Page 24 of Unmistakably Us

The dull flash of a distant neon sign lit the room with a hazy glow every few seconds through the area between the curtains. It was enough to show her Logan’s shocked face. Had any of the women he’d been with ever cared at all? She suspected he’d had an endless string of meaningless one-night stands, never really connecting to anyone.

That thought shot a thrill up her spine. Last night had been as different for her as it had been for him. She was sure of it. Then she remembered, she had decided to be with him for the same reason all those other women probably had. She was using him, too.

That self-reminder saddened her; he deserved better. So for tonight, she would let down her walls and let it mean something more, knowing she would pay the price later with her heart, but it would be worth it.

“Never.” He cleared his throat and answered again, “Never, because I wouldn’t allow it.”

Tenderly, she cupped his scruffy cheeks and kissed him. A sweet kiss, the kind two people in love might share. She pulled away to ask, “Then let me be the first. Allow me to take care of you.”

Without waiting for a response, January reached between them and helped him enter her slowly. It was delicious and controlled at the same time. This was new territory for her, as well as Logan. Neither had allowed anyone too close, no matter how heated things got.

They both let go of whatever they’d clung to in an effort to keep people out and let each other in.

Logan’s thrusts remained measured and controlled even when he shifted their positions to him on top. When he caught her knee on his shoulder, she thought their sweet, tender lovemaking would come to an end and it would turn to a frenzied fucking, but it didn’t.

Logan was giving her everything he had in a slow, gentle way. Magical. Neither of them were rushing toward that goal that seemed to consume them the night before. They were both content to enjoy the journey this time instead of the destination.

The sounds that filled the room were different, wholly unexpected. They were of two people with their souls exposed. They continued this way for what felt like hours. Amazingly fulfilling hours, but still. When January could no longer resist the lure of the bliss he offered, she succumbed to one of the most amazing aspects of human existence. Logan followed her.

With their bodies spent, but still humming from the undeniable ecstasy they shared, Logan spoke words that expressed what she was feeling. “That was…I never knew it could be like that.”

To hear she wasn’t the only one made her spirits soar but also, her heart break. Break for what they had both been missing in life, what they would both never get to experience again once they moved on with the paths lain out before them. Her heart shattered more for him than herself, not that she knew before tonight exactly what she was potentially giving up, but she had been preparing for a disappointing and unfulfilling decade for a while now.

Just imagine if we were in love. It would have been cataclysmic. That contemplation gave her pause. After letting her defenses down and opening her body, she had let him creep into her heart a little, and it already hurt. Even if he didn’t know it was coming to an end, and soon, she did.

And she was already missing him. Shit.

They both seemed content to lie there in the silence as the sun came up. Logan was the first to pop their little bubble they created. He kissed her on the cheek and held her just a bit tighter. The sound of regret that escaped him was what did it. She knew this night was over. “I hate to be the one to do it, but I have got to get up and get to the airfield. I promised Michael I’d be there early.”

January noticed he didn’t say brother, but she wouldn’t push it… for now. “Yeah, I should get Precious back to Ruger before he sends out SWAT to rescue her.” January pulled her clothes on and gathered her stuff. As she finger-combed her hair she asked, “Do you want me to drop you? I need to head out that way, anyway.”

Logan deposited a kiss on her forehead and wiggled his scruff into her temple while making a sound of familiarity and affection. It was one of the strange little things he did that seemed odd but also perfectly…coupley. She let out a sad sigh when he covered the most amazing gazillion pack from her view.

“Sure, it beats calling for a ride, but on the plus side, I got the new alternator and plan to drop it in later today so no more playing hitchhiker.”

“I told you I could’ve had it up and running in under an hour.”

Logan wouldn’t let her do it, though. Even though he made it clear how much he loved hearing her talk about engines, he was a mechanic himself and wanted to get his own hands dirty.

“I know babe, but having it out of commission means,” he spread his legs and hunched down a little, bringing him closer to her eye level and embraced her. He’d left enough space between their faces she was able to study his features, his eyes held a hint of sincerity and mirth. “I get to spend more time with my girl.” Before she had time to think about what he said, his lips were making speech the last thing on her mind. Not that she was of a mind to deny his claim, anyway.

Logan lifted her straight off the ground and started walking toward the door. His lips never left hers, even as he opened the door and stepped outside. When his intention became apparent, she reluctantly pulled her tongue from his throat. “Keys.”

A groan was the only verbal response she got. He began walking backward, her legs swinging back and forth with each step. January was grooving this teenage-esque playful side to Logan. Raising one eyelid to scan for the dresser, she scooped the keys up and jingled them.

After she secured the keys, she let her mono-vision drift to center and noticed Logan staring at her while they made out like their ship was going down. As a rule, she would find that creepy, but for some reason, it stole a piece of her heart…another piece. If she weren’t careful, she would have none left by the time she returned home.

Logan headed back to the door while she wrapped her legs around his waist, crossing her feet just over his awesome ass. He groaned as he grabbed two handfuls of hers and squeezed. When they reached the car, Logan smoothly reached around with one hand and took the keys. How he managed to unlock the door without ever missing a beat with his talented tongue, she’d never know.

When her back hit the vinyl and Logan came down on top of her, their mouths finally broke apart and they started laughing. Each time she thought they were done, the peals would start again. It was almost as raw as the night they shared as far as souls exposed.

She palmed his dark, lightly bearded cheeks and stared into his amber-ringed whisky eyes that were sparkling with humor. “I knew you were heartbreak in a leather jacket the minute I saw you.” It wasn’t her intention to turn the mood they created, it just kind of popped in her head so it came out of her mouth.

“Are you saying I have an impact of your heart, Little Rabbit?” His question shocked her, not the words, but the tone. He didn’t sound as much horrified as he did hopeful.

“Like any woman could resist the amazing Logan Chapman?”

She tried to thread sarcasm into her words to lessen the truth of them, but she was afraid she had failed miserable until Logan booped her nose with a finger and haughtily said, “Of course not. Can I drive?” Logan levered up, and January swung her legs around to sit in the middle of the seat.

“Only if you are crazy careful. If you hurt this car, Ruger will have your nuts. Then he’ll make me grow a pair just so he can have mine too.”

“Awwww, you care about my nuts.” Logan slid into the driver’s seat, pressed his powerful thigh to hers, and fired up the engine. The rumble of a classic beast always gave January a tingle. What made her tingle even more was the fact this man didn’t look at the pair of keys in differing shapes like they were aliens. A man who knows which key is door and which is ignition and can fuck like a dream. That’s a keeper.

January blushed at her thoughts and scolded herself at the same time. Before any more analysis took place, Logan grabbed her neck and pulled her in for a quick, passionate kiss. “For the record, you’re not just any woman.”

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