Before I can fully process his words, he closes the distance between us, covering my mouth with his. His lips settle on mine, full and warm. Their touch is enough to send a zing of anticipation through me, setting me on fire. His tongue pushes between my lips, coaxing my own into a dance.
Logan doesn’t kiss me as if it’s a means to an end.
He kisses me to... kiss me.
I have never been kissed like this before. He worships my mouth, and I know he’d do the same with my body. Without warning, Logan intensifies the kiss. He pushes me against the wall, sucking on my tongue. I burn between my thighs, my whole body alive with need. When I mirror the action on his tongue, I’m rewarded with a groan. He pulls back, dropping his mouth to my neck.
“You taste so sweet,” he says. “I could kiss you all night, Nadine.”
“Why don’t you?” I whisper. “Can I have a second kiss?”
His lips curl into a smile against my neck.
“You’re an impatient little thing. No second kiss right now.” He lifts his head, looking straight at me. “Remember what I told you about anticipation?”
“Yes.”
“I must give you some incentive to accept going on a second date with me.”
I laugh. “You sure can negotiate.”
“Is that a yes?”
I hesitate for a few seconds, but his consuming presence leaves me no choice. “Yes, Logan, it is. I want to go on a second date with you.”
A gust of wind blows, chilling me.
“Let’s go back inside,” Logan says.
The rest of the evening goes by in a whirlwind. I order a second dessert and listen to Logan’s childhood stories, laughing harder than I have in a long time. It’s very late when we leave the restaurant, and we’re the last ones to do so. Logan drives me home, and I wrestle with myself the entire way—should I invite him in or not?
I’m not ready to take things further tonight, but at the same time, I’m not ready to let him go yet.
***
“You are a superhero, cape and all,” I say when he walks me to my door instead of just dropping me off in front of the building.
“I’m offended you thought otherwise.”
I smile at him, sticking the key in my lock, but the door is stuck. I’m about to push myself into the door when Logan offers, bemused, “Leave that to me.”
Stepping aside, I watch him shoulder the door open.
“I suppose I have no option now but to invite you in, do I?” I ask.
“I suppose not.”
Stepping inside, I turn on the light. The place looks even more run-down with the small light reflecting from the ceiling. I try not to give my apartment much thought, but it’s one of the most depressing places I’ve ever lived in. It was the only one in my price range.
“I’d offer to give you a tour, but what you see is what you get. A studio with stuff piled up everywhere. It’s all I can afford for now.”
“Don’t apologize, Nadine. Don’t forget I wasn’t born rich.”
I expected to be a basket case having him here, but I’m strangely at ease. Well, except for my galloping pulse.
“I can show you some of my designs,” I tell him.
For some reason, his eyes widen.