Out of Control

by Tory Richards

  It was a miracle they made it to the ground in one piece, even if they did fall the last few feet. Miscalculating the distance, Logan jumped, advising Libby to follow suit. All he knew was he had to get away from her and that was the quickest way he could think of. Only before he knew it he was on his back, and she was on top of him. The breath hissed through his teeth and he shut his eyes, feeling a hell of a lot more than a little discomfort on his chest. He thought about flipping Libby on her backside and planting one on her lips, but he couldn’t move. And besides, they were surrounded by a dozen or so curious on lookers.

  “Is he dead?” someone asked in a bored voice that didn’t sound very concerned.

  “I can’t tell if he’s breathing,” someone else commented.

  “Your granddaughter looks comfortable though, Margaret.”

  “He’s okay, just had the wind knocked out of him.” The closeness of his grandfather’s voice revealed he was near to where Logan and Libby lay beneath the tree. “You okay, boy?”

  Logan grunted, praying that by the time he opened his eyes they would be all gone. Libby was squirming like an eel out of water and a man could only take so much. Her movements weren’t doing anything to diminish his hard-on and her hands seemed to be everywhere at once. His eyes bolted open and he growled in a voice that only she could hear. “Stop moving, damn it!” Maybe he did come off a little hard but a mixture of sexual frustration and pain ruled his emotions.

  Libby’s eyes opened wide and she stilled instantly. “I was just trying to find a safe place to put my hands,” she said in a hurt tone.

  “That isn’t the problem, baby,” Logan explained roughly.

  Something in his tone must have gotten through to her because all too soon she was blushing with embarrassment. “Oh.”

  “Libby dear, hurry and get off Logan, he looks like he’s in pain,” Margaret rushed.

  At that point Logan’s hands fell to Libby’s waist and he quickly and easily lifted her off his body and set her on the ground next to him, then jumped to his feet.

  “You okay?”

  “Just peachy,” Logan responded, nodding at his grandfather but glaring down at Libby, who was smiling sweetly up at him with all the innocence of the child he’d first thought she was.

  There was something about her that still nagged at him, and when she glanced away Logan was certain it was because she sensed his perplexity. Is she afraid of something? Her somewhat guilty actions proved she was and he was determined to find out why.

  “Goodness, Libby, that’s the third time this month you’ve had to go up that tree for Rufus,” Lois from across the street said, not realizing what she’d just divulged to Logan. He reached down for Libby’s hand and tugged her to her feet. Why hadn’t he noticed her around before now?

  “That’s how I get my exercise,” Libby joked, yanking down the back of her shorts as though it just occurred to her they were too short. “Maybe now Gram realizes he’ll come down on his own.”

  Logan watched her movements, noticing how her back arched when she reached behind her, causing her perky little breasts to jut forward. Her wild hair stopped just short of the flare of her slim hips, gleaming with fire now that she was standing in the direct sunlight. He fisted his hands, fighting the urge to slam them in his pockets. Afraid that if he moved anywhere near that zone it would only bring attention to the bulge behind his zipper.

  “Well, I’m still not convinced he would have come out of that tree without a little persuasion,” Margaret joined in, bending to scoop up the old cat, which immediately began to purr. Her gaze flew to Logan. “Thank you for rescuing Libby.”

  “I didn’t need rescuing,” Libby insisted, her glance daring him to rebuke her. But Logan had already heard enough to realize that her grandmother had set him up. The question was, why?

  He smiled at Margaret anyway, never one to question the actions behind someone old enough to know better. “It was my pleasure, Margaret. Anytime.”

  Libby’s mouth fell open and someone chuckled. The small crowd started to disperse now that the excitement was over. Logan had been staying with his grandfather long enough to know that anything out of the norm was considered thrilling and thus worthy of careful consideration. Gossip traveled like wildfire among the elderly in a tight-knit community. By coffee hour next Monday everyone in the community will have heard about the episode between the fireman and Margaret’s lovely granddaughter. By evening time they’ll be engaged. He scowled at the thought. He’d been engaged once and that was enough.

