Irreplaceable (Harmony)

  Just one? What did that mean?

  I opened my mouth to question it but fell back onto the pillows, speechless, as his mouth began kissing around the one place Mark had always neglected.

  “Oh, God, Logan!”

  My toes curled. It was unlike anything I’d ever felt before, and he hadn’t even touched the main event. Just having him that close was unexpected and savage. He ravaged my inner thighs with his tongue, relentless and domineering. It was heaven. I relished the feeling, anticipation surging through me, fueling my high, his attention diverted from my center for longer than I could bear.

  My legs trembled with desire when his fingers ran over the lace covering me and slowly pulled the fabric aside. His tongue worked closer, and when the scruff of his jaw rubbed across my newly bare area, I screamed a full-on, hysterical scream.

  “Wait! Stop! Stop! Stop!” I was on fire, and not in the way I’d planned.

  I pulled myself up, bringing my knees up to my chin and fanning my hands over the raw skin while Logan stood and crossed the room, flicking on the light.

  My eyes blinked as they adjusted to the brightness, and I watched in horror as Logan dropped back to his knees and spread my legs to examine me.

  His eyes never looked away from my sacred area as he teased, “Well, I see you had more than a little makeup and hairstyling done today sweetheart.”

  Kill me now.

  “It’s red,” he continued with a matter-of-fact tone. “Looks tender.”

  The heat in my cheeks had to have been just as enflamed.

  “You should have told me. I would have been gentler.”

  The man had been as gentle as you could get. I mean, his kisses were as—

  “Ohhhh,” I moaned, dropping my knees open and falling back to the mattress as Logan blew a soft stream of breath over the fire burning between my legs.

  He was right—he could be gentler.

  “Better?”

  “Mm-hmm.” I bit my lip, hands covering my face but my stiff posture melting away.

  “Tell me, does it hurt here?”

  My hands slipped down, gripping the comforter below me as his tongue parted me down my center and slid over me with careful ease.

  “Ohhh. Nooo. Perfect.”

  “It’s gonna kill me to leave,” he rumbled, and his tongue slid back down, careful not to brush the enflamed area.

  Leave? What? Before I could comprehend, he was gone, my sex abandoned.

  “Looks normal for being freshly waxed. You’ll be healed up soon.”

  That was it? He was just getting started. And the fact that he knew what a freshly waxed vagina looked like turned my gut.

  The bed dipped from Logan sitting on it, and he pulled my hand nearest him to his lips.

  “I like you flushed. It’s adorable.” He grinned.

  Great, I was adorable. Exactly what I was not going for tonight. I closed my eyes tighter.

  “Do you have any aloe lotion, or—” He stopped abruptly.

  “They gave me a balm to apply, but it hadn’t hurt.” To be honest, my body had spent the evening too aroused to think about the unfriendly waxing job.

  Wait, why did he stop talking? And what was that ruffling—oh, crap!

  My eyes flew open and I scurried up in horror, tugging at the bag in his hand, but was too late. He pulled it out of my near-miss grasp and held up the handcuffs.

  “Interesting choice.” The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You sure planned one hell of night. I hate to disappoint, but even if you hadn’t been waxed raw, I wasn’t planning on having sex with you.”

  “What?” I gasped incredulously.

  He was lying. Had had to be.

  “So, what, then? You would have just teased me and then left?” A hard laugh shot out. “You’re lying!”

  “That was exactly what I was planning on doing if you couldn’t get out of your head long enough to see you were acting unreasonable.” A serious scowl settled between his brows. “You think I couldn’t see through your act all evening?”

  Was he serious? I stood, wincing at the burn between my legs, glowering down at him with a harsh gaze through narrowed slits.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, does that upset you? Would that have led. You. On?”

  The sarcasm in his curt tone sent me over the edge. The bag of sex goodies in his hands was ripped away and thrown at his head. He ducked, a roguish chuckle filling the room at my outburst.

  He was just going to tease me! I was floored. Logan always had to have control, and it pissed me off tonight.

