“Wait here.” He told her as he hopped off of the bed and walked out of the room.
Caroline pushed herself up on her elbows to watch him walk out, biting the corner of her lip as she enjoyed the naked view. Not even a minute later, he walked back in carrying something in one hand. When he held it up, she saw that it was her blue nail polish.
“What are you doing?”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, smiling, but didn’t respond to her question as he climbed back onto the bed and returned to where he had been laying by her side. He handed her the nail polish and once she grabbed it, he unscrewed the top and pulled out the brush, now dripping in sparkling blue polish.
“Logan?” She had no clue what he was doing.
“Did you see the bedspread? It’s fucking beautiful.” He responded, not really answering her question.
He dropped the brush down against her collar bone and swirled it against her skin, creating a pattern as he dipped it lower down toward one of her breasts. She shivered under the cold liquid, smiling at him as she looked up into his face. He was intently staring at her body as he drew and she absolutely loved the way his eyes flared with passion and excitement.
“It’s beautiful. We make our own art.” She replied and he nodded.
“If only all my canvas’ were as beautiful as you,” he interrupted his pursuit for a moment to lean down and kiss her lips.
After a few more minutes had gone by, he returned the nail polish brush to the glass bottle and screwed it back on. Placing it on the night stand, he turned back to look at her.
“Voila, perfection.” He exaggeratedly kissed his fingers and then motioned in the air, gesturing toward her body.
Glancing down, Caroline took in his creation with awe. The blue swirls patterned into flowers sprouting off of a vine, complete with small leaves and buds. The vine stretched down to one of her hips and then up to her collarbone, moving smoothly and delicately against her lightly sun kissed skin.
“It’s gorgeous, Logan.” She whispered, her voice faltering slightly as it swelled with emotion.
Somehow, the simple act of him drawing on her had made her feel beautiful in a way she had never felt before. She always knew she was pretty, but she had her insecurities like any other person. However, he had just turned her into a work of art, something to be worshiped. The way he looked at her and touched her, it was like she was a prize he wanted to proudly display to the world.
Simply, she felt beautiful. She felt cherished.
“Time to mess it all up.” He grinned as he rolled on top of her and kissed her deeply, pulling her against him. She giggled and fell into his movements, arching against him and wanting to show him how much he meant to her.
CHAPTER FOUR
East Haven, Connecticut
“Thank you guys for letting me tag along like the awkward third wheel.” Aralia declared from the backseat of the car, leaning forward to slip one of her CD’s into the player.
“Not a problem, my mom will love to have more people there. Plus you won’t be a third wheel. Most of my old band mates will be there at least on and off, and I think my best friend Dylan is going to be visiting at the same time so he usually stays with us.” Logan told her as he navigated his way out of New York City, with Caroline in the passenger seat.
“I’m glad you’re coming, because I need the support!” Caroline chimed in.
“What do you need support for?” Logan inquired, shooting her a confused look.
“I’ve never met your parents before, Logan. They’ve only heard about me from you. What if they don’t like me?”
“Baby, that’s impossible. They are going to love you.” He reached over and squeezed her thigh.
“Not to interrupt this nauseating Hallmark moment, guys, but she does have a point.” Aralia leaned up between the seats and looked at them both.
“What?”
“I’m saying Caroline should be nervous.” Aralia grinned and winked at her.
“Oh thanks, Aralia. I’m taking back my comment about being glad you’re coming then.” Caroline tossed up her hands in annoyance.
“Do you want someone to blow smoke up your butt or do you want the truth? The last girl that he brought home was Gina, wasn’t it?” Aralia asked.
“Yeah, but that relationship is long gone. She isn’t in my life anymore.” Logan quickly commented, trying to reassure Caroline.
“But her kidney is.” Aralia sat back in her seat, shrugging.
