." That came out sounding way more emotional than I wanted it to.
"Are you upset about that?" he asked while his eyes locked back onto mine.
Jesus, I was not trying to send mixed signals. PMS was whopping my butt. Plus, I was running on empty.
Stupid hormones. Logan's a great guy. He'd be a great husband and wonderful father. One day, hopefully with me as his wife. On some level that revelation should have scared me, but it doesn't.
"No. We're swamped, add in cramps and exhaustion, I'm just moody. I have an appointment tomorrow for birth control."
I planned on buying more condoms until I knew the birth control was fully effective. I didn't need any more scares. The robbery kept my mind off of it for the most part. I didn't want to experience either of those again, ever.
"Do you need anything?"
A heating pad and a nap.
I flashed the inventory paperwork. "I need to get through this, so I can go home and sleep."
Thanks to being closed for a week, I had to throw a lot of stuff out and re-order, which was throwing my whole process off, making it take longer than it should. Plus, I hated wasting food. The insurance covered some of the food I had to toss out. At least that was one less stress about the robbery effecting our bottom line.
"I'll take care of dinner. How much longer do you think you'll be?"
"I don't know, maybe thirty minutes. I have something for you." Going back to the office I opened my purse and pulled out a small rectangular silver box, handing it to him.
"What's this?" He held the box gently in his big hand. I could tell he was a little worried about the contents, maybe he thought I was trying to prank him.
"Just open it," I said, and smiled.
He gives me a leery look, but started unwrapping the small package. I felt a little dorky putting the key to my apartment in a box, but it's a big gesture and I was feeling giddy about it.
"What's the key to?" he asked.
"My apartment." I shrugged trying to make it seem like not a big deal. "Just thought since you've been coming to town more you might need it."
Leaning down, he put his mouth on mine. He was tender, hot but brief. God, I loved him. He was thoughtful, sincere, and always wanted to be there to check my pulse on certain situations.
"Thanks, baby. What do you want for dinner?" My stomach grumbled upon thinking about food. I'd survived most of the day on sugar, but I'd been productive.
"Pizza or Chinese. I don't really care as long as there's meat and
wine or beer." My body needed protein to heal faster. I was not as sore as I was a few days ago, and I haven't taken a pain pill in a few days. But, I had a long road ahead to get back to one hundred percent.
"I can handle that. See you when you get home." Poinsettias, checking in on me, and taking care of dinner. Yep. I loved that man!
######
Logan tucked me into his side on my small couch. Monday night football was on, and we shared a large pizza with a bottle of red wine. I was ready to pass out.
"When's your lease up?"
I refused to ask why he wants to know. That would lead me straight into a conversation I wasn't sure I was capable of handling right in this moment. I snuggled into his chest, ignoring his stare.
"End of February," I answered, closing my eyes and settling in.
"Baby, I love you. And I know, you know where I'm going with this." His hand moved to my waist gently squeezing.
Yes, I knew. He wanted me to move in with him. My body was still healing plus raging hormones. I was beyond exhausted. I didn't want to fight or have a long drawn out discussion. I was not saying I didn’t want to move in, but I needed to think about it. Moving too fast and screwing up our relationship was not an option.
"I love you too. Can we delay that talk until after the holidays? I have a lot on my plate right now. Honestly, I don't think I can handle much more." That wasn't a lie. I needed to finish all of my holiday shopping this week, and buckle down and plan a strategy at work, and keep up with inventory. My plate was jam-packed at least until after Christmas. New Year’s would be a first come first serve basis. I wouldn't have to worry about filling orders. Once we sold out of desserts, we were sold out. Less planning on my part, therefore, more free time.
"I'll grant you a temporary reprieve. We're talking about it soon."
I muttered an, "Mmm-hmm," and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
Have a Cup of Cheer
The past forty-eight hours had been pure chaos. I completed the pie orders by midnight, stayed at the bakery, passing out on the couch. I didn't trust myself to drive, plus I had to be back in a few short hours to make the items to stock the case. Sleeping at the bakery cuts drive time, allowing me to start early and leave early.
Logan and Cecile Page 10