“Logan, you’re looking handsome tonight.” Of course, Lina would flirt with him. She flirted with everybody.
“A compliment from the lovely Lina James, I am honored.” Ava’s lips thinned at his response. She didn’t appreciate the playful ease of their exchange. Impatient with her friend’s interruption Ava cleared her throat. The conversation stopped and Lina glanced in her direction.
“What?” Lina questioned with the smile of innocence on her lips.
“Never mind,” Ava scoffed. She couldn’t be jealous. It was just one dance. And Lina was harmless, but it bothered her to see how effortlessly the two of them could dialogue. She had never been comfortable talking with Logan.
“Would you excuse Ava for a moment.” Lina gave her a gentle push at the elbow.
“Of course, I’ll be here waiting, Ava.” Oh goodness, that husky tone of his worked its mojo on her, again. Her legs wouldn’t move. She was standing in the exact same spot when Lina grabbed her hand and walked her over to the edge of the dance floor.
“Aren’t you full of surprises tonight Miss Ava,” Lina joked. “How did you end up on a body bumping exploration with Logan?” That question ended the mojo effect.
“I was not exploring.” Ava waved away Lina’s comment. Denial is the best defense when guilty as charged.
“I saw you discovering all the hills and valleys of his anatomy from across the room. How did you go from wallflower to star power in sixty minutes?”
Ava shook her head in dismay. She recounted the incident with Randall. “I’m not sure how I got here.” She threw up her hands beckoning some understanding of everything that had happened tonight. “That creepy Randall Lester trapped me and I had a borderline freak out. I was begging for an exit route when Logan appeared at my side for our dance.”
“Oh no.” Lina said, eyebrows drawn together, with a hand at her throat. “Don’t tell me Randall has you on his radar. I’ve heard he’s a sneaky one. I’m glad Logan went all Return of the Jedi on him before I take a can opener to Randall’s dangling parts.” Ava winced at the visual. Then Lina paused a beat, rubbing her forehead.
“I’m confused. When did Logan ask you to dance? You were swallowed by the soul train line and I couldn’t see you.”
“That’s the thing, he made up the whole thing to get me away from Randall.”
“So he spotted you, black woman in a dark dress, in a dimly lit ball room full of people?”
“Yes.” Lina raised both hands, tucked her chin length hair behind both ears, before pointing to her ears.
“Did I hear you say he concocted a pre-arranged dance story to get you away from Randall only to keep you by his side?”
“I know it sounds crazy, but that is how it happened.”
Lina was beaming from ear to ear. “By the way, you didn’t deny the body bumping. I know I said I wasn’t into watching, but the hand expedition thing was juicy.” Lina offered her a triple blink followed by a double wide-eyed expression.
Heat warmed Ava’s cheeks. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Okay I’ll stop, but that doesn’t explain how you ended up stroking your hands all over hard, hunky, and handsome?” Her face had to be scarlet. She pivoted to see Logan waiting six feet away where she had left him.
“Are you serious Lina? Did it look like I was feeling him up?”
“No, it did not look like you were feeling him up.” She paused for effect. “To me, you were hand cruising each other, making a wish for a hotel suite.” Lina was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Ava glanced in his direction hoping Logan hadn’t noticed her friend’s theatrics.
“Stop looking over my shoulder Ava Elaine, Logan’s my friend. He knows I joke around.”
“No more kidding from you. This is not funny.”
“Fine. I interrupted your dance for a reason. Jace and I are driving to the cove for a nightcap. He wants to discuss something important with me,” Lina whispered.
Ava could not miss the excitement in Lina’s voice.
“Finally, after six months of dating he is going to commit. Ava, this is it! Do I still look good? Never mind. I know I do.” Lina was practically glowing. Ava was reluctant to ask the next question. Lina was one of her dearest friends and she didn’t want to see her hurt again. Lina wore her heart on the front of a bumper car.
“Are you sure that’s what he wants to talk about? It could be something else. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.”
