Page 56 of Beary In Love

Logan pulled out her chair, unable to resist brushing his fingers against her shoulder as she sat. The simple touch sent electricity through his arm. "Wine?"

"Please."

He poured them each a glass of red, then settled across from her. The soft glow from his pendant lights caught the silver flecks in her gray eyes, making them sparkle. His bear longed to lean across the table and kiss her, but he held back. Some things were worth savoring.

"You know," Serena twirled pasta around her fork, "I missed this. Being here with you."

Logan's heart skipped. "The cabin missed you too." He caught her gaze. "So did I."

The smile she gave him was worth every minute he'd spent learning to cook, worth every lonely night wondering if he'd eversee her again. His bear huffed in agreement - she was home, where she belonged.

Logan soon settled onto his leather couch, two steaming mugs of coffee in hand. The fireplace cast dancing shadows across Serena's face as she accepted her cup, their fingers brushing. His bear stirred at the contact, wanting more.

"Still take it with vanilla and cinnamon?" he asked, watching her inhale the aroma.

"You remembered." Her smile sent a warmth through him that had nothing to do with the fire.

As they talked, sharing stories and laughing about old times, Logan noticed how she'd gradually shifted closer. Her knee now pressed against his thigh, sending electricity through his body. His bear demanded he close the remaining distance between them.

When she set down her empty mug and turned those gray eyes on him, something in his chest tightened. "Logan?"

He didn't answer with words. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, a question more than a demand. But when she melted against him with a soft sigh, his control snapped.

His bear growled in satisfaction as he deepened the kiss, one hand sliding into her hair while the other pulled her closer. She tasted like coffee and cinnamon and something uniquely Serena that he'd missed for far too long. Her fingers gripped his shirt, holding him just as tightly as he held her.

When they broke apart, both breathing heavily, Logan rested his forehead against hers. "I've wanted to do that since the day you walked back into my life."

This was right. This was home. This was everything he'd dreamed about during those long years apart.

24

SERENA

Serena's heart raced as Logan's forehead rested against hers, his warm breath mingling with her own. The crackle of the fireplace filled the comfortable silence between them. Her lips still tingled from their kiss. She hadn't experienced that electric sensation in a decade, but it felt achingly familiar.

"I've missed you," she whispered.

He cupped her face in his large hands again and claimed her mouth once more. This kiss was different - hungrier, more demanding. His bear nature emerged in a possessive way as he pulled her closer, one hand sliding to the back of her neck while the other gripped her waist tight.

Serena melted into his kiss, her fingers curling tightly into his shirt pulling him even closer. The practical part of her brain tried to remind her of all the reasons this might be a bad idea, but for once, she didn't want to listen to that voice. She wanted to stay in this moment, where everything felt right.

"You're thinking too hard," Logan murmured against her lips.

"Force of habit." She laughed softly. "Though you're making it very difficult to think at all."

"Good." He nipped at her bottom lip, drawing a small gasp from her. "That's the idea."

His kiss deepened, and Serena found herself responding with equal fervor. This was nothing like their teenage romance - this was deeper, richer, colored by years of experience and growth.

"Logan," she breathed between kisses, "we should probably talk about-"

"Tomorrow," he growled softly. "Let's just have this moment tonight."

Serena's breath hitched as Logan soon guided her towards the bedroom. Ten years had passed since they'd last shared a night of passion, and the anticipation was an intense mix of nerves and excitement. His presence was intoxicating, his rugged features and muscular frame igniting a fire within her that she thought had long since dimmed.

He laid her down on his bed with a gentleness that belied his strength, and Serena's heart fluttered wildly. She watched him as he explored her body over her blouse with his hands, each touch sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her.

"You're even sexier than I remember," Logan murmured, his voice a low rumble that resonated deep within her.

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