Caroline bit her lip and looked over at Logan, anxiety clearly etched all over her face. She knew all about that story, and it really did nothing to soothe her fears. Logan winced at the reminder, sighing loudly. He reached over and grabbed Caroline’s hand, kissing the back of it.
“You have nothing to worry about, baby.”
“Expect trying to measure up to the woman who saved your mother’s life.”
“Just don’t cook for her and I’m sure it will all be fine.” Logan grinned, teasing her and trying to lighten the mood.
Both girls laughed and Caroline smacked his arm at that comment.
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“Holy cheese whiz times two. This is your house?” Aralia gaped as she pressed her face up against the car window like a child, trying to get a full picture of the house they were approaching.
“I thought I was impressed when I saw the penthouse, but damn Logan, you need to teach me how to play a guitar.” Aralia gaped at the expansive landscape and beautiful cape cod style home sitting in front of the blue ocean water.
“It is amazing, Logan.” Caroline was wide-eyed with the same, yet quieter, fascination.
“I actually grew up in a small house near Tuttle Brook right by the airport, you could hear the planes coming and going all the time. Once I made enough on my first record deal though, I purchased this place out here by Mansfield Point. It’s a lot quieter for them, plus it’s on the water.” He explained as he pulled into park in the circular light stone driveway.
“Is it directly on the beach?” Aralia unbuckled and began getting out of the car.
“It’s on a small cliff that overlooks a beach. There is a set of stairs in the back that will take you down to the sand. It’s small, but it’s private. East Haven Town Beach isn’t a far walk west from here, if you want to see more people though.” Logan motioned in that direction as he climbed out.
Caroline stepped out of the car and looked up at the three story, white house with light blue shutters and a wrap around porch spanning all three floors. It almost looked like half of the house was outside, due to how large the full balconies were that clearly connected all the way to the back. Everything about the house was pristine and perfect, as if it was staring back at her from the pages of a magazine.
What she immediately noticed that made this house stand out were all the ramps. There was a beautifully carved stone ramp beside the steps up to the front stoop. Each level of the deck had a slowly cascading ramp that zigzagged down to the next level.
Despite the plentiful access to ramps, there was an elevator on one side of the house that was clearly an addition, but blended in perfectly as the deck accommodated it. Two sides of the elevator shaft were glass and from the looks of it, it opened into the house and onto the porch as well.
“Are you crying? What’s wrong?” Logan walked up to Caroline, who was still standing admiring the house.
“Am I?” Caroline suddenly sniffed and wiped a tear off her cheek that she hadn’t even realized had fallen.
“Baby, are you nervous still? I told you, there is nothing to worry about. They will love you.” He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her tightly and nuzzling his nose into the side of her neck.
“It’s not that, it’s just so sweet, Logan. Look at this house. Look at everything you put in for your mother and her wheelchair. I mean, how can I not shed a tear over a love like that?”
“Baby,”
“No, Logan, I’m serious. You need to know this.
” Caroline pulled back in his arms slightly, putting her hands on his chest and peering into his deep blue eyes.
“I fell in love with a man, then a musician, then an artist, then so much more. But today? Today I fell in love with a man who would do anything to take care of his family.”
He looked at her, his eyes lowering to her lips as he listened to her, a small smile on the corner of his lips. When she was done, he leaned in and kissed her softly and sweetly, taking his time tasting every inch of her lips.
“I love you, Caroline.” He whispered in a husky voice as he touched his forehead to hers.
“Ahem, guys? Third wheel awkwardly watching this whole interaction.” Aralia shattered their moment as she stepped toward them, her arms over her chest.
“Third wheel? I thought I got to be the third wheel to their lovey-dovey crap this week.” An unfamiliar male voice came from behind Caroline as she was laughing at Aralia, pulling away from Logan.
“Dylan-fucking-Moore!” Logan dropped her hand and strode over to the tall, broad gentleman walking up the driveway holding a motorcycle helmet in one hand.
“Caroline, who is that?” Aralia stepped next to her, whispering as she leaned in closer to her friend.
