Page 30

Logan

T he sound of nature is relaxing. A blissful peace that allows me to reminisce on being a kid, but there’s a better reason for me waiting out here and it doesn’t have a damn thing to do with nostalgia.

The condensation from my beer lingers on my hand and fingers as I take another swig.

All the years I’ve lived here, this is the most I’ve spent on this damn balcony. All because of an unexpected neighbor who keeps me on my toes. She’s unpredictable, which scares the hell out of me. Yet, it also awakens me.

What the hell is it?

What is it about this woman that makes me so unhinged? And why can’t I stay away? I need it. Whatever the feeling is, I need it like the air I breathe.

The sliding door on the other side opens and I sit up a little straighter.

Jesus Christ.

It’s been three long agonizing days since we took our road trip, and I haven’t slept. Thinking about her, in bed, in the motel room. Her slender fingers gripping the box of memories that made me want to sweep her up and hold her, telling her it’ll all be okay.

Three days of not being inches away from her and it’s fucking killing me.

I should be asleep. Scratch that, I should be asleep at the shop.

Not here nursing a beer waiting for Sora.

But I haven’t felt this way about anyone.

Charlotte was the rain before the storm and Sora is the sunshine that came after.

I’m like a puppy who always had to be close to her or I’ll feel lost.

She steps out in nothing but tiny shorts and a tank top that sticks to her like a second skin and all I can do is run a hand down my face, scrubbing away the twitch of my senses.

“Logan.” There it is. The addicting sound of her voice. Fuck, she could say my name every second of every day and it would never get old.

“Sora.” I watch as she scoots her chair closer to the railing holding some kind of fizzy drink.

Her words from the other night hit me hard. Her calling me a friend soured my stomach . But what the hell else would I be? We aren’t anything and honestly, it’s better than nothing at all. This way, I still got to keep her close.

“The weather is nice tonight,” she says as she peers out at the lake.

Great, now we’re discussing the weather. I’m never a talkative guy, but sometimes Sora can bring out a little something in me. The me in me.

“It is.” My lukewarm beer slides down my throat as I monitor her.

She twists her long hair between her delicate fingers, pushing it off her shoulder, revealing the simplicity yet elegance of her neck. Fuck me, she’s beautiful.

She turns her head, and our gazes collide.

I clear my throat, scratching my short beard. “How’s your dad’s recipes coming along?”

Her face lights up as she leans forward, crossing her long-toned legs. “Amazing. I made my dad’s raspberry cupcakes and Shelby couldn’t keep them off the shelves…” She sits there, ranting about her baking, and I’m entranced.

I think I smile once or twice. Hearing her talk about something she’s so passionate about creates an unfamiliar feeling inside my chest. I can’t explain the swirl of emotion. Maybe it’s pride. Regardless, I’m happy for Sora. When she smiles, it’s captivating.

I might not know what she’s hiding from, but I enjoy being present with her right here, right now.

She came into my life like a storm, and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.

“…and then there’s Mr. Campbell. He came back and asked for two more.” She laughs with her entire body facing me now.

“They sound like killer cupcakes. Might have to drop in tomorrow and see for myself.”

Her smile fades. “Oh. They’re all gone. But maybe I can—”

“Sora, it’s okay.” A deep, quiet laugh rumbles in my chest.

“No. I’ll bake some for you after work. I’ll even throw in some extra orange scones and—” She stops talking and stares blankly at me.

My guess? It’s the laugh I can’t suppress. “Sora. I’ll eat whatever you bake, you don’t need to make me a special batch.” I lean to the side, casting a glance down at her breasts which sit perfectly in that tank top of hers. “Your desserts are the best I’ve ever tasted.”

She blinks, my chest tightening when her smile stretches to her eyes. “Thanks.” She licks her bottom lip, sucking it in between her teeth. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I swallow, turning back to the lake, when her soft voice sings in my ear once more.

