What To Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection Part Two (216 page)

“Then why did you agree to do it?”

“I didn’t agree.” He shoved another bite of the eggplant into his mouth because he simply couldn’t stop eating. It was
so
good! He’d eaten in many upscale restaurants in his lifetime, but no other chef had her flair for detail. “After college I didn’t adjust to office life the way my uncle had hoped. My mother came from old money and her brother – the original owner of the inn – managed my trust fund. I got into some trouble and he insisted I take over. He said I needed a
purpose
.”

“Have you found one?”

“I’m still looking.” He finished off the bottle of wine.

She watched as he drank from his glass. “What kind of trouble?”

“The kind a stupid, arrogant man gets into when he attracts the attention of a married young girl.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“Let’s just say I got caught with my pants down and my uncle – along with most of the town – wasn’t impressed. So, here I am: the owner of this fine establishment.”

“That’s not a bad thing. It has so much potential.” Her face lit up as she looked around the kitchen. “I know people would flock to this place.”

“Maybe.”
I’m glad you found this place.
“Shall I get another bottle of wine?”

“No, thank you. I’m not a big drinker.” She traced the rim of her glass with her fingertip. “I met a friend of yours today.”

“Really? Who?”

“Cora.”

Shit.

“She’s an interesting one, isn’t she?” Logan cleared his throat.

Cora had been a recurring mistake Logan had made through the years. In the beginning things were fun and noncommittal, but in the last months of their relationship she kept dropping not so subtle hints about marriage and or moving in together. Logan had finally ended things and hadn’t seen her in over three months.

“She seems to have a thing for you.”

“We’re old news. We dated on and off for a while. Things didn’t work out. I hope she didn’t say anything to offend you.”

“What could she say to offend me? She just wanted to let me know she knew all about you and your inn,” she said with a mischievous smile.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “Maybe I should make the trips to the market from now on?”

“I don’t think so.” She stood to clear the table. “I’m not afraid of your ex. I can hold my own.”

“I’m sure you can, sweetheart.” He got up from the table to help her with the dishes. “Does that mean you’ll be cooking tomorrow night too?”

“If you want me to.” She opened the dishwasher and stacked the plates in neatly.

“I’ve been thinking…” He moved in front of the sink, closer to where she stood. “Would you consider staying here?”

“I thought I was.” She turned to face him with wide-eyed innocence.

“I know we just met last night; but I feel a connection with you.” He wondered if he sounded like some needy lunatic. He didn’t care. He’d never met anyone like her before and something inside him told him he needed to seize this opportunity. “You’re going through some – stuff and I don’t want to complicate things for you. It gets pretty lonely up here. I’d like the company. So, if you’d like to stay and clear your head – or whatever you need to do – I want you to stay as long as you’d like.”

She reached out and ran her fingers over the stubble on his jaw. He closed his eyes and indulged in the feel of her soft fingers caressing his face. “Just so you know, I’ve been over my ex for a while, so I’m not running from a past relationship. I left the city because I needed to leave – for me. I needed a change.”

“I get that.” He leaned into her palm. “I’ve been searching for a fresh start for some time.”

“Maybe once you get the inn going you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

“I think I might already have.” He took her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers. She moved closer to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and letting him take the lead with the kiss.

The feel of her warm lips against his own fueled his desire for her. When she sighed against his mouth he slipped his tongue between her lips. He eagerly sought out her tongue tasting the wine that lingered there and as he continued to kiss her, he pinned her against the counter. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her against the bulge in his pants.

“Logan.” She pushed against his chest. “Stop.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Everything is just happening really fast. I’ve never—”

“It’s okay.” He moved away from her – not because he was offended – but because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to give her the space she wanted. She had asked him to stop and he would respect her boundaries.

“I don’t want you to think I’m not interested. It’s just – I’m not usually this impulsive.”

“I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. I hope you won’t let that change your mind about staying. I don’t want to do anything you don’t want.”

“I just need some time to process what’s going on.”

“You’ve worked hard all day. You must be exhausted. Why don’t you go take a bath and I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist.” The distance from her would do him good. He could be a gentleman if the situation called for it, but having her this close to him right now was far too tempting and he didn’t want to try to change her mind. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to. “Thanks for dinner. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.”

“You’re sure? I don’t mind cleaning up.”

“I have some plans to look at for the new sunroom. I’ll finish up in here and then I’ll work on those. Have a good night, Elyse.”

“You too.” She paused for an awkward moment. “I liked getting to know you tonight.”

“Me too.”

She kissed him on the cheek before scampering out of the kitchen. Logan smiled as she made her way up the back staircase to the third floor. Getting to know her was going to be fun. He finished cleaning up before he retired to his study. He poured himself a two-fingered whiskey, turned on the gas fireplace, and settled into his comfortable leather recliner, peaceful in the knowledge that he still had Elyse under his roof.

