Logan's Salute

Chapter 14

Kristin's POV

Kristin's mind races wildly as her kiss intensifies. She feels Connor's warm hands exploring her very eager body. Kristin allows him to pull her on top of him as his right hand searches for her core beneath her skirt. He smells amazing and tastes even better. Kristin moans as he finds her wet core, gently stroking her intimately. 

"I want you," she says, between kisses. "So, so badly." Connor goes rigid beneath her and she looks down at him. His blue eyes filled with what looked like anguish. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" She asks and he sits back up. 

"No," Connor says and kisses her forehead. "I just think it is best if we stop. Here." He gazed into her eyes lovingly. Kristin opens her mouth to speak, but shuts it again as he stands up and walks away.

Kristin grabs her bag and follows him to the parking lot, confused. She walks to his car and places her hand on the door, stopping him from opening it. 

"What just happened?" She asks him and he eyes her.

"Nothing," he says taking a step back away from her. His eyes turquoise as he looks down at her. His movements somewhat familiar.

"Exactly!" She says and he side glances her. "This is the second time, TODAY, that you kissed me and walked away! Is this your kind of 'thing'? Randomly kissing women for sport and leaving them so, so..." Kristin searches her brain for correct word. Connor gazes down at her for seconds before grabbing her hands and placing them above her head, pushing her up against his vehicle, bends down and kisses her once again. His kiss was deep and sensual. He releases her hands and they fall around his neck. Connor releases a deep groan as he pulls her up against his very hard body. She wince at the feel of his arousal pushing up against her stomach. Connor pulls away breathlessly and stares down at her lips.

"I want you too," he says in a thick, gruff voice. "so bad it hurts." He pushes his arousal up against her once again. "But we can't do this." He slowly removes Kristin's arms, gently moving her away from his vehicle and opens the door. Kristin, still very much aroused, turns around as he starts up the engine and watches him drive away. A familiar pain enters the pit of her stomach. A pain she has not felt for anyone for almost nineteen years. Kristin stands and knows one thing is certain, she might be falling in love with Connor.

Connor's POV

He drives further up the coast, around the peninsula, to clear his head and also to get rid of his s****l frustration. He has never hungered for any woman, as he has always hungered for her. He smells his fingers of his right hand, as her scent still lingered on it. She smelled delicious. Connor pulls into a gas station, better known as a garage, and hits the steering wheel several times as frustration gets the better of him.

"Okay, sir?" A very scared petrol attendant asks through his window. Connor nods and instructs him to pour in petrol. The man does as he says. 

Connor's cell phone rings as he waits for the man to finish. "Deveroux," he says as he answers.

"Logan, I think I found something," Samantha's voice comes through the phone. "Where can we meet? I would like to do this in person." 

"Meet me at the B&B where I stay," Connor says as he checks the time. "I will text you the address. I will probably be there within an hour, give a take." Connor then drops the call as the petrol assistant finishes simultaneously and drives back. 

Connor reaches the B&B forty minutes later. He looks around and notices that Kristin's car has not returned yet. He makes his way to his room checking to see where Samantha was. As he dials the number, he unlocks his room door. Immediately, Connor hears a heartbeat, that is not his own and clearly is in the room. He drops the call and close the door behind him. All of his senses were at alert as he scanned the room, first with his eyes, then his ears. He comes to the conclusion that the person was in the bathroom. He approaches it with caution, preparing to attack. In one swoop, he swings the door open, grabs the assailant and places the person in a deadly chokehold. That is when he gets the scent of Natasha's scent and he looks down.

"Natasha?" He says and releases her. "I could have killed you! What are you doing here?" 

Natasha touches her neck, which appear blood red from the force Connor applied. 

"I would have liked to see you try," she says with a smile. "You know my entire bonestructure has been replaced with titanium." 

"Not your oesophagus," Connor says.

"Yes, well, we all can't be indestructible like you," she says, still rubbing her neck.

