“I love it,” he said, following her, unable to take his eyes off her. “I’ll love it even more later, when I peel you out of it.” His mouth actually watered at the thought. His dress slacks felt too tight.
“Sounds fun to me,” she said with a sensuous grin.
His cock throbbed and he shifted his stance. As she set the bouquet down on the marble-topped kitchen island, he opened his coat and noticed her gaze sweep over him.
“You dressed up for me,” she remarked with surprise and delighted approval.
“Yeah, a little. You said you were, so . . .”
She went to him, running her hand over his crisp white button-down shirt. He hadn’t worn a tie, just the shirt and navy dress slacks, but she seemed to revel in his outfit. Her eyes lit as she looked back up at him with a smile. “You look very handsome.” She leaned in and dropped a quick kiss on his mouth, then went across the room to the cabinets. She bent over to pull out a tremendous crystal vase and he almost groaned from the view. Blood rushed south.
While she wrestled the roses into the vase, he crouched down to say hello to Bubbles and play with her for a bit, needing a distraction. He was too turned on; he wouldn’t be able to go to dinner with this raging hard-on and burning need.
“When you suggested getting together for Valentine’s yesterday”—Tess fussed with the roses, positioning them to her satisfaction—“well, I got you a little something. Now that I’m staring at these gorgeous flowers, I’m doubly glad I did.”
Logan straightened to his full height. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I know. That’s what made it fun.”
He had to smile. He’d thought the exact same thing about her, hadn’t he? “Then thank you in advance.” He moved around the kitchen island, the outsized bouquet of flowers between them. “Is it edible?”
Chuckling, she went to one of the many drawers, polished wood beneath marble countertops, and pulled out an envelope. She held it out to him with a smile. “Only if you like to eat paper.”
He opened it to find a season pass for skiing at Ajax Mountain—for the following year, all bells and whistles included. It was a great gift. And too expensive. And showed real forethought. His eyes flicked up to hers. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”
“You love skiing,” she said. Her long, graceful fingers reached out to push around some of the flowers in the vase. “This will assure me that next year . . . Well, forgive me, but if your mother’s gone”—she glanced at him, and he nodded to show it was okay—“and I’m not going to be around to drag you to the slopes on a regular basis, since I’ll hopefully be home in New York with a newborn—I thought if you have this, you’ll be motivated to get out and do something fun once in a while.” Smiling gently, her voice dropped as she added, “And maybe you’ll think of me with a smile when you do.”
A slow wave of heavy emotion rolled through him . . . something that made his heart squeeze and his insides warm at the same time. Jesus, she’d cut him off at the knees with this. He tried to swallow back the lump in his throat. His voice was rough as he managed to say, “I’ll always think of you with a smile, no matter what I’m doing.”
Her smile deepened. “I’d love to think so.”
Damn. He adored her. Only that second did he realize that he did, much less the depth of feeling. He cleared his throat. “This is an incredibly considerate gift. Thank you.” He moved around the island to gently pull her into his arms. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and letting her head fall onto his shoulder. His eyes slipped closed as he savored the feel of her against him.
And it hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut: This time next year, he’d be completely alone. More so than ever before.
His mother would likely be gone, which was devastating. He couldn’t bear to think of it, though he knew full well it was reality. And Tess would be living her life in New York with her baby, thousands of miles away. She’d become such a presence in his daily life . . . someone to chat with, laugh with, and yes, make love with. She’d be gone, their bargain completed, her need for his presence and services fulfilled. So she’d go on with her life, he’d be here, alone . . . and he’d miss her. He’d miss her like hell. The thought of that left him reeling, like a hole had been blown right through him.
He drew a long, deep breath as it all crested over him, trying to hold his ground. His hands ran over her long hair, up and down her slender back, sliding along the soft fabric of the dress as he breathed her in. She smelled so good, a musky vanilla scent that always made his senses fire to life. “You won’t visit once in a while?” His voice felt thick in his throat.