“I think it’s Dylan-fucking-Moore.” She giggled in response, glancing over at her friend with a teasing smile.
“I got that much, genius. Is he Logan’s friend? Because he is delicious. Do you see his bike? That thing is a work of art all on its own.” Aralia kept her voice in hushed tones, but didn’t take her eyes off the man chatting with Logan.
“Girls, guess who this is?” Logan and his friend walked back up to them.
“Dylan-fucking-Moore?” Aralia grinned and Caroline shot her a look for stealing her joke.
“Is this Caroline? She is clearly brilliant.” Dylan spoke sarcastically as he flashed a dazzling grin in Aralia’s direction.
“No, this is her best friend, Aralia Gatti. Aralia, this is my old band mate and best friend, Dylan Moore.” Logan introduced them and he reached out a hand toward her, she took it and the two shook, but it was a little longer than normal and Logan had to clear his throat to proceed.
“This is my Caroline.” Logan motioned to her and Dylan dropped Aralia’s hand, finally turning his attention toward her.
“Dylan, it’s a pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you.” She smiled back at him and shook his hand.
“Come on, let’s take this party inside. You ladies need to meet the folks!” Logan was all smiles as he motioned them toward the front door.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Pops!” Logan put down the suitcase he was carrying and put both arms out as his father walked into the foyer to greet them.
“Move aside, kid. I want to meet this pretty new girl of yours.” Mickey grinned and Logan dropped his arms, giving him a pretend annoyed expression.
“Love you too, Pops,” Logan grinned, turning to motion for Caroline.
“Happy Holidays, Mr. Clay, I’m Caroline, this is my best friend, Aralia,” motioning to her friend as she put her hand out to shake his.
“Mr. Clay? Please, that’s way too formal for the girl that stole my boys heart.” He scoffed and ignored her extended hand, going in to hug her instead.
His big, burly frame wrapped around her for a quick squeeze and when he pulled back, she could tell instantly that she was going to like him. His long, fluffy gray beard matched his graying hair and the wrinkles around his eyes said that he probably laughed and smiled a lot. His eyes were dark, but his skin was pale underneath his flannel collared shirt and relaxed blue jeans.
“Aralia? Lovely name, exotic. Sounds like a flower.” He turned to her friend, hugging her as well.
“Thank you! It is actually the name of a flower,” She grinned back, enjoying his outgoing personality.
“Knew it. And you’re just as gorgeous as them.” He patted her arm, then turned back to Caroline.
“You ladies can call me Mickey. Everybody does.” He told them.
“Not me, I call you Pops, too.” Dylan walked around her and gave Mickey a big hug, towering over him in height.
“Yeah and I keep telling you to stop, fuck if I want another kid to feed.” Mickey joked, giving Dylan a friendly slap on the shoulder.
“They just walked in and you’re already cussing and torturing them?” A soft, feminine voice entered the foyer where they were all standing.
Everyone turned to see a thin, beautiful woman with wavy brown hair and pale, smooth skin coming toward them, seated in a wheelchair and propelling herself by pushing the wheels forward. Caroline immediately caught her eyes and saw where Logan got his deep blue irises from.
“Merry Christmas, Momma! How are you feeling?” Logan met her halfway and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek as everyone else came to join them.
“I’m heavenly, son. How could I not be when I’ve got my kids under the same roof again?” She beamed up at him, cupping his chin gently then turning to smile to Dylan who was right behind Logan, waiting his turn to greet her.
“Mom, you look lovely as always. Merry Christmas.” He told her, kissing her other cheek and squeezing her hand.
“Laura, meet the ladies they brought. This is Caroline, Logan’s girl, and her best friend, Aralia.” Mickey introduced them to his wife.
“Beautiful name, I love it.” She hugged Aralia who happened to be the closest to her and leaned down to meet her.
