Reaching for the Moon by ThePekingNoodle
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Chapter Sixteen: It's Getting Hot in Here
In which temptation rears its head…
The ride to Fogle Towers was a silent one. Logan's mind was racing over the events of the day as he tried to find a way out of the situation they now found themselves in. Max stared out of the car window taking in Seattle, and trying not to think at all.
The silence continued as Logan parked the car in the garage, and came around to let Max out of the car. Making an effort he smiled down at her, "I'd get your luggage but…"
Max tried to smile back, unsuccessfully searching his face for a clue to his emotions. Then she quietly followed him to the elevator. Logan punched in a code on the keypad, and when the doors opened, the two stepped inside. The doors closed with a soft swoosh and they were alone in the small car. Max looked up at the numbers above the doors, watching them change as if her life depended on it, as the elevator ascended.
"They'll do it by themselves, you know." Logan teased her trying to lighten the atmosphere. Max looked at him, startled out of her abstraction. She caught her breath as she realized once again how handsome he really was, especially when he gave her that slightly crooked smile of his. Despite all of the tangled emotions raging inside of her, she smiled back as she felt herself relax slightly.
The elevator reached the penthouse and the doors slid open. Logan took a set of keys from his pocket and opened the heavy wooden door in front of them. Max stepped inside and looked around at the beautifully furnished apartment. The décor was elegant and modern, and she could tell at a glance that it was extremely expensive.
Logan had walked ahead and glanced into a doorway to his right. He stopped and turned back to her. "Guess Bling went home for the night. I'm afraid you're stuck with just me for company."
Max sighed. "You know what I'd love more than anything?"
Logan looked at her. "What?"
"Some clean clothes and a hot bath followed by some food not out of a can."
"I can do something about that. If you don't mind making do for tonight that is. Tomorrow you can hit the stores and replenish your wardrobe." Logan was walking down a hallway, and Max followed him. "My bathroom is more comfortable than the guest one."
He turned into what was clearly his bedroom, and walked over to a closet. He walked into it and emerged several moments later holding some folded clothes which he handed to Max. "I don't really have anything your size, but these are clean and you should be able to make do for tonight."
Max took what he handed her and followed him into a luxurious bathroom. There was a large shower enclosed in frosted glass walls, and a double sink. Best of all was a huge tub equipped with whirlpool jets. Logan had already turned on the hot water and the tub was rapidly filling. He rummaged in a cabinet and turned to her in triumph holding out a container filled with a pink powder. "Bubble bath, milady?"
Max didn't want to know who had left it there; she was just happy to have it so she smiled at him and took the container, pouring some into the tub and watching the water begin to foam. Logan hesitated a moment and then reached out to gently ruffle her hair. "Welcome to my home, Max."
Max felt a shiver slide down her spine at his casual, yet somehow intimate touch.
"Thanks, Logan." She was immediately conscious of where they were, and of the bedroom with the king size bed, waiting just outside the door.
"I'll let you enjoy your soak. Take your time." He smiled at her once more and then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. "If you toss your clothes out here I'll wash them for you tonight," he called through the door as an afterthought.
Max stood staring after him. She sighed and then quickly undressed. Following his instructions she cracked the door and let her clothes drop outside of it. Then she slipped into the tub.
* * * *
Logan stood in his bedroom after he left Max to her bath. After a few minutes the door cracked and she dropped her clothes out. When the door was closed he walked over and picked them up from the floor, trying not to think about the feminine undergarments that were included in the small pile.
He heard a soft splash as Max climbed into the water and despite himself, his mind wandered to thoughts of her, naked in his bathtub, only a few feet away. He'd managed to keep his mind mostly focused on finding her and getting her to safety for the past twenty four hours, but now that the immediate danger was past he found other thoughts slipping past his iron control. Thoughts of delicate hands sliding a soft sponge over long slender legs…
"Stop it." He chastised himself and forced his errant thoughts away from picturing rosy tipped breasts caressed by gently lapping water… He looked down and saw that his hand was on the handle that would open the bathroom door. Just then the sound of another splash sent him running for cover, out to his kitchen and away from the innocent temptress who was so close yet so far.
* * * *
The hot water felt wonderful to Max after making do with lukewarm showers in the primitive cabin for weeks on end. The soap bubbles gave it a silky feel as she sank down so that only her head was above the water, enjoying the feel of it washing over her tired body. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift… She thought of strong hands with long fingers squeezing out a soft sponge and then gently beginning to wash her tired limbs. Those same hands moved from her arms to her feet and then made their way up her legs, gently washing and then massaging away her tiredness. Intense blue eyes stared down into hers and sensuous lips caught her gaze as they lowered toward hers…
Max's eyes opened with a snap at the sound of knocking on the bathroom door.
"Max? Are you okay in there? Max?" Logan was calling out to her.
"I'm fine." She managed to call out, blushing at the memory of her thoughts.
