Irreplaceable (Harmony)

  I didn’t see it coming and wasn’t prepared when Logan leaned in and, instead of kissing me again as I’d anticipated, yanked me into his arms.

  I sucked in a deep gasp of air as I was expectantly lifted in the air—one hand on my ass, the other in my hair, tugging out my hair tie. My unruly waves cascaded down around us as my legs locked around his back.

  Logan’s lips were on mine, soft and slow as he carried me out of the room and, a moment later, placed me gently down on my bed.

  Hovering over me, his hands gave a tight squeeze to my ass before releasing it, earning him a muffled giggle from my busy lips. Our tongues danced together, taking our sweet time stroking and nipping. He tasted of mint and sweet wine—a taste I would never forget, and could only dream to experience again.

  Logan pulled back after a few minutes, drawing me up with him, never once breaking our kiss until he dragged my shirt over my head. Slowly, he reached around me, and with one flick of his wrist, my bra fell forward and he was pulling it away.

  “Gorgeous,” he murmured.

  Out of nowhere, I was hit with a moment of shyness. The way he looked at me, stared as though he’d never seen anything like me, took my breath away.

  His hands cupped my cheeks, pulling my gaze back to his. “You’re stunning. You should know that and never forget it.”

  Smiling, I placed a kiss to his scruffy jaw, snaked my arms around his neck, and brought him back down with me as I fell back onto the pillows.

  Logan’s hands were everywhere, caressing me, hauling me closer around my back, and then wandering down between us. I wasted no time raising my hips for him, spelling out what I wanted, my jeans aching to disappear.

  “Not yet.” He kissed my chin and smirked with a mischievous glint in his dark-blue eyes as he sat up on his knees.

  My breath was heavy, my body surging to life and anxious for more when Logan dipped down and sucked my nipple into his mouth.

  My head fell back, eyes slamming shut with my wild moan. The pads of his fingers worked over me delicately, memorizing every curve of my breast. I gripped his shoulders as he sucked harder, my legs moving closer to wrap around his waist, locking my ankles to hold him in place.

  With a flick of his tongue, a loud, foreign moan escaped from my mouth, and I caught the pleased smile on his perfect swollen lips as he ran his tongue across my chest and over to my other breast. Back and forth, he showered his kisses and adoration down over me.

  My legs locked tighter around him, begging for friction between my legs as I ground my hips into him at the feeling of his growing erection. Kneading my breasts together, he buried his face between them, inhaling so deeply my cheeks flushed.

  “So sweet, mmm,” he growled. My insides tightened at the sound, the fire in my center burning stronger than ever.

  Logan’s thumb and pointer finger flicked and tugged on my nipples as he brought his lips back to mine, kissing me from one corner to the other with slow, soft pecks before claiming my mouth in one quick movement.

  My hands were clammy on his back, caressing, running my nails over the powerful strength he possessed in his perfect body. The groan that escaped him pushed me to continue, knowing he was enjoying my exploration of his body.

  Slowly, I trailed my hands down his side and up and down over the muscles in his solid forearms. I couldn’t control myself—my body wanted him in every way, grinding against him to the point that my legs were painfully tight from the feeling of his erection pressed into me.

  “Soon, sweetheart,” he whispered against my neck, reading my mind.

  Before I knew it, he was unraveling himself from my hold and sitting up, smiling down at me.

  “Don’t move,” Logan said as he stood from the bed and walked around to the end, where he spread my legs apart and settled between them. Slowly, he leaned down while my hands covered my stomach, unsure what to expect when he unsnapped the button on my jeans and drew down the zipper.

  “Lift your hands over your head. I want to see all of you,” he instructed, and I did so immediately.

  His eyes darkened as I lay there stretched out, my hands twisted above my head. I clutched the bottom of the headboard with a tight grip, needing something to hold onto as my body waited in anticipation.

  “There, yes, just like that.”

  Undeniably aroused and not afraid to express it, I ran my tongue over my parched lips as Logan placed his hands on my hips, digging his fingers into the hem of my jeans, his thumbs circling and teasing my searing flesh.

