Hannah had just barely gotten into the tub when she heard the door to their room slam. She cowered, lowering herself further under the water not wanting to hear another one of Logan's outburst. Without even a knock, the bathroom door flung open and Logan began unbuttoning his shirt.
Hannah immediately pulled her legs up and held them close to her body, "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" By the tone of his voice, he was definitely not in a good mood. He slipped the shirt off and threw it onto the toilet seat.
"You're taking off your clothes."
"And the prize goes to the little lady. My word you are a genius." The note of sarcasm once again inflicted in his speech.
"Logan, stop this. You can put your shirt back on and wait til I'm finished." She pointed to the door trying to sound commanding.
He glared at her, not to happy with her talking back, "I'm not waiting. Goddamn it, Hannah. That bitch downstairs wouldn't let me into her bar to get a fucking beer and to top that off I realized I smoked my last cigar this morning. I'm tired and dirty.." he contemplated adding frustrated to the list, but held his tongue, "I'm taking a bath."
By the time she opened her mouth to respond, he had already pulled off his jeans and was stepping into the tub. She pulled herself as far back as she could to the opposite side, as he slid in. It was a good size bath, obviously made for two…it did seem plausible this was the honeymoon suite of the establishment…but it didn't make it any easier for Hannah having him inches from her. Her knees now pulled up to her chin and her arms wrapped tightly around her lower legs, she stared at him her mouth agape in shock at his boldness.
This move made it clear to him, he wasn't as wanted as he thought he might be. "Hey, I didn't mean to take out this crap on you. That woman just rubs me the wrong way." He reached over placing a hand on her knee and managed to cool down, reassuring her, "I won't fly off the handle any more, I promise. Come on, stretch your legs out and relax. There's plenty of room." He tried to loosen her grip on her legs but she didn't budge. "You're going all shy on me, what gives?"
She didn't want to say but that look in his eyes, the way he looked down, the way it seemed to overpower her. She knew she would give into him in a minute and is that what she really wanted? Didn't she want him to talk to her, to open up? But he was naked in her bath touching her. Her clasp loosened, and he raised his eyebrows, smirking, drawing each leg across the tub and placed them on top of his own. Her feet now rested on his thighs. She was only to aware how close they were to something else, and blushing and biting her lip she tried to compose herself.
"Not so bad is it? Sharing a bath?"
Changing the subject quickly she asked, "My clothes? You didn't forget my clothes?"
"Taken care of. The witch is washing and drying them, but it's going to be a few hours."
"A few hours? I can't go out to dinner in those sweatpants, Logan."
"Dinner? That's all you're concerned about?"
"I'm hungry."
"There's always room service…no clothes needed." He tried to get her to smile.
"There's a piano in the dining room, I saw it when we walked in."
"Not a damn piano again. What is with you and that thing? You got me in your bath, but you want an inanimate wooden object to get cozy with."
"I know where I stand with a piano."
"Whoa…that hurts."
"You're confusing me, Logan." She began to pull her legs back and he grabbed hold of both of her ankles causing her to sink lower into the tub."Could I please have my legs back?"
"No…I want to make myself perfectly clear here…no confusion." He had that intimidating tone in his voice and was glaring at her under furrowed brows. "I'm hardly the confusing one, Hannah. You're the one who didn't speak a word the whole way here, giving me the silent treatment."
"You brought that on yourself."
"Does this have to do with the sex? I know I instigated it but you were willing"
She shook her head, "Please don't talk about it like it was just an activity, something to pass the time."
"So that is it, the sex."
"You don't have a clue do you, Logan? I'm referring to you shutting me out."
"How can I shut you out from something I don't have straight in my mind?"
"What happened in that house?"
"I don't want to talk about that now." He let go of her legs and picked up the sponge. Avoiding Hannah's gaze he squeezed the access water from it and then wiped it across his forearm.
