After The Rain (One Pass Away #1) Read online

“Don’t worry. I won’t forget.”

  “Logan.” Rhonda stopped in front of her old friend. Her eyes darted back and forth between him and Claire, a worried frown wrinkling her brow.

  “Go.” Logan patted her arm reassuringly. “It will be okay.”

  “I wasn’t going to sneak away,” Claire said when they were alone.

  “Really?” Logan wandered through the room, checking the dresser drawers, then the closet. “Looks to me like I was last on your list before you hit the road. Forgetting that last thing can be easy.”

  Claire hated to hear the hurt in his voice. When his eyes met hers again, the hard steel in them made her flinch. She had seen Logan’s anger. She had never felt it turned on her.

  “Sit.” Claire sank onto the bed, patting the mattress. “Please.”

  Reluctantly, Logan joined her. Not nearby as she asked. On the other side. Out of touching range. With a resigned sigh, Claire gathered her thoughts. This was important. She needed Logan to understand. That meant being clear and unemotional. The way she felt, she would be lucky if she managed clear.

  “I’m not leaving you.”

  Without a word, Logan’s shifted his gaze to her suitcase. When he looked back, his eyes said in big, bold letters — BULLSHIT!

  “Listen to my words. Yes. I’m leaving Denville. I am not leaving you.” Claire swallowed. “Unless you want me to.”

  “Oh, no.” Logan shot to his feet and began pacing. “You don’t get to turn this on me. You’re the one with one foot out the door. Without telling me you were going.”

  “I know. I—”

  Logan cut her off. “When I left you in bed this morning, warm and soft from our lovemaking, you didn’t say a word that it was the last time. You smiled when I kissed you goodbye.” Logan clapped both hands on his head, his fingers pulling at his hair. “That was your goodbye, wasn’t it? A final fuck. I guess I should be grateful you were giving me that much. Except you liked it, didn’t you? There was no faking that. Why not get off one more time?”

  “Don’t be mean, Logan.” Claire reminded herself he was hurt. However, that didn’t mean she had to sit and take his insults. “Don’t say something you’re going to regret.”

  “At the moment, I can’t think of what that would be.”

  “Trust me, you’re damn close. Please. Listen. Don’t say anything until I finish.”

  “Why?”

  “Because deep down you know I wouldn’t be leaving unless I had a good reason.”

  Claire waited. It took him a while but eventually Logan’s shoulders began to relax. Slowly, he walked back to the bed. This time, when he sat, it was next to her.

  “Thank you.”

  “Tell me, Claire.”

  There he was. In Logan’s eyes, she saw the man she knew. Wary, yes. But the anger was tempered. He was ready to listen.

  “We’ve been isolated, Logan.” Claire chose her words carefully. “I had a plan when I came here. It was simple. Get us both to the NFL.”

  “Has that changed?”

  “The plan? No. But we weren’t supposed to become personally involved. That’s on me.”

  “Do you regret that we’re lovers?”

  “I wouldn’t change anything.” Claire gently cupped Logan’s cheek. “Not a second.”

  “So…?”

  “You can take me to Seattle as your girlfriend. No one would bat an eye.” Claire sighed. “If I’m going to be taken seriously, I can’t go as your girlfriend. Do you understand?”

  Unfortunately, Logan did. As a woman, she already had a big strike against her in a male-dominated business. Claire would be held to a higher standard. Her every move scrutinized. A man trying to make the team could sleep with anyone he wanted. A woman sleeping with that man? She would be committing professional suicide.

  “Fucking double-standard.”

  Claire smiled with relief. Leave it to Logan to boil it down to the bare basics.

  “You’re garnering some national attention. It’s only a matter of time before an enterprising reporter comes sniffing around Denville. I can’t be here when that happens.”

  “And we can’t leave together.” Logan nodded. “I get it, Claire.”

  “Gaige is sending a car for me. It should be here in a few hours.” Seeing Logan’s look, Claire shook her head. “He doesn’t know about us.”

  “He isn’t a fool. One look and he’ll know something is going on.”

