Page 10 of One Night Seduction (ONS #1)

Arianna

I pretty much barricaded myself in my room last night. My aunt tried to get me to come downstairs and have dinner with everyone, but I told her that I was tired and going to go to bed early. You could tell she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t try to stop me either.

I just didn’t want to deal with Logan. I contemplated leaving about a thousand times. If he wasn’t going to go home, then I was. He couldn’t just follow me out here and force me to face him after what we did. But I came to the conclusion that I did nothing wrong.

From the beginning, I didn’t have a clue who he was.

I mean, I won’t lie, I kinda feel dumb for not recognizing his voice.

Then again, I haven’t seen him in years, and when we were in the club, he spoke deeper than his normal voice, raspier.

Or maybe that was the alcohol and raging hormones inside me that made me think that.

Either way, I was not the one in the wrong here, that’s on him, and I’m not going to run away scared from my vacation with my family.

If he wants to stay, I guess he can, at the price of fending off my mother’s advances.

Then again, maybe he won’t fend them off.

Maybe he didn’t come here for me, maybe he wants to try again with her.

That’s not the way it seemed last night when he essentially cornered you and told you that he was here for you.

Dismissing the obnoxious voice in my head, I slip out of my room and creep down the stairs in search of food because, in the mornings especially, I’m a hangry fucking bitch.

I did end up actually falling asleep pretty early, so it’s no surprise that I’m up well before everyone. At least, I thought I was.

My steps falter as I enter the kitchen and see Logan sitting at the island, cup of coffee in hand as he scrolls on his phone with the other.

The instant his eyes come to me, I feel it.

From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I feel his stare like a hot, heady blanket suffocating me.

Instantly, I regret not getting dressed before I came down here.

Granted, I’m not wearing anything risqué, just a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized Iron Maiden shirt that I’ve had for years.

Still, I might as well be naked with the way he’s staring at me, watching me.

I try like hell to hate it but come up short.

Pushing that thought to the side, I straighten my posture and move through the kitchen like I don’t even notice him, digging through the fridge for something to eat.

Wow, Aunt Marissa really went hard with the grocery shopping.

Since I skipped out on dinner, I get started on breakfast for everyone.

I see everything I need to make some eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes.

Pulling out all the ingredients and a few bowls, I start with the pancake mix when Logan speaks.

“Want some help?”

“No,” I answer simply.

I can see his reflection in the microwave, and I don’t miss his disappointed expression as he busies himself with his phone once more. Honestly, what the fuck does he expect?

A knock comes from the door, and I turn to see Logan stand to answer it. I frown, glancing at the clock. It’s just after eight in the morning. Not sure who would be showing up, let alone at this time. A delivery, maybe?

Logan answers the door, his posture going stiff as he speaks to the person on the other side.

“What do you want?”

I peek around the corner to see Ty, Logan’s younger brother.

His golden wavy hair is a stark contrast from Logan’s short black hair.

Where Logan has deep brown eyes, Ty has these bright green ones that constantly shine with mirth.

He has that effortlessly hot surfer thing going on.

I, without shame, had a crush on him for years because, look at him, how could you not?

Obviously, he was way too old for me, and I wasn’t even on his radar, but that didn’t stop me from admiring.

I smile when his eyes meet mine, a matching grin spreading across his face.

“Holy fuck! Is that little Ari?” He laughs, shoving past his big brother as he moves inside.

I set down the spatula, walking over to the doorway as he drops his bag and lifts me into his arms. I squeal in surprise as he spins me in a circle before letting me slide down to my feet.

I don’t miss the way he takes his time releasing me, every hard ridge of him pressed against me as we pull apart and smile at each other.

“Fuck, girly. You got…wait, how old are you now?” he asks.

I laugh at that. “Twenty-one.”

“No shit? Okay then, sexy, you got sexy. Let me look at you,” he says, taking my hand and lifting it above my head as he forces me into a spin .

I chuckle as I comply, and the wolf whistle he lets out has me waggling my eyebrows at him.

“Well, thanks for the ego boost. You’re not looking too ugly yourself,” I tease.

“You don’t have to beat around the bush, Ari. I’m hot, it’s okay to admit,” he says with a lift of his eyebrows and a wink.

I snort, shoving his chest as I laugh.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Well, my brother forgot to invite me,” Ty says with a sour look to his brother before returning his smile to me. “Sorry I’m late.”

Shaking my head, I smile.

“Just in time. I’m working on breakfast.”

“Need a hand?” he asks.

“Sure,” I can’t help but see the frown that crosses Logan’s face as Ty moves into the kitchen with me.

“I didn’t forget to invite you. You weren’t invited, Tyson,” Logan says as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“Tomato, gelato.” He shrugs.

Logan’s frown deepens as I laugh at Ty, pointing towards the hashbrowns.

“Potatoes are your responsibility, don’t let me down.”

He mock salutes me with a smile.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As Ty and I focus on breakfast, Logan grumbles something under his breath before storming out of the room and up the stairs. Ty looks to where he disappeared, scrunching his eyebrows together in confusion.

“What crawled up his ass?”

I shrug as he bumps his hip with mine.

“It’s good to see you, Ari. It’s been a while.”

