Page 11 of Defensive Desire

"That's what you do, isn't it, Logan?" she asks quietly, the sound of my name on her perfect lips making my breath catch. "You protect people."

The tone in her voice makes me uncomfortable, like she's seeing past the reputation I've carefully constructed, past the nickname admired by my fans.

Past every fucking wall I've built over the years.

I shift my stance, grateful for the counter between us hiding the obvious effect she has on me.

"It's my job," I say gruffly.

"On the ice, sure. But you do it everywhere. Even here, with me."

It's been like this for weeks.

One smile from her and my body responds instantly, painfully. Like a fucking teenager instead of a grown man.

Our phones buzz simultaneously, breaking the moment. I step back, immediately missing her warmth, and pull out my phone.

"It's from Sophia," Emma says, reading her screen.

I nod, looking at the same message on my phone:

Okay teams! Community Outreach Task #1: Promotional video shoot tomorrow, 10 AM at Icehawk Arena. Crew will be there at 9:30 to set up. Dress casually. Theme: "A Day in Iron Ridge." Be prepared to showcase what makes your partnership unique! —Sophia

Emma looks up at me, those beautiful big eyes wide. "They're filming us tomorrow? At The Nest?! But my hair, it's a mess! And I haven't planned anything, and—"

"It'll be fine," I interrupt her spiral, looking at her hair and wondering what the hell is wrong with it. "Just be you."

"Be me? That's your advice?" She looks up at me through those long lashes, unknowingly driving me insane. "What does that even mean?"

"Means let me see the real Emma Carter," I say, my voice dropping lower than intended. "Not the one you show everyone else."

Her breath catches. "And what makes you think there's another version of me?"

I step closer, unable to help myself. "I've seen glimpses. When you think no one's watching."

She looks like she wants to argue, but instead, she takes a deep breath. "Okay. I'll try." Another breath. "Probably."

The corner of my mouth twitches upward. "Get some sleep, Emma. Looks like we've got a big day tomorrow."

As I turn to leave, she calls after me. "Logan?"

I glance back.

"Thanks. For choosing my shop, I mean."

I hold her gaze for a long moment. "Anytime…Witch."

As I walk out, I tell myself I’m doing this for the team. For the community. For the coffee.

But deep down, I know the truth.

I’m doing this for her.

When I reach my truck, I pause with my hand on the door.

It scares the shit out of me, this feeling. This... connection.

The last time I let someone matter this much was my mother, and losing her nearly broke me. I learned the hard way that loving someone means giving them the power to destroy you.