Page 116 of Brutal Kingdom

“What did you say to her?”

“That pity humps aren’t really my thing.”

I walk away from him to find my dad. I really wish those two would work their shit out.

FORTY-FOUR

JORDANNA

Logan’s in my room, leaning against the wall facing the door. His T-shirt stretches across his chest and the biceps of his crossed arms.

“First kidnapping, now breaking and entering. You’re really plowing through the criminal handbook.”

“I’m the one who had the new locks installed when you moved in, so I have a set of keys.”

“When I accepted your help, it wasn’t so you could let yourself in whenever you wanted.”

“How about I only use them in case of an emergency?”

Moving further into the room, I point out, “This doesn’t fit that description.”

“I beg to differ, Jordy. I’m having an emergency.”

I give him a once over. “You look fine to me.”

“Then come closer, and I’ll show you what I need help with.”

“Seriously, Logan, if Bella finds out, you’re over here.”

“Who’s gonna tell her? You?”

“No, but one of the minions she has spying on you might. Who knows how many people are on our neighbor’s access list just so they can get up here and watch you.”

“We’ll be fine. I promise. Now come give me a proper hello.”

I move towards my bathroom. “I’ve been painting. I need to get cleaned up.”

I start the shower and strip, waiting for the water to heat up. Taking off my watch, I lay it on the sink and step into the shower, closing the glass door behind me, dipping my face under the water. The door opens, cool air hitting my back as Logan climbs in behind me. I tense when he touches me.

“What’s wrong, baby?” He asks, pushing my hair over my shoulder, placing a gentle kiss against my neck.

“I don’t want to be the other woman, Logan.”

He turns me in his arms, forcing my chin up so I can look him in the eyes. I blink, trying not to get lost in that damn undefinable green of his irises.

“Don’t you get it by now? You’re theonlywoman.”

He stoops, gripping the back of my thighs, then stands, holding me off the ground. My legs wrap around his waist. Turning us, he backs me up against the shower wall, and pushes inside me.

He’s been mad. Patient. Persistent. We’ve been enemies, friends, lovers and enemies again. But through it all, the hold he has on my heart has never gone away. My body fully accepts the truth. It always has. And yes, even when I let myself go- playing an erotic game with strangers in the dark- a part of me knew it was him. It could only be him. I’ve been fighting my feelings, and it’s exhausting. “I hate you so much.” I murmur against his lips.

He smiles, kissing me painfully sweet. Rocking against me in achingly slow strokes. When we break apart, I’m panting. “If that means what I think it means, then I hate you so much, too.” He says before kissing me again.

My heart swells because it’ll now be our inside joke. A way to express our true feelings when we’re around other people. It’s the only thing that Bella hasn’t tainted. The only way to say the words she’d find a way to destroy.Love.

All too soon, I break, my head falling forward onto his shoulder. He lowers me to the ground and washes my back, then the rest of my body until I’m free of paint. He quickly cleans himself and turns off the water. Stepping out of the shower, he wraps a towel around his waist before cloaking me in mine and walks me to my bed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he removes my towel, skimming his hands over my flesh, then motions for me to lie down. I climb onto the bed and lay on my stomach, enjoying the feel of his hands rubbing moisturizer on my skin. My skin is electrified everywhere he touches.

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