Matter of Time (15 page)

“Can’t hurt? Or can’t hurt more than it already has?”

His eyes slid closed and he exhaled sharply, as if feeling her pain, then slowly nodded and took a step toward her. “The second.” Slinging his arm around her shoulders, he squeezed and said, “But think about how good it’s gonna hurt”—he waggled his eyebrows—“when he rewards you for your patience.”

Lizbeth laughed and shook her head. “Maybe I can take lessons from you and give him a taste of his own medicine.”

Lucas tossed back his head, sending his nearly black hair sliding off his shoulders and onto his collar. “You could try, and I have to admit it would be fun as hell to watch, but Logan will never go for that. Ever.”

“I don’t think so either, but my efforts might get me strapped to that spanking bench.”

Laughing, he kissed her temple, then grabbed her suitcase and led her out into the hallway. “I’m looking forward to watching you two work through negotiations.” He paused, then added, “For the next sixty years.”

*

After waking, Lizbeth forgot to change the volume and vibration setting on her cell phone, so when her back pocket vibrated and the sound of a thousand trumpets filled the air, she nearly passed out from fright. Tossing the clothes in her hands like confetti, she dragged the phone from her pocket and held her breath as she checked caller ID.

Oh, thank God!

Upon seeing Logan’s number, her fluttering heart took off at a gallop and her stomach tightened with anticipation of hearing his voice. “Hi there.”

“Hey, beautiful.”

His voice, more crackly than normal because of their splotchy cell connection, was the most beautiful sound in the world, and she melted into a puddle on the floor. Literally. Resting her back against the footboard of her bed, she drew her knees close to her chest and rested her forehead on them, then closed her eyes to block out all but the sound of his voice. “How are you? How are the kids?”

“I’m better now that I’m talking to you. I miss you.”

God, she missed him too and couldn’t wait until they were together again. And now that he’d called, her heart swelled with joy and hope and the belief it would really happen.

“The kids,” he continued, “are doing all right. We met the insurance adjuster at the house this afternoon, and he believes it’s a total loss. So now begins the process of inventorying everything and waiting to find out what the insurance will pay. The kids are huddled together, drawing maps of each room, and helping each other make sure they list everything.”

“What a chore that must be.”

It seemed odd to be concerned about the woman who should be her enemy. But Bobbi Jo had been a part of Logan’s life for a long time, and as the mother of his children, she would continue to be. On the drive home, Lizbeth made peace with all things Bobbi Jo, so she took a deep breath and asked, “How’s Bobbi Jo?”

His long, indrawn breath followed by a quick exhale caused prickles of unease to skitter across Lizbeth’s skin. “Honestly, I’m not sure. She was upset last night, obviously. And this morning…” He cleared his throat, and the prickles turned to jabbing pins and needles. “Things got weird. I was having this amazing dream about you, except when I ran my fingers through your hair, I discovered you’d cut it.” He laughed. “Which really pissed me off by the way.” His voice dropped an octave and grew even rougher. “I like wrapping it around my fist so I can control you.”

His words fired a bone-melting heat in Lizbeth and sweat popped out along the back of her neck as she recalled all the times he’d done that very thing this weekend, controlling her speed and depth as she sucked him off, using her hair to pull her head back so he could kiss her while riding her hard from behind.

She swallowed and licked her dry lips. “No need to worry about me cutting it.” Her voice was breathy, a clear indication where her thoughts had been. “I like you grabbing my hair too. But what does that have to do with anything?” As the pause on his end continued, her stomach clenched uncomfortably. “Logan?”

“Let’s just say my beautiful dream turned into a nightmare.”

Lucas’s words,
“Knowing Bobbi Jo, she’ll try to use this situation to manipulate Logan any way she can,”
came back to her, and bile rose to her throat, forcing her to swallow a couple times to keep from throwing up.

“Fortunately, my body figured out something was wrong and refused to cooperate even before I woke up. But it was an eye-opener.” He chuckled. “Pardon the terrible pun. And it made me realize Bobbi Jo would try to use this situation to her advantage.”

As nausea rose again, Lizbeth covered her mouth with her hand and drew in a couple of deep, calming breaths.

“I cut that shit off quick, though. I told her we were as finished as two people could be.” Another brief pause. “And I told her about you.”

Lizbeth gasped. “What?”

“She needed to know there wasn’t any chance of us working things out. I tried to spare her the details, but she kept pushing, so I pretty much told her everything.”

He told her about me? Pretty much everything?

As his words sank in, the fear and worry she’d been carrying throughout the day evaporated. He didn’t have to tell Lizbeth about the morning’s event, but he did. And he’d told Bobbi Jo about her, which meant he truly did intend to work toward making a life with Lizbeth.

His voice brought her back from her frantic mental ramblings, but she’d missed part of what he said. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I said I’m sorry about what happened this morning. I debated on whether or not to tell you, but I don’t want any secrets between us. Transparency is going to be the key to making this work. I also need to apologize for not calling you sooner. I was so tired when I got home last night, and after brief conversations with the kids and Bobbi Jo, I crashed. And I’ve been on the go all day today, without a moment to myself.”

“I understand. I confess I was a little worried when I didn’t hear from you. But Lucas gave me a pep talk. And I gave my heart a stern talking to, so it’s all good.”

