A/N: Okay, it's safe to read again. :P Two more shippy chapters, including this one, then back to the actual plot line. Yessssss... there was a plot to this other than getting Logan and Max into a gong banging situation. :P
You all can thank my sister for Max's clothing in this. We spent hours going through outfit after outfit trying to find something killer for Max to wear. I'm not sure I did the outfit justice describing it... but it was a hard thing to get through in words. Trust me though... her shirt is killer... my sister has amazing taste. ;P
If this isn't as thoroughly edited as I would like, please blame the fact that I just got off a 13 hour shift at my job and am exhausted... but I didn't want to leave you all chapterless tonight, especially considering we're coming up to the end. Five chapters to go... whew... hard to believe from my end. This story seemed like the endless adventure while I was writing it... and now it's two thirds posted. I'm almost sad. Well, not really, especially if you're all enjoying it. :P
There are very mild spoilers for second season in this, but only up to Some Assembly Required, and most of them are only vague allusions to past events.
I welcome all reviews, both here and by email, so please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you're thinking. I can't improve my writing if I don't know what people want to see. :P
They're not mine, I just borrow them sometimes and mutate their inner voices. What can I say? It's fun. But Cameron will always own the good stuff. :P
Towards the Sunset
Part Ten: Dressed to Kill
By: Danae Bowen
Email: logansfox@rogers.com
The sun was dipping low into the sky as Max settled back onto the bed, Logan's laptop in her hands. He'd gotten up to check on the exoskeleton, slipping it over his newly acquired boxers and returning to lean up against the headboard of the bed. She had slipped into one of his dress shirts and a pair of cut offs before slipping her body between his legs, leaning against his chest, resting the computer on her knees. Together they checked Logan's emails, discovering that no further headway had been made into their case. Max sighed deeply as she leaned back into Logan's arms, fingering the cell phone she'd also brought over from the desk.
"You call him. Think he likes you better than me anyway." Max chewed her lower lip, not particularly feeling up to talking to Alec after such an amazing afternoon with Logan.
"Hey, he's your sibling, in a once removed sort of way." Logan was glad that Max was unable to see the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The animosity between Max and Alec never ceased to amuse him.
"Don't remind me." She bit back a groan, but quickly dialed Alec's number, rolling her eyes skyward as she waited for him to pick up.
"What?" His voice was low, his greeting curt as he waited impatiently for a response on the other end.
"Manticore mustn't have bothered teaching you pleasantries." Max's voice dripped antagonism, her cold tone enough to make even Logan feel a chill.
"Sic a hit man on my ass and you want me to be polite about it? What do you want, Max?"
Max paused, sensing something tense in his voice. "You okay?"
"No, I'm not okay. Two minutes before you called and let everyone within a half mile know my position, I had a sharp shooter trying to separate my head from my neck. So unless you're calling to tell me you're on your way to save my ass, I'm hanging up now." She heard his breathing deepen and a sharp crack caused her to pull the phone from her sensitive ears.
"Alec?" When there was no response, Max's body stiffened visibly. "Alec, damnit, answer me!"
"Jesus, woman, would you leave me alone?" A sharp exhale of air was clearly heard through their connection, followed by a series of grunts almost drowned out by the sound of flesh hitting bone. "Son of a bitch!"
Max kept her mouth shut, listening intently to the sounds of battle that rang over the line. When Alec didn't take the time to insult her further, Max knew the battle had to be intense. Her toes curled against Logan's legs as she frowned deeply, worrying her lower lip with her teeth, waiting for Alec to untangle himself from the battle. Long minutes passed before finally his breathless voice reached her ears.
"You still there?"
"Yeah. What was that?"
"Your bad guys making yet another move. Have a feeling they'll be backing off me for a while now though."
Max grinned. "Yeah, why's that?"
She heard Alec chuckle before he replied. "Don't think after dusting like ten of their henchmen they'll be so eager to try me again."
"That doesn't mean the peeps are safe."
"I got my eye on Sketchy. He's not going to get far without me."
Max swallowed her pride, closing her eyes as she nodded. "Thanks, Alec."
"Hey, don't thank me for the Sketch-man. Gotta protect my own interests, and he's a relatively secure investment."
