by Cat Johnson
Not caring where they were or that someone could walk up on them at any moment, he reached down and grabbed her hips, holding her tight to him. The feel of her body against his had his cock at full tilt once again. She moaned and pressed closer, and he knew he was lost.
Logan took the kiss deeper. He thrust his tongue against hers, plunging into her mouth, just as he’d like to do to her body. All the while she ground her body into his. He fisted the fabric of her dress. In another moment, he’d be tempted to lift the skirt of that dress and take her, right there behind the bushes.
He broke the kiss and tried to regain his control and his breath. That was proving difficult with his hands still on her hips, pressing her close, but he wasn’t ready to give up all of their contact quite yet. His gaze met hers. “I should apologize for that.”
“Kiss me again and I’ll consider forgiving you.” She smiled, her hands making small circles on his chest. He didn’t miss the raw need in her eyes. Or how right she felt beneath his hands.
She didn’t make it easy for Logan to act like a gentleman. That was the excuse he held firmly in his mind when he groaned and leaned in to take possession of her lips one more time.
Crazy thoughts careened through his brain. Who would know if he reached down, slipped his hand beneath her dress, and tested her with his fingers? She’d be wet and ready for him. He knew that. She was as needy as he was right now. He could give her one quick, tiny little orgasm to hold her over until they could be alone.
No one would ever know. Then Logan would definitely have nothing to worry about. Jace could try to make amends with Emma all he wanted, but it wouldn’t matter because she’d be satisfied and happy, and it would have been Logan that had made her that way.
“Maybe he went home to get something?” The sound of Tara’s voice brought Logan’s plans to a screeching halt.
He stepped back from Emma and closed his eyes, willing his erection to go down.
“I don’t know. Just leave him alone, Tara. I’m sure he’ll be back in a second. We should go back to the tent.” Good old Tyler was trying to steer his sister away from where Logan and Emma hid.
Tyler had either seen Logan sneak off with Emma, or he suspected they had when both disappeared at the same time. The kid might be young, but he was already wise in the ways of the world when it came to women.
Logan opened his eyes again to find Emma looking horrified. Judging by the sounds of the footsteps, Tara and Tyler were getting closer. Logan and Emma were about to be caught behind the bushes with no excuse for being there alone together unless Logan did something quick.
“Stay here,” he mouthed to Emma. After a bracing breath, Logan walked around the hedges and directly into Tara and Tyler’s path. “Hey, what’s up?”
Tara stopped dead. “Logan. We were just looking for you.”
“You were looking for him. I, on the other hand, was enjoying a nice drink when you came bothering me about where he was.” Tyler sent Logan a knowing look from behind his sister.
“Oh? Did Tuck or Becca need me for something?” Logan raised a brow, trying to look calm even as Emma hid just feet away.
“Well, no, but they just opened the buffet. I didn’t want you to miss dinner. And then right after that is Tyler’s best man’s speech and the cake. I thought you’d want to be there for that. Where did you disappear to, anyway?” Tara frowned.
“I decided to use the bathroom in my parents’ house instead of tying up the Jenkinses’ while there are so many people here.” Talk of bodily functions should shut down Tara’s curiosity fast enough and prevent any further questions. Logan looped an arm around Tyler’s neck and started toward the tent, knowing Tara would follow. “Come on, Ty. Let’s get you inside so you can prepare for your big moment, and I know I’m ready for some of that tasty barbecue they’re serving up.”
“You owe me, dude,” Tyler whispered once they were inside the tent and the sound of the music would prevent Tara from hearing him.
“For what?” Logan played dumb.
“For running interference with Tara so she didn’t catch you two behind the bushes.”
“Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Ty.”
“Yeah, whatever. And by the way, there’s a brand new box of condoms in the top drawer of the nightstand in my bedroom. Help yourself.”
That had Logan stumbling over his own feet as his heart tripped, as well. He stored that bit of information away for later and changed the subject. “So, did you write down your toast or are you going to wing it?”
They’d arrived back at the head table, mostly empty since more than half of the wedding party had been outside.
“Yeah, like you really care.” Tyler snorted. “Oh, look. There’s your girl sneaking back in. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get me that drink Tara dragged me away from.”
As Tyler left him, Logan turned and saw that Emma was indeed sneaking back in through the other side of the tent. She made her way across the dance floor, red faced and looking freshly kissed. The sight made him smile, and had him rock hard again in seconds.
She reached his side, blushing prettily. Logan leaned in, his mouth close to her ear so only she would hear his words. “Let’s go get some food. You’re going to need the energy for later.”
The red hue coloring her face deepened. “Okay.”
They moved to the buffet, clear of people now since they were late. “How much longer is this damn thing supposed to go on?” Logan asked, glancing sideways at her as he piled ribs onto his plate.
“They still have to cut the cake.” Emma frowned at the remains of the whole pig in front of her, then moved on to the smoked brisket in the chafing dish.
“Then we leave?” He raised a brow, following her, and reaching for a scoop of coleslaw.
“Eager to go?” She smiled.
He let out a laugh at that understatement. “What do you think?”
