CHAPTER TWENTY
After she hung up with Leo, they sent Pam back to Dick's house, and both Karen's murder and the case were put on hold for family day.
Veronica entertained, making puppets from lunch bags, while Logan caught some sleep, and then they cooked fancy grilled-cheese sandwiches in the fireplace for dinner. Afterward, Wyatt made them read her favorite books, doing different voices and using the hand puppets.
"Your British accent is ruined for me now," Logan said, flopping down in the pile of sleeping bags and pillows. "Completely tainted by Peppa Pig."
"Good to know cartoon pigs are a hard limit," she said, dropping to her knees next to him. Tapping a finger against his lips, Logan's brow creased, and his head tilted in contemplation. Veronica hit his shoulder with a throw pillow. "I can't believe you're actually thinking about it."
Logan grabbed her hands, pulling her onto his chest. "You do look good in pink." He kissed her nose and slid his hand over her ass. "And I love your tail."
"Peppa!" Wyatt raced back into the room, clutching a DVD with the cute pink pig on the cover.
Groaning into his shoulder, Veronica muttered, "I thought you burned that?"
"You certainly didn't expect me to roast a whole hog by myself, did you?"
"Ugh, did you just make a DAD joke?" Pulling away from him, she sat up. "You're seriously in danger of losing all the sexy points you had stored up for tonight."
"I'm not worried." With a bob of his eyebrows, he walked his fingers up her inner thigh."I have ways of earning them back."
No doubt. He caressed her leg, thumb stroking between her thighs, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Veronica stopped his hand as it dipped beneath the hem of her shorts, removing it from her skin. The smug grin on Logan's face said, See? Not worried.
She stood. "Daddy will watch Peppa Pig with you, sweet pea." In time with the words, Wyatt thrust the DVD at Logan's chest and his smile slipped. Veronica grinned. Payback's a bitch. "I'm going to get ready before Wallace gets here."
"Fancy party, Daddy," Wyatt instructed as Logan opened the TV cabinet and inserted the DVD. It was an oft-watched episode of Peppa and her friends dressed in costumes. Everyone loves fancy dress parties- except maybe Logan at this point. Veronica almost felt bad for him; not bad enough to stay and watch, though.
Escaping down the hall, she locked herself in their room. An hour —or two, depending on how fast they could get out of here— in a hotel room wasn't exactly date night, but she was going to treat it like one.
She showered, did her hair and makeup, and slipped into a slinky, black bodycon dress. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled on a pair of thigh-high, heeled boots. The outfit was new- hidden in the back of her closet, waiting for a night out with Logan. Standing, Veronica checked the mirror before leaving the room.
Logan was on the sofa. He turned his head as she entered the room. His eyes widened at the sight of her and his jaw slackened, mouth parting; the tip of his tongue darted across his bottom lip. Smiling at the desired reaction, Veronica slowed down, giving him more time to ogle. Logan twirled his wrist, indicating she should turn, and she obliged the silent request.
"Wow." His gaze was riveted to the few inches of bare skin between the hem of the mini-dress and the top of the boots. "Wally needs to get here like yesterday."
"Mama pretty." Wyatt was on her knees, peering over the back of the couch.
"Pretty... hot," Logan murmured, getting up from the couch. With two long strides, he was in front of Veronica, taking her hands in his and pulling her close. Bending his head, he touched his lips to hers in a whisper-soft kiss.
A glance at the sofa confirmed Wyatt was no longer watching, her attention reclaimed by Peppa Pig. Freeing her hands, Veronica lifted her arms, and wound them around Logan's neck, holding him in place and deepening the kiss.
He cradled her hips between his palms, drawing her to him, and then slid his hands over her ass. They stilled and he yanked his mouth away. "You're not wearing…" He visibly swallowed. "Are you naked under this dress?"
"Completely."
A strangled groan in the back of his throat. "You're trying to kill me," he rasped into her ear.
"No, just trying to turn you on." She angled her head to see his face. "Is it working?"
