A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch (9 page)

“What do you mean, fit?” he asked slowly. “You're not a...you and Craig did have sex, right?”

A nervous laugh burst from her throat and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Of course we...well it wasn't often but...I'm not a...” She scooted back against the headboard and tried to explain. “It's just that you're young and you look the way you do.” She bit down on her bottom lip as she took in the wide expanse of his chest once more. “And I'm only this...” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I don't know what you're used to, but I'm not sure I can compete. At all.”

He edged closer to her. “There is no competition. No comparison.” His hand reached out to flick open one button. “I swear to you, just imagining this makes me forgot everything else in my life, Olivia. There is only you.”

Another button opened and she looked down as more of her skin was exposed. “I'm not wearing a bra,” she said.

His eyes went dark although he smiled. “That's helpful.” He trailed one finger along her flesh, above and around her breast, circling the nipple until her breath caught. It produced a feeling like nothing she'd ever known and her whole body went hot.

He could do that to her with one finger. She was in big trouble.

“I don't usually wear one to bed,” she mumbled, hoping she could retain a tiny bit of control if she kept talking. “Not that Craig took much notice, but it's just not comfortable.”

“I sleep naked,” he told her and her mouth went dry.

“Thanks for sharing. I think.”

His grin turned wolfish. “You don't have to be nervous.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“Nothing's going to happen that you don't want.” He opened the rest of her shirt and peeled it back from her shoulders, his gaze tracking all across her body.

The way he looked at her gave her courage. “I want it all,” she whispered and he captured her mouth again, tugging her flat onto the mattress as he balanced his elbows on either side of her. He kissed her until she forgot her insecurities, her past and any other doubt about herself. Her world was this moment, this tiny sliver of need, desire and so much more.

His head moved lower, and he took her breast in his mouth. She arched into him, unable to believe the mass of sensation swirling through every inch of her. He shifted, tugging at her pajama bottoms, pulling those and her underpants down off her legs, leaving her exposed in every sense of the word.

Before she could gather her wits enough to be embarrassed, his hands moved up her thighs. Her eyes flew open as his fingers found her center, then his mouth followed. This couldn't be happening...she didn't—

All thought was lost as his tongue followed, and she nearly came off the bed.

“Let go, Olivia.” His breath was cool against the heat of her. “Right now. You can trust me.”

She ignored the words “right now” and focused on “trust me.” As he continued to touch her, she did let go, allowing herself to revel in his intimate caress. Within moments her body went up in flames and she cried out, finally understanding how much she'd been missing in life.

She was still trying to catch her breath as Logan shifted up until he was next to her. Her limbs felt heavy with satisfaction as he turned her on her side and pulled her back against him. His arm came around her, curling her in tight as his fingers traced a pattern on her belly.

“I love the feel of your skin,” he murmured against her neck, dropping kisses along her shoulders.

She tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke. “I don't think we're finished. You didn't—”

He nipped gently at the back of her neck. “I wasn't kidding when I said you deserve better than me, Olivia. But I'm going to give you as much as I can. And that's more than a roll in the sheets to burn off energy from a fight with your mother.”

She stilled, shocked at how true his words were. She'd wanted a release tonight. A break from the expectations her mother couldn't help but put on Olivia's shoulders. She hadn't even realized it until Logan said the words out loud.

He whispered against her ear, “And not until your divorce is final.”

That made her temper flare and she struggled to free herself from his embrace. He only held her tighter. “When we're truly together and I make you mine, I want to know you're not thinking of him or that you're now the one cheating. I want you to be free.”

“Oh.”
Oh.

Her mind couldn't seem to put together a coherent thought or even another syllable. Because Logan Travers understood her, perhaps better than she did herself. It might be true that she didn't love Craig, but she still felt the weight of her marriage. Until the divorce decree came, she wouldn't be completely free. And she wanted that as much as she wanted the community center to be a success. She wanted to revel in her freedom, to know that she was in charge of her own life and her future. Her mother hadn't understood that when Olivia had tried to explain it. But Logan did. Without her saying a word, he understood exactly what was in her heart.

The thought both exhilarated and terrified her.

“It will be soon,” she said, more to herself than him.

She felt him smile into her hair. “It can't come soon enough. When it does, I'm going to take you on a real date.”

“We don't have to go out,” she protested, thinking about how the local gossips would have a field day thinking Olivia was making a play for a man like Logan.

“I want the whole damn town to see you on my arm.” He smoothed her hair to the side and nuzzled the nape of her neck. “I'm going to ply you with food and drink, then bring you home and do every wicked thing I've been imagining for the past few weeks.”

“Oh,” she repeated.

“I should warn you,” he said softly, “I have one hell of an imagination.”

* * *

The sun shone bright against the windshield of his truck as Logan drove out to Crimson Ranch, the guest ranch Josh owned. He rolled down the window a crack, breathing in the fresh, cool mountain air.

Spring came to the Rockies in fits and spurts. A day such as this made him feel as if winter was loosening its hold on the mountains, but weather at this altitude could change in an instant. April could be one of the snowiest months of the year, the heavy wet storms that rolled in like a banshee melting away within days. Logan didn't bother much with weather forecasts, but he liked varying temperatures and the anticipation of what each morning would bring.

A sense of anticipation had settled on his shoulders since his evening with Olivia two nights ago. He knew it would be at least another week until her divorce was final, but already he couldn't wait for it. Which was what had led to this unexpected call on his brother. He'd been out to the ranch last night for dinner with his niece, Claire, and Sara's friend, April Sommers, who was watching the property and Claire while Josh and Sara were on their honeymoon. Claire had gotten a text from her father just before Logan left saying they'd be landing in Denver this morning.

Logan should have given Josh more time to settle in, especially after a red-eye flight, but he couldn't take the chance of Olivia talking to Sara before he spoke with his brother.

