Chapter Thirteen #2
When the doorbell rang a few minutes later she hurried down the stairs, conscious of the flutter of her short skirt, of the long expanse of tanned legs. She slowed when she reached the entry hall, no sense arriving out of breath.
Toby was the name of the man coming to pick her up.
And Sally would be with him. Others? She’d have to listen carefully to pick up names and garner some sort of clue about whom the people were and what they did.
But it added to the fun. She was on an adventure the likes of which she’d never imagined a few days ago.
“Going somewhere?”
Logan leaned against the doorjamb when she opened the door,
“Oh.” She had not expected to see him before tomorrow. “Hi. Yes, actually, I’m going to a party. Come in.”
“I won’t keep you. I thought you might like to grab a hamburger or something, but you’ve got plans.”
“It’s a last minute kind of thing,” she said.
The bright anticipation of the evening dimmed a bit. She’d like to have dinner with Logan rather than party with a bunch of strangers. Biting her lip in indecision, she wondered if she could cancel the party hopping.
“You look great,” he said, his gaze moving leisurely down her body.
Emma resisted the temptation to stand taller, to make sure he saw just how much of her tanned legs showed beneath the scandalously short skirt or how sexy she felt in the crochet top. Would he think about the bathing suit?
“Thank you. I’m sorry you didn’t call earlier, I’d have liked going out for hamburgers,” she said, holding on to the opened door, wishing he’d asked her last night, or at least had called this afternoon.
He shrugged, his eyes narrowing a bit.
“I doubt it. I don’t need fancy words for politeness’ sake. You forget, I had a wife who lied at the drop of a hat. I’d much rather have the truth.”
Indignant, she drew herself up.
“That was the truth. I think an evening with you would have been fun, unless you continued to attack my honesty. But Sally called and asked me to join them first.”
He smiled sardonically at that.
“And being the nicely brought-up young lady, you go with the first who invites you.”
The sarcasm baffled her for a moment. Then she realized he didn’t believe a word she’d said. Lily probably discarded arrangements like old socks. But her mother had brought her up to honor commitments. While she hadn’t confirmed exactly, neither had she called to cancel. She knew they expected her.
A car turned into the driveway.
“Your date?” Logan asked, turning to watch the car approach.
“Just my ride. The designated driver.”
Wishing she’d called back said she couldn’t go. She was torn. An evening of fun beckoned, yet she really would have liked to spend the time with Logan.
Maybe it was better to go. She didn’t want to become too dependent on Logan to provide her entertainment. She already wanted to spend all her time with him, better to pull back a little and hold on to her independence.
The driver stopped the car and stepped outside, calling over the top, “Hey, Lily, ready to roll?”
“Be right there.”
Emma retrieved her purse, checked to make sure she had the keys, and then closed the door. Logan hadn’t moved. Suddenly she was almost pushing against him to get the door shut. His heat enveloped her, she could feel the warm cotton of his shirt against her shoulder.
“Your friend coming, too? It might be a tight squeeze,” Toby asked.
She shook her head.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” she asked Logan, sidestepping to put some distance between them.
“You can count on it.”
He pulled her up against him, pressed her mouth beneath his and kissed her hard. Releasing her, he cocked one eyebrow arrogantly and nodded.
“Have fun tonight.”
Emma watched as he sauntered toward his home, stunned at the kiss, at her reaction. She couldn’t believe he’d kissed her. Right in public, right with a carload of people watching. If she could get her breath, she’d yell after him and tell him—
“Lily, let’s go,” Toby called.
She hurried the short distance to the car. Opening the back door, she slid into the seat next to Sally.
“Lily, if you ever get tired of your neighbor, throw him my way. Wow, what a kiss, and you aren’t even spending the evening with him. Didn’t he want to come with?”
“Uh, I didn’t ask him.”
She floundered, her pulse still beating lickety-split.
“Saving him for herself alone,” another passenger murmured. “Lily, how’ve you been? I’m glad Toby volunteered to drive. We’re going to the Parkers’s place first, then if that drags, we’ll try Maggie’s. I can’t wait to get some dancing in. I haven’t done anything physical in weeks.”
“Yeah, if you don’t count the swimming you’re doing for that aquatics club,” Sally said.
Emma settled back and let the exchange wash over her.
Smiling, she tried to push Logan’s audacious kiss from the forefront of her mind. She planned to memorize every moment of the evening. Gone was the uncertain librarian, in her place was wild and willing Lily Rambeau. She’d enjoy herself or die trying.