The Rancher’s Royal Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 4) (8 page)

Brunch went well, Ellie thought as she got ready for bed the following night.
Alone
. It had been wonderful to see Logan this weekend, and all day she’d hugged to herself the memory of that moment last night. The moment when he’d kissed her.

To her surprise, he was staying at the fancy hotel where her parents had made their reservation for brunch. When she’d called her dad to tell him she’d invited Logan to eat with them, her father had barely paused before saying, “The more the merrier.” And at the posh restaurant, Logan got on with her parents as if he’d known them a lot longer than a few daily visits by her mother, and however long he’d spent with her father in a work capacity a few years ago.

He seemed so different to the man she’d met at the airport in Wyoming, when her uncle had couriered her to him as if she were a valuable package.

Was this the real Logan Trask?

If so, she knew she’d fall for him even harder than she already had. But it worried her a little that he’d spent all that money flying here to see her. Because now she was pretty sure he didn’t have any business in Virginia this weekend, apart from seeing her.

She cooked him dinner on Saturday night, and then they settled in to watch a movie, just like they had at the ranch. When the movie ended, Logan got up, and she’d walked him to the door. Their gazes had met and held.
And then he’d kissed her.
He slanted his mouth over hers. A thrill of anticipation shot down her spine as the kiss lengthened … and deepened. His hands wrapped around her waist, just as she’d fantasized about.  And then … and then he’d pulled back.

“Good night, Ellie.” He’d brushed a kiss against her forehead and left the apartment before she’d barely had time to blink.

Ellie’s mouth sagged a little as she slid beneath the sheets. After that amazing kiss, she’d felt like running after him, attempting to lure him back into her arms … for the rest of the night. But by the time she’d opened the door and looked down the hall, he’d vanished.

And today, she’d met him at the hotel restaurant. They’d only had a couple of minutes to themselves before her parents arrived. And although she’d enjoyed the meal with her parents and Logan, she couldn’t help wishing she’d had more time with him. Alone.

After a leisurely brunch, Logan headed to the airport to catch his flight home. He waved away her offer of a ride, saying he’d already booked a cab. She couldn’t help feeling disappointed that he didn’t seem to want her company for a couple more hours, then told herself not to be silly. They’d spent all day Saturday and half of Sunday together.
But he hadn’t kissed her again.

She wanted more. More of his kisses. More of him. More of Logan.

Ellie closed her eyes, telling herself to go to sleep. He’d called her earlier that evening, letting her know he’d arrived at the ranch safely. Just thinking of his voice on the phone made her smile, before she drifted off to sleep.

***

On late Wednesday afternoon, just as Ellie arrived home from work, a delivery man knocked on her door.

Peering through the peephole, she opened the door, leaving the chain on.

“Yes?”

“Delivery for Ellie Sterling.” The uniformed man held out a large box.

After signing for the package, she hauled it into the living room. She opened it, wondering what on earth it could be. She hadn’t ordered anything online, and it wasn’t her birthday.

”Oh.” Nestled in the cardboard box was a coffee machine. It looked even fancier than Logan’s.

A large variety of coffee pods was also included, along with a card, which simply stated, “Logan.”

She couldn’t help smiling. Ever since she’d arrived home, she’d thought of buying a coffee machine for herself, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Had she mentioned that to Logan last weekend, or had he taken one sip of her instant coffee and taken pity on her? Although she had to admit she’d preferred the coffee at the ranch, she thought her jar of instant still tasted quite good.

She resolved to ask him tonight. So far, they hadn’t missed a night of telephone calls. Ellie couldn’t help wondering if he would visit her this coming weekend.

Don’t get your hopes up. Last weekend was a nice surprise, that’s all.

***

On Friday night, Ellie heard a knock at the door. She looked at her watch. Eight o’clock. Logan hadn’t called tonight, and when she’d tried to phone him, she’d gotten voice mail.

Frowning, she looked through the peephole, her face suddenly lighting up.

“Logan!” She opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” He gave her a tired smile.

“Come in.” She practically dragged him into the apartment, noticing he carried a small overnight bag.

“Coffee?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“I just happen to have a brand new coffee machine.”

“So I heard.” He dumped his bag on the floor and followed her into the kitchen.

On Wednesday night, when he’d called her as usual, she’d thanked him for the machine, and asked him why he’d sent it. When he’d replied, “You deserve the best,” she’d been floored. Warmth had flooded through her, and she’d thought of his comment ever since.

Did Logan really have feelings for her? After all, he
had
kissed her last weekend. She was determined to find out. And now, tonight, perhaps she would get an answer.

Ellie turned on the machine, then swung to face him. She took in the slight purpling under his eyes and his five o’clock shadow.

“You look tired.”

He shrugged. “Nothing a cup of coffee won’t help. I was up half the night with the birth of a calf.”

“Is it okay?” An image came to mind of a tiny black calf wobbling around its mother.

“She’s fine. They’re both doing well.“

Ellie smiled, then took a deep breath. “So … what are you doing here?”

Logan returned her gaze, his eyes gleaming with banked heat. “I wanted to see you.”

Butterflies danced in her stomach at his answer. Just then, the machine beeped, and she turned her attention to it, wondering what to say next.

He had feelings for her - he must have!

“I wish you’d told me on the phone
.”
She busied herself making the coffee. “I could have made plans for us to do something special if I’d known.”

“Just being here with you is all I want.”

She swung around at his words. “Logan, I--”

Just as she was about to say she felt the same, he cut in. “I couldn’t get a hotel reservation.” He grimaced. “Apparently there’s a convention on this weekend and I didn’t realize.”