"I was afraid you fell asleep and drowned," he called out. "There's food here if you're hungry."
"That sounds wonderful. I'll be out in a few minutes."
"Don't take too long, it'll be cold." She heard his footsteps leaving the bedroom as she climbed out of the tub. There was a large fluffy towel ready to hand, and she dried herself off before slipping into the clothes Logan had provided.
* * * *
Logan turned from lighting the candles on the elegantly set table when he heard Max padding down the hallway. She came into view and he felt a shock run through him. He had found a pair of soft cotton shorts with a drawstring waist and an old t-shirt that had shrunk in the wash, for her to wear. The shorts had obviously been too big in the waist even with the ties, so she had rolled the top over to hold them up and they rode low on her hips. The t-shirt was too long but she had dealt with that by tying a knot in the hem, pulling it tight around her slender waist. Between the shirt and the shorts, several inches of golden skin peeked out. Despite her petite size, Max was well endowed, so she managed to fill in the shirt nicely, and the shorts only reached mid thigh leaving her slender legs available to his gaze. This was no fifteen year old girl who was standing here, barely dressed, alone in his apartment with him, she was a woman, and Logan was never more aware of that fact.
* * * *
Max walked out to the dining room and stopped as Logan turned to face her. His blue gaze swept over her body and she felt herself growing warm as he stared at her. She felt a tingling low in her stomach and her cheeks felt heated. Her eyes dropped to his hands and she blushed as she remembered her thoughts in the bathtub. Fifteen year old Max had had vague daydreams of soft kisses and gentle caresses. Five years later her thoughts were not nearly so innocent and it was more than kisses that danced through her mind.
Logan cleared his throat, "You must be starved." I know I am, and it isn't for food.
"Famished." He's looking at me as if he'd like to devour me…and I wouldn't mind.
Logan pulled out her chair and Max walked over and sat down in it. His hands brushed her shoulders as he pushed it in, and Max shivered.
"Are you cold?" he was immediately concerned. I could warm you up if you want me to…
"A little," she prevaricated. You could warm me up if you want to…
Logan walked over to a control on the wall and adjusted it. "I should have given you something warmer to wear." Like a full length robe so I wouldn't be so tempted.
"I'm fine." Maybe I should have put on that robe I saw hanging in his bathroom.
Logan sat down in his own chair and proceeded to fill Max's plate for her. She took it from him and when their fingers brushed she felt a spark jump between them. She looked away and then picked up her fork and began to eat. Logan followed suit and there was silence as they both concentrated on their food.
When she finally put down her fork and looked at him he was smiling at her. "Had enough?"
Max looked at her empty plate and blushed. "I guess I was really hungry. And that was delicious. Thank you."
"Cooking is a hobby of mine. I'm glad you enjoyed it." I enjoyed watching you eat it.
"It was wonderful." Just don't ask me what it was.
Max started to stand up and gather the dishes but Logan shook his head. "Leave them."
"Are you sure?"
"You've had a rough time. Let me pamper you a little bit." He stood up and taking her hand pulled her up and led her into his living room where he pulled her down next to him on the sofa.
Max noticed that he was giving her that smile again, the one that made her insides melt. She smiled back shyly. Then her expression changed to one of concern.
"Max? What's wrong?"
"What are we going to do? About what happened before…at the airport."
Logan shrugged, "It's just paperwork. As long as no one knows about it, I think I can make it vanish. If it doesn't exist, it never happened. I have some ideas and I'll take care of it in the morning. Don't lose any sleep over it."
Max looked at him doubtfully, "Are you sure?"
"Max, I'm a magician with computers, if I say so myself. Things will be fine. I promise."
She gave him a look, "I hope you're better with computers than you are at chess."
Logan gave her a mock glare, "Why you little…" Without thinking he reached over and began to tickle her. Max gasped and tried to wiggle away but he grasped her wrists and pulled her back. Neither of them knew exactly how it happened, but suddenly his lips were on hers as he did what he had wanted to do ever since watching her apply her lip gloss hours earlier. Max didn't resist. Her lips were soft under his as she melted into his kiss.
Logan bit gently on her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth, and with a sigh Max opened her mouth to allow him entrance. Her arms were around his neck and his hands were in her hair, holding her captive as his tongue gently explored her mouth. Max felt herself falling, floating down a tunnel, as her body began to come alive for him.
Logan finally pulled back from her, and the two stared into each others eyes. He started to lower his head to kiss her again but they were interrupted by the shrilling of the phone.
Max jumped at the intrusion of the outside world, and sat silently watching as Logan rose and went to the phone. Unbidden the customs officer's slimy words went through her head, "… pretty piece…worth a few bucks."
Logan hung up the phone and turned back to Max, only to see her practically running down the hallway. "Good night, Logan" trailed behind her as he heard the soft slam of the guest room door.
End of Chapter Sixteen…TBC…
