Tossing the Caber (The Toss Trilogy) by Susan Craig

by a half circle of mature trees. She didn’t care if it was trite. “I always love the way the Homestead fits into its surroundings.”
    “Very nice.” The dry tone made it obvious her comment had been recognized as an attempt to deflect his attention. She felt heat rise in her cheeks again as he turned the Jeep up the drive.
    At the front of the inn, the meadow merged into skillfully planted clumps of wildflowers and native grasses. But to the south, between the building and the parking area, lay a magnificent rose garden. As Logan handed her down from the Jeep, Diana breathed in the sweetness of the roses, the scent of meadow grasses beyond, and the heady musk of sun-warmed male.
    She wanted to press her face to that broad chest and simply inhale the scent of him. Bad idea. Tonight’s battle was already being fought on two fronts, as she tried to act like Logan’s friend while denying the sex ual response his presence spawned.
    “Watch your step. The path is rocky.”
    Too true.
     
    Inside, Homestead Inn was pleasantly rustic, and comfortable. Diana noticed how the forest green of the walls set off warm browns in the worn leather on lodge-style chairs. It gave her the same feeling as walking in the woods on a quiet afternoon—relaxed and natural. In the dining room, the same scale of furniture was arranged in more intimate clusters. A massive stone fireplace looked large enough for roasting a whole sheep. Someone had filled its cavernous interior with huge baskets of fresh meadow flowers and grasses. Diana and Logan were led to a table nearby.
    As Logan seated her, Diana felt him turn his face to nuzzle her hair. She tensed from neck to shoulders, her heart began hammering against her chest, and the heat of arousal enveloped her body once again. The friend role wasn’t going very well.
    “You smell wonderful…like honeysuckle.”
    Was his voice deeper than normal? “Uh, shampoo…” She studied her plate as he sat down. “It does have a nice scent to it.”
    When Diana looked up Logan’s gaze burned into hers. She jerked her eyes down to stare, unfocused, at the silverware. Goose bumps crawled slowly up her thighs and down her back. What was going on here? He looked like he planned to have her for dinner. She realized the evening called for a role different than the one she had chosen. She had been wrong. What do I do now?
    The ghost of her father’s voice echoed in her head—‘Your behavior is an embarrassment to us.’
    Her feeling of inadequacy escalated alarmingly. I don’t know what to do! She had to escape and regroup.
    As Diana prepared to jump to her feet, Logan’s hand, warm and strong, closed over her wrist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. R elax and enjoy your dinner. Let’s have a pleasant evening together.”
    She froze in place, indecision robbing her of the capacity for mov ement.
    “Come on, Diana, look at me. I’m sorry I upset you.”
    Diana took a shaky breath. Hesitantly, she raised her eyes to his…and saw warmth and friendship in them. Nothing more. The rhythm of her heart steadied and began the drop back to normal. He looked friendly. She could handle this.
     
     
    Logan squelched the desire in his gut and kept it out of his face as well. What the hell was going on with Diana? All I did was let her know I want her. Surely she was used to that—but she looked about to panic. Change the game plan, Carmichael.
    Obedient to his own advice, Logan altered his agenda, keeping his growing curiosity and irritating awareness of her body under wraps. She’s behaving more like pabulum than poison. Deciding to play it safe, he set himself to charm her and put her at ease.
    He succeeded. They had a relaxed and delicious meal, shared fresh blackberry cobbler ‘a la mode, and laughed over tales of his childhood misadventures.
    Walking to the Jeep in the moonlight, Logan reached for her hand and silently congratulated himself when she barely jumped. Laughing at himself, he