"What are you doing here?" Connor asks. "Where is Steve?" Natasha look around the room, disapproving of every detail with her eyes. 

"The Radisson Blu has a room available," she says. "So, I thought you and I can have a little fun. You know, before it becomes all hot and heavy." She sits down on the bed and then gives it a disapproving look. "Steve is in Johannesburg with the good doctor on some convention. He will join us next week." Connor nods.

"So, The Radisson?" Connor says, feeling at a loss for words due to her surprise visit. Natasha looks up at him and smiles, parting her perfectly red, glossy lips and lays back on the bed. 

"I told you that I would be joining you once a room opened up there," Natasha says and allows her eyes to flash over Connor seductively."Or, if you like we can get nasty right here," she says in a sultry voice. Natasha stands up and removes her coat. As if mesmerized, Connor watches as she slowly unzips her dress, holding his gaze and drops it to the floor. Connor allows his gaze to flash over her perfect body, as she did not have any underwear on. Her curves of perfection, which normally captivates his attention, was causing him to stare back blankly. She slowly moves towards him and reaches for his crotch. Connor protests, "Stop Natasha!" but she keeps coming. She leans in to nibble his neck, when she stops.

"What is that smell?" She asks and sniffs him again. "Chanel No.5?" She steps back and eyes him. 

"I don't know what you mean" Connor says and walks away from her. 

"Who is she?" Natasha asks. Connor knew if she met Kristin, she would put two and two together. He also knew lying about the fact that there is a woman or not, would make her even more suspicious. He turns back to face her.

"It does not matter," Connor says. "Just some local girl I met when I got here. No one important." He eyes her as she contemplates his words. "Let's go. I am sick of this place anyway." Connor notices that his bags were already packed, standing at the door beside Natasha's. "I need to make a call. I was supposed to meet someone who had some information." 

"Your informant," Natasha says and nods. "I will freshen up." She adds, then grabs her clothes to redress in the bathroom. Connor dials Gabriella's number first to inform her of his change of address, should she need him.

"Okay, so, I m leaving now," Connor tells his sister. "And Kristin is not here."

"I will tell her, don't worry," Gabriella says.

"Thanks, Gabby," Connor says with a smile and drops the call. Another call comes through as Natasha exits the bathroom.

"Sam?" He says, recognising the number. "Yeah, I was about to call you! Can we meet at the Radisson Blu Hotel, in the Waterfront instead?" 

"Sure, I'm on my way," Samantha says and drops the call. Connor places his phone in his pocket and grabs Natasha's bags.

"Who is Gabby?" Natasha asks as he opens the door. 

"I will explain on our way to the Radisson," Connor says and exits the room, in the hope that the do not walk into Kristin. Natasha follows him to the car, where he places her into the air-conditioned vehicle as he loaded the bags. Just as he close the boot, he sees Kristin's car coming down the road. Connor hurriedly gets into the car and drives off. He watches as she pulls up in his rearview mirror. 

"So?" Natasha asks. "Who is Gabby?"

"She is the B&B's owners partner," Connor says, not adding that Gabriella is also his sister. The less people know about his family the better. 

"What local girl can afford Chanel No.5?" Natasha asks, after moments of silence. "That is an expensive perfume, yes?"

"How should I know?" Connor asks, trying to take her mind off the perfume. "Let's talk about something else." 

"I know what you can do," Natasha says and reaches for his left hand. Connor glances at her and then focuses on the road again. She runs his hand up her dress and places his fingers at her core. She was soaked. Connor looks at her and she licks her lips as she runs his fingers through her core, one by one. Normally this would drive Connor wild, but instead made him angry.

"I can't do this!" He says and removes his hand. Connor then reaches for tissues in the glove compartment to wipe his wet hand. Natasha eyes him in silence as he drives further. Connor avoids eye contact as he drives to the Waterfront. He even felt relieved when she remained silent as he drove. 

