Chapter Eleven
The first batch of biscuits came out of the oven a golden brown. As if on cue, Logan sauntered into the kitchen and swiped one from the tray.
“Ouch, that’s hot.” He blew on the biscuit and popped it into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “Perfect.” He reached for another and Josephine slapped his hand.
“You mustn’t touch these. They’re for supper tonight.” Realizing what she had done, Josephine’s hand went to her throat. “Oh, my, I didn’t mean to do that.”
After a brief uneasy silence, Ella burst out laughing.
“Logan, you should have seen the expression on your face when Josephine smacked you.” She pulled out a chair and sat down. “It was hilarious.”
Logan regarded them both for several seconds, then left. Josephine collapsed into a chair and groaned. Ella started to giggle again and she threw the girl a withering glare.
“I’m sorry.” Ella sat up straight and cleared her throat. “Okay, I’ll behave.” A few seconds later she burst into laughter once again.
Josephine rolled her eyes. “Well, at least one of us finds the situation humorous.” She got up from the table and began rolling out dough.
With the corner of her apron, Ella dried her eyes and soon the two were busy making another batch of biscuits.
After a while, Josephine remarked softly, “I can’t believe I smacked your brother.” She looked up at Ella and managed a smile. “Did he seem angry?”
“I think he was more shocked than angry.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, you know.” Josephine’s thoughts raced. What was Logan thinking? Would he spank her for taking such liberties? Holy smokes, what had possessed her to do such a forward thing?
She recalled the surprise on his face. “He sure pulled back his hand pretty quick.”
“He sure did.” Ella slipped her a sidelong glance. The smirk on her face was too infectious to ignore and soon they were both laughing at Logan’s expense.
After another tray of biscuits were placed inside the oven, Josephine wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She couldn’t remember when she’d had such a pleasant day. When she and Hedy planned a day of baking and doing other female stuff they both enjoyed, Jed would always find a way to ruin things.
* * *
Supper turned out to be a quiet affair. Logan made no mention of what had happened earlier and Josephine did her best to avoid looking at Ella, who still wore a hint of a smile.
Later in the evening, Josephine went to her room. After she washed her face and hands, she changed into one of the nightgowns Ella had provided and climbed into bed.
She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, but sleep would not come. Events of the day swirled in her head. Unable to relax, she pulled on her robe and tiptoed into the kitchen for a glass of milk. The lamp on the table cast a mere hint of light, just enough for her to see where she was going. She finished her drink and turned to leave when a voice stopped her in her tracks.
“I hope for your sake you don’t plan on slapping this biscuit out of my hand.”
“Logan, you scared the daylights out of me.”
He turned the flame up higher, but shadows still covered half of his face, making him appear harsher than usual. He pushed the plate of biscuits toward her and motioned for her to sit.
Taking the invitation as a truce, she sat and said, “I apologize for the slap. I can be impulsive at times.”
He stood up and went to the icebox. Josephine couldn’t peel her eyes away from his bare chest and the way his thick muscles flexed with each movement. He refilled her glass with fresh milk and resumed his seat.
“Thank you.” She raised the glass to her mouth and took a sip.
“You’re welcome.” He folded his hands on his abdomen. “Let’s see, slapping your boss isn’t the way to get on his good side.”
“I wasn’t aware you had a good side.” For some unknown reason she couldn’t resist needling him.
“Such fire and sass. You need taming, little girl.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I am not a little girl.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.” His eyes dropped to her breasts. “Believe you me, I’ve noticed.”
Josephine’s face flushed. One minute he made her angry and the next excited. His mere presence sucked most of the air out of the room.
“I should get back to bed. Goodnight.”
Before she could reach the doorway, he swept her up in his arms. Josephine hung onto his neck for purchase. “Logan, put me down.”
“Not a chance. You feel way too good.” He carried her back to his chair and set her on his lap. She dropped her arms from his neck and pushed at his chest.
“Logan, please let me go.”
“Nope.”
She raised her hand to slap him. He caught her wrist. “Hit me and I’ll spank you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wanna bet?” He caught both wrists in one hand and pinned them behind her back. “Don’t push me, little girl.” He slipped one hand along the back of her neck and drew her in. His warm breath fanned her cheek. “I believe one kiss would prove just how sorry you are.”
Josephine’s robe may have covered her exposed flesh, but it did nothing to prevent the searing heat of his bare skin against her breasts. With her wrists still pinned at the small of her back, she was truly captured. She should be scared. She should demand again that he release her this very minute. To her shame she didn’t do either one.
“Kiss me, Josephine.” He nuzzled the side of her neck and she moaned. His tongue traced the neckline above her breasts, leaving behind a sizzle of heat.
“I, I’m not sure what to do. I never kissed a man before.”
“I’ll show you,” he whispered and proceeded to kiss a path along the side of her neck. Goosebumps puckered her fevered skin. He stopped to suckle her earlobe then continued on his way to nibble along the line of her jaw.
Finally, his firm mouth slanted lightly upon hers and he took her breath away.
Josephine trembled beneath the onslaught of his mouth. Her sex grew slick and her nipples tightened. She never imagined a simple touching of a man’s mouth upon hers could be so erotic. Everything about him exuded male.
When the kiss ended Josephine whimpered with disappointment. Pliant in his arms, she rested her forehead against his strong shoulder.
Logan released her wrists and she slipped her arms around his waist. She wriggled her hips in an attempt to get closer.
He groaned. “You best get to bed.”
He sounded angry. As if he wanted to get rid of her.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Logan picked her up and set her on her feet. “No, Josephine, you did nothing wrong. In fact, you did everything right.” He grabbed her arm, turned her sideways, and smacked her ass hard. “Go. To. Bed.”
This time he didn’t prevent her from reaching the doorway. Disappointed, she stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder.
He rose to his feet and cocked an arrogant brow. “Run, little girl. If you know what’s good for you, run and when you get to your room, lock the door.”
The underlying threat was unmistakable. She’d either leave or suffer the consequences and heaven help her, she longed to disobey him just to feel his arms around her once again.
Josephine tossed her head in defiance.
An evil grin spread across his face. “I always did like a challenge.” He stepped toward her with fierce determination.
Josephine’s courage fled and she raced from the kitchen as if the devil himself was at her heels.