Reunited in Danger (11 page)

But he had to try.

“Keels.” Her name came out husky, his throat clogged with emotion and the warring
feelings inside. He framed her flushed face with his hands, massaging her temples
with his thumbs. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Logan,” she whispered. “This is what I’ve wanted for a long time. Please don’t make
me beg.”

How the hell was he supposed to resist that? Cupping the nape of her neck with a groan,
he pulled her to him and kissed her, drank in the taste of her. Who knew if he’d ever
get the chance again? Bullets of desire slammed through his body. The taste of her,
the feel of her soft skin and hard nipples as she rocked against him, brought his
erection to full stance.

His mind spun and something deep in the inner realms of his brain told him he should
try one last time to stop her, that it was his duty to stop her. But when she undid
his zipper and slipped her hands into his boxers and stroked his hardness, he forgot
everything except the feel of her.

Dipping his hands lower, he cradled her bottom. She kissed the corner of his mouth,
stirring the memory of their time together back when they were teens. He’d wanted
her then with the libido of a nineteen-year-old, but something that went much deeper
fueled his need for her now.

Damn
. He wanted to feel her skin against his. With his hands on hers, he yanked his shirt
over his head, then trapped her hands behind her. Her soft vanilla scent filled his
nostrils like a powerful drug.

“Take the bad out of this day.” Her words came out a husky whisper and her eyes opened
wide, pleading.

More than anything, he wanted to make her feel better…make her feel good. “With pleasure.”
He released her hands, then slid her halter off. His gaze dropped to her small, perfectly-formed
breasts. He yearned to taste more of her, to pull those pink buds into his mouth.
But he needed her to know their time together had meaning. Not simply lust. Not a
quick lay. She deserved so much. Probably more than he could ever give her.

“Let’s start here…” He slid his hands to her bottom and dipped his mouth to her jaw,
tracing a line of kisses to the sensitive spot behind her ear. Something familiar
pulled at his gut. A fierce yearning for her, the memory he never seemed to be able
to shake. The ache no other woman could come close to fulfilling. The drugged feelings
of lust and love filled his limbs with sweet lethargy.

A long breath escaped her mouth and caressed his neck.

He slid his hands around her buttocks, to her hips, and lingered before pushing her
jeans lower. She stepped out of them. Forcing himself to go slow even though his body
screamed for relief, he traced soft circles toward the heated spot between her legs.

She gasped and rocked her body against his hands. “Logan��my body remembers your hands…your
touch.”

Her husky voice, scented skin, and long hair were almost more than he could endure.
And he felt the familiarity, too. Like coming home where they belonged.

Gathering her in his arms, he strode up the steps to his bedroom, pressing her almost
naked body against his until he reached his bedroom, where he kicked the covers of
his unmade bed to the side and laid her down. Soft light trickled into the room from
the hallway. Her sweet breasts heaved up and down, begging to be touched.

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at him. She wore only thin panties—he’d already
removed the rest of her clothes. The sight of her lying on his bed, offering what
he’d wanted for so long, tore at his gut. His erection grew, and his mind screamed
for him to be careful. This was a way to help her see they couldn’t be together. A
way to get one another out of their systems. Maybe the fantasy of their past would
be washed away, replaced by the hard reality of today.

“Logan, make love to me.”

Her words swept the worries from his mind. Every inch of him ached for her. He lifted
one knee, then the other, to the mattress and straddled her slim hips. The sight of
her nakedness under him kicked his heartbeat into overdrive. He wanted to be inside
her, to feel the heat of her encompassing him. But more than that, he wanted to make
her feel good. To take the bad away, as she’d requested.

Kneeling back, he slid his hands down her sides, past her ribcage, kissing her as
he lowered himself to her core. She gasped and he teased her with his tongue through
the scrap of black fabric, breathing in the full scent of her.

“Oh!” She lifted her hips.

With his teeth, he tugged at the fabric, pulling it lower, then dragged the panties
past her knees and down her ankles. He tossed them aside.

She shivered and reached for him. “God, Logan,” she panted. “I-I can’t take much more
of this. I need—I need…”

He pushed her knees apart and kissed her inner thigh. First one leg, then the other.
Smooth hot skin. He couldn’t get enough.

Cupping her bottom, he touched the tip of his tongue to her heat, closed his eyes
at the scent and taste of her. She dug her hands into his hair, brought him closer,
deeper.

He flicked and nibbled. His breaths came fast and hard. He needed her to know she
was special, and he’d do anything for her.

She gasped. The sound of her pleasure made him wild with desire. He exhaled, letting
his warm breath caress her along with his tongue.

“Logan,” she moaned. “For so long… Logan.”