"You have no idea how much." Kissing her again, he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth; his hands glided down her spine, palms smoothing the dress to her skin. With a soft growl, he pulled back. "To be continued," he whispered, kissing her nose.
Reluctantly, Veronica released her hold on his neck, running her hands over his chest. "I'll do pajama time."
"Okay," he agreed without letting her go, his hands still caressing the small of her back. He feathered kisses along her jawline and then down the side of her neck. Tilting her head, Veronica exposed her throat to him, granting him easier access. His lips grazed her collarbone. "On second thought, she can sleep in what she's wearing."
"Mmm." Veronica struggled to remember what Wyatt was wearing as Logan gently started to suck her neck. Green hospital scrubs. Wyatt had put them on to read, Elmo Goes to the Doctor. They were perfectly acceptable bedtime attire.
The doorbell succeeded in breaking them apart; Veronica tripping over Logan's foot in her haste to answer. He grabbed her elbow, steadying her, and his smug smile reappeared.
"What? I don't want it to wake the baby."
"Liar."
Wyatt popped up from behind the sofa, standing on the cushions and jumping. "Unca Wall-eee!" Logan caught her mid-jump and flew her over the back of the couch so she could race to the door. She lunged at Wallace's legs.
Wallace scooped her up into a hug. "Who's ready for a game of sneaky, snacky squirrel?"
"Me!" Wyatt pointed to her chest and started to squirm. "I go get." He put her down, but before she could run away, Logan lifted her for goodbye kisses. Wy squeezed his cheeks between her palms to deliver a loud lip-smacking kiss, then she turned to do the same to Veronica. "Night-night?"
Logan shook his head, putting her down. "Not yet, Jellybean; you can play your game with Uncle Wally." His gaze drifted to Veronica. "While I play with Mommy."
Wallace gagged, frowning in distaste. "You two need to be hosed down."
One eyebrow quirked as Logan leered at Veronica. "There's an idea."
A soft eww from Wallace as he walked past them into the house. "Just remember, when you have kid number three, I'm not babysitting anymore."
Logan said, "We'll miss you," at the same time Veronica firmly stated, "That's not happening."
The 'yeah, right' eye roll from Wallace was hard to miss. Veronica chose to believe his skepticism was about Logan missing him and not her assertion that they were having no more kids. "The guest room is all set up and you know where everything is," she said, picking up her duffel and purse from the hall-tree bench.
Logan took the bags from her. "And you can call me if you have any problems." He opened the front door, nudging Veronica through it. "But you won't. Have problems, that is." Stepping onto the porch after her, he blocked the entrance.
Veronica peered around his middle. "There's breast milk in the fridge, extra binkies on the table, and don't forget—"
"To set the alarm," Logan finished for her, shutting the door with a soft thud. "Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" His free arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush to his chest. "Ah, I remember."
The heat of the kiss singed her lips, demanding and hungry as if he'd gone months without her. Eyes closing, she stroked her hands up his back, enjoying the feel of the hard planes and angles beneath her fingers.
Her duffel bag hit the porch with a thunk and he was lifting her, spinning her around so he could lean on the railing. It made her lightheaded. Or maybe that was the lack of oxygen. She didn't care. Her legs straddled his thigh and she sank her fingers in his hair. Veronica wanted contact. Skin-to-skin. And if they didn't stop soon, she was going to strip him down here in full view of the neighbors.
Reading her mind, Logan wrenched his mouth away, panting. "Hotel."
Veronica blinked. Brain fuzzy, it took her a minute to make the connection. Right. They were going to the Holiday Inn. She slid off his leg, returning her feet to the ground.
Logan smoothed his hands over her hips, fixing her dress, and then brushed his lips over hers, soft and tender. Tucking her hair behind her ear, he caressed her cheek with his knuckles. "Ready?"
Turning her face, she kissed his fingers, and nodded. Scouting the porch for her discarded purse, she bent over to pick it up, and Logan smacked her ass. She tossed a mock-frown over her shoulder and inclined her head toward the duffel. "Now it's your turn."
