Page 28 of Winter’s Fire

Oh God, he can’t have heard—he can’t.

Lucy froze—she didn’t dare move, or even breathe. If Logan had heard her, if he came to investigate… the level of embarrassment would be off the scale.

Oh shit. There it was, a giveaway creak. Could have been floorboards or a door—Lucy wasn’t sure, but if Logan was coming to investigate…

“Lucy?”

The low voice provoked a string of mental profanities that would have appalled her mother. If she said nothing, would he leave it or investigate further? Or should she…?

Again she heard her name. Lucy yanked down the t-shirt—great, she’d grabbed one that barely reached her thighs. As she reached for the door handle, the soft knock told her one thing—he wasn’t about to give up and go away.

She schooled her features into an expression she hoped would convey a sense of having been woken from sleep. As she opened the door, she even faked a yawn, and nearly choked on it at the sight that met her.

Oh hell.

A half-naked Logan stood at her door, all hard chest and impressive biceps.

Toes cramped from digging into the carpet, thighs squeezed together so tightly she could have cracked nuts between them, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Heat exploded in her cheeks at the quirk of a male eyebrow, a clear indication that her nervous fidgeting had caught his attention.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I thought I heard… You okay?”

His genuine concern looped a noose of guilt around her neck. The noose tightened with the thought of stripping him completely naked, so he’d morph into the anonymous male of her fantasies. “I’m fine. Thanks. I think it was… I must have been dreaming.”

There was no way she could maintain eye contact with such a blatant lie.

“If you’re sure you’re okay?”

“I am.”

The finger exerting gentle pressure under her chin was unexpected, as was the dark intensity in his eyes when her gaze meshed with his. The tender kiss stole her breath.

Warmth radiated from the contact, drove away the chill of imminent discovery and embarrassment. He tasted of mint, the effect enhanced by the lingering hint of his aftershave.

Logan broke the contact and drew back. Lucy blushed again under the fresh scrutiny.

“Go back to bed. And for the record—no more masturbating without permission. Your orgasms belong to me now.”

Face aflame, Lucy stopped breathing. “What…? How…?”

“Even if I hadn’t heard you, I can smell you, princess. And if you do it again without my approval, there will be consequences.”

~~*~~

Back in bed, Logan settled back against the pillows. Funny—knowing what she’d been doing, he’d expected to feel more unsettled than this after seeing Lucy in that damn t-shirt. Even now, he was still entangled in the sweet scent of her arousal and fulfilment.

Winter by name, but not by nature. The woman was seriously hot—volcano hot. And like a volcano, she was hazardous to anyone who ventured too near.

The threat of punishment had been intended to shock her. At first he’d thought he’d achieved that, but then he’d seen the glimmer of curiosity in those pretty eyes.

The corners of his mouth quirked into a hint of a grin. Might be fun to find out what really made her tick, after all. Then he’d know how best to punish her… and how to make her come apart.

Reality was a harsh mistress. Their relationship was window dressing for a mission, the threat of punishment had no power at all, and whatever pleasure Lucy sought, she wouldn’t want it from him.

Forget the sex. Get your mind on the mission.Focus on the details.

Details like the wardrobe he’d been considering before the… interruption. He wanted her in fetish wear that made a statement, about both her status and their relationship. When they reached the resort, everyone would know she was under his protection. He might even put a leash on her.

Yeah, he liked that idea. A short leash, so he could keep her close and keep her out of trouble.