It appeared neither of them was willing to break the silence first. And she suddenly felt very vulnerable sitting there completely naked in front of him. Logan took the few steps where she’d dropped her towel and snatched it up. As he made his way back to her she couldn’t help but notice the muscle jumping in his lean jaw.
“Thank you.” Libby felt unaccustomed shyness when he draped the towel over her shoulders, pulling it closed in the front. His knuckles grazed her breasts, bringing new awareness of him throughout her system like a shot of strong caffeine.
“Libby…”
Here it comes. She reluctantly met his eyes.
“I…” He paused, clenching his hands in the towel and jerking her close. “Damn, Libby. How could I have let this happen?”
“It takes two…”
He brushed his lips across hers, tenderly at first. Then with a groan he applied more pressure. His sensuous mouth coaxed an instant response from Libby and she leaned into him with a soft moan. She opened her mouth to his thrusting tongue with an eagerness that caused butterflies in her belly.
She was hooked, damn, the last thing she’d expected. Only Logan just wanted sex from her. That he could have gotten from the blonde bimbo at the bar the other night. So why had he waited for her? He ignited a slow fire inside her. One that should have been fully extinguished five minutes ago, successfully.
Though it hadn’t been, not by a long shot.
He pulled away, taking a deep breath. “This was a mistake.”
“Why? Because it’s something we both wanted, Logan?” Her husky tone was lingering proof of the passion they’d shared. For the first time she noticed that the rain had stopped.
“For different reasons,” he practically snapped back.
“And those reasons are?”
He hesitated for a long moment, and Libby wondered if he’d be able to put the truth into words. “I haven’t been with a woman since the fire. I was looking for a good lay to release some of the sexual tension that’s been building from months of celibacy.”
Libby laughed softly, but her heart was twisting with the pain his words caused. “And my reasons?” Logan shrugged. “So, what makes you think I didn’t make love with you for the same reasons?” He was forced to back up when she slipped off the table. “I’d say we both got what we wanted.”
For some reason her response fueled his anger. “Who are you trying to convince, lady? You’re not the kind of woman who makes love with a man just for the sheer hell of it.”
Libby shrugged much in the same way he had, stepping around him. “Relax; I don’t want anything from you. We don’t all have to be in love or want a wedding ring on our fingers, and men don’t hold a monopoly on enjoying sex for the sheer hell of it.”
He stared after her for a moment. She could tell by his expression that he didn’t believe her. And why should he? She was talking crap because it allowed her to hide behind the truth.
She scooped up her bathing suit and slipped into the bottoms without removing the towel. She left the ties hanging free at her hips, and then let the towel glide to the floor. For a second his eyes flickered down to her naked breasts.
“It’s stopped raining,” Libby commented, turning around while slipping into her bikini top.
“I’ll give you a ride home,” he offered, walking up to where she was standing in the threshold.
Libby’s eyes took in the dark sky. It had stopped raining but it was obvious it wouldn’t be for long. Nearby palms swayed violently with the wind, and there was no signs of the sun returning any time soon. About that time two men from the common grounds landscaping crew began gathering up the chairs and tables around the pool and taking them into a shed. One of them glanced up, waving when he finally noticed them. She and Logan were damn lucky they hadn’t been caught.
Libby drew the towel back around her. “That won’t be necessary. I can walk.”
She made a move to leave but Logan reached out and drew her to a halt. “I’ll take you home,” he insisted firmly. “We have about two minutes to make it before the next rain hits.” A few large drops hit them.
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle,” Libby commented as they walked to his bike. He removed his helmet from the seat and draped the chinstrap over the backrest.
“Hop on. Normally you’d sit behind me, but since we have such a short way to go you can sit in front.” Once Libby was situated he mounted behind her, putting his arms on either side of her as he reached for the handlebars.
“What do I hold onto?”
“Just lean back into me; we aren’t going to be traveling that fast,” he said against her ear.
Libby did as he asked, shivering from the warmth of his voice in her ear. Thankfully it was a short trip because she didn’t know how long she could take sitting snug between Logan’s muscular thighs. He wasn’t kidding when he said they wouldn’t be going fast, however, every bump and hole in the road caused her bottom to jolt against him, keeping her pleasantly stimulated with the memory of their recent lovemaking.
As soon as they turned the corner to their street her eyes fell on the car in her grandmother’s driveway, and her heart sank. She wasn’t in any mood to face her parents right now, suspecting what their reasons for being there were.
“Looks like Margaret has company.” Logan brushed his lips against her ear.
Libby nodded with a slight shiver, caused by his warm breath and the knowledge that the hardness against her backside was Logan’s renewed erection. “My parents.”
Before long he pulled into his drive and flipped the engine off. He swung his leg around, dismounting first. Libby glanced up at him, pushing the hair out of her face, laughing against the strong breeze that blew it right back again.
“Are you staying through the storm?”
She nodded. “Unless my parents have somehow talked some sense into Gram. I’d never let her stay here alone,” she replied. “Or Reba,” she quickly added, hoping Logan didn’t notice. The rain began to come down a little harder. “I guess I better get over there.”