Elyse tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before she finally drifted off into a light slumber. She couldn’t get Logan or that kiss out of her mind. She wanted so much more, but when he’d turned up the heat, she’d panicked. She remembered Cora’s words form earlier in the day.

Logan is the town player…

She heard her say it over and over again. How many Cora’s did Logan have?

He likes to play games…

Elyse had had enough games with Phillip. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake again – especially not with a man she barely knew. She had never been much of a risk taker. Two weeks ago she wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of staying in the same house with a complete stranger; but there was something about Logan that made her feel – secure.

The sound of ice jostling against the side of a glass woke her from her restless sleep. From the corner of her eye she saw him sitting in the chair by the window; perfectly still except for the clinking of the ice in his drink. She jolted upright. He dangled his hand toward the floor, holding what appeared to be scotch or bourbon. She wasn’t sure what his liquor of choice was, but she remembered that it was hot on his breath the night before.

“Logan?”

“You didn’t lock your door.” He took a sip of his drink never taking his eyes away from her.

“I didn’t think I needed to.” She got out of bed and walked toward him… stopping just before her legs touched his knees. “Is something wrong?”

“Wrong?” He laughed. “You’re here. What could be wrong?”

It was clear to Elyse that the drink in his hand wasn’t his first.

“I wanted to be close to you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “That kiss wasn’t enough.”

His words coursed through her body, filling her with desperate need. No man had ever shown this much interest in her. She’d been with Phillip since high school and he wasn’t the most passionate man. She’d had nothing to compare him to until now. She’d never considered having a fling… but the opportunity had never presented itself. Maybe she should live by Logan’s words.

I believe in the here and now.
And
I don’t like to miss opportunities.

She reached out with a trembling hand and traced his lips with her fingertips. They were soft and warm. She wanted to feel them against her mouth, so she leaned forward. “I want you to kiss me again.” She straddled his lap.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

She licked his bottom lip, tasting the alcohol there. Bourbon, definitely bourbon.

He reached down and placed his empty glass on the floor before taking her face between his hands like he had in the kitchen. He kissed her with the same patient fierceness he had earlier, but this time she didn’t pull away. She sought more as she inched closer to him, running her fingers over his bare chest.

He moved his hands from her face, tangling them in her hair as he pulled her closer to his eager mouth. Her body responded to his rough touch as he stoked her desire. She ran soft kisses along the fresh stubble of his face, enjoying the way his jaw tensed against her lips. Gripping her hair harder, he pulled her mouth back to his, biting down on her bottom lip.

She cried out – stunned that he’d bitten her – but it didn’t frighten her; it aroused her.

He ran his tongue over the spot where his teeth had just left. “I’m Dominant.” He moved his hand to her throat. “And I like to play.”

“What?” Her heart jumped. The thought of him Dominating her – even though she didn’t know quite what that meant – caused her nipples to harden against the thin material of her tank top.

“I like it rough… and I like to be in control.” He licked her lips. “Right now I’m too drunk to be in control.” He lifted her off his lap and stood, but he lost his balance. She grabbed his arm in an attempt to hold him up, but he was too big. They tumbled onto the bed. “See cupcake? I’m too drunk.”

He pinned her to the bed, holding her hands over her head. “The things I want to do to you…” He trailed his hot breath down her throat.

When she wrapped her legs around his waist, she felt his erection press against her stomach and shivered.

“Fuck.” He thrust his hips forward and rubbed her center.

She wanted more. She wiggled higher, so they were properly aligned.

“No more,” he whispered into her neck. “We have to stop.”

“Why?”

He rolled off her and onto his back. “Because I’m drunk. And I never play when I’m drunk.”

“Why can’t we just fuck?” He had her so worked up, she blurted out the words without thinking. She’d never spoken to anyone that way before. Her own boldness shocked her.

“My sweet cupcake has a dirty mouth. Remind me to take you over my knee for such language.” He closed his eyes as his breathing slowed. After a few minutes, she heard his deep breaths turn into soft snores.

She propped herself up on her elbow and watched as this gorgeous man slept beside her. She traced her finger along his jaw, over his neck and down his chest. She couldn’t resist touching him. She relished in the way his muscles felt under her fingers. The warmth radiated off his tanned skin. He looked so peaceful as he slept. She wondered what kind of troubles he had that would make him drink the way he did.

After a while her eyes grew heavy. She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

He opened his eyes and smiled before pulling her into his chest and curling his arm around her. “I want you close,” he mumbled before falling back to sleep.

She liked the way he said that and how he felt under her cheek. She could get used to falling asleep snuggled against him every night. He’d given her a lot to think about, but she had a feeling the only thing she’d be dreaming about tonight, as she slept wrapped in his arms, was making love to him.

L
ogan opened his eyes and groaned when the sunshine poured through the thin white sheers. He pulled the pillow over his face, inhaling her sweet scent. Why did his pillow smell like her?