"Why don't you let me help you? There were old journals in that house, Logan." She shut her eyes bringing up the pages she had imprinted on her mind. She hadn't looked at them until now, and Logan looked up and watched her through this process and quickly grabbed her hand.
"Open your eyes. Damn it, Hannah. This is something I need to do on my own. I don't want to know what is in those journals."
"But that boy, possibly both those boys were mutants. There is every possibility that one of them is you"
"What are the chances that I would find the house that I grew up in? It's ridiculous."
"It's not."
Why he didn't want to believe it was beyond him. He had spent so many years of his life trying to figure out the past and now if it was within his grasp to have some answers he was apprehensive of what he might actually find out.
"Can we drop this subject now? I really don't want to start thinking about that stuff. I'm not having the best day, I was looking forward to a nice relaxing bath. Stirring up the past is not relaxing."
She noticed the agitation he was experiencing and thought about her own experiences as of late. All the things she had found out about herself lately had been daunting and confusing. Logan's past was much more complicated and if he needed some time to sort through everything she needed to give it to him and not ask questions. He had been the one person supportive of her in the past few weeks. A true friend who understood what she was going through. It was time she returned the favor.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't push…you relax and enjoy your bath. I will keep quiet." She leaned towards him and took the sponge from his hand, gently she wiped his shoulder and then down his chest.
He looked up, she was smiling sweetly at him, "What are you doing?"
"I'm washing you." She stroked the sponge across the other shoulder and arm, then back across the other side of his chest, this time her hand went below the water's surface and he quickly grabbed it and brought it back to the surface. Hannah looked surprised, "What's wrong, don't you like it? I only wanted to help you relax." she lowered her head and with his other hand he brought her chin up so she had to look at him.
"I liked it. But I don't think you know what you're doing."
"I was washing you. I just thought…" She felt embarrassed and didn't want to finish. She let go of the sponge and began to withdraw from him. Flustered she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do but figured she should just get out. "I'll just get out, that would probably be best." She couldn't look at him as she began to stand turning her back towards him.
He hadn't meant to upset her but clearly that is what he had done. "No…you're not going anywhere." He took hold of her hand, roughly to begin with to stop her from getting out. As she stood motionless her back still towards him he loosened his grip on her and gently caressed her hand in his own. "I guess I need to explain. What you were doing….well, I'm not sure I can be held accountable for my actions if you keep it up. I promised you this stop was one of pure necessity. Get rest, get cleaned up…you washing me…well, it could very easily lead to something else. I'm trying to be a gentleman. Not always easy for me but I'm making the effort."
She added, "And it's well noted and appreciated. I'm different from most of the women you encounter I'm sure. And if anyone of them had been in your bath I am sure you would not even think twice of them washing you and where it would lead to."
"Now you're mad at me. For god's sake woman, if you want to wash me so bad go right ahead but just remember what I said."
She picked up the sponge, turning it over in her hand before she spoke, " I understand the risk I am taking under the circumstances and am willing to accept any consequences that take place from the possible actions I evoke."
Logan smirked at her and leaned back against the tub sighing, "Well, when you talk all fancy like that in that accent of yours what choice do I have, how can I deny you the pleasure? My body is yours." He had closed his eyes anticipating her next move but she didn't make one. He opened his eyes to find her looking at him.
"Where are those English manners? Never keep a gentleman waiting. You did call me a gentleman earlier."
She smiled, coyly, then drooped her head embarrassed that she was incredibly content just looking at him.
He leaned closer to her, lifting her chin, looking at her seriously, "I'm just teasing, Hannah. You know that, don't you?"
She nodded, then quietly spoke, "I just like looking at you. How silly is that?" She tried lowering her head so she didn't have to look at him but he held her chin firm.
"I like looking at you too. Nothing silly about it as far as I'm concerned." Drawing her face closer to his, she had no choice but to meet his gaze. The intensity radiating from his eyes caused her heart to flutter.
