Logan (Carolina Reapers 4)

I kissed her forehead, satisfied that she wore a slight sheen of sweat, too. “That was…” I searched for a word, but none came to mind that would adequately describe what we just did.

“Life-altering,” she murmured, kissing my jaw.

“Yeah. That’s a good definition,” I pulled her into my arms until our breathing calmed. Then I slipped from the bed, disposed of the condom and filled the tub.

When I came out of the bathroom, she rolled to her side, and looked me over with her bottom lip between her teeth. “Want to alter my life again?”

I grinned and scooped her into my arms. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

Then I proceeded to alter it three more times before the sun came up.

10

Delaney

“He’s fine,” Cannon said, eyeing his sister, Lillian, who checked her phone at the dinner table.

“Right,” she nodded, pocketing the cell and glancing up at us apologetically. “Sorry, I haven’t been away from my son this long in…well, ever.”

Cannon patted his sister’s back. “You deserved a little vacation,” he said. “And soon, you two will be out here—”

“I haven’t agreed to that,” she cut him off, smiling nervously at us.

Connell and Annabelle sat to Logan’s left, Cannon and his sister directly across from us. I’d been floored when Logan had suggested a group date and had jumped at the opportunity to meet his friends outside of Cannon.

“You will.” Cannon’s voice carried that primal desperation of a man concerned. I bit back any inquiries I might have had, seeing as I had just met her. I always wanted to help, but there seemed to be something more brewing there, and I wouldn’t be the one to force that shit to implode at the table.

“Great choice, Delaney,” Connell said as he took another bite from his plate. I smiled at the way his Scottish accent curled around my name.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a sip from my drink. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

“This is one of the best kept secrets in Charleston,” Annabelle said, raising her glass toward me. “You have excellent taste.” Her eyes trailed to Logan for a moment before she took a drink.

“I try,” I said, my cheeks flushing slightly. Logan was a constant source of heat at my side, his scent filling my air and my mind with cravings even this amazing restaurant couldn’t slake.

“How long have you known each other again?” I asked Logan, eyes darting between him and Connell.

“Oh, ever since I got tra—” Annabelle knocked over her drink, spilling it in Connell’s lap, cutting off his words.

“Gracious me,” she said, hurrying to clean it up with a cloth napkin. “I’m so sorry, love,” she said.

Connell laughed, a booming sound, as he planted a sweet kiss on Annabelle’s lips. “Seems my lady here has had a few too many.”

Annabelle glared at him for a moment before the stern look broke and replaced with a loving gaze so intense I had to look away.

“Couple years,” Logan said. “I met him at the rink.”

I nodded. That made sense—if having a celebrity athlete for a friend could ever make sense. But I suppose being head of sales for the Reapers, he was bound to meet a few.

Cannon eyed Logan across the table with that intimidating gaze I rarely saw him use unless someone had already checked out the book he wanted. Then all bets were off. A chill raced down my spine, the thought of Cannon’s utter disappointment enough to make even me shiver. I’d gathered since the first day I’d met him, Cannon was one you never wanted to catch yourself disappointing. Lucky for me, he was open to suggestion, and I often picked winners for him when his first choice wasn’t in stock.

“Dessert?” Logan said, scanning the restaurant for our waitress. Like magic, she appeared at his arm in an instant, dessert menu in hand.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

I was used to this by now, but it never surprised me how quickly women fell all over themselves for him. And they didn’t even know him. If they did? If they looked past his perfect exterior? They’d find an even better man.

Mine.

Not.

Maybe.

At least for the last couple of weeks—since we agreed to stop fighting what was between us— he’d been mine. But for how long?

I shoved the thoughts away, nodding when Logan ordered dessert for us to share. I would not have this mental battle again. Not tonight. Not when it was so lovely to be in the company of people who clearly loved Logan for who he was. His friends almost felt like a family on their own, a certain bond locking them together for life. It was totally adorable. They teased each other like brothers.

An hour and two bites too many of brownie later, and I was getting thoroughly reamed for reaching for the check. It was almost comical the way the three men at the table had lunged for it as I’d reached, damn near swatting my hand away.