“Of course I will,” she said. “But it won’t be for a few months at a time, like this winter. A week here, a week there . . . and, well . . .” She drew back to look at him as she said quietly, “Have you thought about that it might be hard for you to see the baby once he or she is born? I know you’re giving up your rights gladly; right now it’s just an idea. But . . . it may hit harder when you actually see the baby. And if so, I don’t want to do that to you. I might stay away more than not.”
He hadn’t considered that. Suddenly he could barely breathe. But he looked her right in the eye as he said, “That’s kind. But I’ll be fine with it.” His voice was husky, his chest tight as he stared at her. “Don’t worry about me. And definitely don’t stay away from Aspen because of me. Okay? Everything will be fine. I promise.”
She only smiled, tender warmth in her gaze. “Let’s go to dinner.”
They went to Sophie’s Bistro. He knew it was one of her favorite restaurants and he liked the warm, cozy atmosphere, but he’d also chosen it for another specific reason. As they walked inside, he confessed he wanted to wipe away the memory of their last meal together there, when he’d bolted and left her there. “This time,” he said, “we’ll replace that debacle with a nice memory.”
She smiled, clearly touched. Her hand lifted to give his beard a quick, affectionate rub. “That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”
Something like affection unfurled in his chest. “I even asked for your favorite table, that one in the back that’s hidden away.”
“How very Valentine’s Day of you, Mr. Carter.”
“I’ve done romantic in my time, you know,” he said, quirking a grin. “I’m rusty as hell at it, but for you tonight, I’m trying.”
“Nice work, fake boyfriend.” Tess winked as they were shown to their table. “It’s very appreciated. Everything you’ve done tonight. I haven’t been romanced in any way in a long time.”
“That’s criminal,” he murmured as he sat.
Dinner was lovely, the food delicious, the vibe between them genial and relaxed, as it usually was. They talked about random things, from movies and TV to their college coursework two decades ago to the work he’d done at the Andersons’ property and the work she’d done long distance the day before. The dim lighting, warm earthy colors of the restaurant, and tea light candles flickering in a bowl on the tabletop, all served to reinforce Logan’s opinion that Tess was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
Her hair sometimes reminded him of a mermaid’s storied mane. Tess’s thick, dark curls fell over her shoulders, way past her breasts, the ends spilling onto the table. No matter how often she swept them away, they always seemed to reclaim their position around her face, as if they had a life of their own. Her high cheekbones, generous mouth, and wide blue eyes were so strikingly shaped . . . Her lithe body always called to him, making his blood stir. But all that, as incredible a package as it was, wasn’t what made her so out-of-this-world stunning.
It was the light inside her. She was so easy to be with, while at the same time, he felt like she was way, way out of his league—and he couldn’t believe she continually chose to hang out with him. Tonight, he couldn’t stop gazing at her, filled with appreciation and warmth, drawn to her with an almost magnetic, unearthly pull.
He supposed it was bec
ause their friendship had become so solid, so genuine. They had each other’s backs in a way that he . . . Truth was, he hadn’t felt so supported, understood, or appreciated by anyone in a really long time. She’d filled a void in his life he’d refused to acknowledge existed. What would he do when she went back to New York?
As it had been earlier, the thought was a kick to the stomach, and his fingers actually flexed at the unwelcome idea. It’d only been a short time, but he liked having her in his life and had grown comfortable with it. With her. Jesus, how had that happened, much less so quickly?
“Dessert?” the waitress asked.
“No, thanks,” Tess murmured with a smile. “We’ll have that at home.”
Logan’s insides flooded with aching desire, both his body and his heart. Suddenly he wanted nothing more in the world than to take her home and make love to her. He wanted her all to himself. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her, hold her close . . . somehow shut down all his raging thoughts. “Check, please.”
As they shrugged into their coats, his whole body started to hum with searing heat, the familiar rush of primal lust that gripped him whenever he thought about being with Tess. He was growing edgy with it. But as they got to the door and he opened it wide, they were blocked by a woman who was walking in.