“Stop it. Not all men are bad.” Lina smiled at her through watery eyes.
“Be happy for me. Cease already with your doomsday scenarios and enjoy life. I am.” Lina twirled on her heels in delight. “My man is taking me to my favorite romantic rendezvous to talk about the next level in our relationship.” Ava forced a smile. Jace wasn’t a bad guy, but that didn’t mean he was a good guy for Lina.
He was a clinical psychologist on staff at SCMC. He and Lina worked closely together on the process improvement committee before they started dating. Lina was on every committee and action team ever created. There wasn’t an event she couldn’t get you into. He was about three inches shorter than Lina, maybe five six or seven, with dark hair, pale skin and blue eyes. The few times he’d accompanied Lina to Sunday dinner he looked uncomfortable. Lina would pull him into the conversation and that made matters worse.
“I know Jace.” Lina said in a clipped tone. “He’s distracted tonight. He keeps touching me to reassure himself. He does that when he’s contemplating a major decision.” Ava watched a flash of hesitation cross Lina’s well-constructed mask.
“I know this is so wrong in the best friend realm, but do you think one of the girls can take you home?” Ava threw up her hands in exasperation.
Ava spun face-to-face with Lina placing Logan at her back. “Are you punking me? You’re the one that guilted me into coming to this party.” Ava’s hand came to rest on her hips as she glared at Lina.
“I’ll take you home.” The close proximity of his voice had her stepping back to collide with Logan’s muscled chest. Accustomed to his touch she softened when his right arm closed around her middle. She looked up to discover his intense green eyes focused on her face. Oxygen slowed its transit through her lungs. Heat infused where their bodies touched and her skin started to tingle.
“No,” she said on a whisper. When had he closed the distance between them? How much of their conversation had he heard? He had been silent after Lina interrupted their dance. His quiet stealth lulled her to slip into a simple interchange with Lina and not notice him listening in the background.
“Ava, before you reject my offer do you see anyone you would ask for a ride home?” Her protest could be over any number of things at this point, her traitorous body’s respond to his attention, the ride home, the possibility that he’d heard some of their conversation.
Had he overheard the hand cruising, body bumping, Ava the Explorer comparisons? First the neon highlights on the dance floor, now this was embarrassment number two for the evening.
Lina stared at her with a Cheshire cat grin. Ava’s eyes scanned the darkened ballroom, praying to glimpse a familiar face. Her gaze landed on Randall standing at the bar, watching her with a menacing scowl on his face. Her palms grew clammy and cold at the sight of him. She swallowed several times, forcing the unease back down her throat. There was no one within visual range that she felt comfortable asking for a ride home.
“No, I don’t see anyone that I can get a ride home with.” Riding in a city bus with Logan was a temptation, sharing a car ride was detrimental to her emotional safety. She didn’t have a good reason to decline his offer.
“Let me take you home, sweetheart.” Both women spun to face Logan. Ava knew she looked none to pretty with her eyes bugging out of her head and mouth wide open. Lina in contrast, was talking faster than an auctioneer.
“Logan, give me a second with Ava.” Lina grabbed her hand then maneuvered them away from Logan’s apparently bionic hearing.
L
ina whispered conspiratorially. “He likes you. In the five years I’ve worked with Logan I’ve never seen him hover around any woman until tonight. It’s okay for him to drive you home. He was raised a rich kid. But he went to school in Baltimore, so he has some swagger, if you know what I mean. You know I wouldn’t entrust my best friend to any Tom, Dick or doctor. Think of it as an early Christmas present.”
“It’s October,” Ava said crossing her arms over her chest.
“A birthday gift then.”
“My birthday was in July.” At Lina’s continued bargaining Ava added a vigorous no head shake to the crossed arms.
“How about a pre-Columbus day sales event.” Ava furrowed a brow, at Lina’s hopeful expression. She couldn’t allow Lina’s enthusiasm to overshadow her displeasure at the turn of events. Spending additional time with Logan qualified as a big-ticket item purchase. She couldn’t afford the cost that any personal association with Logan would surely bring.
