To Make You Feel My Love (21 page)

“Yeah, and have that on my conscience with everything else? No thank you.”

Logan shook his head, and looked at Dusty. “What are you rambling on about now?”

“It’s bad enough my stupid sister is the reason you’ve been dragging your sorry ass around here like you’re a damn zombie or something. I’m not gonna be responsible for you getting in another accident ‘cause of that bum leg of yours,” nodding toward Logan’s leg in a brace.

“A zombie?” Logan asked dryly.

“Yeah, you know, not dead, but not alive either? A zombie, man”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that right. Besides, it’s not your fault your sister is delusional.”

“It kinda is. I never set her straight, I just told her you were off limits. So, all I did was tie a steak around your neck,” he laughed.

“Yeah, she never took no very well, did she?”

“Nope. So I kinda set you up.” Dusty shook his head.

“You still shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s over. I’ve moved on, you should too.”

“You’ve moved on? Really?” Dusty asked, amused.

“Well, I’m trying. She really didn’t leave me much of a choice,” Logan said, staring out the window.

“I’m going down to visit Becky this weekend. You wanna come with me?” Dusty asked cautiously.

“Becky huh?” he chuckled. “You’re kinda sweet on her. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Whatever, you’re an ass!”

“What?” Logan shrugged.

“I like her. We have fun together. She don’t judge me and she’s not looking for anything serious.”

Dusty hadn’t been serious with anyone since they were in high school and Donna Jo Baker broke his heart before prom. They had dated since their freshman year, but she broke it off with him the night before junior prom. Swearing he’d never fall in love again, this was the closest Logan had seen him come since then.

“Anyways, don’t avoid the question. You wanna come or not?” Dusty asked.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet or not, buddy. I don’t know if she’s ready to see me yet or not.”

“Why the hell not? You know she’s going to forgive you. You’ve got a plan in action. It’s time to get your woman back, man.”

“Easy for you to say. Your woman doesn’t think you let another woman into her home and cheated on her on own couch.”

“Yeah, but once she finds out my sister is crazy, she’ll forgive you,” Dusty said with confidence.

“I got news for you, buddy. Everyone already knows your sister is crazy.” Logan laughed.

“Watch it. She’s still my sister,” he warned.

“I wouldn’t be letting that cat out of the bag.”

“Keep it up, big boy. Just keep it up.” Turning up the radio, Dusty shook his head and headed in to traffic.

* * * * * * * *

The bell over the door jingled as Becky entered the front office of the Beach Hotel. Motioning for her to come on in, Alana continued her conversation on the phone.

“Yes ma’am, Mrs. Wallace, I have your reservation set for August twenty-eighth through September first. Would you like to take advantage of our airport shuttle service?” Alana smiled at her friend, as Becky shuffled through the tourist pamphlets lining the desk.

“Yes ma’am, I’ll take care of that for you. We will see you August twenty-eighth. Thank you for choosing Paradise Beach Hotel.”

“Hey chica, thought you might miss me, so I stopped by to check on ya. How’s that contrary uncle of yours?”

“I have missed you.” Moving around the counter, Alana embraced Becky in a hug. “He’s doing great actually. I think his contrariness is actually helping. He’s too stubborn to give up.”

“Having an experienced live in nurse comes in handy too,” Becky chided.

“He’s being a good patient, surprisingly. He hasn’t fought me on anything except over doing it. He wants to be here every day.”

“I don’t know why that would surprise you. How is Penny holding up?”

“She’s doing great. They love each other so much. It’s the kind of love people only dream of,” Alana smiled dreamily.

“Yeah, not a lot of people stick it out that many years. Hey, by the way, Dusty is coming in this weekend. You’re going out with us for some overdue fun.”

Alana’s breathe hitched, thinking about the possibility of learning news of Logan. Despite the fact that what he did was unforgivable, she missed him so much.

“Well, y’all sure are getting serious,” she teased.

“Oh, I don’t know about
serious
. But, we have fun together.”

“Come on, it’s only been a few weeks, and he’s already coming back to see you? Knowing you and Dusty, that sounds pretty serious to me.”

“We’ll see how it goes. So, how ‘bout it? You coming out with us?” she asked. “We’ve finally talked Carter into performing at Silver Spurs in front of a music producer.”

