16

This was the moment Logan had been waiting three years for. This time, he was going to give her a kiss that she not only remembered, but one that would seep deep into her system.

The instant their lips touched, she surprised the hell out of him by darting her tongue inside his mouth. Her brazen move was all the incentive he needed, and he didn’t hesitate to capture her tongue with his own. Was that a shudder he felt passing through her?

Logan wasn’t sure, but he did know that there was something about her taste that immediately heightened the beat of his pulse and caught him completely off guard. He tried to retain control but it wasn’t easy with the way her mouth was mating hungrily with his. If she had all this passion in her tongue, he could just imagine what the rest of her had to offer.

The kiss was making his heart pound and body throb in a way they never had before. He couldn’t help wondering if she thought this encounter might compromise their friendship. Did it matter to her? It definitely didn’t to him, not when he could feel the essence of their kiss in every pore of his body. In every nerve.

The music had stopped playing moments ago, but he hadn’t wanted to stop. Finally, breaking off the kiss, he slowly eased his mouth away from hers, but refusing to release her just yet, he grazed his jaw against her ear and whispered low in his throat, “I do wish you lasting prosperity, Claire.”

He then took a step back and when he looked at her--and saw the way she was looking at him--sexual hunger clawed at his insides. He tried like hell to reel in his desires. He didn’t want to move too quickly. There was no way he could get her to fall as deeply in love with him as he was with her during the time they had together. That wasn’t his goal. What he wanted, before she returned to Algiers, was a commitment that they would be in an exclusive relationship.

That would be a start. And since she already had plans to return to the States, he could handle a long-distance romance. He figured if he turned up the heat now, she would realize his intentions--to be the only man in her life—by the time their trip was over.

Slow music began playing again and he noticed they were alone on the patio. At some point, the other couple had left. Logan could only stare at Claire and feel the sexual chemistry building between them, making them fully aware of what was taking place. He also knew their minds were whirling as to how to handle it. Acting on that chemistry would be a major game-changer in their relationship and they both knew it. More than anything, he wanted to take that step. But did she?

As if they reached the same decision at the same time, they both took a step forward. Wordlessly, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, this time, even more passionately than before. From the sound of Claire’s moan, she liked it.

Whether she was aware of it or not, he was putting all the love he felt for her in this kiss. Of course, he wanted her to enjoy it, but more than anything, he wanted her to feel it, let it seep into her bones and subsequently into her heart.

They weren’t dancing anymore, and weren’t even pretending to. Tonight, they were crossing a threshold, and as far as he was concerned, there was no going back. Moving forward, he intended to seal the deal, turning up the heat in any way he could. All was fair in love and war. And he was waging a fight for love. Her love.

He finally, reluctantly broke their kiss, whispering against her moist lips, “I’m ready to leave to finish this elsewhere, are you?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Taking her hand, Logan led her back inside to gather their belongings. This night was only going to get better.

Claire shifted in the car seat to study Logan. His eyes were focused on the road and his expression was unreadable. Was he having second thoughts? According to Asia, Logan wanted something permanent. That was not for her. All she wanted to do was seize the moment. She wasn’t looking for anything lasting forever.

Maybe this would be a good time to reemphasize that. But then, hadn’t she done that, several times? She’d been upfront and honest with him. Nothing was different. It would take more than a couple of kisses to make her change her mind about something like that.

And speaking of kisses…

Her toes were tingling just thinking about them. Over the past few days, she’d tried to imagine how it would feel to be kissed by him. But nothing had prepared her for the real thing. The kiss he’d given her their last night in Arizona, when she’d had a bad dream had been for comfort, as a way to console her. She’d felt his heat but he’d held back.

Tonight Logan hadn’t held back on anything. The moment he’d touched his mouth to hers, she’d been a goner. All she’d wanted to do was take everything she could get from it. And he had delivered. Passionately so. He had kissed her in a way she’d never been kissed before. Expertly. Skillfully. Proficiently. Even now, her bones felt like mush just remembering it.

The skin where he’d held her around the waist was still branded from his touch. Her whole body vibrated in anticipation. Would he follow through with the promise of that kiss? Or would he come to his senses and leave her in her cold bed alone, once he realized that marriage wasn’t on the table? She’d soon find out.

When they finally pulled into the driveway, she knew it was time to broach the subject. She had a feeling, especially if his thoughts were running along the same path as hers, that once that door closed behind them, they wouldn’t want to talk. They would start kissing again, and that would lead to…other things. Thoughts of those other things had intense heat spreading up her legs and made her nipples pressing against her dress feel like tight buds.

He brought the car to a stop. After turning off the ignition, he released his seatbelt and then reached across to release hers. The brush of his arm against her chest sent sparks of heat racing through her. When she gasped, he asked, “Having second thoughts, Claire?”

She wished his deep, husky voice didn’t have the ability to make her shake in eagerness. “No, I’m not. Are you?”

He smiled. Why did he have to smile at her like that? It was different from any smile he’d ever given her, and there had been plenty of them over the last two weeks. This smile seemed to hold a wealth of longing and lust. But then, there was something else in it, as well, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“No. Not in a million years will any second thoughts creep into my mind.”

That was a good thing, right? she thought. Just to be certain, she said, “So you have no problem with us indulging in an affair, just for the rest of our trip?”

No, Logan thought. He didn’t have a problem with that, as long as it was more than an affair once the trip was over. He knew what he wanted…and it was more than just some time with her between the sheets. He wanted forever. But there was no need to explain his wants or his ultimate goal now. Starting tonight, he intended to break down her defenses, get rid of any roadblocks and pave a way to her heart. He would not settle for anything less. He loved her and no matter how long it took, he would ensure that she loved him, too. He was a patient man and he wouldn’t give up on her. He believed in his heart that she was meant for him. Now he just had to make sure she knew it as well.

Reaching out, he took her hand in his. “No, I don’t have a problem with it. I want you. And in the morning, we’ll still be friends. However, our friendship will be even more special, Claire.”

He leaned over and placed what would have been a chaste kiss on her lips, only temptation got the best of him and he swiped a lick across them as well. He heard her release a sharp breath. “Come on, let’s go inside,” he said.

He got out and walked around to her side of the car. Opening her door, he extended his hand out to her. She took it and the minute their flesh connected, he felt intense desire surge through every part of his body.

Walking hand in hand, they headed toward the front door. He glanced over at her as he inserted the key into the lock and opened the door, then stepped aside for her to enter. Once inside, he closed the door behind them and locked it.

He watched her glance over at the fireplace and wondered if she missed those nights in Arizona. “We can build a fire if you want,” he said.

She switched her gaze to him and in a voice that was velvety soft, she said, “Or we can build a fire of our own.”

Her words painted a picture that was maddeningly sexy. A long, pulsing silence ensued between them. When he couldn’t stand it any longer, he began moving toward her. With every step he took, his muscles became tight with desire.

Tonight, he intended to brand her. No matter where she went, she would know she was his, just like he was hers. Suddenly, an intense need to bind her to him had blood pounding through him. He came to a stop in front of her, completely mesmerized by the beautiful dark eyes staring back at him.

Although she wasn’t fighting her desire for him, Logan was certain she didn’t intend to let that desire go any further. He, on the other hand, was determined to make sure the total opposite happened. They had a few more weeks to spend together. He was going to make every day count.

He held out his hand to her. It was important to him that she took it, that she agreed to this without hesitation. The beginning of their affair had to be something they both wanted. There would be no turning back. But she surprised him by not only taking his hand but by lifting it to her lips and placing a feather-light kiss on it.

The moment she released his hand, he pulled her to him and crushed his mouth down on hers.