Chapter 12
Beep … Beep … Beep …
The high-pitched blips coming from the heart monitor started out faint, each one growing stronger than the last, and Veronica sobbed in relief as she recognized the slow but steady sound.
Logan's heartbeat.
The doctors and nurses around his bedside erupted into a renewed flurry of activity, which she only vaguely registered. Veronica was too busy smiling tearfully into Logan's open and bleary, brown eyes.
"My ass isn't scrawny," he croaked weakly.
Two weeks later …
Logan napped on Veronica's bed, his back against the wall, face pressed into the furry neck of Backup, who twitched in his sleep, snoring loudly. It was a hot, humid, summer afternoon and the air conditioner hummed, cooling Logan's heated skin.
After he no longer required 'round the clock care and demonstrated he could not only get in and out of bed on his own, but walk down the hallway without getting winded, Logan's doctors had finally released him from the hospital. His shoulder was heavily bandaged and he had to wear his left arm in a sling so the weight wouldn't pull at the still-healing muscles. He was under a strict regiment of potent antibiotics to ward off any infections, but usually they left him feeling drowsy and a little nauseous.
Logan also needed help with a few basic functions like getting dressed and changing his bandages, since he couldn't use one arm, which is why Keith and Veronica had insisted he stay with them to recuperate. He'd protested, saying he could hire a nurse or ask Dick for help.
Veronica had snorted at that last idea. "Do you really want Dick helping you get dressed every day, Logan? That prospect doesn't scare you at all?"
Logan hadn't answered, but secretly he thought Veronica was a lot scarier than Dick would ever be.
"Your apartment is cramped enough - where do you plan to put me? The bath tub?" he'd argued, confident that it would be a cold day in hell before Keith Mars would let him sleep under the same roof as his precious offspring.
But he'd been wrong. When both father and daughter trained their stern stares on him, Logan had caved. He didn't have the strength to fight the entire Mars clan.
"It'll be like a slumber party," Veronica had assured him with a sly smile. "I'll even paint your toe nails."
She'd given up her room for him, yet another argument he'd lost. But he had to admit Veronica's twin-size bed was a lot more comfortable than sleeping with his feet hanging off the edge of the couch. The one drawback was Backup, who'd tagged Logan for a sucker his first night in the Mars' apartment. The 60-pound pit bull had been hogging the bed ever since.
The day he was released from the hospital, Veronica and Keith had accompanied him to the Grande, where they picked up some of his things, then helped him settle into their home. It had only been a few days, but Logan already felt at ease. What the Mars' modest apartment lacked in size and amenities, it more than made up for in comfort and warmth.
The clatter of pans woke Logan from his nap. Content to just lay there resting, he idly stroked Backup's coat for several minutes until the scent of vanilla and chocolate baking in the oven wafted into the room, enticing him out of bed.
Veronica was in the kitchen transferring freshly baked cookies onto a cooling rack, happily humming along with her iPod. Unaware of Logan, who was quietly watching her from the doorway, she carefully spooned dough onto the empty cookie sheet. She slid the new batch into the oven and turned, her face breaking into a bright smile as she caught sight of him.
"Hey," she said, pulling out her ear buds.
"Hey, yourself."
Logan strolled lazily into the kitchen, leaning over the counter to dip his finger in the large mixing bowl. "Mmmm…chocolate chip. Wallace must be coming over. You two having another horror flick marathon?"
"No. He's got a hot date tonight," Veronica said, slapping Logan's hand as he tried to get another scoop of dough. "Besides, Wallace likes snickerdoodles."
"Then what's with the Betty Crocker routine?" Logan asked, reaching for a cookie instead.
"The cookies are for you. Chocolate chip's your favorite, right?"
Startled, Logan paused mid-bite, raising his eyebrows. "You're baking cookies for me? I must've been sicker than I thought."
"You weren't sick. You got shot and almost died, Logan," she said, trying to keep the quiver out of her voice.
"Hey," Logan said soothingly, putting down the cookie to give her arm a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine now, Veronica, and thanks to you and your dad, I'm getting stronger every day. So you can stop worrying, okay?"
Unable to answer, Veronica just nodded and gave him a wobbly smile. They soon slipped into easy conversation as she filled him in on Wallace's latest paramour – a "super fine sistah" he met at some party. "He's taking her to Luigi's, so I told him not to order the bruschetta if he wanted to get any lip action tonight."
