Page 45 of Switching Places

“Be right there.”

Emma retrieved her purse, checked to make sure she had the keys, and then closed the door. Logan hadn’t moved. Suddenly she was almost pushing against him to get the door shut. His heat enveloped her, she could feel the warm cotton of his shirt against her shoulder.

“Your friend coming, too? It might be a tight squeeze,” Toby asked.

She shook her head.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” she asked Logan, sidestepping to put some distance between them.

“You can count on it.”

He pulled her up against him, pressed her mouth beneath his and kissed her hard. Releasing her, he cocked one eyebrow arrogantly and nodded.

“Have fun tonight.”

Emma watched as he sauntered toward his home, stunned at the kiss, at her reaction. She couldn’t believe he’d kissed her. Right in public, right with a carload of people watching. If she could get her breath, she’d yell after him and tell him—

“Lily, let’s go,” Toby called.

She hurried the short distance to the car. Opening the back door, she slid into the seat next to Sally.

“Lily, if you ever get tired of your neighbor, throw him my way. Wow, what a kiss, and you aren’t even spending the evening with him. Didn’t he want to come with?”

“Uh, I didn’t ask him.”

She floundered, her pulse still beating lickety-split.

“Saving him for herself alone,” another passenger murmured. “Lily, how’ve you been? I’m glad Toby volunteered to drive. We’re going to the Parkers’s place first, then if that drags, we’ll try Maggie’s. I can’t wait to get some dancing in. I haven’t done anything physical in weeks.”

“Yeah, if you don’t count the swimming you’re doing for that aquatics club,” Sally said.

Emma settled back and let the exchange wash over her.

Smiling, she tried to push Logan’s audacious kiss from the forefront of her mind. She planned to memorize every moment of the evening. Gone was the uncertain librarian, in her place was wild and willing Lily Rambeau. She’d enjoy herself or die trying.

Chapter Fourteen

Logan watched the car head down Lily’s driveway. Something didn’t feel right, but he wasn’t sure exactly what it was. She looked as sexy as ever, but he’d seen her look like that before.

Tonight he’d been hard-pressed to keep casual when she’d opened the door. He’d wanted to yank her inside, bolt the door behind them and kiss her until morning. Rubbing his fingers across his eyes, he tried to figure out this blatant attraction. It had more to do with the way she wore the clothes, maybe. That odd air of innocence that seemed to follow her. He didn’t remember thinking that way about her before. Had the water in Italy mutated his brain cells?

When the car turned onto the street and sped away, he continued walking back to his own patio. He loved the view of the ocean, loved the quiet and peacefulness he found in his home. Even though it was a relatively short drive into L.A., he felt a million miles away when he was home.

Tonight the silence didn’t bring the usual sense of peace. He wished now he’d called her this afternoon and suggested dinner. He’d lived next door to her long enough to know she rarely stayed home alone.

Lily was a party girl, liked going places and seeing friends. She liked dancing, and laughing and seeing the bright lights. Nothing had changed in that. So why had he thought she’d be waiting at home for him? She’d see him tomorrow. She was free to do what she wished.

Of course tomorrow he had to share her with the others at the barbecue.

Share her? When did he want exclusivity with a woman? Not since the early days with Crystal. Hadn’t he learned anything from that fiasco?

The evening loomed ahead, long and boring. How late would she stay out? How many different guys would she dance with? Kiss?

He didn’t care what she did. She was his next-door neighbor, nothing more.

The high-heeled sandals dangled from her fingers as Emma inserted the key in the front door. When it opened, she turned and waved at the car. It sped away. Flipping on the inside lights, she closed the door behind her. The stairs seemed insurmountable.

Dancing in high heels had been a mistake. The shoes made her legs look long and sexy, but they were awful for support. She’d finally kicked them off, but not until after she’d danced several hours wearing them.

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