Page 37 of Logan

“Preacher!” Iggie hollered in greeting. His eyes moved to Vivian, and he grinned. “Hey, Sally, come meet Preacher’s wife.”

He had entered the bar behind Vivian with his hands on her shoulders. At Iggie’s yell, she stiffened, and her back hit his front just as Sally came barreling from behind the bar, skidding to a stop directly in front of her.

“Hi! Oh, aren’t you a beauty,” Sally declared, grabbing Vivian’s hand and shaking it profusely. Standing back, she narrowed her eyes and said, “Damn, Preacher, you didn’t tell us your wife was Inuit!”

With Vivian’s back still plastered to his front, he wrapped his arm around her chest and rested his chin on her head, feeling the tension leave her body.

“This is Vivian. I thought we’d get something to eat. We missed lunch and know it’s kind of early for dinner. Can you set us up?”

Vivian’s hand went to his arm, her fingers wrapping around his muscular forearm. Trying to remind himself they were only playacting for a cover, he knew the tingle from her touch was, once again, more than just pretend.

“Well, Vivian, I’m Sally, and that old coot back there is my husband, Iggie. We’ll get the best burger you’ve ever eaten out here in just a few minutes.”

He gave Vivian a little nudge, and they moved forward toward the bar. He gave her a boost onto the barstool, and they ordered beers from Iggie.

Soon, they were joined when Sally brought out the burgers and fries. Logan grinned as Vivian quickly learned there was no privacy at the Goldmine Saloon. Sally plopped down next to her, and Iggie stayed planted behind the bar just in front of them.

“Tell me about your family,” Sally asked.

After swallowing her bite, she explained about her grandparents, including how she had been raised in California.

“Oh, Alaska never leaves your blood,” Iggie claimed, a wide smile gleaming against his tanned skin.

“Maybe so,” she replied, laughing. “I like my sunshine, and I can’t drive in the snow!”

Sally grinned as she waved her hand dismissively. “You’ll get the hang of it if you two stay here. That’s what you’re planning, right, Preacher?”

Viv slid her glance toward Logan, silently handing the question to him. He nodded slowly before replying, “We’ll see. Gotta go where the work is. Right now, the airfield here can pay me enough to make it worth our while, but if work comes from somewhere else, then I figure that’s where we’ll head.”

The foursome continued to chat for another hour as they finished eating. “Sally, you’re right,” Vivian said. “You do make the best burgers.”

As the dinner crowd increased, Sally and Iggie moved on to serve other customers. Someone put money in the jukebox, and Viv stood, taking Logan’s hand. As she pulled him gently from the barstool, he looked at her in confusion. She led him to the back, where a few tables were cleared away, and another couple swayed to the music.

Halting, he tugged on her hand and glanced around before muttering, “Viv, I don’t dance.”

She grinned, moving in closer, wrapping her free hand around his waist. Standing on her tiptoes, she whispered, “All you gotta do is hold on to me and rock back and forth.”

Not wanting her to let go, Logan pulled her body tightly to his. He placed one hand on her back and pressed their clasped hands over his heart between their bodies. Moving as one with the music swirling about them, their gazes locked on each other, they began to sway to the music. His heart thudded so loudly in his chest that he was sure she could hear the beat over the music.

Her hair hung gracefully down her back, the ends brushing against his arm, making him want to run his fingers through the thick, sleek tresses. As he stared into her eyes, he felt as thoughhe could drown in their depths…and be found again. His fingers flexed on her lower waist as the warmth traveled up his arm.This makes no sense…I’ve known her for less than a week.But his heart warred with his mind. He wanted her.Maybe that’s it…this is just sex I need. Me…a pretty girl…yeah, maybe a fling is what we both need.But as those thoughts moved through his mind, he knew a fling was not what he wanted.

Bending down, he nuzzled her nose before sliding his lips over hers—just a taste…just a touch. A soft gasp from her lips brushed warm breath across his lips, and he took the kiss deeper.

“Viv…” he groaned into her mouth, no longer caring what his head said as long as he listened to what his heart demanded.

It had been a while since he’d experienced a kiss just for the experience itself. His arms banded tighter around her as her hands slid upward to encircle his neck. His wide chest pressed against her breasts, and each curve seemed made just for him. He took the lead, angling his head as his tongue delved inside. Stealing her breath, he plundered and teased.

As the music ended, their bodies continued to sway. He lifted his head slightly to see her eyes hooded and felt her breath warm against his face. She stared into his eyes, their gazes locked.

Letting out a long breath, she whispered, “Is that part of our cover?”

Logan hesitated, but the truth won out. “No,” he replied softly. His heart pounded, and his body stiffened in preparation for her response.

Her lips curved into a wide smile as she moved in closer so their lips were once more a whisper apart. “Good.”

His heart leaped as he pulled away, staring down into her beautiful face. Without a word, he led her toward the bar, his arm around her shoulders, firmly pulling her next to him. Tossing enough bills onto the bar to cover dinner, drinks, anda hefty tip, he waved at a grinning Sally and Iggie. When they stepped outside, the afternoon sun surrounded them as they headed home.

22

---