Page 16 of Winter’s Fire

All credit to her for asking for what she needed, but Logan was disturbed by the fact that she didn’t feel comfortable enough to talk to him about it now. “Am I that much of an ogre?”

The breath she’d been holding shuddered out of her lungs. “No. It’s me. You asked me about a boyfriend—I did have one. We finished a while ago, but it didn’t end well. Knocked me for six in the confidence department.”

“I see.” He thought he did, anyway. Whatever was on her mind, it had a strong connection with her sense of self-worth—something he could identify with only too well. He wouldn’t push her. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

More than once, Logan had considered selling the vintage Jensen Interceptor—in London, two wheels tended to be more practical than four. However, the hours, the blood, sweat and tears he’d invested in restoring the vehicle made him reluctant to part with it. Today, though, as he held Lucy’s hand while she lowered herself into the passenger seat, he was glad he’d held onto it. Her grace made the classic car even more stylish.

For once he got lucky, and was able to park close to their destination. As he switched off the engine, out of the corner of his eye he saw Lucy’s hand closing around the door handle.

“Wait. Lesson number two—you always wait for me to open the door and help you out of the car.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m perfectly able—”

“No one said you weren’t. You still wait.”

“Why?”

In a moment of crystal-clear prescience, Logan saw his immediate future flash before his eyes. That stubborn chin of hers was going to throw out challenges left, right and centre, and strangely, he wasn’t disappointed. If anything, he relished the prospect.

“When we arrive at Nenufar, we need to blend in. That means assuming certain expected standards of behaviour. It also means I’ll treat you with old-fashioned courtesy, and you’ll get used to it.”

“Old-fashioned? You can say that again!”

“What was that?” He’d heard the mutter, and the sarcastic tone that accompanied it. Christ, he was itching to give her the spanking any other sub would get for such a blatant lack of respect.

“Nothing. Sorry.”

Yeah, right, and if he believed that, he’d be lining up to buy the next available bridge. “Apology accepted.” He could make nice too. “Now wait.”

Logan exited the car and went around to open the passenger door. Lucy hesitated only a moment before slipping her hand into his. Funny how it was taking so little for him to get used to the brat’s touch.

“What are we doing here?”

“We’re going for a walk in the park.”

For a moment her expression spoke volumes about her opinion on his sanity. It changed as realisation dawned. “This is about getting used to being around each other, isn’t it?”

“That’s the idea. One step at a time.”

And the first of those steps was to enclose her hand in his, just like the couple a few yards further down the path. Her tension almost vibrated through him, but as they continued through the park, her stiff stride relaxed into a stroll.

“See? It’s not so bad, is it?”

~~*~~

Bad was most definitely not the first word that sprang to Lucy’s mind.

In fact, she quite liked the roughness and strength in Logan’s grip, so different from her last boyfriend. His hands had been soft, perfectly manicured, and sweaty in a way that reminded her of a dead fish that was about to spoil. His handshake, when they’d first met, had been just as limp.

Whatever had she seen in him?

“Everything okay?”

Logan’s voice shattered the moment. Why was he asking? Did he suspect she had something on her mind? Did he know? “Why wouldn’t it be?”