Page 89 of The Search

She wasn’t sure. The movement had been purely instinctive. “I don’t know. I wanted . . . I think I made a mistake.”

“You’d better make up your mind fast. I’ll count to five.”

How could she make up her mind when she was so dizzy she couldn’t put two coherent thoughts together? “It probably shouldn’t happen. We’re not really compatible.”

“The hell we’re not.” His hands dropped to her hips and he pressed her to him, rubbing in an undulating, catlike motion. “You can’t be more compatible than that.”

She bit her lower lip as a wave of sheer lust surged through her. “You’d try to control me. You’re a manipulator. You like things your own way.”

He kissed her. “Doesn’t everyone? But I’m willing to negotiate, and I know better than to get in the way of your precious job.”

“What about Taiwan? There are jobs I have to do alone and you’d—”

He kissed her again. “I promise.”

“You said—you’d count—to five.”

“I did. Internal clock.” He stepped back and took her hand, pulling her toward the bedroom. “And it’s still ticking. God, is it ticking. Want to hear it?” He put her hand on his heart. “If you’re going to say no, it better be now.”

She could feel the rapid thump of his heartbeat beneath her palm. It was sending shock waves through her with every beat. It filled her body. It filled the room. It filled the world.

“It’s going to be good. Can’t you feel it? Don’t you—”

“Stop talking,” she said unevenly. “I’m not going to say no. How the devil could I?” She followed him down on the bed and covered his mouth with her own.

“I really have to go check on Maggie.” Sarah yawned and cuddled closer to Logan’s naked body. “I should have done it hours ago.”

“You were busy.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “And you’re going to be busy again in about . . . two minutes.”

She chuckled. “Your internal clock again?”

“You bet. It’s wound tight and ready to spring forward.”

She reluctantly pushed him away and sat up. “Maggie.”

“I’ll do it.” He swung out of bed. “You stay here. I don’t think you’ve had much practice at balancing duty and pleasure. I wouldn’t want those weights to swing in the wrong direction.”

She felt a ripple of heat go through her as she watched him walk naked across the room. The very first time she had seen him she thought he was beautiful as a cougar. He was muscular, big, strong, fit, as comfortable in this bedroom as he had been in the jungle.

He had swept her away with his bawdy eroticism and dynamic energy, totally surprising her. She had thought sex with him would be intense, overpowering, and it had been. But it had also been fun. If she had been overpowered, it had been by her own sexuality. Logan had not tried to dominate her. He had led, offered, tempted.

But wasn’t that the height of power and manipulation? To seduce was a thousand times cleverer than to force, and Logan was the most seductive man she had ever met.

To hell with it. She didn’t want to analyze what had happened. It was sex, not brain surgery. She had enjoyed her body and his. That was all. No harm had been done.

“Maggie’s fine.” Logan was coming back toward her. “I changed her bandage.”

“You were quick. It usually takes me longer.”

“I had incentive.” He sat down on the side of the bed. “Scoot.”

She moved over. “Is Monty okay?”

“If you call mooning at Maggie okay. I’ve never seen an animal more lovesick. She’s leading him on a merry chase.”

“She has to be careful. It’s forever for her. Not that I’m defending her. Poor Monty is— What happened to your hand?”

“Nothing much.” He looked down at his left hand. “Maggie nipped me a little. She barely broke the skin.” He put his hand on her breast. “Not her fault. I was in too much of a hurry.”