Free Crazy for Her by Sandra Owens

sported gym muscles, nothing more.
    Who the hell was he? “Dani, introduce your friend.”
    She peeked around the man’s massive arm. “Logan, meet my neighbor, Jared Cooper. Jared, this is my friend, Logan Kincaid. He was Evan’s SEAL commander.”
    A smile appeared on Jared’s face and he stuck out his hand. “Heard a lot about you, Kincaid. Good to finally meet you.”
    She had talked about him? Over an exchange of handshakes, Logan couldn’t resist saying, “Haven’t heard a thing about you, Cooper, but good to meet you anyway.”
    Jared’s eyes narrowed before crinkling up at the corners, his smile turning to a wide grin. “Dani, my girl, your boyfriend’s jealous.” He draped an arm around her. “The joke’s on him, my love.”
    The two of them looked at each other and burst out laughing. Irritated, Logan scowled. What was he missing? Exactly what joke was on him? And why the hell was she cozied up to this dude? Without thinking, Logan deftly hooked an arm around her, pulled her to him, and tucked her up under his arm where she belonged.
    Music flowed out of ceiling speakers. Jared smiled. “That’s Scott.”
    Logan tightened his hold on Dani. If another iron-pumping jock walked into the room and called Dani his love, he was going to hurt someone.
    Jared disappeared, returning with his arm around the shoulder of a slim man who reminded Logan of Clark Kent. For the first time since he’d walked in and found Dani in another man’s arms, Logan relaxed. Not that it was any of his business to whom she gave her affection. He just didn’t want to be around when it happened. The black-haired newcomer looked at them with interest. Realizing he still had her tucked into his side, Logan stepped away.
    “Logan, this is Scott Parker. Scott, meet my friend, Logan Kincaid.”
    An hour later, Logan stood at the door with Dani as Jared and Scott took their leave. He held a crying Regan in his arms. She had made it clear she didn’t want them to go.
    “Don’t cry, pumpkin,” Logan said, bouncing her in his arms. “You’re going to see them tomorrow.”
    “Here, give her to me. She played hard. She’s tired and hungry.”
    He handed the baby over. “I like your friends.”
    “Especially since they agreed to babysit tomorrow so you can take me for a ride on your motorcycle. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it.”
    “I promise, you’re gonna love it.” He followed her into the kitchen. “After you feed her, we need to go to the Harley dealership and buy you a helmet.”

    Dani held on to Logan for dear life. For the first ten minutes, she had kept her eyes squeezed shut. He’d elected to ride south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah Inn for lunch. Once on the parkway with its gentle curves and slow speed limit, she ventured to open her eyes and, surprisingly, began to enjoy the ride. She didn’t loosen her grip on Logan’s waist, however, but stayed pressed against his back so tightly their helmets kept bumping.
    Even during the summer, it was chilly on a motorcycle at that altitude, and she was thankful for the jacket he had insisted on buying her along with the helmet. She also thought the black leather looked badass cool on her.
    They rode past a lookout, and although she’d driven on the parkway before, she had to agree it was different on a bike. It was better. It was beautiful with the blue-tinged mountains rising above her—no car roof to block the view—and the many shades of green on the valley floor thousands of feet below. Taking in a deep breath, she inhaled the spicy scent of the spruce pines. As they came out of a curve, a waterfall appeared and she grinned in delight, craning her head to look at it until it disappeared from sight.
    Heaven on earth, she decided.
    She braved letting go of Logan with one arm and lifted the visor on her helmet so she could feel the cool wind on her face. For the first time since her stalker appeared, she felt free, even if it was only for a few