"Okay" —he shrugged— "But spanking doesn't do it for me, like it does for you." Bending at the waist, he grabbed her bag.
"Oh, I know. I just wanted you at the right viewing height." As she talked, her hands caressed her thighs, slowly sliding up her hem to offer him a peek under her dress. Growling, he dropped the bag and reached for her. She danced away from him and down the stairs, laughing. "What about that? Did that do it for you?"
Logan stalked after her. Tossing the bag in the backseat of the Audi, he opened the car door for her. "You're driving."
There was an evil glint in his eyes. Alarm and anticipation skittered down her spine. "Yes, sir." Veronica slid into the seat and he reached in to fasten her seatbelt, letting his fingers graze her breast.
Taking both her hands in his, he positioned them on the steering wheel at ten and two. "Don't let go of the wheel." He shut the door.
"If I don't let go, how will I ever start the car?" she simpered, batting her eyes at him.
A wolfish grin was his only reply. With her purse in hand, he circled the hood, and climbed into the passenger seat. He fished out the keys and leaned over her, one hand turning the key in the ignition and the other slipping between her thighs.
"Logan." The reprimand was too breathy to be effective. "What are you doing?"
"Hmm?" His hand moved higher, inching up the dress. "I believe it's called foreplay. I don't know why other men don't like it, because I'm having a grand old time." He scrunched lower in his seat to stare pointedly through the windshield. "Aren't you supposed to be driving somewhere?"
"I will, when you return to your side of the car."
"Veronica Mars, I'm disappointed; I thought you liked a challenge."
She shifted the car into reverse and touched her foot to the gas, squeezing her legs together to trap Logan's hand and stop the lazy, tantalizing stroke of his finger.
"There's my girl. Uh, you might want to take it slow, because I certainly plan to." Her breath caught and she jerked to a stop as he slid one long finger inside her. He crooked his finger, sweeping it back and forth in a come-hither gesture.
Veronica banged her head against the seat.
Chuckling, he eased his finger out, circled her clit, and withdrew his hand from her lap. He stuck his middle finger in his mouth and sucked. "I can't wait to bury my face between your legs and really taste you."
Fuck. Throwing the car into drive, she slammed her foot on the gas. "You just stay over there for now," she warned.
"Sorry, can't hear you over all this wind." He waved his arm through the open roof of the convertible. Lowering his hand, he reached under her arm to cup her breast, brushing his thumb across her nipple. He twirled it between his fingers, using the material of the dress to create friction. When she moaned, his hand drifted to the other one, lavishing it with the same attention.
Logan took his hand away and covered hers, righting the steering wheel. "Watch the road, Veronica." She directed a quick glare at him and he clapped in glee. "Ooh, I've made her mad."
"And I know how much that turns you on," she ground out.
"Feisty Veronica is my favorite." He breathed the words against her ear and caught her earlobe between his teeth, giving it a gentle tug. His mouth moved down her neck, nibbling and sucking her skin.
The seat started to get warm. Her eyes flicked to the control button. Logan must've turned the seat warmer on when… She didn't know when. It was taking all her concentration to keep them on the road.
His hand was back on her thigh, drawing circles on her skin. He shoved her dress up past her hips, exposing her to the night air. The cool breeze competing with the hot seat made her shiver, but not as much as his whispered, "Spread your legs for me, Veronica."
She did as he asked, hips arching from the seat, and her foot pushing harder on the gas pedal. They were close. The hotel was just… he thrust two fingers deep inside and the car swerved, making his fingers jerk. "Easy," he cautioned, scissoring his fingers.
"Logan, I… you have to… ooh." Where the hell was the hotel? Her eyes started to close and she forced them open. The blue uplights on the frontispiece of the Holiday Inn Express swam into focus. Jerking the wheel to the left, she slewed the car into the lot and jammed her foot on the brake, pushing his fingers deeper.