"Right. And Joshua?"
"Snug as a bug. Well, not a bug, but maybe a small grizzly or something. He's got severe attitude problems."
"Only with you, and boy, that's a surprise." Max rolled her eyes, finally allowing her body to relax once again. "Listen, lay low but keep your eyes open, would ya?"
"Right, now I'm a dog sitter, body guard, and cop?" Alec sighed dramatically, but chuckled. "If I hear anything you'll know about it."
"Kay. Gotta blaze. Late." Max quickly hung up the phone, shaking her head as Logan's arms moved around her to switch screens on his computer to accommodate the blinking icon stating that he had new mail.
"Hmm."
"What?" Max's dragged her gaze back from the nowhere into which she'd been staring to look down at the screen before her.
"The guys I have on the penthouse say there's been no activity since the bomb threat yesterday. Only person who's been in and out is Asha." Logan struggled to suppress the chuckle that threatened to erupt as a shiver ran through Max's body when he mentioned his blonde acquaintance.
"Wonder what she was up to." Max tried to keep her voice neutral, but Logan was unable to miss the possessiveness of her tone.
"Probably looking for me. I guess we left so fast, I forgot to tell her." His eyes sparkled brilliantly as Max giggled quietly.
They both jumped as a sharp knock sounded on their door. "Y'all decent? Or is Original Cindy goin' dancing solo?"
Max grinned and shook her head. "We're good, girl. Get your ass in here."
Original Cindy walked into the room, raised an eyebrow at the two cuddled together and collapsed across the foot of the bed on her back. "Almost dark, peeps. You wanna be hittin' the clubs, we gotta be goin'."
Max sighed and shifted, sliding her body away from the warmth of Logan's, climbing to her feet. "Gonna grab a shower and change."
Logan nodded. "Same here."
Cindy smiled at them both and followed Max out of the room, closing Logan's door behind them. Max made it half way up the stairs to the second level before Cindy's hand closed around the back of her shirt, holding her still.
"Hold up, boo. You got some details to give 'fore you go anywhere." Cindy's eyes sparkled teasingly as she followed Max into the first bedroom and watched her young friend begin slipping her secret purchases from their boxes, rolling them in her arms as she turned back to face Original Cindy.
"Can it wait? It's over forty minutes into Peterborough and it's already past eight. We gotta bounce to get there with time to dance, y'know?"
Cindy's expression darkened and she frowned, but finally she lifted an eyebrow and shrugged. "Whatever, Max, but you know we gonna be talkin' sooner or later."
Max rolled her eyes and disappeared down the hall into the bathroom. She was in and out of the shower in less than ten minutes, drying her body carefully, knowing how difficult it would be to ease into her chosen outfit if her skin was still damp. She blow-dried her hair straight and carefully applied a small amount of makeup to her face and eyes. When she was finished, she'd darkened her eyes until her gaze appeared shadowed in mystery.
The first step in getting dressed was to ease into the short sheer nylons she'd bought on a whim. The second step was a bit harder. The pants she'd chosen were a deep blood red color and as she stepped into them, the leather clung to her flesh as a second skin. Moments passed as she tightened the four inches of lace that crisscrossed at each side, nodding in satisfaction when she peeked into the mirror and noticed the pants resting very low on her hips. She picked up her final piece of clothing, a black vinyl corset type top, and slipped her arms through the thin straps. Her fingers nimbly hooked each tiny, near invisible clasp that ran over her stomach and breasts, before she stuck her head through the bathroom door.
"Cindy? Give a girl a hand?"
Original Cindy was through the door in a minute, affording Max a low whistle as she caught sight of the girl in her nearly finished outfit. "What'd ya need, boo?"
Max turned so that Cindy could see the untied laces at her back. "How tight you want it?" Cindy's eyebrows lifted as she glanced at the ten little eyes that would be holding the shiny shirt to Max's slight body.
"What would you wanna see on a girl?"
Cindy grinned. "Boo, you just made my night."
Max inhaled deeply, knowing Original Cindy better than anyone, and she straightened her back to make the tie easier. Cindy crisscrossed the ties as tightly as she could without the laces cutting into Max's flesh, before finally tying off the excess lace at the bottom of the corset.
