by Jaci Burton
She'd really miss these once she got back to the city.
One of the night security guys raised a brow at her.
"Don't even ask, Phil," she said.
Phil shook his head, but smiled. "Okay. I won't."
When Logan pulled in and came walking toward the gate, Phil opened it with a wide grin. "Evening, Mr. McCormack."
"Hey, Phil."
"Night, Miss Desiree."
"Night, Phil."
She slipped her arm around Logan's waist and they walked to her trailer.
"You didn't have to come out here and wait for me," he said.
She tilted her head back to look at him. "I wanted to."
Once inside, they undressed and climbed into her bed.
Logan grunted. "Your bed is small. We should have gone to my place."
"Quit complaining and get over here."
He tugged her against his chest and Des sighed. Perfect. Logan turned out the light and Des could already feel her lids drooping closed.
"Better?" he asked.
She yawned. "Perfect."
Chapter 21
IT HAD BEEN an idyllic few weeks, but now it was coming to a close. Today, Des and Colt would shoot their final scene, and the movie would wrap.
That part she didn't want to think about, not when she and Logan had spent every single night together. As soon as she finished on set each day, she'd head over to the ranch and would either spend time with Martha until the guys came in for dinner, or if they wrapped filming later, she and Logan would spend the evening alone. She'd slept in his bed every night, had gotten accustomed to wandering around that big ranch house she'd grown to love so much.
Martha had become as much a mother to her as she had always been to Logan. What was she going to do without Martha's advice? What was she going to do without Martha's awesome food?
It was a good thing they'd filmed out here in the summer, where she sweated off a massive amount of calories working under the hot sun every day, or she swore she'd probably have gained ten pounds eating all the glorious meals Martha fixed for her. When she went back to L.A. she'd likely starve to death.
Though Martha was teaching her how to cook, so she was learning a lot under Martha's expert tutelage. At least when she went home, she'd know more than how to make a salad and steamed vegetables.
Today she and Colt were in full makeup and costume, ready for the final scene, though it wasn't the movie's final scene, because that had already been filmed prior to coming out here. The final scene of the movie was back on the planet, in a hospital room, a tender reunion scene between her and Colt. At least she wouldn't have to die in this movie, a fact that made her very grateful.
This final scene being filmed was the one before the big explosion they'd filmed several weeks ago. She and Colt were running for their lives, and the scene they were filming today had them on top of a massive rock, debating whether to jump. The stunt folks would make the jump for them, but this was where she and Colt would declare their love for each other. It was going to be a huge emotional scene, a possible good-bye, and Desiree wasn't ready for filming to finish, so her emotions were tenuous. She dug into her feelings when she and Colt stood at the edge and held on to each other, looking down into what--once CGI effects added some depth to the scene--would be a giant abyss.
"I love you--you know that, don't you?" Colt said, holding on to her as they mimicked feeling the shock waves as the aliens worked to destroy what remained of the planet.
She shook her head, the tears falling, blinding her as she kept her focus on Colt. "I'm not a goddamned mind reader. I didn't know how you felt. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Colt looked away, then back at her. "Because I'm a coward, Lacey. Because I was afraid you didn't love me back. Because I thought you still mourned Brace."
She pulled him to her, kissed him, then squeezed his hand, all the while mimicking trying to hold her balance as the planet fell apart around them. "Brace was a long time ago. And it was never him, Deacon. I've always loved you. Since we first met, since you made that cocky remark to me. You were mine. You'll always be mine."
Colt swept his fingers across her jaw, and she gave him her deepest look of love. "Let's make this jump and get the hell out of here. Together."
They hovered on the brink of the precipice, looked into each other's eyes one last time. Des nodded at Colt, and then--
"And, cut." Theo stood, and the crew clapped. "That was as damn perfect a scene as any the two of you have shot. We have a location wrap."
Des smiled and swiped at the tears. Colt hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"Fucking finally," Colt said.
