Disclaimer: Don't own them; don't make any money from them; just like to play with them!
Outside Max and Logan settled into the car and he headed away from Sebastian's. Max closed her eyes and leaned back falling into a light doze. She awoke much later and was surprised that they were still driving and that darkness had fallen.
"Where are we?"
Logan looked over. "Almost to the cabin. I didn't want to take any chances so I headed straight here. There should be enough supplies for tonight and tomorrow I'll stock up." Max started to protest but quickly realized the logic of Logan's actions. More tired than she wanted to admit she closed her eyes again and quickly fell back asleep. Logan glanced at her and smiled to himself. Despite the gravity of the situation he felt an odd thrill of pleasure at the idea of several days alone with Max. Reaching over he turned on the CD player and soon the car was filled with the soft strains of Mozart as they made their way protected by the dark silence of the night and the forest around them.
When they reached the cabin Max was still asleep. Logan sat for a few moments gazing at her. Her head was turned towards him and she had a slight smile on her face. As he watched she shifted slightly and murmured his name "Logan…I…" trailing off into incoherence.
"What sweet dream are you having, Princess?" he wondered out loud, teased by her mention of his name.
In sleep she looked young and innocent and he had to admit, very sexy. Her hair was tousled from the ride and there was a slight flush to her cheeks. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to reach down and wake her with a kiss. On impulse he did just that, leaning over and dropping a light kiss on her lips. She murmured but didn't wake.
"Max. Max we're here." He shook her lightly and she sat up. As she did she looked around for a moment disoriented and her fingers went to her lips.
"Logan …what? I thought, I mean, I must have been dreaming." She looked adorable, flustered and disoriented. He smiled at her with a wicked glint in his blue eyes.
"About me I hope " he teased. She looked at him suspiciously narrowing her eyes.
"Logan Cale." She began sternly.
"Yes Max?" he replied innocently "is there something you wanted to know?"
She continued to regard him for a moment then shrugged, unwilling to ask him about the brief kiss. She wasn't sure if it was a dream or not but if it was she wasn't about to let him know about it. Letting it drop she climbed out of the car and waited for Logan to set himself in his wheelchair before heading for the cabin. She noticed that a ramp had been installed next to the steps since her last visit. Logan wheeled himself up the ramp and taking out his key opened the door, gesturing for her to precede him inside.
Max did a quick scan of the interior with her night vision and headed in.
"Max, if you go to the mantle over the fireplace you'll find an oil lamp and matches" Logan directed knowing that with her ability to see in the dark it would be simple matter for her. Max quickly found the lamp and lit it, casting a soft glow over the interior of the room. It was just as she remembered it, with two comfortable couches set at right angles to the fireplace and two doors opening off the back. She knew that one led to the bedrooms and the other to the kitchen.
Logan headed to the kitchen, stopping only to light a candle from the oil lamp on his way.
"Sorry about the electricity – if we want any we'll have to get the generator going. The stove is wood burning and there are plenty of candles so it's your call Max."
"Fireplace and candles are fine with me tonight. As long as we can cook some food. You did promise me dinner and I'm not letting you out of it." She followed him to the where he had already found matches and after checking to see there was wood in it, had set to work lighting the stove.
"Check the cupboards. I'm afraid there's nothing gourmet but there should be something I can make for tonight. Rummaging through the cupboards Max pulled out some canned soup and canned tuna. as well as a box of crackers.
"Guess we can make do with this, Logan." Rolling over to the pantry Logan looked inside and found some seasonings. "Okay, woman, tend to the fireplace in the other room and let the chef get to work." he ordered with a smile. Smiling back Max headed to the other room where she soon had a cozy fire going. Remembering the time she had been here before she went to the sideboard and opening it up found wine glasses and a bottle of red wine which she opened to let breathe. The sounds of Logan working in the kitchen carried through as she went to look out the window into the night dark forest. Seeing nothing of interest and deciding the wine was ready she poured two glasses and headed into the kitchen with them.
Logan was just taking the soup off of the stove and pouring it into two stoneware bowls. Somewhere he had found a loaf of French bread that he had toasted over the stove and sliced into thick chunks. Inhaling the delicious aroma Max sighed and said.
"Logan only you could make canned soup and stale bread smell so good." Handing him the two glasses of wine she picked up the tray on which he had arranged the soup, the bread and a small bowl of olive oil seasoned for dipping the bread into, and headed for the other room. Once there she placed the food on the small table between the couches and settled down onto the floor in front of it. Logan followed her with the wine and tried to figure out how he could comfortably eat in his chair.
"Max, if you give me a hand I can lean back against the couch on the floor. Otherwise I won't be able to reach down to the table."
"Oh, Sorry Logan I didn't realize." Chagrined at her thoughtlessness Max leaped up and with her assistance Logan was quickly settled in next to her on the floor in front of the couch. For a while they were silent, as they satisfied their hunger but soon the soup and bread were gone. Max leaned back against the couch, comfortably full and sipped her wine looking into the flames.
