Page 44 of My Destiny

I’m so thankful for him in this moment.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Logan

Standing over my bed, I look down at her. She looks so fragile and vulnerable, lost amongst the sea of pillows. It’s just after midnight, and she’s finally fallen asleep. A number of times throughout the evening I caught her watching me. She’d quickly turn away and focus on the television every time I busted her. It had me constantly fighting back a smile.

I’m in two minds whether to carry her back to her room or leave her here. She looks so comfortable and at peace. Deciding against moving her, I walk around to the other side of the bed and clamber in beside her. She’s the first woman I’ve ever had in this bed—in this apartment, actually.

The business side of my life is so public that I like to keep my personal life private. I date often enough, when my busy schedule allows it, but I just never bring them back here. Some I want to see again, others I don’t, so them not knowing where I live is a bonus.

Rolling onto my side, I watch her sleep. I keep my distance though. The last thing I want is for her to think I’m taking advantage of her or this moment. My intentions are purely honourable—I just want her to feel safe. As much as she tried to hide her unrest earlier, I saw straight through her false bravado.

Reaching out, I gently brush back a piece of hair that’s fallen across her face. The TV is still on, so it illuminates her delicate features. Her flawless skin, the long dark eyelashes that fan over her cheeks, her plump lips that I’m aching to kiss.

My heart races whenever I’m around her. It scares me to think how quickly I’ve become attached to her. I never believed it when people said, ‘when the right girl comes along, you’ll know,’ yet in this moment, my heart is telling me it’s her. In Melbourne I didn’t stand a chance, since she was married to somebody else. I’m not the type of man to cut anyone’s grass—I know firsthand how that feels. Nothing stands in my way now, though, except those giant walls she’s erected. In time, I hope I can bring them down.

My eyes fly open when I feel a heavy weight on my chest. Raising my head off the pillow, all I see is a mountain of brown hair. It brings an instant smile to my face. My movement has her stirring, and I wait to see her reaction. I kept my promise and steered clear of her, as hard as that was. But somewhere during the night it appears she’s cuddled up to me.

Lifting her head, her eyes squint as she tries to focus. The moment she realises she’s lying across my chest, she jumps, scrambling back to her side of the bed. “I’m so sorry,” she says, horror lining her voice.

Throwing back the covers, she goes to rise, but I reach out and clasp her arm. “It’s okay.”

“I’m so embarrassed,” she says, covering her face with her hands.

Sitting up, I pry her hands away. “Don’t be.”

I see a smile tug at her lips. “Why do you always have to be so nice?”

“It just comes naturally,” I say, making her laugh. I flop down onto my back and look over at the clock. “I don’t have to get up for another hour.” I tap the space beside me. “Lie with me for a while?”

She looks a little unsure of herself as she lays back down, far enough away from me that our bodies are no longer touching. Everything in me wants to reach out and pull her to me, but I know that’s not a wise move.

“How are you feeling this morning?” I ask.

“Surprisingly better.”

“I’m glad. Hopefully the investigators will get a match with the fingerprints.”

“Fingers crossed,” she says, as her eyes meet mine. “I’m so glad you were with me yesterday. I’m not sure how I would’ve coped with all that on my own.”

Reaching out, I place my hand on top of her arm. “I’m glad I was there too.”

“I don’t know where to go from here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I can’t go back there.”

“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” I offer, and I mean it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

“That’s really sweet, but it’s not an option.”

“Why, because I’m a lawyer?” Under the circumstances, it’s not something I wanted to bring up today, but it’s been eating away at me since yesterday.

“You make me sound so judgemental.”

“Well, isn’t that what you’re doing? Judging me because of what I do for a living. That’s unfair, Brooke.” Rolling onto my back, I blow out a frustrated breath. “I’m nothing like Jake.”