Page 16 of My Cowboy Salvation
“I guess to see you’re safe.”
That’s considerate of him, I guess. But the last thing I want is for him to insert himself in this situation. As far as I know, Simon knows nothing about Parker. I mentioned an old high school boyfriend in the past that I broke up with before college, but never anything more, like a name or anything else to identify him. And fortunately, Parker has never been one for social media and never made it to any of my friends list.
We’re quieter as we finish eating, and when Logan gets up to take his dish to the sink, I rise to join him before he stops me. “No, you rest. You made dinner, the least I can do is clean up. I insist.”
I don’t argue with him, and for another minute, I watch as he fills the sink with soap and water, before finally coming to my feet and bringing my plate over. “If you’re determined to do them, then I’m going to go do a quick load of laundry,” I say and hand him my plate.
He takes it from me, and our eyes meet again.
In that moment, I know without a doubt what I was feeling just before Parker called was not made up. There’s definitely something there between us—something hot, dark, and forbidden.
And for now, knowing this is enough.
Chapter 8
Logan
A few nights later,I keep myself company out back with a cold brew in hand and the sound of the wind gusting in the trees. I consider lighting the fire pit a couple feet in front of me to keep my nuts from freezing in this mid-October chill but decide it’s probably best I keep my internal temperature down to stave off the temptation of the woman sleeping inside.
It’s been three nights since that moment when it seemed time actually stopped as we stared at each other with such open hunger. My dick went full-staff, and I had to force myself to leave the table. The desire to pull her into my arms was so desperate and strong.
No, not just pull her in my arms, but also lift her thin-threaded shirt up and over her head to reveal those small but perfect breasts to my hungry gaze. It would have been inevitable that I would have slipped one pink bud into my mouth while her face lit up with need and desire. She would have wiggled helplessly in my lap as her sweet pussy pulsed with a need only I could give her.
It’s a fucking miracle I had any restraint that night—restraint I don’t know if I could find again, which is why I’m working even later at the office. Hell, I can’t imagine how I would have handled that unexpected call from Parker, knowing I just had my tongue licking the puckered skin of his ex-girlfriend’s nipple a moment before.
As it is, I only have to feel guilt from my musings and nothing more. Hell, having that woman living here under my roof is going to play havoc on me—not that I would wish her anywhere else. Knowing she is here and safe from harm is worth the personal agony it might cause.
Even if she doesn’t seem to know it—or her own self-worth.
I blame that sadistic bastard for that. I’m itching to take him down. A man doesn’t treat another human being like he treated Dylan without stepping over other lines and boundaries as well. I just need to figure out what they are since every search on my end has come up empty.
My phone is still quiet, with no response yet from Conner, but I know that the word dropped in Horace’s ear on Saturday would reach my friend. It’s only a question of when. I hope it happens, so I can put that psychopath away before I do something with my houseguest I can’t take back.
I’m mulling over whether to get another beer and sit with my musings or head to bed when a sharp cry from the house has me on my feet and rushing inside. As I reach the second-floor landing, the sharp cries have turned to sobs, and my heart is nearly in my chest as I wonder if someone has reached her while I was supposed to be watching out for her. Outside her door, I pause long enough to pull my Colt from its harness and push the door open, checking the corners of the room for any sign of a trespasser.
But no one’s there, and I return my attention to the bed where Dylan is tucked into a fetal position, still sobbing as she softy murmurs, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please, don’t.”
My heart shatters as I imagine what Beaufort could have done to her that would have her, even now, pleading desperately with him. Relaxing, I holster my weapon and take a seat on the bed next to her, placing my hand on her arm. “Dylan. Dylan. It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.” She thrashes her head and, just as suddenly, her eyes open wide in abject terror as she screams, “No!”
I wait until there’s a sign of recognition in her eyes as she searches my face, her breathing sharp and erratic, and I can’t take it anymore. I lift her up and pull her against my chest, smoothing my hand down the back of her head to soothe her. “It’s okay, Dylan. You’re here with me. I’ve got you.”
The minutes pass, and her breathing slows, but her fingers clutch my shirt, holding me close, almost afraid I might leave her.
Never. I’ll stay and watch over her for as long as she needs me. Maybe even longer.
Finally, she takes in a deep breath and raises her head to look into my face. “I’m sorry, Logan. I hope I didn’t upset you. That one was just so… real,” she whispers.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I say, processing what she said.That one. As in, there have been more. “How often do you have nightmares?”
“Almost every night.”
Hell. And she’s been suffering through all of that alone? I told her I was going to protect her, keep her safe. And instead, I’ve left her to battle her inner demons because I was afraid my dick would overrule my fucking brain.
I’m a total ass.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I reach out and run my thumb along the softness of her cheek, wiping away the tears that glisten there.
“I’d rather not. I just… just want to forget them all. Forget him.”
