Page 41 of Because of Logan

“I did. Thank you. It was the best birthday ever.”

We stand there for a few seconds, no words between us, and yet so much is said. We both want more. Neither of us wants this day to end. But it’s too soon for anything else. As much as I want to give into the need growing inside me, I know I’d regret it come morning. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just that I’m not that comfortable in my own skin. Taking what I want has never been something I could easily do.

Logan seems to understand this. I can see the need in his eyes, in the way his breath comes out in short pants, and in the possessive touch of his hands on my body.

“I should go. It’s been a long day. But I want to see you again.”

“I'd like that.”

He leans into me then. His mouth is soft on mine, teasing. He licks and nibbles at my lips before going in deeper and opening my mouth with his tongue.

Jesus, the man can kiss. His body presses into mine and he pulls me closer, lifting me off the floor a few inches to adjust for our height differences. One arm wrapped around my back anchors me to him and the other holds my head where he wants it. I can feel all of him, the thundering of his heart against mine, the muscled arms and the way they flex, the hard flat of his stomach, and his erection pressing into me. My hands move over his shoulders and biceps and tangle in his hair. I don’t think I’ve been this turned on since... well, never.

When we finally break the kiss several minutes later, his forehead touches mine, our mingled breaths rapid and shallow. We stay there in each other’s arms, in each other’s space, until both our hearts return to a steady beat and our breaths are no longer hurried. He lifts his head, his eyes lock on mine, and he lets me slide down his body. The friction nearly undoes me. I almost ask him to stay. Almost. My lips move, but the words stay stuck inside. His thumb brushes my bottom lip again.

He steps away from me slowly.

“I’m going now. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

He pulls the door closed behind him, and I’m still frozen in place when I hear the soft click of the lock.

Chapter Sixteen

I lie in bed,and my skin still damp from the shower, is chilled, but I’m burning on the inside. I grab my phone and find Liam’s contact.

Logan: That girl I met? I spent the entire day with her.

Logan:God...she’s a tiny little thing, and so full of life. When I look at her, I feel like a blind man seeing colors for the first time.

Logan: I’m so fucked.

Logan: Where are you, Liam? Talk to me.

Logan: I wish you could respond to this. I’m trying so hard to do what you said. To let go, but it feels like taking my clothes off in the middle of a parade. Like being completely exposed.

Logan: Come home, baby brother.

I think of the last time I talked to Liam and his parting words.

“If you change who you are because of him, because of what Dad did to you, he wins. The biggest ‘fuck you’ that you can give that bastard is just being you. The real you. Not some made-up version. What they did to you was beyond wrong and fucked up. But they did you a favor. Imagine if you’d never found out. You’d be trapped right now.”

God, when did my little brother get so smart?

Always. He was always the smartest one. The kindest. The most generous. I wonder where Liam is and how he’s doing now. It’s been months since I last heard from him. He’s too gentle a soul to be in the middle of a war.

“Okay, Liam, I’ll try.” I hope you’re right and I hope you’re okay.

“Come home, baby brother.”

I say it like a prayer.

Chapter Seventeen

The faint rumbleof thunder outside awakens me. I blink, chasing away sleep, glad it’s Sunday and we don’t have classes. I can see the rain beating against the window through the partially open curtains. God, did it all really happen? I can’t help the smile on my face. I’m still in dreamland when River walks into my room with two coffee mugs. I push myself up and fluff up the half-dozen pillows on my bed. She gives me one of the mugs and settles under the covers with me. This is something we used to do a lot, but River hasn’t come to my bed in the morning for several months now.

“Thank you, Sis.”

“You’re welcome. Now tell me everything.”

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