“Sweetheart, there is nothing to thank me for.” He brushed her lips with his. “But feel free to kiss me at will.”
Lucy laughed and, feeling a tad bit more accepting of her apartment, turned and opened the door. Still, she couldn’t help studying him as he entered and looked around. “Well?” Her eyes went to her ugly brown couch and scuffed tables and they suddenly looked ten times worse than usual.
He pushed the door shut, and grabbed her hand. “Your place is fine, and you know it. Go get your things. I’m a starving man. I need food.”
Lucy led him toward the kitchen. “You can raid my fridge while I pack.”
They stood between the stove and fridge in a space barely big enough for two. Logan lifted her up and sat her on a counter. Inching her knees apart, her already wrinkled skirt rode high up her thighs. “I want to eat you,” he purred. “Got any toppings?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Depends. What do you have in mind?”
“Whipped cream?”
She shook her head.
“Hmmm. There are other acceptable choices.”
She smiled and ran her finger over his full bottom lip. His playful nature really made her happy. Troubles seemed to disappear when she was with Logan. “Like what?”
“Did I mention I really like Hershey’s chocolate?”
Her brow lifted. “Do you?”
“I do. I put it in my cereal. On my pancakes. On…everything.”
Lucy smiled. “Everything?”
Logan lowered his head, his mouth hovering over hers. “Got any?”
“I have strawberry.”
He laughed, soft and sexy, and she felt it from head to toe. His mouth slanted over hers, and his tongue did a slow slide past her lips. With slow, sultry movements, he tasted her. This was a kiss of passion.
A knock sounded on the door. “Lucy honey, are you home?”
Lucy pulled away, hands going to Logan’s arms. “I really wasn’t prepared for this much reality in one day.”
The knocking started again. “Lucy, honey, open up. I’ve been worried.”
Lucy leaned around Logan. “Coming, Mother!”
Logan smiled as he pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “You met Gina. Now, I’ll meet your mother.”
Despite an effort at smiling, she failed. Logan’s hands settled on her waist, and he lifted her to the ground. Her outfit was a wreck and obviously the prior day’s work clothes. She ran her hand over her skirt, and then looked at Logan.
He shrugged. “At least we have clothes on this time.”
“There is that,” Lucy said with a heavy sigh. “If we’d gotten the syrup out it would have been trouble.”
Logan tapped her nose and chuckled. “Think how much fun we would have had though.”
Lucy gave him a look. “You won’t be laughing when she finishes with us. The woman is as nosy as they get. I love her, but she’s difficult.”
“It’ll be fine.” He leaned against the counter and inclined his chin toward the door. “Go let your mother in.”
There was no sense putting off the inevitable so Lucy did as he said. The instant the door opened, her mother flung her arms around Lucy. “Oh, my God, sweetie. I have been so worried. You didn’t come home last night and your phone went straight to voice mail.”
It was a miracle this was the first time she’d been missed. And yes, her phone had gone dead. Lucy hadn’t planned on all night at Logan’s so she’d been without her charger. “I’m fine, Mom.” Lucy motioned for her to come inside.
She started forward, her eyes sweeping Lucy’s clothes. “You don’t look fine. You look…” Her eyes went to Logan. “Well, hello. I’m Helen, Lucy’s mom.”
Lucy shut the door and turned to look at Logan, seeing what her mother must be seeing. Looking quite breathtaking in black slacks and a blue pullover, he presented the picture-perfect image of tall, dark and handsome.
“Mom, this is Logan Monroe.”
“Hi,” Logan said offering her his hand and a charming smile.
Helen accepted, and to Lucy’s surprise, looked a bit shy under Logan’s scrutiny. “I have to say I’m shocked. Lucy never brings men around.”
Inwardly, Lucy cringed. Great. Just what she needed. Her mother’s mouth running to Logan.
“Well,” Logan said. “That’s encouraging news.”
“Thanks for the insight, Mom.”
Helen’s gaze traveled from Lucy to Logan as her eyes narrowed on him. “Come sit down, and talk to me, Logan.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “Mom, please. I don’t need you telling Logan all about my—”
Logan looked at her with a brow raised. “About your what?” Amusement filled his eyes.
“About me.” Lucy pinned Logan in a stare. “Anything you need to know, I’ll tell you.”
Settling onto the couch, Helen eyed them both. “I’m not planning on divulging your secrets especially since I don’t even know what they are. I simply wanted to visit.”
Logan grinned at Lucy. “Go pack. I’d enjoy visiting with your mother.”
Oh crap, Lucy thought. The man had a big mouth.
Helen perked up. “Pack?”
“She’s spending the weekend with me,” Logan said as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with the words coming out of his mouth.