Cindy stepped back, running her eyes over Max appraisingly and met her friend's gaze with a slow smile. "Damn, girl, you playin' for the wrong team."
Max grinned good-naturedly, meeting her reflection in the mirror beyond Cindy. Her eyes opened widely at the amount of cleavage she was displaying but took satisfaction in the inches of flesh between her pants and top, as well as the golden skin that peeked through the laces on her hips.
Her final additions were the large black boots that laced up to the middle of her calves. Max laced her boots tightly, slipping them under the slight flare of her lower pant legs, and finally Max was almost ready to go.
One last stop in front of the mirror saw Max adding on a slight layer of lipstick. She'd picked it out especially for this particular outfit; the color was a deep red, near brown shade, adding the last deepening touch to her pouty lips. Cindy raised a single eyebrow, leaning back against the doorframe.
"Lipstick, boo? You really did go all out!"
Max grinned into the mirror, and turned away, flashing Cindy a quick wink. "Sometimes gloss just ain't gonna cut it."
Original Cindy shook her head, but her lips were curved into a warm smile. "Boy's gonna die on sight, boo, but keep it real. Original Cindy's actually lookin' forward to a night out, 'n I ain't including time outs to watch y'all gettin' it on."
A slightly red stain flushed over Max's cheeks, but she grinned at Original Cindy and easily brushed by her into the hallway. "Let's get Logan 'n blow this joint. I wanna dance."
"Hear that, my sista."
Together they made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen, taking notice of the open door to the downstairs bathroom. Max turned to Original Cindy and shrugged, turning back to head for Logan's room. She hadn't taken two steps before he appeared in the doorway.
Cindy had to smother a giggle as Logan's face turned pale white, his eyes widening and brilliant sapphire glints of desire burned in his gaze. His lungs stopped being able to process oxygen, his heart stopped beating, and for a moment Original Cindy was actually convinced Logan would need the wall to keep himself upright.
Max found herself blushing deeply as Logan's eyes devoured her body, tingles of pleasure racing through her as she fully realized the power she held over him. Her own eyes betrayed her heart, however, as she took in the sight of her lover with open appreciation. His clothing was simple, light blue jeans and a black, form fitting turtleneck sweater, but damn those colors did something for him. The contrast of black and blue enhanced the color of his eyes and darkened his complexion, somehow augmenting his natural sexiness. Max could feel the burn of desire she'd thought extinguished earlier begin smoldering once more, and her tongue darted out to wet her suddenly too dry lips as she found herself unable to drag her gaze away from Logan's equally intense stare.
Neither of them realized the length of time they stood there until Original Cindy cleared her throat from behind them. "Listen, peeps, if y'all gonna stand here all night makin' eyes at each other, least have the decency to give Original Cindy the keys to the car so I can go 'n get my groove on."
Max dragged her eyes away from Logan, a soft smile curving her lips as she glanced over to her waiting friend. "We're coming." Her voice shook slightly as she turned away, relaxing into Logan's embrace as he approached her from behind, slipping an arm around her waist.
"You look incredible," His words were soft a soft whisper, his breath a hot tickle at her ear.
She grinned, brushing her hair back as she looked up at him for one last brief moment. "You look pretty hot yourself."
They fell silent then and, much to Original Cindy's relief, exited the cottage, locking it securely behind them. Ever the gentleman, Logan opened the Aztec's doors for each of the women before making his way around to the driver's side. The trip into town was lengthy, but one look at Max made Logan forget the slight inconvenience of driving so far just to get to a bar.
Not for the first time, Logan thanked God and every person involved in the creation of the exoskeleton. Logan often relied heavily on the stolen piece of machinery, but he had never appreciated it as much as he did that very moment. Without it there would be no sense in him going to town with the girls; with it, he'd be able to hold Max in his arms for the rest of the night, pretending he could dance to whatever music was playing in whatever bar they would attend.
Truth was, he didn't care what he would look like out on that dance floor tonight, the only thing that mattered was that he'd be there. Logan Cale was no longer a man on the sidelines; the stunning beauty in the seat next to him was his and his alone now. Even if it killed him, Logan would dance with her until she decided it was time to stop; no other man would touch her again.
