2. Logan
Two
Logan
Three days earlier…
I’m about to freeze my nuts off.
A harsh winter wind whips around me, and I fight the urge to stamp my feet to regain feeling in my toes, to breathe warmth into my chilled hands. The pine trees surrounding the property sway in the wind, clumps of snow falling to the ground with soft, wet plops.
And yet, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than standing on the porch of a house I have an appointment to view while my impossibly adorable realtor fumbles with the lockbox. She sighs and then tugs off one of her gloves with her teeth, then pulls the other one off and shoves them both haphazardly into her pocket. Only one makes it, so I bend down to scoop up the one she dropped. It’s warm from her skin, and I hand it back to her before I do something completely insane like lift it to my nose to see if it smells like her.
Her fingers shake slightly, probably from the cold, as she squints at her phone and then punches in the numbers. She bites her pillowy lip, her brow furrowed in concentration.
“Come on, you stupid thing. Why won’t you just…ugh. Please? Please can you work? I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s cold as freaking balls out here, so if you could just…” I bite back a smile as she jabs at the numbers again. She sighs and glances over at me, her cheeks a delicious shade of pink from the cold. “I’m sorry, Mr. Armstrong. I think one of the buttons is frozen.”
“Can I try?” I ask, stepping closer, my entire body vibrating as I move into her space. “And I’ve told you, Kaylee, please call me Logan.”
“Right. Logan,” she says, flashing a shy smile my way that makes my heart pound against my ribs. “Um, well. I’m not supposed to tell anyone else the code. For security reasons.” She licks her lip nervously, and I can’t stop myself from tracking the movement.
My fucking god, Kaylee is beautiful. Way too young for me—by a lot—but beautiful all the same.
I move a little closer. “I won’t tell if you don’t,” I say, and I can’t tell if the words actually sound dirty, or they just feel that way to me. My mind is permanently in the gutter when it comes to Kaylee.
Her cheeks go a little pinker, and then she nods. “Okay. It’ll be our secret.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and shows me the code. I take the small lockbox in hand and press on the buttons. The seven is jammed, and I have to press on it hard to get it to give. No wonder she couldn’t get it to budge with her little fingers.
The lockbox pops open, and I pull out the key, handing it to her. “Success.”
“Ah!” she shrieks happily, making warmth flush my body. “Yes! Thank you! You have magic fingers.” Her cheeks go deep pink at that. “I don’t mean…you have the magic touch is what I meant.”
Fuck, she’s cute when she’s flustered. Which is often.
“Not magic, just strong,” I say, and she smiles at me, her bright blue eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before she looks away, her cheeks even pinker than before.
I can’t help but watch her as she unlocks the door, taking in every detail. The way her long, shiny brown hair falls over her shoulder, the slight upturn of her nose, the smattering of freckles across her skin.
So. Damn. Beautiful.
And so freaking young. I don’t know exactly how old she is, but she can’t be much older than twenty or twenty-one.
And me? I’m forty-six.
Yeah. So I really shouldn’t be having these thoughts about a woman young enough to be my daughter. Hell, she’s probably around the same age as Hailey, who’ll be twenty-two in the spring.
As we step inside the warmth of the house, my mind flashes back to the first time I saw Kaylee, sitting behind the desk at Big Mountain Realty. She looked up at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, and in that moment I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. Like there was no oxygen in the room, only electricity as I stared at the most beautiful girl I’d ever laid eyes on. It was as though time had stopped, and I couldn’t make myself look away. Couldn’t do anything but stare and try to breathe as every single cell in my body screamed with want.
I’d never experienced anything like it in my life.
I’d come in to talk to John about finding a house for my daughter Hailey as a university graduation present, assuming I’d be working with him. But one look at Kaylee, and I knew who I wanted to work with.
“You know, I think you’re really going to like this one,” she says, bringing me back to the present moment. We toe off our boots by the front door, and I can’t stop myself from smirking at how much smaller hers are next to mine. So freaking cute. She holds her arms out and turns in a small circle, then faces me, her eyes wide and hopeful. “I have a good feeling. This just might be the one.”
I rub a hand over my mouth and don’t say anything. Over the past two weeks, Kaylee’s shown me about a dozen different places, and I’ve rejected every single one. Not because they weren’t good enough for Hailey, but because if I settle on a place and buy it, I won’t have an excuse to see her anymore.