  “Don’t forget bingo tonight, Margaret,” a plump woman who reminded Logan of Mrs. Claus said as she pulled herself into a golf cart. “And bring your friend with you, what was her name again?”

  Margaret made an impatient sound. “You forget everyone’s name, Ruby, it’s—”

  “They’ll be there,” Libby cut in, shooting her grandmother a look Logan found very interesting. He stood there and surveyed them for a long moment, trying to figure out what the deal was, and then shrugged deciding he didn’t care. He turned to catch up with his grandfather, who was walking back to the house.

  “Logan, wait! Your back!”

  He should have kept walking, but it wasn’t Libby’s voice shouting at him, it was Margaret’s. And Logan had been raised to respect his elders. Dismissing the amused look his grandfather shot him, he sighed reluctantly and turned around. “Yes, ma’am? What about my back?”

  It was his grandfather who replied with a startled sound of concern. “Looks like Rufus used you for a sharpening post, boy. You’ve got blood all over your shirt.”

  “Come to the house so we can doctor you up,” Margaret insisted. Her tone left no room for refusal. She didn’t wait for his reply either, just turned and started walking. “Those scratches have to be tended to at once.”

  She disappeared through the front door before Logan could insist that he could take care of them. He knew the “we” included Libby and he didn’t know if he could stand being around her much more that day. He exchanged glances with his grandfather, looking for an ally.

  The old man just grinned and shrugged. “Might as well give in and go. I’ve lived around Margaret long enough to know she’s a pistol when riled. And believe me; you don’t want to get on her bad side.”

  Logan wanted to ask his grandfather to go with him but swallowed the childish thought. His gaze went to Libby, who was standing there smiling at the whole exchange. She’d slapped her hands on her shapely hips, her eyes flashing with bold amusement that warmed his blood and at the same time scared the hell out of him. At that moment he’d like nothing better than to wipe that seductive grin off her pretty face.

  “What are you afraid of?” she had the nerve to ask.

  What was he afraid of?

  Chapter 3

  Libby led Logan through the front door and into the small kitchen without words, intensely aware that his eyes were on her. For the second time that morning she noticed he was too damn sexy. Several times while they’d been climbing down the tree she’d been conscious of her bottom against his fly, and something else, his erection. The fact that he was aroused had held her captivated and fueled her own desire. The fact that she turned him on fed her wounded ego.

  Her gaze moved around the small kitchen. Where was her grandmother? She expected to see her waiting for them there with her first aid kit in hand, but the kitchen was empty. “Gram! We’re in the kitchen,” she called out, hoping her tone conveyed her wishes that she hurry up. Logan’s larger than life presence filled the small area, making Libby nervous.

  “The first aid kit’s under the sink!” her grandmother hollered back. “Start without me, I’m temporarily tied up!”Tied up? Libby frowned but faced Logan anyway. “Take your shirt off, soldier,” she ordered and turned to the door beneath the sink. She couldn’t believe she had Adonis right there in her kitchen, and that he would soon be bare-chested. “I’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

  With the kit in her hand, Libby
turned back to face him. She was forced to take a step back, not realizing he’d moved closer to her. Her gaze fell in the vicinity of his impressive chest, unwillingly recalling what it felt like having her breasts crushed against him. She knew firsthand that Logan’s muscles were every bit as rock-hard and unbending as the old oak tree outside her grandmother’s door. A pleasant tingle raced through her body, zeroing right in on her puckering nipples. His nipples were taut, too. Libby wandered what he’d do if she were to put her mouth on one and roll it around on her tongue. Lord—where had that thought come from?

  Her gaze wandered lazily up the thick muscles in his neck to the firm set of his jaw and tightly pressed lips. The tension on his face and the stony silence in his winter frost eyes showed his anger, but over what? That he was forced to be in her company again?

  “You’re not scared, are you, Logan?” she teased, placing the kit on the counter next to him and opening it. Libby glanced his way, taking in his arched brow.