  “We’ll deal with that when it happens.” Claire waited. When Logan opened his arms, she sank in with a grateful sigh. “The plan always was for you to stay with Gaige. His house is so big you could go weeks without seeing each other if you wanted. I’ll move back into my apartment.”

  “One more thing.” Logan pulled back enough to look Claire straight in the eye. “Are you using this as an excuse to dump me?”

  “What? Have you been listening to anything I’ve said?”

  “I need to hear it, Claire.” Logan steadied his gaze. It was clear and direct. It looked right into Claire’s soul.

  “I’m not walking out of your life. You’re stuck with me, Logan.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear.”

  Logan grabbed the front of Claire’s t-shirt, ripping it in half.

  “We’ve never played ‘You, Tarzan. Me, Jane.’“ Claire’s eyes twinkled. If Logan wanted to be King of the Jungle, she was fine with that.

  Logan pushed her back onto the bed, his mouth claiming hers in a deep, commanding kiss. His teeth nipped the side of her neck, and then he whispered words that made her shiver from head to toe.

  “I’m not playing, Claire. Get ready for the ride of your life.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CLAIRE LIKED TO be in control.

  From the time she was a small girl, to get what she wanted, she knew she had to be the one to call the shots. She left her hometown on her own terms. Worked hard. Even when Gaige Benson offered her a hand up, Claire made sure she knew the terms before she agreed.

  It was the same with her lovers. Claire was the aggressor. She never invited a man into her bed with a long-term commitment in mind. She liked sex. When she felt an itch, she found the right man to help her scratch it – then she moved on.

  Logan wasn’t like the men in her past. He didn’t wait for her to make the first move. He didn’t expect her to guide his moves. He took as much as he gave. To Claire’s surprise and delight, the result was the best sex of her life.

  Logan fit her perfectly. One of the things she liked best was his unpredictability. Sex could be lighthearted. It could be intense. Claire never knew what mood they would be in.

  However, this was the first time Logan had come to her full-on Alpha. He trapped her arms above her head. He controlled the action. Claire knew she could never live on a constant diet of being ordered around – but today? At this moment? She loved every second.

  “You belong to me.”

  Logan breathed the words over her skin. It felt like they entered her body. Into her bloodstream. Into her soul.

  Claire arched her neck, begging Logan to kiss. Bite. Devour. The air rushed from her lungs when he complied.

  “Say it, Claire. Tell me you’re mine.”

  She was. Claire knew she would never feel like this with any other man. It wasn’t about giving Logan control. It was about letting go. Of the past. Of now. Of the future. For the first time in her life, she wanted to belong to someone. She wanted Logan to belong to her. It had to work both ways.

  “Are you mine?”

  Logan lifted his head. His eyes were a rich, chocolate brown. Molten. Claire could feel herself sinking. She felt a moment of panic. Giving up temporary control was one thing. This was another. She didn’t want to drown. She didn’t want to lose herself in a man – not even Logan.

  Claire was about to pull away when Logan smiled. It was slightly wicked and all man. But it, and his words, told her what she needed to know.

  “I was yours the moment I saw you.”

&
nbsp; “That night in the bar? You knew it then?”

  “I knew I could trust you with my life.” Logan’s kiss was firm. Masterful. His tongue touched the tips of Claire’s, pulling away when she tried to draw him in. Taking her torn shirt, Logan tied Claire’s hands together.

  “Are you mine?”

  This time, when she heard the question, Claire didn’t hesitate.

  “Yes. Yours. Only yours, Logan.”

  Logan smiled with satisfaction.

  “Grab the headboard.” When she did, Logan nodded. “Good. Don’t move. If those hands don’t stay where they are, I’ll make sure they do.”

  Claire licked her lips. Her instinct was to make a smart-ass remark. Not this time. It was Logan’s show. All she wanted was to hop on for the sexy ride.

  “You have the best bras.” Logan flipped open the front clasp, laying her breasts open to his gaze. “Were you thinking of me when you put it on this morning?”