  “Tell me why that would bother you, sweetheart.” He feigned innocence and sat back against my headboard, legs extended and crossed at the ankles.

  He really wanted to know why I’d be upset that he was planning on walking out on me before I’d had my fill? Before I finally had a piece of him, like he did me?

  “Why?” I snapped, exasperated. “I don’t know…maybe it’s because, yet again, you managed to manipulate me into calling the shots. Now that you finally got a real taste—” I recoiled and dropped my head, unable to face him.

  “It’s over,” I breathed after a beat. “Whatever this was, you made your point. We aren’t friends, and never can be again—it’s too hard—and anything else is too ridiculous to consider. I wanted you, you hurt me, and yet I let you do it all over again. I thought I could do this. I thought I was stronger.”

  I slumped back down to the bed, pulling the blanket over my lap. I lifted my head just enough to peer over at him, and the intensity in his eyes hooked me in.

  “You’re gorgeous, okay?” I confessed. “Sexier than any man I’ve ever met, and I freaking hate you for it. There—is that what you wanted me to admit? That I’m weak around you? That no matter how hard I try, I keep falling over and over again?”

  His eyes grew softer, and he let out an unexpected chuckle.

  Humiliation stung my nerves and filled me with enough strength to push myself back to my feet. I tugged my dress closed. Before I got two steps from the bed, however, he yanked me onto his lap.

  “Let me go!”

  He must’ve seen the blood rushing to my cheeks when he ground against my ass, because he moved quickly and pinned me down on the bed, his arms on my shoulders. He smashed his mouth to mine, kissing me into oblivion.

  He pulled back too soon, just enough to speak, his breath caressing my swollen lips.

  “Do you honestly believe I could give you just one night? After everything we’ve been through, you think I can handle just spending the night inside you? And then what…you walk away feeling as though you bested me? Who’s the one still playing games, Cassandra?” He released me and stood up, his jaw working hard.

  Sliding forward, I perched myself on the edge of the bed with slumped shoulders. He knew what I was doing.

  “Logan, we can’t have more. I offered you friends and I offered you tonight, and then—”

  “And then what!?” he shouted, startling me. “And then you expect me to leave? Disappear out of your life? You may think me a bastard for my past liaisons, but I’ve never taken a woman to bed who didn’t know exactly what she was getting—who didn’t know I wasn’t available for a relationship. But you…you turned the tables. And although I admire that about you, sweetheart, I’m not playing.” He stalked closer, kneeing my legs apart and standing between my open thighs.

  I regarded him warily as the start of a smirk played on his lips.

  “But if it’s a game you need, sweetheart, all you had to do was ask.”

  What the hell did that mean? The whiplash of his mood was exhausting. I needed to end things—break it off before it went any further. Honesty was the best bet.

  “I just thought that if we…” I blushed, then blurted out, “…if you finally just fucked me already, we could both move on…have some closure, and remove the tension destroying us.”

  He cocked his head to the side, frowning. “The problem with that is I don’t want closure, nor do I want to fuck you.?
?? His eyes lit up and traveled down to my breasts, which were peeking out from my open dress. I closed it in quick, tight clutch.

  A sweet, unexpected smile formed over his gorgeous, kissable lips. “I want to make love to you, Cassandra. I want to hear you tell me you feel it, too. And when you’re mine, body and soul, then I want you on your knees begging me to fuck you till you’re screaming my name.”

  I shuddered, his words filling me with something I’d never felt before. I wasn’t scared, but strangely aroused.

  We needed to stay on topic.

  “Logan, this is the end for me. It’s over. Done.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but it’s just the beginning. And after what you instigated here tonight, you’ve proven exactly what I’d been hoping for. You feel it too. You want me, but you’re scared.”

  Scared didn’t even begin to describe how I felt about letting Logan back in.

  “Please, just let this go. Why can’t you forget about me and move on? We can’t go back.”

  He either wasn’t listening or couldn’t hear, because he walked out of the room. I saw the glow of the bathroom light, then heard the sound of running water.

