Chapter Eight

Logan drove home, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. Swearing under his breath, he couldn't shake off the turmoil inside him. What was wrong with him? He couldn't keep his damn composure around her.

The thought of her consumed him; how she made him feel, how no other woman could compare. Two years away from Dixie and countless other women in his bed, but none ignited the same fire in him like she did.

As he pulled up to the house, a sense of dread crept over him. Ever since his father passed away, being here alone was unbearable some days. But tonight, he was so tired, he knew he'd have no trouble falling asleep.

After grabbing a quick bite to eat, he took a long shower, trying to wash away the tension that had built up inside him. As he settled down to watch TV before bed, his job as a deputy brought a sense of calmness to him. It was different from his days at the FBI, but he still enjoyed it.

The next morning, he arrived at the department and sat at his desk. Most days were quiet in Clifton, but occasionally Dewey's bar would get rowdy. Logan rarely worked past his shift in the wintertime, but during tourist season or when another deputy was on vacation or out sick, he would put in long hours .

"Hey."

Logan looked up from his paperwork to see Deputy Brody Morgan standing in the doorway.

"Hey Brody."

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm alright. It gets easier every day."

Brody nodded sympathetically. "I know it's been tough since Clint passed away. He's in a better place now."

"Yeah." Logan forced a weak smile.

"I'm meeting Sam at the diner for breakfast. I'll see you later. And I'm really sorry about your loss, man."

Logan nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Brody. I appreciate it."

"Sure." With a final nod, Brody left the room. Logan took a deep breath and returned to his work, grateful for the support of his friends during this difficult time.

****

As Dixie walked out of the bar, she frowned when she saw snow falling. She pointed the fob at her vehicle, causing the lights to flash and the horn to chirp.

"Hey."

She spun around to see Logan walking toward her.

"What are you doing here?"

"Working. I hate this fucking shift," he muttered, making her laugh.

"Is someone out sick?"

"Yeah, Mark is. He has the flu."

"It's going around this year. "

"I know. I hope I don't get it."

"I hope I don't either."

"Hell, Dixie, the flu is too afraid of you," he said with a grin.

Dixie laughed. "I hope so." She tilted her head. "When does your shift end?"

Logan looked at his watch. "Five minutes ago. I was just making another round before heading home."

"I see." She leaned back against her vehicle and folded her arms. She was amazed that they could have a simple conversation after their last time together.

"You should go before the snow gets worse."

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Logan?"

"No."

She didn't know what to say to that. She opened the back door of her vehicle and sat sideways on the seat. Logan walked to the SUV and leaned against it.

"How are you doing?" she asked him.

"I'm alright." He shrugged.

Dixie shook her head. "You won't be alright for a long time, Logan."

He didn't say anything, just glanced around the parking lot and she knew he was struggling with his emotions. She wished she knew what to do about him. She loved him so much, but she was way too scared to ever trust him again.

"Go home, Dixie. I'm going to leave too."

"Why? I'm wide awake."

"Getting your second wind?" He grinned.

"I think so. It's cold but it feels nice after being in the bar for hours."

"Any fights tonight? "

"Nope."

Logan nodded, pushed off the vehicle, and stood in front of her. She couldn't help but run her eyes down his body since his coat hung open. When she raised them and met his, she couldn't help but smile.

"What the fuck are you up to?"

"Not a thing." She grinned. "Are you afraid of me, Logan?"

"You bet your ass I am."

Dixie laughed, then sobered. "Kiss me."

"Why?"

"Because you're the best kisser I know."

"Know a lot, do you?"

She reached out for him, grabbed his jacket, pulled him close, and pressed her lips to his.

"It doesn't matter how many, no man turns me on more than you." She kissed him again, then Logan took control and deepened the kiss. He raised his lips and stared into her eyes.

Dixie eagerly wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, her body already responding to the familiar touch of his lips. He had always ignited a fire within her with just one kiss, and the passing of time had not lessened their intense chemistry.

As she perched on the edge of the backseat, Dixie couldn't resist pulling Logan closer by wrapping her legs around his waist. Her heart raced as she whispered, "I want you, Logan." She playfully nipped at his earlobe with her teeth.

Logan stepped back slightly, removing his hat and coat before hanging the coat on the open car door and carefully placing his hat on top of the vehicle.

