Title: Running (3/?)
Name: Joy
Email: SleepingBeauty2@ziplip.com
Rating: PG 13
Setting: Logan's apartment
Disclaimer: No rights to any of the characters in this story.
"1,2,3…Come on Logan don't quit on me now. 6,7,8…Think about being able to dance with a beautiful woman," Bling says to his discouraged employer as they did reps.
"That was a new statement from you. Trying a different approach to inspiring," Logan said trying to find out what prompted the dance comment.
"I just think it will help you to think about what you 're missing. You have to want it," Bling said as he walked into the kitchen.
Logan pealed his sweaty T-shirt as Max walked in. He was wiping his well-cut abs before he noticed she was there. "Max!" he said with alarm as he tried to cover his bare chest with his arms. Max gave him a half smile smirk thing. "Wha-what are you doing here?" Logan managed as he finally got the bright idea to put back on his T-shirt.
"You asked me to stop by," Max said with a bit of insecurity. //Maybe he has changed his mind. // She bit her lip. Logan realized immediately he had made her uncomfortable. He rolled towards her. Max heard Bling in the kitchen getting something.
"That you, Max?" Bling called.
Logan was playing with Max's fingers, so her attention wasn't the greatest. "Ye-yeah. It's me," she said trying to sound normal. Logan tugged on her hand to kiss him. She nodded to the kitchen.
"Come on. I have been thinking about those lips all day," Logan whispered. Max's heart jumped as she bit her lip again. Logan wanted to be able to stand so badly just to get to those lips it was maddening.
"Bling is right there," Max whispered back, but lowered herself to his level.
"I thought you liked to live a dangerously. Isn't there some excitement in that we might get caught?" Logan offered leaning towards Max.
"I get enough of that helping you out and running from Lydecker," Max said getting even closer to Logan. They were staring into each other's eyes.
"This is the closest I can get," Logan said as he brushed his lips against hers. Footsteps started coming toward the room.
Max stood up immediately to see Bling walking in the door. Her heart was pounding. "Max, do you trust me?" Bling asked flashing a mischievous look.
"Yes."
"OK then, I need your help. Follow me, both of you," Bling said as they went into the living room. Bling asked Max to stand in one spot and hold her arms out in front of her.
"Bling, this is not an attempt to make me look stupid is it?" Max asked before complying.
"No-no. I just need your help," Bling said as he walked to the stereo and turned on a waltz. Bling returned to Max, who was standing just as he had asked. Bling began to dance with her. Since she had never danced this way, except in her dreams, she just followed Bling's lead.
"Bling," Max said, "what are we doing? I mean, I know we are dancing, but why are we doing it?" Logan just watched helplessly as the girl he wanted to be dancing with was dancing with his close friend.
"We are inspiring Logan. I want him to remember the things he is missing out on, like this…" Bling said as he dipped Max right in front of Logan. Logan was more than inspired he was annoyed. He wanted Bling to leave so he could spend time alone with Max. Logan knew Bling meant well, but this was torture. //Who does he think he is to be dancing with Max? She is my girlfriend, agh, wrong word. She is my something. I just don't know there is a name for it. //
The music stopped. "Max, thank you for the dance. Logan, think about that and maybe you won't have as hard of time doing your reps. I will see you later," Bling said as he headed out for the evening. Logan just watched his friend go and shook his head.
Logan's attention immediately went to Max who wore her usual smirk. He rolled over to her and took her hand. He pulled her into the chair with him, "Now how was that for a move?" Logan said, to a surprised Max.
"Nice, but we need to work on the landing," she said getting comfortable in his lap. "Besides, you need a shower."
"What? You don't regard the smell of a sweaty man alluring or macho?" Logan quipped.
"I'm not into Neanderthals, no," she said as her eyes darted about his face.
"So what are you into?" he asked coyly searching her face, wanting desperately to kiss her but trying to restrain himself. He couldn't fall all over himself every time he was around her.
Max became flustered knowing the hidden questions of 'what do you like about me?' & 'are you really into me?' were really being asked. There was no where to hide in his lap. She bit her lip contemplating the answer. Logan couldn't stand it any longer, he kissed hard.
There really had not been that much kissing the night before. There was the initial kiss that prompted the mental confusion, a few light pecks with some handholding, and some gentle neck nibbling Logan had given. This was the first really strong kiss between them. Max responded with the same passion but then broke the kiss off quickly. "You need to take a shower," Max said, slipping out of Logan's lap.
Logan looked at Max with confusion and dismay. Maybe she didn't feel the same as he did; maybe she really wasn't into him. Max noticed the look as he began to roll toward his bedroom. She got in front of his path and knelt down. "I am into intelligent and witty guys who can win an argument with me. A guy who looking out for the downtrodden, but is learning how to let the war wait when it needs to," Max paused. "I am into the idea of someone who appreciates the bio-engineered solider façade is just that, a façade," Max said looking down.
Logan raised her head to look at him. "This is new ground for both of us," he said then kissed her lips lightly. "I'll be back shortly. Make yourself comfortable." He rolled into the bedroom. She tried to avoid thoughts of him getting into the shower and he tried to avoid thoughts of her being in the shower with him. They were both too visual people for their own good. They had denied feelings for so long that these first steps toward an actual relationship were hard. Max was not about to let sex get her mind all messed up. Logan felt sure she would bolt if things went too fast, so now they were even more restrained then before it seemed.
Max was flipping through a book on the counter in the kitchen when Logan rolled up behind her snapping a towel at her rear. She straightened up immediately and turned around. She grabbed the towel as he snapped it in her direction again. "Whatta gonna do now?" she asked.
"This!" Logan responded as he jerked the towel hard bringing her to him.
"If you wanted my attention there are more grown up ways of getting it."
"Oh, but that was way more fun," Logan quipped.
"Fun?"
"Yes, fun. You have heard of the concept. I know you go down to the Crash to have fun," Logan said. "I was hoping you would have fun with me?"
"We are still talking about fun and not some silly way of avoiding the word sex," Max said bluntly.
Logan was very unnerved by the last comment. "I didn't mean…I don't want… I do want…" he muttered losing all semblance of composure. She snickered to herself a little. He let out a big sigh and then began again, "I sat in front of that window when you left for Canada in more pain then I have known. I don't want to mess this up. I don't think I could face losing you again." Logan's confession was delivered with as much courage as he could conger looking directly into the deep brown eyes. He was not sure if she would try to leave or freak out. He just needed it on the table; he was playing for keeps.
Max began to pout half way through the second sentence. // There is no way I couldn't mess up. Female fog bank. Darren really loved me but I couldn't handle it. Then again Darren did cheat on me and that does not really suggest a deep commitment or love. Logan is a different guy, different circumstances, knows the secret. // She sighed a few times clearing her mind of all thoughts. "I do have a habit of running to hide," she began, "but the beauty is you know all my hiding places." The smile emerged from the pout.
Logan was so relieved. She wasn't running and in her mind even if she did it, wouldn't be always. He understood the anxiety and fear she was showing, but there was hope in her too. The hope was new. He rolled over to her and took her hand, "You want to eat?" Max shook her head. "Well what does the beauty want?" Logan asked playing with the long slender fingers that were trained to kill.
Max sat down in Logan's lap and kissed his cheek. He met her gaze. "I want you to kiss me the way you wanted to before you got into the shower," She said as a challenge.
"Yes, ma'am," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her long and hard.