He stood back so she could dismount. For a moment they stood there, looking at each other in awkward silence. Then something wicked prompted Libby into saying, “If you ever need another good lay, you know where to find me.”
His brows drew together in a frown, and ignoring his somewhat annoyed expression, Libby turned and dashed away before he could make a response.
Chapter 10
As Libby dashed up the porch steps and reached for the screen door, she could hear the voices coming from inside. It sounded like both her parents were ganging up on her grandmother, hardly letting her get a word in edgewise as they voiced a list of dos and don’ts.
“These homes aren’t built to withstand hurricane force winds,” Libby heard her father say.
“They’ve already recommended evacuation in some parks,” her mother added.
“They’re held together with screws, for God’s sake.” Even if he meant well Libby wondered if her father realized how hurtful that comment was. Her grandmother loved her home.
“You and Libby should come home with us until the worst is over.” Libby fully agreed with her mother on that count, but she disagreed with their tactics.
“I’m perfectly fine here,” Margaret finally spoke up, in a feisty tone of voice that brought a smile to Libby’s mouth.
Libby walked into the room to see her mother and grandmother sitting on the sofa, her father pacing the room like a caged lion who hadn’t been fed any red meat in a long time. For as long as she could remember he used that particular method to intimidate people, forcing the issue in order to get what he wanted, which was probably what made him a good trial lawyer.
When she entered the room all eyes swung her way. Her mother looked pleased to see her, but her father’s expression didn’t change.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been swimming in the rain,” he grumbled, taking in the towel draped across her shoulders.
“Hi, Dad
.” She smiled brightly turning to her mom. “Mom.” She went over to give her a quick hug. “It wasn’t raining when I first got there. I waited the storm out in the pool house.”
“Was that Logan’s bike I heard earlier?”
Libby shot her grandmother a surprised glance. Her ears couldn’t be that good! Then she noticed her position on the couch gave her the perfect view of Vincent’s house outside the bay window. She must have seen them arrive.
“Logan?” Doris asked. “Is that the man Scott told us about?”
Libby was interested in knowing just what Scott had told them, only she wasn’t going to respond to her mother’s comment. Mainly because it irritated her they insisted on remaining close to Scott, when they knew how she felt about him. And knowing Scott, he’d probably painted a bad picture of Logan.
“Logan is Vincent’s grandson,” said Margaret, who rose to her feet. She walked to the window ledge where Rufus was sitting, glaring at John. Her slightly shaking hand smoothed over his head as though to comfort him.
Libby grinned because her father had the same glare on his stern features.
“The young fireman who rescued you?” John questioned.
“You didn’t say he was living here. What’s he doing living in a retirement community?”
“Did I say he was living here?” Margaret all but snapped. Rufus jumped down and skittered from the room. She turned from the window, framed by a sheet of falling rain behind her.
“Logan’s only staying with Vincent while he recuperates from a terrible accident.”
All at once a rumble of thunder shook the house, reminding everyone why her parents were there. “We’re wasting time. You and Libby pack some things.”
“If Libby wants to go with you, that’s fine. I’m not going anywhere,” Margaret said stubbornly, folding her arms. “The last report on the weather channel said Dexter will probably come ashore further north.”
The operative word being probably, only Libby wasn’t about to point that out to anyone.
“But, Mom,” Doris began. “It will only be for a day or two. Until the danger is past.”
Margaret shook her head. “I’m not leaving Rufus and I’m not leaving my home.”
“You know we can’t take Rufus,” John stated gruffly.
Everyone knew why. When Rufus was out of his comfort zone he was like a wild cat from the hills. Destructive and mean, and he absolutely hated Libby’s father. The feeling was mutual. No one in the room was brave enough to comment on his remark. However, Libby and Margaret exchanged amused glances.
“Well, I guess we can’t make you go, but you know we’ll worry about you. I’d think you’d take that into consideration and come with us.” Doris rose to her feet, brushing the cat hairs off her linen slacks.
“You should have called before coming, dear,” Margaret chastised lightly, “and saved yourself a trip. I’ll be okay.”
John released a heavy sigh, realizing defeat. “Libby…”
“Save your breath, Dad, I’m staying with Gram.”
“Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” The frustration was evident in his tone. His eyes were focused on Libby intently as if he could think her into doing his will.
Smiling, Libby went to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Maybe because I’m a little too much like you?”she joked, cracking his rough exterior and getting a reluctant grin. “We’ll be fine, Dad.” She hoped.
She walked them to the door. Rufus slipped out when it was open and Libby glanced back at her grandmother to see if she’d noticed. Thankfully she hadn’t entered the kitchen in time to witness it. She supposed in time she’d have to go find him but right now, a little rain wasn’t going to hurt him.
* * * *
It was five o’clock in the morning when the sound of something banging against the house woke Logan. Not that he’d been sleeping all that soundly, listening to the wrath of Mother Nature on and off during most of the night. They were lucky. The hurricane had indeed turned, leaving them with tropical force winds and rain in its wake. The Carolinas was going to get the brunt of the storm, which had thankfully shrunk down to a category one.