Logan chuckled. "Like that ever stopped you," he said, going to the refrigerator for a glass of milk. "So, I was thinking, if you don't have any plans for your birthday tomorrow, I'd like to take you and your dad out to dinner. What do you say?"
Veronica grew suddenly quiet and a funny look crossed her face as she busied herself by dropping another batch of cookies onto the pan.
"Uh oh. I know that face," Logan deadpanned. "What happened this time? Wait. Don't tell me. Aaron fathered triplets and now I'm their legal guardian. No, you had triplets and I'm the father."
That brought a grin to Veronica's face and she leaned over to swat Logan with her oven mitt. "You'd better not let my dad hear you say that," she warned. Taking a deep breath, she paused, choosing her words carefully. "It's about my birthday."
"What about it?"
"Well, this new restaurant opened last week on the pier and it's been getting rave reviews," she said slowly. "Wallace, Mac and Piz want to take me there tomorrow night. They're bringing … friends, and we're getting all dolled up."
Confused, Logan wondered why a night on the town with friends would be a touchy subject for Veronica, until he realized what she was really getting at, and his heart sank.
Fuck. She's going on a date with some asshole.
He focused his attention on the mixing bowl, reaching over to take another scoop of dough as he forced his voice to sound casual and light.
"Sounds cool. Have fun," he said, licking the sugary batter off his finger.
Veronica sighed, worrying her lip as a flush crept up her cheeks. "The thing is … I was hoping you'd join us, if you think you're up to it. Everyone is bringing someone and … well, I – I thought I could bring you. You know - as my date."
Logan jerked his head up in surprise, but before he could respond Veronica rushed ahead nervously.
"Or, you know, you could invite someone else. I know Christina's called a few times … It won't bother me. Really, Logan."
His lips curved into a slow grin. "Sure it wouldn't," Logan said, helping himself to another cookie. "So all this baking was just to butter me up so you could ask me out on a date? You know I'm not going to put out, right Mars? I'm just not that kind of guy."
"Yes you are," Veronica bantered back, her eyes lifting to meet his in a challenge. But she flushed again remembering the unanswered question still hanging between them, and looked away. "So, is that a yes?"
Logan's teasing smirk softened as he smiled at her fondly. "Yeah, sure. Like I would really say no," he said, his voice low and husky. He reached out and cupped her face, gently brushing flour from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
Veronica's body tingled, her breath hitching as she met his gaze. She could still feel the whisper of Logan's warm fingers on her neck and cheek, even after he hastily withdrew his hand.
"But Mars? Just so you know, I expect flowers. And chocolates…"
Veronica gave his good arm a light punch and they grinned at each other. For the first time that summer, Logan and Veronica felt their hearts flutter with hope.
When the timer dinged, Logan picked up an oven mitt and awkwardly eased the hot cookie sheet out of the oven with one hand while Veronica put the last batch in, shutting the door. She slid a few cookies onto a plate with a spatula and poured two glasses of milk.
As they sat at the counter, quietly munching warm cookies still oozing chocolate, Veronica studied Logan, anxiously looking for signs of fatigue or pain. She had to resist the urge not to ask him how he felt every five minutes, knowing he would soon chafe if she hovered too much.
All in all, Logan was handling his brush with death a lot better than Veronica. Despite the pain and frustration over his slow recovery, Logan seemed … happy. But no matter what he said, she couldn't help worrying. Especially when he rubbed his shoulder, or rushed to the bathroom, head bent over the toilet.
The other day when Logan grabbed Backup's leash and announced he was going for a walk, Veronica had quickly shut her laptop to join them, saying the pit bull was too much dog for one person to handle. Humoring her, Logan had handed Veronica the leash and the three of them strode along the beach just as the sun was setting.
But Logan's health wasn't the only thing eating at Veronica. When Christina peeked into his hospital room a week after his upgraded condition allowed him to move out of the ICU, Veronica had chatted with her politely, then quickly scampered off to the cafeteria to give them some privacy. She'd been torturing herself wondering what they'd talked about ever since. Logan didn't volunteer anything and she hadn't asked.
But when they were alone together, she'd often catch a tenderness in his glances that made her heart quicken. And once, after she helped him settle into her bedroom, he had clasped her hand in wordless appreciation. As always, his touch had sparked a white hot desire in Veronica she could swear was mirrored in Logan's eyes.
