He chuckles. “Because you do it so often and look so damn cute in the process.”
I smirk and his hands slide down to my ass, cupping me through my jeans. His arousal blooms between us, an amber musk that makes me weak at the knees. I feel my nipples tighten in my shirt and his pupils dilate as he stares into my eyes. “I wish there weren't a bunch of big-eared assholes right downstairs.”
I rub a thumb over his pouting lips. “Plus a pint-sized tornado who could come whirling in here at any moment.”
“Yeah, shit.” He edges me back a step, his hands slow to leave my hips. “You make it really hard to let go, Lily Percy.”
He’s told me that before, usually right before he deployed again, but this time it doesn’t trigger the usual rush of disappointment. Because if things keep working out for us, then this can be forever, and Logan is mine for keeps. “If we’re doing this, you need to be all in Logan. That means we parent Leo equally, and you support my rules, just like I’ll support yours.”
He sucks on his bottom lip. “No more hanging-by-a-thread rope swings?”
I shudder. “Or motorbike rides. At least until he’s old enough to respect the danger involved.”
“You’re right. I hear you, LeeLee.” He sighs and rubs his jaw, looking a little sheepish. “I guess I’ve got some stuff to learn about being a parent, but I’ll step up and make sure he’s more careful.”
Relief washes over me, and I feel the tightness in my chest ease another notch. Logan has played a lot of roles in Leo’s life - from fun neighbor, to confidante and mentor, to part-time dad - but whatIneed is a partner. I want Leo to have loving parents and strong role models, but I also want someone who’ll be by my side, every step of the way.
I mimic the sweep of his thumb over his jaw, loving the prickle of his stubble. “Why don’t you come to dinner tonight? Leo would love it, plus we could finish this conversation once he goes to sleep.” In case he doesn’t pick up on the subtext, I leandown and feather a kiss over his lips. “I want you for myself, too, Logan. And that means staying the night, if you’re ready for that.”
A growl feathers over my mouth a moment before he deepens the kiss, his tongue pressing against mine. I wind my arms tighter around his neck, leaning into his warmth. He tastes like mouthwash and desire, and I make a needy sound as he pulls away to rest his head against my chest. “You sure, sweetheart? Cos once I’m in your bed, it’ll take an army to drag me out.”
I tease my nails over his scalp, making him shiver. “I want you in my bed, Logan, and at the breakfast table in the morning. As far as I’m concerned, that’s where you belong.” His arms tighten around me, and I realize that no matter what happens, I can’t give this up. “I should've made that clear weeks ago, but I needed to know you were staying this time.”
He tilts his head back, regret shining in his dark eyes. “And I should've made myself clearyearsago. I know you’re giving me a second chance, LeeLee, and I'm just greedy enough to take it.”
“Good.” I step back, but not before stealing a final kiss. “Then pack your toothbrush, and I'll see you at dinner.”
Romantic plans aside, Friday is still a busy day on the farm, and after collecting Leo and Cooper, I head back to Rosie’s Blooms. It takes ages to get off the highway, and then my mouth falls open at the line of cars waiting to turn into the farm. They’ve parked on both verges, and a stream of people are heading through the gate. My shock turns to a low groan at the sight of a sheriff’s deputy trying to wave cars on, a frustrated look on his face. I park the truck on Logan’s service road and after sending Leo to the house, head over to apologize. “Jeez, Frank. I’m sorry about all this.”
He huffs as he wipes a trickle of sweat from his brow. “You’re not set up for this kind of crazy, Lily, and we’ve got other things to be doing than sorting out squabbles over parking spaces.”
His scent is spiky with irritation, and I can’t blame him for being put out. He's an older beta who transferred up from Boise so he could get away from big city problems. “I know. I think it’s because of a friend who’s stopped by…”
“Ellis Castle. It’s all anyone is talking about.” He tries to wave a car past, but the driver leans on his horn, and Frank scowls in their direction. “You’re gonna need a permit if this gets any bigger. Proper security, parking attendants, and I’d even look at your insurance policy, because I’ve had to stop three people from driving right over your fence.”
A trickle of panic works down my spine. Special events at the farm are always stressful, but this is in a league of its own, and I can feel a throb of pressure behind my eyes. “Okay. I can take care of that.”
Frank studies me for a moment. “Maybe you need to rethink things. I don’t want to be telling you your business, but there are more outsiders than locals here, and I don’t think many of them are interested in your flowers.”
My shoulders slump as I look around and realize he’s right. I don’t recognize many of the faces in the crowd, and most of them are either trying to peer in our windows or get their faces on camera with the newspeople who are milling about. “Tomorrow is usually our biggest day, but I don’t think we can open if this keeps up.”
A hint of sympathy softens Frank’s face. “Might be worth asking your Hollywood friends to relocate somewhere else. Just until the novelty wears off.”
“They’ve bought the house out at Willow Lake.” He doesn’t look surprised, so I’m guessing that nugget of information iscommon knowledge, too. “I mean, they’re not even here right now, so I don’t know what everyone’s expecting to see.”
“Well, maybe they should tell that to those news crews, because keeping a low profile isn’t going to stop your flower beds getting trampled.”
“Yeah, okay,” I sigh, feeling defeated. “I’ll see if Ellis’ security guys can help us clear everyone out and then we’ll lock the gate.”
“I’ll get my guys on it, too.”
He tips his hat at me and reaches for his radio while I grab my phone and call Marion. It’s hard to hear her over the noise, but she agrees to meet me at the store with Charlie and Dan. I have to push through the crowd, who clearly have no idea it’smyfarm they’ve invaded, and the throbbing behind my eyes just gets worse as I take in the trampled flowers and trash strewn on the ground.
“Sorry, boss.” Charlie says as he uses his wide shoulders to push through the crowd. “We’ve been trying to keep a lid on things, but these people are either hard of hearing or plain assholes.”
I snort at his sour expression, although the sight of three uprooted sunflower stalks is enough to make me growl through my teeth. “Where did they all come from?”
“Seems they followed the news vans,” he grumbles, shoving a guy with a beer bottle out of our path. “Someone said they got a tipoff that Ellis Castle is making a movie in town, and he’s holding a casting call for extras here on the farm.”
