For disclaimer please see chapter 1
A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out… I've had sick kids and overtime at work… can you say YUCK! If anyone is still reading this, please review, or just to let me know if anyone is reading this… or if I'm writing just to take up space… Thanks
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Chapter 3
Dressed in black leggings and one of Logan's old sweatshirts Max prowled across the living room.
"Logan, Hurry it up!!" Max shouted as she paced in the rare Seattle sunshine streaming in through the windows. Logan gave her a lop-sided grin as he came rolling into the room, his cell phone to his ear. He had also opted for casual, wearing a gray T-shirt and navy track pants.
"OK, Thanks" Logan said as he hung up his phone. "Come on, we don't have all day" he called playfully. Holding the door Logan executed a mock bow, "After you Madame".
"So… Where are we headed?" Max questioned as they headed toward the elevator.
"It's a secret." Logan replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Upon entering the elevator Logan pushed the button for the lobby level, causing Max's eyebrows to rise in question. "It's a beautiful Saturday morning, we can walk, or roll, as the case may be." Logan explained.
Exiting the building, Max hesitated, unsure of which way to they were headed. Logan took the lead. Max pushed forward, struggling to stay alongside Logan as he made his way down the crowded sidewalk.
"Come on Logan, give over, where are we headed?"
"Patience in all things" Logan said with a smirk. "Besides, we're almost there." Logan paused outside a doorway. "Oh, hey… Max, while we're here, I just need to follow up with a source. Give me just a minute, I'll be right back." Logan entered the building, leaving a silently fuming Max to wait on the sidewalk.
Max leaned back against the shop window, her legs crossed at the ankle. How do I let this happen? I can't believe he's putting Eyes Only between us, again! Truth is, it's the fact that he keeps putting Eyes Only ahead on ME that's really bugging! Max let out an irritated sigh, and turned towards the window. Peering in, Max could see very little. Straining to see through the murky window Max got worried. Hell Logan, where are you?
Just as Max was preparing to enter, and make sure Logan was OK, he came wheeling out, a large bag in his lap.
"What's that?" Max inquired, nodding toward the package.
"What's what?" Logan questioned, innocently looking around, obviously ignoring the load in his lap.
"Do you want me to take that?" Max asked, straining to keep a straight face.
"Take what?" Logan replied with fabricated frustration, grinning as he continued down the sidewalk. "Max? What are you talking about? Are you feeling OK?"
Shrugging her shoulders Max gave up. Crossing the street they entered the park and took the path leading by a lake to the next street. Proceeding down the trail, each was lost in their thoughts. Logan's thinking centered on Max and the surprise he had in store for her. Max was considering this new playfulness Logan was exhibiting, she liked it, a lot.
As they neared the Lake Logan detoured off the path and parked himself beneath a tree. Setting the large box near the tree, he lifted the lid and pulled out a large blanket, shaking it out he tried to settle it smoothly on the ground. Task completed, Logan lowered himself to the ground, and scooting back, leaned against the tree. Patting the ground next to him he beckoned Max. As Max dropped to the ground Logan began to unpack his bag of treasures.
Spread out before them was a feast bordering on the extravagant, mini quiches, cracked crab claws, smoked oysters, cheeses, crackers, grapes and strawberries, all of it made to be eaten with the fingers, and to top it all off a nice pre-pulse Chardonnay.
"Voila, all for my ladies gastronomic pleasure. What would you like to start with?" Logan asked as he picked up a plate.
"Very impressive, even by your standards Mr. Cale… It all looks so good… I want to try it all! You open the wine; I'll fill the plates… Deal?"
Max filled both plates with an assortment of all the offerings, setting the filled plates at Logan's hip she crawled forward, looking questioningly at Logan as she picked up his foot.
"Can I move your legs?"
Logan only shrugged his shoulders, unsure of what she was planning. Max spread Logan's legs apart, making a space for herself between them. Max sat sideways, her bottom between his legs. Leaning to her side, she nestled herself against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.
"Comfortable?" She asked.
Logan grinned, "Yeah… Very."
Max picked up both plates, and sat them in her lap. Picking up a cracker she offered it to Logan, surprised Logan opened his mouth and gently took the tasty morsel from her fingers, lightly nipping her fingertips as he did so. Shivers ran through her as she watched his nimble tongue peek out to lick a crumb off the edge of his mouth. Returning the favor Logan picked up a large red strawberry, holding it to her lips. Max opened her mouth, her white teeth flashing as they bit into the succulent flesh of the fruit. Max ran her tongue across her lips, savoring the sweet bite. Logan inhaled sharply as his gaze traversed her face. As their eyes locked Max's mouth broke out in an unholy grin. Indicating, beyond all doubt that Logan's present physical state had been the desired result of her actions.
"Minx, I won't be held responsible for my actions if you keep that up." Logan whispered, a devilish grin spreading across his face. Leaning over her whispered, his hot breath caressing her ear, "two can play at this game".
A shudder ripped through Max.
"Acknowledged" she responded, showing no remorse at having been caught at her game.
Leaning back Max once again settled herself comfortably against his chest. A companionable silence prevailed as Max and Logan nibbled at the delicacies before them. As they finished Max took the empty plates and moved them to the side. Carefully she repacked the remaining food, what little there was, and returned it to the bag.
After topping off both of their glasses she returned to Logan, sitting back in the v of his legs. Scooting back she reclined against his chest, feeling it rise with each breath he took. Max tucked her head beneath Logan's chin and reached for his arms, wrapping them around her. They both let out a contented sigh, both perfectly happy to survey the idyllic scene before them.
They stayed that way for hours. Talking about everything and nothing at all. Logan talked about his family, and entertained her with reminiscences from his youth, occasionally bending to drop a chaste kiss in her hair. Max was content to relax and listen, sporadically offering input.
As the sun passed it's mid-point and began it's descent Max's thoughts turned towards dinner and the mess awaiting her in Logan's kitchen.
"Logan, I want you to teach me to cook." Max said abruptly.
"OK, when?"
"There's no time like the present, I have to clean the kitchen up anyway!" Max answered.
"Are you sure? I mean, I'd be happy to teach you, but wouldn't you rather spend your Saturday night with your friends? At Crash?"
"Logan Cale! You are my friend, well much more than a friend actually… and I want to spend my Saturday night with you… unless you have other plans…" Max finished lamely.
"No! I mean I don't have other plans… Did you have something particular that you wanted to cook?" Logan stammered.
"Something not too hard, but that tastes great… something refined… I don't know!"
"Well then, why don't we stop by the market, and see what's available and then decide."
"Sounds good to me." Max stated as she started to rise.
Max turned and gathered their wineglasses and added them to the bag. Logan pulled over his chair and lifted himself into it. As he bent to position his feet on the footrest, Max picked up the blanket and after folding it, added it to the bag. Making their way back to the path and heading towards the market Max's body yearned for Logan's touch. Knowing that holding his hand was impossible, she placed her hand on his shoulder, happy just to touch him. Logan looked up, and gave her a sideways grin; he'd been missing her touch as well.