Southern Hospitality (26 page)

She wasn’t sure how long she could continue to play the game. He looked absolutely wonderful. “I think I have just the thing. Any other suggestions?”

“A friend of mine’s been teaching me about relaxing and relieving stress. I think you might want to take a nice, hot shower while I open the champagne.” He inclined his head toward the nightstand where a magnum rested in a silver bucket.

“Not a bad idea, I’ll be right back.” She hurried back to the hall to retrieve her gifts, fumbling with her tie and the buttons on her vest as she went. Logan hadn’t moved when she got back to the bedroom.

“Do you need any help?” he asked hopefully, watching with interest as she took off the top layer of her clothes. He groaned in disappointment when she stopped at her slip.

“Have the champagne ready in about ten minutes.”

She was out of the shower in three minutes, but took time to freshen her makeup. The teddy fit her perfectly, slipping luxuriantly over her flushed skin. The man was incredible. She checked her appearance in the mirror as she dabbed jasmine scent at her elbows and knees. The necklace and earrings were the perfect accents.

She opened the door with a flourish, but the sight of Logan down on one knee stopped her on the threshold. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t laugh at me, woman. I’m trying to do this right,” he said with a show of dignity, grabbing at the towel that was trying to obey the law of gravity. “Come over here, so I can get this done in the proper southern style.”

She moved toward him, her smile disappearing as she stopped in front of him. Butterflies were careening around her stomach. Suddenly she felt very nervous. He took her left hand in his and raised it to his lips.

“Victoria Camille Planchet, I humbly request your hand in marriage. This ring is a symbol of my undying love and devotion.” His voice was a rough whisper of sound as he slipped a sapphire ring on her finger. “I need you in my life to temper my horrible Yankee ways and keep me from turning back into a preppie android.”

“Will you marry me? I promise to let you talk when we’re out in public together, and you can wear shoes when you’re pregnant. But I can’t promise that I’ll let you out of my sight for a minute until we’ve been married for two or three years, maybe longer.”

Tory blinked back the tears that threatened to spill onto her cheeks in spite of his nonsense. She couldn’t stand the pleading look in his eyes as he waited for her answer, clutching his towel with his right hand. Kneeling in front of him on the floor, she cupped his face in her palms. She leaned into his chest as she answered him with a kiss, sighing against his parted lips as his arms closed around her.

Reluctantly she pulled back, searching his face, trying to memorize his expression at that moment. “Although the thought of corrupting a Yankee for a lifetime is tempting, I’ll only accept on one condition,” she said softly, trailing a kiss over his chin. Tracing her lips over his jaw, she worked her way slowly back to the corner of his mouth. She could feel the beginning of his smile beneath her lips as he remembered their bargaining at Milt and Myrna’s.

“What’s the condition?”

Tilting her head back, she feathered her fingers through his hair. He had a wary look in his eyes, but his hands were moving with wicked intent over her bare back. “Don’t ever act that humble again. It just doesn’t suit you. Arrogance in some men is incredibly sexy, occasionally.”

“Do you know that you are probably the most contradictory woman in the entire world?” he challenged, but kept her from answering with a searing kiss. It was a pledge of his love, a promise of a beautiful, fulfilling life.

“Hey, you’re crying.” Logan pulled back in surprise, tracing his finger down her damp cheek. “What is it, love?”

“I’ve just realized that I almost lost you by being so stubborn,” she managed, trying to sniff delicately. “All my fine speeches about marriage making women idiots. I wasn’t doing a very good job being single.”

“Neither of us were at our best, love. We just didn’t know that we’d both come out winners if we’d just compromise,” he said comfortingly, dabbing at her tears with the end of his towel. “We were both used to getting our own way all the time.”

“You were a quicker study than I was,” Tory returned, luxuriating in the feel of his skin under her hands as she ran them over his shoulders. “I was still trying to get up the courage to face you again after writing that terrible letter.”

“Reading that had to be one of the worst moments of my life. You’d done your usual disappearing act, and I had to be in Texas.” He punished her by raining kisses over her face. “I don’t remember anything about that trip except wanting to get back here as fast as I could.”

“Logan?” She traced her finger over his collarbone and down the center of his chest, her eyes following the movement of her hand.

“Mmmmm?”

“Do you think we could continue this somewhere a little more comfortable? I’m not sure how much longer my knees are going to hold out.” Leaning to the side, she inspected the floor to the side and behind him. “And you’re going to catch cold in a very interesting place, since your towel seems to have slipped.”

He tried to look thoughtful, but his gaze strayed to where his fingers were toying the thin strap of her teddy. “Does this mean I have permission to rip this delightful garment off your enticing body?”

“Is that any way to treat your investment?”

Logan didn’t bother to answer. He surged to his feet, taking her with him. In a flash of movement, he had them on the bed, pressing Tory into the mattress with the weight of his body. Propping himself up on his elbows, he caged her between his arms. “You’re still overdressed.”

“I’m sure a little Yankee ingenuity will take care of that,” she returned and reached up to pull his head down to kissing distance. He didn’t need any further encouragement.

All the teasing was forgotten as his mouth claimed her lips. The desire that had been shimmering beneath the surface, blossomed into life. Logan seemed determined to taste every portion of her body, trailing kisses from her neck to the valley between her breasts. She arched into him, impatient to ease the ache that was beginning to build inside her.

She gloried in the feel of his body pressing against hers, running her hands down his arms to his waist. Impatiently, she grasped his hips, pressing herself into the heat of his desire. The touch of his lips against her bare breast forced a moan of delight from her throat. She hadn’t been aware of his clever fingers pulling the satin and lace from her body. Twisting beneath him, she murmured his name over and over as he pulled the garment free and tossed it over the side of the bed.

