Chapter 16

 

Absolutely unforgettable, that’s what that kiss was. Even when we went back inside and finished our game and a few sodas - Logan was driving and I didn’t want to drink alone—I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I also couldn’t stop wishing for a repeat performance.

Unfortunately, by the time I was climbing into his truck, Logan hadn’t even attempted to touch me, let alone kiss me. I couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or not. I understood I was the one who wanted to go slow, I just didn’t realize that after one kiss I’d be hooked.

Soft, bluesy music filled the silence in the cab of the truck as we made our way to Chase’s house to pick up Flynn. As I watched the darkened landscape roll past the window, it hit me that I didn’t want the night to end. And it wasn’t about sex.

Sure, I wanted to sleep with Logan but more than anything I wanted to keep feeling the way I felt when I was with him.

Like I mattered.

Like I wasn’t damaged.

Turning my gaze to him, I sneaked a peek at the man who had so spectacularly broken down some of my walls. It always amazed me how comfortable he looked in his colorful skin. And tonight was no different. With one arm resting on the door panel, the other loosely gripping the steering wheel and his dark strands spilling over his forehead, he looked as carefree as I longed to feel.

“I can feel those pretty eyes of yours on me, Sugar.” He spared me a quick glance before returning his focus to the road. “What’s on your mind?”

“You,” I answered softly but honestly.

“Mmm, I like that.”

A minute later we were pulling into Chase’s driveway. I’d barely hopped out of the truck when the warmth of Logan’s palm seared into the small of my back, leading me up the cobblestone path.

I felt slightly uncomfortable when his hand never left my back as he brought the other up to ring the doorbell. We weren’t even one hundred percent sure what was happening between us and I was afraid if his brother were to see us in such an intimate position, he’d make assumptions. He wouldn’t be wrong; I just wasn’t ready for the whole world to know.

As fast as I could I took two steps to my right earning me a hard look from my left. Just as Logan’s mouth started to move the door in front of us swung open. Greeting us wasn’t Chase though, it was Eli.

The discomfort I’d felt moments ago increased tenfold. Whatever smart-ass comment Chase was to make, I could handle. But Eli’s distrusting eyes scanning me with nothing but suspicion was a bit too much.

After giving me a thorough once over Eli turned his attention to Logan. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon, brother. I thought for sure it’d take a bit longer to…get her out of your system.”

“What the-“

Before Logan even had a chance to finish his sentence I stepped between the brothers and bravely glared at Eli. “Where’s my son?”

Over my head, the two Jackson men were locked in a testosterone battle, staring daggers at each other. For a moment I thought I was going to have to come up with a way to defuse the situation but then Eli broke eye contact with Logan and addressed me.

“He’s watching a movie with Chase and Molly in the TV room.”

I gave him a tight nod before pushing past him. As I ventured deeper into the house, I could hear angry whispering behind me. I had no doubt that I was the subject of their heated argument. Trying to shake the guilty feeling that had suddenly overcome me I made my way to the back of the house where I found Flynn, Molly, and Chase fast asleep.

When I bent down to scoop up my boy Molly’s dark head caught my eye. I honestly didn’t understand how a man with such a beautiful little princess could be so angry all the time. But I guess everyone had their secrets, I just wished that Eli would stop being so damn interested in mine.

By the time I stepped back outside, there was no sign of Sheriff Jackson, just Logan leaning against his truck with his arms folded and his legs spread. The earlier ordeal almost disappeared from my mind when he spotted me and his lips curved into a wide smile.

An excited bark reminded me of Dozer’s presence. I didn’t even have to wonder how I missed him sitting next to Logan. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, that man always had my full attention whenever he was in the vicinity.

“I’m sorry my brother was an ass,” Logan said to me once we were on the road again. “It’s not an excuse, but life has dealt him a pretty shitty hand and he likes to think that entitles him to be a jerk.”

I started to nod in understanding when Logan took hold of my hand resting on the seat. “And just in case you were wondering, Sugar, this...attraction—or whatever the hell is brewing between us—isn’t something that I want to get out of my system.”

“Okay,” I sounded like an idiot but the sincerity in his voice scared me. For once I allowed myself to think back to those early days with Drew. He’d been charming and convincing but I couldn’t remember him ever sounding sincere.

Because I couldn’t voice that we were on the same page I squeezed Logan’s hand. He seemed to understand the meaning behind it. It might have been dark, but I didn’t miss it when his eyes darted to mine or when he graced me with a smile.

We pulled to a stop in my driveway and before I even had a chance to get Flynn from the back seat Logan was already cradling my boy to his chest. The image held my heart in a vice grip and showed no chance of letting up as Logan purposefully strode through my house to place Flynn in his bed.

Not for the first time that night I felt out of my element. What was to happen next? Was I supposed to invite him for coffee or walk him to the door? As I stood in my hallway trying to figure out how to proceed, Logan appeared in front of me looking a lot more troubled than he had a few moments ago. The sadness I’d spotted in his eyes a couple of times before seemed to be back.

“I…uh,” his hand came up to rub his neck as he studied the floor. “I’m gonna go. Lock up when I’m gone.” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the keys to the truck and dropped them on the coffee table on his way to my front door.

“Logan?” I took one step toward him but the storm brewing in his eyes had me stopping in my tracks.

“Sweet dreams, Sugar.”

And just like that he was gone, leaving me a hell of a lot confused. What on earth could have changed in the little time it took him to tuck Flynn in? Again I was reminded of the fact that everyone carries their own secrets, some are just better at hiding them than others. And Logan, it would seem, was the best.

When I woke up the following morning I was feeling more than a little ticked off. I’d spent most of the night tossing and turning over Logan’s abrupt departure. After the intensity of the evening, I wasn’t expecting it to end like that.

That was why when I heard a knock at the door I stomped over and pulled it open with a lot more force than necessary without even checking the peephole. On the other side stood an amused looking Lizzy, holding up two coffees.

“So I guess you didn’t get laid then?” My very funny friend handed me one of the cups before pushing past me to plonk down on my couch. “So?”

I closed the door and turned to her. Pulling up my shoulders I asked, “So what?”

Like a defiant teenager, Lizzy rolled her eyes at me and sighed heavily. “I rolled out of bed way earlier than normal just to get all the juicy details of your date with Mr. Mechanic. I even brought you coffee and you just stand there and shrug. No, nope, not fair. Spill!”

I had to laugh at her dramatic little speech. Taking a much-needed sip of my hot caffeinated drink I settled into my seat, Lizzy’s expectant eyes never leaving me. “It was good,” I told her after a while. “We had beers, played some pool, kissed and then-“

“Wait! What?” Excited, Lizzy scooted to the front of her seat and leaned forward. “You locked lips with Logan?”

Maybe it wasn’t in good taste to be sharing this, but the truth was, I needed to tell someone. “I did, and it was…amazing.” I was perfectly aware of the little sigh that left my lips but it couldn’t be helped.

The anger I’d felt not five minutes ago quickly made way for some major swooning.

What the hell was this man doing to me?