Connor pulls up in front of the hotel minutes later. Natasha was still silently eyeing him. After allowing a conscierge to take their bags, Connor follows Natasha into the hotel. His phone rings as Natasha speaks to the young woman at the front desk.

"Deveroux," he say as he answers.

"I am in the bar," Samantha says and Connor looks it over to the bar. She smiles and waves at him and he does the same.

"I'll be there shortly," he says and drops the call. He turns to Natasha and speaks again. "You got this, right? My friend is here."

"Friend?" Natasha asks.

"My informant," Connor says. "I will catch you up later." He says and kisses her cheek before joining Samantha in the designated bar overlooking the ocean and magnificent sunset. 

The colours of the African sky awestrucks him as he and Samantha walk on the boardwalk along the sea. She tells him many circumstantial facts, but nothing stands out that he believes would help the case. 

"But then I saw this," she says and hands him a file. In it was contracts with Matthew's father's signature on them.  Connor stops and reads. The documents were proof of investments and payments of large sums of money into what seemed to be mundane projects. These documents were all dated to the same year Logan was enroled in the SANDF. 

"Mr. Gabriels made payments," Connor says, as if Samantha is wasting his time. "What does this have to do with anything?" 

"Remember you said, that you found it odd that he was at the base now the other day?" She asks and Connor nods. "Well, there is no other records of him before that time and after those payments, where he made an appearance at the SANDF again. Isn't that odd?" 

Connor pages through the file before speaking again.

"That is odd," he says softly. "Good work, Sam." Samantha smiles back proudly. 

"I did good?" She asks and Connor chuckles at her accent.

"You did great," he says, still smiling. "Let's have a drink to celebrate." Samantha nods and they make their way back to the bar.

"You seem a bit distracted today," Samantha says, as they refill their glasses for the fourth time. Connor shakes his head. "You have that look in your eye again." She adds when he says nothing.

"What look?" Connor asks spinning his whiskey in its glass. 

"That sad look in your eyes you had when you found out Kristin was having Matthew's baby," Samantha says, eyeing him curiously. "What happened? You can talk to me, you know." Connor downs that glass and calls the barman for another refill. 

"I messed up, Sam," Connor says after a long silence. He side glances her before speaking again. "Kristin and Matthew were never together back then."

"But they are married now, right?" Samantha asks.

"She married him because he conned her into it," Connor says with a deep sigh. "She needed money for her business as the renovations to her place took most of the money she got as an inheritance. Matthew took advantage of the situation and she married him."

Samantha shakes her head in disbelief at his words and turns to face him.

"And the boy?" She asks.

"He is my son," Connor says with a dry laugh. "I should have known, but I was so convinced that Matt..." Connor down his drink and signals the barman again. "I should have known." 

"Wait!" Samantha exclaims adding, "How do you know all of this?"

"My sister told me," Connor says and chuckles again, dryly. "The reason for Kristin and Matthew part, anyway. The part that I have a son I found out on my own." 

Samantha stares at him, clearly still trying to make sense of it all. 

"So, what now?" She asks when the barman places the half drunken whiskey bottle in front of them. "Are you going to talk to her?"

"And say what?" Connor asks as he pours himself another glass. "Hi, it's me, Logan. Surprise! I'm not dead!" Connor downs his drink in one go and pours himself another one. 

"Stop this!" Samantha takes the bottle away from Connor. "This is not going to help anybody!" She says waving the bottle in his face. "Clearly you are heartbroken! So what are you going to do?" Connor looks at her for seconds before grabbing the bottle from her hand.

"This," he says waving the bottle in her face. "Is what makes me feel good! I need this now!" He roars and lifts the bottle to his lips. Samantha watches as he gups down the remaining liquid, like it was cool aid. "Besides, I can't get drunk!" He says. "So, this is actually futile!" Connor places the empty bottle on the bar and walks back to the railing facing the ocean. Samantha follows him in silence.