  “I’m always thinking of you.” It was damn near the truth.

  “I like that.” Logan sucked one nipple into his mouth – hard and fast. Claire’s back arched off the bed. “Let me give you a whole lot more to think about.”

  Logan took his time. He kissed. He caressed. He teased. By the time he reached the waistband of her jeans, Claire panted as though she had run a marathon. She wanted everything he was giving her. And more. So much more.

  “Are you ready for me, Claire?” Logan slid the denim down her legs, blindly tossing them across the room.

  “You know I am.”

  Claire couldn’t keep her hips still. She would have wrapped her legs around Logan, drawing him close, if he hadn’t given her a warning look. He set the pace, not her. With difficulty, she kept as still as possible.

  “Mmm. Very nice. Lace.” Logan ran one finger along the edge of her panties. “You’re going to need new ones.”

  The sound of lace tearing only managed to ramp up Claire’s desire. The cool air against her heated center was brief. To her delight, Logan’s hot mouth didn’t give her time to cool down.

  “So sweet,” he whispered. His tongue took another taste. “Honey with a touch of spice.”

  Claire gripped the headboard, letting Logan take her on a rollercoaster ride. Up, up, up. Then, just as she thought she reached the peak, he eased her down, the dip frustrating, yet still exciting.

  This went on for what seemed like a blessed eternity. Claire called Logan’s name. Pleaded for release. His response was to take her even higher. His mouth. His hands. He played her like the maestro he was. Her body was his willing instrument.

  “Now. Come for me, Claire.”

  Wave after wave. The feelings never seemed to end. Lights burst behind her closed eyelids. Red. Yellow. Blue. Not a rainbow. A kaleidoscope. The patterns changed in a constant wave. Unique. Breathtakingly beautiful.

  She didn’t know how it was possible. She felt spent. Yet the second Logan covered her body with his. The instant he entered her, it started again. The climb. The reaching. Only this time, it was better because he was with her every step of the way. They rode, side by side, to the top. The crash over was all the sweeter because this time, Logan shouted her name the same instant she shouted his.

  This was how it was supposed to be, Claire thought as one more wave of pleasure crashed over her. Not nice. Not an easy slide toward a tension-easing orgasm. Her heart almost pounded out of her chest. Every inch of her skin tingled with a million sparks of pleasure. She couldn’t do this to herself. No one else knew how to make her toes curl.

  It was Logan. Only Logan. Forever Logan.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  SEATTLE HAD NEVER been home.

  Logan watched as the city rolled by from his vantage point in the front seat of Gaige’s silver Jaguar. He had planned to make the city his home. The feel of it appealed to him. Then and now.

  When he was a rookie, he saw Seattle as a young city. Plenty to do and see. People his own age from varying and interesting walks of life. Logan had anticipated a long, happy relationship. With the city. And with the Knights.

  Neither happened.

  This time, Logan saw things from a different perspective. A little older. Hopefully wiser. He wasn’t worried about what the city had to offer him. He thought about what he could offer the city.

  “If I make the team, I want to give back to the community.”

  “I like the sound of that,” Gaige said. He turned off the highway toward his home on Lake Washington. “Except for one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Cut the ‘if I make the team’ crap. Claire says you’re ready. Maybe better than your first go-round.”

  Claire.

  It had been a week since she left Denville. They spoke every day. Skype made it easy to see her whenever he wanted. Touching her was another matter. Logan felt better knowing they were in the same city.

  “She’s been keeping the team and me up-to-date on your progress. Harry is excited to see you in action.”

  Harry Coleman, the Knights head coach had always been one of Logan’s biggest supporters. It was good to know that hadn’t changed.

  “I still need to pass the physical.”

  “Claire doesn’t seem to think that will be a problem.” Gaige glanced at Logan. “Any reason you’re worried?”

  “General nerves, that’s all.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. Learn how to manage them and nerves can be a powerful asset.” Gaige gave a laugh. “Trust me, I know.”

  “After all this time? Really?”

  “You get nervous when something matters. I’m still playing because I love the game, Logan. It means something.”