He took it slow down the long driveway and parked near the barn. If he knew his brother, Josh wouldn't waste any time getting back to his horses and the business of running the ranch. Josh's precision focus and dedication had led to his success as a champion bull rider before an injury ended his career and brought him back to Crimson.

Although Josh's black Ford truck was parked in front, he wasn't there or anywhere on the property that Logan could see. He walked the short distance to the main house and knocked on the door.

Sara answered, pulling him into a hug before he could speak. “Logan, it's good to see you. Claire said you helped her with her homework last night.”

“I was happy to help. You look even lovelier after the honeymoon.”

She smiled. “Marriage to your brother agrees with me.” He followed her into the house, closing the door behind him. “It was hard for Josh to leave from the wedding after only getting a couple of days with you.”

“Really?”

“She's exaggerating,” Josh said, coming down the hall. “I couldn't wait to get her alone on a beach.” He took Sara's hand and lifted it to his mouth for a small kiss. “But it's great you're still in Crimson. We're just finishing lunch. Do you want something to eat?”

Logan shook his head and followed them to the kitchen. He couldn't believe how much Josh had changed in such a short time. The brother Logan had known had always been coiled tight, tension radiating through him. Even as a kid, Josh had been wound like a top, always looking for a means of escape from their home. Now he looked relaxed and at ease. Logan wondered if the changes were all Sara's doing.

“Glass of iced tea?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you.” He could use something stronger to make it through this conversation but would settle for whatever he could get.

“We have cookies, too.” She pointed to a tin on the counter. “But I guess you know that. April says you made them.” She smiled sweetly at Josh. “Your brother bakes. He's got skills. That's pretty impressive.”

“I've got skills,” Josh replied, with a comical leer in her direction. “Just not in the kitchen.”

Logan nearly groaned at the teasing between the newlyweds. He wanted to dismiss his reaction, but something that felt a lot like longing uncurled in his chest, almost clogging his throat with it. He took a long drink of the tea Sara handed him.

“I forgot about your baking,” Josh said, plucking up one of the cookies. “Logan was sick as a kid,” he told Sara. “While the rest of us were going crazy all over town, he spent his time with our mom in the kitchen.”

“I more than made up for it,” Logan answered.

“You were always mom's favorite.” Josh said the words without animosity, but they still grated.

“Only because I stuck to her like glue.”

“I'm going to answer the emails that have been piling up,” Sara interrupted. She placed her hand on Logan's arm. “We're happy you're here. Come out for dinner again now that we're back.” She squeezed him softly. “Bring Olivia. I want to catch up with her.”

“I didn't mean that like it sounded,” Josh said when Sara left the room. “I'm glad Mom had you. She sure didn't know what to do with Jake and me. Beth, either, really.”

“Dad couldn't stand it, though.” Logan put his empty glass on the counter. “He hated having a wimpy kid underfoot. You and Jake were out of the house so much, but Beth spent a lot of her time trying to keep his attention off of me.”

“It wasn't your fault,” Josh said quietly.

Logan sucked in a breath. He'd wanted to talk about Olivia and his work in town, not rehash their horrible childhood. “I knew she was headed for trouble. She was drinking, partying and dating guys way too old and experienced for her.”

“It still wasn't your fault.”

“Or yours.”

“It took a while, but I know that now.” Josh shoved the cookie into his mouth. “Do you?”

“She was my twin. It's like a part of me, some vital piece, is missing. I don't think that will ever change.”

“Has being back in Crimson helped or made it harder?”

Logan thought about the memories that continued to flood his mind and then of Olivia's sweet smile. “A bit of both. You know I was pretty messed up after she died. I said some awful things to you and Jake at the funeral.”

“That was a long time ago,” Josh answered.

Logan jerked his head in agreement. “I just need to know that you're okay with me sticking around now that you're back.”

“Of course. Once we get settled, I'll come check out the community center. Things haven't ramped up yet with our summer preparations. I could give you a hand with some of the work.”

“That would be good.” Logan rocked back on his heels. He'd never been one for small talk.

“What else?” Josh asked suspiciously. “There's something you're not telling me.”

“How do you know?”

“We may not be close but we're family. Call it a Spidey sense.”

Logan took a breath then said, “It's Olivia Wilder.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Josh's mouth. “Damn,” he muttered. “There goes twenty bucks.”

Logan stared at him.

“Sara was convinced things were brewing between you two. I didn't see it, but I should know better than to doubt my wife.”

“Smart man,” a voice yelled from somewhere in the house.

“Stop eavesdropping, woman,” Josh called back. He grinned at Logan. “Nosy as all get out, but I love her.”

Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I guess someone needs to talk me out of it, to remind me why I'm not good enough for her.”

Josh shook his head. “It won't be me.” He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Sara, I know you're listening. Do you have anything to say to my brother?”

Silence.

“There's your answer.” Josh smiled. “All good from this end.”

“Are you crazy? You know the kind of person I am.”

Josh just watched him.

“I'm not staying in Crimson after this job. I can't be here long-term. She's educated, classy and I'm—”

“Do you want some cheese with your whine?” Sara called from upstairs.

Logan threw up his hands. “Is she always like that?”

Josh laughed. “All of those nonissues you listed are between you and Olivia. I'm guessing the interest isn't one sided.”

“The whole town knows I'm a screwup.” Logan paced to the edge of the kitchen and back. “They wrote me off a long time ago.”

“They wrote off the whole lot of us,” Josh agreed. “Hasn't stopped me from moving on. Leave the past where it is, Logan. Where it belongs. I don't know what your future holds. It doesn't sound like you've got a much better clue. You can't be any worse than Craig Wilder was to her. Have some fun. Not everything has to be so serious.”