Chapter 30 - Logan
Logan
“Gwen. Logan. Over here!”
Dottie calls us over to where the band is shaking hands and patting backs. Their road team is already dismantling their equipment on the stage, working in a synchronized dance with speed that is honestly incredibly impressive.
Gwen squeezes my hand as we approach the group ahead of us. It’s not just any group. It’s Frederick Jacobs and his band, a staple on the music charts, for the last couple of decades. And somehow he knows my mom.
Dottie smiles wide as we approach, her hand excitedly waving us over.
It seems she has even more energy after the show, as if she was recharged by the music.
I have to say I understand that feeling.
My eyes jump over to Gwen next to me, something I always find myself doing any chance I get.
But this time is different. This time I still have the taste of her on my tongue, and I’m already craving more.
More of her moans. More of her losing control under my touch. Just more of her.
“Margot’s son!” A deep voice, husky from performing, booms toward us. I catch Gwen’s eyes widen before turning back toward the group as we make the final steps toward them.
“This is wild,” Frederick places his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disbelief.
When we finally stop in front of them, I reach my hand out for a shake.
Which seems to be hilarious to Frederick as he tosses his head back, his wild curls peppered with some grey shaking everywhere, with a deep belly laugh.
I glance at Dottie in confusion, wondering if I did something wrong, when two arms are wrapped tightly around me.
I’m not a little guy, so the music must give him an energy boost as well as he heaves my feet off the ground for a second before releasing me.
Turning toward Gwen, his expression turns sultry as he reaches out to grab her right hand, bringing it to his lips as he bows toward her.
“And a red-headed goddess. How lucky am I?”
I watch as he places a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, refraining from decking the man right here and now. It must read all over my face because Frederick chuckles when he rights himself and looks back at me.
“You can reel it in, man. That’s your girl. It’s written all over your face.” He tosses a wink at Gwen, who is turning as red as her hair. Her small smattering of freckles along her nose flares to life, and I want to lean over and kiss every single one of them.
Later, I promise myself.
I clear my throat to ease the tension growing again in my body. I feel like I’m strung tight, ready to lose it all at the simplest brush of the beauty beside me.
“Thanks for helping us out with the donations. This will bring in a lot for our town.”
Frederick waves a hand at me. “No problem, man. Anything for Margot. Speaking of,” he leans toward me. “Has she ever brought me up?”
I shake my head. “Not until now.”
I expect a dejected look to cross his face, but instead I’m met with a wicked grin. “Right on. I guess our time together is still a precious moment to her.”
Dottie steps up with a roll of her eyes and a backhand to Frederick’s chest. “Okay, Freddy. Stop talking about the kid’s mother. He looks like he might hurl at the thought of you two together.”
“It was a beautiful time. Hell, this could have been my kid if only he were a few years older. Those college years, man.” He sighs wistfully. “Anyway, did you enjoy the show? These venues are always electric. The intimacy of it really gets to me.”
My chest warms, shooting its own electric feeling straight to my dick as I think of just how intimate it was. I silently beg my dick to chill the fuck out because I was not going to get a hard-on in front of them.
Gwen giggles awkwardly. “It was wonderful. Thank you for having us. The VIP section was too much, but so much fun.”
“Did y’all drink your champagne?” Dottie asks.
“I’ll grab you another if you want. Take it home with you.
Have your own little afterparty.” Her finger jumps between us before she smirks, placing her long red fingernail between her teeth.
Her coy smile is aimed right at Gwen. “The sexual tension here is delicious, if I do say so myself. Y’all wouldn’t be looking for a third tonight, would you? ”
Instinctively, I pull Gwen’s hand still locked with mine so that I can angle my body slightly in front of her. A move I wasn’t planning, but one I needed as I laid a claim I could feel deep in my soul.
“As tempting as that offer is, I don’t share.”
Dottie’s eyes flare as she bites on her grin.
“Oh, you are so lucky.” She aims her comments at Gwen and I realize she’s the true one Dottie wanted.
Not that I can blame her at all. “But the offer stands if you change your mind later.” She winks at my girl then turns on her heel to grab a box sitting on an amp nearby.
“Can’t take this one anywhere,” Frederick points his thumb at his tour manager with a laugh. “When is your festival? I do miss the small-town life, wouldn’t mind stopping by.”