And no, I can’t just ask her out. I might be totally smitten, but she’s half my age and I don’t really do the whole relationship thing. I haven’t since Hailey’s mom and I split almost fifteen years ago. I’m happy on my own, living in my home in the mountains and running my construction company. I don’t need anything—or anyone—else.
This is just a crush, one that will fade with time. One that I’m enjoying the hell out of right now, even if I can’t do anything about it.
She shrugs out of her wool coat, which seems a bit thin for the cold weather, then flips her hair over her shoulder. She’s wearing a red sweater and a fitted brown skirt that hugs her slender hips, and I can’t help but stare at her pert little ass as she turns around.
Fuck, the things I would do to that ass.
Good god, what is wrong with me? I’m not normally this…this…horny, for lack of a better word.
Except when I’m around Kaylee, I realize. Something about her sets me on fire, and while she’s beautiful, I don’t really understand the intensity of my reaction to her.
Maybe I should buy a house in order to get some distance and get over this ridiculous crush on Kaylee.
And yet the idea of not seeing her again has my heart twisting uncomfortably.
What. The. Fuck.
She guides me into the living room, her voice echoing slightly against the vaulted ceilings. “As you can see, it’s got great natural light, and the layout is really open. You said that Hailey likes to have people over, and a space like this is perfect for entertaining.” She looks up at me expectantly.
“Mmm,” I say noncommittally, scanning the room. She’s not wrong, but I’m having a hard time paying attention to the house, to be honest. It’s yet another nice place, and one I already know I’m going to reject in exchange for just a little more time with her.
She bites her lip as she studies me, and I curl my hands into fists. The urge to reach out for her is almost overwhelming, and I’m starting to get the sneaking suspicion that my feelings for Kaylee might be deeper than just a little crush.
She moves closer, and I love the way she has to tilt her head back to look up at me. When we’re standing close like this, the size difference between us is stark. She’s so tiny that she doesn’t even reach my shoulder. It makes me want to wrap her up and protect her, take care of her. Shelter her from the world.
I shove a hand through my hair.
Get a grip , I tell myself. Maybe I do need to start dating. Maybe I am lonely.
Maybe you’re halfway in love with your sweet little realtor.
I swallow thickly, the thought ricocheting around my brain like a stray bullet.
Our eyes meet for a moment, and then she inhales a shaky breath before turning. “And the kitchen is just through here,” she says, turning and walking through the archway. I follow, my eyes glued to the feminine sway of her hips, the way her tight skirt frames her cute little ass.
In the kitchen she spreads her arms out. “It’s got all new appliances, and the counter tops are quartz. Really durable, as I’m sure you know.” She looks at me, hope shining in her gorgeous blue eyes. “What do you think so far?”
I lean against the counter, taking in the kitchen. It would be more than sufficient for what Hailey needs. “It’s nice,” I say evenly as I cross my arms over my chest. Her face falls slightly, and I feel a pang of guilt, like a knife sliding right between my ribs.
She nods quickly, twirling a lock of silky brown hair around her finger. “Well, let me show you the upstairs. The primary bedroom has a fantastic view of the mountains.”
As she brushes past me, I catch a whiff of her vanilla scent. She smells like a goddamn sugar cookie, and it makes me wonder if she tastes as sweet as she smells.
That’s it. It’s official. I’m a dirty old man. I’m perving my brains out over a woman who is…
“Kaylee, how old are you?” I blurt out as I follow her up the stairs, trying not to stare at her ass and failing miserably.
Her steps falter and she glances back at me over her shoulder. “Oh, um. I just turned twenty-one. Why?”
Twenty. Fucking. One. She’s twenty-five years younger than me.
I shake my head, words failing me momentarily. “Just curious. I figured you were about Hailey’s age,” I say, mostly as a reminder to myself. She’s actually a year younger than my daughter.
I’m old enough to be her father.
She stops on the stairs and turns to face me. She’s two steps above me, bringing us almost to eye level. “Listen, I know I’m young and not the most experienced real estate agent. I mean, technically I’m still an assistant and I’m studying to get my license, but I’m going to take the test soon and I think I’ll pass and…” She blows out a breath and shakes her head. “I’m sorry that I haven’t found the right place for you yet. I promise that I’m working really hard and trying my best.” She tries valiantly to hide it, but I don’t miss the way her chin wobbles slightly.
Oh, god. I’m an asshole.