  “Why would I be afraid of you?” Logan demanded, tugging his sleeveless tee-shirt over his head and ruffling his hair in the process. “Unless you’re going to sharpen your nails on me like that damn cat of yours. A few more scars aren’t going to make any difference now.”

  “Rufus isn’t my cat,” Libby corrected him, pulling a cloth and some antiseptic from the kit before facing him again. Oh my! She paused from what she was doing, momentarily mesmerized by Logan’s naked chest. Adonis had a few puckered scars but it didn’t disguise the definition of muscles that even now were tightening beneath her curious gaze. She gulped, her heart skipping a beat.

  “Not a very pretty sight,” he said at her hesitation. “There’s more.” Libby’s gaze slowly moved up his chest, detecting the anger in his clipped words. A muscle twitched in his lean jaw and then her eyes met his. What she saw there caused her breath to lock in her throat. Libby knew when a man lusted after her and it wasn’t always evident in outward signs. Logan’s fierce expression revealed his hunger.

  “I wasn’t staring at your scars.” It was the truth. Libby had been enthralled with the powerful shape of his male form. How the width of his broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist and hips.

  His jeans didn’t disguise the thickness of his solid thighs nor the fullness behind his zipper. Lord, he must be huge! Her body responded to the thought of what it would feel like being filled by such an impressive…then right in front of her eyes the object of her interest jumped. She raised her eyes to find Logan watching her like a predator waiting for the right time to swoop. “Gram!” she called out nervously.

  “What are you afraid of?” Logan asked in a low tone, repeating her earlier challenge.

  Libby squared her shoulders. “Nothing. Turn around so I can douse those scratches with antiseptic.”

  He complied, presenting his back, and Libby caught her breath on seeing the damage done by Rufus’ sharp claws. Despite the scratches marring his flesh, Logan’s shoulders and back were smooth, evenly tanned and beautifully sculptured. She found that her hand was shaking when she raised it to clean the pencil-thin lines beaded with blood.

  Logan’s muscles tensed the second Libby touched the soaked cloth to his skin. “I’m sorry if I’m hurting you,” she said softly, gently dabbing the wounds. He only responded with a heavy sigh. “If it’s any consolation you don’t have to worry; Rufus has had all his shots.”

  “I wasn’t worried about it.” His tone was short and abrupt, ending the conversation before it had really started. When all the blood was cleaned off, Libby reached for the tube of antibiotic cream and carefully spread some across each scratch. Beginning at his shoulders, she worked her way downward to the hollow in his back where it disappeared into his jeans. As her fingers smoothed the ointment into a scratch above his belt, Libby couldn’t help but admire his tight buns so enticingly displayed in well-worn jeans. She released a sigh that revealed more than it should have.

  Without warning Logan spun around and he was suddenly facing her at only a breath’s distance. The kitchen was closing in on them. She would have taken a step back if it hadn’t been for the magnetic pull of gunmetal eyes.

  She found her wrist seized. “That’s enough,” Logan said, his chest heaving with each breath, his expression sharp and hungry. He slowly pulled her closer.

  Libby tried to swallow, aware of the powerful sexual pull between them. She opened her mouth to call for her absent grandmother but like a fish out of water, only gulped in air. Logan’s gaze fell to her mouth and the bottom of her stomach fell. He started to lower his head and she knew he was going to kiss her.

  She leaned away as far as the counter against her back would allow. “What are you doing?” Her whisper was so soft that it was a wonder Logan could hear her.

  The slightest grin lifted the corners of his mouth and his eyes glazed over with lazy intent. “Don’t you know when you’re about to get kissed?”

  His arm curled around her waist and Libby was jerked against him. His crooked smile didn’t fool her; Logan reminded her of a dangerous wolf looking for an easy meal. Her gaze moved between his eyes and approaching mouth, her pulse racing with increasing desire.

  “Gram!” It came out as a pitiful squeak.