  When he returned a moment later, I noticed a washcloth in his hand. He took my hand from my lap and pulled me to my feet in front of him.

  “You’re so beautiful, and yet you think you need all this to get me into bed.” The warmth of the wet washcloth caressed my cheek, wiping away the layer of blush and bronzer. He continued cleaning it away until it was just me, fresh faced, staring back at him.

  “There you are,” he murmured with a sweet, caring smile. “Put on the balm they gave you and get some sleep. We’ll talk about things later.” His brows raised. “Unless you want me to stay. It seems as though you had been planning for me to, anyway.”

  I sighed, staring down at my feet sheepishly. “Logan,” I sighed. Yes, I wanted him to stay, but I didn’t know how to say it.

  “I’ll go.” He surprised me with his gentleness.

  His head tilted to the side, and I closed my eyes as he placed the most delicate kiss upon my cheek. “Good night, Cassandra.”

  With that, he handed me the washcloth, picked up his socks and shoes, and walked away.

  I slid down to the bed, falling onto my back and staring up at the dark ceiling. My heart was wide open, fully ready to consume my buried feelings he’d stirred back to life.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sister Act

  Logan made his point that night, and I fell asleep with a cool washcloth between my legs and tears in my eyes as I accepted what I’d been denying for too long. His absence hurt worse than ever before. At the end of the day, I wanted him there with me, and it was getting harder and harder to deny it.

  He was in my bedroom, washing the makeup gently from my face. He saw me, the real me, and that crumbled the walls around my heart. I couldn’t describe the final blow. I knew what was happening, and I couldn’t stop it. I was plowing straight into the massive train called Logan, hoping he would detour before we crashed.

  “Hey, what are you doing out here?”

  I turned to see Julia walking over from Logan’s yard, wearing a light smile.

  “Relaxing. The sun feels good.” It really did. I’d been enjoying my back porch lazily for over an hour, sipping hot cocoa.

  “Yeah, hopefully it melts some of this snow. I hate driving in it.” She sat in the empty chair beside me. “Mind if I join you? I’m waiting for Oliver.”

  “Sure. You guy going out somewhere?”

  “The movies. Natasha wanted to take him, but Logan insisted I chaperone.”

  “Fun,” I replied, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in my voice as I grinned at her. It sounded like hell.

  “Not really the word I’d use to describe it,” Julia said, making a face, “but Logan made it worthwhile.” She pulled a wad of cash from her coat pocket, fanning it in her hand. “I’ll be going shopping as soon as the movie’s over and Oliver is back home with Jax. You want to come?”

  “Shopping or to the movies?” I asked sarcastically.

  “Either,” she replied, chuckling as she stuffed the cash back in her pocket.

  “I’ll pass. Why doesn’t Logan just go and chaperone?”

  She shrugged, crossing her leg over her knee. “He said he had a meeting, but I think it’s more about not wanting to be alone in a dark theatre with a skanky bitch who can’t keep her hands to herself.”

  I recoiled. “Oh.” The mere thought of Natasha touching Logan sent my stomach lurching.

  She must’ve noticed, because she added quickly, “Not that Logan encourages it. You should see how he’s able to tune the chick out. This morning, he came down for breakfast after his shower and was leaning against the counter drinking his coffee when she pranced in the back door, wearing an outdated black nightie. She went right up to kiss him, but he side-stepped her and strolled across the room to sit with me and ask about my plans for the day, as if it never happened. Natasha was fuming.” Julia giggled at the memory.

  Did I really want to hear this?

  “Sorry, it’s just hilarious to watch. My brother has more tolerance than I do. He’s over there now, helping Oliver get dressed.”

  “So they don’t get along then?” I spoke more quickly than I’d meant to, the words flying out, my mind desperate for the full picture.

  “They don’t fight, if that’s what you mean. I’ve seen her try to bait him in an argument, but he doesn’t care enough to get into it. He just lets her do her thing while he plots.”

  “Plots?” That perked me up.