Des laughed. "Seriously."
It was done. They were finished here. As she watched the crew start pulling the sets apart and wrapping up wires and equipment, she looked toward the far corners of the ranch. She was going to be leaving all of this.
She was going to be leaving Logan.
"Tell him how you feel, Des," Colt said as they walked back to their trailers.
"Tell who?"
Colt rolled his eyes. "I'm not the only one who needs to live an honest life, you know."
"Oh. Well, you know. We've had fun, but there's no future for the two of us. He's here, and I'm there and, yes, I have feelings for him, but it would only end in disaster, with us hating each other. I don't want that when we can end it friendly."
"Already deciding how he feels without asking him?"
They stood at the entrance to Colt's trailer. Des had no answer to that. She was brave--fearless, really--in so many areas of her life. But this? This scared the hell out of her.
"Just talk to him, Des. Don't walk away without knowing what might be between the two of you."
"I guess so."
He kissed the tip of her nose. "Don't guess so. Just do it. You kicked ass in that last scene, by the way. You nearly had me crying."
She laughed. "Thanks. I'll see you at the wrap party later."
She showered, changed clothes, then headed over to the ranch. She walked into the house, the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen.
"Hi, Martha."
Martha gave her a bright smile. "Hi, sweetheart. I just pulled a couple peach pies from the oven."
"I smelled them as soon as I opened the front door. The scent is to die for."
"Thank you. They're for my church group. And how are you doing? Did you finish the movie?"
She pulled up a seat at the island. "We did. Finally."
"Congratulations." Martha poured her a glass of iced tea. "And did it all go well?"
"I think so."
"You must be so happy to be finished."
Des took a drink of tea and nodded. "Yes. I guess so."
Martha loaded a few things into the dishwasher, then wiped her hands on the towel and refilled her tea glass and came around to the other side of the island to take a seat. "You're going to miss the ranch. And Logan."
"Yes."
"Have you told Logan that?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Des laughed. "Now you sound like Colt. He told me the same thing today."
"Maybe Colt's suggestion makes sense. You two are never going to figure out what you both want if you don't communicate with each other."
"I don't know, Martha. I can't see how this could ever work."
"Unless you talk to each other."
She sighed. "I know. I'm afraid, though. He's so reluctant about relationships, and ours has been perfect because there've been no promises. No ties."
"Well, a relationship has to either progress or it dies. I think it's high time to figure out where yours is going, isn't it?"
Martha made a lot of sense. Which didn't comfort Des all that much. "You're right, of course."
Logan came in the door a short time later, his face darkly tanned, rivulets of sweat running down his temples. He took off his cowboy hat. His hair was matted to his head and soaking wet. So was his T-shirt,
which was so wet it outlined his chest and abs to perfection. He looked utterly miserable, and absolutely, breathtakingly sexy.
When he looked up at her, he straightened and smiled. "Hey. Didn't expect to see you here today."
"We finished up early, so I thought I'd surprise you."
"I'm surprised."
Martha filled up a giant glass of ice water and handed it to him. "It's over a hundred degrees out there today. Drink this."
Without a word, he accepted the glass from her and downed the contents. "Thank you."
"You look exhausted," Des said. "And fried."
"It's okay, just hot out today." He came over and brushed his lips over hers. She tasted sweat, and something purely elementally male that never ceased to turn her on.
"Still, you'd probably like to take a shower and put your feet up in the cool air-conditioning for the rest of the day."
He leaned against the counter. "What's going on, Des?"
"A wrap party tonight. But you don't have to come if you don't want to."
"You inviting me?"
"Yes."
"Then I want to come. What time?"
"Eight thirty."
"I'll be there."
She grinned. "Good. And thank you."
"Now that that's settled," Martha said. "We're having salmon steaks and asparagus for dinner, along with fruit salad. Are you staying, Des?"
"I'd love to, Martha. Can I help?"