“Sale items are marked up before they are marked down twenty percent, but I’ll give you two points for originality,” Ava responded matter of fact.
“Dang Ava, I’m trying to help. It’s one ride home. This night could be a little treasure made just for you.” That’s what she was afraid of. This night had a short half-life. “You never have to ride with him again after tonight.” Ava released a low groan at her best friend’s ill-disguised innuendo. She felt her internal resolve crumbling. Maybe if she told Lina about the raw sensations running rampant through her body at this very moment she would be more helpful.
“Lina,” Ava leaned in close to ensure he didn’t hear her next statement. “He makes me feel weird things.”
“What does that mean?” The other woman looked at her with open confusion.
“You know, all topsy-turvy, small boat, big ocean kind of stuff.”
“That description confirms my suspicions. You’ve been working with children too long and why is your skin all dewy and flushed?” Ava rolled her eyes heavenward. “I need you focused.”
“I am focused, Ava Elaine. Small boat my foot, you’re all ‘flame on’ for Logan Masters.”
“I think I should...” Ava stopped mid-sentence because Lina was staring at her like she was from another planet.
“You’re attracted to a man. You like Logan,” the other woman squealed. “The last time this happened it was illegal for me to drink.” She looked ready to scream the good news from the rooftops.
“Lina, stop talking and help me.” At Ava’s stern retort Lina’s expression sobered.
“Not to worry. Stand back and watch your best friend handle this.” A wave of sadness washed over Ava. This was what she wanted. To be alone and safeguarded, so why did she feel like she’d just lost something valuable? Lina stood in front of her, observing the internal struggle reflected on her face. Ava offered a hint of a smile.
“Thank you, thank you. When you give him my excuse, talk loud enough so I can hear. I want to keep the story consistent.” Lina was more subdued than the minutes before. The last thing Ava wanted was to ruin Lina’s night. The sooner Ava returned home the better.
“No problem, I help you.” Lina replied, before she turned away taking the ten steps to reach Logan. Ava pasted on what she thought an, I had a wonderful time, but I can’t let you drive me home expression, and waited for Lina to deliver the supporting dialogue.
“Thank you for volunteering to take Ava home. I hope this does not interfere with your plans for the evening.”
“Not at all, Ava has my undivided attention.” Ava’s mouth dropped open. Lina was supposed to get her away from Logan, not put them in a car together. Her best friend would get a prescription grade laxative added to her food the next time she came over for dinner.
“You have nothing to worry about, I’ll take care of Ava.” His words seemed to be steeped in double meaning, but she could’ve misinterpreted them with all the ringing in her ears. Stupefied, Ava watched as Logan approached, a wide smile on his face. She could almost see the smoke rising from Lina’s metallic gold heels as she sashayed in the opposite direction. Never looking back as she walked into Jace’s waiting embrace. Logan touched the limp arm at her side and her skin tingled under his fingers.
“Let’s finish our dance, sweetheart.” This was going to cost her, big time.
The soft scents of honey and vanilla that were unique to Ava intensified as they swayed to the sensual melody filling the ballroom. With Lina’s hasty departure the tension returned to Ava’s limbs. Thinking it best to reassure her that she was safe with him, Logan commandeered a well-lit table at the edge of the dance floor.
He pulled out a chair for her allowing his hand to linger at the small of her back as she lowered all those graceful curves into the white covered seat chair. The subdued lighting and candlelit table accentuated the glitter in her eyes. Without saying a word he relocated two of the four chairs to the adjacent table, took his seat beside her, then pulled her high back chair flushed with his. He didn’t want to examine why he needed her close.
His thigh brushed against hers. His intent was to move away until he heard the hint of a sigh escape her berry-glossed lips. Her body spoke to him on a primal level whether she realized it or not. Every part of him, mind, body and soul was calibrated to this woman’s frequency. There was no way he could ignore the sensual vibe she emitted.
