I nodded, grinning.
“Thank you, Nina!”
He jumped off the chair, ran over to me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. Everyoneawwed in unison, and I felt myself tearing up.
How much joy could one person take?
I was excited to find out.
Josie came out once Noah was finished with the tower of presents. She clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we still have more than half a sheet cake left, and a pint of ice cream. Please eat more.”
The kids hooted and took off for the dessert table.
Logan and I looked at each other.
“Guess we’re off duty for a bit,” he said. He slid his arm around my waist and gave me a squeeze. We were at the back of the rapidly dispersing group, standing against the hedgerow that separated the patio from the yard.
Myyard. It still didn’t make sense to me.
“They’re having a blast,” I said. “What a great day.”
Logan leaned closer to me, his lips brushing against my ear. “I can think of a way to make it even better.”
A shiver ran through my body, but I played it off. “Are youserious? Now?”
“Can you think of a better time? The kids are all occupied with round two of dessert, and the magician is getting set up, so everyone will be focused on him for the next twenty minutes.”
I stuck out my bottom lip and gazed up at him. “You really think twenty minutes is enough time?”
He glanced around to make sure no one was watching us, slid his hand under the back of my shirt, and reached around so that he could cup the underside of my breast.
“I’ll never have enough of you—but if all we can have right now is thirty seconds, I’d still take it. I just need to get you alone.”
His thumb brushed a little higher, and I caught my breath. He leaned closer to whisper in my ear.
“Is that a yes?”
He stroked me again, and my knees almost gave out. I leaned into the sensation of Logan’s warm fingertips exploring me through the thin lace of my bra.
“Say it,” he whispered again.
I scanned the area to make sure no one was watching us.
“Yes,” I finally whispered back, my voice shaking on the single syllable.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him, retreating around the side of the house to the door that led to the laundry area.
“In here?” I protested as I eyeballed the dryer.
“Hardly,” he laughed. “We’re going up the service steps, so no one catches us.”
“Let’s make one of my fantasies come true,” Logan said as he pulled me down the hallway to his old bedroom.
“You never snuck a girl into your room?” I asked, incredulous.
He snorted. “Are you kidding me? My mom ran this place like Fort Knox. No one got in or out without her knowing, and when they upgraded the surveillance cameras? I didn’t stand a chance.” He bumped against the door, and we both stumbled into his room. “But now? Let’s make some memories.”