He laughed. Then his tone turned serious and a little husky. “Where are you?”

“At home. I got back about fifteen minutes before you called.”

“I wish I were with you.”

“Me too.” She glanced around her bedroom. “We’re going to need to go furniture shopping. My room doesn’t have a cross in the corner. There are clothes in my dresser. And there’s no hooks on the bed.”

He laughed low and deep. “We can fix that. Are you in your room now?”

His voice grew more gravely with every question, and her body, picking up on the underlying sexual tone, started to respond. “Yes.”

“Good. Right where I want you. Are you dressed?”

“Of course.” She laughed. “I didn’t drive home naked.” But she could be in two seconds if that’s what he wanted.

“Hmmm…” There was a pause, and she heard a pinging, like he’d opened the door of his truck with the keys still in the ignition. Then came the distinctive sound of the door shutting.

“Where are you?”

“Walking into my office. I needed some peace and quiet… and privacy.”

She could understand needing peace and quiet once in a while, but… “Why do you need privacy?”

“Because my children would be scarred for life if they overheard the things I’m about to say to you.”

Her breath left in a whoosh and she scrambled to stand, then climbed into the center of her bed. “What do you have to say to me?” Her own voice grew husky as well, and the phone shook as an excited tremble started in her belly and worked its way out through her fingers.

“I want you on your bed. But I bet you’re already there, aren’t you?”

Was she that obvious? Or did he just know her that well, even after all these years? “Yes.”

“Go—” The sound of another slamming door cut off the end of his word. “Take off your top but leave on your bra.” He paused for a minute, giving her time to comply. “Now pull the cups down under your breasts so your nipples are exposed.”

Lying alone on her bed with her bra askance made her feel naughty and hot… which was probably his intent.

“Close your eyes and imagine my hands massaging your breasts… my thumbs scraping over the hard tips.”

She closed her eyes, moaned, and arched into the touch, which in her mind was all Logan.

“Pinch your nipple and don’t let go until I tell you.”

She did as he said, increasing the pressure when he told her to, and by the time he allowed her to let go, she was so worked up she thought she might come from that stimulation alone.

“Take off your pants and your panties. I want your legs spread wide so I can crawl in between them and feast on you.”

Her pants and panties were gone in a flash, and while she desperately wanted to touch herself, she waited for him to give her further instructions.

“Put your phone on speaker and lay it next to your head.” She did as he said, then couldn’t stop herself from pinching both of her nipples at the same time. “You’re touching yourself again, aren’t you?”

“How… how did you know?”

“You whimpered. And considering how quickly you did it, I’m guessing you’re playing with your nipples again. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

“They’re so damn sensitive and responsive. I don’t blame you. I love touching them too and can’t wait to have them in my mouth again. Slide your hands down your stomach to that ticklish sweet spot, then keep going all the way down to your pussy.”

She moaned again and nearly came when her fingers slid over her clit. She was so wet and aroused she doubted she could keep the game going much longer. Maybe she could make herself come one time, real quick, and he wouldn’t know.

Yeah right. Considering he picked up on her pinching her nipples, he would definitely hear her coming. She wasn’t known for stealthy quiet in the throes of an orgasm.

“Use one hand to spread yourself wide, the other to slick your juices over your clit.”

She exhaled sharply at the touch and squeezed her eyes shut, imagining it was him. “God, I wish you were here touching me.”

“Me too, baby. But for now, close your eyes and imagine I am. Spread your legs wide. Make room for me to slide between those silky thighs.” His breathing grew more labored, and she wondered if he was doing the same thing on the other end of the line.

If not, he should be… and that gave her an idea. “Rather than sliding up between my legs, if you turn around, we can make this a mutually beneficial endeavor. I love how your cock stretches my mouth when you’re thrusting deep enough to hit the back of my throat.”

A strangled moan came through the phone. She imagined him sitting in his office chair, pants down, hand wrapped around his impressive cock, stroking himself. The image further excited her, and she flicked her clit faster.

“I can taste the pre-cum on my tongue. You’re getting close to coming down my throat, aren’t you?”

“Hell yeah, but not until you’ve come first.”

She wasn’t sure who said what after that, but it only took another handful of moments before her orgasm started in her stomach and erupted through every cell in her body. Muffled curses drifted through the phone, and she smiled, knowing he was right there with her.

Finally catching his breath, he said, “You okay, sweetheart?”

She giggled—freaking giggled—and said, “I will be once I can see straight again.”

His laugh filled her chest with warmth like the cinnamon schnapps she drank the other night.

“That was pretty good,” he said, then paused. “But it wasn’t phenomenal, and I feel hollow inside. I need to be with you, Lizbeth. Can we talk about our future now and how we’re going to work this out so we can be together all the time?”

His voice carried a vulnerability she’d never heard from him before, and she squeezed closed her eyes as the emotional impact of his words rolled over her. Wrapping her arms around her pillow and pretending it was him, she said, “Absolutely. But, Logan, you need to know there’s nothing I won’t do to be with you.”

T
he next five days were a chaotic whirlwind for Logan. He loved having the kids in the house, seeing them in the mornings before they left for school, coming home to find them working on their homework or fighting over what to watch on television—which was ridiculous since they each had one in their room too.