  His head dipped down and placed a slow kiss across my stomach as his hands ran down my legs until they were holding my ankles. I felt his fingers grip the fabric of my jeans there and slowly begin pulling them down my clammy legs, my body stretching out with each tug. The rush of the last rapid movement before my jeans were tossed on the floor was exhilarating, leaving my body pulsing in waves on the bed as it settled back down.

  “Oh, sweetheart.” He looked pained, his voice stressed as he stared down at me.

  Realizing I was there in nothing but panties I’d thrown on the morning after my shower, my cheeks warmed and my head shot up to do a quick peek to see what panties I was wearing. To my relief and his obvious approval, I relaxed back down after seeing the white lace.

  Logan took me in, inch by inch, his tongue wetting his lips. In the darkness, with only the light of the moon filtering in through the curtains, he stood tall, a broad chest of rippled muscles and beautiful dark features regarding me as no man had before.

  “You have no idea what you do to me—how long I’ve wanted you, ached for you in ways I never imagined.” He shook his head, his eyes closing as he continued. "So many incredible fantasies have overwhelmed my thoughts, my dreams, night after night for months now.” He opened his bright eyes. His lips were straight—serious. “Yet none of them can compare to seeing your beautiful body stretched out over this bed now, waiting for me. Only you, Cassandra—you’re the only woman that has made me feel like this.”

  Logan’s eyes halted their appraisal as they focused on my thigh. Without a word, he traced his finger over my wound, now practically healed but still slightly tender. I winced not from the sting, but from the impact of his gentle touch there.

  His eyes shot up, searching mine. We’d come so far, and I wouldn’t let past events dictate our future together. Offering him a soft, reassuring smile, I watched as he bent forward and placed a lingering kiss over the scar I’d carry forever.

  Caught in the moment of his loving act, I gasped when his fingers slid over and hooked inside my panties, then slowly peeled them away. The thin fabric hung around my ankles for a moment, and then it was gone.

  “Let go,” he said. I released my hold and brought my arms back down beside me.

  The longer I lay there, the harder it was to control my eagerness to feel him against me as he stared down at my naked sex, his hands roaming up and down my thighs.

  “I won’t be able to stop this time,” he said, eyes moving slowly up to mine.

  There was no chance to reply. As I processed the weight of his admission, he dropped to his knees on the floor, grasping the backs of my thighs and tugging me down until my legs were propped over his shoulders. I could only see the outline of his frame, but it didn’t matter.

  My back arched up, hands fisting the sheets as he ran his tongue over me, exploring me as no one else had before. I could feel the spring tightening in my gut, the uncontrollable need growing and growing until he removed his mouth.

  I jerked back, ready to complain, but I didn’t have to. He knew what I wanted, what I needed, and was set on giving it to me. My entire body stiffened as I felt his finger slide inside, and then his lips were back where I needed them.

  “Logan! Please!”

  My body jerked up to a sitting position as he slid his finger around, my hands flying up into his hair, fisting it as my release grew closer and closer until I was screaming his name and my body was falling back, bucking wildly until I was lef
t soaking wet and ready for more.

  I lay there, my head swimming with absolute bliss when I felt him release my legs from his shoulders and climb over me. He pulled me into his arms, bringing me farther up the bed until my head was resting on my pillow.

  I hadn’t even seen him remove his pants, let alone his boxer briefs; however, his erection pressing at my entrance got my blood pumping again and heart racing, reminding me there was more to come. Much more.

  His lips were on my stomach, kissing, when I heard him speak. “Condom.”

  Condom? No problem, there, thanks to Hilary’s goodie bag. I reached over into my nightstand, pulled one out, and tore it open with my teeth.

  He smiled, taking it from me and rolling it on. The darkness and my sated hangover left me unable to see his manhood, and I couldn’t deny the disappointment in that. But then again, the night was still young.

  “I’m shocked Mr. Playboy doesn’t keep one handy.”