“A while since my slutty mom broke your brother’s heart?” I question .

Ty lets out a surprised laugh as he shakes his head.

“I mean, breaking his heart is a stretch. I’m not sure he even has one if I’m honest. The slutty mom point, you nailed, no offense.”

“Can’t be offended if it’s true.” I shrug.

Speak of the devil.

Heels clack against the floor, a summer dress wrapped around her body as my mother’s perfectly made-up face smiles.

“Tyson?”

I watch the amusement leave his face before he screws on a plastic smile.

“Kelly, good to see you.”

“You too!” she grins. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you all were staying here, and I had to come join in on the fun, if that’s okay?” he asks.

She waves him off and smiles. “Of course. All the bedrooms are taken, but I’m sure we can find a spot for you.”

“What do you say, Ari, up for a bunkmate?” Ty asks with a wink.

“Only if you’re a cuddler.” I shrug.

Excitement fills his eyes. “Oh, I’m an excellent cuddler.”

“Are you trying to seduce my daughter, Tyson?” my mom tuts as she moves past us, filling up a cup of coffee.

“Only with her consent, Kelly.”

“Good answer,” she praises, lifting the cup to her mouth as she perches herself on the kitchen island.

I frown as I flip the last pancake. That’s a good answer? Usually, when a mother comes downstairs and finds a man seven years older talking about climbing into bed with her daughter, they’d take issue with it. Not my mom, of course.

Logan emerges a few minutes later, his hair still wet like he just got out of the shower. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans that hug his muscles far better than they should. It’s funny. I’ve probably only seen him in jeans a few times. A shame considering how good his ass looks in?—

Nope. Not even going to finish that thought.

My mom swings around to face him, giving him a megawatt grin as she tilts her head to the side.

“Morning, handsome. Did you sleep well?”

He nods. “You?”

“It was alright. I was a little cold, though. I hope tonight will be a little warmer,” she husks in a way that has Ty and I rolling our eyes together.

Logan glances at my mom before pulling out his phone.

“I’m sure we can find you an extra blanket.”

A strangled laugh escapes Ty before he quickly swallows it, plating the hashbrowns just as my Aunt Marissa and Uncle Tom come down the stairs.

The twins follow shortly behind them, and we all sit down to have breakfast. Ty tells us story after story about his escapades as a bartender in downtown Seattle.

I almost pee myself three times from laughing so hard, and everyone seems to be having a great morning, except for Logan.

He’s kept his eyes on his untouched plate the entire time, only offering irritated glances at his brother.

I know it’s been years, but I swear they were closer than this.

Sure, Ty was always the ‘obnoxious little brother,’ but Logan never had a problem with him. At least not that I realized.

After breakfast, my mom and aunt decide to sunbathe while the rest of us go out on the lake.

Uncle Tom brought his boat and some inner tubes, so everyone heads upstairs to get changed into their bathing suits.

What we really need are wet suits, because Washington lakes in April are still cold as fuck.

The sun shining this bright is deceiving, though, so maybe we won’t actually be that cold, right?

I’m coming down the stairs in my blue bikini when a hand grabs my elbow, pulling me around the corner .

“Hey, what the fuc?—”

My words die on my tongue when I see Logan staring down at me.

Clearing my throat, I pull my arm away from him as I frown.

“What do you want?”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry for how I acted last night. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the minute I figured everything out. I’m just…I’m sorry.”

He winces like the apology is painful, like he’s never had to apologize for anything a day in his life. My guess is he hasn’t. Not when you have his kind of money and power.

“It’s fine.” I shrug.

“It’s not,” he insists, taking a step towards me. When I take half of a step back, he frowns before retreating a bit, giving me the space I desperately need.

He looks down like he’s struggling with his words for a moment before he speaks.

“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me, like I groomed you or something. I want you to know that what happened between us…if I’d have known…it wouldn’t.”

Why does a pang of hurt twist my stomach at his words?

It makes no sense. They are literally my words from last night regurgitated.

Yet somehow, in the light of day, I don’t like them at all.

They make me feel…too much. Way too much.

So, of course, the only logical thing to do is to shove all of that way the fuck down where it belongs.

“Look, I’m sorry too. I flipped out on you yesterday, said stuff I didn’t even mean. I just, it was all…surprising. I didn’t know how to process it, and then you showing up like this?—”

“I know,” he agrees. “It’s not fair.”

“It’s only not fair if I’m the only reason you’re here. Tell me that’s not true, and we can move past this, pretend it never happened.”

He frowns, his hesitance speaking volumes.

“I don’t know why I came. I just…ended up here, I guess.”

I tilt my head to the side but nod.

“Okay. Well, we’re fine, Logan. You’re here, I’m here. Let’s just move forward, have a good week, okay?”

He hmphs under his breath, a half smile breaking through the frown.

“Are we sure you’re the young one here?”

I shrug nonchalantly. “What can I say? I’m wise beyond my years.”

Logan smirks at that, his pink lips pulling up in a way that has me hyper fixating on them. Such soft, full lips that…fuck. Nope. Not going there.

Turning away from Logan, I call out to him over my shoulder as I head for the back door.

“Come on, Uncle Tom will one hundred percent leave without us.”