* * *
It was past midnight on a school night when Logan woke from a bad dream. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his body trembled as his eyes opened to the darkness of his bedroom. Too keyed up to sleep, Logan rose and knew what would calm him. Logan had gotten only a glimpse of him when he’d first arrived today. Champion, the purebred Arabian stallion.
Logan tiptoed out of the house to keep from waking his parents. His father would not approve of an unsupervised visit to a horse new to the farm. Stallions were known for erratic behavior, especially in new environments. So Logan was careful not to make a peep as he walked toward the barn and the special stall designated for Champion.
He’d gotten ten feet into the huge barn when he’d heard whispers in the dark.
How he’d wished he’d turned around and run home.
But instead, he’d hidden outside of the tack room and listened.
“I need you in my life, Louisa. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
It was his father’s voice.
Panicked now, Logan couldn’t move. Curiosity and disbelief kept him glued in place.
His father was talking to Louisa Montrose, the manager of Sunset Lodge.
“I love you, too,
mi amor,
” Lousia whispered. “I want you with me always.”
Logan’s ears burned as he heard their soft sighs and passionate moans. It wasn’t so dark that Logan couldn’t peer through the slits in the wood and see his father sprawled over Louisa on the tack room cot, kissing her, making little sounds of pleasure whisper from her lips.
“You know why I married her, Louisa. It was a merger of our families’ land,” he said. “And she was pregnant with Logan.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Louisa said on a breath. “It doesn’t matter.”
* * *
Logan snapped his eyes opened. Reliving that memory never brought him any peace. Why would it? That night, Logan had been shocked and felt a keen overwhelming sense of loss. Everything he’d believed about his life was a lie. His father had been a scoundrel. He’d married for business reasons. He’d married because he’d gotten a woman pregnant. With that notion came great heartache. Logan’s birth had been an accident. They hadn’t wanted him. But even more than that, the man Logan had come to love, admire and idolize wasn’t who he thought him to be.
Logan had caught his father in the act of adultery fifty yards from where his mother slept.
Not a pretty sight for a boy on the threshold of manhood.
That memory put him on edge. Why in hell did Ward have to mention his father tonight? Logan rose from his seat and roamed aimlessly around the house. His restlessness unnerved him as the images of his father and Louisa Montrose played over and over in his mind.
He spotted Sophia’s black-sequined wrap lying across the entryway table. She’d left the party without it. On impulse, he picked it up and brought it to his nose, taking in the exotic scent that was uniquely hers. Logan closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the fragrance. Then, without hesitation and with her wrap clutched in his hand, he strode out the front door.
Tonight, not even Logan’s sharpest sense of warning could stop him from seeking Sophia out.
* * *
Sophia parked her car in the driveway and breathed a big sigh of relief. She was finally home. She’d had a long, tiring day and she was glad it was over. The party had gone as planned. Ruth’s husband had driven the grandkids home and Sophia had offered to drop Ruth back off at her house. On the way, Ruth had gushed again at how much she’d appreciated the party and how grateful she was to Sophia for all the work she’d put into it.
Sophia appreciated being appreciated and she was also glad to have made a dear friend in Ruth. After this weekend, Sophia would be managing Sunset Lodge by herself. Luckily, as her friend had reminded her, Ruth was only a phone call away if she needed advice.
With her body dragging, Sophia exited her car. She was ready for a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. She’d earned it this week.
Stepping from the pavement onto the flowery path toward her front door, she heard a noise. Footsteps crunching on spring leaves. She whipped around. Knotted in fear, she focused her attention on the source of the sound. It was coming from behind a row of pink azalea bushes on the side of the cottage. Straining her eyes to see beyond the porch lamp’s circle of light, she couldn’t make out anything in the dark. Her heart beat wildly. Crazy thoughts entered her head. She imagined someone darting out from the bushes to attack her. A madman was after her. He’d followed her from Las Vegas. He knew her every move.
Sophia couldn’t get inside the house fast enough. She fumbled with the key. It fell from her shaky hands and pinged onto the brick porch. “Oh, no.”
