Indestructible (39 page)

Logan began bucking up off the countertop. He pounded into me again and again until his head dropped and eyes slammed shut, an appreciative groan clawing its way up from his throat.

The bell rang two, three, four times in a row.

“Damn it!” Logan complained as I hopped down.

“She’s going to kill us!” I pouted.

“She’ll get over it.” Logan climbed down and handed me my clothes—all of which had been peeled off during our little sexcapade. “Go upstairs to the guestroom and get cleaned up.”

The bell rang again, and was followed by Julia’s high-pitched screech. “I know you guys are in there! I see your cars!”

I ran naked through the house, ignoring Logan’s chuckle.

“Fucking beautiful,” I heard him say as I sprinted up the stairs.

Utterly satisfied and deliriously out of sorts, I slipped into my clothes, minus my destroyed panties that I quickly realized were missing. It was one thing to have left my shoes in the kitchen—I could use the excuse of not wanting to ruin the new carpet—but my panties? I could only hope Logan found them first.

My hair, which had been up in a high bun, was now down. The hair tie I’d come in with was also magically gone, so I did the best I could, smoothing my fingers through my unruly locks to tame their recently ravished look.

As I stared in the mirror, it hit me: The drama was over. Logan was cleared, and Natasha had gotten the not-so-subtle hint that I wouldn’t take her crap.

I was nearly skipping out of the room to return to my man until I realized Julia was down there with him. She’d take one look at me and undoubtedly know why we’d made her stand on the stoop for so long.

After a deep breath, I sneaked out of the guest bedroom and descended the stairs. I could hear Julia and Logan talking in the living room. I walked in to find her wearing a giant grin as she took in the room.

I stood in the doorway, looking on without them noticing.

“So what do you think?” Logan asked her. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets.

“It’s wonderful! I mean, I knew you were working on a house as an investment property, but this…this is stunning. But why decorate it and fill it with all this if you’re just renting it out?”

“Because it’s more than an investment. I bought it for you.”

“What!?” she shrieked, bouncing up and down, her hands clasped.

“That is, as long as you finish school—and for if you decide to stay in Harmony and come work for me at the newspaper when you’re ready. If you choose to move back to the city after graduation, you can sell it and use the money for your next place.”

I smiled. Julia was lucky to have Logan as a brother. I was lucky to have him, too.

“Logan!” She ran at him, embracing him in an enormous hug. “You’re the best! Oh, I can’t wait to show it off. And I can have roommates. And Luke…oh, he’s going to love it!”

Logan’s body tightened; I could see it from across the room. His eyes darkened, lips pulling into a stern line. “I take it you two are no longer just friends?”

The sneer she threw his way rivaled his own. “That’s right.” She placed her hands on her hips. “And nothing you do will change that. I like him and he likes me, so if you’re even
thinking
about running him off, you can take this place and shove it up your—”

“He’s a good guy,” Logan interrupted, actually looking amused.

Julia swayed, looking somewhat lost before recovering quickly. “Yes, he is.”

“I don’t want him spending the night here.”

“Fine, we can have sex at his place. Then I’ll drive home
all
alone on icy roads in the middle of the night. Sure gets dark out there.”

My hand shot to my mouth to stifle my bubbling laughter. She was good.

“Fine,” Logan blew out. “But he’s not moving in. Got it?”

Her bouncing, shrieking self was back. “Thank you!” She was twirling around, doing a ridiculously silly happy dance that even Logan seemed to enjoy, when she spotted me lurking.

“Cassandra! You helped with this?” She ran at me.

I laughed, nodding.

“Thank you! I love it!” She drew me in for an embrace, and I caught the smile on Logan’s face as he watched. She pulled back, swung her head from me to do a once-over of the room, then squealed again. “I have to make some calls and finish checking this place out. Oh my God!” she squeaked, then rushed out of the room, bounding up the stairs.

But after one step, she stopped abruptly and craned her neck back toward us. Her gaze darted slowly between Logan and me.

“Please tell me you were
not
in here christening my house!”

I swallowed, dropping my ashamed gaze to the exquisite marble floor. I felt Logan walk up behind me and slip his arms around my waist.

“I believe Jax has the number of a good cleaning company that specializes in sterilization.”

I bit my lip to refrain from laughing, peeking up for her response.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Ewww!” She threw her hands in the air. “I’m going to pretend I never heard that, because I am
way
too excited about this house and hearing that you’re not going to prison.” Her smile returned as she added, “It’s also nice to see you two happy.”

He must’ve told her about his name being cleared. I sneaked my hand into his as Julia pointed her finger at us, her eyes narrowed into slits.

“But the next time you come over, keep your damn clothes on!”

It was Logan who broke first, his snicker sweet music to my ears.

Once she was out of sight, Logan turned me around in his arms.

“Do you have my panties?” I whispered, earning me a roguish laugh.

“Perhaps.”

“Logan…” I threatened.

“Let’s go. You won the bet, and I’m ready to be at your beck and call for the weekend.” He leaned in and nipped my earlobe with his teeth, then murmured, “Anything you desire, I
will
make it possible.”

“Anything?” I leaned back, grinning.

“Anything.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight
Progress

When Logan showed up at my door Saturday morning, my cheeks ached from the broad grin I couldn’t avoid, my eyes taking in every inch of him. My tongue darted out, running across my lips. It was the finest sight I’d ever beheld—delicious in every sense of the word.

“You gonna devour me on the spot or invite me in first?” Logan’s brow cocked in a challenge. “I’m good with either.”

