Page 100 of Sin Bin

He laughed knowingly and resumed pushing buttons. “Do you like rap?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Not really.”

He chuckled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“A lot of it is misogynistic trash, and I’m not a fan of mumble rap.” Her lips twitched. “But there are a few ratchet female artists I enjoy listening to. They’re my guilty pleasures.”

Logan gave her a slow grin. “Good to know you indulge in guilty pleasures.”

“Are you calling me repressed?”

“Not at all, darlin’. I know better.” He slid her a look that told her he was remembering their steamy make-out session. It made her thighs heat up.

“Play whatever you want.” She hesitated before muttering under her breath, “Except sex music.”

He laughed darkly and chose a hard rock station. The pounding music provided the perfect backdrop for what quickly became an exhilarating thrill ride in the powerful sports car.

Meadow’s pulse raced excitedly as he deftly weaved in and around slower vehicles, making her laugh and whoop as they went tearing through the streets of Denver. He was driving fast but not recklessly. She felt as safe with him as she’d felt on the back of his Harley.

The cocktail reception was being held at a historic observatory located in the middle of a park dotted with shade trees.

Logan pulled into a parking lot close to the observatory. The building was made of red sandstone and had a domed roof. Meadow was so busy admiring the Romanesque architecture that she didn’t notice Logan coming around to open her door until he drawled humorously, “Should I come back later to get you?”

She looked up at him and grinned sheepishly, then placed her hand in his and stepped out of the car. “I just love observatories. I try to find one every time I visit a new city. This observatory has a famous refracting telescope that I’m excited to check out. Although—” She glanced up worriedly at the graying sky “—we probably won’t be able to view anything since it’s starting to get overcast.”

“We can always come back,” Logan said, still holding her hand. “The astronomical society hosts weekly and monthly events here, and the park is a popular spot for stargazing on Public Nights.”

“I know.” She gave a happy sigh. “It’s so awesome.”

He grinned at her. “I guess this is about to be your second home, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

Laughing, he pulled her close to his side and kissed her temple. The affectionate gesture turned her insides to goo.

Together they strode up the long walk and into the old building. Meadow inhaled appreciatively, enjoying the smell of aged wood.

A heavyset white woman stood at the entrance greeting guests as they arrived. She gave them a welcoming smile that froze on her face when she got a good look at Logan.

“Oh my stars! Aren’t you Logan Brassard?”

Meadow laughed and shook her head at Logan. “That didn’t take long.”

He grinned sheepishly and adjusted his glasses—his fake, completely useless glasses.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” the woman gushed, shaking his hand. “I have to get your autograph for my son. He plays for his high school hockey team and he’s a big fan of yours. I’ve been trying to get him interested in astronomy for years. Boy, he’s sure gonna wish he’d come with me tonight.” She pulled out her phone and grinned at Meadow. “Can you take a picture of us?”

“Sure.” Meadow took the phone and stepped back a few feet as Logan posed with the beaming woman, draping his arm around her shoulders. After the first photo was snapped, the woman jokingly asked him if he could remove his glasses so her son wouldn’t question whether it was really him.

“I didn’t even know you wear glasses,” she said with a girlish giggle.

“He doesn’t,” Meadow said wryly. “They’re supposed to be a disguise.”

“Oh!” The woman giggled again, her green eyes sparkling as she playfully elbowed Logan and winked. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

When Logan grinned and winked back, the woman nearly swooned against his chest.

Suppressing an eye roll, Meadow snapped a few more pictures before handing the phone back to the woman.

---