Page 65 of Winter’s Fire

“I am.” He’d looked at Lucy then, wondering if she was aware of the conversation going on around her. “I am.”

The evening’s entertainment continued, but Logan’s priority was Lucy. As he shouldered open the door of the bungalow, he heard an incoherent murmur come from his precious bundle, accompanied by a hint of movement. “Take it easy, babe. You can sleep soon.”

“I’m okay. What happened?”

“Shh. I’m going to take you into the bedroom. I want you to stay there and rest, while I take care of a couple of things.”

“Okay.”

She snuggled against him. Smiling, Logan shook his head. She’d never been so compliant. Certainly not back at headquarters. Was this really the same woman who’d given him so much grief over his expenses and his late reports?

One thing he did know—as soon as they arrived back home, they needed to have a long, honest talk.

He set her down on the bed, and lifted the cool cotton sheet over her.

“Lucy?”

“Mm?”

“I need you to stay here. I won’t be long, just a few minutes.”

A slightly drunken grin appeared. “Not going anywhere. Tired.” She rolled to one side and gave a little wriggle that had him instantly hard.

He wasn’t surprised she was tired. Before she settled for the night, though, he wanted to make sure she was clean and comfortable—not that she exactly looked uncomfortable at the moment.

They hadn’t yet tried either of the outdoor tubs in the bungalow’s small private garden—tonight, though, was the night, and the bathtub was ideal for what Logan had planned. While it filled with hot water, liberally dosed with fragrant bubble bath and essential oils that supposedly promoted sleep and relaxation, he checked the solar lights staked all around the garden area. The sound of nocturnal insects played against the distant backdrop of surf washing up the beach, and stars sparkled like minuscule diamonds up above.

“Come on, sleepyhead.” Logan stripped his woman and lifted her from her cocoon on the bed, to carry her outside. She gave a contented sigh and half-opened her eyes.

“Where are we going, Sir?”

“Not far. We’re going to clean you up, and then get you ready for bed.”

She giggled. “I was in bed already.”

“You were, but who’s in charge here?”

“You are.”

“Glad you know it.”

Logan settled her on the well-padded chair by the tub. He stripped in double-quick time, and then helped Lucy into the tub before sliding in behind her, with one leg on either side of her. He wrapped his arms around her and guided her back, so she was resting against his chest.

“Mm, this feels good, Sir.”

“Thought it might.” He picked up the sponge and dipped it in the water. “Just relax. Let me take care of you.”

“You always do.”

When she looked up at him with that serene smile of hers, he couldn’t help but kiss her. What was it about this woman that gave her such power over him? For her, he was changing into a different kind of man. She gave him the strength to fight the past and its hold on him, and enabled him to consider a future where he could be anyone he wanted to be, one where there might be forgiveness, even for him.

“Sir, are you all right?”

Her hand caressing his biceps drew him out of his thoughts. Logan dipped the sponge again, and squeezed it out so that the water ran over her breasts. “Everything’s fine, babe.”

She rested her head against him, and a sense of sheer contentment flowed into him. “Good.” She gave a little groan. “I really need to wash this gunk off my face.”

“Let me.”