The Moon Is Not Enough by ThePekingNoodle
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Sweet Dreams
In which our hero gets a surprise when he arrives home from the ball…
Logan let himself quietly into the penthouse at Fogle Towers. He felt a bit strange, not sure what kind of mood he would find Max in. Her last heat period had been difficult for both of them and he was somewhat apprehensive about how this one was going to play out.
The apartment was silent and dark. He had shutdown his system before they left for the party, so not even the hum of his computers broke the quiet.
He pulled off his tuxedo jacket and draped it over his arm, loosening his tie as he walked toward the master bedroom. The bedroom was dark but a stray beam of moonlight bisected the bed, illuminating Max's sleeping form. She was lying on her side, clutching her pillow; her dark hair spilled across her back and shoulders.
"Max?" Logan whispered softly. She murmured and stirred slightly but didn't wake. Logan dropped his jacket on a soft chair and walked to the bed where he stood looking down at his sleeping wife. He face was slightly flushed and there was a faint coating of sweat that made her skin glisten golden in the moonlight.
He gently brushed her hair aside so he could see her face. Once again she murmured softly but didn't rouse. Logan was getting concerned. Max was always a light sleeper. He frowned and looked around the room as if there would be an answer there. Then he saw the bottle of pills on his dresser. Under them was a slip of paper. He moved the bottle aside and picked up the paper. He kicked off his shoes and went into the bathroom to read it.
Logan;
I don't think tonight is the night for us to try to deal with my heat. Not with all that's going down. So I've taken enough of these to put me to sleep for the night. I'd rather we have some privacy and clear heads when we…anyway you know what I mean. I love you.
Max
Logan didn't know if he should be relieved or annoyed. They were two mature adults and married. Surely they should be able to deal with this situation. But then he thought about what had happened earlier at the ball, and reconsidered. Maybe Max was right and they should postpone the heat and what came with it, until after they dealt with the Count the next day. He only hoped Max would be all right to deal with Ryan. Jondy's words about heat earlier had bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
Logan decided he'd see how Max seemed in the morning and if a change in plans seemed warranted, they'd come up with something. Decision made, he quickly washed up and stripped down to a pair of boxers. Re-entering the bedroom he raised the covers and slid into the bed next to Max. She shifted restlessly and he pulled her into his arms, cradling her head on his shoulder. She was slightly warmer than normal but if he hadn't known about the heat he probably wouldn't have noticed.
"Logan…" she whispered and snuggled against him with a contented smile on her face. Logan smiled himself and dropped a light kiss on the top of her head before he closed his own eyes and let himself drop off to sleep.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Logan awoke the next morning the bed was empty. He heard the sound of the shower running and smiled at the picture it conjured up of his wife. He briefly debated joining her, but the memory of what they needed to do today intervened. With a sigh he sat up and swung his legs out of the bed. Get a grip. First we deal with the Count and then you take Max somewhere private where you can… he told himself sternly.
He pulled on a T-shirt and headed for the kitchen. He figured he might as well make a good breakfast for the two of them. He'd shower and dress once Max finished up. Staying out of the way of temptation seemed like the plan of the day.
"Good morning." Max's voice interrupted his reverie as he stood watching the pancakes he had decided on. She was wearing a fluffy red robe and with no makeup and her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail she looked about fifteen years old. She walked over to him and he smiled as he leaned in to give her a kiss.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty." He teased. "Hungry?"
"Starving." Max said looking on greedily as he expertly flipped the pancakes onto a waiting plate.
"Those are for you. Coffee's made. I'll join you in a minute." Logan directed as he poured more batter into the pan.
Max was already on her way to the counter and she set her plate down before walking over to pour coffee into the two waiting mugs. She handed one to Logan as she passed him on her way back and then hopped up onto the barstool and began to eat.
"How are you feeling?" Logan asked cautiously.
Max shot him a look and then smiled teasingly, "Like I could eat more than just pancakes for breakfast." She let her eyes travel over him, making her meaning clear.
A look of faint panic came into Logan's eyes and Max stifled a laugh. Then he caught on and he grinned at her. "It would serve you right if I took you up on that," he threatened.
"You better take me up on that…" Max paused for effect, "after we take care of the Count today," she finished.
Logan's pancakes were ready and he seated himself next to her and busied himself pouring syrup on them. "I fully intend to." He grew serious. "You sure you're going to be okay with him later?"
Max frowned at him. "I'll be fine."
"I was thinking we could change the plan if we had to…" Logan began.
Max put down her fork and turned to look at Logan. "I'm going to be fine. I can deal with the heat," she said with emphasis. "Or don't you trust me?"
Logan hesitated, "I trust you, Max. But I'm not so sure I trust your hormones."
Max looked like she was about to get angry, but she took a breath, "Okay I can see why you say that. But I can control it. I promise. And if I can't, I'll call for backup."
"Backup?" Logan asked.
"Jondy or you." Max. sighed. "It'll be okay, Logan. I love you. I'm not gonna let my screwed hormonal system mess us up. Trust me? Please?"
Logan wasn't proof against her look and he smiled and then leaned over to kiss her. Her lips were soft and warm and despite his intention he found himself deepening the kiss and reaching over to pull her onto his lap. Max came willingly. They were happily exploring each other's mouths when they were interrupted.
"If that's what you two are doing to get ready for today we're in big trouble already."
Jondy stood there laughing as they pulled apart guiltily and Max transferred back to her chair. Logan flushed as Jondy let her eyes run knowingly over him noticing the effect Max had had on him. "I'm wondering who exactly is in heat here," she said knowingly.
"I'm going to shower and dress." He hastily rose and excused himself, ignoring the faint giggles he heard behind him as he headed away from the two girls.
End of Chapter Twenty-Nine…TBC…