When Love Breaks (18 page)

“Ohh,” I moan, as my breaths match his description. “Then what?” I whisper, my voice is raspy and filled with desire.

“Oh, then my hand travels down, cupping your breast, as my thumb draws circles around your…”

He stops, and exhales seductively.

“Around my what, Logan?” I ask, craving his words as if I can’t go on without them. He says nothing more. “Logan?” I open my eyes, slamming back into reality. “Are you there?”

I hear his smile again.

“I’m here.” His voice is low and husky.

“Aren’t you going to continue?” I squeak, desperate to hear him tell me more.

“Oh, I’m definitely going to continue, but not over the phone.”

What?

“Why not?” I whine.

“Well, if I tell you the rest right now, what reason will you have to come over here and see me?”

Ugh!

“Logan Turner! That was a cruel joke!” I’m frustrated at his trickery, and aroused to a point that makes me want to drive straight over there and make him continue—for real this time. I hear his slight chuckle.

“It was no joke, baby. I meant every word. I’d just rather do it in person than over a distance. And, don’t think for one moment that I wasn’t equally affected by my own words.”

For a single, solitary second, I wonder if he has an erection.

“Now. how am I supposed to concentrate on studying?”

“You could come over and let off a little steam…maybe make some of our own.”

His offer is tempting, but if I’m going to see him anytime soon, I’ll need to get ahead of my school work. I sigh, defeated.

“I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“I know, and it’s okay. I had to try. I don’t want you to feel unwanted.”

I smile at my own words coming back to me.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime. You know that.”

We conclude our conversation and after disconnecting the call, I lie across my bed. The radiant heat of my body, which he created, continues to burn long after his words are gone. I press my thighs together, in hopes that it’ll relieve some of the sexual tension. I’m flushed, I’m sure, and I wish, more than anything else, that he was here.

15

LOGAN

I
t’s finally Saturday, and Elora has agreed to come over and cook dinner for the two of us. I’ve given Michael instructions to leave and not come back tonight. He argued with me, complaining that he wanted to bring a date home, but since it’s my house, I won. I told him he could have next weekend with his flavor of the month.

The doorbell rings, and my heart leaps with excitement. A quick look in the foyer mirror, then I open the door. She’s standing, grocery bags in hand, on the porch in the dimly lit, dusky light of the evening and smiling from ear to ear. I exhale my relief, as if I’d been holding in a breath for the last six days. My hungry eyes sweep over her perfect figure and in true male form, I picture exactly how I’d like this evening to go.

“My God, you look beautiful,” I say, taking the bags from her, then grabbing her hand and dragging her inside. I drop the bags where I stand, and my arms instinctively wrap around her, hoping upon hope that they never have to let her go again.

“I’ve missed you too—so much. I couldn’t wait to get done with my last textbook. I drove straight here. I think I ran a few red lights en route.” Her shy giggle fills my chest with a warmth only she could produce.

With my hand still entwined with hers, I lead her farther into the house. Then, turning her to face me, I release her hand and tenderly glide both hands into her hair. I hold her face in my hands, my thumbs caress her cheeks, as I memorize each freckle and line. It’s as if I haven’t seen her in a decade. Without another word, I close the gap between us and press my lips against hers. She reciprocates by parting her lips, allowing our tongues to touch. I feel her arms engulf me, as she pulls me into her. I moan against her mouth; desire explodes, and all I can think of is continuing our phone call in real time. But. I don’t want her to think that’s all she came here for, so I break off our kiss, followed by a quicker, less sensuous, peck on the lips.

“Well, hello to you too,” she says with a smirk. Now, I see why she likes it when
I
smirk.

“Mmm. I’m so glad you’re here.”

She grins.

“I’m glad I’m here too.” She glances down at my legs. “Can I assume at the fact that you’re wearing your prosthetics means your blister is gone?”

I follow her line of sight, then look back at her.

“Yes. Well, almost. I went to have an adjustment made, and he padded the area until it heals up completely.”

“That’s wonderful. I know how much you hate being less mobile,” she says with a grin. God, I’ve missed that face. I take one last look at my girl, then retrieve the grocery bags from the floor. “Hey, I like where you put our sculpture,” she says as she looks into the living room.

“
Our
sculpture? If I recall, you didn’t want to buy it.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s true, but I’m glad you did. It looks great in here.”

“I think so too. It makes me think of you, especially when you’re not here.”

