Page 10 of Consuming Logan

“We have a night to remember in store,” he said, while planting a chaste kiss on Ava’s lips. When she slipped him a little tongue, a grunt escaped, and he broke away. Staring down at her, shocked at the brazen action. “Trying for a repeat of this morning?”

Slipping her arms beneath his lab coat, she gave his ass a squeeze. “I wanted to surprise you. Like the flowers.” She waggled her sculpted brows, but something else flashed behind her eyes. Logan caught her chin, not allowing her to look away. She looked pale and that crease in her brow told him something had changed since she’d left for work this morning.

“I like your surprises.” But her flower comment perplexed him. The Stargazers were to be delivered to the house.

Her brow furrowed. “I hope so.”

He paused. That didn’t sound right. “Something wrong?”

Ava gave him an exasperated ‘put the protective man back in the box’ look. Unphased, Logan continued to study her. Ava balked at his intrusive style. Logan ignored it. The woman had him, and he’d do what he could to ease her burden.

“No.”

Yes. Now, if only she would share it without him having to pry her lips apart. “Everything okay with your project?”

The lines around her mouth softened. “Never better.”

Then… “What is it?”

She seemed caught off guard by his unwavering focus. Tyson observing the standoff didn’t excuse himself. An emotion Logan couldn’t quite pinpoint had Ava lifting her chin in defiance and then it disappeared, replaced by her familiar easy smile.

“Let’s talk later. This is your celebration,” she reassured him.

So, there was something weighing on her worthy of a private conversation.

Her warm gaze locked on his face, and then she said the most bizarre words he’d heard all day. “You love me, right?”

Not a clue why she asked, but Logan nodded an emphatic yes. “Since you’re wearing my ring, that’s an automatic yes. And as your husband-to-be, secrets are forbidden.”

Call him conceited, but Logan’s heart had committed to Ava’s the first time he saw her. In his soul, they were wed.

Ava laughed. “You should know once we’re officially married, I’ll still tell you what you need to know when you need to know it.”

“A challenge,” he growled. He went in for another kiss, but movement from the corner of his eye stopped him.

“I’m going to excuse myself,” Tyson interjected.

Keeping an arm around Ava’s shoulders, Logan clasped the other man’s hand. “I appreciate your continued support. I couldn’t have completed my initial research without you having my back. Thank you for believing in me,” he said, sincere in his appreciation. “And for being my largest donor.”

“Anything you need, it’s yours,” Tyson said, his green gaze trained on him and Ava. “You have my word.”

“Don’t say anything you don’t mean,” Logan joked.

Tyson smiled; his demeanor unchanged by Logan’s announcement. “Have your people start compiling a list.”

What people? The Masters family had a diversified portfolio. His father had been a neurosurgeon, his mother a member of a prominent South Carolina family, but they never had servants. Growing up, if an adult was in their lives, they were either family or a friend, not hired help.

Logan gave a twisted grin. Tyson must be used to amateurs. “I have electronic files. Multiple,” he warned, he thought of all the theoretical questions he could answer with the money backing his future projects.

Tyson’s expression turned serious, his angular jaw firming. “Take your time…savor all that you have, Logan. Remember, Rome…it wasn’t built in a day.”

“That’s because Rome didn’t have me.” He gave a hearty laugh. “Told you not to make promises you can’t keep.”

“I never do, Logan. I never do. Great to see you again, Ava,” Tyson said before turning to depart.

“Mr. O’Connor, Logan…can I get a picture of you two together,” Kylie called, the camera already up in position.

“Fine by me, lass,” Tyson crooned, “I don’t see myself in the American newspaper often.”