She scrambled to pick it up and out of the corner of her eye she saw another movement, a tall shadow that crossed into the lamplit path from the opposite direction of the azalea bushes. Fear immobilized her as she struggled to make sense of it. Fleeting questions rushed through her mind. Were they coming at her from two different directions? Steeling her nerves, she vowed she wouldn’t be a helpless victim. She whirled around, ready to take a swing, ready to defend herself, ready to scream. She opened her mouth, her arm raised for a fight.
“Sophia?” Logan’s questioning voice broke through her panic. She saw his Stetson first, as he approached from out of the shadows and into the light.
A dire gasp of relief escaped her throat. “Logan?” Slowly, she slumped against the front door, her legs shaking so badly she could barely stand. The door did a good job of keeping her upright. “Thank God, it’s you.”
“You look white as a sheet,” he said softly, as if she were a child. “What’s got you so scared?”
Tears welled in her eyes. She put her hand to her mouth and shook her head.
“Did someone hurt you?”
She continued to shake her head. “I’m f-fine. I, uh... What are you doing here?”
He held out the sequined wrap she’d worn to the party. “You left this.”
“I didn’t hear your car pull up.”
“I walked over.”
Sophia didn’t respond.
“You’re shaking like a leaf.” He took the key she was gripping for dear life out of her hand and inserted it into the lock. “Let’s get you inside the house.”
Sophia managed to step out of his way, and once he opened the door he put his hand to her back and guided her to the parlor sofa. “Have a seat.”
Sophia obeyed him automatically. She was still trembling as she sank into the cushions. She closed her eyes and inhaled a quiet breath to calm down. She was safe. Logan was here. The cushions gave way when he took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa.
“What happened out there?”
Sophia snapped her eyes open at his serious tone. All softness was gone from his voice. Leaning forward with elbows braced on his knees, he turned his head to face her.
“I want the truth.”
Despite her distracted mind, the insult registered. He believed that she was accustomed to lying to him and
this
time he demanded she speak with honesty. But she couldn’t do battle with him tonight over his remark. She was comforted to have him here. “The
truth
is, I thought someone was out there. I heard a noise by the azaleas.”
“Go on.”
Sophia looked away from him.
“There’s got to be more than that. You’ve lived on this ranch before. You know there’s dozens of species of animals that could make noises in the bushes before scurrying away. When I arrived, you said, ‘Thank God, it’s you.’ Has someone been bothering you?”
“Besides you?” She smiled sweetly but his frown said he didn’t find any humor in her statement. “Sorry. I was actually relieved that you showed up when you did.”
“Now I know something’s wrong. You’re never glad to see me. Tell me.”
Sophia sighed. She didn’t want to get into this with Logan, but her fear was very real tonight and judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t going anywhere without an explanation. “I’ve received three notes on my doorstep,” she began, and then recounted the incidents that had happened since she’d moved to the cottage. When Logan questioned her further, Sophia had no choice but to explain about the similar incidents in Las Vegas.
Logan sat quietly listening to her, asking a probing question here and there, and once all was out in the open about her would-be Fantasy Follies stalker, Logan made an announcement. “We need to go to the sheriff.”
“No,” Sophia said. “I won’t do that.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I’ve been through this before. The notes aren’t threatening and there’s nothing they can do anyway. And...I don’t want to bring negative attention to Sunset Lodge. Monday is my first day as a full-fledged manager.”
“You were scared out of your mind a minute ago.”
“It could be nothing. I have a secret admirer, maybe.” Sophia was grasping at straws.
“I’m sure you have more than a few of those, but if someone is putting notes on your doorstep and
watching
you...you don’t want to mess with that.”
“I don’t know that for sure. Maybe my imagination got the best of me. Maybe it was a wild animal in the bushes.”
“You don’t believe that,” Logan said, “and now I don’t, either. Not after hearing about the notes. Are you refusing to speak with the sheriff?”
She gave him a nod. “Yes, I am refusing.”
Logan’s eyes narrowed on her, but she wasn’t going to back down. She’d had enough bad press and negative attention when she married Gordon Gregory. She didn’t want a media circus here at Sunset Lodge. It was a place of serenity and beauty. She wouldn’t mar that perception with the law snooping around, questioning staff and guests. She loved Sunset Lodge too much for that.
