After a few moments, Robin finally sat down while Alex made the potent tea and heated a tray of chocolate chip cookies. “I’m sorry,” she said as she leaned her head on Logan’s shoulder.
“You have nothing to apologize for. And your reaction to everything that’s going on is why I suggested moving.”
“And it’s still running. Logan, let’s not forget that we both have careers in Richmond. I love Charleston, but I don’t want to give up everything that I worked for because these people are spreading lies about you. And you can’t want that either.”
“You know what else I don’t want, my wife to have a heart attack because she’s stressed out all of the time. No matter what happens in a couple of weeks, this is going to follow us and we’re going to be the focus of gossip and innuendoes.”
“How is that different from what’s going on right now?”
“Robin, it was just a suggestion.”
She expelled a frustrated sigh. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Oh, we’re not fighting at all, Robin. We’ve done enough fighting, baby.”
“What do you want to do? Because this is your reputation and your future.”
Logan stroked her cheek. “I don’t know what I want to do. I want to save the patients at the hospital and make sure they are being treated with safe drugs. I want to clear my name and I want my wife to love me forever.”
“We can do all of that. And we don’t have to run away to make it happen.” She leaned in and kissed him softly. “And I’m behind you, no matter what. So, you already got your wife loving you forever.”
“Thank God for that,” he said.
Alex returned to the sitting room with the bourbon iced tea and cookies. “Everything cool in here?”
Robin nodded as she took the cookies from Alex’s hand. “We’re good,” she replied.
Alex set the glasses on the table in front of the settee where Logan and Robin were sitting. “I’ve got a couple of reports to write, so I’m going to head over to the office for a little bit.” She tossed Robin a key. “If you two start feeling some kind of way, go to your room.”
“Subtle, sis,” Robin quipped.
“She has a point, though,” Logan said as he kissed Robin’s cheek.
“Eww,” Alex said. “I’m out. I’ll let Daddy know y’all are here so we can get together for dinner. And Nina and Clinton are coming back New Year’s Day if you two want to stick around.”
“I really need to talk to her. I still feel some kind of way about how I acted at her wedding,” Robin said wistfully.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Alex said as she headed out the door. Once they were alone, Logan reached for Robin’s hand.
“If anyone put a cloud over your sister’s wedding, it wasn’t you. Remember that.”
Robin sighed and leaned against her husband’s chest. “I know, but it feels that way.”
“Don’t think about it like that. I hate that I didn’t get to see little sis walk down the aisle and give that guy a warning about how the Richardson sisters really roll.”
“How about a warning about not hurting my sister so he can live to see their fiftieth anniversary?”
“And I rest my case. You know, when I showed up here, I really thought Yolanda and Pops were going to shoot or stab me.”
“Yolanda wanted to,” Robin said. Logan started to laugh. “Babe, I’m not joking.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Everybody was mad as hell and . . .”
Logan leaned in and kissed her gently. “That’s the past and we’re not going to dwell on it. I want you to consider what I asked you before.”
“Moving here?”
Logan nodded. “There is so much we can do with a fresh start. Not just because of the lies Kamrie told, but because this is a great place and I know you wouldn’t mind being closer to your family.”
“You make it sound so easy. But it still feels like running to me. I’d love to be closer to my family and get away from all of this bullshit. But the truth is, I can be happy anywhere as long as we’re together.”
“It is.” Logan held her closer to his chest. “Why don’t we head to your bedroom and relax?”
“Just relax?”
“Clothing optional,” he said with a wink.
“You are always trying to get me into bed these days,” she quipped. “You’re lucky I’m into it.”
Logan and Robin headed to her room holding hands and smiling. She opened the door and inhaled the fresh scent of lavender that greeted them. Despite the fact that Alex was the only one who lived in the family wing now, all of the rooms were always kept clean and fresh for visits.
Logan crossed over to the full-sized bed and sat down, then opened his arms to his wife. “You’re beautiful when you smile like that.”
“Well, you make me smile, so keep doing what you’re doing.” Robin fell into his embrace. Logan kissed her soft and slow. Then he slipped his hand between her thighs. Robin moaned as he stroked her through the fabric of her leggings. He made her throb, made her weak for his touch. Their kiss got wetter, hotter, and deeper as Logan lay back and Robin mounted him.
In this moment, nothing else mattered and it felt like the world outside didn’t exist. There wasn’t a pending case, a hospital out to ruin them, or anything that would come between them. It was just Robin and Logan. Their love, their need and desire. Logan lifted her shirt and ran his fingers across her belly. His touch sent ripples of desire down her spine.
“Logan,” she moaned as he tweaked her nipples. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hand across his chest. Logan smiled when she reached for his belt.
“You’re going to be aggressive, huh?”
She shrugged as she unbuckled his belt. “Stop acting like you don’t like it.”
“Don’t think I’m complaining.”
Robin slid his pants down his hips and then pulled his boxer briefs off. She stroked his hardness until he moaned. Then she took him into her mouth, slowly sucking and licking him into near submission.