“Shelby Lynn isn’t coming is she? I swear if I never lay eyes on her again, it will be too soon,” Alana asked in disgust.

“Oh, I don’t think so. Dusty is pretty pissed at her for her stupid stunt she pulled while she was here.”

“Stunt?”

“Yeah, with Logan,” Becky answered.

“I wouldn’t call it a stunt, Becky. Besides, it takes two to tango. She wasn’t alone. Someone had to let her in.”

“Not necessarily, hon,”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, apparently Shelby Lynn broke down confessing all her sins. After eavesdropping on your and Dusty’s conversation about Logan being out, she grabbed the key to your place while Dusty was in the shower.”

Shocked, Alana tried to comprehend what she was hearing. “Well, he was still alert enough to use a condom,” she tried to counter.

“Nope. She put some conditioner in a condom. Left all the incriminating evidence she could to save Logan from the heartache you were about to put him through.”

“What? Me? She is insane!” Alana scoffed.

“Yep, she is,” Becky said, swirling her finger by her head. “Crazy as a loon.”

“And she just broke down to Dusty and told him all of this? Does Logan know?”

“Actually, she broke down to Logan on the drive home. Logan told Dusty. He hasn’t spoken to her outside of work since then. He says he loves his sister, but if they didn’t work together at their parent’s farm, he wouldn’t speak to her at all,” she shrugged.

Hurt hit Alana all over again. He had known all these weeks, and hadn’t even called to try to explain to her, to fight for them? Pain radiated through her as she thought about all she assumed she meant to him, it was all a lie. She was never worth the fight.

“So, Logan’s known all this time?” she whispered.

“Guess so. Are you alright? You look pale, you need to sit down.” Putting her arms around Alana’s shoulders, Becky helped her to sit in the chair behind the counter.

“I’ll be fine. I just can’t believe he’s known all this time and didn’t even try to tell me.” Angry tears pierced her eyes, as she tried to hold them back. “Did I mean that little to him?”

“Oh no, honey, no!” Becky consoled. “He probably didn’t think you’d believe him. You told him to leave, and you wanted nothing else to do with him.”

“I know. But it still pisses me off that he thought so little of me, of
us
.” Shaking her head, she stood to give Becky another hug. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll meet you guys at Silver Spurs tomorrow night.”

* * * * * * * *

Silver Spurs was the local country western line dancing bar. With three levels of wooden dance floors, pool tables and a mechanical bull, it was a favorite with the beach natives. Becky’s cousin, Carter Dawson, had pulled in a packed house. It was no wonder, Becky’s family was huge, spreading from Freeport, Mississippi to Paradise Beach, Florida.

Making her way through the crowd, Alana found Becky and Dusty in a reserved area, attached at the lips, of course.

“Hey guys. Wow, packed house. Carter must be happy,” Alana said while pulling up a stool to the high top table. Careful not to let her skirt slide too far up her thighs, she tugged it down as she climbed to sit on the stool. Thinking back now, maybe a linen skirt and cowboy boots may not have been the best choice.

“Sup,” Dusty nodded with a smile.

“Oh, you know Carter. He doesn’t care if he’s singing for five or five hundred,” Becky laughed.

“The producer is gonna love him, no doubt about that,” Alana said before she ordered her drink from the waitress.

“Yeah, he brought some other suits with him too. Whatever they do,” she snorted.

“You’re being awfully quiet over there Dustin should I be worried?” Alana playfully asked.

“Dustin? Darlin’, you got me confused with one of those suits over there,” he nodded toward a table close to the large stage.

“It’s good to see you too.
Dusty
,” she laughed.

“I know. It’s hard not to miss me, baby,” Dusty said, grinning. Making eye contact with Becky as something behind Alana caught his eye, she didn’t need to turn to look, she felt him. As she slowly turned to see Logan walking her way, heat climbed the back of her neck.

“No, uh-uh. Not doing this here. Becky, really?” she pleaded with her friend as she rose from the stool.

“I didn’t know he was coming, Alana. I only found out when they got here,” Becky grabbed Alana’s hand and squeezed, silently begging her to stay. “Please don’t leave.”

“Dammit!” she cursed. “Tell Carter I hope he rocks it tonight,” she turned to walk away, but Logan blocked her way. Feeling the warmth from his body from where he stood, her breath caught.

“Alana,” he began.