End Part Ten: Dressed to Kill
You all can thank my sister for Max's clothing in this. We spent hours going through outfit after outfit trying to find something killer for Max to wear. I'm not sure I did the outfit justice describing it... but it was a hard thing to get through in words. Trust me though... her shirt is killer... my sister has amazing taste. ;P
If this isn't as thoroughly edited as I would like, please blame the fact that I just got off a 13 hour shift at my job and am exhausted... but I didn't want to leave you all chapterless tonight, especially considering we're coming up to the end. Five chapters to go... whew... hard to believe from my end. This story seemed like the endless adventure while I was writing it... and now it's two thirds posted. I'm almost sad. Well, not really, especially if you're all enjoying it. :P
There are very mild spoilers for second season in this, but only up to Some Assembly Required, and most of them are only vague allusions to past events.
I welcome all reviews, both here and by email, so please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you're thinking. I can't improve my writing if I don't know what people want to see. :P
They're not mine, I just borrow them sometimes and mutate their inner voices. What can I say? It's fun. But Cameron will always own the good stuff. :P
Towards the Sunset
Part Ten: Dressed to Kill
By: Danae Bowen
Email: logansfox@rogers.com
The sun was dipping low into the sky as Max settled back onto the bed, Logan's laptop in her hands. He'd gotten up to check on the exoskeleton, slipping it over his newly acquired boxers and returning to lean up against the headboard of the bed. She had slipped into one of his dress shirts and a pair of cut offs before slipping her body between his legs, leaning against his chest, resting the computer on her knees. Together they checked Logan's emails, discovering that no further headway had been made into their case. Max sighed deeply as she leaned back into Logan's arms, fingering the cell phone she'd also brought over from the desk.
"You call him. Think he likes you better than me anyway." Max chewed her lower lip, not particularly feeling up to talking to Alec after such an amazing afternoon with Logan.
"Hey, he's your sibling, in a once removed sort of way." Logan was glad that Max was unable to see the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The animosity between Max and Alec never ceased to amuse him.
"Don't remind me." She bit back a groan, but quickly dialed Alec's number, rolling her eyes skyward as she waited for him to pick up.
"What?" His voice was low, his greeting curt as he waited impatiently for a response on the other end.
"Manticore mustn't have bothered teaching you pleasantries." Max's voice dripped antagonism, her cold tone enough to make even Logan feel a chill.
"Sic a hit man on my ass and you want me to be polite about it? What do you want, Max?"
Max paused, sensing something tense in his voice. "You okay?"
"No, I'm not okay. Two minutes before you called and let everyone within a half mile know my position, I had a sharp shooter trying to separate my head from my neck. So unless you're calling to tell me you're on your way to save my ass, I'm hanging up now." She heard his breathing deepen and a sharp crack caused her to pull the phone from her sensitive ears.
"Alec?" When there was no response, Max's body stiffened visibly. "Alec, damnit, answer me!"
"Jesus, woman, would you leave me alone?" A sharp exhale of air was clearly heard through their connection, followed by a series of grunts almost drowned out by the sound of flesh hitting bone. "Son of a bitch!"
Max kept her mouth shut, listening intently to the sounds of battle that rang over the line. When Alec didn't take the time to insult her further, Max knew the battle had to be intense. Her toes curled against Logan's legs as she frowned deeply, worrying her lower lip with her teeth, waiting for Alec to untangle himself from the battle. Long minutes passed before finally his breathless voice reached her ears.
"You still there?"
"Yeah. What was that?"
"Your bad guys making yet another move. Have a feeling they'll be backing off me for a while now though."
Max grinned. "Yeah, why's that?"
She heard Alec chuckle before he replied. "Don't think after dusting like ten of their henchmen they'll be so eager to try me again."
"That doesn't mean the peeps are safe."
"I got my eye on Sketchy. He's not going to get far without me."
Max swallowed her pride, closing her eyes as she nodded. "Thanks, Alec."
"Hey, don't thank me for the Sketch-man. Gotta protect my own interests, and he's a relatively secure investment."
"Right. And Joshua?"
