Page 36 of Catnip, Claws, and Chaos

Logan approaches the furry little demon. His forehead puckers in a frown as he bends over and picks up the cat. “You really have been a bad kitten, haven't you?” he reproves her in that low, velvety voice that makes me melt.

I know he's not talking to me, but I still have to bite my tongue to keep from answering him because I wish he were mad at me. I wish I could say to him,Yes, sir, I've been really bad. So bad I deserve a spanking.

Instead, I keep my inner moans and whimpers to myself. Or at least I try to. When Logan turns toward me, I realize I haven't been discreet enough.

“Everything okay?” he asks, his tone preoccupied.

I bite my lip and nod, not brave enough to speak.

He continues. “Everything's going to work out, Emily. We'll find a solution.”

Oh, but I'm not worried about that. Obviously, I can't say that to him, just like I can't tell him that my panties are soaking and that I'm about to come just from the sound of his voice. I feel like I'm getting hot. The room suddenly feels small and suffocating.

“I'll just go get my stuff,” I say, running for my room. Once inside, I close the door behind me.

How can I live with a man who has this effect on me?

Opening the drawer of my bedside table, I take out the vibrator my friends gave me for my birthday. It was probably Kate's idea since I doubt that Sarah, the sweet virgin, would have had the courage to buy a sex toy. I'm getting the feeling we're going to be spending a lot of time together, especially now that I'm going to be living in the same house with my gorgeous Superman he-man who exudes sex from every pore. It's probably not the best idea to accept his invitation, but what choice do I have? It's either freeze to death on the streets of New York or learn to live with my sexual frustration. It's a tough choice.

Heaving yet another exasperated sigh, I toss it into my suitcase and begin to pack my stuff. It's only a temporary solution. As soon as I can save a little money, I can find anotherapartment or move in with Sarah or Kate. A few days at Logan's house can't be that terrible, right?

After throwing all my belongings, which are embarrassingly few, into my small suitcase, I return to the living room, where I find Logan writing something on a piece of paper. When I approach, I realize what’s in his hand isn't a piece of paper. It's a check.

“What are you doing?” I ask him, horrified.

“Covering the damages and what's left of your rent,” he replies calmly, as if he's handing me a few pennies instead of hundreds of dollars.

“That's not necessary, Logan,” I protest. “I can pay.” The lie sounds pathetic even to me.

“It's no problem,” he says curtly, walking into the kitchen and leaving the check on one of the shelves. “Do you have everything?”

“Yes,” I murmur, still bewildered by what he just did.

His eyes go to the small suitcase at my feet, and he frowns but says nothing. He bends over to pick it up.

“You don't need to, I can carry it,” I hasten to say, but Logan, with his usual dark knight attitude, ignores my words and goes toward a corner where he put the carrier with the cat inside. Gotta admit, the guy's super-efficient. He not only managed to get Demon inside the carrier, but he also tried to clean up the living room.

I follow him out the door, still stunned by his behavior. I know Logan's not a monster. There have been moments when I've even seen the hint of a smile on his face. But all his kindness is normally devoted to animals, or at least to other people. People who aren't me.

When we finally climb into his SUV, which, thank God, is still intact, I'm so confused about his sudden show of humanity thatI don't even try to break the silence by making small talk. I just stare at him not too discreetly during the whole trip.

I’ve always assumed Logan is wealthy. He wears designer suits, drives an expensive car, and has a vet clinic in the heart of Manhattan. But as we drive along Central Park and he finally parks in front of one of those luxury Upper East Side high-rises, I realize just how wealthy. I didn't think a vet made that much money, but I guess I was wrong.

I'm so absorbed in admiring the tall building, my mouth no doubt hanging open, that I'm not even aware that Logan's turned to me and is watching me with the usual scowl on his face.

“Shall we?” he asks, a tinge of uncertainty in his voice.

I nod and open the car door, stumbling as I climb out, naturally. I feel so out of place.

Logan gets out and opens the back gate of the SUV to take out the carrier and my suitcase.

“Are you sure Demon is allowed in a... place like this?” I wave at the imposing skyscraper in front of me.

“Animals are allowed,” he says, walking toward the lobby door. “I have a dog.”

Behind him, I give a start, stopping in my tracks for a second at his last word. “A dog?”

He told me that already, but I must have blocked it out. Great, another animal that probably wants to maul me.

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