"You're going to get cold," she said.

Logan chuckled. "With you around? Not a chance."

A grin spread across Dixie's face as she watched him lift his shirt, revealing his toned torso but since it was still buttoned, he had trouble getting it over his head.

"Come here, Logan," she purred seductively, then playfully kicked off one boot. As she reached for the other one, there was a sudden thud, and she froze. Looking toward the car door, Dixie didn't see Logan. She sat up and saw that he had stumbled backward and fallen to the ground.

"Shit! Logan? Logan!" Dixie quickly pulled her boot back on and scrambled out of the back seat to check on him.

She quickly dropped to her knees and pulled his shirt down from his face, gently tapping on his cheek. When he moaned and began to stir, Dixie sighed with relief but couldn't stifle her laughter. It bubbled out of her in uncontrollable bursts as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"What the hell?" Logan muttered irritably, as he tried to sit up.

But Dixie couldn't stop laughing long enough to assist him. She collapsed back onto her butt, clutching her sides as waves of mirth overtook her.

"Dixie," he snapped impatiently.

She wiped tears from her eyes, cleared her throat, and looked at him.

"You, uh..." She couldn't hold back another burst of laughter, then sobered when she saw him glaring at her. "You knocked yourself out for a few seconds." She bit her lip to suppress another laugh and put her hands over her face as she howled with laughter.

After a few minutes, she lowered her hands to see Logan still glaring at her, and knew she needed to stop laughing at him. But when she saw the goose egg forming on his forehead, she snorted and laughed again.

"I'm sorry," she managed to say through giggles.

"Are you? Are you really?" Logan shook his head, but Dixie could see the corners of his lips twitching with the effort of holding back a smile. And that only made her laugh harder, until she was gasping for air and struggling to regain control of herself once again.

"Damn, no sympathy at all," he muttered as he stared at her, while tucking his shirt into his jeans.

"I was concerned at first—"

"At first? Well, that's comforting." He slowly got to his feet, then reached for his hat and coat and put them on. "You need to get home, Dixie. It's late and damn cold."

"Are you okay, though?"

"Yeah, I'll have a bruise but I'm fine."

"Alright." She sighed. "Go home and put some ice on that. I'll head home."

Logan nodded but continued to look into her eyes.

As he continued to look at her, she knew what he was about to say.

"Don't," she said .

"Don't what?"

"You know what, Logan. Don't you dare say it."

"Dixie—"

She pushed at him. "I mean it, Logan. Don't you dare tell me. I don't want to hear those three words from you ever again."

He stared at her, and she could see the hurt in his eyes, then he nodded.

"I won't say them unless you ask me to."

"That will never happen. I don't want to hear your lies."

"Damn it, Dixie…"

"You broke my heart with all your lies, but that one was the worst."

"It wasn't a lie," he snapped.

"Logan, how do you ever expect me to believe that? After what you did. I know you had a job to do, but you deliberately used me so you could get to my father." She shook her head. "I can't listen to your lies anymore. Please go."

"Are you fucking serious? You kissed me . I didn't kiss you," he growled.

"I know and I'm so mad at myself." She shook her head, and a tear rolled down her cheek. "I loved you so much."

"I'm sorry—" The words slipped out, but before they could settle in the tense air, she cut him off sharply.

" Stop! Just stop saying that! Your fucking apologies mean nothing to me." She turned away from him, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"I don't know what you want from me, Dixie," his voice was tinged with frustration .

"The only thing I want from you, Logan, is for you to stay the hell away from me. It's best for both of us." She jerked her arm free from his hold and got into the vehicle, started it and drove out of the lot. She had to keep wiping the tears from her face because she could barely see.

Dixie pulled into her driveway, took a deep breath, and walked toward the door. She spun around when a vehicle pulled in behind her and gasped when she saw it was Logan. She ran for the door of the house.

Just as she was about to close the door behind her, he forcefully pushed it open, so that it slammed against the wall, then he followed her inside.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Get out!" Her tone was laced with anger.

"You won't even give me a chance—" he began.

"A chance for what? To lie to me again?"

Logan ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. "I had no choice about lying to you about your father. I never lied when I said I loved—" His sentence was abruptly cut off by the sting of her palm against his cheek.

"I don't believe you. I never will again."

