Page 28 of Bloom: Part 2

“Just collecting a package Daddy Grimm sent me.” Jamie blew us a kiss. “Drive safely home. I’ll see you when I get off my shift in roughly four hours.”

There was no escaping him now that Bloom had moved back to the clubhouse. Although Jamie’s base was at the Smoky Vale clubhouse, they were always in each other’s space. Jamie had a beautiful heart, but he was nosy and way too invested in my romance. I’d never seen another man so happy that a colleague was getting laid on the regular.

Shaking my head, I pushed Bloom toward the exit.

9

BLOOM

Itilted my face into the warmth of the sun, eyes closed, and breathed in deeply. I’d forgotten how it felt to be outside—the gentle wind brushing against my cheek, the fresh air untainted by the harsh tang of bleach.

Sweet Satan, but I wouldn’t mind if I never smelled bleach again.

The only thing that would make everything better was riding down the streets on my motorcycle.

Logan’s hand was steady on my shoulder, guiding me toward a black Chevy parked steps away. I leaned into his touch, pressing my shoulder a little closer to his, drawing out every ounce of connection. Funny how I’d never thought of myself as someone who needed to touch, to cling. But now, with Logan, I wanted it—wanted him—so fiercely it felt like air in my lungs.

When we reached the car, he opened the door and helped me to stand. The orderly grabbed the chair and wheeled it away like he was running a hundred-meter dash.

“This isn’t your car.” I brushed my fingertips over the door.

Logan leaned in close, voice low. “What? Afraid I’m kidnapping you?”

The corner of my mouth lifted. “You’re on, but I’d rather kidnap you instead. I’d tie you up and—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know what you’d do to me.”

“Would you mind?”

“If you’d asked me that before the hospital incident, I would have said ‘absolutely not.’”

“And now?”

“Why the hell not?”

“I love this new Logan.”

“Can you love me inside the car? We really should be going.”

At his gentle prodding, I eased into the seat carefully. He buckled me in like I was a little kid who couldn’t do it for myself, but I loved the attention. My feet itched to kick back and forth. What was this feeling in my chest? Was this what happiness felt like?

To think I was almost convinced I didn’t have a heart.

Once he was behind the wheel, I tapped his arm. “So, what’s up with this new car?”

“It’s a loaner from my insurance company.” He checked his rearview mirrors and backed out of the spot.

“Oh? Why did you need a loaner? Did you have an accident?”

“Not really. Listen, why don’t you tell me what you’re most excited about now that you’re out?”

Had he deliberately changed the subject? I crossed my arms, wincing at the twinge in my chest. The bandage wasn’t comfortable, but for now, I had to endure it.

“Sharing a bed with you, and I don’t mean the sex either. I miss sleeping in the same bed next to you and the way you snuggle me.”

Logan’s mouth curved, and his gaze flicked over to me. “Me too. We’ll have that tonight.”

“You’ll stay at the clubhouse?”

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