Ellie
“How’s your eye? Have you iced it? Do you need anything?” Renita’s concerned voice blares through the speakerphone as I run my hands over the smooth black wrapping paper of a box that was delivered to me a few minutes ago.
At first, due to what happened, it frightened me, but when the delivery man told me he had strict orders to let me know it was from Logan, a thrill rushed through my chest and smacked into my breastbone.
The man is going to unbalance me by coming at me in ways impossible to ignore — the same way he’s done with every encounter.
Those eyes of his pulling me in as he steals another piece of me, washing away my fear, my panic, my doubt. All the while slipping a little farther in.
My body is waking up, and my mind is spinning in a deep sea of emotion—need and hunger and getting to know a man I don’t come close to understanding.
I told myself I would never fall helpless to a man. Still, Logan makes my body ache with a need that makes my pulse run wild.
I pick the box up, my shaky fingers slipping under the tape and tearing off the paper. Pushing open the flaps, I gasp and pull out a black motorcycle helmet with a colorful feather painted on the side.
“That’s perfect for you,” Norah whispers.
A gift such as this should sadden me. For some reason, it doesn’t. It pulls a smile clear across my face and stalls my breath.
The force of Logan is coming on strong, and if I don’t come to my senses, he’s going to wreck and rule me completely.
Sweep me into the clouds to where I’ll never touch solid ground.
I need to remember it’s my heart that’s on the line when it comes to this man.
“I agree.” I hesitate before saying more, remembering Renita is on the phone, and even though she can’t see me, I’m here worrying my lip with my teeth.
“I’m fine, Renita.”
It’s been less than eight hours since I made her aware of what happened and she’s called three times. Renita is none too happy with me at the moment. I told her everything about Logan knowing Shadow. I couldn’t keep it from her anymore. She has the right to know.
It was pointless to argue when she has her rights; our conversation ended with her telling me under no circumstances pick Logan apart. Renita might be the type of mother who let go of her apron strings when us girls moved out, but she’ll always be the momma bear who protects her babies.
I suppose I’d be too.
“Okay. You know where I’ll be if you need me. My shotgun is loaded. This mother hen isn’t afraid to use it.”
Typically, her comment would be a joke. It’s not. Knowing Renita, she does have it loaded.
“I know you would, Renita.”
“She’s lying; I punched her because Logan asked her out and they are finally going on a date. He sent her a motorcycle helmet, Mom. And this date is why she splurged on a pair of sexy black motorcycle boots. Did you wax the goods too?”
I shoot Norah a dirty look; I didn’t do that. I dragged the boots out of the back of my closet, dusted them off not having any idea Logan was taking me for a ride.
I still don’t, but if this helmet is a hint, then I’ve dressed right.
“Thank you,” I mouth. Knowing Norah is trying to lift the tension off of Renita’s shoulders. I appreciate her for it, but she should know her mother won’t rest until she sees Logan with her own eyes.
“Renita, do you remember the time you wished you only had one daughter, and her name was Ellie Mae? I’m not asking for a friend,” I joke, sliding right back into the teasing banter I’ve missed between the three of us.
“I do. You were always my favorite; don’t tell what’s-her-face. She’s always been the trouble maker of my girls.” My entire body shakes as a laugh sparks up from deep down. There’s the Renita I know.
“Oh, the two of you are so hilarious. As you can hear, your favorite daughter is fine, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I wait for Norah to disconnect before wiping the smile off my face and addressing her question, which I should ignore, just like everything else with my busy body best friend, she’ll ask about down below again if I don’t answer.
“Trust me; everything is fine down there. Maybe you should start worrying about yourself. You haven’t dated in a while.”
I wad up and toss the wrapping paper in her direction, not bothering to remind her I’ve never had a reason or the desire to wax. Although I do keep myself neat and trimmed.
“I don’t know. Tired of settling, I guess. Besides, I’m going to kick back and live a little through you.”
“Well, you might be kicking back until you shrivel.”
“No, you’ll cave and spill once Logan gets his hands on you again.”
The thought of Logan’s hands on me again sends a buzz through my body. The rational side of me, the one who woke up with a slight tinge of regret has been trying to push her way through most of the day.
I’ve shoved her ugly voice away.