He brushed a finger across her soft lips, as his desire to taste those sweet lips again grew increasingly stronger with each second that passed. A sigh escaped her which to Logan was all the consent he needed to continue. Their lips barely touched and Hannah felt the electricity pump through her body and it increased as one kiss. became another and another. Each one more sweet and tender than the next. Logan was pleasantly surprised that he could be so satisfied with something so simple and innocent. Her naked body enticing in everyway was in his grasp for the taking and the thoughts what could be done in this bath with her hadn't escaped him but for some reason the animal he could be subsided in her presence. The soothing, calming effect she had on him was something he was beginning to like.
Hannah's head felt light and with each kiss her breathing became more irregular. She finally gasped so that it startled Logan, he pulled away. Her body so relaxed began to slip and Logan immediately held her up and smirked at her, "Maybe that's enough for now. I'm losing you."
"No…" she said after a huge breath…"it was lovely, really…..can't think of anything more pleasant actually."
"Feeding a hungry belly maybe."
"Logan" she scolded him.
"It's steak for dinner. I fancy a steak." He found the sponge under the water and rubbed it against her thigh, still smirking, "We should wash up, get ready for dinner."
"You're absolutely right." She tried not to sound disappointed.
The sponge moved causing Hannah to squirm, he rested it between her legs, then let it go leaving his hand in it's place. Her sigh deepened and she threw her head back.
Satisfied he casually spoke, "Hey, we are the honeymooning couple. They'd expect us to show up late and we don't have clean clothes. It would be pretty shitty of us to show up in those smelly things, don't you think?"
Hannah managed a nod, but her breaths were now shorter and she could hardly contain herself as his fingers began to confidently stroke her.
"I'm losing you again." His hand moved away and her eyes flew open.
"You will lose me for good, Logan, if you keep this up."
"I don't understand what you mean." He stood up and stepped out of the tub grabbing a towel. Immediately toweling himself off as Hannah laid back and this time sighed out of frustration. She closed her eyes and began taking deep breaths. Logan smiled triumphantly as he leaned down and picked her up out of the tub. Startled she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What are you doing?"
He looked down at her, "I'm not going to lose you, Hannah I'm just taking you to bed. I owe you that much. Making love in the bath really doesn't float my boat, bad for the back."
She smiled, "Logan, you are soft."
"Hey, that's not true. I'm thinking of you, darlin'…the back thing…you know me, I can tolerate anything."
"So the plan is to make love on the bed?" she was a little thrown by his use of making love. He seemed to avoid the word and now it flowed so easily from his lips, that it surprised her.
"No plan, just seemed like that's where all this kissing was leading to in the bath and we have some time to kill. Or do you have some objections?" Of course he would come back with something that sounded like there was nothing better to do, but Hannah read more into it.
"No objections, whatsoever."
"Good." He set her down and began drying her off. She was still and quiet, watching his every move. She was in love with him, there was no question about that. He was so unlike any man she had ever encountered. Rough on the outside but with a gentle soul. Leaning down and toweling off her inner leg, she placed her hand on the nape of his neck, gently stroking him. He slowly looked up, and saw the intense expression in her gaze. She didn't turn away this time. Maybe she wanted to be found out.
He stood up and threw the towel to the side, placing his hands on her waist, her own hand still caressing his neck. His face inches from hers as he gazed into her eyes, "you never cease to amaze me. Prissy English lady one minute, sultry temptress the next."
"I could say the same about you. What happened to that grumpy, foul tempered unsociable Canadian I was so fond of?" It wasn't what she wanted to say. Those other words were trapped on the back of her tongue, still unwilling to come out. Hannah was too afraid if she said them she would lose him forever.
"You like me that way, I knew it."
She did like him that way. She loved everything about him even the bad tempered Logan she found endearing in some way. But she couldn't tell him. There was a brief silence where Hannah felt he possibly could see right through her. Not wanting to have another uncomfortable moment she kissed him, "I thought you were taking me to bed. It's incredibly rude to keep a lady waiting you know?"
