They sipped the bubbly and had some of the caviar.
“Thank you so much, Logan. But you didn’t have to do all this.”
“Yes, I did. May I have this dance, Miss Carson?”
“You may, Mr. Montague.”
Logan set their glasses down and held his hand out. She placed her hand in his and moved into his arms. They swayed in time to the music playing softly overhead.
With a flair, Logan dipped Dakota before taking her in his arms again. “You’re so beautiful, Koty.”
The way he said it made her tingle. She leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you, but how’d you set all this up? You were with me most of the day.”
“I’ve got friends in high places.”
Dakota tilted her head to the side. “Miranda helped, didn’t she?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny the allegations.”
“Is that so? Well, I think I might be able to wheedle it out of you.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “I don’t doubt it.” Logan picked her up. “In fact, I’m looking forward to the wheedling.”
He took Dakota upstairs to the master bedroom.
“It’s dark. I’m surprised you didn’t have candles going,” she teased.
“You and I ending up here wasn’t a forgone conclusion, you know. Besides, I didn’t want to mess around and burn the house down. Not after all your hard work.” He grinned.
“What am I going to do with you?”
He set her on her feet, held her face between his hands and gently kissed her. “I have some ideas.”
Logan kissed Dakota on her neck, letting his hands roam over her body. He moved around to stand behind her. His fingers poised on her dress zipper. “May I?”
She leaned into his touch. “Please do.”
Expecting to feel a little nervous, Dakota was not prepared for the rush of longing that infused her when he unzipped her dress. His hand slid inside the garment to touch her back. Next, Logan caressed her skin with soft, circular strokes. After a few moments, he used both hands to ease her dress off her shoulders before kissing her right shoulder blade.
Dakota turned around and then wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him again before lowering her hands to his shirt, unbuttoning it. “My turn,” she said, easing the material away from his body.
Unable to help herself, her fingers fluttered across his chest. The muscles underneath were hard and firm. Next, her fingers moved to the buckle on his pants. She made quick work of getting the clothing off. Soon they were standing together in their underwear. Emboldened, Dakota reached around and unhooked her bra. She was completely nude before he had uttered a word.
“You’re the sexiest best friend I’ve ever had.”
She lay back on the bed, motioning for him to follow. “I feel the same way.”
Logan lay down beside her. He traced the lines of her body with his hands, as though committing every curve to memory. When he was done with his exploration, he rested the palm of his hand on her heart.
“Do you know how long I’ve dreamt of this, Koty? Since before I went off to college.”
“I just… I still can’t believe that you didn’t say anything,” she whispered. “All those years lost…we can’t get them back.”
“True, but we’re here now, Dakota. I’m here, and I’ll always be here. I promise.”
“Don’t,” she said, suddenly sitting up. “No one knows what the future holds. I found that out the hard way.”
“You’re right.” He sat up and faced her. “But what I do know is that with you…like this…it’s where I want to be, Dakota. I’ll always want you. That won’t ever change.”
A dark, looming memory wove its way into her consciousness. She moved a few inches away from him. Her stomach tightened in dread as she recalled in perfect clarity a day she had implored herself to forget.
“Are you sure?”
Logan looked confused. “Am I sure? Yes.”
The painful reminder took hold, its talons reaching out to crush her idyllic notions of the bond they shared—of his words of dedication.
“You said you always wanted me. Was that true when you went to college?”
“Koty, this is a strange detour from the path we were on moments ago, isn’t it?”
“I need to know, Logan.”
“Yes. Dakota, I’ve never not wanted to be with you. Even before I left, you were always on my mind. Why are you asking all this now?” He leaned in to kiss her neck. “I’d much rather show you what I feel about you.”
“No. Please, I…I can’t.” She hopped off the bed, and started retrieving her clothes.