Logan's Bride by Elizabeth August Page A

the closet, she retrieved her gun from the bedside table and a pillow from the bed, then went into the main living area.
    Boyd had conditioned himself to wake at any sound. When he’d heard one of the women moving around in the bedroom, he’d been considering checking on what they were up to when the door had been pushed open further and someone had entered the main area. Without even looking, he’d known it was Katrina. She’d showered before going to bed and he caught the vague scent of her herbal shampoo. Nice, he thought, then shoved the thought from his mind. Pretending to be asleep, he watched, his eyes open only a slit as she rounded the couch. The gun in her hand caused him to brace for action. Had he completely misjudged her? It wouldn’t be the first time, his little voice mocked.
    Moonlight coming in the windows gave Katrina enough light to make her way to the rug in front of the fireplace. Moving quietly she laid her gun down, then spread the blanket and rolled up in it. Boyd’s steady breathing convinced her that she hadn’t disturbed him. Snuggling her head into the pillow, she closed her eyes.
    Mentally, Boyd groaned. When she’d laid down her gun, he’d relaxed. But when he’d closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep he could not block her from his mind. He saw her face with those incredibly kissable lips and the remembered feel of her, when he’d held her hand or put his arm around her, taunted him. “I would think the bed would be a lot more comfortable than the floor,” he said, unable to keep his irritation out of his voice.
    Startled to discover that he was awake, she turned in the direction of the couch. “My aunt not only snores like a sailor, she kicks like a mule. Now I know why she and my uncle had separate beds.” The “you’re treading on my space” tone in his voice grated on her nerves. “If you don’t want me in here, I’ll go sleep in the car.”
    He’d heard the snoring and knew she wasn’t exaggerating. He also didn’t want her where he couldn’t keep track of her. “No.” He shifted into a sitting position. “You can have the couch, I’ll take the floor.”
    Katrina balked. She wanted no favors from him. “I didn’t come in here to take your bed. I’m perfectly comfortable here.”
    â€œWell, I’m not. The couch is too short. Besides, I’ve spent half of my life sleeping on the ground around a campfire. I rest better on a hard surface.” Already on his feet, he tossed his blanket and pillow onto the floor. Then rounding the coffee table, he scooped her up, blanket and all.
    Fear of being dropped caused her to circle her arms around his neck. She didn’t think she’d ever felt such strength in a man before.
    The moment he had her in his arms, Boyd knew he’d made a mistake. He’d been wondering too long how her lips would taste. Before he realized what he was doing, he was kissing her. Her lips were soft and inviting and she tasted even better than he’d imagined.
    Momentarily stunned, Katrina put up no resistance. By the time she got over her surprise, she didn’t want him to stop. His mouth was warm and enticing. The flames of desire began to spark to life within her and her hold around his neck tightened to harden the kiss.
    Boyd had never been so instantly aroused by a woman. He wanted her then and there. This isn’t smart! his inner voice warned. He started to ignore it, but a sudden combination of loud snorts and snores from the bedroom reminded him of the company he was keeping and the reason he was there.
    â€œDamn!” he growled, breaking the contact. Furious with himself for his near loss of complete control and frustrated by unsatisfied urges, he rounded the coffee table and dropped her unceremoniously on the couch. Then returning to the rug in front of the fireplace, he tossed her pillow to her