“Well, I’m glad to see I can so easily be replaced,” she says with a smirk, as she walks back into the kitchen.

I lean in and kiss her cheek.

“Never,” I whisper, then wink. “So, tell me, what are we cooking tonight?”

She raises an eyebrow.

“We?”

“Yes,
we
. I’m not going to invite you over here to cook and serve me. I want to help. Besides, maybe I’ll learn how make something other than breakfast.”

She shrugs.

“Okay. Let’s get started then.”

We unpack the food and assemble the necessary cooking utensils. She opens cabinets and drawers, and I watch, with an amused expression, her grace.

“I wanted to cook you a manly dish today, so I decided on red meat. I’m making…” She clears her throat. “I mean,
we’re
making Swiss steak. I hope that’s okay.”

“That sounds great. Although, I’d eat anything you decided to prepare.”

I give her genuine smile because it’s true. She’s a wonderful cook.

“Okay, but it takes a while to cook. I’ve already browned the meat, but it’ll have to simmer for an hour and a half.”

“What will we do to fill that time?” I raise my eyebrows suggestively, and she playfully swats my arm.

“Down, boy,” she says, but her indignant expression gives way to a wink. “Here, Romeo, start chopping this onion.” She hands me a knife and cutting board, and I get to work.

After adding the rest of the ingredients, Elora covers the would-be meal with a lid, then wipes her hands on a towel.

“There. Now, we wait.”

I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer. Her arms automatically snake around my neck, while her fingers twist in my hair at the back of my head.

“So, now what do we do?”

“We could watch some TV.” I silently shake my head. “How about playing chess?” I wrinkle my nose. I
do not
want to play chess with this woman, unless it’s strip chess. I shake my head again then walk her backwards toward the couch. She giggles, knowing exactly what I have in mind.

I lower her body down onto the couch, then follow, with one knee between hers and the other foot on the floor. My arms brace myself above her as to not sink all my weight on top of her. Her hair splays out on the cushion. She looks beautiful. I pause to drink in this site.

“What are you waiting for?” she asks.

“I’m just thinking about how lucky I am.” She rolls her eyes. “No, I mean it.”

I don’t want to gush, but I can’t think of a single person I’d rather be with in this way than her. She probably has no idea how much I want her and need her in my life. I can never lose her. I can never lose this.

Bending down slightly, I kiss her. I back off, but repeat this move twice more. each time letting my lips linger against hers a little longer. She claws at my back in an attempt to pull me down onto her, but I shake my head. Not yet. I don’t want the oven timer to interrupt what could be a spectacular night. I do it once more and in a vain attempt to foil my plans, she pulls down hard, bumping my arm as she does. But, instead of falling on top of her, my elbow buckles, sending me crashing onto the floor beside the couch. She gasps loudly and looks over the edge to see me lying flat on my back.

“Logan! Are you okay?” Her worried tone gives me an idea.

I lie as still as I can with my eyes closed. She rushes to my side. Her eyes sweep over my body, most likely in a panic about what to do.

“Logan,” she says frantically as she shakes me. “Please! Open your eyes!” Strands of her hair tickle my face as she lowers her ear to listen for breaths. It’s hard to keep a straight face, when all I want to do is grab her face and kiss her. I decide to let her off the hook, and with my eyes still closed, I mumble. She listens intently.

“What are you going to do, nurse Foster? I’m unconscious and lying on the floor.”

She scoffs.

“Are you kidding me? You’re joking?”

She’s angry.

“I’m helping you study. Now, what do you do?” She says nothing, so I crack open one eyelid to view her kneeling beside me with her arms crossed in front of her chest. I prompt her again. “Well?”

“I let you lie there because no one
dies
from falling off a couch,” she says with irritation in her voice.

I open both eyes and smirk at her. She rolls her eyes and looks away.

“Oh, come on. I’m just trying to be playful…
and
help you study at the same time.”

She looks at me with ill-concealed annoyance.

“I thought you hit your head or something.” I laugh. “It’s not funny!”

She looks away again, and I realize I might have taken my idea a little too far. I place my hand on her knee.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Really.” She sticks out her bottom lip and blows a rogue piece of hair upward. I lean up onto my elbow and touch her chin. She turns her head to look at me. “
I’m sorry”
, I mouth, then give her my best apologetic look. She rolls her eyes again but this time, it’s accompanied by a small smile.

“You’re an ass. You know that?”

I nod.

