“Can we get this over with, please? I’ve had a rough week and I’m tired.”
Logan had promised they wouldn’t hurt me. And I trusted him. I believed him. He’d risked his life for me tonight. I knew he would keep me safe. He would protect me. Who cared if I was sitting for the interrogation? Luke didn’t intimidate me.
Luke jerked his head in a nod, his gaze filling with respect. He moved around to stand in front of me.
And the questions came.
At first, he asked me simple things. My full name. Nishi Anand. Age. Twenty-four. Where I was born. Tokyo, Japan. Did I have a college degree? No, I’d been my father’s prisoner for the past eight years. My formal education ended the moment he took me out of Japan. From that point on, the only education I was allowed was in the ways of the shinobi and martial arts. Any siblings? No. How long had I been in America? Eight years. How many different languages did I speak? Three. Hindi, Japanese, and English.
Luke seemed satisfied with the first round of questions and answers. Then he changed to questions about the Black Dragons. How long had I been a member? I wasn’t a member. I was just the boss’s daughter. A prisoner. Held against my will. What can you tell us about the Black Dragons? They are skilled fighters. Shadow warriors. My father was a powerful shinobi in Japan. The Dragons are very dangerous. Are they hunting the dregs? Yes. They have files on each of you. How did you meet Logan? Was it planned? No. I managed to escape that night. I stowed away in the back of my father’s truck. When they stopped at a gas station to fill up, I slipped out of the truck and hid behind the pump. It was pure coincidence that Logan showed up right then. I jumped into his truck, hoping he would take me far away.
Luke paused a moment, exchanging glances with Ryan. Then he asked me about the wedding and Malik. Did I love Malik? No. Hell no. The man terrified and repulsed me. Why was I marrying him, then? Because my father sold me to him in an online auction, and Malik wanted a legal wedding. The wedding was to create an alliance between the two gangs. I had no choice in the matter. If I had a choice, who would I marry then?
I glanced at Logan and whispered, “Logan.”
Logan jerked at my response, color creeping up his neck and into his face. His eyes grew hooded as he lowered his gaze. Had I made him uncomfortable? Embarrassed him? Luke had asked me to be honest, so I was being honest. If I could marry anyone in the world, I would choose Logan.
Luke’s lips twitched. He glanced at Logan. “She’s telling the truth. About everything.”
The breath whooshed out of me in relief. Though I’d been completely honest, a part of me had feared Luke wouldn’t believe me.
“Are we done here now?” I glared at Luke, letting him know I wasn’t happy about being interrogated.
“Just a few more questions. What are your intentions with Logan? Are you planning on using him? Turning him in to your father? Why are you here?”
“My intentions?” My chest squeezed. I bolted from the chair, my eyes swimming with tears. “You think I’m using him?” I couldn’t even contemplate that, not after how kind Logan had been to me. “Logan is special to me,” I whispered, my breath hitching. “I would never betray him. I’m only here because he brought me here. But I would gladly stay with him. Forever.”
Silence stretched. Logan stepped up behind me, wrapping a protective arm around me. He glowered at Luke. “We’re done here.”
They locked stares. Then Luke stepped back. “We’re done. But I may have more questions for her later.”
“Let’s go.” Logan urged me out of the ring.
“Just so you know,” Luke called after us. “She was being honest the entire time. Your little Nishi did not lie.”
I paused and spun to face him. “Of course, I did not lie.”
He shrugged. “No offense, but I had to do that to make sure you weren’t out to destroy him. He’s a dreg. And you’re associated with the Black Dragons. What kind of friend would I be if I let you close to him without checking you out first?”
Logan tugged on my arm. “Come on. Let’s go. He means well. He just isn’t very tactful sometimes.”
I stared into Luke’s intense blue eyes. “Next time, I get to ask you the questions.”
Ryan snickered and slapped Luke on the arm. Luke’s eyes twinkled and his lips twitched. “Fair enough, little Nishi. By the way, you fought well back in Augusta. Those were some awesome moves. Maybe you can teach us all some of your moves later.”
Now he was complimenting me? I had to admit he and the other dregs had been pretty amazing themselves. They’d saved me. Risked their lives for a complete stranger. I owed them all. Showing them a few moves couldn’t hurt.
I gave a curt nod.
Then I slipped my hand in Logan’s.
And we left the gym.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Logan
I brought Nishi to Gordon’s old apartment. She would be safe here. We hadn’t changed anything after Gordon died. All we’d done was remove his personal belongings. She followed me inside, glancing around.
Then she turned and launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.
I let out a startled oomph and stumbled back as she pressed kisses all over my face.
“Thank you, Logan. Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me. Whatever you want in return, I will give to you.”
