Crazy for Her(37)

“I was going to suggest that. She’s been hanging out here begging for something to do.”

Logan scowled at his cell. “Romeo, you get any ideas about Maria and you’re a dead man.” The hesitation on the other end raised the hair on Logan’s neck. He hadn’t missed the little glances recently occurring between Maria and Buchanan.

“Right, dead man. Got it loud and clear, boss.”

Logan was about to hang up when he heard Maria’s voice in the background.

“Is my brother threatening you again, Jake?”

Buchanan disconnected before Logan could hear his answer. Damn it all. It was a good thing he’d decided to go home. He needed to put a stop to whatever was starting between those two before it was too late. Romeo was . . . well, Romeo. There was no way he was going to let Buchanan sniff up Maria’s skirts.

If Maria had a problem with that, he would lock her in her room until it was time for school to start. There were plenty of nice young men at the university. She needed to find one who wasn’t nicknamed Romeo.

Logan started the Jeep, and as he drove, he planned how he would sneak Dani away without her stalker knowing. He also prepared for the argument he was sure she would give him about leaving Asheville, one she would lose. There was absolutely no way he was leaving her behind, unprotected. Especially if there was a cult involved. If he had to toss her over his shoulder and carry her away kicking and screaming, he would do so.





CHAPTER TEN



Dani unloaded the groceries, curious why Logan had insisted they buy food for just two days. He had something planned, but was staying closedmouthed about it. The frustrating man had also refused to tell her if he’d learned anything at any of the motels he’d stopped at, only saying they would talk later.

She sliced some strawberries and put them on the tray of Regan’s highchair. “Want a strawberry?”

Regan held one up. “Wont?”

Dani opened her mouth and let Regan feed her. “Yummy.”

Her daughter held out another one. “Wont?”

“No, you eat the rest. Yum, yum.”

“Yummmm!” Regan screamed, and smashed the piece on the tray.

Leaving her to play with her food, Dani turned to start dinner. Logan stood in the doorway, his hair still damp from his shower. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt, and was barefoot. Unable to help herself, her gaze roamed over his body, across his broad chest, over his stomach, down to lean hips, the long legs, and his feet. She clenched her hands to keep from reaching out and running her fingers over his arms just to feel the ripple of his muscles.

She swallowed hard and lifted her gaze to his. He stared back at her, his eyes darkening to almost black, his look intense. Remembering her resolve to rattle him, she licked her lips. One side of his mouth curved in a knowing smile—one that said he knew her game. What woman didn’t love a smart man? Whoa, where did that come from?

Logan moved toward her in the way she thought a sleek panther would stalk something of interest, something it had caught the scent of and wanted. Her heart fluttered wildly as excitement raced through her. What was he going to do? He stopped in front of her and without saying a word, cradled her face with his hands, angled his head, and kissed her.

Her knees threatened to buckle, but she locked them in place. He didn’t try to part her lips with his tongue, didn’t do anything but frame her face with his warm hands and kiss her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Something told her not to touch him, even though she ached to feel his skin under her palms, but she knew if she did, he would stop. She never wanted him to stop. Ever.

“Yummmm! Mama, yummmm.”

He lifted his head, a smile playing on his mouth. “I agree. Yum.”

Leaving her standing in the middle of the kitchen, dazed and unable to think, he moved to sit next to Regan. Dani touched her tingling lips. My God, the man sure knew how to kiss, but he confused her. One minute he was kissing her senseless, the next apologizing for doing it.

“You’ve made quite a mess here, Regan, my girl. You must be really proud of yourself,” Logan said.

Dani turned to see her daughter holding out the only piece of strawberry not either in her hair, smeared over her face, or smashed on her tray.

“Wont?”

He leaned forward and let Regan put it in his mouth. “Yummmm!” Logan mimicked.

Regan laughed and slammed both hands on the tray, splattering strawberry juice. She then leaned down and licked the tray. Looking up at Logan, she grinned and said, “Mama.”

“No, I’m Logan. Can you say ‘Logan’?”

Regan waved at him.

“You’re a smart little girl. I know you can say ‘Logan.’ Lo . . . gan.”