What To Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection Part Two (217 page)

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.

When he reached the kitchen, he found Elyse mixing some sort of batter.

“Morning.” She turned and smiled at him. “Sleep well?”

He couldn’t help but take in her completely sensual appearance. She wore a figure hugging pair of skinny jeans and a scant navy blue tank. Her black lace bra peeked out of the top giving him a tantalizing view of her full cleavage. His cock stiffened as he thought about bending her over the table.

“I hope you’re hungry.”

“I’m starving.” He stalked toward her, intending to pin her against the counter.

“I’m making French toast stuffed with blueberries.” She took a small step backwards and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “The coffee is ready.”

“Smells great.” He placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer as he trailed his nose along her neck. “You left me in bed.”

“I thought you might like breakfast; so I ran to the market to get what I needed.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I saw your friend Cora again.”

“Did you?” He placed hot, breathy kisses across her jaw as he pressed his body into hers.

“I told her I wanted to get back before you got out of bed.”

“I’m sure she loved that.” He brushed his lips along hers and spoke into her mouth. “You’re a bad girl, making her think we’re sleeping together.”

“We did sleep together.” She pressed her mouth to his, inserting the tip of her tongue just between his lips. Logan thought he might come just from the taste of her.

He pulled away because he needed to gain some composure before he ripped her pants off right there. “You stayed the whole night with me?”

“You wouldn’t let go of me. I had to pry myself away from you this morning.”

“I dreamed about you all night. I was disappointed when I opened my eyes and you weren’t there.” He slipped the straps of her tank top down her shoulders. “I don’t like to be disappointed.” His eyes burned into hers.

He heard her breath hitch as he kissed a path to her breasts. “Logan.”

He slowly lowered her top, exposing her to him. Her nipples threatened to spill over the thin material of her bra. “Is this for me?” He moved his fingertips over the hardened buds, eliciting a moan from her when he pinched one of them.

“In my dream I couldn’t get enough of your tits. I licked and sucked them until you came all over my cock.” He swiped his tongue over one rosy nub through the lace of her bra, feeling it harden as he continued to lick.

She clutched the back of his head, pressing him wantonly against her breasts.

“Have you ever worn nipple clamps?”

“No,” she whispered as she arched her back to offer him more.

“Maybe we’ll try that later.”

She gasped when he turned her around and pushed her against the counter.

“You’re so perfect.” He ran his hand along the smooth skin of her back, stopping when he got to her bra. “I want you.” Logan couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman so much. He unhooked the clasp as he lowered his lips to her spine.

“Logan,” she said. “Please.”

“Please what, cupcake?” He turned her to face him again. “What do you want?”

“You.” She pushed the bra from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. “I want you.”

He glanced down at her naked breasts. They were just as glorious as he’d imagined.

She closed the space between them. “I didn’t sleep all night. I couldn’t stop thinking about what you said before you passed out.”

Logan tried to replay the conversation they’d had in her room, but thanks to the alcohol everything was foggy. “I’m sorry, beautiful. I drank too much and I don’t remember everything I said.”

“You told me you liked to play.” She nipped at his bottom lip. “You said you were –
Dominant
.”

Ever since she had shown up on his porch, he’d had visions of her submitting to him. He wanted to tie her to his bed and bring her body to unspeakable pleasure over and over again. It didn’t surprise him that in his intoxicated state he’d told her what he liked. What did surprise him was that she hadn’t fled in the middle of the night.

“That doesn’t scare you?” He slid his hand down her back and rested it at the top of her ass.

“More than anything ever has.” She swallowed hard and he realized he might have come on too strong this morning.

“I would never make you do anything you didn’t want.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“I’ve never been more intrigued or turned on by anyone like I am with you.” She looked down. “I think I want this – to submit – to you.”

That I can work with.

“I’m very attracted to you.” He took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up. “I’m not hardcore. I don’t practice a BDSM lifestyle. You have nothing to be afraid of with me. I like to be in control. Submission is something I crave, but it isn’t easy to find.”

Logan had found plenty of women who were willing to play his games of bondage and kink, but he’d never been completely satisfied with any of them. After he broke it off with Cora, he decided that maybe Dominance wasn’t what he was looking for after all.

“I don’t know anything about submission. I’m not sure I can – do this.”

“Stay with me and we’ll explore.”

“I don’t know.” She looked up at him with uncertainty plainly displayed in her eyes. “We’ve only known one another for two days. I’ve never done anything on a whim; let alone something like this!”

“Why did you come here?” He had to find a way to get her to stay. He’d never been this taken by anyone. There was no way he could let her get away.

“I needed to start over. I wanted to forget.”

He brushed his lips against hers. “Let’s forget together.” He slipped his tongue inside her mouth as he picked her up by her bottom.

She wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’ll stay.”

He rested her against the counter, so he could have better access to her neck. She let out a long, low moan when he dipped his mouth down to her breasts again.

A loud knock at the back door interrupted them. Elyse fumbled to pull her tank top up.

Logan eased her down. “No one ever visits me here.” He shook his head as he glanced down at her discarded bra.

She followed his gaze and then giggled. “I’ll get that.” She reached down to pick up the bit of lacy garment.

“Don’t put it back on.” He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth as the person outside tapped on the door again. “I’ll get rid of them.” Logan couldn’t imagine who would stop by the inn and use the back door. Not many people did that. Before opening the door, he looked over his shoulder to make sure Elyse had composed herself sufficiently, and then turned, silently cursing the intruder who continued to knock.