Heat crept up my neck, flushing into my face. “Nishi,” I protested. “I don’t want anything in return.”
She leaned her head back, looking into my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I gently extricated myself from her and set her on the floor. “Just having your friendship is payment enough for me. Just having you safe is all I need.”
I waved toward the kitchen. “Let me show you around. The kitchen is over there…” I waited while she walked into the kitchen, opened a few cupboards and drawers, then peered into the fridge. She snagged an apple and bit into it, turning back to me with a smile.
“Did you buy food for me?”
“Yep.” I next turned and pointed toward the only bedroom. “The bedroom is in there.”
She strode past me, taking another bite of the apple, and headed into the bedroom, checking out the bed, the dresser, and the small nightstand. Then she sprawled out on the bed and tossed her arms above her head, smiling up at me. “I’ve never had a bed this big before. There’s so much room that you could easily fit here beside me. If you wanted to. And that is an open invitation, Logan. You don’t have to ask me. You are welcome in my bed anytime.”
I cleared my throat as heat returned to my face in a rush. The girl was certainly not shy or subtle.
I turned away and pointed toward the tiny bathroom across the way. “And the bathroom is there.”
She rose from the bed and moved past me into the bathroom, opening the cabinet, and the top drawer, inspecting its contents, all the while munching on the apple. She appeared satisfied, smiling as she glanced around.
“Thank you, Logan. You’ve been very kind.”
I headed for the door. “I’ll, uh, let you get settled then. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Her tiny hand closed around my wrist, halting me. “Logan, wait.”
I slowly turned to face her.
“Will you stay for a little while? I’ve got so many questions I want to ask you. Will you spend time with me?”
I hesitated. The more I was around Nishi, the harder it was to resist her. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, she was also strong and courageous, yet also sweet and innocent at the same time. She was spicy, fun, humorous. And so very brave. She was tiny, dainty, yet possessed a strength of will that wasn’t often found in a woman. I was completely smitten with her. If I didn’t stay away from her, I could easily fall for her.
I hadn’t forgotten what had happened to the last woman I’d loved. If I were to fall for Nishi, chances were, I would lose her, too. Someone—either The Company or the gangs or a bounty hunter or
even law enforcement—would eventually kill her to get to me. Being a dreg meant I would never be normal, I would always be judged and misunderstood. Tracker and Jacob and Nate and Tony had all found love. True love. I won’t deny I wanted that, too. But at what price?
I’d sworn after what had happened to Himari that I would stay away from women. I would never let another woman die because of me. And I’d kept that vow so far. I’d stayed away from females, even the whores. Himari’s death had broken something inside me, something I wasn’t sure if I could repair. Did that make me damaged? Probably. I had endured terrible things as a soldier for The Company. I had somehow survived the worst kind of hell. So I guess that made me damaged inside. Like the other dregs, there was a part of me that didn’t think I deserved love or that I deserved to be happy, not after the things I’d done. But deep down, I still longed for true love, for that happily ever after like some of the other dregs had already found. Was it even possible for me?
I had originally vowed to stay away from Nishi. But all I had to do was look into her beautiful eyes and I was lost. Sucked under her spell. I barely knew her, yet I would do anything for her. Anything. The idea of spending more time with her, visiting with her, filled me with happiness.
“Sure. I can stay for a bit.”
Why wasn’t I strong enough to tell her no? Was I just itching for heartache?
Admit it. You can’t deny her anything. If she kissed you right now, you wouldn’t be able to push her away. You wouldn’t be able to say no. You would break your vow of celibacy.
“Let me help you wash that junk off your face,” she suggested, pulling me into the bathroom.
I went without protest. Though I could easily wash my own face, I really couldn’t deny her anything.
Nishi closed the lid on the toilet and urged me on the seat. She removed a washcloth from the top drawer, dampened it with warm water, then began wiping the makeup off my face. I closed my eyes and let her clean my skin. Her legs brushed against my knees, my thighs, making awareness snake through me. Her soft scent reached me as she leaned close, gently wiping the makeup off. I opened my eyes to find her small breasts mere inches from my nose. I inhaled sharply, desire coiling deep in my loins. Ah hell. I squeezed my eyes shut again, and tried to think about something else. Anything else.
But all I could imagine was Nishi’s small breasts and what they might feel like in my hands.
“There. All done.”
I jerked my eyes open as she stepped back and set the washcloth in the sink. I bolted up from the toilet seat and moved to glance in the mirror. My cheeks were red, though I wasn’t sure if it was from her scrubbing or my own heightened awareness of her.
I cleared my throat. “Thanks.”