He skimmed his hands on the soft skin of her inner thighs and tongued her.

She stiffened and he held her close as orgasm racked her body.

Finally, she lay gasping, her fingers still massaging his scalp.

“Now. Please now. Inside me,” she urged.

With the rain pounding against his bedroom window, he slid on top of her, finally
giving in to the need to be with her, to have all of her. To hell with tomorrow—they’d
take what tonight offered. He quickly opened a drawer, took out a condom, and sheathed
himself.

He wanted her to claim him, make him hers. He’d appreciate every second of that. She
clawed at him, begging him to get closer, deeper. For this one minute in time, he
let himself believe he could be hers.

“Now, Logan. I need you now.”

He thrust her legs apart with his knees and eased into her. Using every bit of self
control he possessed, he paused. She lifted her hips, guiding him deeper, and he grinned.
She didn’t wait for anyone to give her anything. His girl took what she needed. He
slid into her warmth, encompassed by the softness of her skin.

“Keely,” he moaned. He needed to say her name. Needed to hear the sound of it to be
sure this wasn’t a dream. He stroked harder and faster, matching her hip thrusts with
his rhythm.

“I’ve missed you so much.” She gripped him tight inside her and sucked on the lobe
of his ear. Sensations rippled through his body from his head to his feet. With his
last ounce of willpower, he pulled out, rubbed himself along her folds.

She cried out and bucked under him.

With a final plunge, he thrust deep into her, spiraling out of control as she moaned
and shuddered with him.

Oh God.
What had he started?

And would he be able to see it through to the end this time?

Chapter Ten

Keely slipped the note on Logan’s counter next to his coffeemaker. She wasn’t exactly
sneaking out. She was already running late. Last night, she’d been sad, lonely, and
needing him. Hadn’t properly thought things out. Hadn’t dared to think they’d spend
the night together in each other’s arms. Now she needed to get home, shower, and change
before heading to work.

After ensuring his front door was locked behind her, she hurried down the front steps
and fobbed her car door unlocked. Her cell rang.
Logan?
A tingling sensation raced up her spine, reminding her of when she was a teen, awaiting
his call.

She checked the screen. No. Nevaeh. She answered, greeting her coworker.

“Can you swing by the office and pick me up?”

The request surprised Keely. She glanced up at Logan’s bedroom window, half expecting
him to be looking out, watching her. She could still feel the warmth of his breath,
see the relaxed set of his mouth as she crawled out of bed. As much as she wanted
to be back in his arms, she had a job to do—a cause to fight.

“Why?”

“We got an anonymous tip that some runaways are living in that homeless camp near
the old abandoned warehouse.”

Maybe Melita was one of them. Or Ava. Her heart skipped a beat.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” She climbed into her car and started the engine. Thank
God she carried a spare pair of thick-soled boots in her trunk, because while her
jeans and sweatshirt would be fine for a visit to a homeless camp, her thin-soled
tennis shoes could make the job dangerous. Shattered glass. Needles.

She merged her car into the road as she disconnected the call. The memory of the night
she’d spent with Logan washed over her, and she smiled. She wanted to relive it in
her mind a hundred times. They’d finally given in to the need to be together. But
now what? Where did they go from here? Did they actually have a chance at a relationship
together?

She shifted her thoughts to her dad’s attack. Today she’d make time to talk with members
of the Loving Arms Board of Directors. Maybe a casual conversation would reveal helpful
information. She mulled it over on the way to Child Protective Services.

When she got there, Nevaeh stood on the sidewalk, waiting.

After her friend handed her a go-cup of coffee from her favorite shop, she took a
sip of the hot brew. After only one taste, she felt more awake. “Thanks for this.”

Nevaeh nodded. “How are you doing after your crazy day yesterday? How’s Margaret Beyer?”

“Bad off. But it could have ended worse.”

“Sounds scary.”

“Will police officers meet us at the camp?” Keely asked, diverting the conversation
away from a memory she didn’t want in her mind.

“I didn’t call the police. Thought it might make people run. What do you think?”

“I think it’s probably safe enough there during the day.” The homeless camp wasn’t
legal, but didn’t everyone need a place to sleep?

Keely’s phone rang.

Nevaeh glanced at the screen, then waggled her eyebrows. “Logan.” Nevaeh knew their
history. She’d also been the one to say she should never give up on him.

Keely pressed the speaker button and Logan’s voice filled the car. “Calling to see
if you still wanted to get into the jail today.”

“I have to be back at the office for an appointment at one, and we’re on our way to
check out a homeless camp right now. Got a tip that there were some runaways living
there, and I was hoping Melita was one of them. Maybe some older kids took her under
their wing.”

