Love by Design

She stopped walking. “You remembered.”

“Once I’d left, there wasn’t much to do but remember.”

In the past, any mention of his leaving used to fill her with anger, but now its sting wasn’t as potent.

“I know the feeling.”

“Do you?” He tilted his head to the side. “Are you saying that your feelings for me have changed?”

“Since you came into my office back in September? Yes, of course. We’ve reconnected as friends, and our bond has strengthened over the last two months, Logan. Wouldn’t you say so?”

“Yeah. Among other things.”

They reached her doorway, and she looked up at him.

“Logan, what’s the matter? You’ve been pensive since dinner. Have I done something to upset you?”

Without warning, he backed her up against the door and put an arm on either side to block her path. A gasp at the sudden movement escaped her lips. Both were drenched by this point, their clothes clinging to them under the deluge of water. When he looked at her, the pained expression was barely held in check.

“You look troubled, Logan.” She touched his damp face. “What is it? Tell me.”

His hand covered hers, and then he lowered it to rest between them. “No more talking.”

* * *

Logan did exactly as his aunt suggested. He showed Dakota just how much she enchanted him. Lowering his mouth to hers, he claimed her lips in a kiss. What started as a slow burn quickly ignited into a full-blown fire. When she did not pull away, Logan let out a sigh of relief that fanned across her cheeks. He pressed her up against the door and continued to sample her lips. She tasted of pineapples, rum and coconuts. To have thought about, obsessed over and hungered for her for so long made his control slip quickly.

With his right hand, Logan felt down the door until his fingers connected with the knob. He wrapped his left arm around her and opened the door at the same time. He pulled his lips from hers and stood there staring at her.

“You’re so damn beautiful.”

She smiled, moving farther through the door, but Logan remained where he was. A look of question was on her face.

“Do you want to come in?”

“Hell, yes, I want to come in, but I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you more than I want to breathe, but I won’t rush things between us. No matter how badly I want to be buried inside you right now. We need more time.”

“No, we don’t,” she said, trying to pull him in, but Logan remained steadfast.

He ran a thumb over her lips. “There’s still a trace of uncertainty in your eyes, Dakota. And when we make love for the first time, it can’t be there. I want you one hundred percent sure of what you’re getting into because there’s no turning back.”

She nodded and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. She kissed his lips. “I do want to be with you.”

Logan grinned. “I know. I’m not going anywhere, remember?”

“Promise?”

He wrapped her in his arms and soothed her with his lips instead of words. She clung to him for a few moments before she stepped back.

“Good night, Koty.”

Her smile was celestial. “Good night, Logan. Sweet dreams.”

He bent down to kiss her a final time. “They will be now.”

Chapter 13

The water was warm against her body as she glided effortlessly through its shimmering depths. When her head cleared the surface, Dakota struck out with long, firm strokes parallel to the waves. She treaded water while her gaze traveled across the beach. That’s when she spotted him. Logan was standing at the water’s edge. Tanned, magnificent and sure of himself. He waved at her. She waved back and struck out toward him. She was moving closer, and then something flicked across her leg. Instinctively, she peered through the water, but Dakota could not see anything.

“Koty,” Logan yelled out.

“I’m coming,” she replied over roaring waves.

She struck off again toward shore, and made it a few more yards before feeling someone wrap their hand around her ankle and pull downward. She yanked her foot, and kicked out with the other. She called for Logan and looked up to see him wave again, but he made no attempt to come into the water and help her. She frantically waved to get his attention before plunging into the murky depths. She fought in earnest now, swinging her arms in an arc in front of her. The second her head popped up, she screamed his name again and again. She saw him wave, and then turn around and walk away. Another hand grabbed her other foot, and seconds later, she was dragged underwater.

“No!” she screamed. “Logan! Logan!”