“If you want me to.” She opened the dishwasher and stacked the plates in neatly.
“I’ve been thinking…” He moved in front of the sink, closer to where she stood. “Would you consider staying here?”
“I thought I was.” She turned to face him with wide-eyed innocence.
“I know we just met last night; but I feel a connection with you.” He wondered if he sounded like some needy lunatic. He didn’t care. He’d never met anyone like her before and something inside him told him he needed to seize this opportunity. “You’re going through some – stuff and I don’t want to complicate things for you. It gets pretty lonely up here. I’d like the company. So, if you’d like to stay and clear your head – or whatever you need to do – I want you to stay as long as you’d like.”
She reached out and ran her fingers over the stubble on his jaw. He closed his eyes and indulged in the feel of her soft fingers caressing his face. “Just so you know, I’ve been over my ex for a while, so I’m not running from a past relationship. I left the city because I needed to leave – for me. I needed a change.”
“I get that.” He leaned into her palm. “I’ve been searching for a fresh start for some time.”
“Maybe once you get the inn going you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
“I think I might already have.” He took her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers. She moved closer to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and letting him take the lead with the kiss.
The feel of her warm lips against his own fueled his desire for her. When she sighed against his mouth he slipped his tongue between her lips. He eagerly sought out her tongue tasting the wine that lingered there and as he continued to kiss her, he pinned her against the counter. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her against the bulge in his pants.
“Logan.” She pushed against his chest. “Stop.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Everything is just happening really fast. I’ve never—“
“It’s okay.” He moved away from her – not because he was offended – but because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to give her the space she wanted. She had asked him to stop and he would respect her boundaries.
“I don’t want you to think I’m not interested. It’s just – I’m not usually this impulsive.”
“I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. I hope you won’t let that change your mind about staying. I don’t want to do anything you don’t want.”
“I just need some time to process what’s going on.”
“You’ve worked hard all day. You must be exhausted. Why don’t you go take a bath and I’ll clean up the kitchen.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I insist.” The distance from her would do him good. He could be a gentleman if the situation called for it, but having her this close to him right now was far too tempting and he didn’t want to try to change her mind. He wanted her to come to him because she wanted to. “Thanks for dinner. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.”
“You’re sure? I don’t mind cleaning up.”
“I have some plans to look at for the new sunroom. I’ll finish up in here and then I’ll work on those. Have a good night, Elyse.”
“You too.” She paused for an awkward moment. “I liked getting to know you tonight.”
“Me too.”
She kissed him on the cheek before scampering out of the kitchen. Logan smiled as she made her way up the back staircase to the third floor. Getting to know her was going to be fun. He finished cleaning up before he retired to his study. He poured himself a two-fingered whiskey, turned on the gas fireplace, and settled into his comfortable leather recliner, peaceful in the knowledge that he still had Elyse under his roof.
***
Elyse tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before she finally drifted off into a light slumber. She couldn’t get Logan or that kiss out of her mind. She wanted so much more, but when he’d turned up the heat, she’d panicked. She remembered Cora’s words form earlier in the day.
Logan is the town player…
She heard her say it over and over again. How many Cora’s did Logan have?
He likes to play games...
Elyse had had enough games with Phillip. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake again – especially not with a man she barely knew. She had never been much of a risk taker. Two weeks ago she wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of staying in the same house with a complete stranger; but there was something about Logan that made her feel – secure.