“The camp by the abandoned warehouse?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It’s a dangerous part of town. I’ll meet you there.” He disconnected.

“Your boyfriend’s bossy, isn’t he?” Nevaeh said.

Keely opened her mouth to object, but the smug look on her friend’s face made her
laugh instead. How had Nevaeh known she and Logan had rekindled their former flame?
Had her face betrayed her feelings when she’d spoken with him?

“You think it could work out between the two of you this time?”

“Maybe. He’s different now. Not as high-strung. Like yesterday, when that kid shot
Margaret Beyer. Logan held it together. Was calm under pressure. My legs almost buckled
under me. But he directed the EMTs, reassured my dad, controlled the scene…basically
kept everyone calm.”

They pulled in front of the fenced area in the shadow of an old brick warehouse with
broken windows and vines growing up its sides.

Tents peppered the cement lot behind the fence. Clothes hung from lines strung between
poles, flapping in the morning breeze. A few adults sat in beat-up lawn chairs near
the tents, smoking and staring at them as they approached.

“Should we wait for Logan?” Nevaeh asked.

“They’re already looking at us. Let’s just check it out before anyone bolts.” She
quickly changed into her boots.

They headed for an opening in the chain-link fence. Three Asian women, speaking in
hurried foreign tones, glanced at them, then ran out through the fence, disappearing
into the shadows.

A gray-haired woman stood, gathered her shabby tweed coat around herself, and approached
the fence. “You with the city? Here to evict us?”

“No. We’re looking for some kids. Heard there were some runaways here,” Keely said,
pausing at the edge of the fence.

“Ah.” The woman waved her hand in front of her face. “They left last night.”

Keely’s shoulders slumped. Then she fished out her cell phone. “I have a photo of
a missing little girl. Can you tell me if she was with them?”

The woman grunted, but stayed by the fence.

Keely scrolled through her emails and found the one she was looking for. Melita’s
face filled the screen. Keely turned the phone to the woman. “Have you seen her?”

The woman squinted. “No. Them kids were older. Teenagers.”

“Do you mind if we come in and look around?” Nevaeh asked.

The woman shrugged, then turned and shuffled back to her lawn chair.

“Shall we go in?” Nevaeh asked.

“Keely,” Logan called.

She turned to see him running across the street toward her. “Now that we have our
escort, I don’t see why not.”

“Hey,” he said, his gaze holding hers.

Her pulse quickened, remembering how he’d held her last night. “Logan, this is Nevaeh.
Nevaeh, Logan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Nevaeh said, shaking his hand. “We had an anonymous tip overnight
that runaways were camping out here, but that woman over there told us they left last
night.”

He lifted the chain link fence where it split. “She might be lying.”

Keely squatted low and eased through the opening, followed by Nevaeh and Logan. They
checked each tent and found a few drunks sleeping off a rough night, a mom and her
small child and a few other adults. No runaways. Keely made a mental note to bring
the mother a brochure on homeless shelters and to report her findings to her supervisor,
but likely as not, when she returned, the woman and child would have moved on. The
way it appeared the runaways had.

“It was worth a shot,” Keely said, ducking back under the chain link as Logan held
it for them.

“Every lead can’t pan out,” he said. “Believe me…about two out of every three tips
our snitches give us turn out to be dead ends.”

“Yeah. Same here. Thanks for escorting us,” Nevaeh said.

“Sure thing.” He faced Keely. “I saw your car across the street. Want me to follow
you to the parking garage? We can ride to the jail together in my truck.”

“Good idea.” Time alone with Logan. They needed to talk about last night.

All these years, she’d dreamed about being with him again. How good it would feel,
how right it would be. But now that they’d been together, what did their future hold?
Especially if he was still leaving for Texas.

…

Logan followed Keely’s car through city traffic. Seeing her in the same clothes she’d
stripped off last night had almost been his undoing. What the hell was he supposed
to do, when all he could think about was being with her again?

His cell phone rang. Quinn. He put the call on speaker. “Hey. I’ve been trying to
get in touch with you.”

“I know. We’ll talk tonight, okay? I’ve been at home with the wife. She’s having a
tough week. You doing all right after the shooting?”

“Yeah. Peterson had to take the kid down. Thank God he was there.” He flicked on his
signal to enter the parking garage behind Keely.

“Yeah. Self defense. Plenty of witnesses.” Quinn cleared his throat and Logan froze.
Quinn only cleared his throat like that when he didn’t know how to phrase something.

“Out with it, Quinn. What else?” Logan braced himself. A confession? Did Quinn know
that they’d discovered he and his wife had applied to be adoptive parents?

