Chapter Fourteen #2
She mimicked him, moving her lips, teasing with her tongue.
Her heart pounded as desire kept her in place.
Desire and curiosity. She wanted to see where this kiss would lead.
It was not a soft brush of lips, but a full blown, no-holds-barred, mouth-open kiss.
Like the one on the patio had been. Like the ones in her dreams had been.
On and on it went until she clutched his shoulders for support.
Legs grown suddenly weak threatened to give way on her.
“Cupcake?” he questioned softly.
“You wanted a thank-you, right?” Emma said, annoyed by the interruption.
Was that husky tone hers? Where had this boldness come from?
No time to analyze things. Emma, stood on tiptoes to better reach his mouth, brushing against his chest as she strained to get closer.
The moment her lips touched his again, he closed his eyes, and pulled her into his embrace, banding her with his strong arms, molding her softer body against his rock-hard frame.
Caught in the unexpected pleasure, her arms held as tightly as his. Stretched out against his body, she was surprised to find how right it felt, how much she wanted to stay just where she was forever.
She grew hot as the blood rushed through her veins. He tasted of coffee, sugar and tantalizing male heat.
She grew greedy as his kiss went beyond anything she’d experienced before. Emma had no time to be shocked at her own unexpected wanton behavior, she was too busy exploring the sensations that exploded inside her. Feeling gloriously alive, her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing grew labored.
She yearned for more of the tingling feelings that shot through her in waves.
She had never experienced such spine-shivering, wanton desire.
She wanted more. For the first time she began to see what others found so alluring, so compelling.
She never knew a single kiss could open her mind to the wild possibilities of a physical relationship between a man and a woman.
She’d never even come close with David.
The crash of breaking china, the splash of warm coffee against her leg had her springing back instantly.
“Lily, are you hurt? You’re not burned, are you?” Logan said, reaching out to her.
“No, I’m fine.”
Logan looked at the broken cup.
“I forgot I was holding it. Watch where you step, don’t cut your foot.”
He lifted her out of the way of the shards of china and the spreading brown liquid.
Emma stood where he placed her and watched him clean up the mess, gleefully recalling what he’d said.
Becoming caught up in her kiss so much he’d forgotten he held the coffee?
She must have been doing something right.
So what if she didn’t have the experience of her sister, she had mastered one aspect at least.
“Not a favorite cup, I hope,” he said, stooping down to reach the coffee. Using a handful of paper towels, he mopped up the liquid and wiped up the china.
“No.”
Not of hers, anyway.
“Sit down and I’ll fix the omelet as soon as I get this cleared up.”
That was it? He kissed her like there was no tomorrow, now he says just sit down and he’ll cook? Emma limped stiffly to the table and gratefully sank onto the chair. Her lips were slightly swollen and warm. She licked them, tasting Logan. Her heart raced.
“Did you cut your foot?”
He stood, hands filled with dripping towels.
“No.”
“You were limping.”
“I’m sore from last night. I don’t think I’ve ever danced so much. And the shoes I wore left a lot to be desired for comfort and support.”
She rotated her ankles, arching her aching feet.
“You still feel up to going this afternoon?”
“Of course, I’m looking forward to it.”
Emma had enjoyed herself last night, but it had been a superficial kind of entertainment. She hadn’t known any of the people and had bluffed her way through the entire evening without anyone suspecting she wasn’t Lily. Obviously they didn’t know her sister very well, either.
Was that how Lily spent her life? In superficial activity, looking for good times and fun, rather than enjoying companionship with close friends? It didn’t seem as appealing in the light of day.
She thought she could learn more about Logan at the barbecue, observing how his co-workers acted around him.
“There’s no dancing, is there?” she asked.
“No. But we will—”
Emma’s phone rang. She almost let it go to the answering machine, but glanced at the screen and snatched it up. It was her sister.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Emma, it’s Lily. How are things going?”
Emma’s gaze swung around to Logan. Fortunately he was engrossed in beating eggs in a large bowl.
“Fine.”
If she pressed the receiver tightly against her ear, he wouldn’t be able to hear Lily, would he?
“I didn’t wake you up, did I?” Lily asked.
“No. I’m up.”
“My part is about wrapped up. I told you it wasn’t a big role. When I get the release, I’ll hop on a jet and be home before you know it. Then we’ll plan what to do to show you all around. Any ideas?”
“Uh, no, anything is fine.”
Logan looked up.
“Don’t make plans,” he whispered.
“What did you especially want to see when you thought about coming?” Lily persisted.
“Nothing special.”
She looked at Logan and pointed to the living room. Quickly walking away, she hoped he couldn’t hear her part from there.
“Emma, is something wrong?”
“No.”
She wanted to hang up, but that would cause more problems than it would solve. Silence stretched out for several seconds.
“Are you alone?” Lily’s voice dropped several notches.
“No.”
Lily’s laughter was soft.
“I’m shocked. I thought you were the shy sister. You have some man in my house?”
Lily’s voice held amusement and a hint of surprise.
“Yes,” Emma said, turning to look out the window.
“Let me guess, someone you met since you’ve been to California. It didn’t sound like your dentist would chuck everything and follow you out.”
“He’s not my dentist anymore.”
“Oh? My, my. That was fast. What happened?”
“It just wasn’t right, I guess.”
“If you can’t talk, I understand, but I’ll be home first chance I get. I want to hear all about this,” Lily said.
“I’ll see you then.”
Emma hung up, trying desperately to remember the gist of the conversation. She hadn’t given anything away, had she? But the strain of the call played on her nerves. Slowly she returned to the kitchen.
“Who was that?” he asked.
“Someone who had a question about a dentist,” she replied.
That was fast. What happened? her sister had asked. Logan happened, Emma realized. And she didn’t have a clue how to deal with it.