“Oh shit,” he exclaimed as she took him deeper down her throat. Logan wanted to pull away, wanted to drive into her, but Robin wouldn’t let go. Lick. Suck. Deep throat.
Logan exploded and Robin swallowed his desire, then locked eyes with him.
“Damn,” he muttered. “Damn.”
“And what were you saying about me being aggressive?”
“Keep it up,” he quipped.
Robin rolled over on her side and Logan eased closer to her and drew her into his arms. “You know I’m going to have to redeem myself and find some ice cream to make you weak.”
“Yeah, we’re not going to do that here. You’ll have the whole property hearing me scream. Let’s have that ice cream social when we win this case.” She pressed her round bottom against him and Logan was instantly aroused.
“So, um, you see what you’re doing to me, right?”
“No, but I definitely feel it.” Robin turned around and faced him. She pulled her leggings off.
Brushing his lips against hers, Logan pulled her closer to his chest, then captured her lips in a steamy kiss that made her quiver. She threw her leg across him and Logan slid into her wet valley. Robin gripped his shoulder and called out his name. He thrust deeper. Harder. Robin matched him with every stroke, every thrust.
Sweat covered their bodies as they rocked to a rhythm of their own. Robin’s moans filled the air as she reached an explosive climax. Logan’s explosion followed. Holding on to each other, they drifted off to a satisfied sleep.
Chapter 25
Robin woke slowly, and when she turned her head, she locked eyes with her husband. “I was wondering if you were going to wake up,” he said, then kissed her forehead.
“Guess I was a little tired. Had an amazing workout.”
“You definitely put in work.”
“Then why are you awake?” she quipped.
“Because I still have to make sure
I’m not dreaming when I feel you in my arms.”
Robin’s cheeks heated and she kissed him softly on the cheek. “It’s never going to be just a dream,” she said. “What time is it?”
Logan glanced at his watch. “Time to eat.”
Robin stretched her arms above her head. “That means Alex is going to be knocking on . . . ”
As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. “So predictable,” Robin muttered, then called out, “Just a minute.”
“Hurry up and open the door,” Yolanda said.
Robin bounced out of the bed and grabbed her robe from the closet. She could’ve sworn Alex had said Yolanda was in Charlotte. Once she’d covered her body with the plush robe, she cracked the door. “What are you doing here?”
“Bigger question, what are you doing here? And is that Logan or—”
“Who else would it be?” Robin snapped.
Yolanda shrugged. “Can’t tell with y’all these days. Are you two going to come to dinner?”
“Yeah. Everything all right with you?”
She nodded. “See you at dinner.”
Robin looked over Yolanda’s shoulder to see if Charles was around. When she didn’t see him, she wondered if her sister’s drama was over.
After closing the door, she turned to Logan, who was getting out of the bed and reaching for his boxer briefs. “Guess it’s time for dinner.”
“Why would Yolanda think you’d have someone else in here?”
“Because my sister is a drama queen. And I don’t think she’s forgiven you yet. Yolanda isn’t the forgive and forget type. She’ll come around, though.”
Logan ran his hand across his face. “This is going to be life now? People second guessing me because of all of these lies?”
“When we have our day in court, everyone is going to know the truth. And remember, we’re here not to think about all of that.”
Logan nodded as he headed toward the bathroom. “Want to join me in the shower? We can save water.”
“Um, I’m sure that’s not all that we’re going to do,” she said as she dropped her robe and went into the bathroom with him.
By the time Logan and Robin joined the family for dinner, dessert was being served. “Well, well,” Yolanda said. “Look who finally came up for air. Making up for lost time?”
Alex rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Yolanda, you are so . . . I’m not even doing this with you today.”
“Where’s Daddy?” Robin asked.
“He’s staying over at the golf course tonight. I told him you and Logan were here and he said he’d be back in the morning. So, you two can’t leave right away,” Alex said, then turned to Yolanda. “You, on the other hand, why are you here without Charles?”
“Because this is my family home and if I want to visit then I can do it.”
“And your security detail is just on break?” Alex asked. Robin was interested in the answer as well. Logan stroked the back of his wife’s hand as if he was reminding her that he was there.
“I got tired of being watched, especially when . . . Can we just eat this cake and call it a day?”
Robin wanted to ask her sister what was going on, but she let it go. Unfortunately, Alex didn’t.
“You slept with him, didn’t you?” Alex exclaimed.
“My God,” Yolanda snapped. “Have you actually slept with anyone in the twenty-first century?”
Logan and Robin exchanged uncomfortable glances. “Can we not argue?” Robin said. “You two know the rules, no arguing at the dinner table.”
Yolanda rolled her eyes and Alex sucked her teeth. “Daddy’s not here and that’s a rule to keep Alex’s mouth shut,” Yolanda said.
Alex slammed her hand on the table. “I’m sick of walking around on eggshells because you’re in trouble again.”
“Again?” Yolanda said. “I’m sick of you judging me.”
Robin shook her head, trying to understand what was going on between her sisters. Now, she knew Yolanda and Alex argued often but this was harsh for them. “What in the hell is this all about?” Robin asked.