I’d much rather take a ride on the wild side with the Devil. When I’m with Logan, I feel safe, as if nothing or no one can touch me. It’s ridiculous, but the thought, plus him letting me know last night before he left he has someone protecting me, just in case, is what’s going to get me through the next month without worry.
Logan Mitchell is opening my eyes, and in return, I want to peel away his layers, to flick through every single one until I get to the surface. To hide away underneath, and burrow as deep as I can get into that clarity of danger and dark.
Ignoring the smirk on Norah’s face, I roll my eyes and make my way toward the opposite end of the counter to close the register.
This banter between Norah and me is good; she’s been riding my ass since the attack on why Logan’s brother just happened to be in our neighborhood, nearly working me into a frenzy of tattered nerves. I must have had a dozen texts last night from her asking me where the hell I was.
I’m not much of a liar. Honesty is essential to me, so I finally broke down and told Norah the truth. We fell asleep in my bed, woke up and had breakfast, laughed and kept the worry out of our conversation. Today has been a great day, and I hope tomorrow is even better.
“Even with what happened to you, there’s a glow on your face. Did you have sex last night and not tell me?”
Visions blaze.
Logan between my legs.
Big and self-confident and so damn irresistible.
“No. I’m not sleeping with him. Not tonight anyway.”
I can’t help it; the apex between my thighs starts to ache.
“Okay, whatever you say, my sweet turned naughty best friend. That part about not sleeping with him, you might need to talk with your vagina. I’m pretty sure she won’t agree.”
“What? Why?”
A deep sigh leaves her mouth, and I follow her gaze to where a man turns a few female passerby’s heads as he swings one long black jean covered leg over a motorcycle in front of the store and leans against it.
Smooth big arms hang at his sides. His colorful sleeve of leaf and vine tattoos swirl down one arm, thick thighed legs overlap at the ankles, and a heated gaze is locking on mine through the clear shield of his helmet for a moment before he unhooks it, tugs it off his head and shakes the dark locks of his hair.
Oh. My. God.
“Holy shit. I’m in trouble. Deep dark water kind of trouble.”
The man is turning me inside out with his hot as fuck persuasion and oozing dominance. He’s caring and protective too. I don’t know what part of Logan is more concerning to me; the only thing I know is seeing him standing there is taking my breath away.
He’s going to do more than muddle my head in the clouds; he’s going to leave me floating on them.
And, wrong or right, I want him too.
One corner of Logan’s mouth curls up, and it’s like the clouds drop low, the humidity rises right before a thunderstorm.
Heat.
It radiates off that muscular body from where he stands and the intensity of it blows right at me.
Suggestive and assured.
My heart bounces and thumps.
“Yeah, you are. Something tells me that gorgeous hunk won’t let you drown.”
No, he won’t. I’m pretty sure I’ll go under several times from the intensity dripping off him like a sudden crashing wave, an undertow that will snatch me right off my feet.
If I’m not careful, I won’t resurface.
I stumble a little when he runs a big hand through the messy strands of his hair, soft affection regarding me. Between the way he fucked me the night we met, compared to the other night in my bed, last night and right now, it leaves me realizing there are many layers to his personality, and without a doubt, it’ll be hard deciding which one I like best.
A full smile spreads across Logan’s face. I love it when the man smiles. This one hits me in the spot that aches, making me wet. Because this man, the one who promised me a piece of his world last night, is here to pick me up on a motorcycle.
I can already feel the wind whipping through my hair.
Frantically, I glance back at Norah, who is smiling at me. Her happy expression is igniting the kick inside of being reckless and free as I cling onto the hard planes of Logan’s abs. I can feel the rumble of the bike under my ass, legs spread and tingling from being pressed close to the man whose clear intentions are the same as mine. To peel back layers and discover the real me.
Logan is going to stretch me taut and tight while winding my senses.
Seeing him standing there with a cocky grin on his face; I want to remind myself he’s dark, deadly, and dangerous.
God, the man has killer eyes to go along with his killer hands, intimidating body, and a dirty mouth.
Eagerness strikes my blood, and a flame hits the tip of my toes. I have it bad for a man that is too much for a woman like me to handle.
“I expect you to have a good long and hard ride, lady. I’ll lock the doors.”
Straightening myself up, I rush toward the door with my helmet in hand. I’m not about to comment on Norah’s innuendo right now. Not when I haven’t been on the back of a motorcycle since my father died.
“Okay.” My word comes out breathless.