"Look, we're here." He slid out of her, retreating to his side of the car. "Should I check us in, or do you want to do it?"
Veronica clenched her teeth. "You can't just… we… I need… grrrr."
"You're so sexy, all turned on and ready to come." He leaned back over the console to whisper in her ear. "Do you want to touch yourself? Get yourself off?" Veronica nodded. "Well, don't. Keep your hands on the wheel and wait for me." He brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her cheek. "For this, I'll be quick, I promise."
Hopping out of the car, he disappeared into the hotel.
Clamping her knees together, she gripped the steering wheel tighter. She hadn't even considered touching herself until he suggested it. Now that's all she wanted to do. Slip her hand beneath her dress and relieve the pressure, the dull throbbing between her legs. Deserted, dark parking lot? Not a problem. She wanted to plant her feet on the dashboard and make herself come.
Curse you, Logan.
The object of her ire returned, brandishing a card key. Opening her door, he undid her seatbelt, and righted her dress. "I can't wait to fuck you, Veronica; to bury myself deep inside your beautiful cunt." His words shot right to her core, making her wetter.
On unsteady legs, she climbed out of the car, and he picked her up, kicking the door closed. Instead of carrying her through the lobby, he used the keycard to access the pool area and the side entrance. He strode down the hall to their room and kissed her while he inserted the key.
There was no waiting. With his foot, he closed the door behind them, and deposited her on the edge of the bed, dropping to his knees. Veronica spread her legs and he pushed his face between her thighs. He licked over her clit, circling it with his tongue, and lightly started to suck.
His tongue was everywhere, teasing and tasting her. He swirled it around her clit and dragged it lower, thrusting it inside her. In and out, lapping at her. Veronica's legs started to tremble. Toes curling in her boots. She was so close. Logan slid his tongue out and over her, slamming two fingers into her. Bucking her hips off the mattress, she pushed into his hand, taking him deeper.
"You're so fucking hot." He added a third finger, pumping them and crooking them forward, stroking her. "I'm going to come just listening to you." Logan touched his tongue to her clit, setting off her orgasm. It rolled through her. Veronica scratched at the mattress, grabbing fistfuls of sheet as her body convulsed around his hand.
Logan rocked back on his heels to watch her through hooded eyes. When her body stilled, he slowly lowered the zippers on her boots and pulled them off, tossing them away. He kissed her thigh and stood. With one hand, he yanked his shirt over his head, and with the other he unsnapped his jeans.
Licking her lips, Veronica rolled her head to the side for a better view. He toed off his sneakers and shucked his jeans and boxer briefs. Grabbing her hips, fingers digging into her bones, he lifted her ass from the bed, and slammed into her.
Rough and wild, he held her still while he pounded into her. Veronica's stomach quivered. He was beautiful like this. Out-of-control with lust and the need to have her. It made her feel powerful. Wanton. Sexy. Possessive.
He orgasmed, coming deep inside her, and then collapsed on the bed. Veronica curled around him. Logan kissed her shoulder, running his hands over her skin. After sex was his most vulnerable time. The need to touch and cuddle, reassuring himself that she was still here and not going anywhere, sometimes overwhelmed him.
She'd never realized how much it had hurt him-back in college-when they'd have sex and she'd run off because of a case, or to sneak home, or just because the feelings were too strong. Veronica kissed along his jaw, burying her fingers in his hair and lightly scratching at his scalp. "I love you."
Smiling, he kissed her nose. "I love you, too."
She scrunched her nose at him. "We forgot the condom again."
"Shit." He rubbed circles in the small of her back, planting kisses in her hair. "I'm sorry, Veronica."
"It wouldn't be the most terrible thing in the world," she said with a shrug. "Maybe we could…" Have a boy, was what she almost said. Shame burned through her and she buried her face in his chest. She couldn't replace Tyler by giving him a son. "Logan, I…" Come on, Veronica. Put on your big girl pants and tell him what you did.