They watch the sunset in utter silence, merely because Connor preferred it that way. Once the last rays of the sun disappear over the horizon, Connor speaks again.

"I'm gonna need your help," He says, peaking Samantha's interest.

Connor was slumped over on two guys arms, when Samantha knocks on the door of his premium room, Natasha has booked for them. Natasha opens the door, dressed in a long silky red night dress with matching gown and fluffy slippers. Her hair was hanging down her back and she smelled good. She eyes Samantha from head to toe before speaking.

"Can I help you?" She asks, giving Samantha a disapproving glance before dragging her gaze to Connor unconscious on the two security men. 

"I believe this belongs to you," Samantha says gesturing to Connor. "He was making a scene downstairs and we thought it best he sleep it off." Natasha displays concern, as she reaches for Connor. 

"Yes, please do come inside," she says and steps aside. Samantha steps into the room, followed by the two men and the faking Connor. "What happened? Is he okay?" 

"We just clear the area , ma'am," Samantha says. "It is not our place to deal with the domestic situations. So, where can we put him?" 

"In the bedroom, is fine," Natasha says and leads the way. 

"He was quite the handful," Samantha says. "Are you sure that you want him in the same room with you?"

Natasha stops at the entrance of the bedroom door and turns back to face them. 

"Leave him on the couch then," she says, adding, "he can always join me when he is ready." Samantha smiles and nods at the two men. They carefully place Connor down and leave the room. Samantha follows them and politely greets Natasha at the door. 

Natasha walks back to the couch, where Connor lie, and turns off the lights, making her way to the bedroom. Connor opens his eyes and stares up at the ceiling happily. He knew Natasha would insist on him sleeping with her, so he asked Samantha to help him back to his room, without getting him into her bed. Natasha was very perceptive and extremely smart, so he created this so she would not suspect his motives. Connor smiles in the darkness, feeling victorious. A small victory is better than none at all.

Connor took a shower early the next morning, after a run to Greenpoint and back. He was drinking his coffee on the patio, overlooking the mountain, when Natasha emerged from the bedroom. 

"Good morning!" He says as she glides over to him.

"Morning," she says and bends down to kiss his cheek. "You are up early."

"Yes, well I have things to do today," Connor says, placing the latest New York Times on the table. "I have a lead to follow up on." 

"So, I take it the meeting went well?" Natasha asks, sitting herself down beside him at the table. 

"Yes," he answers. "I will inform you of the developments during the course of the day." A knock at the door interrupt their conversation. Connor looks at Natasha and she shrugs at him. He, then, walks over to the door and opens it. There stood Kristin, with her back to the door, but Connor recognised her immediately. His heart leaped as she turns around to face him. She smiles brightly at the sight of him and leans in to hug him. 

"I am so glad I finally found you," she says happily. Her skin felt warm through his white shirt. "Gabriella said you were at the Radisson, but did not mention the suit number or view side or anything," she continues as she looks up at him. Her face beaming. "I brought breakfast," she adds and walks into the room. 

"Kris, wait!" He says, but it is too late as she stops in her tracks at the sight of Natasha. 

"Who is she?" Kristin asks and looks back at Connor. Connor eyes Natasha and then Kristin in silence. Natasha glides over to her and sniff the air.

"Chanel no.5," Natasha says under her breath, so soft that only Connor hears her. They make eye contact.

"You need to leave, Kris," he says in a very strong tone. "There was a reason why I didn't stay to talk to you." Connor watches Natasha's reactions carefully as he speaks to Kristin. 

"Yes, Kris! Leave!" Natasha echoes his words. Kristin looks at Connor with a very confused expression. Slowly, she walks back to the door in astonished silence. Connor touches her arm as she leaves and she turns to look at him. Her expression dumbfounded and complexion as bleak.

"Did I forget to square the bill?" He asks and she squints her eyes in confusion. "Let me get my cheque book and meet me in the lobby." Connor adds, releasing her and close the door. 

