It’s better that I go get something for dinner and perhaps a bottle of wine. I’ve never been big on drinking, but maybe I can show her a small ounce of romance. We could sit and eat together, enjoy some wine, and finally get to know each other.
That’s what I want to do, learn about who she is. Deep down, I know that the physical part of a relationship, or whatever we’re doing here will take longer to nurture.
Her admission of wanting me, even after what I did shocked me. I knew she enjoyed a few kinks that weren’t normal, but I’ve never seen desire swim in someone’s gaze the way it did when I squeezed her neck. When I stole her breath and enjoyed her body.
It’s wrong.
But I can’t stop my feelings from taking over.
21
Vera
Once the truck is gone from view, I move toward the fridge and open it. There aren’t many vegetables in the drawer, but I can make do with what he has. I search the rest of the cabinets and find ingredients for soup.
The moment he walked out of the door, I decided I would do something for him. Logan has been alone for so long, the same as I have, and I’d like to show him how this could work.
Even though our physical relationship is teetering on edge, I know we can find an emotional connection. I believe we already did, now I just need him to see it. I set out all the ingredients before I grab a pot and set it on the stove.
When I turn to the counter, I glance at the corner of the living room where Logan’s laptop sits, along with my backpack. Quickly, I race to the bag and unzip it, finding my iPad and laptop. I pull out the smaller device and turn it on. If I can let my father know I’m safe, then I can relax.
Once the browser opens, I click on my mail link and open the inbox. I type out a quick message and smile when I imagine him reading it. I miss my father. He was a good man, nothing like Herbert.
I shut down everything once the message has sent and head back into the kitchen to start the soup. If Logan had a cell phone, I could’ve told him to bring some bread.
I smile at the thought of trying this, being in a relationship. It’s not the normal way people meet, but then again, there are dating apps with success stories. I guess ours started out differently when we met all those years ago.
I think back on that day, reminding myself how big he looked then. Like a mountain of a boy, and he was only eighteen. Now that he’s a man, he’s larger than life.
I get to work on the vegetables and get them to simmering before I hear the truck again. I go to the door, pulling it open to find Logan coming up the steps. He reaches the porch before noticing me.
“Hey,” he says, and I notice his gaze is no longer troubled. Perhaps the space has given him some time to think and come to terms with whatever this is.
“Hey.” Stepping aside, I let him in and notice the two large brown paper bags he’s carrying. Once we’re shut inside, I follow him into the kitchen.
“What are you making?” he questions as he looks at me with an amused expression.
“Soup, you had some veggies that have seen better days, and I figured we could have it for lunch.” I don’t want to seem over eager, but I can’t stop the flurry of butterflies that awaken in my belly when he smiles. I’ve not ever seen him grin like that, and I have to be honest; it’s breathtaking.
“Okay, then.” He chuckles. “Guess it’s a good thing I got some freshly baked bread rolls.” He starts unpacking the groceries and I help to put items in the fridge. We move in comfortable silence.
By the time everything is in its rightful place, we stop, both standing in the middle of the small kitchen. Our gazes locked on each other.
“This definitely will take some getting used to,” Logan finally says.
“What?”
He takes a step toward me, closing the distance between us. “Having a beauty in my home, having her make me lunch, give me kisses when I want it.”
“And all you had to do was kidnap me,” I tease before leaning up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his mouth. The beard he’s been growing tickles my chin, and Logan’s hands trail down to my ass as he lifts me against him.
My legs easily wrap around his waist, and my arms lace around his neck. Our lips mold together, his tongue darts out, dancing with mine as he deepens the kiss. Heat pools between my legs. A whimper of pleasure escapes me when Logan bites down on my lower lip, tugging the flesh until a sting of pain shoots through me, all the way to my clit.