So she bided her time, waiting for the right moment to make her move and finally lay her heart on the line. Veronica's hesitation had nothing to do with doubt, or even a reluctance to surrender to her feelings. She just needed Logan to be sure of her this time.
Assuming, of course, he still wanted her.
That particular thought had Veronica's nerves on edge the next night as she fumbled with the zipper of her dress. She was running a little late. At the last minute, she'd changed her mind about the flirty, blue kimono dress, deciding it made her look too chaste. But the slinky, red satin number went too far in the other direction. Forty-five minutes and half a dozen outfits later, she finally decided on a black slip dress made of silk.
Now, if she could only find the right accessories. She was still rummaging through her closet when Logan knocked on the bedroom door.
"Uh, are you okay?" he asked, looking around the room. The bed was piled with clothes, shoes were scattered nearby and her jewelry box was overturned on the dresser, but he couldn't find Veronica. "Where are you?"
"In here." Veronica came out of the closet clad in a lightweight, cotton bathrobe, and tossed a pair of pointy, black high heels on the floor next to something draped over a chair. "I'm almost ready. I just can't find a necklace that looks good with this dress," she grumbled.
While Veronica moved her search to a bowl on the bookshelf, Logan opened the dresser drawer she'd cleared for him and took out a slim, wrapped box tied with a white satin bow. "Happy birthday," he said, handing it to her. "And no, it's not a pony."
Smiling in surprised pleasure, Veronica took the box. "Logan, when did you have time to get me anything? You just got out of the hospital a few days ago and you were supposed be resting."
Lifting his injured arm, he pretended to peer into the sling. "Did the tracking device stop working?" he quipped. "Easy there, Nancy Drew. I got it months ago. It was with the stuff I brought back from the Grande."
"Good to know I can put away the magnifying glass, now. It was getting kind of heavy."
"Are you going to open your present, or just look at it?"
Grinning, Veronica pulled the ribbon loose and tore open the silver paper. She lifted the lid and took out a black velvet case, impatiently flipping it open.
The necklace inside was the prettiest she'd ever seen. The white gold sphere, hanging from a fragile chain, had a moon and stars motif with tiny diamonds that glinted in the light. Speechless, she withdrew the necklace from its box. As it dangled between her fingers, Veronica noticed an inscription on the back of the pendant, which she quickly turned over to read.
Her breath caught when she saw the way he'd arranged the letters in their names, tears clogging Veronica's throat as she remembered that long-ago spring night in the library.
"I thought of you when I saw it, but that was a while back," Logan explained again, trying to read her reaction. "I figured you might as well have it."
Veronica swallowed and looked up, her eyes boring soulfully into his, hoping he could see what his gift meant to her. "Logan … it's perfect. I love it."
Logan smiled, relieved. "I'm glad," he said, before leaving the room to let Veronica get ready.
He was sitting at the counter, sipping a soda, when she emerged ten minutes later. The simple black dress slid enticingly over her body as she strode towards him. It fell above her knees, leaving her legs and arms bare, exposing just enough milky white skin to make Logan gulp.
"Uh, hey," he said, getting to his feet. Smooth, Echolls. You sound like a horny 14-year-old.
Logan cleared his throat and added, "You look beautiful, Veronica. I'm no expert, but I think the necklace works with the dress." He looked down at her beaming face and smiled back a little shyly.
"You're looking pretty snazzy there yourself, handsome," Veronica said, reaching up to fix his shirt collar, her hands lingering on his chest. "Logan … I …"
A knock at the door interrupted her and Veronica sighed. "Shoot. I still have to find my sweater. Can you get that?" She disappeared back into her room and Logan turned to answer the door.
Piz and Wallace were standing on the porch, while Mac, Parker and Brian trailed behind still making their way over to the Mars apartment.
"Hey man," Wallace said, walking inside as Logan held open the door. "You're looking a lot better. The last time I was here, you were busy barfing your guts out."
"Thanks, Wallace," Logan answered, dryly. He looked expectantly at Piz, who was still standing awkwardly just outside the doorway, warily glancing at Logan. "Are you coming in, or what?"
"Uh, that depends. Are you going to hit me again?" Piz joked feebly, shifting his feet.
Logan considered. "I don't know. Are you going to kiss Veronica again?"