“I wanted to make sure you knew they found that kid. Lenny Harper. The one who got
away after his pal shot Margaret Beyer.”

“Found him?”

“Dead.”

“Shit.” Logan closed his eyes briefly. So much for the one lead in the case.

“Two other gang members shot dead with him. Shot in the back of the upper torso.”

Gang members. Was there a turf war he wasn’t aware of? Maybe Margaret, with her community
activism, had gotten caught up in it. But how did Ben play into something like that?

“Thanks, Quinn. Keep me updated, will you? I’ll be rooting for Marcie to feel better.
We’ll talk tonight.”

“Sure. Hang in there.”

Logan disconnected the call and pulled in behind Keely’s car. Nevaeh waved and he
waved back, then Keely opened his passenger door and slid into the SUV. She wore no
makeup and a streak of sunlight spotlighted her face, making her freckles show more
than usual.

He wanted to forget about Ben’s case, forget about the kid who’d been shot, forget
about Quinn’s name in the adoption file, and take Keely back to his house and up to
his bed.

Instead, he put the truck into gear. “We’re on the visitor’s list at the jail.” His
phone rang and he put it on speaker. “Logan North.”

“Detective North, this is Ronald from the Detention Center. The prisoner you’re scheduled
to visit isn’t available today. He’s in the infirmary. Got hurt in the fight yesterday.”

Logan let out a curse. “Thanks for letting me know.” He disconnected and steered out
of the garage. “Guess the other inmates found out he was in there for child abuse.”

Keely blew out a breath. “It’s hard to feel sorry for him, but damn, every time we
try to speak to him, something gets in the way.”

“He might not even be helpful.”

“I know.”

“I got a call from Quinn earlier, too. Looks like they found the other kid—the driver—from
the attack yesterday. Dead.”

She squinted at him. “What happened?”

“He and two other people were murdered. Possibly gang related.”

“What does this mean about Margaret’s shooting? How will we ever find out if those
two were the ones who attacked my dad if they’re both dead?” she said, sounding frustrated.

“Dunnigan is working every angle.” Logan pulled the car into a parking spot near the
elevator.

They still had to talk about last night. After years of keeping an eye on her from
a distance, he’d finally given in to the need to be with her. He could get used to
holding her as he fell asleep. Could spend every night feeling her slow, relaxed breathing
against his neck.

Last time he’d made the decision for her. This time, though, he’d let Keely make the
call about what she wanted in her life. But there were things she needed to know about
him first. Things that might make her run far away.

And he may as well get it over now.

He faced her, but before he could speak, she drew a deep breath.

“Logan,” she said, “there’s something important I need to tell you.”

…

Keely swallowed hard and stared out the windshield. Logan shut off the engine. The
only sound was the muffled sound of traffic below. And Keely’s heart pounding so loud
she was sure Logan could hear it.

Sunshine beamed down on the buildings around the parking garage, casting long, dark
shadows.
Oh God.
Now that she’d started the conversation, there was no backing out.

Complete honesty
. After last night, she wanted more than ever to be with him. For now, she’d forget
he was moving to Texas. If things worked between them, they’d work that part out,
too.

Taking a deep breath and blowing it out gave her the courage she needed. She faced
him. “Last night was…well, it was wonderful.”

His lips turned up at the edges. “I’d have to agree with that understatement.”

She smiled. He’d taken away some of her fear with his teasing words, and she relaxed.
It would be fine. He’d understand.

“There’s something I haven’t told you that I think you need to know.” She clasped
her hands together on her lap.
Come on. Just say it
. “That night we were together ten years ago…the night I gave you my virginity. I
told you I loved you. You told me you loved me, too. Only, then you left. And…and…”
Her heart pounded hard and she gripped his forearm, determined to let him know everything
before she chickened out. “Logan,” she whispered, “I got pregnant that night. I had
a miscarriage five weeks later.”

Her throat clogged with tears that begged for release. Now that she’d said the dreaded
words, she wanted to get out of the car and run far away. It was too hard to revisit
that time in her life. Too awful to relive that kind of loss. They hadn’t planned
the baby, but that hadn’t made losing it any easier.

Logan’s gaze flashed to meet hers and the color drained from his face. His whole body
jerked as if he’d been hit. “Shit.
What?
Keely— If I had known…” He stared at her. “My God.
Shit
.”

He glanced around the SUV as if he’d find the answers he was looking for. His mouth
moved as he tried to form words but couldn’t.

“It wouldn’t have changed anything if you had known.” Her voice shook. Maybe she shouldn’t
have burdened him with the truth, maybe all it did was hurt him. But he deserved complete
honesty.