Glancing out over the crowd, I see the smiling faces of my friends and neighbors looking back at me. Having Logan emerge, dressed in his whites and carrying the smile I’d pretended was reserved for me was enough to make the nervous butterflies fluttering around in my stomach vanish into thin air. Looking into his eyes, face to face and not through the filter of a computer screen, they captivated and enchanted me. His irises are so blue they are nearly white and are making my body take notice, any inhibitions take a back seat to what I wanted from him. Logan took charge, kissing me as if his life depended on it, showing me how it felt to be kissed by a man who not only knew how, but wanted to.

Sitting beside him, absorbing his warmth and the way his masculine scent surrounded me, blanketing me in a calmness that was foreign, yet comfortable. Relishing the way his fingers left a fire in their wake, as his gently glided them up and down the edge of my neck and arm, heating me to a point I wanted to straddle him, not caring if everyone watched.

“Hey, Y'all.” Grasping the podium tightly, not because I was nervous or afraid to be standing here, but to keep me rooted long enough to say what I needed to say.

“I had a speech ready several days ago,” picking up my notecards, I grip them between my fingers and with a firm tug ripped them in half, tossing the torn ends behind me. “But you guys don’t need to be reminded of who is responsible for all of this or why we’re here. I will say thank you to Dr. and Mrs. Forbes for venturing down south, even if it was to size me up.” Craning my head over my right shoulder, sending a wink in Meredith’s direction.

“And to Josh, for giving me fair warning what the Forbes family was capable of, especially Logan.” I hear a unified rumble of snickers from some of the people before me. My eyes scan the crowd, landing first on my father who is trying to look intimidating in Logan's eyes, yet failing miserably, but I will give him credit.

Valerie Forbes sat in the third row, fanning her hand over her face and winking at me when she caught my eye. Somehow the reminder of how incredible Logan looked sitting in his chair didn’t strike me as creepy, even with the close relationship they had.

“Thank you again, to Reece International for their generosity. Now let's go cut a ribbon and eat some cake.”

Mrs. Dorchester, who owned the cake shop at the end of the block, had told anyone who would listen how the sweet and beautiful Meredith Forbes had phoned her personally, boasting about how she had heard from her New York society people that Donna’s Donuts and More was the best bakery they had ever sampled. I don’t know who she was trying to impress as most folks around here had never heard of Meredith to begin with, much less what high society was.

Strong arms surround me as the crowd applauds in appreciation of free cake. Connie Dorchester would have gotten more points had she skipped the society bit and gone straight to free sugar.

“Come on, I’ve arranged for seven minutes where we won't be missed.” Logan doesn’t wait for me to agree as he scoops me up bridal style and tears off down the steps, into the back seat of a waiting car.

Not a second separates the time between the sound of the door closing and Logan pressing his body to mine, lips firm and demanding taking control, cutting off the giggles which bubbled out of my chest without my permission. His hands trap my face, holding it firmly so he can explore my mouth with his tongue, rubbing his thigh against mine in tune with the talents of his tongue.

“My God, Harper, I can't wait to tear you up in the bedroom, and then cook you up something mouthwatering the next morning.”

With his lips buried in my neck, his hot breath cascades over my skin. His voice is deep and drenched with wanton need. Parts of me want to hear more, getting lost in his description of how he would ‘tear me up’, leaving me a sweating and satisfied mess, only to pamper me in the morning with his refined culinary skills. But the rational and inquisitive parts, want answers as to why he chose to call everyone else but me and let them know he was safe. The logical thinkers, solidly getting me through unscathed when my past relationships fell apart, they remind me Logan is still a relative stranger to me. A man who has lacked female attention for who knows how long, telling me I should know better than to believe any sweet words which fall from his lips.

A knock on the window negates my need to refuse him, or any further exploration of my lack of defenses when it comes to Logan.

“Goddamn it.”

He swears as he places his forehead against mine. His breathing comes out in labored pants, the hard muscles of his chest and arms slightly relaxing as he lets out a strangled breath. Pulling back as the knock sounds again, a deep growl escapes from his throat.

“Okay, let's give my mother her time to do what she does, eat some dry cake and shake some hands. However, the second the last smile fades, I’m whisking you off to a nice dinner including copious amounts of good wine to help relax the anger I know you’re harboring against me right now.”

His statement is bold and sobering, and as he leans away from me, I catch a glimpse of the position I allowed myself to be placed in. I was blinded by the carnal need of a handsome man, one who clearly took what he wanted, accustomed to following the rules he set for himself. Righting my skirt, which had risen to the top of my thigh, the lace edge of my panties on display all to see. Daring a glance into his face, his eyes are indeed on the area I had covered; a raised brow and cheeky smile tell me all I need to know.

Josh stands with his back to the opened car door, hands on hips bunching his jacket in the back. Logan offers his hand to assist me out of the car, his elongated fingers wrapping around my much smaller ones. I expect him to separate our hands when my feet touch the pavement, instead, he intertwines our fingers and pulls me close to him.

“Harper, Meredith wants Sarah and Avery to stand with you as the two of you cut the ribbon.”

Tossing a look over his shoulder, noticing our clasped hands he looks back at Logan, a knowing look shared between them.

“You, my friend, are in a fair amount of hot water with your mother.”

Logan pulls my hand to his lips, gently placing a kiss on my skin, “Completely worth it.”