"Everything's already done, except for the salmon, which we're fixing on the grill tonight."
"Sounds great. And, Martha, you and Ben are also invited to the wrap party tonight. If you'd like to come."
Martha's smile was as wide as the state. "I'd love to come. How thrilling. How do I dress?"
"Just as casual as you'd like. There'll be drinks. And we're letting the press in. It'll be a free-for-all. Should be a wild and crazy night."
"Oh, boy." Martha's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I'm going to head home to pick out somethin' to wear."
"Leave the fancy furs in the closet, Martha," Logan said. "It's a little warm for those."
"You hush. And see what Ben's up to. I'm sure Desiree is hungry."
"Yes, ma'am."
After Martha left the room, Des slid off the barstool and went over to him, sliding her hand into his hair.
"I'm hot, I'm sweaty, and I stink," he said.
"I don't care. Kiss me."
He tugged her close and put his mouth on hers, kissing her with that same familiar hunger that never failed to drive her desire to feverish levels. She whimpered and raised up on her toes, molding her body to his. He grabbed her butt, then pulled away, his breath coming out in harsh gasps.
"Martha will be back any minute. Their house isn't that far away. We need to stop."
"Or, you could take me upstairs with you."
"You're a bad influence."
"Not the first time I've heard that."
He took her hand and pulled her upstairs, then shut the door to his room and headed into the bathroom.
She took a seat on his bed. "Where are you going?"
He paused and turned around. "To take a shower."
"You think I mind a little sweat?"
"Babe. I've been out in the pasture all day. Trust me, I'm not pleasant."
She kicked off her sandals and slid out of her capris. "Come here and make love to me, Logan."
She heard the low rumble of a growl somewhere deep in his chest, but he jerked his T-shirt over his head and unzipped his pants, toeing out of his boots at the same time. Soon, he was beautifully, gloriously naked, and she looked her fill.
He grabbed her ankle and pulled her to the edge of the bed, grasping her panties and drawing them down. Her tank went up next, followed by her bra, baring her breasts. And then his mouth was on her neck, licking and sucking it before moving to her nipples, the scratchiness of a day's growth of beard across her skin only making her writhe with pleasure.
She wanted him, and the clock was ticking down to her departure. She wasn't going to wait when her need was so great. She wrapped her legs around him, loving the weight of his body on top of hers, the way he surged against her, making her body quiver in all the right places.
"Logan, please."
He grabbed a condom and put it on, then slid inside her, holding himself off of her with his hands as he lifted, then thrust deeply. She swept her hands over his muscled arms and shoulders while he drove within her, then rolled his hips over the most sensitive spot until she arched, crying out for more.
And when he gave her more, she splintered, so ready for him, so needy for this moment that she couldn't hold back the orgasm that rushed through her like an eruption of the sweetest pleasure. Logan cupped her behind and held her close while he shuddered with his release. She held tight to him, licking away the salty sweat on his neck as he rode it out.
Panting, he pressed a kiss to her brow. "Now you need another shower."
"It's summer. I can always use another shower."
He smiled down at her, kissed her, then dragged her up and into his bathroom. She grabbed one of the hair clips she stored in his drawer and stepped into the shower, washing quickly, then stepping out while Logan took his shower. She dried off and got dressed, then went downstairs and poured another glass of tea.
Martha showed up a few minutes later to find Des sitting at her same spot at the island.
"Did you find something to wear?" she asked.
"I did. Sorry I was gone so long. Where's Logan?"
"He went up to shower."
"Uh-huh." Martha gave her a strange smile. "Well, Ben's starting the grill, so we'll get the salmon going."
"Great."
Logan came down a few minutes later and gave her a sexy half smile.
"Ben's going to grill the salmon," she told him.
"Okay." He bent to kiss her cheek, then whispered in her ear. "You have a hickey on your neck."