"Damn it." In a moment of raw emotion, he took hold of both her arms and pressed her against the wall before claiming her lips in a desperate kiss. Initially resistant, she soon responded to his touch and her arms wrapped around his neck. She kicked her boots off. She wanted him so much and wished she didn't.

Logan's hands found their way under her shirt, gliding along her skin before unhooking her bra. He lifted her shirt, and his mouth left hers, making its way down to her breasts, taking one nipple into his mouth as he teased it with his tongue. Dixie gasped as she arched her back in response. Their remaining garments were shed swiftly in their urgency.

****

Logan lifted her effortlessly, pinning her back against the wall as he explored her readiness with a single touch. His desire for her evident as his throbbing cock pressed against her thigh. He watched her bite her lip in anticipation.

He slid his finger along her slit to find her wet and ready for him. Logan took a moment to just watch the effect he had on her, her eyes pleading for more as her chest heaved with ragged breaths. His fingers traced circles around her clitoris, making her squirm with need. As he stared into her eyes, he brought his fingers to his mouth, tasting her arousal.

Dixie's legs wrapped around his waist as he slowly pushed his cock into her, filling her completely. They both moaned at the sensation of being connected so intimately again. He began to move into her, their bodies moving together in a rhythm that only they knew. The sound of their shared moans and gasps filled the room.

Dixie's nails dug into Logan's back, and he knew she was close. Her hips rocked against his, urging him on as they built toward a shared orgasm. Her eyes locked onto his, communicating the intensity of their connection without words.

With one final thrust, they both tumbled over the edge together, their cries of pleasure mingling as their bodies shuddered against each other. As they came down from their high, Logan pressed gentle kisses upon Dixie's neck before disentangling himself from her embrace and letting her down.

He stepped back, pulled his jeans up, snapped and zipped them, then realized he hadn't used a condom.

"Son of a bitch," he muttered. He looked at her to see her still leaning against the wall, her chest heaving as she stared at him. He shook his head. "I didn't use a condom."

Dixie gasped. "Oh, that's just great, Logan. Why not?"

"Why not? Are you fucking serious? I didn't think of it."

"Think with the head on your shoulders, not the one between your legs," she shouted. "I better not be pregnant. It would be just another reason to hate you."

"I am so damn sick and tired of hearing how much you hate me, Dixie. You didn't mention a condom either, so don't put it all on me. I sure as hell didn't rape you. You were more than ready and willing." When her arm swung out to hit him, he grabbed it before she could. "Hit me one more time…" he threatened.

"You would never hit me back, Logan. I know you too well."

He shook his head. "I don't want to fight with you, Dixie, but it seems like that's all we do. I'll do as you asked and leave you alone." He picked up his coat and walked out of the house. As he trotted down the steps, he saw his hat on the ground from where it had fallen off when he ran after her and picked it up.

He opened the door to his truck, tossed his hat onto the passenger side, slid in behind the wheel and started the truck. After one more glance at the house, he drove home.

****

Dixie sighed as she served a beer to a cowboy who wouldn't stop flirting with her, but she had learned her lesson and refused to let him bother her.

The bar was packed again, and she was being run ragged. She felt like she was a revolving door. She'd pour a beer, set it on the bar, turn and make a drink, set it on the bar… over and over.

She was sure the place was packed because for the past four days, people had been stuck inside due to the weather. It had been a month since she'd seen Logan and as much as she hated to admit it, she wondered what he was doing. She couldn't get the sex out of her mind and as wrong as it was, she'd love to be with him again, but knew she couldn't. At least she wasn't pregnant.

"Man, we are being slammed," Siobhan Flynn said from behind her.

"I know. Being stuck indoors gives everyone cabin fever." Dixie placed a beer on the bar in front of the cowboy, who winked at her.

"I think he likes you." Siobhan laughed.

"He can like all he wants, I'm not interested."

"He's hot, though."

Dixie looked at her, trying not to laugh. "This from a woman who is married to one of the hottest men in Clifton."

Siobhan laughed. "I am, aren't I?"

"Lord, yes. Liam is so friggin' hot. Those dark, good looks of his. Whew ." Dixie fanned her face.

"I do love my man." Siobhan sighed. "I'd better get those guys their drinks before they riot."

Dixie nodded and got back to work herself. It was going to be a wild night; she could just feel it.