“Next Saturday,” Gwen says, pride shining in her voice. “We would love to have you if you’re going to be around. You could even have the chance to dunk Margot’s husband in the dunk tank. I think your donation qualifies you for a few throws.”
Frederick wags a finger at her. “I like your way of thinking, sweetie.”
“But unfortunately we will be well on our way up north by then, remember?” Dottie walks over with the box in hand.
Both Frederick and I move to take it from her.
I beat him to it and peer in to take a look at the contents.
Gwen rises on her tiptoes to see as well, her perfect plush mouth forming an O in shock.
She drops back down and stares at Frederick and Dottie.
“This is too much.”
Dottie shrugs. “It’s no big deal, beautiful. This is just some extras we have. Besides, it’s going to a great cause. We want to make sure the quirky small towns continue to stay quirky for our enjoyment.”
“Thank you so much.” Gwen steps forward and wraps Dottie in a tight hug, then Frederick, her grin nowhere near stopping. “And if you happen to make it to Willow Grove, you can have all the dunk tank tries you want on Mayor Spencer.”
“I’ll hold you to that, sweetheart.”
A scrawny young kid who looks like he’s about to shit his pants steps up to Dottie. His wide eyes would shoot her with hearts if he’s not careful.
“Dot—Dottie,” he stutters.
“Hey, kid. What’s up?” She smiles politely at him, trying to catch his eyes to make contact, but he keeps it low.
“We are ready to go when you are.”
Dottie reaches out to ruffle his hair. “Such a good boy.”
I think the kid almost melts on the spot as he finally looks up at her. She giggles and turns to Frederick. “He’s so easy to mess with.”
Frederick chuckles. “Byron, I get it, kid. But you know she would eat you alive.”
“And I’d die with a smile on my face,” he fawns as he walks away.
Dottie slaps a hand on Frederick’s shoulder. “Let’s get movin’, boss man. Gwen, it was absolutely lovely to meet you,” her voice purrs. “And Logan, you better take care of our girl.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hair. I feel Gwen bury her face into my arm as she laughs. “I’ve got my girl, don’t you worry.”
“That’s what we like to hear, man.” Frederick steps forward and wraps his arms around both of us. This time I’m more prepared, knowing how much of a hugger the rockstar is. He pulls back and grins. “Tell your mom I miss her.”
I shake my head. “I’m not doing that.”
Frederick chuckles and shrugs at Dottie, who is reprimanding him. “What? I gotta shoot my shot, or whatever the kids are saying these days.”
“You two have a good night.” She grabs his arm and starts pulling him toward the back. “I’m serious about that champagne, too. It’s already paid for. Hate for it to go to waste.”
“Thank you!” Gwen calls out to a responding big grin and waves before they turn the corner, disappearing from view.
“Well,” I start. “This has been quite the evening so far.”
Gwen hip-checks me. “So far?”
I slide a hand around her neck, tugging at the hair on her nape lightly enough for her to release a small gasp. Tilting her head back, I note the lust forming in her eyes as I apply a little more pressure to her hair. Interesting.
“We have the night away from Willow Grove. Away from prying eyes. I’m taking advantage of all the time we have, if that’s okay with you.”
She doesn’t even give me a chance to worry as she nods her head and bites her lip. Looking up through her lashes at me like the unassuming vixen she is.
Yeah, I’m in so much trouble.
***
Placing the keycard handed over by the bored-looking kid at the front desk against the door reader, I can’t help my hand from trembling as I wait for the light to turn green. Whether it’s anticipation or anxiety, I’m not completely sure. But my money is on both.
When it finally accepts the scan, I twist the handle and push it open enough for Gwen to duck under my arm.
“Would you believe me if I told you this was the only room they had left when I booked it a few days ago?”
Gwen stops at the foot of the king-size bed, her hand over her mouth as she fights with the smile unfurling on her face. It’s no use, though, as she quirks an eyebrow at me in disbelief. Her green eyes are so bright they rival a freshly bloomed forest floor.
“You just wanted to live out your rom-com fantasies, didn’t you?”
I grin, dropping our bags on the small table in the corner, and approach her slowly. She turns, anticipating my move immediately as she brings her arms to my shoulders and I wrap mine around her waist.
“What can I say? Kennedy’s book was very enlightening this week.”
Groaning, Gwen drops her head on my chest. “You could have picked literally anyone else’s book for some light reading. I still can’t believe you read a romance book.”