Her eyes widened and she slapped her hand over her neck as she pivoted to look at him. "Seriously?"
"Would I joke about something like that?"
"Uh, excuse me. I'll be right back." She dashed into the bathroom, and sure enough, there was a mark at the bottom of her neck. And more spots than that, obviously because he hadn't shaved before they made love. Dammit. So much for thinking they had pulled something over on Martha. No wonder Martha had given her that knowing smile.
She came back out and Martha was busy setting the table, so Des dove in to help.
Nothing was said about the mark on her neck. Thank God. She was certain Martha wholeheartedly approved of her relationship with Logan, but she didn't think she'd survive discussing her and Logan's sex life with a woman she considered Logan's mother figure.
Ben brought in the salmon and they ate. Logan and Ben spent most of dinner discussing something cattle-related, while she and Martha were focused on the wrap party, so she didn't get to listen in to Logan's conversation. But Des knew Martha was a little nervous, especially since the press was going to be in attendance.
"It's not those jerks that have been hanging out at the gate for the past couple of months, is it?"
Des shook her head. "No. These are press correspondents from various reputable outlets, unlike paparazzi who are just looking to take photos and sell them to the highest bidder."
"Okay. I don't like those paparazzi people."
"I don't either, Martha."
"What kinds of questions will the press people ask you?"
"They mostly ask about the movie, though more often than not they segue into personal relationships. It's like they can't help themselves. But we choose to answer the questions we want to. And they're limited to being on set only the first hour. Then we kick them off so we can relax without worrying about every word we say and every move we make being scrutinized or misinterpreted."
"Oh, that's good. So you can have fun."
"Exactly."
After dinner, she helped Martha with the dishes, then said s
he had to go get ready. Logan walked her out.
"I'll see you there?"
He pulled her close. "Yeah. I'll be there."
She laughed. "You sound thrilled."
"I'll be there."
"Okay." She kissed him, then climbed into the SUV and drove back to the set to get ready for tonight. For the first time in a long time she was actually excited.
Tonight, after the party, she was going to tell Logan how she felt about him.
And then they'd talk about where they went from here.
With a renewed confidence, she went to figure out what she was going to wear.
Chapter 22
MARTHA INSISTED LOGAN dress up. Which for Logan, meant his clean jeans and a dress shirt, and his newest boots. That was as good as it was going to get.
Martha wore her nice slacks and a pretty blouse, and she made Ben wear his khakis. They drove separate cars in case Martha and Ben wanted to leave before he did.
When they got out of their trucks, Logan turned to Ben. "Right after this, you can go to church, seeing as how you're already dressed for it."
"Shut up," Ben said, frowning and tugging at the collar of his button-down shirt.
"Enough, Logan. We have to dress nice. And I can't believe you wore jeans."
"It's a wrap party. On the ranch. Not exactly the Academy Awards, Martha."
"Still, It wouldn't kill you to dress up for the girl, would it?"
He looked down at his white button-down shirt and dark jeans. "I wore my new jeans and my best pair of boots."
Martha rolled her eyes. "Come on, boys."
Though as they passed through the security gate, Logan noticed most of the set was gone, replaced instead by billowing white tents and a wood floor. And lots of food, drinks, and waiters.
Fancy.
There was already a crowd of people, too. Some pretty dressed up. Okay, so maybe he was underdressed. Then again, no one was going to be interviewing him, so he could fly under the radar. This was Des's gig, not his.
There was some kind of champagne fountain, and a bar set up where people could get drinks, and a whole buffet of all kinds of food Logan couldn't even identify.
"Wow," Martha said as they walked past the buffet table. "If I'd known there was going to be food like this, I wouldn't have bothered to make dinner."
"I can still eat," Ben said.
"Of course you can. All right, let's grab a plate, and then we'll go find a table in the corner somewhere where we can observe and I can sneak photos. You coming, Logan?"
"I'm going to see if I can find Des. I'll catch up to you later."