He picked her up in a steady swoop, "Ah, right…mustn't keep the lady waiting." He had a twinkle in his eye as he carried her to the bed.
The early evening sun was beginning to set leaving a warm glow throughout the room as he laid her on the bed. A much different scenario than what had taken place only a few days ago in front of a blazing fire in a thunderstorm. But after the days of silence between them nothing much had changed. He hadn't stopped wanting her and he knew enough about women to know that she was falling in love with him and he had allowed it to happen. She gazed up at him with that look that only confirmed it.
For a brief second he was reluctant. He could stop this right now. He could back off, be firm. He was getting better at controlling himself in dangerous situations, and surely this could easily be called a dangerous situation but what would that accomplish? It could destroy Hannah. The girl had already been through enough. And didn't he kind of like the attention she had given him. She wasn't afraid of his gruffness, she understood the pain he was going through about his past. Hell, having someone love you was a good thing. A damn good thing.
Hannah was surprised with his sudden distance, the twinkle now gone from his eyes and there was a seriousness there she wasn't used to. She knew she had given something away by that look he was giving her. Of course he didn't love her, these feelings were one sided and now she had been found out and he would back off. Those few seconds felt like hours as she waited for him to throw her a robe or walk away. But it didn't happen.
The sparkle in his eyes returned, his brow furrowed as he playfully pounced on top of her. "Had you worried there for a second didn't I? Don't deny it. Saw it in your eyes."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I sense things, Hannah. I've looked in the eyes of hundreds of animals, know what they are thinking...if they're scared, angry."
"So what did you see in mine?"
"You thought you might lose me." She turned her head away from him embarrassed and he immediately rolled off of her onto his side, facing her, "That's not going to happen. Even if I'm hundreds of miles away, that's not going to happen. You got it?"
She nodded her head. It wasn't quite the same as saying he loved her, but for Hannah it was pretty darn close. "I got it."
He moved closer to her kissing her gently, "I think I promised you some love making before dinner."
"That was the original plan."
"Sounds like one hell of a plan to me." Brushing a strand of her hair away from her face he playfully raised his eyebrows.
"I couldn't agree with you more." She smiled sweetly and snuggled up close to him, instantly his muscular arms enveloped her. For the past few days, the sexual tension had been high but now just being in each others arms brought incredible satisfaction to them both. Hannah sighed as Logan's hands tenderly caressed her back, and his lips eagerly nibbled on the nape of her neck. Liking the response he was getting , he let one hand venture a little lower lingering on her bottom, then squeezing it gently,just as his mouth zealously found hers. She smiled against his lips, his rough hands tickling and enticing with every move.
The refinement she had been brought up with was diminishing rapidly. The proper reserved English lady she had once strived to become had been replaced by a woman overcome with passion and desire and with every kiss and stroke, it only seemed to create more longing and hunger inside her. Logan was well aware of his effect on her. Interestingly enough, while Hannah was able to soothe the Beast inside Logan, he created the opposite reaction in her. She grabbed at his hair and bit his lip, while her fingernails dug into his back...actually very ineffective since she had barely any fingernails. It only made him smile and continue with the task at hand. There was really no point in questioning any of this. Hell, not when they were both minutes away from finally getting what they both had longed for over the last few days.
She reached for his penis and he quickly rolled her onto her back, sliding into her. The hand in his hair tightened its grasp and she let out a cry. With just one thrust, her breathing began to quicken and her cries multiplied. He was no longer able to hold back. So much for that calming effect she had on him. Logan's animal instincts kicked in. No more of this pussy footing around, the beast once again was in total control.
Logan leaned back on the pillows, one hand behind his head, the other caressed Hannah's shoulder as she nestled against his chest.. Satisfied and content, even the fact he had run out of cigars didn't seem to rile him up. And having a smoke after sex was a ritual he had longed practiced and enjoyed immensely. As he looked down at Hannah, he knew he had it as bad as she did. But for the moment he wasn't going to fight it. These moments were few in his life, and he wanted to relish this one as long as he could.