I take Logan in as I pull open the door, collecting his every feature, and for heaven’s sake, I didn’t think it was possible for him to be more beautiful, but he is.
He’s danger and disorder.
Risky.
Intense.
Passion.
Authority and power a threat I don’t want to ignore burning from his perfect body. I feel the undeniable electricity that sizzles between Logan and me with every small step I take.
A live wire is tugging us together. It’s the most active thing I’ve felt in my life.
“Hi, thank you for the helmet.”
The veins in his jaw twitch, but it’s the way he responds when I get within hands reach that spreads a tremor beneath my skin.
Logan runs the tip of his index finger down my neck, pausing above the pulse that is fluttering out of control. A knowing gleam of satisfaction flits in his eyes.
“It picked up speed the minute you saw me, didn’t it?”
“Don’t be a smug asshole, Mr. Mitchell.”
“Mr. Mitchell?”
“Shut up, Logan.”
He throws his head back and laughs — all the while keeping his finger on my frazzled pulse.
I feel as if parts of me are detaching—my body, mind, and soul thrash through my insides from his gentle touch.
“You’re welcome. I hope it fits. Have you been on a bike before?”
Fond memories lick at my skin. The excitement in my dad’s voice when he’d holler up the stairs for me to grab my helmet because he wanted to go for a ride. The giggles coming out of my mouth and the way my stomach would twirl when he’d let me sit in front and help me steer until we reached the end of our drive.
Some of the fondest memories of my life and Logan unknowingly is given a piece of them back to me.
“Yes, it’s been a while.” Sadness swells, I push it back. Tonight isn’t the night to think about the sorrow and grief that’s been my life.
The smirk on his face mixed with a different gleam in his eyes tells me tonight isn’t about the things he wants to do to me; it’s about letting go, about simply being him and me. To trust and leap a little farther together.
He’s looking at me as if he’s reaching into my chest, tugging on my heartstrings, and pulling me toward him.
I don’t know what is happening. It’s frightening, and I need to keep reminding myself it’s alright to give in to desire, to let Logan give what my body desperately needs, but also cling tightly to the parts of me I won’t give freely.
Complete trust and my heart.
“You are naturally beautiful, Ellie. I loved the makeup last night, love this carefree look much better. There’s nothing fake about you, is there?” His words sweep over my skin like the feather on my helmet.
A soft caress.
“No. I was taught to be who I am. If others don’t like it, they can go fuck themselves.” My mother’s words.
Logan tilts his head. I swear I can see his pulse quicken in the veins in his neck. There’s amusement in his expression. Whatever it is about him that has me drawn to him, it’s a damn magnetic force, and I cannot seem to pull away.
A lump grows heavy in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I have never felt so unsure of the woman inside of me until him.
It’s terrifying.
He leans in, fingers winding gently around my throat and runs his nose up the side of my neck, nuzzling his face into my hair.
Twice he inhales and exhales, sending whispers of his breath into the shell of my ear.
I tingle and spasm in a safe and arousing way.
My body fevers. I tingle everywhere. My nipples harden underneath my bra — sweat forms in between my breasts.
Heavy air whooshes out of my lungs. I take a step back only to have him run a devious pair of darkened eyes up and down my body, pausing at my black leather flat knee-high boots before slowly climbing back up to land on my face.
“I agree. I must add though, everything you wear, I want to peel off. You drive me so fucking crazy. I’m desperate to lean you back and fuck you on my bike.”
God help me before he steals what little bit of control I have left.
I tremble, flailing to stay afloat, as his words rush through my veins at a rapid pace.
“I’ve been waiting all day for this mouth.”
My body snaps to attention, desire like I’ve never felt before, eases throughout me as he spins us around, sets me on the seat of his bike with a thud, his hands fist my hair, hauling me forward, and his mouth closes aggressively over mine.
A moan leaks past my lips, my legs helplessly dangling at either side of him, while his lips drive me insane.
Gentle Logan is gone as he nips and bites. Stroking and taking complete authority of the rims of my mouth before he dips his tongue inside.
My starving body craves his kisses. Every single one has a raw intensity filled with yearning exchanged in the mixture of our billowing breaths.
“Let’s see if this fits.”
I surrender myself as he places the helmet on my head, and positions me how he wants me. All the while, knowing I have protection from Logan, but there’s no one to save me from him.