  I wanted to slap a hand over my mouth as the smile fell from his face. But he seemed to shake it off, hovering back over me and nipping at my nipple.

  “My plans tonight involved spending time with you, doing anything you wanted as long as we were together. This incredible turn of events wasn’t expected, so no, I didn’t feel the need to keep them handy.”

  “I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “I didn’t mean—”

  “Shhh, I know.” With that, his lips were on mine as his erection pressed against me again. “Tell me you really want this. That you want me—us.”

  I couldn’t help myself as I cupped his face and held his gaze.

  “Us. I want us…ahhh.” I winced as he slid into me, stretching me.

  He was so big it took a moment to adjust. I clutched his shoulders, my nails digging into his flesh.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, his eyes wide. “You’re so…tight. I’ve never felt anything so…”

  “Please, I’m fine. Move. Just…I…I need more,” I pleaded, clawing at his back, pumping my hips up to meet his thrust.

  “Cassandra.”

  With each thrust of his hips, I melted into him, my mouth roaming over the swells of his arms, his tight muscles. My hands couldn’t get enough, digging into his hair, bringing him closer. The moans that spilled out of me were like no other—strong, fierce, and full of life. I’d never felt so wanted, so needed, so adored.

  Making love to Logan was something I’d never get used to. With each thrust, he held me as though he’d never let go, kissed me as no one else ever could, and when he could stand it no longer he brought my legs up higher, deepening the angle and taking me to a climax that rivaled the first one.

  “Us. Always,” he panted, driving in once, twice. Then, with a deep husky groan, I felt him still inside me, his lips breathless against my cheek with his release.

  Logan’s arms were on each side of me, palms planted firmly against the mattress, caging me in. I never felt safer or more wanted.

  When we began to sit up, I pulled him in closer, not ready to lose the connection. I wanted to stay there forever with him inside me. I wondered if he felt the same, because when he rolled over, he took me with him so I was on top of him, resting on his chest, still connected as his lover.

  “That was…”Logan was panting, a sheen of sweet covering his warm body. “Unbelievable.”

  I nodded, smiling to myself as I placed soft kisses to his chest where I lay.

  “Extraordinary.” I laughed lightly, and his chest rumbled under me with his own soft chuckle.

  His hands caressed my back and I could feel his subtle throbs inside me. Slowly, I sat up, the movement sliding him out of me. It was then I noticed the card peeking out of my jeans lying beside the bed—the card from the flowers.

  Logan must’ve followed my gaze, because before I could stop him, he reached down and snatched it.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  “Nothing, give it here,” I pleaded as he eyed the envelope.

  He wasn’t listening to me. Instead, he was pulling out the card from inside. Slowly, his gaze landed back on mine.

  “You keep this on you?”

  “No.”

  “Then why was it in your jeans?” he asked curiously, watching me as I lay back down on my pillow.

  “I found it in the pantry earlier. Hilary left it in the vase after she cleaned it for me.”

  “Did you read it?”

  I swallowed. “No.”

  A small smile drew over his lips as he leaned down and handed it to me. “Well then, I think it’s about time, don’t you?”

  I had no reply, so I took the card and inhaled a deep breath that caught in my throat as I read:

  My soul aches with regret for what I have done to you. I’m at your mercy till the day I take my final breath. I am yours, and can only hope for the honor to someday prove myself to call you mine. I love you, Cassandra. Yesterday, today, and forever.

  Releasing a ragged breath, I tore my glossy eyes from the card and looked up at him sitting beside me.

  “Logan, I—”

  “I love you, Cassandra. I think I always have,” he said with a confidence so strong I felt his words rebuilding the final pieces of my mending heart.

  “I love you.” Did I just say that? The look on my face must’ve told him I was just as surprised by it as he was. He kissed me, smiling against my lips.

  “Say it again,” he demanded.

  “I do. I don’t know when it happened or how, and I know it took me so long, but I love you.” I swallowed a sob, tears blurring my vision, emotions rushing through my veins. I love him—Logan. I love Logan!

