Master of the Inn (3 page)

“Well, that’s a relief since your refrigerator is stocked
with beer and takeout containers.” She finished her wine and he refilled her
glass. “By the way, I took the liberty of throwing out all of that spoiled
food. Some of it was disgusting.”

“I’m good with my hands but not with housework. Eww,” he
shuddered. “I’ll hire someone to do that when I get this place up and running.”

“You never answered my question.” She looked up at him.
“When do you anticipate opening Pleasure Inn?”

I’m supposed to answer her? While she’s looking at me
like that?
“I-I don’t have a firm date. I still have so much to do around
here; and then I need to decide on a business plan… staff… advertising…” He
felt a knot form in his stomach when he thought about the work ahead of him.
“It makes my head hurt. I’m a handyman not a businessman.”

“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.

Chapter Four

Logan 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?

Fuck!

Tossing the pillow to the floor, he sat up and wracked his
brain for a moment. He glanced around the room, spying the empty glass by the
chair in the corner of the room. He’d passed out. How could he have been so
stupid?

He pulled himself out of bed, stopping to gaze out the window.
Her car was still here. That had to be a good sign. He showered, threw on a
pair of jeans and a black t-shirt and made his way down the back staircase to
the kitchen. The smell of fresh brewed coffee and bacon assaulted his nostrils.
She’d made him breakfast. Another positive. Maybe he hadn’t screwed this up
irreparably.