“Sorry,” the woman apologized. Then his eyes met hers, hers locked on his, and his heart skipped a beat. Holy shit. Ugh, no.
“Carrie!” Tess smiled brightly, lifting a hand to squeeze the other woman’s arm. “Hi, how are you?”
Carrie’s icy blue eyes blinked off the shock as she looked from Tess to Logan and back again. “Tess. Wow. Hi.” She swept back her long blond hair, and as her stare settled on Logan, her jaw tightened a little bit.
He cursed up a blue streak in his head. Yeah, this was going to get awkward.
Clueless, Tess tipped her smile up to Logan. “This is Carrie. She’s the fantastic instructor of my yoga class. Carrie, this is—”
“We know each other,” he murmured, unwilling to play dumb or lie. He nodded in deference to Carrie, who was staring at him hard now. “How’ve you been, Carrie? You look good.”
“Thanks. Well. Small world.” The corners of her mouth twitched, something like a grimace. She crossed her arms over her chest and let her gaze lock on Logan. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
“Tess is my girlfriend,” he said softly. Carrie’s eyes got wider. Shit, double shit.
“Girlfriend,” Carrie echoed. “Interesting. I thought you didn’t do relationships. In fact, I believe I’m quoting you directly when I say that.”
“I don’t,” he said. “Or, I didn’t.” He sighed. He couldn’t tell her the truth about his and Tess’s deal, but he hated the hurt he caught in her expression. Then he met Tess’s questioning gaze with a solemn one of his own . . . and watched her smile fade as understanding quickly dawned in her eyes. That was Tess: astute, intuitive, and sharp as hell. “Carrie, look—”
“No, that’s fine. That’s great. At least now I finally understand.” Her eyes narrowed on him, like heated lasers. “I get it. Maybe if I’d been an heiress, you’d have wanted a relationship with me, instead of my just being your regular booty call. Money like hers helps you swallow your reluctance, I’m sure.”
Tess stiffened at his side.
“Don’t do that,” he said to Carrie, low and tight. “Don’t insult her when you’re pissed at me. You’re better than that.”
“Go to hell, Logan. I’m better than you.” She shoved past both of them and stormed into the restaurant.
He stared after her, jaw clenched tight, heart pounding. Tess’s hand on his arm brought him back.
“Let’s go,” she murmured.
He glanced down at her, saw the utter calm and regal cool of her expression . . . ah shit. This wasn’t good. She was in Ice Queen mode. This wasn’t good at all.
Nodding and placing a hand on her back, he escorted her out into the cold night.
* * *
Tess sat very still in Logan’s truck, her hands in her lap. She was grateful for the warm air heating her, but something inside her had gone stone cold.
He was embarrassed and upset, she knew that. It was radiating off him in waves. But she sensed he wasn’t ready to discuss it. His jaw was clenched tight, his posture stiff.
She was a little upset too. That surprised her. Because really, truthfully, she had no right to be upset with him or the situation . . . but she was. She went into her own head to try to figure out exactly why as they drove in heavy silence back to her house.
By the time they got home, the tension was still thick as could be, and both of them had gone quietly rigid. She opened the door and Bubbles came running, barking her happy hellos. Logan crouched down to pet her as Tess removed her long coat and hung it in the closet. They moved into the living room and she turned on some lights.
“Would you like some tea?” she asked as he pulled off his coat and set it on one of the armchairs.
“No,” he said gruffly. “I want to talk about what happened.”
“Okay.” She stood there, intertwining her fingers in front of her.
He shook his head in displeasure. “You’re mad. I don’t blame you. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not mad. And you have nothing to apologize for,” she said. “First of all, you have a life of your own, and who you slept with before me is none of my business. Second, you didn’t insult me, she did.”
“I hated that,” he bit out. “She was just lashing out.”
“You think I don’t know that?” She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. “Guess I’ll be switching into a new yoga class. It’s a shame. She’s great at it. I liked her.”
