Simply Scandalous (Simply Series Book 2) by Carly Phillips (non fiction books to read .TXT) 📗

sexual need raced through her. It was always that way with Logan, the intense mix of desire and comfort.

“You know I want you, too. But want isn’t enough. Not between us.”

“I know.” She lay her head against his chest. The rapid beating of his heart told her he wasn’t as relaxed as he appeared. Which was a good thing considering she was nowhere near composed. “At first, the scandal gave me an excuse to run. And later, being without you, it made me take stock and realize I’m worthy of anything or anyone, including Logan Montgomery.”

“I’ve known that all along.” His fingers tangled in her hair, tugging with urgent insistency. “And the way you faced down the judge, I can tell you, he knows it, too.” He tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never forget it.”

“I love you,” she murmured and met his lips for a scorching kiss, all the more heated because of the emotions involved. To her shock, her eyes filled with tears. Because she’d finally gotten everything she’d ever wanted in life—and never dared to dream of. The tie on her finger would remind her, should she ever forget.

A salty drop of water slipped between their lips. Logan lifted his head. “You’re crying?” He swiped at the stray tear with his hand.

Catherine shrugged, then forced a laugh. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending.”

He held her hands tight, never wanting to let her go. “I thought you didn’t believe in happily ever after.”

“I didn’t… until you.”

“This might come as a shock to you, but I didn’t believe, either.” For all his posturing and attempts to convince Catherine they had a future, Logan wasn’t certain he’d possessed the faith in happily ever after that he’d claimed to have.

“What changed your mind?” she asked.

“You. You’re my happily ever after, Cat.” He looked into her green eyes.

She rolled back onto the bed, holding out her arms for him, and whispered in her most seductive voice, “Then come home.”

Epilogue

A small band played in the background while the sun shone overhead, basking the beach in warmth. Catherine grabbed Logan’s hand and squeezed hard. “Would you mind giving up this dance with me?” she asked.

“Are you tired?” He pulled her close and placed his hand over her still-flat stomach. “We could make excuses and go inside to lie down.” A wicked grin touched his lips.

“Not at our own wedding we can’t.” She laughed. “Besides, I’m fine. Just a little pregnant.” She smiled. “I just wanted to ask someone else to dance.”

His eyes narrowed. “Who?”

“Your father.”

“He’s here, he’s drinking a glass of champagne, he’s grudgingly accepting life, but that may be taking things too far.”

A light gust of wind whipped her hair around her face, bringing with it the salty smell of the ocean. “You don’t think he’d want to dance with his daughter-in-law?” she asked, mock hurt in her voice.

“Of course, he would. At least I think he would. Between you and my mother, he’s come around. Sort of. But dancing on the beach? That may be below the judge’s standards,” he said wryly.

Remembering his face when they’d told Logan’s father they would be married on the beach and not at the Montgomery Estate, Catherine had to agree. “He’s got to realize what he’s been missing in life, and twirling around in the sand barefoot is one of life’s grand experiences.”

Logan laughed. “Okay, Cat. Do your best.”

A loud shriek interrupted them, and Catherine whirled around in time to see Kayla being carried off by Kane. “At least they’re having a good time,” she said.

“They’d have a good time anywhere they were together.” Logan nuzzled her cheek. “Like us.”

“Who’s got Ace?” Catherine asked, using Kane’s pet name for his son, Tim.

“I do.”

Catherine turned to see Grace standing beside them.

Logan’s sister had arrived last week and she’d been staying in Catherine’s apartment in the city. Both Catherine and Logan had wanted her to stay at the beach house, but she didn’t want to intrude, and the mansion had been out of the question. Catherine couldn’t help but notice her strained relationship with her parents along with the longing in Grace’s eyes. Like Logan, she desired more out of her family. She probably needed it more, too.

Catherine’s eyes narrowed. If she could convince Grace to stick around, she could work on the entire Montgomery family dynamic. She grinned. If she could bring Judge Edgar Montgomery around with Logan, Grace couldn’t be all that hard.

“What are you thinking?” Logan asked.

“How wonderful it is to have everyone together. And Grace, I was wondering if you’d consider moving back here.”

The graceful, willowy blonde shook her head while reshifting Kane and Kayla’s bundle in her arms. “I don’t think that would work. But don’t worry. I won’t be a stranger.”

“You’d better not, young lady.”

“Hi, Gran.” Logan held his arm out for Emma and gave her a loving squeeze as she kissed his cheek.

“Grace, you’re my final project. Do you have any idea how difficult it was to finagle these two together?” Emma asked. “Now, it’s your turn. I refuse to leave this earth without seeing you happily settled down.”

“You’re too healthy to go anywhere just yet,” Grace told her.

“You never know. Now Logan, just look how perfect she looks with the baby in her arms.”

Grace, who had been holding Ace with comfort and ease, shifted uncomfortably and the little guy let out a squeal of displeasure.

Logan laughed. “I’ll take him.”

His sister handed him over. “Stay out of my life, Gran.”

Catherine laughed. They’d been down this road before.

Emma shook her head. “I think a trip to New York City is in order, don’t you, Catherine? I haven’t been there in ages, and of course, my granddaughter couldn’t possibly turn me away.”

Grace stiffened, but like Logan, the love in her expression shone through despite her displeasure with Emma’s meddling ways. “My apartment is small, Gran.”

“Any cute neighbors?”

Logan laughed and grabbed for Catherine’s elbow, leading