  “Oh, yeah. You didn’t think he would really let her stay in his home and not use it to his advantage, did you?” Her eyes glistened with delight. “Logan was pissed when he called me back over after his birthday party to watch Oliver that night, yet the next morning he came back and explained that he was allowing Natasha to stay in the guest room and seemed okay about it. Said it might be for the best, you know—keep your enemies closer and all.”

  It made sense, but was still unnerving. I didn’t say a word—only listened, digesting it all.

  “Logan’s determined to find out why she’s back. He has his buddy keeping an eye on her at Haven, and even has Katie sucking up to her so she can try to get some info out of her.”

  “Your sister-in-law?”

  “Yeah. Katie and Natasha used to be close, at least until Oliver was born and Katie realized she was friends with a selfish whore.”

  Natasha really had been part of his family at one time. The fact that she was back and living with him had to be affecting him in ways he wasn’t admitting. The thought was ruining my mood.

  “I see,” I said softly and sipped my cocoa.

  Julia turned in her chair, eyeing me. “Have you met Katie?”

  “No, I saw her though. I guess she was picking up Oliver a few weeks back. She’s pretty.” I hated that I added that last comment, allowing my insecurity to shine through.

  “I used to tell her she should model. She and my older brother Lawrence are amazing parents, and they adore Oliver. They know how hard Logan works raising him on his own.”

  I smiled. “I didn’t know who she was when I saw her, so I thought…” Why did I just say that!?

  Julia’s head fell back from the burst of laughter thrust out of her mouth. “Shut up!” Her body flew forward, hands covering her mouth as she tried to calm her laughter. “Katie and Logan!? Oh my God, I can’t wait to tell her that.” She wiped a tear away. Was it that funny?

  It took a minute or two, but Julia finally regained her composure.

  “Katie’s been dying to meet you. Oliver and I told her all about his new neighbor that has his daddy smiling whenever she’s around. You guys will get along great. Think Martha Stewart meets Gisele Bündchen. Lawrence couldn’t be happier, and I promise, Logan has never showed any interest, so you’re safe from worry.”

  “I’m not worried.”

  “Whatever you say.??
? Her grin was all perfect white teeth. “I should call her to come down this weekend and we could go out. A girls’ night.”

  Being friends with Logan’s sister was one thing, but adding in his sister-in-law was a little too close for comfort. It was getting hard enough resisting him.

  “I don’t know,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to say—“Sorry, I can’t because I’m afraid I’ll have a good time and end up liking Katie”? Or maybe, “I don’t want to go and get close to yet another person that will remind me how great Logan is”? I decided on a lie instead.

  “I have plans this weekend. Maybe another time.”

  Her eyebrow arched, a stunned smile breaking over her face. “Wow, you really are a horrible liar, you know that?”

  “I’m not lying. I have plans.” I couldn’t even look her in the eye. I was such a bad liar.

  “With who?” she pressed, amused.

  “Hilary.” There. That sounded realistic.

  “Tell her to come along. She is a girl, and we’re having a girls’ night.” She laughed, watching me squirm in my chair.

  “I don’t know. I mean—”

  “Cassie, I want to get to know you better, and Katie keeps asking to meet you. It will be a lot of fun. I mean, soon enough we’ll be sisters, and—”

  “What!?” I gasped, my jaw dropping open.

  “Okay, now that’s just insulting!” She feigned a pout and reached over to smack my chin up, closing my mouth.

  “Sorry, it’s just…what are you talking about, sisters?”

  Julia laughed again, staring at me as though I’d grown two heads. “My brother is in love with you, Cassandra! Hell, I’d bet good money that I’ll be attending your wedding next year.”

  With an awkward snort of a laugh, I had to remind myself to breathe.

  “You are insane! Married? To Logan?” I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry.

  Julia rolled her eyes. “You don’t think one day you’ll be my sister?”

  “Sorry. You’re great and I want to be better friends, but no, I don’t.”

  “Then we bet!” she stated, insisting rather than asking. She and Logan were a lot alike.

  Oh no. No more betting for me. “I’ve sworn off betting.”