“I think it’s a major accounting convention. I read about it in the newspaper.”

“So … I could sleep on your couch.”

“Of course.” She swallowed hard, mesmerized by the expression on his face. Although he looked tired, he also looked as if there wasn’t anywhere else he’d rather be, as if sleeping on her couch was the equivalent of staying in a five star hotel.

“Thanks.” He flashed a smile.

“Have you eaten? I could make you something.” Although Logan had proved at the ranch he was a good cook, she could fry bacon and eggs into mouth-watering temptation.

“No, I’m good. I grabbed something before my flight. Right now, I’d just like to relax.”

“Sure.” She handed him his coffee and headed into the living room. “Want to watch a movie? You can pick.”

“You choose.” He sank onto the sofa and leaned back. “Anything sounds good.”

She turned on the TV and queued the movie. Sitting beside him, she felt his body heat from the couple of inches that separated their thighs. Her gaze fell to his mug sitting on the coffee table. He hadn’t even touched it.

“Logan …” She trailed off when she realized his eyes were closed, his breathing deep and even.

He was too tired to drink his coffee from the fancy machine he’d bought her? He must be exhausted.

Ignoring the movie, she let her thoughts drift. Last weekend he’d stayed in an expensive hotel. Although she was sure he spoke the truth about all the hotels being booked solid this weekend, she couldn’t help wondering if he could afford to fly up to visit her two weekends in a row.

Although the barn at the ranch was well cared for, and he had an impressive number of cattle, the farmhouse looked a little tired and worn. While clean and comfortable inside, a lot of the furniture had seen better days. Logan had said he hadn’t had time to fix up the house before now, but perhaps he couldn’t afford to fix the house up all at once?

She looked around her living room, feeling slightly guilty for thinking about his furniture that way, when she’d sourced some of her furnishings from thrift stores.

And flying to Virginia two weekends in a row - maybe he’d gotten a special internet deal? At least he’d save money by staying with her this weekend.

She eyed him speculatively. Perhaps he wouldn’t want to stay on the couch for two nights. Perhaps … she felt herself blush as the image arose of her and Logan, entwined in her sheets, too sated from their love-making to even make breakfast.

Stop it!

Looking down at herself, her eyes resting on her ample chest, she wondered if Logan would want to make love with her. Every time she saw him, she fell harder for him. But what did he really feel about her - and her curves?

Was her figure a turn off for him? Would he kiss her again tonight? Or tomorrow?

Maybe she should take the initiative and kiss him?

A tingle of excitement raced down her spine at the thought of standing on tip-toe and touching her lips to Logan’s. Would he tighten his arms around her and kiss her as if his life depended on it?

Lost in her thoughts of desire, she didn’t notice the movie had ended until the flashing credits on the screen caught her eye. She straightened, and looked at Logan. Still asleep.

Rising, she rummaged in the closet for a spare blanket, then padded back to the living room, gently draping the colorful afghan around him. Although she thought he’d be more comfortable lying down on the sofa, she didn’t want to wake him.

Ellie quietly got ready for bed, not wanting to disturb him. As she slipped between the sheets, she wondered if she had the courage to make a move on him tomorrow.

***

The next morning, Ellie opened her eyes, stretched, and realized Logan was in the living room. Dressing quickly in the same slacks she wore last weekend when he visited and a green three-quarter length shirt, she took a look in the mirror, brushed her hair until it looked as good as possible, moistened her lips and decided she’d do. She’d never been a make-up kind of girl, and didn’t think there was any point in starting now. But it wouldn’t hurt to apply a little lip gloss after breakfast.

She ventured into the living room. “Good morning.”

Logan had folded up the blanket and was reading yesterday’s newspaper that had been on the coffee table.

“Morning.” He smiled at her, rising from the sofa.

“Hungry?” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Although in desperate need of a shave and wearing the same clothes as yesterday, he looked even yummier than usual.

“Starved.” His gaze held hers, and awareness rushed through her.

“I’ll … I’ll make breakfast.”

“I can help.”

She couldn’t make her feet move toward the kitchen. All she wanted to do was stare at him for a moment longer.

Ellie took a deep breath. “The bathroom’s free if you’d … like to take a shower.”

Just thinking of him naked in the shower, his powerful muscled torso bare to her gaze, made her feel weak all over. Although she hadn’t seen his bare chest yet, she could just imagine what it would look like based on the way he filled out his t-shirts on the ranch and the muscled strength she’d sensed when he’d held her briefly, which now seemed eons ago.

“Sounds good.” His lips quirked and he grabbed his overnight bag. “Won’t be long.”

She watched him stride to the bathroom, stifling a sigh of appreciation. Telling herself to get a grip, she headed into the kitchen, determined to cook him a delicious breakfast.

Logan joined her just as the bacon and eggs sizzled in the pan.

“Sorry about last night,” he murmured, standing next to her at the stove. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.”

“No problem.” She smiled. “I hope you didn’t get cold during the night.”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I didn’t even wake up until six.”

The bacon spat, startling her. Turning her attention to the pan, she served up two platefuls of the tempting dish, and placed them on the small kitchen table.

Ellie chatted to him about the touristy things they could do that weekend as they enjoyed their breakfast. After she finished her bacon and eggs, she made coffee for both of them from the machine Logan had given her.

“Why don’t we do whatever you want?” he suggested, helping her with the dishes.

“But don’t you want to visit Georgetown or Arlington House or Mount Vernon?”