"Hope's funny that way." He rubbed her back, caressed her hair. "Shhh. It's okay. You're allowed to be disappointed."
She cried, so grateful for his understanding and tenderness it flooded her completely. Clinging to him like a lifeline in a storm, she cried. And he held her close.
"So you were staying for February anyway," he said. "And March too, if need be. And maybe even April. We'll have sex every night if you want. You'll have your baby, Tess. It just might take time. The doctor told us that." His large hands gently ran up and down her back. "It'll happen. I'm not going anywhere. Okay?"
She looked up at him, floored by his words. "You'll really do that? Keep at this for months, if need be?"
"Like sleeping with you is such a hardship," he said warmly. He quirked a grin, making her return it. "As long as it takes. I made you a promise. I keep my promises." He wiped her tears from her cheeks.
She stared up at him. The gentleness of his touch never ceased to amaze her. That such big, powerful hands were capable of such tenderness . . .
He searched her face. "You okay now?"
"I'm a hot mess today," she grumbled. "The hormones own me. I'll be back to normal tomorrow."
"Okay." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then leaned down to pick up the cookies. "Well, look. These are damn good cookies. From Pistelli's bakery, you know them?"
She nodded. "Best pastries in Aspen, some say."
"Those ‘some' are right. So you don't wanna waste 'em." He grinned softly, making the corners of his eyes crinkle, appealing as hell to her. "Why don't you make some tea, and we can just hang out and watch a movie or something. Or, if you'd rather just be alone, that's fine. Don't be shy, tell me to go, I'll leave if you want. I just wanted to check on you and bring these by."
She sniffed hard and swept her hair back from her face. He was such a good man. A good friend. Affection welled inside her. "Please stay. Cookies, tea, and a movie sound wonderful, actually. I'd like that."
"Cool." He smiled and unzipped his coat. "What movie do you want to watch?"
* * *
Logan went through the next few weeks feeling lighter. It was the only word he could think of to describe it. Work was fine, his mother was happy for him, and his evenings were either spent at the gym or with Tess. For a fake girlfriend, it was the best relationship he'd ever enjoyed. The lack of pressure was ideal. He'd tried to do that with other women, but it hadn't worked. With Tess . . . everything worked. It was so easy, felt so natural. Knowing there were no expectations, and none down the road, enabled him to be himself. He hadn't let himself do that with anyone since Rachel. He'd made a connection with Tess that was real, and the truth was, it felt really good. He could admit that to himself.
January turned into February. They went skiing three times, since Tess wanted to get her time in on the slopes before the next cycle. Once they started again, she didn't want to go skiing, possibly jostle anything, and he understood. He loved skiing with her, it was always a rush. Some nights, they went out. To dinner, or to Ford's Coffee House. It amused Logan that Ford was a little jealous of his new "girlfriend"; Logan knew that, given the opportunity, Ford would've pursued her himself.
Some nights, they stayed in. They had dinners with his mother, or watched movies together at Tess's place. He hated to admit that Annmarie was getting weaker; he saw it little by little. But his fake relationship made her happy. She wasn't just happy for him, she really liked Tess. And Tess was great with her, always bringing flowers or pastries when she visited, being attentive and sweet when they talked. Her kindness toward his mother made his genuine affection for her grow. He adored her. She was a great friend, and held up her end of their bargain beautifully. He couldn't ask for more.
By early February, among his small social circles and her larger ones in Aspen, he and Tess were thought of as a couple. And Logan was oddly proud of that association. If he had to be thought of as tied to someone, who in the world was better than her? She was an incredible woman. He found himself thinking of her often . . . okay, almost all the time.
Their friendship had put a spark back into his quiet life. He loved their chats, the playful banter and texts that made him smile. And their chemistry was so compelling, that the time they spent together almost always ended up in hot and heavy make-out sessions. Yes, they were just friends, but they couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. But always, they had to stop before it got too intense. She'd explained that the dry weeks meant no action for him. The longer he went without sex, the better his sperm count would be when they started up again. It made him ache, but he understood and was fine with it. They had an agenda to stick to, and the rules made it easier to stay clearheaded.
Then it was the second week of February, and back to Game On for the Dream Team. When day ten of her cycle arrived, he woke up hard, ready to go. He'd missed her body. Now that he knew what to look forward to, he couldn't wait to get back to it.
That afternoon and evening, however, he had a job to finish at the McLellan property, goddammit. The timing sucked. All day, as he worked on fixing the damaged portion of the outside wall of their house, all he could think of was getting in bed with Tess. Knowing they could go at it again, knowing he didn't have to go home and take another cold shower, knowing she was waiting for him . . . it was torture. Finally, at six o'clock, he texted her he'd be on his way over, he just was going home to take a quick shower.
Don't bother going home, she texted back. Come shower here. I'd love to watch . . .
Holy shit. His cock throbbed in his jeans. The hell with getting dinner first, he'd eat a protein bar he had stashed in his truck. He texted back immediately: Yes ma'am. Be there in fifteen minutes.
When she opened the door to him, wearing that soft, plush red robe of hers, he immediately wondered what was beneath it. She pulled him into the house and hugged him hello, as she always did, but his whole body roared to life. He took her face in his hands and kissed her, plundering her mouth, pressing her tightly against him.
"Someone's all fired up," she murmured when he set her mouth free.
"It's been a long almost-three weeks," he said, taking his coat off between kisses. "I'm eager to get to work . . ." He yanked off his wool cap. "Gotta admit, I love this job."
She laughed and took his hat and coat. "Your shower can't be too hot. Raising your body temperature isn't ideal for sperm count or mobility. But a quick lukewarm shower . . . I'd love to watch that. You game?"
"You like to watch, huh?" His voice pitched low as he stared at her. The thought of her eyes on him had his whole body pulsing with desire.
"If it's you? Yes. Yes, I believe I do."
They went up to the master bathroom, one of the most magnificent bathrooms he'd seen in all his Red Mountain houses. Skylights above, warm wooden walls, a window that showcased the mountains. There was a huge shower, all chrome and elegance, encased in glass; and a deep tub with jets, which was wide enough for two adults to share, even when the two in question were as tall and big as they were. The bathroom was bigger than his living room, for Christ's sake. But it was nice and warm.
Sitting in her red robe, Tess perched herself on the edge of the tub to watch, crossing her long, bare legs. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, down her back, and her bright blue eyes sparkled as they locked on him. "This is going to be delicious," she purred. "Strip for me."
"Holy crap." His brows shot up and a short, shocked laugh flew out of him. "You're in total voyeur mode."
"It seems so." She bit down on her lip, unable to hold back a wicked grin. "Do you mind?"
"Mind? It's turning me on like crazy."
"Oh good. I need you turned on."
"You don't have to work at it, Tess." He pulled his white wool sweater over his head, then the T-shirt beneath, and let them drop to the floor. Her eyes traveled over his body, taking in what she saw and apparently liking the view. Hot pink bloomed on her cheeks and chest as she watched him leisurely unbutton and unzip his jeans, as he pushed them off and toed off his heavy socks. His erection raged in his boxer briefs as he kicked the pile of clothes aside.