“Not good?” She scoffed. “Are you serious? Almost since Day One, you’ve made my life a living hell. Sometimes it’s better. The other day—wow. And, okay, that was a one-time thing. No illusions here. But I didn’t expect you to revert by five years when it was over.”
Fuck. He’d spent so long thinking it was smart to keep her at arm’s length, he never stopped to consider how the consequences weighed on her. “I know it’s not a good excuse, but back then, I was a teenage boy who already had the urge to fuck everything that moved. Then you came along, and it wasn’t an option, and I wanted you more than anyone, anyway.”
“You’re right. That’s a really shitty reason.” She rolled her head to the side and finally looked at him. Her eyes were dry but rimmed with red and smudges of mascara.
“I’m sorry. About what I said back then. About forcing my opinion on you the other day. You’ve got a plan to make this baby work. I don’t even have to hear it to know you’ve thought things through and can make it work. You can make your own decisions, and I respect that.”
Now the words were flowing out, he couldn’t stop. “I’m sick of fighting. Pushing you away. Questioningus. I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say besides that, but I’ll spend however much time it takes, proving to you that I mean it.” As the words spilled out, he realized how true they were.
She hugged herself and turned to face him. “I can’t do this hot-and-cold thing anymore. I’m guilty of it too, but I’m done.” The hurt on her face and the resignation in her voice gnawed at him.
“Me too.” He wasn’t sure what part he was admitting to.All of it?He hovered his hand millimeters from her cheek, wishing he had a way to prove what he said. She licked her lips, and impulse sparked. He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers.
“Stop.” When she placed her palm on his chest, it burned through his shirt. “Someone will see.”
“Good point.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her through the nearest door. Which happened to be the women’s restroom. He was grateful it was empty. He nudged her into the stall at the end, kicked the door shut, and grasped her face in his hands. “Better?”
“No. Not better at all.” Despite her words, the lines of tension had faded from her face. She grasped his shirt in her fists and crushed her mouth to his.
Oh fuck me. He was instantly hard. He pressed closer, pinning her to the wall. Her body molded to his, soft and yielding. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. Feelingherup, making out… More, in a public restroom, with their parents sitting in the dining room.
And he had zero interest in stopping. She ground her hip against his erection, sending a jolt of desire through him. How far could they go in here? Within a limited time frame? He scraped his nails up her thigh as he dragged her skirt up past her panties. So she was wearing them.Not for long.
Someone knocked, and the bathroom door creaked. “Jodie, hon? Are you in here?” It was Megan.
Logan dropped his head onto Jodie’s shoulder with a silent sigh. “Fuck,” he whispered. Could Megan see two pairs of feet back here? The stalls had doors and walls that reached almost to the floor, so probably not.
“Yeah, Mom. Give me a second.” Jodie’s voice was calm and even.
How the hell did she manage that?
She traced the edge of his ear with her mouth. “I’ll go out first. Follow me in a couple of minutes?” Her voice was so low, he strained to hear it, even with her lips that close.
Logan nodded.
She pushed him back, the disappointment on her face reflecting his. “Lipstick,” she mouthed.
He stared at her, trying to make sense of her meaning.
She dragged a thumb along his bottom lip, and when she pulled away, red smudged her skin.
Good point. He should wipe that off.
Jodie stepped from the stall.
“Are you all right?” Megan asked.
“I’ll be fine.” The sound of running water mingled with Jodie’s reply.
“Where’s Logan?”
Their voices faded as the door creaked open again. “I don’t know. Not in here—that’s for sure.”
Logan spun and flopped back against the wall, his heart hammering against his ribs. If his luck held out a little longer, the bathroom would stay empty long enough for him to leave unnoticed.
He grinned at the empty stall. It was worth it. He’d do that again in a heartbeat.
Chapter Nine