Hannah stroked his chest, with brief interludes of twisting a strand of his chest hair around her little finger, as she played over and over in her mind the last half hours love making.
By the wistful look on her face, Logan was pretty sure what was going on in her mind. They both needed the rest after what just took place, but he knew that it was only a matter of time that they'd be back at it with a vengeance. Which was fine by him. He closed his eyes, enjoying the quiet before the next wave of the storm, when Hannah spoke.
"Logan?"
He grunted, keeping his eyes shut. The peace he was hoping for wasn't to be.
"What are you thinking about?"
Sure enough, here was the baited question. Why did women gravitate to this kind of talk after making love? Couldn't the act just speak for itself? Not willing to give her any of his inner thoughts, he did what he knew how to do best, "That steak, actually. I'm damn hungry."
She lifted herself off of him and leaned over grabbing a pillow and whacking him in the face. Scowling at him playfully, she hit him again. He managed to lift a hand over his face in defense, but she continued to swing the pillow. Laughing, Logan finally grabbed it out of her hands and easily pinned her against the bed on her back, "Now that was a pretty stupid question, wasn't it?"
"I don't ever know what you're thinking."
"I think my actions spoke for themselves, but if you want me to give it another go, I'm willing." He smiled wickedly at her.
"I think you would enjoy that too much."
"So you're afraid you might enjoy it just as much? Because believe you me, if you think that last go round was something, I can make you scream so that everyone down in that dining room hears how much you're enjoying yourself."
"You wouldn't do such a thing."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" He wasn't going to wait for an answer, as he immediately buried his head between her breasts, nuzzling each one before his lips enveloped a nipple and Hannah sighed deeply. Her hands went straight to his hair, each time he sucked harder she pulled his locks and bit down on her lip determined not to let out a scream. But it was no good, the calling of his name over and over soon escaped her mouth and soon after a knock was heard at the door and a familiar voice.
"Mr. And Mrs. Logan, it's Mrs. Walker."
Hannah panicked and immediately tried pushing Logan off her, but he didn't want to budge, "Logan, please."
He lifted his head briefly, "She'll go away."
"Our clothes. She has our clothes."
Frustrated he sat up and shook his head, "I was about ready to send you over the edge, young lady, and all you care about is your damn clothes? Women."
She got off the bed, grabbed a robe, and then kissed him gently, "Behave" she warned as she reached for the robe at the end of the bed.
He flopped down on his stomach laying across the bed sideways, a sheet barely covering his ass, enjoying the view of her backside as she slipped the robe on.
Hannah opened the door and Mrs. Walker sheepishly spoke, "I am terribly sorry. This is an inconvenient time."
Logan muttered under breath from the bed, "Yeah, I bet you're sorry. I betcha interrupting honeymoon couples is something you're quite good at."
Hannah heard this and turned, scolding him, "Logan." She then turned back to Mrs. Walker and smiled.
Mrs. Walker was having a hard time not focusing on the figure behind Hannah in the bed. His naked body sprawled across the bed gave her a shiver and Hannah realized what she was looking at and quickly inched the door shut, so that there was enough of a gap to speak through but she no longer could get an eyeful. She looked at Hannah and stuttered, "I...I..."
"You have our dry clothes. I assume that is the reason for your visit. My husband was just commenting on how much he fancied a steak."
"Actually, my dryer is not as efficient as it once was and I'm afraid the clothes are taking much longer to dry than I expected."
"Oh, I see."
"Oh, no, you don't see at all. I know it's your honeymoon and you are having a difficult time."
Hannah could hear Logan snickering in the background, making comments, "ah, it is difficult."
Mrs. Walker continued, "and I was looking through my closet and you know, I have a lovely little cocktail dress, that Morris used to adore me in and I knew it would fit you perfectly."
Hannah had a hard time believing anything that fit Mrs. Walker would ever fit her, and even if it did, how awful it would be. Much like the clothes she was accustomed to in England. Old fashioned and dowdy. Something she was definitely not anymore.