He pulled back the covers and jumped from the bed when he heard something crashing around in the backyard. The wind was strong enough to shake the house, and he could only pray the hurricane shutters held up. He was worried about the trees around the place, too. If one of them came down, it would pierce the aluminum roof like a toothpick.
He pulled the curtain back to peer out his bedroom window before remembering the shutters, and then reached for his jeans. He slipped them on, not bothering to turn on the light. He knew the power was still on though, thanks to the digital clock on the dresser. As he made his way through the darkened house, he passed his snoring grandfather where he’d fallen asleep on the sofa. Shaking his head with disbelief, Logan grinned when he noticed the weather channel was still on.
Remembering there was a flashlight in the junk drawer next to the stove, Logan retrieved it. He turned it on before leaving the kitchen to make sure it worked, then opened the door just enough to squeeze through. As soon as he stepped out onto the porch he was blasted with a sheet of wind and rain. Other noises began to penetrate Logan’s consciousness. The dim lights at the end of everyone’s driveways allowed him enough light to see the dark shadows of flying debris. Someone’s trashcan was rolling down the street. A couple planters blew by, minus the plants. God knows where those were. Pieces of rain gutters were scattered here and there as the fragile aluminum was ripped off the houses. Someone’s wind turbine, possibly their own, was on the front lawn.
As far as Logan could tell it wasn’t anything major. No one’s porches or carports were flying around. The street was flooded though. He couldn’t see if there were any trees down but daylight would provide more answers. When he opened the screen door the wind almost tore it from his grasp. He made sure it was secured, and then dashed down the steps. As he headed for the backyard, a light coming from Margaret’s house drew his immediate attention. He could clearly make out that she was standing in front of what he knew was the kitchen window. However, he couldn’t tell if she was doing something at the sink, or looking outside.
Then a loud bang snagged Logan’s attention and his gaze shot to the large piece of metal the wind was holding hostage against the tool shed. He wondered whose house it had broken loose from. The shed door had somehow blown open too and was banging noisily against the side. As he turned to head there a beam of light hit the large oak tree to the right of him, and he came to a halt. Then he saw something move out of the corner of his eye.
At first Logan thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He couldn’t possibly be seeing Libby, walking around in the rain with a flashlight in her hands. She was obviously searching for something. Is she crazy? What does she think she is doing? A good gust of wind would pick her up without much trouble. As it was she was having trouble staying on her feet. She halted when her light went out. She hadn’t noticed him yet, and began slapping the flashlight against her palm to get the light to come back on. He shook his head with disbelief and made his way to her.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” he growled loud enough for her to hear him over the howling wind. He pointed his flashlight at her face. “Trying to get killed?”
She glanced up, blinking against the wind and rain, brushing wet strands of hair out of her face. She was as soaked as he was, and wearing just as little. In fact, closer inspection revealed it was a nightgown of some kind. The cloth made transparent by the rain.
She faced his anger with an unconcerned laugh. “Not really!” she yelled above the storm, blinking at the light he was shining in her eyes. “Looking for Rufus! Gram’s about to give herself a heart attack because she can’t find him! She’s frantic!”
“You’re risking your neck for a cat?” Now he knew she was crazy. “Come on!” Logan took her by the arm with every intention of dragging her back inside.
Libby pulle
d back. “I have to find him!” She turned toward the shed.
Groaning with frustration, Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and picked her up off the ground. He whipped her back in the direction of the house. “I’ll look for Rufus; you get your little butt back inside!”
“Logan,” Libby struggled against his arm but he had no trouble keeping hold of her. “He’ll never come to you! Let me at least check out the shed and then I’ll go back inside, I promise!”
He hesitated reluctantly, realizing she was making sense. What would it hurt to let her check out the shed? It wouldn’t take that long, and he’d be with her if anything happened. He lowered her until her feet were on the ground again. “Okay, but make it quick.”
He was right behind Libby when they entered the dark shed, drawing the door closed behind them to keep the inside from getting any wetter than it already was. A large crack remained because the door was old and bent. He felt for the light switch and flipped it on. The room was instantly bathed with the dim glow of a twenty-watt bulb. Not much light, just enough to take in the lawn mower, various tools and gardening supplies kept on hand. And the wet temptress poised directly beneath the light.
Logan’s gaze dropped, moving over Libby. She might as well be naked. Whatever she had on was plastered to her like a thin layer of tissue. It stopped at the top of her thighs, the transparency revealing she wasn’t wearing any panties. Logan tried to put the brakes on where his mind was heading as his eyes rested on the fascinating curve of her buttocks. He recalled what she looked like naked, but for some unexplained reason this was far more sensual and tempting. Heightening his senses with a teasing display of what his hands had only discovered the day before. His palms tingled, he tried to swallow.
Then she whipped around to face him, an innocent smile on her face as she brushed the wet hair away. He watched her movements, letting his gaze slowly take in the clear outline of her breasts with their darker nipples, proudly pointing in his direction. When his eyes landed on the darker patch between her thighs lust swept through his body in crippling waves. Someone caught their breath, and their eyes met.
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