“Nothing,” Yolanda said. “But I’m tired of everybody telling me what to do and how to live my life.”
Alex rolled her eyes and groaned. “Then grow up.”
“Alex,” Robin cautioned. “Stop.”
“No,” Alex said as she rose to her feet. “We are always pussyfooting around Nina and Yolanda. But at what point do . . . ”
A door slammed and Yolanda yelped. “Who left the door unlocked?” she asked quietly.
“I’ll check it out,” Logan said. Robin couldn’t help but wonder if he was happy to get away from this argument. She started to go with him because she definitely wanted to get away from her bickering sisters. Instead, she looked from Alex to Yolanda.
“I don’t know what’s going on right now, but I know I’ve been fighting for a while and I’m tired of it. Can you two get your shit together and calm the hell down?” Robin snapped.
Alex opened her mouth to say something, but then Logan walked into the dining area with Charles.
“Have you lost your damned mind?!” Charles boomed when he saw Yolanda.
“Here we go. I’m not the one who’s acting like I broke the law because I have feelings that can’t be turned on and off like a light switch.”
“You do realize that you’re still at risk. And it’s my job to protect you.”
Yolanda leapt to her feet and got in his face. “I made it here and I’m still alive.”
“And it’s my job to keep it that way. You want to do this here or can you be an adult and have a conversation with me in private?”
Alex and Robin watched them and wanted the two of them to continue. Robin was slowly putting things together. Yolanda and Charles had crossed a line and he wasn’t happy about it. She still didn’t know enough about why her sister needed a bodyguard, but Charles did seem like he wasn’t going to let any harm come to Yo-Yo, even if she didn’t appreciate it.
“I really don’t want to talk to you,” she said.
Charles nodded and then took hold of her arm. “Being that I work for your father, you don’t have a choice. Can we please go someplace private?”
“Her room is available,” Alex suggested.
Yolanda glared at her sister, then turned toward the door with Charles close on her heels.
Robin and Alex shook their heads as the two left the room. Logan sat down and toyed with his cake. “Never a dull moment around here,” he said.
“You hush,” Alex said. “You’re just back on the good side of the family.”
Robin crossed over to her husband and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “We should’ve stayed in bed.”
* * *
Alex headed for her office after she finished her slice of cake and more whining about Yolanda’s actions. Robin and Logan tuned her out and played footsie under the table. After Logan and Robin cleared the table, Logan suggested they leave Yolanda and Charles to fix their own affair and the two of them decided to take a walk on the beach. With the sun setting and the wind picking up, Logan had an excuse to hold his wife closer to him. Robin didn’t mind. She relished the feeling of his warmth as a cool breeze blew over them.
“Yolanda and Alex are always going to be oil and water, huh?”
“Until they need each other,” Robin said. “I wish I knew what was really going on with Yolanda and Charles.”
Logan shrugged and stroked her forearm as she shivered. “Have you talked to her, without Alex around?”
“No. They have been so focused on my issues. I just need all of us to be happy. Am I wrong to have that in my heart?”
“Not at all.” Logan brushed his lips across her cheek. “I’m sorry if I caused any arguments with you and your sisters.”
Robin placed her finger to his lips. “We were all wrong. No one more than me. Logan, I’m sorry I didn’t trust us and our love.”
He stopped walking and turned to face her. “We’re pas
t that and it’s never going to happen again.”
She brought her hand to his cheek and smiled. “You’re right. And after we see Daddy tomorrow, we’re going home.”
“Why? I thought we were going to ring in the New Year here?”
She shook her head. “Whatever is going on with Alex and Yolanda is something I don’t want to be involved with.”
“Then let’s get out of this wind and warm up. Then we can go to another hotel and get away from the family drama.”
“There’s probably not another vacancy in this city. And we can’t leave. I’ve got to . . . ”
“Relax. Your sisters always fight and figure it out. We need this little break.” Logan kissed her gently. “When we get back to Richmond, the real fight begins. I want to have a little bit of joy with my boo before life comes at us again.”
“When you put it like that,” she said with a smile, “I guess we can have our New Year’s celebration here and put off the real world for another few days.”
“And you’re going to stay out of whatever Yolanda has going on. I believe Charles can handle it.”
“Clearly you don’t know my sister. She won’t be handled.”
“If you say so,” he replied with a smile. “You think we can sneak some hot chocolate into your room tonight?”
“Absolutely, and cookies, too. I’m sure that cake is long gone by now,” she said with a wink.
“Alex took it to her office?”
Robin nodded. “What she does when she’s stressed is eat, work, and then work out. She needs a vacation, and soon. She keeps talking about it.”
“Let’s go back inside before we catch a cold.”
“And have to spend the rest of the time we’re here together in bed, wrapped up in a blanket and . . .”
“Sneezing, nose running, and fevers?”
“Point made.” Robin took off jogging toward the bed-and-breakfast. Logan was close on her heels.
“Hey, hey, I thought I was the athlete here,” he said once he caught up to her.
Robin laughed. “You know what I did these last six months when I was frustrated? I worked out. I can probably take you on the basketball court now.”
“Is that a challenge, woman?”
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