“You look perky this morning,” I remark as she sets herself on the stool opposite me where she sat last night.
“I feel like things are about to change, for the better,” she tells me with a smile that lights up the whole fucking cabin. “I mean, once we get the jump on your dad and stuff.” She looks so innocent as she leans on her elbows, holding her cup and sipping the hot coffee. The tee she’s wearing slips off her shoulder, and I take in the smooth, creaminess that peeks at me.
“You wearing my clothes now?” I question, arching a brow at her.
“Yeah, well, I don’t have much here since you didn’t really pack a lot for me.” She shrugs nonchalantly, and I can’t help but chuckle. “I like the cabin,” she says suddenly, stilling me.
“You do?” I wouldn’t have guessed she’d like this place. For me, it’s heaven, but for a girl who grew up in a city like Chicago, I would’ve thought she would prefer the hustle and bustle. Even though I found her in Pine Lake, I thought that was because she was hiding out, not because she liked it there.
“I’ve never been a lover of crowds,” Vera confesses, dropping her gaze to the mug. “I feel like I was born into the wrong family, into the wrong life.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why?” She looks up at me, curiosity burning in her pretty eyes that are framed by long dark lashes.
“Because then I would never have found you,” I tell her honestly.
Vera straightens in the chair, shock evident in her expression. “Are you being romantic, Logan Oakridge?”
“I don’t do romance, Beauty,” I admit easily. “I’m not the good for you prince, I’m the dragon that will devour you whole.” Even as I say it, I realize that she knows it, and she’s still here, sitting across from me while wearing my T-shirt that looks so good on her.
“Who said the princess wanted the prince anyway?” She smiles as she takes another sip of her drink. This girl is going to be the end of me.
“I’m heading to the store later. Do you want anything in particular?” I push off the chair and grab a notepad and pen. “Write whatever you want on here, and I’ll make sure to get it.”
“Can’t I come with you?”
Shaking my head, I meet her gaze. “It’s too dangerous. If we’re both spotted, we would both be in danger.”
Vera pouts, her lips pursed, and my dick takes notice of how plump they are. The soft pink color making me pulse with need.
“Fine,” she responds while picking up the pen and scribbling down a few items while I watch her. Even though she’s aware of me, she doesn’t look up, instead she focuses on the page in front of her.
It feels so normal to be here with her. As if we were a proper couple, living together, and I’m heading out to do the shopping while she stays home to do whatever it is women do.
I don’t notice her finish up the list because she asks, “What’s wrong?” It drags me from my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.
“Nothing.”
“Logan, do you think we could ever be like this in a normal situation?” she asks in response.
“What?”
“I don’t know. I mean, we’re like a couple. Right?” This time when she looks at me, I see it in her eyes. She cares, or something. She has feelings for me even after I kidnapped her.
“Vera,” I mumble her name as I consider what this could mean.
“No, please don’t tell me I’m being stupid.”
I turn away, focusing on the truck outside instead of looking at her. “I’m not going to tell you anything that’s a lie.” I grip the counter so hard, my knuckles turn white. I want nothing more than to believe we can make this work, but I’m not into fairy tales. My story doesn’t end with a happily ever after.
“Logan,” she calls to me, but I can’t look at her. “Please, Logan, tell me you feel it. You have to.” Her plea twists my gut.
“Vera,” I say her name once more, then spin on my heel to look at her. “I feel every fucking thing that you do. I want nothing more than to claim you as mine. To keep you locked away in a tower where nobody can find you.”
“Which is pretty much what you did,” she tells me on a shrug.
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair, tugging the strands, pulling so hard, I feel the bite of pain as it pricks my scalp. “I never meant to hurt you. To steal you.”
“I know.” She’s in front of me in seconds, her hands on my arm, but I can’t touch her because I’m craving her far too much. “I’m going to the store.” I pull away from her, grabbing her scribbled list and my wallet. I don’t lock her in, I don’t even tell her not to leave, I make my way to the truck before I race back inside and take her the way I want to.