“No! Stop,” holding up her hand to stop him, she shook her head. “I’m not doing this here Logan. It wasn’t fair for you guys to ambush me,” she looked to all her friends. “I’m leaving.”

“Will you please just listen to me?” Logan begged.

“No, I won’t, Logan. You’ve had weeks to call me to explain, Logan,
Weeks
!” she stressed. “Now, Move. Out. Of. My. Way,” she ground out.

“Would you have listened to me, Alana?”

“I guess we’ll never know.” She sidestepped him to move around him, but he grabbed her arm.

“It wasn’t what you think. Please hear me out. I’ve missed you.” Waiting, he searched her eyes.

Sighing deeply, she said, “Let’s go outside where it’s somewhat private.”

“Thank you,” he squeezed her arm.

“Don’t thank me yet,” she mumbled.

They made their way outside, walking to the end of the building and turning the corner for some privacy.

“Ok Logan, let’s hear it,” she spit out.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he smirked. “You and that smart mouth.”

“Whatever.” She turned to walk away.

“Okay, okay! I fucked up! Is that what you want to hear?” he declared.

“No, Logan. It’s not what I want to hear. I want to hear the truth,” she yelled.

“I did not let Shelby Lynn in, and I didn’t cheat on you.”

“I know. She’s an insane, crazy bitch,” she said flatly.

“You know?” he asked, confused.

“Becky told me.”

“Damn Dusty. Big mouth son of a bitch.”

“What I want to know is why you didn’t call to explain yourself! Why you didn’t fight for us?” she demanded.

“I don’t know. I picked up the phone a hundred times to call you. All I saw was the look in your eyes. I wasn’t sure you’d believe me, or even want me.” The hurt in his eyes tore at her heart. “I love you, Alana. I’ve searched my whole life for you. I didn’t give up on us, I gave up on me.”

“What do you mean?” Now she was really confused.

“I didn’t think you’d want me anymore. I have nothing to offer you Alana. You deserve so much more than an old soldier with a busted up leg.”

“Oh my god, Logan. I’ve built up walls for so many years. You were the first to make it to my heart. I don’t care about anything but you.” A tear escaped her eyes.

Stepping forward, Logan wrapped her in his arms. The warmth of him enveloped her, as the smell of him engulfed her senses, and she melted into his arms. All the emotions she had been holding came rushing out in tears.

“I love you, Logan,” she sobbed. “I’ve missed you so much. I never knew how much I needed you.”

“I love you too, my angel. I was so scared I’d never feel you in my arms again.”

Squeezing her tighter in his arms, he kissed the top of her caramel colored hair. For so long, he had been afraid she would reject him, now here she was, back in his arms where she belonged. Lifting her off the ground, he wrapped her legs around his waist, just wanting to bury himself inside her soft, wet cunt. Grinding his hips into her, as he pushed her back against the block wall, he could feel how much she wanted him too.

“God, Alana. I can’t wait any longer, I need to have you now.” Devouring her mouth with his, he pushed his tongue in, battling with hers. Alana pulled his head closer to her, hungrily kissing him back, rubbing her soaked pussy against his raging hard-on. Moving her thong to the side, he slipped his fingers between her folds, and grazed her clit.

“Jesus, you’re so wet already,” he hissed, penetrating her with two fingers. A moan escaped Alana’s mouth. He felt a shiver run through her body as he licked and sucked on her neck. Pumping his finger in and out of her, he circled her clit with his thumb.

“I need to feel you come around my dick, Alana.” A tremor of ecstasy unfurled deep in his stomach as he felt her orgasm getting closer. Removing his fingers, he unzipped his jeans, thrusting into her so hard she gasped his name. He pumped into her, feeling intense pleasure rush through him. Along with adding pressure to her clit with his thumb again, he bit down on her shoulder as he continued to drive into her. Her pussy clenched his dick, as his orgasm erupted into her, filling her with his warm essence. Quickly kissing her, he swallowed her screams as they rode out the euphoria.

“God, I missed you. Never leave me again,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry, my sweet angel, I’m not going anywhere, as long as you’ll have me.” Kissing her tenderly, he lowered her down to the ground.

They righted their clothes before walking hand in hand back into the bar as Carter was taking the stage.

“Looks like y’all made friends again,” Dusty teased.

“Shut up, asshole,” Logan tossed, pulling Alana in closer to him.