Logan (Wild Boys After Dark, #1)(34)

“That’s Sugar Lake.”

“It’s pretty.” She laced her fingers with his. “Who’s the girl you’re handing me off to again?”

Logan parked in front of Sweetie Pie Bakery, owned by Willow Dalton, a friend of Logan’s. A bright pink awning gave way to two large picture windows. He cut the engine and faced Stella. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders in waves. She wore a loose turquoise tank top, a pair of jeans, and a wary look in her beautiful eyes.

“I’m not handing you off. I’m hoping to give you a few hours of remembering what it was like to live without watching your back. You’ll like Willow, and you might get to meet her sister, Bridgette. She owns the Secret Garden florist shop next door.”

“How do you know them?”

“I met Willow a few years ago, when I found her skinny-dipping on my property.”

“Oh.” Jealousy filled that word as she tried to take her hand from his.

Logan held on tight. “She’s a friend, Stella. Willow’s great. You’ll love her. In fact, she’s a lot like you.”

The furrow didn’t leave her brow as her eyes rolled skeptically over him. “If she’s like me, did you hook up with her?”

“You’re cute when you’re jealous.” Logan smiled as she rolled her eyes. “Believe it or not, I don’t sleep with every pretty girl I see. I don’t know what makes a person attracted to one person instead of another, but I can assure you, she’s like the smart-ass sister I never had, and I’ve never hooked up with her. More important, you’ll like her.” Logan had met Willow shortly after his father had died, and although she’d been embarrassed about being caught skinny-dipping, and he’d been angry and still reeling from his father’s death, they’d had an instant kinship. She’d seen his sadness and his anger, and rather than run, she’d put her clothes back on and taken a walk with Logan, pulling answers from him like a dentist pulls teeth, one painful moment at a time. Willow’s friendship had helped him that weekend, and in the years since, her family had become like a second family to him.

Logan came around to Stella’s side of the truck and helped her out. “Sweetheart, you wear tension like a second set of clothes, and for good reason, but…” He pulled her into an embrace. Her body remained rigid against him. He crashed his lips over hers, forcing her mouth open with his tongue in a wet, sloppy kiss that made them both laugh.

She laughed as she wiped her mouth. “That was like a bad Jim Carrey movie kiss.”

“Made you relax, didn’t it? I’ll make it up to you later.” He took her very relaxed hand, glad she’d laughed the tension away.

“You bet you will,” she mumbled.

Bells sounded above them as they walked into the bakery and were assaulted by an aroma of sugary goodness that made Logan’s mouth water.

“Oh my God. I think I want to live here and smell this all day long,” Stella said quietly.

Willow’s blond head popped up from behind one of the glass displays.

“Logan!” She practically scaled the counter to get to him. He shot a look at the arched entranceway that led to Bridgette’s flower shop to see if he’d be mauled from both directions, but he didn’t see Bridgette. They loved to double-team him and bowl him over.

“Logan! Honey, I’ve missed you.” Willow threw her arms around him and kissed him smack on the lips, then turned a wide smile to Stella and pulled her into an equally enthusiastic hug. Willow was in her midtwenties and was tall and curvy. She had a big personality rivaled only by the size of her heart. “You must be Stella. You’re every bit as pretty as Logan said you were.”

“Hi.” Stella looked at Logan and mouthed, You told her I was pretty?

He shrugged, loving the look of appreciation in her eyes.

Willow took a step back and held Stella’s hands. “Honey, Logan doesn’t ever bring women around, and I mean ever. I was worried the guy would end up alone with a house full of porn, if you know what I mean.”

“Hey,” Logan protested halfheartedly.

“Not that he doesn’t have every girl in this town after him.” Willow tossed her thick braid over her shoulder and crossed her arms. “So, I hear Logan has to go do guy things, and you get to spend the day with me. I can’t wait to get to know you.”

“Thanks, Willow,” Logan said.

“Yes, thank you. I won’t be any trouble. I could have stayed at his cabin—”

“Nonsense.” Willow swatted the air. “First of all, why would you stay in that cabin all by yourself when you could be here with me?” She leaned in close and whispered, “I’m fun, trust me. Did he tell you how we met?”

“Hey, Willow. Don’t take her skinny-dipping.”

Stella turned mischievous eyes in his direction. God, he loved seeing that spark in her eyes.

“Jealous? Maybe we’ll skinny-dip in Sugar Lake.” Stella arched a brow.

Logan scrubbed his hand down his face. “What have I done?”

Willow put a muffin in a bag and handed it to Logan. “Go on. Go do your boy things. We’ll be fine.” She shooed him toward the door.

He reached for Stella and lowered his voice. “You okay? You have the phone I gave you?”