“Do you wanna go for a swim?”

Sora

I nervously bite down on my lower lip, staring at him, waiting for him to hopefully give me the answer I’m so desperately seeking. It’s spontaneous, sure, but I enjoy being spontaneous. And there is something about being around Logan that makes me brave. Makes me want to do crazy fun things.

“You want to go swimming? Now. In the lake.” His tone is skeptical, but the way his throat bobs I can tell he’s considering the idea.

“Yes. And after our last lake encounter, I’m assuming you’re not gonna let me go alone. So…” I rise, setting down my drink. “You can watch me, or you can join me. Up to you.” Not waiting for his answer, I descend the stairs hearing the trash can rattle as I go by and say a quick hi to Fred.

When heavy footsteps crunch on the grass behind me, I grin in confidence.

I’m overwhelmed with all this for sure, but my heart races in excitement.

When Logan falls in step with mine, I turn to glance up at him. His perfectly chiseled profile is something to behold.

“Just so you know, I’m only making sure you don’t get hurt. Or drown.”

“I’m actually an excellent swimmer. So, it’ll be me who saves you if you were the one drowning.”

The side of his mouth turns up as we approach the lake. “I feel safe then.”

I smile, stopping at the end of the pier.

“Ladies first.” Logan gestures with his hand.

My eyes stay locked with Logan’s as I strip off my shorts first. I’m glad I wore my good underwear tonight. His jaw moves, but he does a disappointingly fantastic job of keeping his eyes on mine and not roaming to other places.

Okay. Now for the top. I don’t have a bra on.

He clears his throat, spinning around so his broad back is to me. But I desire him to see me. Want to taste the fire from his penetrating gaze.

“What if I don’t want you to be a gentleman right now?” Heat rises on my face, and I wince at myself because what the hell am I doing? I should have stuck with water tonight.

Logan’s breath catches. “It’s for your own good. Believe me, dove.” There’s heat in those words as he turns slightly, giving me a small view of his profile and harsh features.

My mouth falls open as I try to control my breathing, removing the rest of my clothing, leaving me standing there in nothing but bare skin.

With his back still to me, I dive headfirst. The water’s warm, not bath water warm, but it is comfortable and not at all bone chilling.

I rise above the water, running my hands over my face and combing back my hair.

When I open my eyes, it’s a sight to behold.

Logan strips off his shirt and I’m practically foaming at the mouth.

His muscular chest and tattoos stare at me with temptation.

Then he pulls down his sweatpants, stepping out of them, leaving nothing on but his briefs.

He looks like a warrior.

“You didn’t look away,” he says, flashing me a faint grin.

Shit.

“Sorry!” The water splashes around me as I spin. It’s not like I haven’t seen him in nothing but a towel more than once.

“Stop apologizing.” His voice sounds almost sultry against the sternness.

With my back still turned, I hear the water splash behind me. Since now I know it’s safe, I twist around putting the pier back into my view. I float, searching and waiting for Logan to pop up from under. When he finally does, I yelp because he ends up only inches from me.

“Hi.” The water drips off him, and I tell my ovaries to chill the fuck out.

“Hi,” I say back. “I wasn’t sure if you’d really come in.”

“I’m not the kind of man who’d let you have all the fun.”

“Then what kind of man are you, Logan?”

Our eyes lock and for once, the world becomes smaller.

“The kind that is struggling like hell not to cross that line with his friend .”

I guess I deserve that but my heart flutters, anyway. Logan isn’t only flirting, he is being transparent, and I can see straight through him. Right now, I’m playing with his feelings. One minute I’m running away and the next, I’m basically telling him to throw himself at me.

I want so badly to swim the tiny distance between us.

To throw my arms around his neck and feel his skin against mine like back at the motel.

But it’s not fair to him in the end. So, I take the cowardly way out and hold my breath, drowning everything out.

But the problem with temporary solutions…

the predicament is always there when you come back.