"Changed your mind and want another baby or two? I'm in." He rolled on top of her, pinning her to the mattress. "In fact, I'd be willing to try in… ten minutes?" Rising up on his elbows, his gaze roamed her face and over her breasts. "Maybe five."
She lightly punched his shoulder. "You're insatiable."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Wrapping his arms around her waist, he flopped onto his back, taking her with him. "I'll even let you be on top."
"Let me?"
Widening his eyes, he flashed her his most guileless smile as if his intentions were completely innocent. "Unless you don't want to? I'm easy - top, bottom, standing, sitting."
"Insatiable and incorrigible." And she was allowing herself to be distracted. Resting her head on his chest, she sighed. "I went to see Agent Townsend—"
"Talking about murder kills the mood. It's almost as bad as bringing up your dad." He faux-shuddered. "But since we're on the subject…" There was a long pause and then he asked, "Do you think Pam had anything to do with Karen's murder?"
Putting her palms on his chest, she pushed herself up to see his face. "Do you?" she asked, incredulous.
"No, of course not." Absolute, unshakable faith. Veronica almost wished he'd be a little uncertain, hesitant. He'd been more reluctant to declare his sister innocent when Trina had stood accused of murder.
"But you're afraid I think she's guilty?" There was an expectant lift to his eyebrows while he waited for her to answer her own question. "Well, I don't," she said, flatly, rolling out of bed. Locating her boots, she sat in one of the chairs to put them on.
"Where are you going?"
"I need my bag from the car. This" —she waved a hand over her outfit— "was for you; I'm not going to Shenanigans dressed like this."
A deep frown marred his brow. He was probably trying to figure out where he went wrong. Why her mood had changed from wanton sex kitten to ice princess. Veronica couldn't help him- she didn't know. He swung his legs off the bed. "I'll go get it."
"No, you should shower." She shook out his jeans in search of the room key. "Pam will be here to pick you up soon." Unused condoms spilled onto the floor along with the key. She scooped them up, sticking the key in her cleavage, and tossing the four condoms on the bed. "Optimistic much?"
"Hopeful." Was his word, dejected was how he looked. She couldn't leave him like this.
Crossing to the bed, she stood in between his knees. "Hey, I'm only going to the parking lot, not Siberia. I'll be back in like two minutes." She tugged the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling his head back to kiss him. Falling into him, she toppled them both onto the mattress.
His hands traveled up her thighs. "So what you're saying is" —he touched his lips to hers— "that you're going to come right back and" —he kissed her bottom lip, gently nibbled— "join me in the shower?"
Showers and hotel rooms - the last bastions of uninterrupted-by-children marital sex. She shook her head. "But you know… this isn't a short-stay motel and checkout time is what? Probably eleven? Twelve?"
"Noon," he confirmed.
"And Wallace doesn't need to leave for school until seven." Reaching across the mattress, she patted the bed in search of the condoms. Her fingers closed around them. "What say, we come back here after our shift and" —she flapped the condoms in his line of sight— "work our way through these?"
"You have the best ideas."
"Remember you said that next time I ask you to build my garden bed." She kissed her way over his chest and down his stomach, backing off the mattress.
Sitting up, he put his hands on her hips, preventing her from leaving. "The only beds I'm interested in are for sleeping and sex."
"Who said we can't have sex in the garden?"
His eyebrows bobbed. "You want to get dirty while we get dirrty?"
"Sure, why not? I might even let you hose me down."
Groaning, he buried his face in her stomach. "I love you, Veronica Mars."
"I know." She kissed the top of his head. "Now go hit the showers, Lieutenant."
He dropped his arms, releasing her. "Is a yes ma'am sufficient, or do you want me to salute you?"
Veronica's gaze fell to his lap. "I think you already are saluting me."
Grabbing a pillow, he thwacked her ass with it, and fell back onto the tumbled sheets. "Wench."
Flipping her hair, she sashayed her way to the door, giving him a little extra sass in her step. His chuckle followed her into the hall.