Logan rubbed his jaw as he considered her from across the sofa. “You know we have a good security system on the ranch and at the lodge. Now I’m thinking that might have been breached. Someone on the ranch may be out for no good. That makes it my business, Sophia. And, frankly, it worries me. You won’t go to the law, and I can’t have you living here alone anymore.”
“Meaning what?” Sophia didn’t like the way he was steering this conversation.
“Meaning, you’re moving into the main house with me. And it’s not up for discussion.”
Seven
E
very bone in her body was well aware that she was living alone with Logan Slade. The house was big, but not big enough to miss seeing him saunter into the kitchen in the morning with an unshaven face and sexy, mussed hair. Or notice him unbutton his shirt, exposing a sliver of bronzed skin as he headed to his bedroom for a shower. With Luke gone, Sophia didn’t have the buffer she needed to keep up the facade that somehow Logan hadn’t begun to wedge his way into her heart.
He checked in on her in the morning at breakfast and insisted that she have dinner at the house every night. When Sophia’s eyes would light up over his concern, his expression would turn to stone and he’d remind her that safety on the ranch was the key issue.
Sophia should have been exhausted. Putting in long hours at the lodge during the day was enough to fatigue an Olympic athlete, much less a woman of her size and stature. But the truth was, Sophia had restless energy. Seeing Logan coming in and out of the house every day, made her jumpy and anxious. They’d have brief, stilted conversations at meals, and before he rose from the table, Logan would gaze at her with yearning in his eyes. It was fleeting and reluctant, but Sophia saw it. He wasn’t as immune to her as he let on. Maybe the wall of defense he’d built up against her was beginning to crumble a little bit.
Now, three days into her stay at his home, Sophia watched him rise from the dinner table as usual, the moment the last bite on his plate was gone. “I’m going to turn in early,” he said, stretching his arms over his head. He looked a little weary with a five-o’clock shadow on his face and reddened eyes.
Sophia nodded. “Good night,” she said politely, then blurted what was on her mind. “I think I’ll take a ride.”
“Where? The stores will be closing soon.”
Sophia smiled. “Not that kind of ride. I’m not interested in shopping. I need some air. I thought I’d ask Hunter to saddle up a mare and ride out with me.”
“I sent Hunter home an hour ago.”
Sophia shrugged a shoulder. “That’s okay. I’ll find someone else.” Sophia rose from the table, grabbing his empty plate along with hers.
He reached out to touch her upper arm. “Just about everyone’s gone home for the night. Why don’t you turn in and do it another time?”
“I’m not a prisoner here, am I? I can saddle up a horse and take a ride.”
His hand wound around her arm, gently, but only to make his point. “It’ll be dark in less than an hour, Sophia.”
His penetrating gaze bored into her and they stared at each other for a long while. Finally, he released his hold on her. “Fine, suit yourself.”
Sophia didn’t get any satisfaction in upsetting Logan. She didn’t set out to annoy him, but she did need an outlet for her pent-up energy. And a ride along the paths of Sunset Ranch would do the trick. She wasn’t fool enough to go by herself. She should be able to find a riding partner, if not here at the ranch, then at the lodge.
Twenty minutes later, after changing into her riding clothes, Sophia walked into the barn. Horses whinnied in their stalls. Some kicked and others brought their heads up to greet her with a snort as she walked by. She stopped to stroke the face of a good-natured aging palomino. “Hello, Buttercup.”
Buttercup wasn’t a star of pure-breeding stock that would be sold off to clients. She and half a dozen other horses were kept on the premises to take prospective clients for rides in the pasture and, more important, to lend a mellow tone to the more spirited animals in the barn.
Sophia gave each of the horses a little attention as she headed to the tack room to pick up her gear. There wasn’t a soul around to help her saddle up and just as she was going to take Logan’s advice and turn back, changing her mind about the ride, he appeared in the doorway.
“You still want that ride?” he asked.
Startled by his appearance, Sophia tamped down her initial gut reaction. But Logan noticed the momentary fear she couldn’t hide from her expression. “Oh, uh...yes. I’d like to take a ride.”
“You’re still jumpy, aren’t you?”
“No.”
The sound of his boots echoed against the walls as he strode farther into the small room until his face was inches from hers. “You are.”
“Not now. I have you here. And there haven’t been any more notes or incidents.”
“You knew I wouldn’t let you take a ride alone. Or go with anyone else.”