An hour later, she knew she'd been right. Several fights broke out and the bouncers were having trouble keeping up with them.

"This needs to stop or I'm calling the sheriff's department," Scarlett said.

"I know they're all a little crazy from being cooped up, but this is nuts." Dixie shook her head.

"Yes, and one guy touched Laura inappropriately. If Dom was here, that man would be in a lot of trouble."

"No doubt there, but Dom has to be careful."

"I get that. He doesn't need to get into any fights."

"I agree. I've been there with being touched by some asshat."

"Damn it," Scarlett swore when another fight broke out. "That's it. I'm calling the sheriff. "

Dixie watched Scarlett walk from around the bar and head to her office. It would be quieter making a call from there. Then Dixie looked along the bar to see who needed refills and spotted Noah at the bar. She made her way to him.

"Hey, Noah, what can I get you?"

"Beer, please, Dixie. Bottled is fine."

"Okay. Be right back." She got his beer, twisted off the cap, and placed it on the bar.

"Thanks. Where did Scarlett go?"

Dixie sighed. "She's calling the sheriff's department because of all the fights tonight."

"People are trying to work out the frustration of being cooped up, but fighting is not the right way to do it."

"I know. Maybe the deputies will calm them down." Dixie smiled.

"One can only hope," Noah said with a grin.

Dixie waited on other patrons seated at the bar and shook her head when another fight started but she heard the sirens outside and was hoping the fighting would stop once law enforcement arrived.

When the doors opened, she saw Deputy Mark Shaw enter. She smiled, knowing he'd take care of it, but her smile slipped when Logan came in behind him. Damn it. He looked so good.

She couldn't take her eyes off him. He glanced at her, but then looked away. She couldn't get over how much it hurt, but what did she expect? She told him to stay away from her, and he was abiding by her wishes. But that didn't stop the pain .

As he moved through the crowd, she watched him grab one man by the back of his shirt, and pushed him onto a chair, then he took another man's arm in his hand, and led him to a chair, but the man took a swing at him and clipped him on his shoulder. Dixie saw Logan clench his jaw and shove the man onto a chair.

A few minutes later, Deputy Nevada Shelton entered the bar to help. She sighed as the men who were fighting were led from the bar.

After her shift ended, Dixie drove home, pulled into her driveway, shut the vehicle off, and stepped out. She was so tired. It had been a rowdy night at the bar. Scarlett didn't allow any trouble, but tonight, it seemed like everyone was pushing it.

Dixie had never seen so many people tossed out by the bouncers and the fights kept on until the deputies showed up. Was there a full moon? She glanced up at the night sky but only saw a crescent moon, so that wasn't the reason.

Shaking her head, she walked up the steps, unlocked the door, and entered the house. She was about to close the door when a man pushed his way in, making her scream.

"Shut up," he snapped as he put his hand over her mouth.

Dixie kicked him and he let go. She spun around to look at him, but he was dressed in black from head to toe.

"Get out of my house," she shouted, then ran to the kitchen where she grabbed a butcher knife from the block on the counter. She turned to point it at the man. "Get out."

"Just give me what I want," the man said.

"I don't have anything to give you."

"I need the journal your father gave you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

The man stepped forward but stopped when she raised the knife.

"We know you have it," he snapped.

"You don't know shit. I don't have any journal."

"Look, I've been sent here to get it and I'm going to, one way or another."

"You can't take what I don't have, dipshit." Dixie pulled her phone from her pocket and sent a text to Logan. She knew she should dial nine-one-one, but figured if she got in touch with Logan, he'd get here sooner.

"Put the fucking phone down. I don't want to hurt you, but I will."

"You can try. I have a knife."

The man's grin showed through his ski mask. "So do I."

Dixie widened her eyes when she saw the knife he pulled out from behind him. A huge knife that made hers look like a pocketknife. She swallowed hard but held out hope that Logan got the message.

"I called nine-one-one," she lied.

"Then you'd better be quick and get that journal."

The man stepped forward, making Dixie step back behind the counter.

"I'll fight you tooth and nail. If I'm going down, I'm not going down easy."

"I don't mind a little scuffle, honey. Especially with a woman who looks like you do." He smirked and stepped forward, but stopped when Dixie ran from him, but he caught her by her hair, making her scream. She dropped the knife and her phone to grab his arm to try to stop him from hurting her or taking her.