  Logan frowned. “Then why quit? Why walk away when you still love what you’re doing?”

  Gaige turned into the driveway of the home he had spent the last five years building to his exact specifications.

  Classic. Modern. Gaige hadn’t worried about pigeonholing the style. The lines were bold and sweeping. Three stories. He wanted what he wanted. As with all things in life, that was what he got.

  “Impressive.”

  Logan carried his bags through the four-car garage and into the house. He took in the high ceilings, the open space. He didn’t know much about interior decorating. The colors were mellow with pops of color provided by paintings Logan imagined were worth a mid-sized fortune.

  When Logan first met Gaige, the QB was already a superstar. His tastes reflected a lifestyle that was a far cry from his humble beginnings. Gaige was polished. Sophisticated. However, he never completely let go of the dirty street-fighter roots. He knew how to pick the perfect wine. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t beat the shit out of someone in a bar fight.

  Gaige lived in a house worth millions. He came from nothing. He had managed to blend the two. Embrace the new. Never forget the old.

  “Come on. I’ll show you to your room, and then we can grab a couple of beers on the deck.” Gaige slapped Logan on the back as they ascended the long, curving staircase.

  “The second floor is my playground.” Gaige didn’t pause, heading directly for another set of stairs. “Feel free to come down here anytime you like. The workout room is to your left, the other way leads to the game room.”

  Logan looked down the hall with interest.

  “What kind of games?”

  “Most of my misspent youth consisted of stealing smokes from my mother’s purse and video games. Luckily, I lost my taste for cigarettes.” At the top of the stairs, Gaige turned left. “You’ll find the usual suspects in the way of games. My gang and I ruled the neighborhood arcade. God, I was such a stereotype. Looking back, I wasn’t as tough as I thought.”

  But tougher than any kid should have to be, Gaige added mentally.

  “I want you to make yourself at home. My room is on the other side of the house, so you have complete privacy.” Gaige opened a door at the end of the hall. “I think you’ll like the view.”

  After seeing the rest of
Gaige’s house, Logan expected the wall of windows that showcased Lake Washington. What surprised him was the best view of all. Standing in the middle of the room was Claire.

  “Welcome to Seattle.”

  “Dinner will be ready in two hours,” Gaige said. Then he laughed. “If you need more time to catch up, let me know.”

  Before the door closed, Claire was in Logan’s arms.

  They kissed as if they had been apart for years, falling onto the bed. Clothing was pushed aside instead of removed. They came together in a heated rush that left them breathless and satisfied.

  “That was…”

  “Thrilling? Exciting? Mind-blowingly intense?” Claire asked. She was sprawled on top of Logan, happy to stay that way.

  “I was going to say unexpected.” Logan chuckled. “But I like your words better.”

  He couldn’t stop touching her. The desperation was gone, but the need to stay connected was constant. Logan laced his fingers with hers and felt himself settle for the first time since she left him in Denville.

  “Not that I’m complaining,” Logan said after a few minutes of easy silence. “I thought we were keeping this on the down-low.”

  “Blame Gaige.” Claire kissed Logan’s exposed stomach. “I met him here for lunch the day after I got back. Partly to catch up and partly for a face-to-face on your status. I hadn’t been here five minutes before he figured out that we had developed a very personal relationship.”

  “I guess he’s fine with that?”

  “Now,” Claire nodded. “First, he reamed me out. You’re trying to build a reputation as a professional, he said in that quiet quarterback voice of his.”

  “Oh, I remember that voice.”

  “It’s unforgettable. You feel like you’ve let him down.”

  “And no one wants to let Gaige down.”

  “Turns out he had suspected something was going on for months. Apparently, I’m even worse at hiding things over the phone than I am in person.”

  “What now?”

  Claire slid to Logan’s side, letting her leg wrap around his. Facing him, she smoothed a hand over his face. She sighed. What a face it was. She had to remember to ask Gaige what his first thoughts had been when he saw the short-haired, clean-shaven Logan. Such a difference from when they met last December.