He couldn’t resist her pleas. His legs pressed hers apart, settling himself in the feminine valley. With a slow, measured movement he entered her inner warmth. Raising his head, he watched her expression as he moved to complete their union. Neither of them moved, savoring the moment of commitment between them.

The tension was building, growing stronger. Logan began to move slowly, his tempo increasing with each movement. She wrapped her legs around his hips to deepen the thrust of his body, straining to reach some unknown goal. He rewarded her efforts by bending to tease the taut peaks of her breasts with his mouth. Crying out his name, she could feel herself spinning out of control.

Clinging to Logan, she tried to control the sensations, but it was too late. She was soaring toward completion, delicate tremors moving through her that suddenly transmitted themselves to the man holding her. Together they scaled the ultimate height of their passion and love.

The recovery was slow. Tory cradled Logan in her arms, wondering if she’d ever be able to move again. She savored the weight of his satiated body, stroking her hands over the damp skin of his back. He rubbed his head against her shoulder in response.

“Now that I have you at my mercy, I have another proposition for you,” he murmured against the soft skin of her neck.

“What’s that, sweetheart?” she asked lazily, brushing his hair back over his ear before running her hand over his shoulder. “Ouch. Why did you pinch me?”

Logan levered himself onto his elbow, but bent to kiss the wound he’d inflicted. “I needed to make sure I had your attention. This is important.”

“All right,” Tory said petulantly, but she had trouble keeping her lips from curving into a smile. She sat up, leaning back against the headboard and folded her hands primly beneath her breasts. When Logan’s eyes seemed to stray, she asked, “Now who isn’t paying attention?”

He quickly pulled the sheet over their bodies, covering any further distraction for both of them. Plumping up the pillow, he leaned back as well, pulling Tory into his arms. She went willingly, snuggling her head into the crook of his shoulder.

“So, what’s this proposition?”

“It has to do with Boston,” he said hesitantly. When she didn’t respond, he continued, “I think the best solution is six months in Boston and six months in Little Rock.”

His voice seemed strained. Tory sat up to see his expression.

“If that’s what you want. Did you think I’d refuse?”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d react to being carried off to a den of Yankees.” He continued to watch her closely, seeming suspicious of her acquiescence.

Draping herself over his chest, she pressed her lips to his in a fleeting kiss. “I’m sure there’ll be some consolation for my sacrifice.”

“That can be arranged,” he agreed, smiling against her lips.

“See, we can compromise when we put our minds to it,” she murmured, exploring the line of his jaw. “If Proserpina could manage it, so can I.”

“Proserpina?” Logan drew back suspiciously. “What does mythology have to do with living in Boston?”

“When Pluto kidnapped her, he fed her a pomegranate,” Tory explained, resting her chin in the center of his chest. She continued her story with a grin. “She was forced to spend six months of the year above ground with the humans, and six months in Pluto’s kingdom of He—”

Her words were cut off as Logan flipped her onto her back, pressing her into the mattress. He stopped her laughter with a fierce kiss. “I’m the one who ate the sausage biscuits, which are probably better than pomegranates any day. So, who’s going to be spending six months where?”

“Winter in Arkansas and summer in Massachusetts. We’ll arm wrestle over the other seasons,” she promised before linking her arms around his neck.

“Are you sure, Tory? I want this to work.”

Tory looked up into his earnest face, her eyes glowing with love and confidence. “This is an equal partnership with both of us working together. We’re two parts of a whole. Besides, just think of all those Yankees I can corrupt.”

“From now on this is the only Yankee you’re going to practice your southern wiles on,” Logan growled.

“Yes, dear,” Tory promised, knowing she never had to worry about losing her independence again. She had something much better, a marriage based on mutual need, love, and understanding. Together they could do anything.

About the Author

Sally Falcon spends her days as a librarian working with library computers stuff and databases. Her “evil twins” are responsible for writing romantic comedies. Sally Falcon uses the contemporary setting and takes advantage of the places that she had lived around the country. Sarah Eagle goes back in time to Regency England. Ms. Eagle has been nominated for Best Regency Comedy by Romantic Times and by the Colorado Romance Writers.

Her love of old movies, travel and history have helped a great deal in creating her stories. Currently she’s exploring the world of mysteries and Steam Punk. She also contributes to the Novelist, Inc. writer’s group monthly newsletter. She has BS in Education from Bowling Green State University and an MLS from University of South Florida.

Look for these titles by Sally Falcon

Coming Soon:

Stolen Kisses

A Forever Man

Remember the Night

When a new business partner appears in Kati’s diner, it’s not just the broccoli that’s steamed.

Kane and Mabel

© 2012 Sharon DeVita

Kati Rose Ryan lives in the small town of Libertyville, Missouri, taking care of the diner her irresponsible brother left her to run. When a “friend” of her brother shows up at the diner, Kati is immediately suspicious. Her brother Patrick’s friends are nothing but thieves and freeloaders and she’s had her fill of them.
 

She fully intends to throw no-good Lucas Kane out on his ear. Until Lucas tells her that her brother lost his half of the diner to him in a poker game, and Lucas is her new partner.

Furious that her brother could be so reckless and irresponsible to gamble his half of the diner away, Kati does everything in her power to get rid of Lucas. But, Lucas isn’t budging. In fact, he intends to stay in Libertyville until he can prove to Kati that he doesn’t just want to be her partner in the diner, but in life, as well.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Kane and Mabel:

“Can I help you?”

He lifted his head and Kati found herself staring into the most glorious blue eyes she had ever seen. He was more attractive up close than she’d anticipated. Her mouth grew dry as his gaze slowly swept over her, from the top of her unruly auburn curls, across the white blouse and past the faded jeans to linger on her tattered sneakers.