"That is very kind of you, Mrs. Walker, but we are perfectly content on having room service."
"I won't have it. I even brought one of my late husbands suits for your husband. Of course he was a much bigger framed man, but with a belt I am sure it will do just fine."
Hannah looked back at Logan who had now perked up leaning on one elbow, "No way. I am not wearing some dead guy's suit."
Hannah smiled, then turned back to Mrs. Walker as she handed a garment bag through the cracked door. "It will be good for you both to get out. You can't stay cooped in here all day and night."
Another comment came from the bed, "Wanna bet?"
Mrs. Walker continued, "So I will see you in the dining room shortly." She then walked away and Hannah closed the door behind her.
Logan sat up, "You have got to be kidding me right? I mean, her dress won't fit you and this dead guy's suit...he probably weighed 300 pounds."
"She was being nice." Hannah laid the garment bag on the bed next to Logan and unzipped it, expecting some god awful dress, she was surprised to find a plain black cocktail dress with a plunging neckline, before Logan could have a peek she pulled it out of the bag and hid it behind her back, then backed away from him towards the bathroom.
"Let me see it. Is it that awful, you can't even show it to me?"
"It could be much worse."
"Don't tell me you're going to try it on?"
"I am. And I suggest you do the same. I told you I want to play the piano, and you want your steak." She went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Logan slipped the hanger out of the bag and looked at the coat and shirt, shaking his head, "She's crazy. If she thinks for one minute I am going to put this on, she's out of her mind."
The bathroom door opened slowly as Logan was still eying the suit, "Then I am definitely out of my mind, because you are going to put it on Logan and take me downstairs or I will go on my own."
He looked up as Hannah was straightening the dress with her hands, and his mouth dropped at the sight of her. The dress fit like a glove, like it was made for her. The plunging neckline showed enough cleavage to be daring but not tasteless and the hemline hit her a good 3 inches above the knee, which showed off her long legs. "Wow."
"You think so?"
"Oh, yeah, definitely, wow, but you aren't going down there on your own. Every man in the place will be gawking at you."
"They are all over 50, you have nothing to worry about."
"What are you talking about, those are the worst kind. You hear about dirty old men."
She walked closer to the bed, leaning over him, stroking her finger down his sideburn, "I am quite happy with the dirty old man right here, thank you very much. And if you're so worried about those men making passes at me, then you will put the suit on and accompany me, for my own protection." Her finger retraced her previous action, this time in an upward motion. Coyly she smiled at him, "You have no objections to protecting me, do you? Or maybe my father was right I require protection from you."
He shook his head and grabbed her hand clenching it in his fist, she struggled slightly but it was useless. "You are some piece of work Miss Masterson, you know that? A spoiled English princess. Accustomed to getting your way."
She smiled triumphantly. "And I've succeeded."
"Only because you look damn good in that dress. And I have every intention of taking it off you after dinner."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Before he let go, he glared at her, "Dinner, a small tinker at the keyboards and that's it. No taking requests, messing about for hours."
"Of course not." The stare was intense and she bashfully looked down to avoid it.
He lifted her chin with his free hand, and continued the glare, "It's a piano, I know how long you can sit in front of a piano."
"But I've found something new, to occupy my time." His glare softened as she smiled sweetly at him and ran her fingers through his hair. "And that's you, Logan. I like being with you, even when you are condescending and overpowering and downright rude."
He could have easily come back with a comment but instead let go of her hand, releasing his grip. As he got off the bed, he smiled shook his head and picked up the suit. He nonchalantly walked past her to the bathroom, giving her bottom a playful slap. She was expecting a remark but when she didn't get it she watched him strut into the bathroom with a bewildered look on her face. This whole evening could easily become a fiasco, she was well aware of that. Logan was unpredictable, but she was willing to take that chance. After tomorrow, any likelihood of them being together would be gone, and she planned to make the most of their last night and enjoy every minute.