Piz's mouth dropped and Wallace grabbed his shirt, pulling him inside. "Don't sweat it. He's just kidding. You are kidding, right?"
Logan shrugged. At the sight of Piz, Logan was seized by a fierce possessiveness, and in that moment he knew no matter what happened between them, he would always think of Veronica as his. It reeked of the kind of overprotective chauvinism Veronica hated, and if she ever got a hint of what he was thinking, he'd have hell to pay.
But Logan didn't give a damn.
"Of course he's kidding." They all turned to see Veronica coming out of her room, this time wearing a sweater Logan instantly wanted to peel off her. She walked over and, turning to Logan so the others couldn't see her, she silently mouthed, "Be nice."
He lifted his shoulders innocently, bending to whisper in her ear. "I didn't actually hit him, did I?" Veronica swatted him with her beaded evening bag just as the others were filing into the living room.
"Happy birthday, sweetie," Parker squealed. "You look fabulous. Aren't you just so excited? I've been hearing great things about this restaurant. Their dessert is supposed to be to die for."
"Good, because I could eat a horse," Veronica said.
Logan snorted, quirking his eyebrows at her and smirking. "Maybe we'd better get going then. We wouldn't want our delicate flower here to faint from hunger."
Veronica rolled her eyes, grinning, as she flattened her hands against his chest and pushed him backwards towards the door. "Just for that, I'm not sharing my dessert."
A little while later, after the hostess had seated them at a table overlooking the harbor, Wallace was regaling the gang with tales of last night's disastrous date.
"Man, that girl could talk. I got the rundown on every guy she ever went out with, beginning with the one who tried to hold her hand when she was twelve. She tortured her last victim for two years before kicking him to the curb 'cause he forgot her favorite color was fuchsia, not pink. I'm telling you, she's seriously cuckoo … And did I mention her screech? My ears are still ringing."
"I take it she's not joining us tonight?" Logan asked, a corner of his mouth twisting up in a grin.
"Hell, no."
Everyone laughed and by the time the waitress came around with a bottle of champagne - procured with the fake IDs Veronica made the previous fall - they had already moved on to a recap of their summer activities.
Wallace and Brian divided their time between basketball training camp and summer school, while Piz finished up his internship at a local radio station. The three of them had been sharing an on-campus apartment for a week and a Guitar Hero challenge was already well underway.
Parker had gone home to Colorado, but after just two months, she decided to return to Neptune early to escape her overbearing mother. She'd been staying with Mac's family ever since, and the two were planning to move into the Hearst dorms in a few days.
Mac spent the summer interning at Kane Software, where she'd overheard the vice president gossiping about Jake Kane's already messy separation from his wife and the upcoming divorce. "So much for Neptune's royal couple," Mac commented.
Logan and Veronica exchanged wry glances, remembering Celeste Kane's cold contempt for her own daughter. "Yeah, well, she always was a total bitch. I'm sure Duncan's dad has a real battle ahead of him," Logan muttered. "I hope he has a pre-nup."
"He does." Everyone stared at Veronica in surprise, but she just shrugged. "Lilly told me. She found it when she went snooping through her dad's office looking for proof she was adopted."
"Sounds like our Lilly," Logan chuckled fondly.
"Well, I guess the whole world knows what you two did this summer," Brian remarked, gesturing to Logan's trussed up arm. "What's the prognosis? Are you going to need physical therapy?"
"Yeah." Logan's hand automatically reached up to rub his shoulder. "It hasn't fully healed, though, so I probably won't be able to start for a few more weeks. But my doctor said there's no reason I shouldn't be doing cartwheels by Halloween."
"I'd settle for swimming by New Year's – in a shallow pool," Veronica said, concern lacing her voice. "Your doctor also told you to take things slow and not push yourself too much, or you could tear the muscles again."
Logan placed a comforting hand over hers and said in a calm, low voice, "Relax, tiger. I'll be fine. I promise I won't over do it."
The waitress broke in with plates of stuffed oysters and seared Ahi appetizers, and while they went around the table, Piz posed a question in between bites. "So what's going to happen to Morgan Kennedy? I heard she confessed. Hey, do you think she'd consent to an on-air interview? That would be so awesome."
Veronica smiled indulgently at Piz. "I wouldn't count on it. According to Lamb, she's going for a temporary insanity defense. She claims she was suffering from post-partum depression when she killed Andrew. But there was nothing crazy about the way she hid the body or plotted Harvey Greenblatt's supposed suicide."
