Page 45 of Wild Boys After Dark: Logan
Willow plucked a few bars of soap from the box. The door opened behind them, and they all turned. Logan’s eyes zeroed in on Stella. Her pulse quickened as he placed his hand on her hip, and pressed his lips to hers. She stole a glance at Willow and Bridgette, and they were both smiling.
They looked at each other and said in unison, “Definitely his girlfriend.”
Stella felt her cheeks heat up and caught Logan’s confident—proud?—gaze. The idea that he would be proud to be with her made her stomach do that flippy thing again.
“Was there a bet placed, and if so, who lost?” Logan’s lips quirked up in a devilish grin.
“She lost.” Bridgette nodded to Stella before hugging Logan. “Good to see you.”
Louie came barreling into the bakery with Roxie on his heels. “Logan!” The little bundle of energy flung himself into Logan’s arms.
“Hey, buddy. How’s it going?” Everything about Logan softened as his arms circled the boy in a protective and loving embrace.
“Did you bring me anything?” Louie asked.
Bridgette touched her son’s back. “Louie, that’s not nice.”
“But he always brings me things,” Louie said as he touched Logan’s cheek with his pudgy little hand. “Don’t ya?”
Logan shifted his eyes to Bridgette, silently waiting for approval, and that thoughtful motion made Stella’s heart open to him even more. He was so different from the man she’d thought he was when she’d first seen him, and it made her realize how similar they were. Both appearing to be something they weren’t. As she watched Logan give Louie a pack of baseball cards he’d had hidden in his pocket and then crouch beside the boy as he opened them, Stella wanted to know everything about Logan. How was he so fearless when he obviously had an equally strong nurturing, loving side? Why was their connection so powerful? And what had he done today that made him look so relaxed?
“Come on, buddy. We have to get back to the flower shop,” Bridgette said as she took Louie’s hand. They said goodbye to Stella and Logan and disappeared the way they’d come.
Logan placed a hand on Stella’s lower back as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She moved closer, beginning to believe it was. Logan smiled as he slid his hand around her waist to tighten his hold.
“Thank you for letting Stella spend the day here,” Logan said to Willow.
“We had fun, didn’t we, Stella?”
Stella nodded, trying to ignore the quick and disturbing thoughts that were rushing into her mind. There were fewer than forty-eight hours until Kutcher was released. She’d been able to escape it today amid the busyness of the bakery, but now there was no forcing reality away. She wanted to pretend, just for a while longer, that everything was okay. That she was a normal girl who lived a normal life like she’d done today. She wanted just a few more hours in this friendly town before she slipped into her coat of fear again.
LOGAN SAT ACROSS from Stella in a cozy restaurant at the edge of town, trying to read the conflicting emotions washing over her face. She hadn’t eaten much of her dinner and was pushing vegetables across her plate with her fork.
“So, do you really think this guy Kanets will rat out Kutcher? I still don’t understand how it can help. Kutcher’s getting out of jail, remember?”
Logan reached across the table for her hand, then thought better of it and came around the booth to join her on the bench seat. He draped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her in close, needing to ease her worry but knowing he couldn’t guarantee a damn thing.
“I’ve taken every measure to make him talk, and if he doesn’t talk, then he’ll go to jail for an even longer time for possession of drugs and firearms while on parole.”
“If he’s going to jail anyway, why would he rat Kutcher out?” Stella trapped her lower lip between her teeth.
“Because he’ll go for many more years without a plea bargain. A day in jail is like a month in the free world. Have faith in me, Stella.” Logan cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. She followed it with her tongue.
He nuzzled against her cheek. “I missed you so much today. If you keep looking sexy and cute, I’m going to have to kiss you, and I may not stop with one kiss.”
“I missed you, too, and I hate when you stop with just one kiss.”
Their lips met in an urgent, demanding kiss. He slid his hand up her thigh beneath the cover of the table and swallowed the sweet moan that escaped her lungs. She grabbed his wrist and moved his hand higher. Heat permeated the rough denim. He buried his other hand in her hair and brought his mouth to her ear.
