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He grinned. “So I got it right?”
“You did.” She couldn’t take her eyes off the chocolates. She popped one into her mouth and moaned in delight. “You didn’t have to drive all the way to Serenity Cove just to get these.”
His expression softened. “You wanted them, and you’re the one carrying these babies, so the least I can do is make sure you have what you want.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Thank you.”
She couldn’t believe he’d done that. She’d never expected it. It was the sort of gesture her fantasy man might make.
Don’t get any ideas. He’s sweet now because you’re a novelty. It won’t last.
“Hey, now.” He took the box from her and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s okay. I’m sorry for everything that asshole did and said. You have my solemn promise never to watch another cricket game. From now on, the pub will boycott all televised cricket matches.”
She laughed despite herself. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. But I will.”
She rested her cheek on his shoulder. Today was the first time she could recall him holding her like this without any kind of sexual undertone. His touch was comforting, and the embrace was nice. Maybe that sounded weak, but nice was underrated as far as she was concerned. She could happily soak up his strength all day.
Don’t get used to having him to lean on. He won’t stay.
“You deserve the best,” Logan said, and she could feel his lips moving against her hair. “And that is not Henry Gosling.” He hesitated, then added, “In all honesty, it’s not me either, but I’ll do everything I can to treat you right.”
She drew back and gazed into his beautiful eyes. He looked at her with an emotion she hadn’t seen from him before. It almost looked like affection. Her gut tightened, and before she’d taken the time to think it through, she raised her lips to his. Their lips met, clung, and parted. Then met again. A soft exhale passed between hers.
Logan tensed.
Her insides dropped. Oh God, she’d made a terrible mistake.
“I’m s—”
He kissed her. She clutched his shoulders and went slack with relief. The kiss didn’t have the fire she’d come to expect from their hookups, but it had a depth and tenderness that had been missing before. She went onto her tiptoes to kiss him back, totally absorbed in the feel of him against her, ignoring the one thought that flashed through her mind.
Thank God he never kissed me like this before or I’d have fallen for him.
* * *
Logan pouredeverything he had into the kiss. He needed Gabby to know how much he desired her. How valued she was. But a voice at the back of his mind reminded him that she was sensitive. She’d just come face-to-face with her cheating ex, the man who’d broken her heart. Was she really in the right frame of mind for this? With difficulty, he separated his mouth from hers and touched their foreheads together.
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” he panted. “Not when you’re emotional. I don’t want you to regret it later.”
After all, if things became strained between them, there was no escaping each other. They’d be stuck with that awkwardness forever.
Gabby’s eyes narrowed. “I need it.” Her lips were swollen from his kiss, and they tempted him to forget his ideals and steal another taste. “Please, Logan. I need to feel wanted. Don’t deny me that.”
Okay, there was no way he could refuse her plea. She needed him, pure and simple, and while there was plenty he couldn’t give her, he could give her this.
“I’ve got you,” he said, ignoring the pang in his gut that said he’d like to have her for real, rather than in whatever capacity this was. He wanted what he’d told Henry to be true. Even if he didn’t believe he was capable of making Gabby happy, he’d like to try. He kissed her briefly and swept her inside. Her property was relatively private, but he was taking care of her, which meant making sure no one else would see her during her most vulnerable moments. He guided her into the bedroom.
“Lift your arms,” he ordered, expecting her to resist—she’d proved she didn’t like being told what to do—but she did as he said. He stripped the shirt over her head, baring her torso except for a white bra and a few smudges of paint on her chest. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
“I can do that later,” she protested.
“It’ll just take a minute.” If she got paint on her bed, she’d be annoyed with herself after. He went to the bathroom and ran a cloth under warm water, then returned to her and used the cloth to clean the paint smudges from her chest. She stripped off her bra, sweatpants, and panties, and stood before him naked. He didn’t see paint anywhere else, so he set the cloth aside and cupped her face between his palms. She murmured in approval as he kissed her. He kept the kiss sweet and light. Something uncomfortable tangled in his chest. A tenderness he hadn’t expected. He knew he cared for her, but he hadn’t anticipated feeling so raw.
“Logan.” She nipped at his mouth, demanding more. He deepened the kiss, tasting her. One of his hands went to the small of her back and he urged her closer, pleasure rolling through him as she rocked against his erection. She grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and tugged it up. He obliged the silent demand, lifting it over his head and tossing it aside. She explored his torso with her hands, tracing the ridges and smoothing over his chest and shoulders. He shivered. No one else touched him the way she did, as if she wanted to learn every contour of his body.
He backed her to the bed and laid her down, taking care to prop a pillow behind her. His socks came off, followed by his jeans and briefs, then he knelt over her and looked his fill. Her breasts were fuller than usual, and the nipples were already peaked. He brushed his thumb over one and she whimpered.