"I don't get it. How'd she keep the kid a secret all that time?" Wallace asked. "I mean, he was almost three years old when he died, right?"
"It seems she was an untenured professor at an ultra-conservative Christian college in L.A. when she had Andrew. She was probably afraid she'd get fired if word got out she was an unwed mother, so she kept to herself and didn't tell anyone she had a son," Veronica explained. "My dad tracked down some of her former colleagues and they remembered she'd sometimes leave faculty meetings early to take care of some sick relative's kid."
"Yeah, but what about her friends and family? Surely they knew," Mac asked.
"Her parents were dead by then and she was an only child. When Andrew died, she had just moved back to Neptune to teach at Hearst, and no one here knew anything about her past. His death gave her a clean start."
"And to think she was so close to becoming president of Hearst," Parker said, shaking her head. "She could've been a role model to women, but instead she tried to hide her own son like some kind of shameful secret and wound up killing him. I saw her around campus a few times and she's the last person I would've suspected … I don't know how you guys figured it out."
"I didn't," Veronica answered truthfully. "I was chasing someone else. Logan pieced it all together."
Logan suddenly jolted to attention. "Whatever happened to Glory Pembroke? Her baby … I mean, Aaron …"
"... Wasn't the father," Veronica offered gently. "And it's Glory Czuchry now. She and your dad did have a thing back when they were students at Hearst, but it was over long before she got that role on his movie. By then, she was dating some studio executive, and they got married after shooting wrapped. Turns out, their son's an actor now. Surprise, surprise."
Logan looked relieved at first, but as he sat back, Veronica thought she saw disappointment ripple briefly across his strong features, reminding her how alone he must feel at times. He stood, excusing himself as he headed off towards the restrooms.
Parker pounced the moment he was out of earshot. "So Veronica, we're all dying to know. What's going on with you and Logan? Did you guys get back together? 'Cause you're acting very friendly. It's so cute, it's disgusting."
"Um … I don't know. We haven't really talked about it," she answered, watching his retreating back.
"Girl, when are you going to put yourself out of your misery?" Wallace intoned. "You two have been dancing around each other for weeks now. Just get it over with already. You want him, he wants you. What's the problem?"
Veronica opened her mouth to affectionately tell Wallace he should mind his own beeswax, but Parker was too quick.
"Veronica, he saved your life. He's your very own, real life hero – a totally hot, real life hero."
"Parker, he almost died," Veronica admonished.
"Yeah, but aside from that part, it's like, The Most Romantic Thing Ever. It would make any girl seriously swoon. Honestly, I think I'm swooning a little now."
"What are you swooning about?" Logan asked, suddenly appearing by Veronica's side before he slid back into his chair.
"Colin Farrel," Veronica quickly lied, hoping Logan didn't notice the blush creeping up her neck. "Parker saw him roller-blading shirtless at Venice Beach last week. She loved him in 'Miami Vice.'"
"Really?" Piz asked. "You did? 'Cause I heard that movie sucked."
Everyone, with the exception of Logan, stared at Piz in bemusement.
Their entrees arrived just then, and soon the conversation shifted to more ordinary topics like the fall semester starting in less than a week, Hearst's chances at winning the league basketball championship, and a lengthy discussion about how to spend their last weekend of freedom before classes resumed.
Veronica was on her third glass of champagne and feeling a little giddy, when the waitress came by with a tray covered with rich chocolate cake, tarts, tiramisu, crème brule and an assortment of homemade sorbet. They ordered one of each sweet confection to share and for several minutes the table was silent as everyone consumed their dessert.
It was well past midnight when Logan drove Wallace, Brian and Piz back to their apartment. Because his medication prevented him from imbibing, Logan was the evening's designated driver, and the three roommates were the last of the party-goers to be dropped off. Veronica waved goodbye, thanking them for their gifts.
"Did you have fun?" Logan asked, as the Range Rover coasted easily along the ocean road.
"Best. Birthday. Ever," Veronica giggled, twisting in her seat to face him.
"I see someone had too much champagne. Good thing your dad's out of town."
"Logan, I'm not drunk. Just … happy."
He glanced over at her, offering a soft smile. "I'm glad you had a good time. You deserve it."
"Did you? Have fun, I mean?"
"Yeah. I did."
