Iggie had taken care of the rental SUV, so Logan piled into the back seat with Vivian as they made the short drive to the huge, log cabin lodge. Once they checked in, he almost dragged her along the passage to their room. With Iggie’s laughter and Sadie calling out the time to meet for dinner, he unlocked the door, swinging it open. Stepping inside first in order to do a perimeter check, as was his habit, his eyes were still viewing the room when Vivian ducked underneath his arm and gasped.

“This is gorgeous,” she cried out, twirling in the middle of the room. It was paneled, with one wall containing a sliding glass door leading out to the balcony. The heavy, wooden furniture included a king-sized bed, its posters made of logs. The bedspread in blues and greens added color to the dark, cozy room. She peeked into the bathroom, her breath leaving her in a rush. “Oh, my God, Logan. Come look.”

He stepped behind her, his hands on her shoulders as he viewed the private toilet, long counter, large shower and, in the corner, a huge, kick-ass jetted tub.

“I don’t have a bathing suit, but we don’t have to leave the room—umph!” she grunted as he scooped her up and stalked back to the bed, laying them both down.

“I’ve been hard since we got here, babe. We can explore the merits of the jetted tub later.”

Laughing, she planted her hand on the bed and sat up. Standing, she grinned as she said, “Allow me.” Bending, she grabbed one of his boots and undid the laces, pulling on the sides before sliding it from his foot.

Logan stared wide-eyed, wondering what she was up to. She removed his second boot, dropping it on the floor next to the first one. Kicking off her shoes, she continued to grin as she grabbed the bottom of her shirt and pulled it slowly over her head. His chest felt heavy, his cock responding to her striptease. Sliding her jeans down her legs, she stood in a simple bra and panty set. Nothing too fancy. Just light pink, with a little bow between her breasts.

He sat up quickly, reaching for her, but she skirted back. Shaking her finger, she said, “No, no. This is my time.” She climbed back up on the tall bed and straddled his thighs and he grinned, perfectly willing to let her take charge, knowing whatever she had planned it would end up with both of them satisfied.

And he was not wrong.

* * *

Could this possibly seem more normal?

Vivian sat on the deep, comfortable cushion on one side of the tall, wooden booth of the lodge’s restaurant. Logan sat next to her, or rather, so close that his thigh pressed against hers from ass to knee. His arm was slung casually around the back of her shoulders, his fingers occasionally rubbing her neck.

Across from them were Iggie and Sadie—their positions similar. The seafood and steaks were excellent and, even now, over wine and dessert, their conversations never lagged.

After she and Logan had come up for air from their afternoon tryst, Iggie called and told them to get to the hot springs. Neither of them had bathing suits, but a quick trip to the lodge’s store took care of that issue and they soon met their friends in the hot springs. Lounging in the warm water, she had felt her tension release as all her muscles relaxed. And now, sitting in the restaurant, she felt as much of a couple as Iggie and Sadie.

She knew it was only half pretend—after all, she and Logan had become a real couple, but pretending to be married no longer felt adventurous. It felt disingenuous. She was falling, and Logan had even said he wanted her to meet his family. And yet, there was so much more to do with the mission. And so much more she did not know about him. The sex was phenomenal and when he held her during the night, it all felt so real. But there’s a look in his eye sometimes when we’re planning our work…a look I don’t understand.

Feeling his fingers squeeze her shoulder slightly, she jumped, cutting her eyes to him.

“Viv? You okay, babe?”

His voice rumbled gently next to her ear, the look in his eyes one of concern.

Smiling, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m great.” Glancing back to the empty plates and glasses, she said, “I think I’m just full and getting sleepy.”

His lips curved at her answer, his fingers tightening once more. “Gotta get you outta here and back to bed. You’ll have sweet dreams in that big, comfortable bed.”

“I swear, this is our anniversary, but seeing you two so much in love, it makes my heart happy,” Sadie said, leaning against Iggie.

Vivian’s eyes shifted quickly across the table, her smile still in place, but Logan saw a flash of uncertainty there. His hand returned to her neck, where he rubbed his thumb in long, slow movements, easing the tension.

Looking over at the other couple, he said, “Guys, this has been a great evening and a great meal. But my girl is about to drop, so I’m going to get the check and get her tucked in for the night.” Before he could take the check, Iggie’s hand snapped out, grabbing it first.