"Who is that?" Natasha asks.

"The B&B owner," Connor says as he runs to the room to get his wallet. "Let me settle the bill and then we can make plans for the day." He kisses Natasha on the lips and runs out by the door before she could speak again.

Connor runs, avoiding all the elevators and reaches the lobby, but Kristin was not there. He asks the front desk of her whereabouts and they could not help. The sound of a vehicle screeching tyres catches his attention and he runs to the front entrance in time to see Kristin speed away. His heart was in his throat, as he stood watching helplessly. Feeling a sudden anger at his sister's negligence, Connor curses aloud. 'She did this on purpose,' he thinks to himself. Slowly Connor returns to his suite, frustrated by the situation.

"Yes, well, I will check his schedule and get back to you," Natasha says as Connor re-enters the room. She was standing on the balcony with her back to the front door. As Connor close the door behind him, Natasha turns around. 

"I am sure it won't be a problem," she says with a smile. "But like I said, I will have to confirm with my employer first. Again, thank you for the invitation." Natasha winks at Connor as she drops the call.

"Who was that?" Connor asks, still feeling frustrated by Gabriella's actions. 

"That was Mr. Gabriels P.A.," she says, gliding back to the table where her coffee was. Connor shoots her a confusing look.

"Matthew?" He says, sitting dow opposite her. 

"No," she says and takes a sip of her coffee. "The other Mr. Gabriels." This makes Connor look up at her. "He wants us to have dinner with him tonight." 

Connor checks the time and notices that it is just after eight am. He glances at Natasha as he speaks again. 

"I have nothing planned," he says. "Confirm our attendance." Natasha nods and reaches for the phone. He downs the cup of coffee and moves back to the door. 

"Connor!" She calls and he turns back. "Did you settle the bill?" She looks up and makes eye contact. Her natural blue eyes were a luminous grey. She was up to something. "I mean, you ran after her to settle your bill, right?" Connor listens for her heartbeat, but it was as steady as the clock. 

"It's all settled," he says with a smile. "Don't worry. I have to be somewhere real quick. How about we go somewhere nice for lunch?" Natasha smiles at his suggestion and he nods. "Good. Be ready at twelve." 

"Sounds great," she says and dials a number on the phone. 

Connor makes his way out of the hotel and finds himself driving to the spot where he found Kristin the day before, but she was not there. He drives back to their hometown in the hope that she would be there, but nothing. He calls up his sister only to find that her phone was off. Frustration kicks in again as he sat in front of the B&B, thinking where to go next. A knock on his window, startles him. He looks up and sees Blake, dressed in what looked like rugby gear. He also had a duffle bag in his hand and a huge smile on his face.

"Blake, hey," Connor says. "Off to a tournament?" 

"Nah," Blake says. "I am back from one. They dropped me off seconds ago. Looking for  someone?" 

"Your mother," Connor says. "I still owe on my bill and need to settle." He lies.

"Ma and aunty visits the flea markets on Saturday morning," Blake says. "They only return after five again." Connor checks his time and sees that it is five minutes to eleven. He needs to return to the hotel to pick Natasha up. 

"I will have to come tomorrow then," Connor says, knowing coming later was not possible. "So, what tournament did you play today?"

"I played to qualify for the Springboks team," Blake says with a proud smile, adding. "And I qualified." 

"Congratulations, son!" Connor says and shakes his hand. "So, are you going to celebrate?" Blake chuckles as he nods his head.

"Yes, my daddy is on his way to take me out for a celebration," Blake says, still smiling. Connor stiffens at Blake's words, knowing that he was referring to Matthew. 

"Good," Connor says happily. "You deserve it. Maybe, before I leave, you and I can also maybe celebrate your victory." Blake eyes him and nods silently. "We can chat later, as I have to attend another engagement. Have fun, son!" Connor starts up his engine and drives off as Blake waves at him. 