"Snug as a bug. Well, not a bug, but maybe a small grizzly or something. He's got severe attitude problems."
"Only with you, and boy, that's a surprise." Max rolled her eyes, finally allowing her body to relax once again. "Listen, lay low but keep your eyes open, would ya?"
"Right, now I'm a dog sitter, body guard, and cop?" Alec sighed dramatically, but chuckled. "If I hear anything you'll know about it."
"Kay. Gotta blaze. Late." Max quickly hung up the phone, shaking her head as Logan's arms moved around her to switch screens on his computer to accommodate the blinking icon stating that he had new mail.
"Hmm."
"What?" Max's dragged her gaze back from the nowhere into which she'd been staring to look down at the screen before her.
"The guys I have on the penthouse say there's been no activity since the bomb threat yesterday. Only person who's been in and out is Asha." Logan struggled to suppress the chuckle that threatened to erupt as a shiver ran through Max's body when he mentioned his blonde acquaintance.
"Wonder what she was up to." Max tried to keep her voice neutral, but Logan was unable to miss the possessiveness of her tone.
"Probably looking for me. I guess we left so fast, I forgot to tell her." His eyes sparkled brilliantly as Max giggled quietly.
They both jumped as a sharp knock sounded on their door. "Y'all decent? Or is Original Cindy goin' dancing solo?"
Max grinned and shook her head. "We're good, girl. Get your ass in here."
Original Cindy walked into the room, raised an eyebrow at the two cuddled together and collapsed across the foot of the bed on her back. "Almost dark, peeps. You wanna be hittin' the clubs, we gotta be goin'."
Max sighed and shifted, sliding her body away from the warmth of Logan's, climbing to her feet. "Gonna grab a shower and change."
Logan nodded. "Same here."
Cindy smiled at them both and followed Max out of the room, closing Logan's door behind them. Max made it half way up the stairs to the second level before Cindy's hand closed around the back of her shirt, holding her still.
"Hold up, boo. You got some details to give 'fore you go anywhere." Cindy's eyes sparkled teasingly as she followed Max into the first bedroom and watched her young friend begin slipping her secret purchases from their boxes, rolling them in her arms as she turned back to face Original Cindy.
"Can it wait? It's over forty minutes into Peterborough and it's already past eight. We gotta bounce to get there with time to dance, y'know?"
Cindy's expression darkened and she frowned, but finally she lifted an eyebrow and shrugged. "Whatever, Max, but you know we gonna be talkin' sooner or later."
Max rolled her eyes and disappeared down the hall into the bathroom. She was in and out of the shower in less than ten minutes, drying her body carefully, knowing how difficult it would be to ease into her chosen outfit if her skin was still damp. She blow-dried her hair straight and carefully applied a small amount of makeup to her face and eyes. When she was finished, she'd darkened her eyes until her gaze appeared shadowed in mystery.
The first step in getting dressed was to ease into the short sheer nylons she'd bought on a whim. The second step was a bit harder. The pants she'd chosen were a deep blood red color and as she stepped into them, the leather clung to her flesh as a second skin. Moments passed as she tightened the four inches of lace that crisscrossed at each side, nodding in satisfaction when she peeked into the mirror and noticed the pants resting very low on her hips. She picked up her final piece of clothing, a black vinyl corset type top, and slipped her arms through the thin straps. Her fingers nimbly hooked each tiny, near invisible clasp that ran over her stomach and breasts, before she stuck her head through the bathroom door.
"Cindy? Give a girl a hand?"
Original Cindy was through the door in a minute, affording Max a low whistle as she caught sight of the girl in her nearly finished outfit. "What'd ya need, boo?"
Max turned so that Cindy could see the untied laces at her back. "How tight you want it?" Cindy's eyebrows lifted as she glanced at the ten little eyes that would be holding the shiny shirt to Max's slight body.
"What would you wanna see on a girl?"
Cindy grinned. "Boo, you just made my night."
Max inhaled deeply, knowing Original Cindy better than anyone, and she straightened her back to make the tie easier. Cindy crisscrossed the ties as tightly as she could without the laces cutting into Max's flesh, before finally tying off the excess lace at the bottom of the corset.