“No way, Preacher. You took time off from work, flew us here without even charging for fuel—this meal’s on us.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but Iggie leaned in closer. “I know you’re the kind of man who doesn’t like others to pay, but Preacher, what you’ve gotta understand is by doing this, I’ll be doing something nice for my woman, who never asks for much, works harder than anyone I know, and loves me in spite of my craziness. This is me, expressing my gratitude that, because of you and Vivian, my woman got a weekend full of good memories, with good people, in a nice as fuck place.”

Logan moved his hand back and nodded, understanding exactly what Iggie was saying. He looked over at Sadie who was staring at Iggie like he hung the moon. And to her, he did.

Feeling the pressure of Vivian’s fingers on his leg, he turned his head to see her smiling up at him, the expression on her face, so similar to Sadie’s, it almost hurt.

“Come on, babe.” He slid out of the booth, his hand holding tightly to hers as he assisted her up. “See you tomorrow,” he called, as he tucked her underneath his shoulder and they walked out of the restaurant side by side.

Once back in their room, Vivian plopped down in one of the heavy chairs padded with a deep green cushion that, like the bed, was crafted from logs. Pulling off her shoes, she wiggled her toes as she leaned back and groaned. “I ate so much…drank so much. I can’t move.”

Chuckling, Logan disappeared into the bathroom and she heard water running. He was gone for several minutes before, finally, curiosity got the best of her. Walking into the bathroom on bare feet, she smiled as she regarded the deep tub almost full of steamy water. He flipped the switch, turning off all the lights except for the candle sconces on the walls that circled the tub. Looking at the scene, she smiled, her hand going to the belt on her dress.

Stepping directly in front of her, he shook his head as his hands moved hers away. “Uh uh,” he said, untying her belt before moving to the zipper at the back of her dress. “You stripped for me earlier...now it’s my turn.”

Slowly he peeled her dress, bra, and undies away, then held her hand as he assisted her into the tub. She sunk into the water, it’s warmth instantly surrounding her. As she leaned back, a smile lighting her face, he stripped quickly and said, “Slide up, just a bit, babe.”

She obeyed and soon the water rose even higher as his body slid in behind hers, his muscular thighs on either side of her body, her back now resting against his chest. Wrapping his powerful arms around her, he held her…engulfed her.

“I said what I meant, back there in the restaurant,” he said, his voice low, vibrating against her back. “You need a hot bath, someone to take care of you, and then a good night’s sleep, curled up next to me in a bed that doesn’t separate when you roll over.”

The thought of their makeshift bed back in Ester caused a giggle to erupt. Settling back, she nodded. “I like sleeping next to you,” she confessed.

“I kind of got that, Viv.”

She twisted her head around, but he held her so tight, she only managed to view his throat, but he explained.

“Every morning, I wake up with your leg over mine or tangled up in mine. Your hand is on my chest or my stomach. Your face is on my shoulder and your body is smooshed up next to mine. Hence, I got that you like sleeping next to me.”

“That’s irritating, you know,” she said, turning her head back and looking at his legs surrounding hers. His chuckle, which caused her body to move with the vibrations, caused her to sigh. “And for the record, you laughing at me is irritating also.”

“I’ve never woken up next to a woman before.”

Those words halted her breathing and she waited to see what else he would say.

“Never wanted to. I might have been called Preacher, but I wasn’t a monk. But either I left, or they did. Never took anyone to my apartments when I had them. Never took anyone back to my house in Montana. Sure as hell never took anyone to meet my family…not even the girl I dated in college.” Leaning down so his mouth was right next to her ear, he continued, “And I never slept all night with a woman. So, do you get why, waking up with you all tangled up with me, knowing you want that as much as I do, is so important to me? Not making fun of you, Viv. I fuckin’ love it.”

The earlier doubts flew from her mind and she moved so quickly he barely had time to brace. Twisting her body around, she grabbed his cheeks in her hands and straddled his legs. Some water sloshed over the side, but she did not care. All that mattered was this man, this big, beautiful man. Pulling him in for a kiss that she poured everything she had into, she devoured his mouth, taking and giving all at the same time.

Logan felt a change in her, as though any lingering doubts about his feelings for her had melted away. Taking charge, he tilted her head so he could maximize the kiss, now being the one who gave as much as he took.

Soon, she rooted herself on his cock, her hands on his shoulders, riding him with her breasts lightly bouncing, as the waves of surrounding water sloshed even more over the side of the tub.

Later, they made it to the huge bed, legs tangled, her head resting on his chest where his arms pulled her in tight. And sweet dreams circled them both.