The Billionaire's Kiss(65)

“Stay.”

“What?” Callie asked.

“Promise me you’ll stay. Here with me, somewhere else with me, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Just promise me you’ll stick by me.”

Callie didn’t know what to make of his request. Only a few hours earlier, he had stormed off in a cloud of anger and betrayal, and now he wanted her to stay? “What was that you said earlier about promises?”

“I’m serious. Would you stay for me?” he asked. He leaned towards her and kept his eyes locked on hers.

“If you’re serious?” she replied. “If you’re really willing to be honest with me?” That look of desperation was just too much. It told her more than any words could. Deep inside he needed her. She knew it, and in her own way, she needed him, too. I think I’d do just about anything for you.”#p#分页标题#e#

Callie watched the darkness lift from Logan’s eyes, replaced by that mischievous gleam she knew so well. “Anything except sleep with me.”

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to keep me up all night again,” she said with a laugh. And just like that, they had lapsed back into their comfortable back and forth.

“Tell me the truth,” Logan said. “Would that be pity lust?”

“I don’t think that exists,” she said.

“Not for lack of trying.” While Logan’s words were playful as ever, he still looked tired, emotionally worn.

“I thought we were having a moment,” Callie said, “and now you’re just trying to get me in bed again.”

“Oh, it doesn’t have to be in a bed. Pretty much any flat surface will do,” he said.

Callie couldn’t help but laugh.

“I am serious though, and I know I haven’t earned that trust yet, but I will prove it to you. I’ve never been anything but honest with you, Callie.”

“I know,” she said. She looked away from him for a moment and out over the endless sheet of water that spread out before them. “So how do we get out of here?”

Logan looked down at the oars. “Same way we came. We just have to turn around. We’re not really that far out. Half an hour, and we’ll be back in sight of land.”

“Do you want help?” Callie asked.

“Logan smiled. “Yeah, I ‘d like that. Carefully move this way, and you can row with me.”

“What, side by side?”

“No, you’ll have to sit on my lap. Come on, I’ll give you a rowing lesson.

Callie leaned over the bench and positioned herself in front of Logan, sitting down just on the edge of the bench between his legs. She leaned back into him, pressing her back against his chest. She could feel his sweat and his heat. His muscles were hard beneath his shirt. Callie spread he arms along his until she reached the oars. She grabbed the handles and started to row.

Slowly, with Logan guiding her movements, Callie turned the boat around. He moved with her, keeping his palms against the back of her hands. She felt his hot breath against her neck. As she and Logan rowed, tensing their muscles with each stroke, Callie became more and more aware of her body. She fit so perfectly in his arms, and with his slightest touch, every inch of her being felt alive. With Logan against her, she felt powerful, she felt connected with him in a way she could never describe.

The wind picked up as they gained speed, racing faster and faster toward the shore. Little by little, the sounds of land started to filter back through the dense fog that hid the shore from sight, but those sounds were still faint compared to the rhythmic rise and fall of Logan’s breath in her ear. She could hear them though, the waves lapping on the beach, cars and trucks driving somewhere beyond sight. The closer land felt, the harder she rowed. She wanted to get back to shore. She wanted to be the one who brought Logan back. With each heave of the oars, each hard pull, she felt her anger and guilt washing away. Something else was taking its place, something stronger and more urgent. She wanted to turn around and kiss Logan again, but she knew she should wait until they reached solid ground.

When the the hull finally slid onto a short, sandy beach, Logan placed his hand on Callie’s shoulder. His palm was so warm and firm against her skin, and she felt his touch radiate through her body. Then he leaned in and kissed the back of her neck. The warmth and thrill of his lips rolled through her body, and she knew she needed. Him.

Callie stepped out into the shallow water. The cold seawater soaked into her pants up to the knee as she helped pull the boat onto shore. As the waves swelled against the shore, Logan hopped out and pulled the boat up onto the thin strip of sand in front of what looked to be a long, wide lawn. “Where are we?” Callie asked. The fog was thick, and it was raining. She could barely see in front of her.