Logan watched her quietly content to be with her, for once away from the stresses of their usual lives. Things were closing in on them and he knew that tomorrow they would have to deal with the threats of Lydecker and the Red transmitter, but for one night he wanted a break. Max shifted and he realized that she was only inches away from him. It would be a simple matter to lift his arm and drop it around her shoulders, pulling her close but he was hesitant. Had it been any other girl at any other time in his life he would already have done so but with Max he just didn't know.
"Hey Logan, you forgot dessert." Max broke the silence with her idle comment. "I have an idea though, let me take care of it." Smiling she jumped up fluidly and headed for the kitchen. Logan watched her go smiling to himself and wondering what she was going to come up with. He poured himself some more wine and stared into the fire letting his thoughts wander with no particular direction.
"Hey Logan, wake up." he was startled out of his thoughts by Max returning arms full of packages and holding two sticks. "I found graham crackers and marshmallows and chocolate – we're having S'mores" she proclaimed triumphantly. Logan laughed.
"What a meal; canned soup, stale bread, wine and S'mores. Who could want anything more?" She grinned at him busily assembling two S'mores which she then proceeded to toast over the fire.
"How'd you like yours?" she asked. "Golden or black?" referring to the marshmallow portion.
"Black of course. It's the only way to have them." he answered. Soon the S'mores were done to their satisfaction and Max reached over to remove them from the fire. Logan took them from her and removed them from their sticks, placing them on a plate. He picked one up but instead of eating it himself he impulsively held it out to Max. She reached to take it but he shook his head throwing her a mischievous look.
"Open up." Max hesitated then complied and he held the cookie in her mouth for her to take a bite of. Closing her eyes in ecstasy she slowly savored the treat running her tongue around the outside of her lips to get all of the filling. . Logan swallowed hard at the sight wondering if he had made a mistake, not noticing the gooey marshmallow and chocolate dripping down his hand. Max opened her eyes and as he started to pull his hand back she grabbed his wrist and pulled it to her mouth.
"Watch out, you're about to get S'mores all over your sweater." She reached out her tongue and licked the filling off of Logan's hand as he took a deep breath. Max's eyes met his and for a moment both were frozen caught in each other's gaze. Logan was aware of his heart pounding, so loud he was sure Max would hear it with her enhanced hearing while Max suddenly felt a lurch in the pit of her stomach.
"Max, I think we need to tone it down some…." he began only to stop as she reached for the other treat. Unable to believe what she was doing he watched as she slowly brought it up to his lips.
"Your turn, Logan." He opened his mouth and took a bite enjoying the taste of the cookie, chocolate and marshmallow. Never breaking eye contact he then reached over and imitating her previous actions took her hand to his mouth and licked off the dripping filling. It was Max's turn to swallow hard and take a deep breath at the touch of his lips and tongue on her hand and wrist. Finished he released her hand and she dropped the rest of the S'more back on the plate next to her unfinished one.
Logan continued to look at her silently for a moment and then slowly reached out and framed her face between his hands.
"I give you fair warning Max. Call stop now or don't call it at all." Caught between her desires and fears, Max sat there silently neither encouraging or discouraging him. Slowly he leaned down and his lips met hers. Max let out a soft moan at the feel of his lips on hers and at the sound Logan's control broke. He dropped his hands from her face and reached around, pulling her close against him at the same time deepening the kiss. Her hands went around his neck and she opened her mouth as his tongue gently probed her lips. She willingly allowed him free access and he proceeded to thoroughly explore her mouth, which tasted of wine and chocolate and marshmallow. Finally they broke and pulled apart a fraction both breathing heavily.
"Max?" her name was a question. In answer she smiled shakily at him and pulled his head back down to hers. He kissed her again but then sat up and regarded her seriously. His blue eyes were darkened with desire and his breathing was ragged. He was aware of his arousal hard against his jeans. Max's eyes were so dark they appeared black and there was a soft flush on her cheeks.
"Max, what about tomorrow?" he asked. She didn't answer at first then drawing a breath she replied.
"Logan, can't we forget about tomorrow for once? Can't tonight be all there is?" He looked at her and slowly nodded.
"No tomorrow, only tonight. Are you sure that's what you want?"
"Right now it's all I can have. Please Logan, it's that or nothing." Unable to resist the look in her eyes or the pleading note in her voice he nodded. Without words he bent his head and began to kiss her again, this time sliding his hands up underneath her sweater to feel the smooth skin of her back. Max lifted her hands and ran them through his hair as she responded eagerly to his kiss.
The fire popped and crackled slowly settling into a warm glow as the hours passed and the two slowly and thoroughly explored each other's bodies. There was an inevitability in their ultimate coming together as if this was what each had always been meant for. Two halves coming together to make one whole. Few words were exchanged other than the soft murmurs of lovers endearments.
Finally, worn out they slept, wrapped in each other's arms in front of the almost extinct fire.
To be continued…