Page 40 of Because of Logan

I look at the book again and open the cover. A fangirl squeal leaves my mouth and Logan laughs out loud. My face heats with embarrassment.

“Does it mean you like it?”

“I love it, but I don’t understand. How do you even know about this book, and how did you get it?”

“I ran into River at Pat’s on Monday and asked her for ideas for a birthday gift. She said I could never go wrong with a book. I asked her what kind of book and she gave me names of your favorite authors but said you most likely had read all of their books already. Except for this one, because it wasn’t out yet.”

“River never said anything about it.”

“I asked her not to.”

“But, how did you actually get it?”

“When I got home, I looked up the author and found her webpage.”

I look at the paperback in my hands, the last book in my favorite series. I’ve been waiting for this book to be released for months, and not only do I have a hard copy in my hands, but it's also signedtome.

“I can't believe you did this. You got this book for me?”

The words come out like a question even though I intended them as a statement.

“Yes, for you. I sent her an email and explained that I met this amazing girl and our first date was on her birthday and I wanted to do something special for her. And that you loved her books.”

“And she sent it to you?”

“Yes, she said she had a few paperbacks on hand and that she’d be glad to mail me a signed copy.”

“Wow, I can’t believe it. This is... I have no words. Thank you, Logan.”

I step around the counter and wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a hug. His hands go around me and he tugs me between his legs.

I can feel him breathing into my hair, sending a dance of shivers on my skin. I kiss him on the cheek and pull away. His eyes linger on my lips for a few seconds before he dips his head and his mouth finds mine.

He savors me. There’s no other word to describe the way Logan’s lips move over mine.

Unhurried.

Knowing.

Skilled.

Each pass of his lips, each nibble, each lick of his tongue on mine is a contained invitation for more. We kiss for a long time, his hands never straying into second-base territory.

* * *

He walks me home.His legs are much longer than mine, but he adjusts his pace and I don’t have to lengthen my stride to keep up. Something in me trusts him. I feel safe. And it has nothing to do with his being a cop. It’s him. The way he looks at me, the way he smiles, the way his eyes light up when I blush. The thought makes be blush again. I’m glad it's dark out, and save for the few lamp posts here and there, there isn’t enough light for him to see my blushing face.

The sides of our bodies touch, his arm around me spreading heat over my back and other places he's not touching. His body is like a warm blanket at my side. I want to wrap myself in him.

I look up, taking in his beautiful profile, the strong, chiseled jaw darkened by the shadow of whiskers, the mouth I’ve wanted on mine since the first time I saw him.

We walk up the three steps to the building’s front door, and I punch in the code for the keyless entry. He opens the door and guides me in first.

I take a few steps into the hall and hesitate in front of my apartment door before unlocking and leaving it open for him to follow me inside. I drop my new book and my purse on the side table near the couch and unzip my jacket, glad for the warmth inside. I expect to see him behind me, but he’s standing just outside my door.

For the space of a breath or two, we look at each other in silence, the moment filled with expectation. He takes a step, then another and another until there’s only inches between us. His fingers push a lock of hair behind my ear and trace my cheek and chin just before rubbing my lower lip with his thumb. On instinct, my tongue licks the spot he touched as if trying to capture his taste. He groans a little and comes closer to me, his hands around my waist, fingers spread, his touch spanning from my hip to the band of my bra.

“I had an amazing day, Skye. I hope you did too.”

---