She paused by the end of the table, where there was a small stack of napkins rolled around silverware. “Logan?”
“Yeah?” He stopped in his perusal of the culinary offerings to look at Emma.
“Thank you.” Sincerity radiated through her words.
“For what?”
“Just for being there. Making me feel better. For everything.” She shrugged.
With his body blocking the view of those in the room, he reached down and gave her fingers a squeeze. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Chapter Nine
“What did you tell your parents?” While walking, Logan glanced over his shoulder at the Jenkins house as he asked the question of Emma.
It felt as if they were fleeing the scene of a crime. So far, they’d gotten away unseen, but Tara was still at the house. So were both his and Emma’s parents.
He’d smuggled their overnight bags into his truck about an hour ago when no one was looking because they were all busy eating cake. That had been right after he’d snuck into Tyler’s bedroom and pilfered his drawer.
The presence of the strip of condoms in his bag had Logan red-faced, but he’d get over that. Now, all he had to do was slip Emma into the cab of his truck, get out of his parents’ driveway without been spotted, and then they’d be scot-free.
“I told them I was going to hang out with some of the young people I met at the wedding and not to wait up for me. I’d get a ride back to the hotel later.” Emma made air-quotes around the words young people. “They loved that I was making new friends.”
She obviously knew how to handle her parents. Right now, he was more than grateful for that. Logan opened the passenger door. “And Becca? What did you say to her?”
“Ha. I didn’t have to tell Becca anything. You saw them. She and Tuck were so anxious to get to the hotel, she barely said good-bye to me. I’m a little concerned he’s going to crash on the drive over.” Emma hiked up her dress to climb in. He got a glimpse of bare leg and had to stop himself from staring.
“I know how they feel.” He s
tifled a groan and moved around to the driver’s side door.
Once he was settled inside, his hand poised on the key in the ignition, Emma turned to him from the passenger seat. “So, where are we going?”
“I got us a hotel room.” He’d considered the options over the past couple of hours, ever since that amazing kiss in the bushes, and he’d realized there was no other choice. His bedroom in his parents’ house was out of the question.
Emma’s brow crinkled. “You didn’t have to do that. I already have a hotel room. My parents have their own.”
No way. That was too close for comfort. He didn’t like the idea of going to the hotel where her parents were any better than he liked the idea of having sex in his own parents’ house.
“Nuh, uh. I’m taking us to the hotel on the opposite side of town from where your parents are staying. I don’t want either one of us to have to worry about being interrupted . . . or quiet.” He turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life, sounding as anxious as he felt to get moving.
“Oh. Okay.”
“You okay with that plan?” Glancing over, he saw Emma’s cheeks had turned pink. Logan grinned at how adorable she was.
“Yes.”
“Will your parents look for you if you don’t come home tonight?” Logan wasn’t bringing her back any earlier than he had to.
“No, I told them I’d come to their room tomorrow in time to leave for the brunch.”
“Good.” He definitely planned on keeping her with him at least until sunrise. One night with Emma before she left for New York wasn’t going to be enough as it was. “Do you need to get anything at the hotel for tonight? We can swing by your room quick, before your parents get there.”
“No. I got dressed for the wedding here with Becca this morning, so I have regular clothes and makeup in the bag I gave you before.”
Perfect. A detour might just have killed him. “All right, then. That’s it. Let’s go.”
She nodded as he fought the urge to reach out, grab the back of her head, and pull her toward him for a kiss. But the faster they got away from here, the less likely it was they’d be seen. There’d be plenty of time for kissing, and so much more, later.
Logan put the truck in reverse and backed into the street, feeling the urgency to get away. He threw the transmission into gear and peeled out, away from everyone still at the reception, heading toward one hell of a hot night in his very near future.
At the first stoplight, he glanced at Emma, who hadn’t said a word since they’d left. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
She laughed. “I’m nervous. Isn’t that crazy?”
“No, not at all.” He didn’t tell her his hands had been shaking when he’d packed the overnight bag for tonight. Instead he leaned over, wrapped a hand around the back of her head, and pulled her in for a kiss.
A car horn behind them told Logan the light had turned green. He pulled back and hit the gas, shooting a sideways glance at Emma. “Any better?”
She touched her fingertips to her lips and nodded. “How many more red lights are there between here and the hotel?”
The answer to that deceivingly simple question was not enough lights if he got to kiss her at each stop, and entirely too many because they couldn’t get to their destination fast enough.
He got them to the hotel, though it took every shred of will power he had to concentrate on the road. Somehow he navigated through the traffic in the center of town, and brought them safely to their destination. He swung the truck into a spot in the lot and cut the engine.
Striding like a man with a purpose, which he sure as hell was, he went to the passenger side of the vehicle and flung open the door. Finally, they were alone. Or at least not surrounded by relatives and friends. And they’d be alone soon enough.
Now, it was safe to kiss her. Logan did just that, cradling her face in his hands right there in the parking lot where there’d be no one to blow a horn and interrupt them. His lips crashed into hers and he let out a groan full of satisfaction.