I stepped aside, sliding my hand across his granite ass as he entered, his body pressing against mine despite the extra room surrounding us. Logan slipped out of his coat to reveal the wardrobe I’d ordered for his weekend as my lapdog.

“I have to admit, Cassandra…when I said ‘anything’, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” His fingers threaded through his hair, head dipping as he chuckled.

“You don’t say.” I fought to control my giggle, remaining as passive as I could and attempting to force my eyes to remain on his face.

It wasn’t possible. He was bare-chested, and wearing faded jeans that hung low on his hips. I tugged on their belt loops to bring him closer, and his brow shot up.

“On second thought, maybe this
is
what I had in mind.” His voice grew rough, breath nipping at my neck.

My shoulder shot up, pushing him away. “Not exactly. Come here—let me show you what you’ll be doing for me the next two days,
slave
,” I said in a seductive purr.

I took his hand and led him to the hallway, where the attic ladder was pulled down.

Oliver was with Julia for the day and Natasha was mysteriously MIA, which gave us some much-needed time alone. I didn’t ask where she was; I was too happy to care. Jax’s week to devise a plan to battle her craziness was about up, and he’d been sure to steer clear of me.

The week had also surprisingly passed with no drama, and although the sheriff had yet to release the names of any new suspects, Logan was officially cleared.

“Climb, stud!” I ordered, biting my lip to hold back my giggle.

He raised his brows, amusement painting his expression. “Stud, huh?”

My entire body shook with laughter. “You gonna complain or move that ass?”

A giggle broke through, short and awkward. Heat seared my cheeks. The mere thought of me as anything resembling a dominatrix was ludicrous. I’d never come close—and from the humor dancing across Logan’s face, I guessed he probably agreed.

“Ladies first.”

I knew what that meant: He’d be treated to a face full of my behind, and then we’d get no work done.

I shook my head. “No, you first.”

He caught the look on my face and chuckled to himself. “As you wish.”

Once he was climbing into the hole of my attic, I followed.

“And now?” he asked, looking around.

I picked up a broom and smiled, holding it out to him. “And now you clean. I expect this place to be spotless, with a fresh coat of paint on the walls by Sunday evening. And then
maybe
I’ll treat you to a little reward.”

“Hm, I like the sound of that.” He stepped closer.

“Work
first
,” I said, fighting to keep my façade of control.

“You sure I can’t do anything else before I start cleaning?” He stalked closer, and my back hit the wall. He caught my face, brushing his lips over mine. I dropped the broom, snaking my arms up around his neck. “Hm?”

“You
do
have all weekend,” I reasoned, giggling again. “Maybe I could go for a massage, or something a bit more…
intimate
.”

“Now we’re talking.” His tone deepened with need as he lifted me in his arms, kissing me harder.

By the time we finished making love—my body glued to the wall, him taking me from behind—I was exhausted and starving.

“You get to work up here, and I’ll make lunch,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.

He swatted my ass as I shimmied past him, my dress askew.

“Take your time.”

I climbed down, made my way to the kitchen, and started preparing us some food. Half an hour later, I called up the ladder for him to join me. I set two taco-laden plates at the kitchen table, with a bowl of chips and another of homemade salsa in the center.

“Looks delicious.” Logan stood in the doorway, staring.

“Wasn’t sure if you were a taco guy.”

He walked over, sweat over his brow, and placed a soft kiss next to my ear before whispering, “I was talking about you, but yes, lunch looks good as well.”

I flushed. “Go wash up and come eat.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winked and disappeared out of sight for the restroom.

Once he was back, he grabbed his chair and brought it closer to mine at the table—so close our legs were touching—and took a bite of one of his tacos.

“Mmm, yeah. That’s good.” He closed his eyes as he chewed.

I smiled, loving how it felt to please him.

“So how’s it going up there? You think you’ll be able to paint today?”

He swallowed and took a big drink of water from his glass. “First, tell me what you plan on using the room for.”

“Does that matter?”

“Yes, or else I wouldn’t have asked.” He popped a chip full of salsa into his mouth.

I leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth. The man even made eating look sexy.

“I was thinking about turning it into an office or library, or maybe both. I don’t know yet, but it’s extra space that I would love to take advantage of having.”

He thought that over for a few minutes as he finished the taco. “It’s going to take more than a coat of paint to turn it into an office.”

“I know that,” I said, slightly offended.

He smiled. “Do you trust me?”

“Why?”

“Do you?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

His smile broadened. “Good. Then give me a few more days to get the attic done right.”

“How long? And to do what?” I propped my elbows on the table, my curious eyes on him.

“It needs insulation and new wiring, to start.”

I shook my head, not liking where this was going. “No. I just wanted some paint, and was planning on throwing down a giant rug. I can’t afford a construction crew, Logan.”

“I know,” he said too easily.

He is not paying for this.

“Logan,” I sighed. “I don’t want you to spend money on my house. You’ve done enough for me.”

He pivoted to face me. “You said you trusted me. What if I promise not to spend a dime on construction?”

My eyes narrowed with skepticism. “And how will you do that?”

“Believe it or not, I have a lot of friends—and many that owe me favors. I haven’t had a reason to call them in before now.”

“Don’t waste them on me,” I mumbled. How had a weekend of him cleaning my attic and making love to me turned into construction talk?

“Shut up and come here.” He tugged me onto his lap. “It’s not a waste. Nothing I do for you is, and if you ever say that again, you might just regret it.”

“Are you threatening me?” A smile played on my lips.

“Do you want to find out?” Something wicked flashed across his eyes.

I kind of did. Was that wrong? He was gorgeous when he was in charge.