"Good."
The SUV slowed and came to a stop in front of the Sunset Cliffs complex. They didn't speak as they walked to her apartment, the silence charged with the familiar electricity that always seemed to flow between them. Veronica took out her key and fit it in the lock, pausing as she looked at Logan.
His lean body was braced against the stucco wall with his free hand shoved in the pocket of his slacks. The soft cotton of the grey button-up shirt he wore stretched snugly across his well-muscled chest, and the yellow glow of the porch light brought out the gold flecks in his brown eyes.
Parker's right, she thought. He'd make any girl swoon. Impulsively, Veronica leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Logan froze in surprise, gazing at her questioningly. "What for?"
"Everything. Logan … I don't deserve you."
"Veronica…"
"No, listen." She stilled him with a hand over his heart, her eyes pleading. "I love you, Logan. I love you … I admit, I – I wasn't sure of us … at first. But this past year, you've made me happier than I've been in a long time … I know it probably didn't seem that way to you and I'm so sorry for that. I – I got scared.
"I let my doubts ruin the best thing that ever happened to me." She lowered her head, shame coloring her cheeks, before raising her eyes to meet his again. "I don't know if you can ever forgive me, and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. But I'm not scared anymore. I want to be with you, Logan … if you still want me."
Logan let out a long, heavy sigh and looked away, the cautious joy he felt marred by nagging doubts of his own. "Maybe you did drink too much champagne," he tried to joke, returning his searching gaze to her upturned face. "Are you sure, Veronica? It's only been a couple of weeks … maybe it's too soon. I just don't want you to look back and regret being with me again. I couldn't bear it."
Tears welled in Veronica's eyes, her heart shattering painfully at his uncertainty. But her voice was clear when she spoke. "I've never regretted being with you, Logan. Never. I know you have no reason to believe me, but it's true.
"My feelings for you have nothing to do with gratitude. All those sweet, crazy things you do for me are only a small part of what I love about you … I've loved you for a long time, Logan … b-but I just couldn't admit it. Whatever happens, you have to believe me. I can't bear you not knowing how much you mean to me. I'm just sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Logan reached Veronica with one step, cupping her face as he kissed her. He plunged his tongue into her open mouth, hungrily exploring, desperate to relearn every nook and cranny. He tasted salty tears mixed with chocolate and champagne as well as Veronica's own, sweet, heady flavor, and it hit him how much he had missed kissing this beautiful girl before him.
Logan was devouring her and Veronica reveled in it.
She snaked one arm around his waist, standing on her tip toes, her other arm reaching up to grasp Logan's neck and pull him closer. She pressed herself against his warm body and felt the hard, throbbing length of him jutting against her belly. Desire and heat pooled in her center, and she nearly wept at the delicious sensations. She'd missed the feel of his strong body against hers, and the brush of his hands on her skin, touching her in ways that made her ache with need.
Veronica moaned softly and he turned them so she had her back against the door, barely registering the feel of the cold glass through the thin silk of her dress. He leaned into her and settled a muscular thigh between her legs, chuckling as she unconsciously rubbed herself along its length. Breaking off the kiss, Logan began tracing the graceful column of her neck with his lips.
"We should … inside," Veronica gasped, fumbling behind her for the doorknob.
The door burst open and they tumbled inside, their mouths fused. Logan kicked the door closed, and with an arm firmly around her waist, danced Veronica past the kitchen into the hallway, where he pressed her up against the wall.
Logan ran his hand over cool silk, traveling up from her hip to cup her breast. He gently thumbed the hardened nipple, eliciting another groan from Veronica. Reluctantly, he stopped to tug at her sweater with his only free hand, anxious to touch Veronica's bare skin. She pulled away briefly to wriggle free of the garment.
"This used to be easier," he mumbled, trailing hot kisses along her collarbone.
She smiled, her fingers tangling in his hair. "Practice makes perfect. In the meantime …" Veronica reached down to unbuckle Logan's belt. Slipping her hand inside, she grasped his straining erection.
Logan groaned, and Veronica's lips curved in a satisfied smirk. But he quickly evened the score. Yanking up the skirt of her dress, Logan slid his hand along the inside of her thigh, feeling Veronica tremble. Relentless, he wrenched down her lace panties and pressed a finger into her slick folds, making her gasp and shake.