Kristin's POV

Blankly staring at the objects on display, Kristin follows a very bubbly Gabriella as she makes her way through the stalls at the Strand flea market. Her mind completely flooded with images of Connor and the redheaded woman in the Radisson Blu. The woman was beautiful with her soft blue eyes, porcelain complexion and stunning body. Kristin tugs at her frumpy, A-line T-Shirt that hung to her hips, to hide her hips and baby pouch. She extends her hand and grips a cold object. Kristin feels her grip tighten as she remembers the way her spoke to her, making her feel like she was unwanted and unnecessary. 

"What is with you today?" Gabriella asks as Kristin knocks into her For the umpteenth time. Kristin looks at her with a blank expression. Gabriella enlarge her eyes as she places her hands on her hips. 

"Huh?" Kristin says, and looks at her own hands. She was holding a taxidermed rattle snake lamp. "Oh, my! No!" Kristin says, placing it back in the counter. 

"Where is your head?" Gabriella asks, taking Kristin by her hand and leading her out of the crowd. "You have been unresponsive the whole morning." They wak to a spot overlooking the Indian Ocean, and sit down. Kristin sighs.

"Here," Gabriella says, placing four blocks of chocolate in Kristin's hand. Kristin smiles and eats her chocolate. 

"Thank you," Kristin says after both women devoured the sweet. "I needed that." 

"What's on your mind," Gabriella asks. "You have that look in your eyes."

"What look?" Kristin asks.

"That look you had at my father's funeral," Gabriella says. Kristin thinks back to that day and remembers how Logan made her feel. "You also had the same look in your eyes the day you heard Johnny died!" Gabriella freezes and slowly looks at Kristin. "Tell me you did not go to the Radisson!" Kristin holds her gaze. "Why?" 

"I don't know, Gabs," Kristin says with a shrug. "He wasn't alone." 

"What?" Gabriella asks in shock. "He had a hooker?"

"No!" Kristin shouts. "At least I don't thinks she was one." Kristin shakes her head and says, "No, she was too classy for a lady of the night. Besides she was wearing a l***l nightgown."

"Are you complimenting her attire now?" Gabriella asks.

"Why do I keep falling for the wrong man?" Kristin asks, then grabs her face. 

"What are you talking about?" Gabriella asks. "No! You can't be!" Kristin peeps through her fingers to look at Gabriella, who appears to be genuinely upset. "Are you talking about Connor?" Kristin drops her hands and nods sheepishly. Gabriella stands up and kicks the sand with a scowl. "Please tell me you did not sleep with this man!"

"No!" Kristin shouts. " But I wanted to." She whispers and Gabriella kicks the sand with another scowl. 

"What are the odds?" Gabriella says, looking up at the skies. Kristin looks at her in disbelief as Gabriella has a conversation with the sky. Her cellphone rings and after noticing that it was Matthew Kristin answers.

"Yes, Matthew," she says, as Gabriella still continues with her conversation with the sky. 

"I need you home tonight," Matthew says on an odd tone. "My father are having guests over and he requests your presence." Kristin stands up and walks to Gabriella. 

"What time?" She asks as she touches Gabriella's shoulder. Gabriella turns around to face her. 

"The guests will be arriving her at seven," Matthew says, adding, "so, be here at six." Kristin nods Gabriella's gaze as she speaks again.

"I am bringing Gabriella with me," Kristin says and Gabriella shoots her a frowning look. 

"Fine with me," Matthew says and drops the call. 

"Who was that?" Gabriella asks, as Kristin drops the call. 

"Matthew," Kristin answers. "We are attending a dinner party tonight." 

"Why take me with?" Gabriella asks. 

"With you there, I have a reason to leave when I want to," Kristin says with a smile. "So, do you have something to wear? The Gabriels throw lavish dinner parties and you must dress the part." Gabriella chuckles at her words.

Kristin and Gabriella walk back to the flea market, in an attempt to finish their Saturday ritual. Soon after the make their way back home to prepare for their night out.