Page 27

Two more embarrassing mishaps within thirty minutes of each other. If we are trying for gold, I’d say we have an excellent advantage.

Being too stunned to move, I need to give myself like thirty more seconds to recover from Logan seeing me naked.

Naked.

But there’s no mistaking his not so innocent gaze lingering on my body. I didn’t hate it.

After drying off and slipping back into my clothes, with incredible stealth, I open the bathroom door and peek through the crack. I expect Logan to be on the other side, but my brows scrunch in confusion when I don’t see him.

I run my fingers through my dampen hair, checking out the window. He’s there, leaning on the railing of the balcony, looking out. His wide back facing me.

Here goes nothing.

I check up and down the long narrow outside before I step up next to Logan, the smell of the damp air filling my senses.

He turns to me. “Sora.” His cheeks glow a hint of pink. Funny, seeing a man like Logan blush is adorable.

“Logan,” I respond, not knowing where to begin.

He quickly turns away, looking back out into the distance. “I’m sorry about what happened in there.”

I smile, resting my arms on the railing beside him. “It’s fine. You were just being a knight in shining armor. Besides, we both know you’ve seen boobs before.” I force out a laugh because the thought of him seeing other women naked… well, it flat out sucked.

The muscle in his face twitches, and the tips of his ears turn a light shade of red, just like his cheeks moments ago. He’s embarrassed.

The temptation is there, with the tension obvious.

To throw myself at Logan, wrapping my arms around his neck and letting him do whatever he damn well pleased.

If he wanted. But… it can’t happen. There’s no way I’m able to start anything right now and even if I wanted to, I’m married—a married woman.

The hatred I felt for Jason grows stronger, which I didn’t think to be possible when I already loathe him so much.

We stand in silence as a couple of guys start arguing from the parking lot, drowning out the monsters in my brain.

“You’re right. I have seen my fair share of naked women.” He turns to face me, my stomach in knots. “But you, Sora, are the most exquisite and the most beautiful woman I have ever had the honor of laying eyes on.”

My mouth parts, the air leaves my lungs, and I am breathless. Keeping my eyes forward, I don’t dare look at him. Not with his burning gaze on me.

No man has ever spoke to me that way before.

When my courage finally allows, I focus up at him, nearly collapsing from his stare. God, it is so powerful. Yet debilitating.

The fire within his eyes flickers out, sending a sharp glare my way. “Who are you running from?”

Crash and burn. Holy shit.

Every recent emotion evaporates, leaving me stunned and appalled. He can’t just drop a bomb like that. But the sudden fear in my voice is telling. “What makes you think I’m running from someone?”

His eyes darken. “Are you?”

My eyes dart between his eyes, terrified he’s figured me out. “I mean this in the nicest way possible, Logan. It is none of your damn business.” I leave the railing, but he grabs my arm in a gentle yet firm way, enough to stop me in my tracks.

“Sora.” His voice is softer this time, soothing and smooth like butter.

But I shake my head, not ready to give that part of myself away yet. If ever. My eyes study the ground before me.

“You’re not denying it.” He’s stern with his words.

“I’m not denying it because I don’t need to explain myself.”

But he’s right, I can’t deny it, because then I’d be lying to him. So, staying silent will have to be good enough.

I tug my arm, and he lets me go. A hell of a lot colder without his touch.

Without changing, I slip into bed, ready to put this night behind me like many others before. The door closes, and Logan's tall figure creates a shadow over me.

“Yes?” I ask with bitterness on my tongue.

“I get the side by the door.”

Ugh . Fucking Logan and his chivalry. I scoot over with enthusiastic anger and give him his side. With my back to him, the bed dips and warmth engulfs me. I’m in bed with Logan and my ovaries have never been jumpier.

“I’m sorry for being so blunt. But I won’t apologize for asking.”

Inquiring about my life—the one I ran from—feels off limits.

The curtains, being half drawn, allow for only a trickle of light into the almost completely dark room. And then it happens. A loud thunderous crack fills the night, and I jump. I’m not afraid of thunderstorms necessarily, but when you mix it with a sketchy motel in the dark, it’s frightening.

“Do storms scare you?” His voice is close—too close and when I spin, pulling the covers to my chin, I’m met with a sexy, bare-chested Logan who is eyeing me with curiosity.