He sighed and raked his hands through his hair, then over his face. “Okay. So, she was the one I was seeing last year, obviously. It started as a casual fling, but she . . . started having feelings for me. After a few months, she wanted us to date exclusively, turn it into a real relationship. I didn’t.” He started pacing the living room. “So yeah, when she saw us together, that’s one thing. But for her to hear you’re my girlfriend, when I told her in no uncertain terms that I didn’t do relationships? Of course she’s surprised, and probably hurt, and I feel bad about that. I do.” He scratched at his beard as he added, “But she had no right to sling an arrow your way. That was uncalled-for.”
Tess shrugged. “Don’t worry about that. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. It’s all over you. You’re back in ‘untouchable princess’ mode, and I hate it.” He stopped and looked at her mournfully. “I’m sorry, Tess.”
“Stop apologizing,” she demanded. “You did nothing wrong.”
He pinned her with a sad look. “Then why do I feel like you’re a million miles away when you’re standing right here?”
She stopped cold at that. He was right, and that wasn’t fair. They were friends. She could tell him anything. She trusted him enough, and respected him enough, to do that. “All the way home, I tried to figure out why I’m at all bothered by this. It’s got nothing to do with me, and I have no right to be put off. But here’s the truth . . .” She lifted her chin a bit, twisting her hands as she admitted, “It’s been easy to get lost in this. Especially tonight, with the romance of Valentine’s Day and all that . . . It was really lovely. I was really enjoying it all. But the lines got blurred tonight, and I’m mad at myself for forgetting that.”
He shook his head in frustration. “I was enjoying it too. We were having a great night. But—”
“Logan . . .” She took a deep breath. “The truth is you’re sleeping with me because we made a deal. Because you have to. But you slept with her simply because you wanted to. And I’m . . . a little jealous about that.” She pushed her hair back over her shoulders. It was hard to admit it out loud, but she would. “I wish you wanted me for the sake of just wanting me, like you did her at one point. I envy the fact that she attracted you on her own, without strings or a pact. I
have no right to, but I’m human. So . . . yeah, it stings a bit.” She tried to shrug as she added, “That’s on me. I’ll get over it.”
He stared at her so forcefully, she felt her skin heat. Closing the space between them in two long strides, he gripped her shoulders and said in a low, intense tone, “We’re telling the truth? Okay, truth. Yes, we made a deal. I’m sleeping with you because of it. Lucky, lucky me. But if you think I don’t want you, you’re not as smart as I thought you were.”
She swallowed hard as her heartbeat upped its pace. His hands ran up and down her arms as he stared into her eyes, compelling her to not look away. “I love sleeping with you, Tess. I think about it all the time, and I shouldn’t. You’re my fake girlfriend. Friends with benefits, and that’s it. But being in this thing with you . . . It’s fun. Because you’re amazing.” A grin bloomed on his face. “You’re easy to talk to and goddammit, woman, I’m sorry, but I love getting in bed with you. That’s the truth. Legal papers and all, deal or not . . .” He trailed his fingers along her cheek, her silky jawline. “I’ve never been so attracted to a woman in my entire life.” He peered harder, brows furrowing as he whispered, “Jesus, Tess, do you really not feel that from me? Have I ever made you feel like making love to you is a chore?”
“No,” she whispered. “No, never.” Her heart pounded against her ribs. The things he was saying, along with how jealous she’d become at the thought of him wanting Carrie enough to sleep with her over and over, and the way he was looking at her now, all hot and intense and drop-dead sexy . . . Oh God, she had feelings for him that went way beyond friendship. She’d fallen for him, and it’d been so seamless she hadn’t even been aware of it. Until right now.
The realization hit her hard as she stared back up at him. This big, gorgeous Viking, this sweet and sensitive man who asked nothing of her and gave so much . . . she was crazy about him. She looked forward to seeing him every day, loved talking to him, loved being with him. Ohhh, she was in big trouble. He was only so at ease with her because they were just friends. He’d just said so himself. So any sticky feelings beyond that? That was not part of the deal.
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