  Unable to control the grin growing over my lips, I threw myself into his arms and held him tight, placing a long, gentle kiss to his ear. His arms encompassed me, his breath tickling my searing cheek.

  “I never want to let go,” I confessed. “I love you so much. I didn’t know it could feel like this. It’s painful and beautiful, and it consumes me like nothing else.” I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes to tell him what he longed to hear. “I’m yours, Logan. I always have been.”

  A tear glistened in his eye. I placed my mouth over his cheek as it slipped free, licking it away.

  “I’m sorry I doubted you over and over again,” I said, tears slipping out.

  “Shhh, nothing matters except that I absolutely love you with every fiber of my being and want to spend tonight showing you that.”

  “Stay with me tonight,” I said, hopeful.

  “You couldn’t get me out of this house without you.”

  I laughed again as he readjusted my legs to straddle his lap.

  “Good, ‘cause I’m not ready for tonight to end.”

  “We’re far from the end, sweetheart.” Logan’s arms pulled me down, and he crushed his lips to mine.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Testing

  The next day, I awoke in Logan’s arms, warm and loved. Was this my life now? Would it always be like this?

  Logan placed a soft kiss on the side of my head, and I lifted my chin to his chest just enough to be greeted by his delicious, relaxed smile.

  “Morning, sweetheart.”

  His arms wrapped around my waist and dragged me over to lie on top his body fully, my lips over his. The thought of morning breath had me struggling to retract, but he was having none of it.

  “Get out of that head of yours,” he said, his hands loosely on my hips, thumbs stroking over my bare skin.

  With a smile, I leaned down and placed a small peck on the center of his inviting lips, then peered up at his deep blues. They watched as I placed another short kiss on the corner of his lips, then slowly kissed my way down his scruffy jaw.

  I made my way down to his neck, where I ran my tongue over his salty skin and then placed a lingering wet kiss and looked back up. The grin creeping over my lips couldn’t be helped, as my hand trailed down his side and found him ready for me.

  With one stroke of him in my hand, the bl
aring of my alarm sounded, and Logan reached over casually to turn it off. It was seven a.m.—time for my morning jog, and then it was off to meet my mother for breakfast before her shift.

  “Please, continue,” he said, resting his arms behind his head and watching me with a pleased eye.

  And I did. Even knowing we needed to start our day—the man had to work, and I was supposed to meet my mother in a couple hours—I took my time. With my eyes on his, I slid my body down the length of his, my grip firm around his erection, stroking until my mouth was over him.

  “Oh fuck,” he groaned, his hands in my hair. “God, I’ll never let this end.”

  I peeked up through my lashes, releasing him from my mouth just long enough to reply. “Me neither.” With a smile, I ran my tongue down his length.

  Logan’s eyes lit up and his grin beamed. He looked the happiest I’d ever seen him, and suddenly he was pulling me back up and resting me over him. I wasted no time connecting our bodies, my lips on his as I rode out a morning of his love—our love—together.

  “I’ll be late!” I giggled, squirming out of his arms that were locked around my back, his mouth suction-cupped to my nipple.

  He let out a fierce, possessive growl and bit down gently before releasing me with a pop.

  “Fine, go if you must, but I want to see you tonight. Every night.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “Damn right, you will.” Logan sat up, releasing me so I could head to the shower.

  It didn’t take long to realize he was following.

  “Go!” I laughed, standing in front of the shower. “I’ll be late if you get in there with me.”

  “And?”

  “And my mother will be waiting.”

  “Better her than me.” Logan’s finger circled my breast as I stood nude in front of him. “I hate to wait for anything, yet for you….” His head dipped down and he placed a kiss over my nipple, then looked back up with a slight smirk. “For you, I’ll always wait.”

  I smiled. “Tonight. I’m all yours tonight.”

  “Fair enough. I need to go make sure Jax remembered to bring Oliver home with him from the city in time for school.” With a long, lingering kiss, Logan walked back into my room, dressed, and came back for one more kiss before leaving.