Long, Lonely Nights (20 page)

“They will, honey. Just let Logan help keep you safe. He’s right. You need someone to protect you night and day.”

Yeah, but is it safe for it to be him?” Tina asked sarcastically.

“Jenna smiled. “No, I don’t think so, but it’s the good kind of unsafe.”

Tina pushed her. “Stop. It’s not going anywhere.”

“Then it’s a damn shame,” Jenna groused.

They returned to the living room to find the men talking in whispers by the door. The men stopped as soon as she and Jenna walked in the room. Riley announced he was going to follow Jenna home.

“I don’t need you following me home. I can get home just fine without your help,” she complained.

“Forget it. I’m going to make sure you get home safely. End of discussion so say good night, and let’s go.”

Jenna hugged Tina, then glared at Riley and stomped out the door. Riley smiled at Logan. “Be back in a few minutes.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to take a quick shower, then go to bed. I’ll lock you out,” Tina said and walked over to the door.

“I’m not going anywhere until Riley gets back.” Logan stretched and sat down extending his long legs. “Then he’s going to watch you, while I get my bag. I’m staying here.”

“Not going to happen. You are going to leave.”

“I’m not leaving you here alone at night again. It’s too dangerous.” Logan didn’t move a muscle.

“No, wait just a minute. You don’t live here, and you are not my husband. You can’t tell me what you are going to do. I don’t want you here,” Tina yelled.

“Too bad, I’m staying.”

Tina threw up her hands and growled at him. Then she turned, stomped up the stairs to her bedroom, and slammed the door closed behind her.

Chapter Ten

Logan smiled. She could throw all the temper tantrums she wanted to, but he wasn’t leaving her alone again. It was too dangerous. If he hadn’t been outside and heard her scream, the stalker might have hurt her before the police arrived. No, he would stick with her until they caught the bastard. Then things could go back to normal. But, could they really?

Riley’s right. You’ve gotten a taste of her and want her. Admit it. You don’t want to let her go anytime soon. She’s gotten under your skin.

He heard a noise upstairs and smiled. He could just imagine her stomping around in the bedroom getting undressed. She probably wore matching bra and panties. She might even have on a garter belt and stockings. He hadn’t been able to tell earlier. The thought of her in a garter belt and stockings with nothing else sent his blood pressure through the roof. His cock stirred making him groan. He set his jaw and thrust her out of his thoughts. He walked around the house checking every door and window until he was satisfied it was secure.

Fifteen minutes later, he heard Riley pull in behind his truck. They weren’t going to park anything in her drive to give the appearance she was still by herself. They wanted the stalker to think everything was the same.

Logan hoped to lure the nut out and catch him when he showed back up. He and Riley had put together a plan of sorts to catch the man before he hurt her again. If they didn’t catch him soon, luck would be with her stalker one day and he would slip past Logan and Riley somehow. That wasn’t acceptable in Logan’s book.

There was a soft knock at the kitchen door. He checked to make sure it was Riley before letting him in. Riley handed him his bag that he had already packed. He must have gone next door first and gotten it for him.

“Tina settled?” Riley asked.

Logan laughed. “She’s anything but settled. She’s spitting mad and has been stomping around up there ever since you left.”

“She’ll settle down before long. She looked like she was exhausted earlier.”

“Yeah. What about Jenna? She wasn’t any happier you were following her home than Tina is about me staying tonight.”

Riley laughed. “She’ll get over it.”

“Something going on between you two?” Logan asked.

“Nope, I know better than to get mixed up with class. I’m a no-class and don’t have any business messing with her. Which is something you should think about while you’re on the couch.”

Riley glowered at his friend. He knew Riley was only saying what he had already been thinking. Still, he didn’t like it being pointed out to him. He was already struggling with it.

“I know what I’m doing, Riley.”

“If you say so.” Riley didn’t smile. “I’m taking the first watch outside. Morgan will spell me at dawn.

“You see anything, give me a buzz on the phone, and I’ll be ready.”

Riley left out the back door, and Logan reset everything once again.

The shower cut off upstairs. He waited for about fifteen minutes, then went upstairs and knocked on the door. At first, he thought she wouldn’t answer his knock. Then she unlocked the door and asked what he wanted.

“I’m going to check your windows and the French doors.”

“I’ve already done it,” she said.

“I’m going to do it again. Humor me. I want to check it myself.”

She huffed out a breath and stepped back so he could walk in. She had on a terry cloth robe that covered her form neck to foot. It had to be hot. She held it tightly closed while he double-checked everything.

“Looks good. I’ll be downstairs in the living room on the couch. You hear anything at all, call me. I’ll be here in an instant.”

“Nothing is going to happen,” Tina said.

“I know, but I am going to be double sure.”

Tina shrugged, and as soon as he walked out, she shut the door and locked it. He heard the snap. If by some chance the stalker made it past Riley and him, a locked door wouldn’t give her much hope, but it would give her time to call the police. If he cut the phone lines, she could use her cell phone if she didn’t waste time. He would have to make sure no one got past him.

