There was no oxygen in the silence. No relief in the miles we traveled.
It only compounded with each second that passed.
He peeked at me, stroked his tongue over his lips.
I wiggled in the seat.
Logan whipped into his parking spot in the basement garage.
He jumped out, and I did the same.
He moved around to the back of the car so he could help Gretchen to the elevator, and we rode it up.
That dense, deep silence followed us.
I tried to inhale.
To stop the shaking.
To pretend as if I hadn’t just crossed a line that I never should have crossed.
The first night in my bed? That had felt like a dream. As if it hadn’t happened. Tonight? It felt all too real. As if I were touching the same boy I’d fallen for all those years ago.
Logan let us into the muted light of his apartment.
Gretchen started for the hall. “Whew, I thought I was gonna blow in that car with y’all. Barely made it out alive.” She lumbered away. “I’ll be in my room. There’s a good chance I might need a little privacy, so whatever you do, do not come a knockin’.”
In exasperation, Logan rubbed at his forehead. “We’re going to have to find her a boyfriend.”
I would have laughed except I could only focus on my next breath.
On not being consumed.
I shuffled my feet. “Well…goodnight,” I finally managed, and I ducked my head and started in the same direction Gretchen had gone.
“Not so fast.” Logan’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
I peeked back at him. He was so gorgeous it was unfair.
So powerful in his suit, every inch of him hard, rippling with sinewy strength.
I waited.
Spellbound.
“I think we have some unfinished business.”
Then he turned and walked into his bedroom.
And I was the fool who followed.
TWENTY-TWO
LOGAN
I looked backfrom where I’d flicked the switch for the fireplace that now cast my bedroom in a red-tinged glow.
Aster Rose hovered just inside my doorway. She wore a plush gray sweater that crisscrossed in the front, creating a deep V between her breasts. It was tucked into a pair of tight leather pants, high-heeled boots that came up to just above her knees.