"A little eager, Veronica?" he whispered in her ear, his deep, throaty voice sending shivers down her spine. He eased in another finger, slowly pumping them deeply inside her, his thumb rubbing tantalizing circles over her sensitive clit.
"Oh god … Logan …" Veronica gasped, her hips bucking.
He leaned forward, covering her mouth with his as he continued his tender assault. His skillful fingers filled her, but left Veronica craving more. She gripped his shoulder as the sensations quickly overwhelmed her, and cried out, the wave crashing over her, cresting and gradually ebbing away.
Logan eased his hand away, holding Veronica for several moments as she swayed on wobbly legs. He soothed her flushed skin by trailing soft kisses from the ticklish spot behind her ear, down her neck and along the gentle slope of her shoulder. She half whispered, half moaned his name and Logan's cock jerked at the breathy sound.
Veronica couldn't think clearly enough to utter even a few coherent words. Somehow, she was no longer wearing the top half of her dress, which was bunched around her hips along with her skirt. Logan's quick hands had also done away with the sheer, black lace bra she'd put on earlier in the evening with him in mind.
Now, Logan's head was bent and his mouth was doing magical things to her breast, first skimming the swell, then fastening onto its puckered nipple. Veronica felt the rough swirl of his tongue and let out a ragged sigh as he nipped at her playfully with his teeth, careful not to hurt her.
Eventually, she mustered the energy to nudge Logan's pants over his trim hips and he kicked them away, leaning back as Veronica gently helped extricate him from the sling. Her nimble fingers flew over the buttons of his shirt, pushing it away to bare his tanned, well-defined chest. Once free, Logan shed the rest of their clothes while steering them into her room.
They fell onto the bed, Veronica on top, their limbs entwined, kissing and exploring each other's bodies with fevered hands. When Logan winced slightly, Veronica rolled off him, gasping in alarm. "Oh my god. I didn't even think … maybe we shouldn't …"
She saw confused frustration flash across his face and, propping herself up on an elbow, reached out to stroke his cheek, quickly adding, "I mean, maybe you shouldn't be doing this. The doctor said you could do permanent damage if you injure yourself again."
"I'll risk it," Logan murmured, craning his neck to recapture her lips. But she held him off.
"I'm serious, Logan."
"Relax, Veronica. It'll be fine. He said sex was okay as long as it doesn't get too crazy. So unless you suddenly go acrobatic on me, I think we're safe."
Smiling, Veronica leaned over and brushed her lips against his, tracing teasing circles on his chest with her fingers. "Darn. And here I had my heart set on doing it on a trapeze."
Logan grinned as she wantonly straddled his thighs and bent to kiss him. He let his fingers graze Veronica's neck before wandering along the smooth expanse of her thigh, skimming her rib cage before continuing upwards. Her small breasts barely filled his large hands, but Logan had always loved their exquisitely soft plumpness. He marveled at their familiar touch – a sensation he never expected to feel again.
Veronica's hand meandered over Logan's broad chest, loving the rippled feel of his muscles under her fingers, before straying lower. Even in repose, his strong, chiseled body was powerful and vibrant with life. Barely controlled passion glittered in Logan's eyes and between her legs, Veronica felt a new gush of wetness. Desire and possessiveness burned inside her; she desperately needed to finally reclaim Logan as hers. She was certain he'd laugh and tease her mercilessly if he knew what she was thinking. But he didn't have to know, did he?
Logan caught the small smile tugging at Veronica's lips and he started to open his mouth to ask what was behind the secretive smirk. But when he felt her hot, little hands on his rearing dick, all thought flew out of his head and he groaned, his hips thrusting up. Logan was suddenly desperate to be inside her, to feel her wet heat around him. He had a primitive urge to assert his claim on her once and for all.
"I'm still on the pill," she whispered tentatively. "So, we're okay, unless …"
When her words penetrated the haze of lust, Logan lifted his clouded gaze to meet Veronica's questioning blue eyes, cupping her face in his hands.
"There hasn't been anyone else … Not since you," he said, his voice quiet and earnest.
She drew a relieved breath and, smiling, bent to touch her forehead to his. Still holding her face, Logan first kissed one slightly damp cheek, then the other, until finally going back to her satiny lips.
After a few moments, Veronica drew away, sitting back on her haunches. The sight dazzled Logan. Her nude body glowed silver in the moonlight, the shadows accenting the delicate curves of her upturned breasts, hips, and belly. Her parted lips were red and swollen from Logan's kisses and, beneath hooded lids, her eyes were bright with desire.