Logan stripped down to boxers and pulled on a pair of jogging pants. He settled on the couch with his 9mm on the coffee table next to his right arm. It would be in easy reach should he need it. He would nap and still stay focused for any odd sounds. He would wake up without a doubt. Logan closed his eyes and relaxed. He memorized the different sounds around him and drifted into a light sleep.

The next morning, he was up and in the kitchen fixing coffee when Riley knocked on the door. Logan let him in.

“Nothing moved last night.”

“Good.”

“Morgan will be here this morning. I’ll come back around five and relieve him,” Riley said.

“Good. How about some coffee?”

Riley declined and said he needed to sleep so he would pass. “I’ll talk to you later. Call if you need me. I’m going to catch some sleep,” Riley said.

Once he had locked up behind Riley, Logan turned to find Tina in her robe and slippers yawning as she fixed herself a cup of coffee. He watched her sit at the kitchen table and hold the cup with both hands. She inhaled the scent, then took a careful sip. The smile that brightened her face was a beautiful site.

“You like my coffee?” he asked.

“Yeah. It’s really good. Rich.”

“Yours isn’t that bad, but I like mine better.”

“I’m not complaining. I needed this,” Tina said.

“How did you sleep?” Logan asked.

“I slept okay. Just not a lot.”

He looked at her with a stern look on his face.

“Better than I have lately, anyway.”

You haven’t had a lot of sleep. Why don’t you go back to bed and sleep a little while longer? It’s only eight-thirty.” Logan watched her face.

“No, I’ll take a nap this afternoon. I need to get some things done around the house.

“I’m going to fix some cereal. Do you want some?” she asked.

“No thanks. I’m going to fix bacon and eggs when I go home. I’m going to stick around until you get dressed.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll go do that now then.”

“There’s no hurry. Eat your breakfast, then go change,” Logan assured her.

“I don’t want to hold you up,” she said.

“You’re not. I don’t have anything planned today. I will probably finish up the yard if it doesn’t rain.” Logan said.

Tina shrugged and got out the cereal, a bowl, and the milk. She ate in silence except for the crunch of cereal. Then she rinsed out her bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. She returned upstairs to the bedroom.

He waited for about fifteen or twenty minutes, and she returned in old faded jeans and a green tank top. He had to pry his eyes away from her. He cleared his throat and told her goodbye.

“I’ll be back later this afternoon in time for dinner. I’ll bring the meal,” he said.

Logan left her at the kitchen table drinking another cup of coffee. Once he arrived at his house, Logan headed straight for the bathroom and a shower. After the shower and a change of clothes, he fried up eggs, bacon, and fixed toast. He mulled over all the events of the last forty-eight hours while he ate.

Nothing jumped out at him as a clue to who was behind her stalking. Everything he knew pointed to someone from either the locksmith or the security company, but the police were pursuing those leads. There was nothing he could do, other than watch over her. That, and try to keep his hands off of her. He sighed and put down his fork. He was fast losing the battle though. Even now he was hard just thinking about her.

* * * *

Tina hadn’t slept well. Something about having her hunky neighbor downstairs in her living room all night probably had something to do with it. Just the thought of him sleeping on her couch set her hormones burning. She actually walked into the living room and sat on the couch. She even laid down on it in an attempt to catch his scent. She was pathetic. How long before she walked down the stairs and threw herself at him? They had to catch the stalker soon, or she was going to make a complete fool of herself were Logan was concerned.

Twice she nearly went out on her balcony to catch a glimpse of him working outside. She was sure, as hot as it was, he would have taken off his shirt. Finally, she gave in and compromised.

Tina made some lemonade and took a glass and the pitcher outside on the deck to sit and read. Naturally, with Logan outside, she didn’t get a lot of reading done, but enjoyed the view instead. Sipping on lemonade and watching eye candy was a good way to spend her Sunday afternoon.

“Care to share?”

She jerked back from her musing and looked up. Logan stood on the other side of the fence wearing gloves, shorts, and sandals. She smiled and after refilling her glass, carried it over to him. He pulled off one of the gloves and took the glass from her. Their fingers touched and a spark snapped. Tina nearly let go of the glass too soon. He threw back his head and drank the entire glass.

“You were thirsty. Want some more?” she asked.

“No thanks. I might later though. How do you feel today?”

“I’m fine. What about you? How did you manage to sleep on my couch? It really isn’t the most comfortable one in the world. Plus, you’re a lot taller than it is long.”

“I managed. I learned to sleep just about anywhere in the army.”

Tina nodded her head and held out her hand for the glass. He held the glass just out of her reach, so she had to take a step forward to reach it. When she did, he let her take the glass, but grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her closer to the fence. Before she knew it, he had kissed her. Nothing earth shattering. Just a light kiss on her lips, and then he let go and turned away. She watched him put his glove back on and pick up the shears.