She was too quiet for his taste. Faint crescent shaped tension lines framed her mouth. Was it being in his presence that caused this reaction? After years of talking with patients prior to surgery he recognized anxiety. Maybe they both could benefit from a drink or two.
“What is your drink of choice? Wine or a cocktail?”
“I’ll have a ginger ale with lime, thanks.” He raised a brow in question.
“Are you wanting to keep your wits about you?” He studied her with a piercing gaze. Was she concerned he would take advantage of her?
“I never acquired the taste for alcohol Dr. Masters. If I did drink, I would not be partaking tonight.” Back to the formal title. Her defense system would rival the naval base in a neighboring state.
“That’s good to know and stop using my title as a monkey wrench.” Her lips formed an “oh” but she didn’t speak. “Don’t try to deny it. I’m your ride home and you are trying to run me off.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
The little minx hadn’t corrected him on trying to get rid of him. She was not as mild mannered as she seemed. She could match wits with him. He relished the idea of driving her home. Time he would use to win her over.
“Good.” He was not an inexperienced teenager to be waved off. “You should know I have the aim of a heat seeking missile when it comes to getting what I want.” He knew his smile was pure wickedness and seeing the color deepen in her cheeks was a good sign to him.
“Well you are definitely packing enough heat for the both of us.” She’s teasing me. Don’t poke the bear, sweetheart. He smiled. The tension had left her features. He had succeeded on one front.
“One more question. Is it safe to assume nothing that has been said or done was under the influence of alcohol, cough syrups, or decongestants?”
“You are correct. I am in full control of my faculties.”
“I am pleased to hear you say that.” He didn’t want to scare her, but he wasn’t a man that danced around his intent. “I like you Ava,” he said, widening his devilish smile. “I’m glad I came tonight.” The last thing he saw before he turned in the direction of the bar was a wide stretched eye from the woman that would be his. Understanding obvious in her intelligent eyes. She wasn’t getting away from him.
He seemed to go out of his way to touch her. His touch was doing funny things to her insides. Her body was broadcasting its own signals and she couldn’t control them. Her stomach kept plummeting to her feet, a thin sheen of perspiration gathered between her breasts, and her nipples refused to return to a neutral position. They were pressed so hard against her dress there were per
manent indentations in the thin fabric.
Ava couldn’t sit still. Her senses were on high alert. The pure energy flowing through her body was unnerving. She was in a fight or flight state, she needed to separate herself from Logan. And fast. He wanted her to call him Logan. She couldn’t do that. Every time she said his name her body warmed another degree. The man was pure sensuality wrapped in flesh.
“Are you hot or cold?” She startled at the sound of his voice and a wave of her essence soaked her panties. His head dipped close to her ear, warm breath wafted across her neck down the cleavage of her dress. “I see evidence of both.” He placed her drink on the table, his arm extending over her shoulder.
These panties were lousy. Was she supposed to feel all this moisture? Her own sexual heat was fueling her arousal and clouding her brain. “I’m sorry, could you repeat your question?”
“Are you hot or cold?” Sexual overtones hung on every syllable. He had to know what he was doing to her.
“I’m fine,” her voice shook. Goose bumps erupted across her arms and it had everything to do with the man feasting on her with his eyes. Her single intimate encounter was sorely lacking in comparison to the steady increase in circulating sex hormones. She wanted to do the naughty nurse with the man pressing his muscled thigh against her leg.
He removed his jacket, laying the weighted material over both her shoulders. “You can take it off whenever you want.” Take it off? Not in the next twenty-four hours. The jacket had to be laced with nurse catnip. His scent had her enthralled. It was driving her insane with need. She almost groaned in satisfaction as fine threads of sensual energy tingled all over her body. This must be how women wake up naked with a sexy stranger in their bed after a night on the town. She felt drunk with sensation. Was she panting? Possibly, but her brain was shrouded in a sexual fog. Images of her tearing off that expensive suit gazing on his naked glory flooded her mind.
Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) Page 4