Of Loss & Betrayal (Madison & Logan Book 2) (31 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“Another perfect sunny day,” I said with a mock frown as I stretched out in our cabana. “It sure is hard being in paradise.”

Logan grinned as he sat down in the chaise lounge next to me. “We’ll just have to suffer through it.”

I took a sip of my fruity drink with the requisite umbrella and sighed contentedly. The past five days had flown by, and I couldn’t believe that our honeymoon was already halfway over.

“How do you feel about practicing law in Fiji?” I joked. “I’m sure there are tons of coconut disputes you could mediate.”

“Say the word and we won’t go back.” Logan furrowed his brow. “I always wanted to learn how to surf. Maybe I’ll give up being an attorney and become a professional beach bum instead.”

“I knew I picked a winner,” I said, laughing. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, feeling utterly relaxed as the breeze ruffled my hair. It was hard to imagine that I’d have to go back to real life after this and the realities of Midwestern weather. But a life that had been empty for so long was suddenly brimming full. With Logan by my side, I didn’t need to be in a sunny, tropical island to be in paradise. He was my paradise.

I smiled to myself at my sentimental thought. I had better watch myself or I was going to start waxing poetic about Logan’s dreamy gaze or his heart-stopping smile. It was too easy to gush about him, because there was so much to gush about.

“What’s so funny?”

I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at Logan, He was stretched out with his arm behind his head, watching me.

“I’m just thinking about all your endless charms and what a lucky girl I am.”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad you’ve finally realized it. I’ll let you show me your gratitude later.”

I laughed and closed my eyes again. All the relaxing and laying around was hard work and I soon drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

The next thing I knew, I was squinting against the sun. I checked the time and saw that I had been asleep for over an hour. I glanced over at Logan, who had fallen asleep as well, and was still snoozing. I smiled as I looked at his profile. His blonde hair had streaks of gold from the sun, and his face looked tanned and relaxed. His eyelashes were long, at odds with the masculinity of his face, and I had to resist the urge to lean over to kiss his mouth because I didn’t want to wake him up.

I sat up and watched the ocean for a while. For once, my mind wasn’t whirring with a million things. I let my thoughts drift; its ebb and flow relaxed and as natural as the calm waves.

I looked down when I heard Logan starting to stir. He opened his eyes and looked at me, his gaze still sleepy.

“I was wondering if you were going to sleep the day away,” I said with a smile. “Let’s order some food. I’m hungry.”

Logan sat up, looking a little groggy. “Sure.” He frowned at me. “How long was I out?”

“Almost two hours.” I laughed at his surprised expression. “It’s okay. You’re preparing to become a beach bum, and this is a good start.”

Logan grinned and stretched lazily. “Yeah, I could definitely get used to this.” He reached for my arm and pulled me over to him.

“Hey!” I protested, although I really didn’t mind as I let him pull me onto his lap. “You could’ve just asked me to come over instead of manhandling me.”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never heard you complain about my manhandling before.” He slid his hand onto my bare stomach, and my muscles jumped reflexively at his touch. His hand glided up, pushing underneath the front clasp of my bikini top.

“Logan, what if someone sees us.” I looked around, although there was no one watching us. I didn’t expect there would be, since each cabana had its own private beach space and the waitstaff only came by if you pressed the call button. Still, what if one of them popped in unexpectedly to see if we needed anything.

“No one will see us.” Before I could object, he had snapped open the clasp of my bikini and my breasts were bared. My nipples instantly turned hard, caressed by the warm breeze. Logan leaned down and caught one of the taut nipples in his mouth, suckling hard. Despite my earlier reservations, my head tipped back and I moaned, lost in the sensations of his warm, wet mouth. He trailed kisses to my other breast, giving it the same attention. My fingers gripped his shoulders, my nails digging in as the pressure of his mouth increased.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” he murmured against my skin. “I love the way you taste.” He slipped a finger underneath the thin material of my bikini between my legs, stroking my wetness and making my toes clench. “I’ll never forget the first time I tasted you. I loved watching you and hearing the sounds you made. I knew then that I would never get enough.”

As aroused as I was, his words made me freeze. I straightened my head and looked at him. “You remember the first time we made love?”

Logan blinked at me, looking stunned. “I remember.” His voice was soft as he gazed at me. “I remember meeting in college and then being surprised you were Cassie’s roommate. I remember falling in love and then…” His voice trailed off before he continued. “I remember Cassie’s death. I remember us becoming friends when I moved to Chicago, and then everything that happened afterwards.” He shook his head, as if he were trying to clear it. “It’s as if a rush of memories hit me all at once. I remember everything.”

My heart swelled at his words. I was scared to believe it, scared to believe that Logan had regained his memory, because I was afraid it would disappear again.

“Do you remember everything that happened after your accident?” I asked gently, not wanting to pressure him too much.

Logan nodded. “I remember it all.” He paused, searching for the right words. “It’s as if my life before the accident was a dream I forgot, and all of a sudden it came flooding back.” He grimaced at me. “I’m so sorry about everything. If only I hadn’t lost my memory, none of this would have happened.” He had a look of regret on his face. “How the hell could I forget you? How could I forget the most important person in my life?”

“Shh,” I said reassuringly. “It’s okay. Look where we are.” I looked around us with a smile. “We’re in Fiji on our honeymoon. What more could we ask for?”

Logan grabbed me and kissed me fiercely, his lips slanting over mine as if he thought I was going to disappear. “I just can’t believe I forgot you,” he rasped against my mouth. “What the hell is wrong with me?”

“But you didn’t forget me,” I said gently. “Your mind might have forgotten me because of an injury, but your body didn’t forget me.” I took his hand and pressed it on his chest, covering it with my own. “Your heart didn’t forget me. You still loved me, even if you couldn’t remember me. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be sitting here, man and wife.”

“I love you.” Logan’s voice was low but fierce. “Thank God I had the sense to not let you get away.” He swallowed. “Thank God you didn’t give up on me.”

Emotion welled up in me, making it hard for me to speak. “I’ll never give up on you.” I smiled at him tremulously. “You’re stuck with me for life now, remember?” I held up my hand, the diamond ring and wedding band glittering in the tropical sun. “Here’s the proof.”

Logan caught my hand and pressed it to his lips. “I can’t live without you. Promise me you’ll never leave me.”

I smiled at him. That was an easy promise to make because nothing could ever tear me away from Logan again. “I promise. I love you, Logan.”

Logan groaned and pulled me closer to him, his hands roaming my body. I moaned as his hands and mouth began to show me how much he loved me. I knew, in that moment, that I would do anything for this man. Our love crossed all boundaries of loss and betrayal, only to be reborn again.

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