The Moon is Not Enough by ThePekingNoodle
-----------------------------
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Temperature is Rising
In which our hero and heroine must figure out how to deal with our villain and our heroine's condition at the same time…
Logan walked Max to the Ladies Room but before she went in, he put a hand lightly on her arm to stop her. She looked at him curiously.
"Max, if you go back in there the Count is going to want to take you home tonight…"
She looked at him as realization dawned, "…and we don't want him to take me to Fogle Towers."
"Not to mention I don't want you alone with him while you're…you know."
Max gave him a look of annoyance. "I can handle myself. It isn't that bad yet."
Logan said one word in answer to that. "Arnold."
Max flushed but let it drop. "So what do you want to do then?"
"Why don't I tell the Count that you were very upset by our conversation and you left in a snit." Logan suggested.
Max shrugged. "Guess that'll do. How do you want me to get home?"
Logan had already pulled out his cell phone and was speaking into it softly. He snapped it closed and smiled at her. "The limo is waiting downstairs for you. He'll drop you home and come back for Jondy and me."
"Why don't I just wait in the limo for you?" Max asked.
"I thought that might be boring. No telling if we can get away too quickly without raising his suspicions."
"I'll wait for twenty minutes. If you aren't down by then, I'll head home."
Logan glanced quickly down the hall to be sure they were alone, and assured that they were, he leaned in to kiss her. "I'll get out of here as quickly as I can," he promised. Her lips were hot on his and he wanted nothing more than to leave with her, especially when Max pressed herself up against him and he felt her soft warmth in his arms. He tore himself away and sighed, "I better get back inside before the Count comes looking for you and ruins our plan."
"Hurry home." Max said with a sultry smile as she sauntered toward the waiting elevators. Logan watched until the doors closed behind her, and then reluctantly went back to the ballroom.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When he returned to the ballroom, Jondy and the Count were deep in flirtation at their table. Logan allowed himself to give the Count an annoyed glance and then pointedly sat down and dropped an arm around Jondy's shoulders, pulling her almost into his lap.
When Jondy looked up at him he dropped a quick kiss on her lips and then said pointedly,
"Did you miss me?"
Jondy smiled at him and purred, "The Count has been entertaining me quite well." She looked around, "Where's your ex-whatever she is?"
The Count smiled as Logan frowned and said. "She was upset by our conversation and left in a huff."
"She's being difficult?" Jondy said. "I thought you said there were no entanglements there."
Logan shrugged, "There are no real legal ones, but she could make things messy if she wanted to. I'll deal with her."
The Count was listening intently with a small smile on his face.
Logan turned to look directly at him; "Since Max has left I'm sure you'll be going to see your other acquaintances here." It was a clear dismissal.
The Count was unruffled. "But of course." He rose and took Jondy's hand in his, bowing over it and dropping a light kiss on it. "Au revoir, mademoiselle. It has been a pleasure meeting you. One I hope to repeat soon."
Jondy smiled at him and Logan glared. He stood abruptly and pulled Jondy up with him.
"Let's dance."
Jondy followed with a shrug. The count stood watching as they made their way on to the dance floor and then with a satisfied smile he vanished into the crowd.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jondy giggled once she was alone with Logan on the dance floor. "Nice display of caveman tactics there."
Logan ignored her comment. "What happened while we were gone?"
"I arranged to meet him for lunch tomorrow. He thinks he has me reeled in." Jondy said smugly. "What did Max arrange?"
"She arranged dinner with him tomorrow." Logan said and fell silent.
Jondy waited a moment and then prodded, "But?"
"There's a slight complication. Max is going into…heat." He admitted.
Jondy smiled wickedly, "Now that could be interesting."
Logan gave her a look and she laughed at his annoyance.
"Max can handle herself, Logan."
"It's not herself I'm worried about. I've seen what the heat does to X5 females." Logan replied.
"Is she actually in heat or does she just think it's coming?" Jondy wanted to know.
Logan felt himself flushing slightly as Jondy gave him a long look, "So that's why you two were gone for so long…" She smiled smugly clearly enjoying his discomfort.
Logan whirled Jondy in a spin, giving himself time to recover his composure. "That's not important. Tomorrow is. We can't risk…"
"Max giving the Count more than you want her to?" Jondy said wisely. "What's the big deal anyway, Logan? It's a normal biological condition for X5s. It doesn't mean anything. And it's one way to make sure the Count isn't thinking straight."
"So what, whenever you go into heat you just hit it with the closest thing in pants and then forget about it?" Logan demanded.
Jondy shrugged, "It's the way we were made." Logan continued to look at her and she became annoyed, "You know the rest of us didn't have it as easy as Max did. Survival was the most important thing, not worrying about an occasional episode of casual sex."
"Max doesn't work that way." Logan said suppressing the surge of doubt Jondy's words created when they were coupled with his memory of what had almost happened with Max and Arnold during Max's last heat episode. "The Count's gone. Let's get out of here."
He turned and stalked off of the dance floor. Jondy followed him her posture indicating her own annoyance at his words to her.
When they arrived in the lobby the limousine was just returning from dropping Max off.
Logan handed Jondy in wordlessly and followed after her. There was a strained silence for a few minutes.
"Jondy, I apologize. I didn't mean to imply that you." He stopped not sure how to continue.
"Were a cheap ho?" Jondy finished for him. "Don't sweat it. I don't. I'm not your problem anyway. Max is and what you do between you is not my business."
Logan wasn't sure if she really had forgiven him but he decided it was best to let it rest.
There was a silence for a few minutes. When they pulled up to Fogle Towers, Jondy broke the silence.
"Is there anywhere else I can stay tonight? Not to diss your hospitality but given the givens I'd prefer somewhere that might be…quieter…tonight."
Logan stared at her. "I'm sure it's fine if you stay. It's not like we're going to go wild animal on you."
"Yeah well you know my hearing and all."
Logan sighed and gave in. "Let me call a friend. Bling would probably be happy to put you up for the night." He made the call and quickly arranged for Jondy to spend the night at Bling's place. "He'll bring you back in the morning so we can get you set for your lunch with the Count." Logan said. " Jondy, I was out of line earlier. I don't think you're cheap or a whore. I'd really like to get to know you better once this is all over with. If you can stand it that is?"
Jondy was no proof against Logan's charm. She smiled and held out a hand, "No hard feelings. And I'd like that. Seeing as how you're my sister's significant other and all."
"Good night." Logan said pressing her hand before releasing it and turning to go.
"Good night. Oh and Logan…" He stopped and looked back, "don't let Max wear you out too much tonight. You've got to hold up for about 48 hours."
Before he could reply she closed the door to the car. He could have sworn he heard a muffled laugh as it pulled away.
End of Chapter Twenty-Eight…TBC…