“I thought I’d visit the ladies’, but I realize I don’t know where it is.” I don’t have to speak so loud in this part of the club. It’s easier to hear, and when Logan answers me, he’s smiling.
“I can show you the way,” he says.
He covers my outstretched hand in both of his like earlier, and I can’t move. I no longer have to use the restroom. I’m convinced the only thing I need right now is him.
“What’s wrong?” He stops and steps toward me.
“I guess I don’t have to go anymore.”
I lift my other hand and my palm is flat against his firm torso. My fingers spread like a starfish over his lined stomach, and my breathing picks up. All I can think about is my dream, last night, this morning. He kissed my hand. Perhaps I haven’t lost him?
&
nbsp; “Logan?” I tilt my head toward where I think his face should be.
He doesn’t answer. He only touches the side of my jaw with the pad of his thumb. My eyes blink slower as a wave of longing begins from that contact point and ripples over my shoulders, down my arms.
“I want to see the things worth seeing,” I say, desire vibrating my bones.
We’re in a back corner of a noisy bar but at that moment, we’re in a place all our own. His thumb slides under my jaw and gives it a little lift at the same time he leans forward. Electricity pulses under my skin with every beat of my heart. My eyes flutter closed as his warm lips cover mine. His beard scuffs my cheek as our mouths open, and when our tongues touch, my knees give out. I grip the front of his shirt as his other arm quickly sweeps around my torso, lifting me against his chest.
A little moan aches from my throat as he backs me against the wall, and all of it, all the chemistry, every moment, every desire we’ve ever shared blazes from my head to my toes.
I reach up to thread my fingers in his soft hair, and his mouth breaks from mine, moving into my ear. “I’ve wanted to do that for days.” His low voice vibrates to my core, and I can only nod. “You have to get back. I have to guard Ava.”
I nod again. “I know.” My voice is breathy and cracked.
Two large hands cup my cheeks. He leans down and kisses me twice more, pulling my lip between his teeth on the last time. I’m running my hands down the front of his shirt, feeling the ripple of muscles under the thin fabric. I want to be with him, but he’s right, I have to go.
So many things I’m ready to tell him. I want to tell him everything, but it will have to wait. In a hazy, happy dream, I walk to where I left my friend. I’m a little wobbly, which makes me want to laugh, and when I arrive at our table, I notice the band has taken a break.
“What took you so long?” Ava says, as I slip onto the chair beside her. “Your lipstick is smeared. Here, let me help you.”
She reaches over and touches the side of my chin. She does it again, then she pulls back. “It’s not smeared… it looks like your skin is irritated. Did you eat something?”
Ducking my head, I have to swallow my laugh when I realize what she’s seeing. “It’s nothing.” I prop my elbow on the table and drape my hand over my face where Logan’s beard scuffed my skin.
“Anyway, I had hoped to meet your sexy little brother, but he seems to have disappeared.”
“What?” I frown, sitting up straighter in my chair as if it helps me see better. It doesn’t. “Where did he go?” Just then my phone buzzes. “Hang on. This is probably him,” I say, pulling up the large device.
I hold it to my face expecting a quippy text from Cameron, but I almost drop it when my eyes register the words. It’s Blix.
Thank you for always being so useful. While you distracted your guard, Cameron took a ride with Taz. If you ever want to see him again, you will stay calm. Leave the bar, and wait for further instructions.
“Uhh…” I can’t form words. My eyes close, and I lower my forehead to my hand. Stay calm? How the hell can I manage that?
My phone is in my hand, but I can barely hold it. The club seems to move out as if I’m trapped in a horror movie with a vertigo lens pushing everything away from me.
“Kass?” Ava shouts. “What’s wrong?”
I’m fighting to hold it together. I’m fighting to follow Blix’s instructions. It’s the only way I can save my brother now.
“I think I ate something bad.” I slip off my stool and stagger back. I’ve got to get out of this place before I break down. “I don’t feel well.”
“Your face was red just a moment ago…”
“Yes,” I decide to use it. “I’d better go home. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”