Cindy stepped back, running her eyes over Max appraisingly and met her friend's gaze with a slow smile. "Damn, girl, you playin' for the wrong team."
Max grinned good-naturedly, meeting her reflection in the mirror beyond Cindy. Her eyes opened widely at the amount of cleavage she was displaying but took satisfaction in the inches of flesh between her pants and top, as well as the golden skin that peeked through the laces on her hips.
Her final additions were the large black boots that laced up to the middle of her calves. Max laced her boots tightly, slipping them under the slight flare of her lower pant legs, and finally Max was almost ready to go.
One last stop in front of the mirror saw Max adding on a slight layer of lipstick. She'd picked it out especially for this particular outfit; the color was a deep red, near brown shade, adding the last deepening touch to her pouty lips. Cindy raised a single eyebrow, leaning back against the doorframe.
"Lipstick, boo? You really did go all out!"
Max grinned into the mirror, and turned away, flashing Cindy a quick wink. "Sometimes gloss just ain't gonna cut it."
Original Cindy shook her head, but her lips were curved into a warm smile. "Boy's gonna die on sight, boo, but keep it real. Original Cindy's actually lookin' forward to a night out, 'n I ain't including time outs to watch y'all gettin' it on."
A slightly red stain flushed over Max's cheeks, but she grinned at Original Cindy and easily brushed by her into the hallway. "Let's get Logan 'n blow this joint. I wanna dance."
"Hear that, my sista."
Together they made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen, taking notice of the open door to the downstairs bathroom. Max turned to Original Cindy and shrugged, turning back to head for Logan's room. She hadn't taken two steps before he appeared in the doorway.
Cindy had to smother a giggle as Logan's face turned pale white, his eyes widening and brilliant sapphire glints of desire burned in his gaze. His lungs stopped being able to process oxygen, his heart stopped beating, and for a moment Original Cindy was actually convinced Logan would need the wall to keep himself upright.
Max found herself blushing deeply as Logan's eyes devoured her body, tingles of pleasure racing through her as she fully realized the power she held over him. Her own eyes betrayed her heart, however, as she took in the sight of her lover with open appreciation. His clothing was simple, light blue jeans and a black, form fitting turtleneck sweater, but damn those colors did something for him. The contrast of black and blue enhanced the color of his eyes and darkened his complexion, somehow augmenting his natural sexiness. Max could feel the burn of desire she'd thought extinguished earlier begin smoldering once more, and her tongue darted out to wet her suddenly too dry lips as she found herself unable to drag her gaze away from Logan's equally intense stare.
Neither of them realized the length of time they stood there until Original Cindy cleared her throat from behind them. "Listen, peeps, if y'all gonna stand here all night makin' eyes at each other, least have the decency to give Original Cindy the keys to the car so I can go 'n get my groove on."
Max dragged her eyes away from Logan, a soft smile curving her lips as she glanced over to her waiting friend. "We're coming." Her voice shook slightly as she turned away, relaxing into Logan's embrace as he approached her from behind, slipping an arm around her waist.
"You look incredible," His words were soft a soft whisper, his breath a hot tickle at her ear.
She grinned, brushing her hair back as she looked up at him for one last brief moment. "You look pretty hot yourself."
They fell silent then and, much to Original Cindy's relief, exited the cottage, locking it securely behind them. Ever the gentleman, Logan opened the Aztec's doors for each of the women before making his way around to the driver's side. The trip into town was lengthy, but one look at Max made Logan forget the slight inconvenience of driving so far just to get to a bar.
Not for the first time, Logan thanked God and every person involved in the creation of the exoskeleton. Logan often relied heavily on the stolen piece of machinery, but he had never appreciated it as much as he did that very moment. Without it there would be no sense in him going to town with the girls; with it, he'd be able to hold Max in his arms for the rest of the night, pretending he could dance to whatever music was playing in whatever bar they would attend.
Truth was, he didn't care what he would look like out on that dance floor tonight, the only thing that mattered was that he'd be there. Logan Cale was no longer a man on the sidelines; the stunning beauty in the seat next to him was his and his alone now. Even if it killed him, Logan would dance with her until she decided it was time to stop; no other man would touch her again.
End Part Ten: Dressed to Kill