Sophia stared at him. “Is that what you thought? I was hinting for you to take me?”
“Weren’t you?”
“No, I just wanted to get out of the house.”
“I’d think you’d want some peace after working all day.”
“The house is...”
“Is what, Sophia?” Logan whispered her name.
“Lonely,” she said, confessing one of her vulnerabilities.
His expression changed, softened. His gaze traveled up and down her body until she was so excited that her breathing grew ragged and heavy. Her chest heaving now, Logan stared at the top button on her blouse that prevented her breasts from spilling out.
“Without Luke in the house, and you barely speaking to me—”
“Luke?” Something flickered in his eyes. “You don’t want Luke.”
Sophia’s heart raced. The conversation had switched direction. And Logan’s powerful gaze destroyed her rational sense. “Luke’s my fri—”
Logan pulled her into his arms. He smelled of earth and musk, so strong, so powerful. His breath warmed her throat and his words made her mouth go dry. “We’re not gonna talk about my brother tonight, darlin’.”
His determination made her go limp. Her voice lowered until she could barely hear the words she spoke, “Wh-what are we going to talk about?”
He brought her body tight against his. “Your loneliness.” Then he smiled, a flash against a stark, handsome face, the gleam brightening his eyes. “Then again, we don’t have to do much talking at all.”
His lips touched hers tenderly as if he wanted to draw out all of her fears, all of her loneliness. The kiss was sweetly gentle, and Sophia had to remind herself that it was Logan who was kissing her, Logan who held her in his arms.
He brought his hands to her face and cupped her cheeks, murmuring sweet nothings as he kissed her. Sophia surrendered herself to the compassion Logan was showing her. He suckled her lips, tasting from her, his firm delicious mouth giving her time to adjust to what was happening between them. “You’re safe with me,” he whispered over her lips.
She felt protected and cared for but then in the back of her mind, coming from a very dark place, a warning bell sounded.
This was Logan Slade. He hated her.
So why did he make her feel as if she were floating on a cloud?
She ignored her misgivings and dove into the sensations he stirred in her. She’d always been attracted to Logan and now, with his kisses heating her through and through, she thought she could be a little bit in love with him. She told herself that and stopped trying to analyze the pleasure he offered her. It felt too good having him strip away her loneliness.
Sophia placed her hands on his chest, her fingers spreading across rough cotton as she stroked him eagerly. A groan emanated from his throat and Sophia continued to touch him, to explore the strong washboard across his ribs.
He slipped off her ponytail holder and in the faint, fading sunlight watched her hair flow freely to frame her face. Appreciation shone in the glint of his eyes and he released a relenting sound that came from the depths of his throat. “You make me forget who I am,” he murmured.
Sophia put her arms around his neck and rose up to kiss him soundly on the lips. Softly, she whispered, “You’re Logan Slade and you don’t like me very much.”
Logan wove his hands through her long hair, letting the tresses slip between his fingers. He released a deep sigh. “There are things I like about you, Sophia. More than I’ve liked about any other woman.”
He pressed his mouth to hers again. Sophia relished the kiss and the words behind the kiss. She whispered over his lips, “What do you like about me?”
“Kissing you is right up there,” he said softly.
He paused to gaze at the strands of hair framing her face. “You’ve got the prettiest hair.”
A soft whimper escaped her throat. His compliments were a heady elixir.
He slid his hands over her shoulders and stroked down her arms. Tingles erupted from his soft caress. “Your body is perfect. It’s been killing me living with you. Knowing you’re lying just steps away in another bedroom.”
Fiery heat arrowed down her belly. “Logan,” she breathed out.
There was no stopping this now. They were caught up in a game that had only one outcome. He pulled her taut against his rock-hard chest. Jeans to jeans, their legs touched, denim rubbing together. His hand rested on the soft material of her white blouse and with two nimble fingers he stroked her exposed skin just above the buttons.
Sophia’s breath caught. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensual touch that brought goose bumps. He toyed with her there, making her ache, making her lean back and give him reign to do what he pleased.
She heard a snap and then a tear as her blouse split apart, two buttons flying onto the floor. Her eyes popped open. He watched her, waited for her approval.
She smiled and a little bubble of laughter rose from her throat.