  Logan laughed softly, those sensuous lips of his moving ever closer. So close that Libby could feel his warm breath against her own mouth. She gasped. Just as he was about to plant one on her the phone began to ring, echoing loudly through the small kitchen. Libby jumped and laughed at the same time, but Logan didn’t so much as blink an eye. Slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, he allowed Libby to straighten. His hand uncurled without hurry, releasing her wrist. The arm around her waist slid away, allowing her to step back.

  “Saved by the bell,” she joked in a trembling whisper. Neither one made any effort to grab the receiver on the wall by the door.

  “You weren’t saved by anything.” His tone was slow and lazy.

  “For goodness sake, someone pick up that phone!” Margaret rushed into the room with a stern look. She gave them an once-over then walked to the phone. “What ails you two?”

  Logan slipped his shirt back on. “Stay away from me, Libby,” he said, surprising her. Hadn’t he been about to kiss her? “Unless all you’re interested in is just plain sex, because that’s all any woman will get from me.”

  Libby couldn’t imagine having sex with someone like Logan would be anything but plain, and didn’t believe him. Oh, she believed he wanted her to stay away from him, but his comment was just a tool to see it done. She thanked God her grandmother was caught up in a conversation and hadn’t heard his remark.

  What was he afraid of, that she wanted something from him? Well, he could relax. She wasn’t interested in a relationship. Scott had broken her of that. Apparently someone had cured Logan of that too. Why else did he sound so bitter? As he continued to stand there, filling the kitchen with his masculine presence, Libby straightened her slim shoulders and raised her chin a notch. Perhaps he hadn’t meant his words to be a challenge, but Lord it pushed her buttons.

  She brought her hand up, using the tip of her fingernail to draw an imaginary line down the center of his chest until she reached his belt buckle. The whole time their gazes clung, and Libby had the satisfaction of seeing Logan’s pupils dilate. She had the crazy urge to see what he would do if she allowed her finger to continue down, over the belt and further, outlining the ridge in his jeans. Only her dear grandmother’s presence prevented her from carrying out her thought.

  She made sure her grandmother was deep into conversation before saying, “That’s a very interesting proposition, Logan. I happen to like sex—a lot of it. Let me think it over and get back to you.” With each word uttered Logan’s brows raised a notch higher. He stared at her for a long moment before turning and leaving, with a curse.

  Libby released a breath she hadn’t known she was holding, her heart racing in her chest. She walked to the screen door and watched Logan’s sexy gait until he disappeare
d into Vincent’s house. She wondered what he’d do if she were to take him up on his ridiculous offer. Why hadn’t her grandmother warned her that the very hunk who’d been around to put out her little fire was none other than her neighbor’s grandson, and that he lived right next door? Well, temporarily anyway.

  “We have to hurry and get ready for bingo,” Margaret said as soon as she hung up the phone. Her eyes moved around the kitchen. “Where did Logan disappear to?”

  “He went home, Gram. And bingo isn’t until tonight.” Libby’s lips curled as she made her way to her bedroom. Bingo, at her age! If her friends found out they’d never let her live it down.

  * * * *

  “Bingo!”

  A sea of gray and white heads began to bob like apples in a bucket of water as everyone searched through the crowded room for the lucky winner. Libby guessed there were at least a hundred people present in the small community hall. There wasn’t a vacant chair anywhere and the tables were full of bingo cards, chips and markers.

  “Bingo!” A second person called out, which meant they had to share the pot of forty-seven dollars. More than once Libby hid a grin, lowering her head so no one would notice. If anyone had asked her a month ago what bingo was she would have laughed and said it was the name of a dog.

  “Look at that old fool.” Libby grunted after being elbowed in the ribs by her grandmother. “Just because he won twenty- three dollars. You’d think it was a million,” Margaret grumbled.

  “Twenty-three and a half,” Libby corrected, returning Vincent’s enthusiastic wave. The fact that Logan was sitting next to him unnerved her, but there was no way he’d recognize her now. She could ogle him till her eyes fell out and he’d just think it was some crazy old lady with raging hormones.