“I
do
know that. And, now, my secret is out.”

She shoots me a sideways glance and snorts.

“It’s not such a secret. I’ve known it for some time now,” she says dryly.

I shrug.

“And, just think, I’m
your
ass.” My exaggerated smile is all it takes for her to forgive me. She pushes me down, off my elbows, straddles me, then pins my arms on either side of my head. Her hair, which is loose, falls down on either side of my face, and we’re suddenly in our own tunnel.

“I’ve got you pinned. What are
you
going to do?”

“I’m going to enjoy it,” I say with a smug grin. Her mouth twists as an idea pops into her gorgeous head. She leans down, kissing me once, before pulling back to examine my expression. I’ve not seen the dominant side of her. I kind of like it. She bows again, kissing me again, but this time she lets go of my hands. She leans on her elbows, on either side of my head, and deepens the kiss. I wrap my arms around her tightly, one hand at the small of her back, and the other winds into her hair. I’ve successfully anchored her to me, as I match her, move for seductive move. She shifts slightly as the crotch of my pants grows tighter, which only fuels my desire for her. But, I’m reminded of our limited time, so I take back control of the situation.

In one motion, I grab onto her upper arms and flip her over, so that she’s lying on the bottom once again. She squeals and giggles at the sudden movement but doesn’t fight it. She smiles up at me, and with hooded eyes, I smile back.

“Stay the night with me.”

Her eyes widen.

“I can’t. I have a lot of studying to do.”

“Do it here.”

“My books are at home.”

I shrug.

“We’ll go get them.”

She contemplates my suggestion.

“Do you really think much studying will get done?” She raises one eyebrow as if in doubt.

“I’ll make sure you get some work done. Please? I don’t know when I’ll see you next, and I’m dying here.”

She grins and rolls her eyes.

“You’re not dying. And, even if you were, I’m a nurse, remember? I know CPR.”

“And, I’d be more than willing to let you practice your skills on me.”

She laughs.

“Therein lies the problem. As I said, not much studying would get done.”

“Please?” I’m hoping my sincere expression is enough to seal the deal. It takes her a minute, but she finally agrees. I’m grinning like a loon. “Yes!”

“
But,
I do need to study, understand?” I nod in an exaggerated manner. “I mean it. If you want to see me before I graduate, you’ll agree to my demands.”

“You
are
that: very demanding,” I say in jest. She smiles and rolls her eyes again.

“I could say the same about you.”

I lean down, kissing her one more time, then swing my leg over, releasing her. She sits up as I stand, and I offer her my hand. She takes it and stands.

“Do you want to go now, or after dinner?”

“Afterward. I’d hate to burn our meal.”

I nod in agreement, then we head to the kitchen to give it a stir.

“You know, Daniel might be home. Are you sure you’re ready for the brotherly interrogation?” she asks, as she drives us toward her apartment.

“I’ll be fine. I’m a soldier, remember? I’ve been in worse situations.”

“I don’t know. He can be relentless sometimes.”

“I’m sure you’ll protect me,” I say with a smile.

She snorts as she gives me a sideways glance.

“You’re going to need all the help you can get.”

She pulls into the parking lot of her apartment complex. The buildings are set at ninety degree angles from each other, with a swimming pool off in one corner. She puts the car in park, then sits back and sighs.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, easily detecting the stress in her posture.

“My brother has been…behaving sort of strange lately.” She turns to face me. “Please don’t take anything he might say to you the wrong way. He means well, and he’s just trying to protect me.”

“Elora, seriously, I can handle him. He’s not the first difficult personality I’ve had to deal with in my life.” I place a reassuring hand on her knee. “I’ll be fine. And, who knows, maybe he’ll surprise you.”

She stares blankly at me for a moment then shrugs. We exit the car and walk to her apartment hand in hand. As we approach the entrance, she turns to me. She opens her mouth, then closes it, twice. Finally, she gives up on whatever last minute advice she wanted to give me and opens the door.

Her apartment is small. The kitchen is off to the left, and her dining room/living room combination is straight ahead. I can see a hallway leading to bedrooms to my right. The décor is basic and neutral, but feminine. She walks in first, searching the rooms for her brother, no doubt. She hangs her purse on a hook as I shut the door behind me.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. It’s kind of sparse, but I’ve got everything I need. It’s basically a place to lay my head,” she says. “Would you like something to drink? I know we’re not going to be here long, but…” she trails off.