I had no idea what she was talking about. Why would I treat her differently?
But whatever it was Ream knew, it was serious, which meant I understood why it was hard to talk about. “You need me … anytime, Kat. Okay?”
She smiled, but her lips were quivering, and I knew she was trying to hold back. I heard her door close behind me.
The bed dipped.
My eyes flew open, and I came face to face with Logan. He was sitting beside me, his back up against the headboard, his legs resting on the mattress, ankles crossed. His hair was wet, and a few drops had fallen and were making blotches on the shoulders of his white T-shirt. He looked absolutely delicious and sexy, and he was in my bed.
“Logan?”
“Eme.” His voice was low and quiet, deeper when he spoke like that. Sexier. “Go back to sleep.”
He was going to watch me sleep? I was uncertain whether I was comfortable with that or not. The intimacy of him sitting in bed, albeit fully clothed, was unsettling. Okay, really unsettling, because it reminded me of those nights in Mexico when he held me to him after we had sex, and I had loved those moments.
I frowned when I saw the cut above his right eye and knew instantly why he arrived back later than Ream. I was disappointed really. He didn’t have to fight anymore, and he’d told me he hated it. So, why was he still doing it? “Did you win?”
His mouth twitched, and my belly did this flip and dive and left an insatiable ache. God, I wanted to grab him and taste his lips so badly that I nearly reached up and touched his face. Damn it, my sleepy-self needed some control.
“I never lose. You know that.”
Figures. Actually, it was hard to imagine Logan lying on the ground after getting the shit kicked out of him. My heart picked up speed at the thought. I never wanted to see him like that. Was that what happened in Mexico after I left? Was Deck trying to tell me that Logan had lost a fight really badly? Maybe Raul had done something to him because he lost?
“I don’t fight like that anymore. Haven’t since the night you got out.” Oh. So that blew that theory up. “The cut is from breaking up an altercation Crisis had at the last venue.”
“Then why are you here so late?”
I expected hesitation or some sign that he’d avoid telling me or not tell me at all. Instead he surprised me when he said, “Had a meeting with Deck.”
“Deck? What kind of meeting?” Why would he have a ‘meeting’ with Deck?
“Go to sleep, Mouse.”
“Logan, maybe you should—”
He scowled, and I felt like smiling. He was good at looking mad, and yet for some reason I just felt like running my finger over his lowered brows. It was strange, because this is how I used to feel when we were together.
I wanted him to hold me while I slept. There was nothing sexual about it, just to feel protected and cared for. He’d always given me that. Even when he had no choice but to hurt me, he still protected me, I just hadn’t known it.
“Close your eyes.” Logan looked down at me and waited until I did as he asked. “Dream sweet, Emily.”
When I woke, Logan was gone, but his imprint remained on me and the bed. I had no clue how long he stayed; all I knew was that I could still smell him. I rolled over and hugged the pillow where he’d been and breathed in deep. He was back. I pressed the pillow into my face and moaned.
After showering, taking extra care to shave and wash my hair, I dressed in my chocolate-brown breeches with a snug black T-shirt.
When I came out to the kitchen, Kat was standing at the counter looking rather disheveled. She was dressed in ripped jeans, a grubby top with paint splattered all over it, and her hair needed an appointment with a brush. I found it surprising to see her awake considering she usually fell out of bed five minutes before she went out to the horses. But from the looks of her, she had probably been painting all night.
She half-smiled, and I noticed the puffiness around her eyes. Whatever went down between her and Ream was bad. Kat was tough, and this was wrecking her.
“Hey,” Kat mumbled then tagged her coffee and went and sat at the island.
I was in the middle of pouring myself one when I felt a presence behind me. I nearly dropped the coffee pot when his hands rested on my hips. My body reacted to him instantly, and I felt the goose bumps race along my skin like wildfire.
His breath wafted across my bare neck, and I closed my eyes as I tried to control the urge to swing around and launch myself into his arms.
“Morning,” he whispered into my ear.
It was the most erotic words I’d ever heard. Low and graveled with a hint of sex as if we’d just made passionate love all night and he was kissing my neck as he said the words. I wanted him to kiss my neck, to feel his lips against my skin. Damn it, the touch of his breath was enough to cause an ache so intense between my legs, I thought I might have to go back to my room and bring out my bunny before I could function.
I found my voice, but it crackled. “Um, morning.”
“Dream sweet?”
I wish he’d back away so I could think clearly. I couldn’t even pick up my coffee without him seeing my hands tremble. I nodded.
“Good.” His fingers squeezed my hips as he leaned closer, his mouth inches away from my ear. “You’re sexy while you sleep.”
Jesus.
When he moved away, I took several deep breaths before turning around. Coffee in hand, I immediately met Kat’s eyes. Her brows rose, and she pretended to undo her pants. I shot her an evil glare and glanced at Logan who thankfully had his back to us while he browsed through the fridge.