Rising on her knees, Veronica guided Logan's heavy cock inside her, slowly sinking down and letting his thick hardness stretch and fill her until she wanted to scream at the sheer pleasure. Beneath her, Logan made a strangled noise, and she began rocking her hips in an erotic rhythm he soon matched.
He lifted his head suckling on one stiff, pink nipple, knowing the combined assault of his mouth on her breast while he was embedded deep inside her always pushed Veronica close to the edge. When a single, sharp gasp escaped Veronica's lips, Logan wanted to crow in triumph.
She undulated above him, riding Logan until he felt her muscles tightening around him, thighs trembling. Knowing she was on the verge of climax, he took over, splaying his hands over Veronica's rounded ass, grasping her closer so their bodies were locked together. He deepened his thrusts and was soon rewarded by her soft cries, spurring him to quicken his pace as she gripped his shoulders, the necklace he'd given her rocking back and forth between their bodies.
Veronica looked up to find Logan studying her intently, his warm, brown eyes filled with infinite tenderness … and love.
This time, Veronica's orgasm built slowly, exquisitely. Every nerve was tingling and her body practically hummed until the ecstasy consumed her. She cried out his name as bright lights flashed behind her closed eyes and her world exploded.
Only after Veronica came apart and collapsed, shuddering into his arms, did Logan finally let go, releasing inside her, loving the snug, tight feel of her as she quivered around him.
Panting, they lay in each other's arms, Veronica's head resting on Logan's good shoulder while he lightly stroked her flushed skin. Eventually, she rolled off him and he drew the covers over their naked bodies, too tired and sated to clean up. Veronica settled into the crook of his arms and, on impulse, pressed an ear against his chest.
"What are you doing?" Logan murmured.
"Listening to your heartbeat."
He sighed, content, and tightened his arms around Veronica, kissing her forehead gently just before they both drifted off to sleep.
By the time Logan woke the next morning, it was nearly noon and Veronica was gone.
He sat up and groggily glanced around the room. The pants and shirt he'd worn the night before were neatly folded and sitting on Veronica's desk chair, her dress and sweater draped carefully over its back. The door they'd flung open in their haste to tear each other's clothes off, was now tightly closed.
Suddenly wary, Logan grabbed his black sweatpants, quickly putting them on before heading outside in search of Veronica. He didn't have far to look.
She was sitting at the kitchen counter, wearing a tank top and thin cotton shorts, hair pulled back into a ponytail, reading the paper as she sipped a cup of coffee. Veronica looked up when he walked into the room, and smiled.
"Hey," she said, sliding off the barstool. "Did you sleep okay? I closed the door so Backup wouldn't bother you."
Veronica busied herself in the kitchen. She'd been up for hours, burning her nervous energy by tidying the apartment and cooking breakfast while Logan slept. She fixed him a plate of food, piling on generous portions of scrambled eggs and bacon before handing it to him.
"Uh, yeah. I slept great. Thanks," Logan took the plate and placed it on the counter next to hers, grimly wondering why she seemed just a little distant. Sighing inwardly, he reached for a coffee mug just as Veronica did. Their fingers brushed over cool ceramic.
Veronica felt an immediate jolt at the contact and looking up, saw Logan peering at her curiously. She flushed, and suddenly he understood.
In the bright morning light, the sex kitten who'd seduced him with one kiss and brazenly ridden him to the best orgasm of his life, was bashful.
Logan sometimes forgot his bold, fearless, superhero girlfriend had once been shy and naïve. A long time ago, he'd been fond of the innocent, and oh so pretty waif Lilly had befriended. But he'd fallen in love with the fierce, impossibly brilliant woman Veronica had become. Still, it both warmed and thrilled Logan's heart to know the old Veronica was still there, and he could occasionally bring out the girl she used to be.
"Hey," he said, closing the distance between them as he picked up Veronica's small hand and sweetly kissed her fingers. "You know I love you, right?"
Veronica's breath hitched and she felt sudden tears prick her eyes as she smiled up at Logan. "Yeah, I do," she said, wrapping her arms around Logan's neck. He bent his head, and she rested her forehead against his.
"I love you, too, Logan," Veronica whispered.
They laughed as he spun them around the tiny kitchen.