Page 27 of Bloodline Unbound

The wheels lost traction, my car spinning out of control and plunging through an aura that turned the air wavery. Ice sank into every cell and I jolted with a screech, my house cat form tumbling into the hot tub where I’d fallen asleep on the edge.

Logan scooped me up and cradled me to her chest, the water from my fur sinking into her shirt. “Nightmare?”

I clung tightly to her. It hadn’t been a nightmare, more a memory. Not ’til the end.

It still made me feel like a dumbass that I’d tossed my relationship with Caden out the window for a chance with Rachel. She’d been so beautiful, and he’d loved her so much. I’d just wanted to be a part of that. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me even now. Caden had raised me after our parents died, and as soon as I’d gotten old enough to start fending for myself, he’d sought out a mate and found Rachel. Maybe it was jealousy. She’d stolen his heart and his attention, leaving a lot less for me, and I hadn’t liked that one bit.

If nothing else, at least this fucking monster was letting me spend time with my brother again. I wouldn’t thank it or anything, but I could appreciate the forced proximity. We hadn’t ever talked about Rachel. I was glad we finally had. She’d burned me as much as him and had paid for her choices with her life. I still didn’t know what got her. She’d used me to leave him, seduced me so easily, and left me in the night.

Logan’s magic fingers got my purr rumbling. She was beautiful too and had stolen Caden more thoroughly than Rachel ever had.

I wanted her.

Her gaze was like gasoline on the fire inside me. One look turned my guts into an inferno that was ready to burn me up. I had to stop falling for Caden’s women. Fuck him for having the same taste as me.

From the first time I’d met Logan, I’d felt that pull. It was fucking unfair. I’d tried so hard to keep my distance, to look for what I wanted in other people, hoping and praying that the next time I saw her it would have faded.

Spoiler alert. It fucking did not.

I didn’t even know what it was about her. It was like she’d reached straight through me and tied a rope around my spine, yanking me towards her whenever I was nearby. I shoved it all down. It was dangerous to indulge myself even thinking about her. Didn’t mean I was good at avoiding it, but at least I was aware it was a terrible idea.

Did that make it better or worse?

Logan let out a soft sound and my fur puffed up.

Gods-dammit.

I should get out of here and take a fucking walk. I didn’t want to go out into those woods, though. I wiggled out of her embrace and settled myself on the porch in Logan’s line of sight.

Please don’t be mad at him. He loves you so much it scares the shit out of him. He’s never been good at worrying.

Logan flicked a few droplets of water at me and I leapt aside.

Mean.

She traced her fingers over the water’s surface. “I’m not as mad as I was. I don’t want to be left behind.”

You and me, both. I’m sorry I came to you. I know you told me I could because Caden is family, but this is all my fault. You wouldn’t be fighting if it weren’t for me.

She snorted. “Caden’s as stubborn as me. We get into fights without your help.”

Good to see the years haven’t smoothed out that trait in him.

“I’m going to win this stubbornness battle,” she said. “If I could get him to take his pills when he was a cat, I can win any argument he throws at me.”

My shoulders shook with silent laughter.

She reached out a hand and watched me expectantly until I shoved my face into it. She worked those magic fingers behind my ear until I was sloppy purring—drool falling in fat droplets, paws attempting to make biscuits on the floor.

Her laugh was sweet. “Having a good time?”

I might be.

I felt Caden watching us, his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.

I bet Caden would love some of those magic scritches.

Her shoulders slumped. “I should go talk to him.”

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