“No. But given our current situation, I feel like I’m inside a horror movie and some crazed lunatic is going to come barreling through the door with a machete any minute now. The storm just adds to the vibe.”

He props himself up on his elbow with a smirk.

“It’s not funny,” I say through gritted teeth.

“It’s kind of funny.”

“Well, don’t forget he’ll probably take you out first, considering you're closest to the door. Your choice, by the way.”

The sky opens, and the rain pours down, slamming against the roof.

“I can put up a fight,” Logan states, and I roll my eyes. Though I have seen him against Mark so, I wouldn’t doubt it.

“I’m sorry, but no one stands a chance against a crazed man with a machete. Not even you, Clark Kent.”

The corner of his mouth twitches up. “Clark Kent is invincible.”

I mimic him, prompting myself up on my elbow. “He’s not invincible to kryptonite.”

“So, you’re saying if a man came barreling his way in holding a machete laced with kryptonite, then I’d be in trouble.”

“I suppose.” I shrug.

This time, his delicious smirk reaches his eyes. “Okay, dove. If you say so.”

I’m starting to like how that name sounds.

“Can I bring something up?” I ask, completely changing the subject from fictional scenarios to real life.

His focus never leaves mine as he faintly nods.

“That day I brought you lunch. I upset you when I mentioned your dad. It wasn’t my place, and I’m sorry.”

He sighs. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Sora. I shouldn’t have left you like that.

” With a brief pause, he blinks, his attention finding the wall behind me.

“My dad became sick, really fast. He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Started developing body sores that wouldn’t heal. Old man smoked like a damn chimney.”

There’s love, but exhaustion written on him as he speaks about his father.

“That’s why you have all those surgical supplies and how you knew how to dress a wound.” It’s not a question, but a knowing statement.

“Yes. When I left…” There’s a quick halt before he shifts his words. “My dad moved in with me. I took care of him for the rest of the time he had left. It wasn’t easy, but he was my dad, and I loved the stubborn bastard.”

I feel myself leaning a little closer. “You don’t have siblings that could have helped?”

He shook his head. “Just me.”

“And what about your mom?”

Logan’s eyes turn heavy. “She died. A long time ago.”

“Oh God. Logan, I am so sorry. That had to be so difficult.” I empathize with him in more ways than he knows. I get it. Understand the pain of losing people you love.

He shrugs. “I was four when she died. I don’t even remember her, really. Just from a few photos my dad kept.”

I want to reach up and comfort him somehow. I want him to know I’m here for him, but I don’t.

“He left me his towing business when he died.”

Hence the name George.

My eyes widen. “You kept his name.” I smile in sadness as he nods. “Is that what you wanted? To take over the business?”

“At first no. I was involved in…” He stops whatever he was about to say, catching himself like before. “Let’s just say it worked out, and I didn’t have the heart to sell it.”

I’m not sure what all those unspoken words mean. Logan is always so coded, but I don’t want to push anymore because I’m grateful for him being open, even if it is only a small bit. I enjoy hearing about Logan’s life. I craved getting to know him like I craved seconds of dessert.

We both share glances, him surveying me and any reactions to the information he just shared. All I can feel is compassion.

The thunder cracks again, my body involuntarily jumping into Logan’s chest. I bury my face in his warmth. Leaning on his strength.

Oh God.

When I go to scoot back, Logan’s arm wraps around my back, keeping me pressed to his hardness. My breath catches in my throat, and I inhale the scent of cedar. “Sorry. My imagination must have spooked me more than I thought.”

His arm—his touch is a silent vibration against me. There’s never a time when I feel completely secure, but as Logan holds me like this, that secureness arises.

“I don’t mind,” his whisper of a breath feathers my neck.

The way he talks hits in all the right places.

I close my eyes, listening to the rain hammer down on the motel roof. If this is what it’s like to be cared for… then damn, I really wish I can have it.

My head falls on his biceps and we lay together in fallen silence. I’m not sure if he’s still awake and I don’t want to move to check, afraid the fantasy would become reality, and I’d wake from this impeccable dream.

When my eyes grow heavy and my body begs for sleep, I close them, drifting off.