AS209 Much Ado About Something Chapter Two, a dark angel fanfic

AS2.09 Much Ado About Something by Star24 and Lelu2

Chapter Two

Fogle Towers

Logan was humming cheerfully as he put the finishing touches on their dinner for that night. His success in eluding Max had given him a lift even beyond that of the successful informant meet. Cale, you're back in the game, he thought to himself, as he carried covered dishes of food to the beautifully set table. His mind drifted back to the time right after he had first met Max.

Logan was standing at a table set for two, lighting candles, when he heard a sound and looked up to see Max standing there. "You ever notice how cats always seem to turn up around dinnertime?"

"I won't be staying." Max was clearly unhappy with him. It was in her stance and in her voice.

"I'm not a half-bad cook…" Logan ignored her displeasure and turned on the charm.

"Earth to Logan." Max's voice in reality broke into his reflections.

He looked up and gave her a smile that sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.

Whoa, Max. Down girl. Just because it's been a busy few days since you dropped off Mina and you haven't had a chance to spend much time with Logan... "So what's for dinner?"

"Chicken tartare, of course. It's what you requested, and who am I to deny a lady's request?" he teased.

"Logan." Max said warningly. "It isn't a good idea to annoy a girl who's spent her day hauling ass all over this city. Especially not after the lovely weather that set in this afternoon."

"In a bad mood are we?" Logan teased. "Funny how cats and water don't seem to mix."

Max just shot him a look. "Where exactly did you go this morning anyway?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Logan said smugly.

Max's eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth, intending to give him a scathing reply, but Logan forestalled her by handing her a glass of wine.

"This should take the edge off." He grinned at her as he raised his glass to clink against hers. Max was silent as she raised her own and sipped at the smooth red wine.

The timer went off and Logan set down his wine and headed to the kitchen to get the main course. For a while they were busy bringing the food to the table, and then settling in to eat it.

Max felt better after polishing off a plate of Poulet Chez Cale and several glasses of wine. Logan was in a playful mood and had continued to tease, and even to flirt with her over the dinner. She was finding it impossible to stay angry at him when he was like this. Watch it girl, he's playin' you. Gotta keep a cool head around Logan when he's in this mood.

"Had enough?" he asked her when she finally pushed her chair back from the table.

Max unconsciously ran her tongue around her lips, licking off the last of the sauce from the chicken, "For now."

Logan found himself staring at her full lips and that pink tongue as it slowly swept around them. Easy boy. Just because you haven't had a chance to spend much time with her since you dropped off Mina is no reason to let your hormones rule. Push her too much, too fast, and she just might run despite everything. He stood up in preparation for adjourning to the other room.

She ran her eyes over his lean figure as he stood at the table. "What's for dessert?" Max you didn't just do that…get a grip girl. Logan likes his space and he could still change his mind about things.

She didn't just do what I thought she did, did she? Nah. You're imagining it, Logan. "So what entertainment can I offer you tonight?" Logan smiled at her, even as he thought about exactly what entertainment he'd prefer if given the choice.

I can think of a few things…Stop it. Now. Max rose and began to walk to the other room. She glanced at the chess set but she knew she wasn't in the mood to sit and concentrate on strategy. Something about Logan tonight had her edgy and restless. "No clue."

Logan glanced at the chess set and dismissed it. He wasn't in the mood to sit and move pieces around a chess board. Max seemed restless and on edge. Inspiration struck.

"You know, Max you could always show me some of your moves."

Max just looked at him. "My moves?" What exactly did he mean by that one? More importantly, did he mean what I want him to mean by it?

"You know some of that stuff you do." Logan grinned and feinted towards Max.

"Logan." Max gave him a look. "Exactly how much wine did you drink before I got here?"

"Max, I'm hurt that you could say that to me." Logan sent her a hurt little boy look. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"Logan, the stuff I do isn't even remotely close to fun."

"Aw, Max." Suddenly Logan lunged at her. "C'mon."

Without thinking Max reacted and Logan found himself sitting on the floor looking up at her.

"Omigod, Logan. I didn't mean to do that." Max dropped down on her knees next to him. She reached out and started to run her hands over his arms to check for broken bones.

"Max? What are you doing?"

"Checking you out…um I mean checking for broken bones." Max felt her cheeks heating. "I just reacted by pure reflex; I might have really hurt you."

Logan was laughing softly. "You kicked my legs out from under me, Max. Not my arms. You wanna check them out?" His eyes were twinkling. Involuntarily her eyes went to his long legs stretched out on the floor next to her. A picture of her running her hands over them went through her mind, and she felt a jolt of heat rush through her.

Their eyes met. A spark seemed to fly across the short distance between them. Max jumped to her feet and held her hand out to Logan.

He reached out and gripped her hand and she pulled him to his feet. Once he was standing, he didn't immediately let go of her hand. Max pulled on it lightly. Logan held on. She pulled a bit harder. Their eyes were locked together.

"Um, Logan. My hand."

"Your hand?" Your hand feels amazing in mine. Who would have thought such a simple thing…

"Can I have it back?" Or you could keep it forever. How can something as basic as holding hands make me feel like this?

Logan's eyes searched hers. Max had the feeling he was looking for something.

"Logan?" Max was getting impatient. There was a different note in her voice. One he hadn't heard there before; a slight huskiness.

Finally, he slowly released her hand. As she pulled hers away, he allowed his fingers to brush softly across her palm. Max shivered at the feather light touch.

Logan seemed to gather himself together. He pulled his eyes away from hers. So do I ask her to stay tonight or not? What if she says no? "Max," he heard himself saying, "stay with me tonight."

Why does the thought of staying here make me nervous? I've stayed over plenty of times in the past before we … I mean… it's not as if we're not like that anymore. God, he looks so hot tonight… "I thought you'd never ask," she sent him a slow smile.

Logan stepped closer to her and then she was in his arms as he kissed her thoroughly. She could feel the heat radiating from his body and her sensitive hearing picked up the increase in his pulse rate.

They broke apart and Logan looked down at her, "I'll let you out of teaching me tonight, but next time you're gonna show me some of your moves."

"I don't think so, Logan."

They stared at each other, neither one willing to back down. Finally Logan shook his head and smiled. "Stubborn woman."

Before Max could respond to that his hands were sliding gently up and down her arms, caressing her softly. "I guess that means that it's up to me. I have some moves of my own that I'm more than willing to show you…"

End of Chapter Two