Chapter 5

My heart jumped when the door to the small room opened. Searching around for something to defend myself with, all I found worth using was a cane. I held it in front of me, lowering it once I saw Logan's head poke around the corner.

“Jesus,” Logan breathed, closing the door behind him. He took the cane away from me and pulled me into his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Define okay,” I said, wincing when my voice cracked.

He drew in a deep breath and held me tight. “I am so sorry.”

I frowned and looked up at him. “Why should you be sorry?”

“Because. I didn't want something like that happening tonight. Here.” He guided me over to a sofa and sat me down.

While he checked me for the usual scrapes and bruises, I got a better look at him as well as the room. His dark, grey eyes are what caught my attention first. Maybe it was the lighting in the room or the testosterone Dennis had most assuredly stirred up in him. No matter what it was, his eyes seemed more feral than human.

As for the room, it was no bigger than my bathroom and had an assortment of items in it. Items such as the cane I'd used as a spur-of-the-moment baseball bat, floggers and cuffs. I shivered from the latter, the memory of Dennis holding a pair very similar to them still at the front of my mind.

“Are you sure you're okay?” Logan asked again, gently caressing my cheek.

I bobbed my head. “Just a little shaken is all.”

“I can understand that.” He lowered down beside me and cupped my hands with his. “Did you know him?”

I glanced down at my lap. “He's an ex.”

Logan's body stiffened and he drew in a sharp breath.

I sat back. “Is Marisa okay? I didn't ruin—”

“Shhh.” Logan stroked my hair. “Everyone is fine, and you haven't ruined anything. I was more worried about you. When I saw that man grabbing at you, I asked Devlin to bring Marisa down from subspace. We can continue the demo another time.”

“And...Dennis?”

“The man I had to pull off of you?”

“Unfortunately.”

“He's fine. I had him escorted out. But if he comes here again, I'll have no problem calling the authorities on his ass.” He laughed at that. “Can you imagine? He threatened to report what you do out of your home and tell the cops I'm a part of it.”

My eyes widened. “What did you tell him?”

“The truth. You sought my legal counsel to get a restraining order against him.”

“And he believed you?”

“The man is scared shitless, but I don't think it would be a bad idea—the restraining order I mean.”

I nodded. “Perhaps you're right but...” I let my shoulders drop. “I'm sorry. We were supposed to be having a night out, weren't we?”

“We were. Still are if you want to get technical about it, but I don't mind just talking.” He rubbed at the little stubble on his chin. “Would you like me to give you a ride home?”

“No,” I almost blurted out. “No...it's...it's okay.”

He raised his eyebrows, then glanced at the door to our private room. “What if I go home with you? Not for sex, mind you. Just think of me as added protection. Just for tonight.”

I chewed at the inside of my cheek. “What about my car?”

“Leave it here. I'll bring you back to get it tomorrow.”

“It isn't in the parking lot though. The meter...”

“Don't worry about it. I can handle the meter. I'm more concerned about you.” He stood away from the sofa and helped me up, cupping my face before kissing me on the lips. “Would that be okay with you?”

“I don't think I want to be home alone.”

It wasn't a lie either. There had been nights where I thought for sure Dennis would drop by, and tonight wasn't any different. I wanted to be there if he did decide to show up, but I didn't want to be there on my own. Until I got the locks changed on my door, I'd have to worry about him making himself at home. And after what he tried to do tonight, I couldn't stay there. Alone.

“Then it's settled,” Logan said, removing his suit jacket to drape it over my shoulders.

“W-what about your job?”

“The demos are something I do for fun. As for my job, it's okay if I don't show up for a few days.”

“Days?” I followed him as he led me out of the room. “Why days?”

He stopped to face me before we could reach the hall that headed back out to the lobby. “You work out of your home, with men you know little about. You also have an ex that, if you ask me, seems to have a jealousy issue. Am I getting warm?”

“Pretty accurate so far. But then, if you don't trust the other men I open my home to, why should I trust you in my bed at night?”

His cheeks darkened. “Hmm, I see what you mean.” He held up a hand when I went to say something. “No, no, you're absolutely right. Hell, you probably know less about me than any of them because I only tell people what I want them to know.”

“Or what they're ready to hear,” I added, pointing to where he'd been standing on stage not an hour earlier.

“Also true. If I promise not to tie you up, would you mind me sleeping on your couch, for sanity's sake?”

“That depends if by couch you mean bed, and if by sleeping you mean sex.”

He smiled. “I wouldn't put it that way, but...” He shrugged. “In all seriousness though, if you want me to sleep on your floor or sit inside the front door with a shotgun, I will.”

“I was being serious.”

“We don't have—”

“I know we don't have to. I want to.”

A flicker of hesitation shown in his eyes, but as quickly as it came, it was gone. “Well then, shall we?” He held out an arm, hooking it with mine.

 I relaxed a little more as we stepped out into the lobby, and as soon as I was in his car, the last thing on my mind was Dennis's attack. I was going home. With Logan.

Don't wake up. Don't wake up. This had to be a dream. Whatever you do, Kira, don't. Wake. Up.