“Hi, Mum.” Jenny was positively beaming.
Logan was behind her, strolling up the drive. They were both dressed in black jeans and black sweaters. She hadn’t been here when Logan had picked Jenny up; she’d still been at work. She suspected Jenny’s choice of clothes might have been influenced by her new father. But standing side by side, they looked so similar, it took her breath away.
Jenny turned to Logan, stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Night, Dad. Thanks. I’m going to my room,” she said and disappeared up the stairs. Abby shook her head and turned back to Logan.
“She has so much energy,” Logan said. “I’m exhausted.”
“She has that effect. But it looks like you both had a good time.”
“We did. I said I’d check with you, but if it’s all right, I agreed to take her and her friends roller-skating after school on Wednesday. Is that okay?”
“Well, you’re brave man, but yes. Go ahead. I’ll mention it to their mothers. You know she just wants to show you off to her friends.”
“That’s okay. How about you? You want to show me off?”
A shudder ran through her. “God, no.”
He went still, and she was suddenly aware she had been less than complimentary. But the thought of Logan together with her friends, most of whom were also colleagues on the force, was a scary one. “Most of my friends are police—you hate the police.”
“So I do.”
They were both silent for a minute. She wished she could take the words back somehow. Be a little more diplomatic. It was too late now. But if Logan really cared what people thought of him, he would make an effort to look a little less…hot? Badass? Mouthwateringly, panty-soaking sexy?
She couldn’t believe she’d thought that. She heaved a huge sigh. She was tired that was all; it had been a stressful few weeks.
“My family would like to meet Jennifer.”
“They would?”
“Of course they would. Did you think any different? I thought my place next Saturday night. My stepmom is flying in later in the week, and Declan is flying back with Jess, his girlfriend. My sister Tamara already lives in London, so she’ll be here as well. And Rory, of course.”
“Lovely,” she muttered.
He chuckled. “Actually, he told me to tell you that you don’t have to stay away from his son after all.”
“Ha. It was probably sensible advice.”
“Who wants to be sensible?” He leaned in close so his breath feathered against the skin of her neck. “You know, I’ve missed your tight pussy wrapped around my cock.”
Heat flooded her at his words, wetness oozing from her so she had to hold herself still not to give herself away. “I wish you wouldn’t talk like that.”
“Liar. You like me talking dirty to you. Your eyes go dazed, and you get this little flush across your cheekbones.” His gaze dropped and she peeked down. “Your nipples get hard, and I bet under that prim outfit, you’re soaking wet for me.”
He read her way too well, and she had an idea that if she tried to deny it, he might feel compelled to prove his point. And if he touched her, she’d fall apart. “Maybe, but it doesn’t matter. Look, I don’t know how to say this, but, well…”
He took a step back. “Oh, I think you’re being very clear. I’m in your life because of Jenny, but I’m not good enough for anything else. Maybe a quick screw when no one’s looking, but not good enough to mix with your nice fucking friends.”
Oh God, she’d hurt his feelings, and she hadn’t even suspected he had any. “It’s nothing to do with being good enough. Or nice.” She took in the tense muscles, the hands fisted at his side. She’d thought he didn’t care what people thought about him, but deep down he had a huge chip on his shoulder. His appearance was a way of saying fuck-you to all the people who had looked down on him while he was growing up. Including, by the sound of it, most of the city’s police force.