Caroline stepped up to her next, smiling nervously, as she gave her a hug.
“I’ve been so excited to meet you, Caroline. I’ve heard your name nonstop for over a year, I swear. Logan’s been all twisted up over you for quite some time.” She grinned and Logan put up his hands in an annoyed gesture.
“Mom, come on, killing me here.”
“Oh sorry, I meant to say my tough, manly son has not been overly chatty lately about some gorgeous brunette he whisked off to Greece.” Laura joked and both Logan and Caroline blushed, while everyone else burst out laughing. Her fears of being rejected by his family quickly diminished as she saw that Logan’s ex-girlfriend didn’t even seem to be on their minds.
“Come on, everyone, let’s get out of the entryway here. The living room is to your right or the kitchen is back this way.” Laura motioned to everyone as a maid came and began grabbing suitcases and carrying them up one side of the staircases that circled the foyer.
“I’m going to go wash up, its been a long day.” Dylan told them, helping the maid with the suitcases and following her upstairs.
“I’d love some water if you don’t mind.” Aralia spoke up.
“Of course, come on.” Laura motioned for them to follow her as she turned her wheelchair and headed back from the direction that they came. Caroline and Aralia tagged along after her, admiring the house as they went.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, son.” Mickey smacked Logan on the shoulder and grinned.
“You know what that means.” Logan raised his eyebrows.
“I’m going to kick you ass all over that pool table.” Mickey’s grin widened and the two walked off to the game room located toward the back of the house on the bottom level, looking out on the swimming pool and patio.
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“Dinner’s almost ready, baby.” Logan came up behind her and kissed the top of her head, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
“Did I ever tell you how talented you are?” He said, staring at her sketchbook that she was drawing in.
The sunset before them, coming down over the water and beginning to find its way beneath the cliff’s edge at the end of the property. Caroline had been penciling it into her sketchbook for a few minutes as she had gone out on the deck for a quiet moment. The house was loud with laughter and people talking, so even though she had need to bundle up in a coat, she was enjoying the moment on the balcony.
“You might have mentioned it a time or two.” She smiled.
 
; “Good, because you are.” Logan came around and sat next to her on the bench, putting his arm around the back of her shoulders.
“I love your parents, Logan. They are amazing. Your mom is like an angel, and your dad is so full of life.” She looked at him, dreamily.
“They are wonderful, my mom has definitely always been sweet but my dad is like a different person now.” Logan nodded.
“How so?”
“When I was growing up, he was so tired all the time from working and taking care of me and my mom. We didn’t have nurses or help back then and her health was much worse before her kidney transplant. I think it just took everything out of him.”
“I don’t blame him, that’s a lot to juggle at one time.”
“It was, even when I started working during high school so he could work less, it still didn’t seem to help much. Her health was at its worst during those years and into my early twenties, he was running himself ragged with worry on top of all he did for her.”
“So now that you have hired nurses and her health is better, he has more time for himself?”
“Definitely. He doesn’t have to work, I pay for everything easily. I don’t want them working, they are both near retirement age anyway. They’ve done enough, they deserve the down time.” He told her, squeezing her shoulders as his arm tightened around her and they watched the sun set.
She was quiet for a moment, looking at him with pride as he stared off into the sunset. Sometimes she couldn’t believe how wonderful this man was, it didn’t seem real. As if it was unbelievable that anyone could love so much or have a heart so big to do the things he did, all without trying to brag or sound arrogant. He didn’t care about what people thought, he just did what he thought was right. She loved him so much for that.
“They love each other a lot, that’s pretty clear.” She dipped her head down to rest on his shoulder.
“More than anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s been almost twenty five years since the accident and he stuck by her every moment. He always says how he fell in love with her the moment he saw her. I loved listening to him say that when I was a kid because it was him at his softest. He was normally so gruff and grouchy, but not when he talked about her. When he talks about Mom, his eyes get wet with emotion and he is always smiling.”