He yanked the door open to find Cora standing on the back porch with a shopping bag in her hand.

“Logan.” She stepped inside and kissed his cheek. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she cooed.

“We were just about to have breakfast,” Logan said as Elyse moved to where he stood.

“Oh, you haven’t eaten yet?” Cora looked over at the set table.

“We’ve been – busy.” Elyse slipped her fingers into Logan’s hand.

Logan grinned at Elyse’s territorial claim on him. “What can I do for you, Cora?”

“Elyse left this at the store.” Cora shoved the bag toward Elyse. “I thought I’d deliver it.”

“I didn’t leave anything.” Elyse examined the contents in the bag. “This isn’t mine.”

“Really?” Cora said. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.” She handed the groceries back to Cora. “Looks like you came out here for nothing.”

“Hmm. Well, not nothing.” She smiled at Logan. “I got to see you. Where have you been hiding?”

“I’ve been here,” Logan said. “Working on – things.”

“I’d love to see the progress you’ve made.” Cora glanced at Elyse who had started blushing. And then to make up for lost ground, “The last time I was here you had just finished your bedroom. You gave me a personal tour.”

“That was a while ago.” Logan had to stop Cora before she got started. Now that Elyse had agreed to stay, he didn’t need any ex-girlfriend coming along and ruining everything. “The last time you were here we discussed that you wouldn’t be coming back to my bedroom. I’ve stayed out of your way to make that easier for you. I’d appreciate it if you’d do the same.”

“I didn’t mean to intrude.” She looked down at her feet, trying to act the part of the submissive she’d claimed to be when she and Logan first got together. Cora was anything but submissive. “I guess there was a mix up at the store. I thought the groceries belonged to your friend.”

“Thanks for bringing them,” Elyse said. “But, they’re not mine.”

“Have a good day, Cora.” Logan opened the door. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Will I be seeing you around, Elyse?”

“Yes. As I matter of fact, I’ve decided to stay on at Pleasure Inn.”

“How nice for you.” Cora tightened her grip on the bag she held until her knuckles were white.

“I’ll be right back,” Logan said.

“I’ll have breakfast waiting for you.” Elyse glared at Cora one last time before turning and heading back to the stove to tend to breakfast.

Logan held the door for Cora and waited until she was down the steps before he spoke. “What are you up to?”

“She seems really nice,” Cora said.

“Whatever game you’re playing stops now.” He opened her car door.

“I don’t know what you—”

“You and I don’t work. We tried but it’s over.”

“You decided it was over,” she reminded him. “I wanted to work things out and have a future with you.”

“That was months ago.” Logan didn’t want to argue with her. She wasn’t a bad person. She just wasn’t who he needed.

“You’ve moved on?” He saw the hurt in her eyes when she asked.

“I’m trying to.”

“With Elyse?”

“Elyse isn’t your concern. Please leave her alone.”

“I didn’t do anything to her!”

Logan arched a brow. “Then how did she know about us?”

“I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to mention that we dated. I was just making conversation.” She slid into her lime green convertible. “I didn’t know she was your new
girlfriend
. I thought she was just
passing through
.”

“I don’t know how long she’ll be in town; but while she’s here, I want her to be able to relax – and not have to worry about a confrontation with you every time she comes into the market.”

“Fine,” she said. “I don’t have any trouble keeping secrets.”

“I’m not asking you to keep secrets. Just quit throwing my past in her face.” He shut her car door. “I’ve asked you nicely.”

“Goodbye, Logan.” She shifted the car into gear and sped down the driveway kicking up gravel and dust.

Logan watched as the tires screeched out onto the street. He hoped she wouldn’t be a complication for him. Not now – not after he’d found Elyse.

Elyse peered out the window as Logan and Cora talked. He might not have been interested in his ex, but Cora was definitely still interested in him. Elyse could see why. Logan exuded confidence and charisma. His rugged good looks, muscular body and dirty mouth were enough to keep any woman coming back for more. Elyse wanted more and she’d just met the man!

She hurried over to the table and put two pieces of French toast on Logan’s plate as he came back inside.

“Sorry about the interruption.” He washed his hands and then took a seat at the table. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. I haven’t spoken to her in three months.”

“It’s easier when a girl thinks her ex is at home, lonely and miserable; but now that she knows I’m here – well, I’m sure she’s not happy about that.” She poured a cup of coffee and set it down in front of him. “She seems a little desperate if you ask me. Bringing the groceries to check up on us is so high school.”

“I told her to leave you alone.”

“I can handle myself.”

He pulled her into his lap and then took her face between his hands. The force of his movements caused her clit to throb. Her body had never responded to anyone this way; but with Logan all she could think about was sex. Raw, dirty, rough sex.

“I’m sure you can cupcake, but where I come from a man takes care of his woman.”

“
His
woman?”

“You have a problem with that?”

“No, but I don’t remember agreeing to be yours.” She teased.

“Is that a challenge?”

“Maybe.”

“Let’s eat and then I’m going to take you out.”

“Where?”

“It’s autumn in Connecticut.” He stroked her cheek with one work roughened finger. “The leaves are changing. Let’s pack a picnic and a blanket, hop in my truck and go for a little ride. You’ll love the scenery – the fall colors.”