She kissed him back with the enthusiasm he’d hoped for, and then pulled back. “Let’s go inside.”
Her eyes, heavy with need, had his gut twisting with anticipation. He needed to shuck this tuxedo, just as she needed to ditch her dress. As lovely as it was, he was certain there was something even more beautiful awaiting him beneath it.
“Good idea.” He helped Emma out of the truck with one hand and then grabbed both of their overnight bags with the other. “I called the front desk during the reception to reserve the room and give them my credit card. They have our room all ready. The only thing we have to do is stop by and pick up the key.”
Emma raised a brow. “A man who’s organized. Wow.”
More like a man who had sex on the brain, but he’d accept any compliment this incredible woman was willing to give him. In reality, Logan had figured he had better handle the details while he was still able to think. Because now, with Emma holding his hand, and the promise of a nice big, king-size mattress so close, he was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other.
Logan didn’t tell her that. “Eh, logistical planning—just one of the many things the army has taught me.”
“Lucky me. I get to see you in action.” There was that suggestive tone again in her voice. Impossibly, Logan’s cock grew harder. He’d show her action, all right. As soon as they were in the room.
He held open the door for Emma, and then led the way to the front desk. He forced his attention to the business at hand. Then he could concentrate on the more important business of getting his hands on her.
“Logan Hunt. I called a couple of hours ago and reserved a room. I requested an expedited check-in, if possible.” The clerk nodded and reached beneath the desk. “Yes, sir. I have your keycards right here.”
Logan glanced over and saw Emma’s gaze cut to him as she smiled. If it was his efficiency at planning and logistics that got her hot, he was all set. The army had instilled that in him. He could also be very efficient in getting them both out of their clothing.
After a smooth and speedy check-in, Logan and Emma took one silent elevator ride to the second floor. With the adrenaline coursing through his veins, Logan could have sprinted the stairs in far less time, but instead he stood and held Emma’s hand, trying to not let his own tremble with what he attributed to anticipation. He didn’t want to believe it was nerves. In a few months he’d be forty years old. He shouldn’t be shaking like a nervous teen, even if Emma made him feel like one.
The elevator came to a jolting stop and the doors opened. A quick glance at the sign on the wall told him which direction to go and moments later, they stood outside the door of their room for the night.
Their room. For the whole night. Damn.
Keycard poised and ready in his hand, Logan swallowed and glanced down at Emma. The look of heat in her eyes was all Logan needed to proceed as planned. He shoved the key into the slot, the light turned green, and the door handle moved beneath his fingers.
Logan dropped the two bags to the floor with a thud and was aware of the spring-loaded door clicking shut behind them. That was the last thing about his surroundings he was aware of as Emma became his sole focus.
Backing her against the wall, he tangled his hand in her hair and leaned low. He was about to kiss her when she braced her hand against his chest.
“Can we both turn off our cell phones?”
That out-of-the-blue request from Emma, right when things were about to get hot, gave Logan pause. The last thing on his mind when he’d been about to indulge in the pleasures of Emma’s sweet mouth was his damn cell phone. Yet for some reason, it was on her mind. Enough for her to stop him to request he turn it off.
“Uh, sure. If that’s what you want.”
“It’s just, I’ve been here before. In this situation.” Emma laughed, and shook her head. “Almost exactly. This time, I don’t want any interruptions.”
“Of course.” Logan took a step back. He slid his jacket off and reached into the pocket. Finding his phone, he pulled it out and hit the button to power the device off. “But I have to tell you, any man who would answer his phone while he was alone with you is a freaking idiot—”
Realization hit him the moment he said the word idiot. Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Emma’s concern over being interrupted. Her insecurity at the wedding over Jacqueline. Jace was enough of an idiot that he might take a call from his ex-girlfriend while alone with a woman. Had Emma been with Jace like this?
Emma, kissing Jace, and maybe even about to do much more. Logan’s stomach churned at the thought of Jace and Emma together in the same situation as he and Emma were in now. He hadn’t thought things had gotten this far between her and Jace. Then again, now that he thought about it, Jace had been acting pretty cocky the night of the party, and he’d let plenty of hints drop about how he knew Emma. For the first time ever, Logan felt sincerely jealous of Jace.
Emma stepped forward. “Logan. Forget I said anything. Okay?”
“All right.” With new enthusiasm, Logan tossed his phone on the nightstand. He’d make them both forget Jace even existed.
No matter what had, or hadn’t happened between Emma and Jace, Logan was the one with her now. He’d show her what it meant to be with a man worthy of her. A man who wanted her and only her. The outside world, cell phones included, be damned.
Logan pinned her between his bulk and the wall, and crashed his mouth into hers. He kissed her with an intensity, an out-of-control ferocity, that belied his usual calm demeanor. Logan had remained collected during firefights. He’d stayed cool while being dressed-down by his superiors, and while reprimanding those in his command, but he couldn’t seem to maintain his control now.
A caveman-like urge to dominate Emma, to claim her as his own, surged from deep within him. Logan took control, crushing her body and her mouth with his own, hoping to drive away the memory of every other man she’d ever been with. Every man she’d even thought about being with before him.