I swim away from the man, needing to escape, but pop back up only a short distance away. “You claim you can swim, but can you catch me?”

What am I doing?

But is there a rule saying we can’t have a little fun regardless of the fucked-up situation?

He grins, sending my heart screaming with excitement as he dips underwater.

Oh God.

My arms burn with each stroke, my muscles yelling for me to stop.

Only when Logan catches up to me is when I freeze.

Water sprays over us and what he does next is completely unexpected.

His powerful arm wraps around my waist, pulling my naked form against his.

With my breasts pressing against his stone like chest, every breath in me diminishes.

I struggle to find air—struggle to find the words as I’m held up against his firm body.

Logan is unmatched, and it scares me to my core.

This natural pull between us is becoming impossible to ignore, and my body is howling for me to accept it.

“I caught you,” he whispers with such gruffness that I want to burst into flames.

Jesus.

My hands itch to move on his skin as he has me trapped within his grasp with no way of escape.

But would I even want to?

I play with his chest, the tips of my fingers slowly creating circles on his wet skin.

The toe-curling sensation rushes between my thighs and ignites my entire body.

His eyes move to my lips, then slowly back until I’m lost in his stare. There’s a need behind those eyes.

“What if I can’t be caught? What if this can’t be anything more than what it is?” The words are faint, quiet, leaving my lips. Like I need to say them, but don’t want him to hear them.

And just like that, the fire dies. The light slowly dwindles, leaving my heart aching with sadness.

“Then I’ll let go,” he tells me. The words sound like a broken song. “But only if that’s what you want. If that’s the only reason because I swear to God, Sora...” He sucks in a troubled breath, letting it out slowly.

It’s not. What I really want is to know what Logan tastes like. The man holding me so tightly in his arms. To answer my curiosity about what every part of him is like. But it’s just not realistic and I’m living in a fever dream.

I gently push at his chest and the arm once wrapped so tightly around me lets go and the world suddenly becomes too great again.

The water moves around us as his presence slowly fades away.

“Logan—”

“You don’t owe me a damn thing. I’ve told you that before.”

“Just… just wait and let me get this out, please.”

His throat bobs, him in silence, letting me continue.

“My life is complicated right now. Extremely complicated. And… you’re right, I am running, and I’ll always be hiding. Dragging you down with me isn’t fair.”

He swims back over to me. His ocean blue eyes I get lost in turn dark. The color of the sky on a stormy day. “ Who are you running from?” Such power, intensity behind his question. I want to confess. Want to seek comfort in him but…

I shake my head. “The less you know, the better.” I swim past him, heading for the pier, and when I reach it, I pull myself up, not caring if he sees me in my vulnerable state.

I grab my top, letting it stick to my skin as I pull it over my head, then shimmy into my shorts.

Towel. Bring a fucking towel next time. Duh, Sora. But there might not be a next time.

The water sounds from behind and not a minute later, Logan snags my wrist, bringing me close to him once more. The touch of his hand is enough to render me powerless. “I can help you. Protect you, Sora. You just have to let me in.”

I melt right then. “No one can help me. Not when there’s so much power involved.” I pull my wrist free and head for the balcony.

Stupid me. Stupid Jason. Stupid everything.

When I get back to Lana's, I find the lights off inside and the sliding door locked.

“Shit.” I cup my eyes to the glass, but it’s dark. Logan stands next to me on his balcony, and, with a sigh, I turn to face him. “Lana locked me out.”

Logan peeks around to the front of the duplex. “Her car’s gone.”

“Great.” I sigh in defeat.

“Come on. You can dry off inside my place and use my phone.”

More closeness with Logan is not what I need. But the trembling of my body is a sign that I am, in fact, wet and cold.

“Okay,” I agree, swinging my leg over the railing. But with my impeccable luck, I slip, and my only safety net is Logan who catches me with ease as he secures my body to his.

Yeah. This will be a piece of cake.