“Oh.” Elyse hadn’t realized Logan never wanted to make Pleasure Inn a success. “You must think all of my ideas are crazy. I thought I was helping you.”
“You are.”
“You just said you didn’t want to be an innkeeper.”
“I didn’t.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Not until you showed up and started cooking in my kitchen. I love all of your ideas. With you here, I actually think I could do this.”
“I know you can, Logan. I believe in you.” She leaned in and kissed his jaw, rubbing her cheek against his stubble. “You have a gift. The rooms you’ve already tackled are gorgeous.”
“You think so?”
She cuddled closer to him.
“I’m going to start working on the guest bedrooms tomorrow. I want to refinish the hardwood floors and upgrade the bathrooms.”
“That’ll keep you busy.”
“At least through Thanksgiving. I was thinking maybe I’ll have the grand opening in June.” He looked through the picnic basket. “Just in time for summer weekend getaways.”
“That sounds romantic.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Oh really? Just what are your thoughts on romance in June?”
“June is a big wedding month, so maybe you should target anniversaries. Market that month as a place to come and rekindle the flame.”
He kissed her head. “I’m so glad you’re here. I could never come up with this stuff.”
“About me being here.” She bit her bottom lip because she hated to think about leaving. “I need to go back to New York.”
“What?” He turned her to face him. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. But when I came here, I didn’t intend to stay for more than a week or two. It’s getting colder and I need to get some of my winter clothes.”
“You want to stay through winter?”
“You’re talking about remodeling bathrooms. Did you think I’d leave before seeing that project finished?”
“I guess I can come to the city with you.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “When did you want to go?”
“You’re too busy and now you’ve got a projected opening date.” She couldn’t wait to see the inn in full swing. “You can’t leave.”
“I don’t work that well without you.” He stroked her cheek. “You inspire me, remember?”
“If you really can’t live without me…”
“I can’t.” He smiled. “How would I eat?”
She shoved his shoulder. “Barbarian.”
“Can’t we just go shopping for new clothes? I’ll buy you anything you want.”
“I don’t think so.” She rolled her eyes.
“As a thank you for all you’ve done here to help me.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Don’t leave,” he insisted.
“I can’t let you buy me a new wardrobe.”
“Sure you can.” He moved his lips along her neck, slipping her jacket from her shoulder “I want to.”
“No.”
He arched a brow at her. “I don’t like that word, cupcake.”
“Hmm.” She closed her eyes when he nibbled on her neck. “My friend, Audra…”
“What about her?” He kissed her as he unfastened the first two buttons of her shirt, slipping his hand against the warmth of her breasts.
“She can go to my apartment and…” she tried to say around his kisses. “…send me some things… Does that work?” She straddled his lap, pressing her sex directly on the bulge in his jeans.
“As long as you’re not leaving.” He gripped her hips and rocked her against him. “I don’t care how you get those clothes here.”
“Are you ready to eat?”
“Are you offering?” He buried his face in the valley of her breasts.
“Lunch!” She giggled uncontrollably. “I thought you were hungry.”
“We can eat food later.” Pushing her onto her back, he rested on top of her. “I want you.”
She reached up, taking his face between her hands. “I’m yours.” She said, remembering him calling her his last night.
Chapter Eight
Logan switched off the television just as the movie finished. He and Elyse had spent the entire day taking down old wallpaper and stripping the chipped paint from the windows in the third guest bedroom.
“Hey.” Elyse stretched against him. “Why did you turn the off the movie?”
“It’s over.” He pulled her into his side. She’d taken to wearing his pajama shirts to bed. He liked the way she looked in them.