“No, no, Kaylee.” I want to pull her into my arms so badly it hurts to leave them at my sides. “You’re doing a great job. Really. I know we’ll find a place for Hailey. I didn’t ask how old you are because I’m worried about your age.” A half-truth. “It was an innocent question with nothing else behind it.” A flat out lie.
She twists her fingers together and nods. “Okay. Good to know. And I swear, you’re my number one client and I will find you the perfect place.”
“I have no doubt,” I say, and she smiles, her cheeks going a little pink. Then she turns and I follow her up the remaining steps to the upper level.
“There are three bedrooms up here, and while the third is on the smaller side, it would make a perfect office or craft room.” I find myself moving closer to Kaylee, as though my body’s magnetized to hers. She says something else about the house, but I don’t quite catch it. I’m too caught up watching her. Taking in every tiny detail.
“And over here we have the primary bedroom,” she says, glancing at me over her shoulder. Her blue eyes are shining with excitement, and I have the sudden vision of Kaylee smiling at me just like that as she leads me into her bedroom. God, just the idea has blood flowing to my cock.
I’d tumble her down to the bed and spend hours kissing her, tasting her, fucking her, finding out exactly what makes her moan, what makes her shake, what makes her come. And then I’d hold her all night while finding out everything about her. Because while I don’t know much about her, every single tidbit makes me want to know more.
“Isn’t this view amazing?” she asks, moving towards the floor-to-ceiling windows along the far wall, which showcase a breathtaking view of the mountains.
But all I can see is her. Her tiny frame silhouetted in front of the glass, hair like silk falling over her shoulder. She looks like a goddamn angel. Like something so beautiful it can’t possibly be real.
But she is.
And she’s not for me.
I pull in a shuddery breath and force myself to look at the room. It’s nice, with lots of natural light and wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling.
“What do you think?” she asks, grinning at me. I swallow as she drags her fingers over the duvet.
“I need you to show me more houses,” I say, my voice coming out gruffer than I’d intended.
“Oh. Um. Of course. Can I ask what’s lacking in this one? Just so I can…refine my search?”
I clear my throat. “It’s just not quite what I’m looking for,” I say slowly. Holy shit, I’m an asshole. Kaylee nods and smiles, but it falters, and I feel it like a kick in the shin.
“Okay. I’ll keep looking,” she says, twisting her fingers together and biting her lip. “Well, if we know this isn’t the one, let’s move on.” She starts to stride quickly for the door, catching her toes on the corner of the area rug, and she stumbles.
Acting on pure instinct, I reach out, my arms wrapping around her as I pull her against me. And instantly, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake, because now I know how fucking good Kaylee feels pressed against me and I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about it.
She inhales sharply, and I can feel her small breasts pressing into my chest. I can feel the way her softness yields to me and I think I might lose my mind.
Let’s be honest. I’ve already lost it, letting myself fall for a woman young enough to be my daughter.
Oh, fuck. I have fallen, haven’t I?
Looking down into Kaylee’s pretty face, letting myself drink in those gorgeous blue eyes, it’s as though time stops. The world around me ceases to exist. I’m hyperaware of all the places we’re pressed together, of my own pulse, of the rise and fall of her chest against mine. Her eyes meet mine, and her pupils are blown.
It would be so easy to lean down and kiss those lips I dream about. So easy to let myself taste heaven, just for a minute.
She licks her lips and curls her fingers into my shirt, her small fingers scraping against my chest, and it’s like electricity is flowing through my veins. I’ve never felt this way before. Not with my ex-wife, and not with anyone else I’ve ever dated. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want Kaylee right now.
Which is too damn bad for me, because she’s too young. Way too young.
My brain knows this, but my body doesn’t, because I still haven’t let her go. I’m hard as fucking nails right now, and clearly my dick doesn’t give a shit about the twenty-five years between us.
“You okay?” I ask, using every ounce of willpower I have to let her go and take a step back. I instantly feel the loss of her as a physical ache in my bones.
She swallows and blinks slowly, then nods. “Uh…yep. Sorry about…about that.” She wipes her hands down the front of her skirt. “We have one more house to see today.” She shoots me a wavery smile over her shoulder as she heads for the bedroom doorway. “Maybe it’ll be the one.”
“Maybe,” I say, my voice coming out rough and gravely. It won’t be. It could be the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen. It could be absolutely perfect and I’d still reject it, because as long as I’m house hunting, I have an excuse to be around Kaylee.
And that has to be enough.