Logan pulled the blouse out of her jeans and off her shoulders, discarding it with a flick of his wrist. Then he touched the top of her breasts, the flat of his palms against her plump ripe skin spilling from her bra. “I like touching you. I can’t get enough.”
He unhooked her bra and with a reverent groan watched her breasts fall free of their restraints. The look on his face made her body ache for more. He cupped her, weighed the globes in his hands as he kissed her again and again. Their mouths opened and the kisses grew hotter and more frenzied.
After a minute, Logan slid his lips to her ear, his words clipped and ragged. “In another second, I’m not gonna be able to stop.”
Sophia understood him. She was already at the point of no return. But Logan wasn’t a brute—he gave her the choice.
“I don’t want you to.”
“Don’t move,” he said.
And she stood there, waiting while Logan set a quilt on a weathered leather sofa that was banked against the tack room wall. He came back to lift her into his arms, and then lowered her down gently. He removed her boots and the rest of her clothes.
Then he stared at her for a few seconds.
She felt exposed. Naked and lying in wait for him to make love to her.
“I like the way your eyes darken when you look at me,” he said, and then added, “I knew you were beautiful, but Sophia, honey, you take my breath away.”
And suddenly she didn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed anymore. She didn’t feel vulnerable. She wanted this. She wanted Logan. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind.
Next, he removed his shirt and a glow lit her eyes when everything else came off.
“Mercy,” Sophia uttered, gazing at him.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, darlin’.”
But Logan didn’t cover her with his body right away. Instead he came up beside her to kiss her again. “Close your eyes,” he ordered.
She obeyed.
His touch was soft and gentle as he stroked her between her thighs. And when his ministrations grew more bold, more forceful, she shuddered and let go a tiny moan of pleasure. Logan was relentless and worked her body, tormenting her until her moans were continuous and in tune with the throbbing heat pulsating at her core.
Her body jerked and splintered. Her breaths short and quick, she experienced a powerful release.
“Sophia,” Logan murmured, as she came down to earth. Gently, he stroked her hair and kissed her cheeks. “You have no idea what a turn-on it is seeing you go wild like that.”
The room was darker now. The sun had almost set and Sophia could barely make out Logan’s shadow as he brought himself down on top of her. She reached out, desperately wanting to be joined with him.
He spoke with urgency, his voice a rasp that thrilled her. “I’ve waited a long time for this. For you.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, cocooned in the warmth of Logan’s strong arms, Sophia opened her eyes to darkness. The air inside the tack room was Nevada-dry and cool yet both of their bodies glistened with hot, sticky sweat.
Sophia sighed at the completion she felt. A soft purr hummed through her body. Every ounce of her flesh felt pleasantly devoured. Logan was an expert lover and he’d brought out her wilder side with his whispered words of encouragement, his powerful thrusts and his strong body covering hers.
Their releases had come out of sync with each other, but Sophia hadn’t minded. She liked going first. Then she watched Logan’s face twist with pleasure as he groaned from his inner depths until one last potent plunge brought him over the edge.
After that, they’d both fallen in a heap of exhaustion.
Quietly stunned.
And when Sophia’s thoughts traveled once again to that dark place of uncertainty, Logan was there, stroking her arm and kissing her forehead. She relished his touch and the soothing way he treated her in the aftermath of lovemaking. The few lovers she’d had before hadn’t been nearly as attentive after the deed was done. Sophia had made mistakes with men, but she’d never kept a man around if he wasn’t respectful.
Where would she and Logan go from here? She had no idea what he was thinking. He’d said all the right things. He’d
done
all the right things and her body sang from the sweetest pleasure a man could give a woman. Now Sophia was at a crossroads in her life.
She’d been wary of Logan Slade for as long as she could remember. Tonight, she’d let down her guard and allowed him entrance not only to her body, but to her heart.
She loved Logan.
She was sure of it now.
She couldn’t have given to him what she’d denied even the most persuasive of men who had come in and out of her life, without feeling great emotion. She’d given him her trust and hadn’t regretted it for a second.
“How you doing, darlin’?”
The endearments he’d been using with her tonight made her smile inside. She assumed that he thought of her as a brat, a bitch and a hussy so to hear him come full circle gave her joy. “I’m pretty good.”