My heart skips a beat as I take him in. Tan skin a by-product of the time he has spent in the sun. His cover rides against his eyebrows, calling attention to the blue orbs I can’t help but get lost in. Dark hair, freshly cut by the looks of it, a deep contrast between his skin and the white of his uniform. Sharp chin freshly shaved, something I’m not certain if I will have to get used to. With his unannounced arrival, for an uncertain duration, I'm not sure about anything right now.

Weston waves us over, Meredith is like a different person with the cameras on. Several big time news agencies patiently wait for their turn to ask questions. Sarah and Avery are posed at the edge of a red carpet, all smiles and wide eyes at the sight of Logan and I approaching, our hands clasped and bodies close enough to dispel any question of what is going on between us.

Avery begins to vibrate in her heels, the dark curls falling over her shoulders bounce from the force of it all. Meredith ends the interview, turning to face us, an approving smile crosses her lips, with her arms folded against her chest in an attempt to be intimidating. While she has never struck me as a person to fear, Logan has increased the speed and length of his steps, causing me to nearly trip as I try to keep up.

“Logan Marshall Forbes!”

Meredith’s raised voice calls across the pavement, her smile falling into a severe frown. Her flawless forehead bows slightly but not a single wrinkle dares to show its face.

“Slow your steps, you’re gonna cause her to trip and fall.”

Logan immediately stops, looks from me to Meredith, “I could pick her up and carry her if you’re really concerned.” Weston hides a laugh behind a cough and a well-placed fist, while Meredith shoots him the same shameful look she shared with Logan. Not wanting to call any more attention to the situation than there already is, I step around Logan, ignoring his attempt to pull me back, and drag him with half-hearted effort to where the rest of them are standing. Flashes from the cameras startle me, nearly making me miss the edge of the carpet. Logan steps in behind me, lifting me at the waist without breaking his stride or alerting any attention to my near fumble.

“Hello, Logan.” Meredith welcomes him with open arms. He bends down to embrace her as I step around the unit to stand beside a still excited Avery. Not having his hand in mine feels cold, despite the warmth of the bright sun shining down on us. I can still smell his cologne, masculine and fresh, the exact way I want a man to smell.

“I’m going out on a limb and assume this is the Logan Forbes.”

Sarah had taken it upon herself to share the Lifetime Movie worthy story of how we met. Avery had practically sighed every third word as Sarah told her version of the events; minus the details I kept to myself.

“Yes, but don’t ask me why he’s here and not in Afghanistan. I had no idea he was considering a visit.”

I ponder my own words, his appearance today was unexpected, and could explain his lack of contact with me in the past few days. Would his departure be just as quick, and secret?

“It's obvious why he’s here.” Bumping her shoulder against mine. “The question is,” Avery looks around and then leans in close to my ear. “Why did you let him out of the back seat of that truck?”

A hand on my shoulder pulls me away from the conversation I have no real desire to participate in. “Harper, we need to get this moving.” Josh leans into the space between myself and Avery, his interruption welcomed and I say an internal ‘thank you’ for the save.

I followed Josh’s instructions as to where he wanted me to stand, turned and twisted to make certain we created a perfect picture. With Meredith on my right and Sarah and Avery on my left, I smile until my face hurt and held the over-sized scissors hovering over a bright yellow ribbon until I was instructed to cut. When the applause began to die down, and the questions directed at Meredith started again, I chanced a glance at the people gathered. Many friends and fellow business owners came out in support. Some of them genuine, while others like Mona and the Mayors, were parts played in a game of keeping face.

Logan stood beside Weston, their heads leaning in one another’s direction, no doubt discussing his plans for his visit, perhaps a stop in New York to catch up with the rest of his family there. I tried not to think of how short my time with him could possibly be.

“That fucking idiot!”

Snapping my head in Sarah’s direction, shocked at her crude choice in words. Her eyes were narrowed into slits and locked on something deep in the crowd, anger visible in the crevices of her furrowed brow. Following her line of sight, I search for half a second when I see what has her so pissed off.

Lance stands in the center of the sidewalk, arms crossed and a smug look on his face. A combination of anger and fear seethe through my body, and it takes everything I am not to run across the parking lot and ask him what his issue is.

Movement to my right brings me back to Logan, who must have been watching the pair of us and is already halfway to where Lance is standing. I'm about to take a step, and somehow stop any unnecessary confrontation from taking place. Logan is bigger, taller and, no doubt, smarter than Lance and while I have no loyalty or affection for him, I don’t want him to get hurt.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Sarah grips my arm, keeping me from moving forward. I watch with my heart in my throat as Logan approaches Lance, the crowd parting like the Red Sea to let him through. His white uniform, highlighted by the sun, causing him to almost glow. The pair stand parallel to me and I can see each of their profiles clearly. Logan looks down on the much shorter Lance, who doesn’t change his stance or look the slightest bit intimidated. Logan stands with feet apart, his hands at his side, and appears to be speaking quite calmly. With the exception of the movement of his cover, I don’t suspect his words are heated.

Several seconds tick by and as I'm ready to let out the breath I've been holding, Logan raises his right hand, tapping his index and middle finger in the center of Lance’s chest. I pull in a quick breath as Lance attempts to knock his fingers away, but the size difference makes it impossible. Suddenly, Lance tries to grip Logan’s fingers, but faster than I can blink, Logan has his hand bent backward, causing Lance to cringe in pain. Logan lets him go with a shove, and then lowers his head to the same level. As Lance rights himself, clutching his injured hand against his chest, Logan steps back and begins to walk away. He makes it three steps when Lance says something I can’t hear. Logan stops, turns slightly and responds in a crystal clear voice.

“Try it and see what I do, motherfucker.”