She smiled. “Let’s go sit on the couch and talk now.” She turned and headed into the living room. I followed, unable to get any words past my lips. Damn. This girl was getting to me.
Nishi sat on the center cushion of Gordon’s brown leather couch, then tilted her head back to smile up at me.
I moved to the far corner and sat, keeping my distance, though I longed to sit right next to her. If she was too close, I might not be able to resist touching her.
Nishi slid closer until she was sitting right next to me. My heart slammed into my ribs. My breath caught. Oh hell. I was trapped, wedged into the corner of the couch. I fought the urge to reach my arm around her and pull her into my lap. And press my lips to hers. Nishi made me want, when I hadn’t wanted in a very long time.
She turned to face me, her knees brushing against my thigh. “I want to thank you again for saving me. You’re very kind and selfless. I really want to know more about you.”
I cleared my throat. No one had ever said they wanted to know more about me before. “My story isn’t exactly a happy one,” I admitted.
“Neither is mine. But if we share our stories, it will help us bond. Grow closer. I want to know you, Logan. All of you.”
Heat crept up my neck and into my face again. Why did this girl make me blush like a teenager?
She reached over and threaded her fingers through my hair just above my missing ear. I had to force back a soft groan of pleasure. Her touch felt so damn good. It had been so long since I’d experienced a woman’s touch. And never had it felt as good as this.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the couch as she brushed her fingers through my hair, over and over.
“I can see your scars now,” she admitted quietly. “But they are very tiny and hard to see.” She ran her finger over the thin scar along my jaw line. “You must have had an excellent surgeon.”
I opened my eyes. “Yes.”
She looked into my eyes. “Do you have a hard time hearing with only one ear?”
“Sometimes. If I’m in a really busy place, the noise can be too much, and I have a difficult time pinpointing any single sound. If I’m turned away and someone speaks really softly, or a quiet sound comes from my deaf side, I don’t always pick it up. But I do have heightened senses like all the other dregs, and my hearing is still pretty acute. If I’m in a quiet place, like right now, then I don’t have a problem.”
She leaned closer, so that her mouth was almost touching mine.
“So that means you can hear me right now when I say I want to kiss you.”
I gulped. Oh hell. “Nishi.” It was a soft protest, though only half-hearted. Before I could stop her, she slid into my lap.
My heart pounded. My gaze locked on hers. My hands twitched at my sides, eager to touch her. I didn’t know how long I could resist.
Then she leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine.
A soft moan escaped my lips. And then my hands went her hips, unable to resist any longer. I gently rubbed up and down her sides, my thumbs stroking along her torso, halting just beneath her breasts.
“Nishi…” I kissed her back slowly, savoring every touch, pulling her closer.
I was lost. Her sweet, feminine scent consumed me. Her erotic taste overwhelmed me. I wanted. Wanted.
I urged her to open for me, gently pressing my tongue against her lips. Her lips parted, and I swept my tongue in, lightly at first, then more deeply, exploring, tasting her. She cupped my face in her hands, her mouth eager against mine, opening wide and taking me in deep, her tongue eagerly seeking mine.
Desire snaked through me. So hot. I leaned my head back against the couch and let her set the pace, our lips and tongues coming together again and again in sweet oblivion.
She let out a soft whimper and settled more snuggly against me, rubbing, rubbing…
Oh fuck…
“Logan,” she gasped. “Oh, Logan.”
I groaned. My body was on fire with need. It had been seven long years since I’d wanted a woman with such intensity. Hell, I’d never wanted—never needed—a woman this much. There was just something special about Nishi that drew me to her.
She let go of my face, leaning away and slipping her hands down, down, then slid them up inside my shirt, feeling along my torso. I let out a soft groan, leaning forward and taking her mouth again in a fierce kiss.
She pressed against me, her fingers gently stroking over my abs, as she kissed me back.
It was fucking incredible. Never had a kiss been so magnificent.
“Logan,” she whispered against my mouth. “I want…I need…more. Please.”
More.
She was still wearing my shirt that hung loosely over her small body. I slipped my hands up inside and gently stroked over her small, pert breasts. She gasped, arching into my hands, and my body responded with an answering jerk of need.
Her breasts were small—tiny, almost—and I desperately wanted to see them. To touch them. To taste them. I rolled her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers, making her gasp and moan and arch into me. My body was a raging inferno, hot with need, throbbing painfully.
But I couldn’t take Nishi like this. What the hell was I doing?
I released her and leaned
back, closing my eyes, breathing in deeply, then out. I needed to get control before we did something neither of us were ready for. I was the kind of guy who needed to feel something for a woman before I took her into my bed.
The thing was, I was already feeling something powerful for Nishi. And it was more than just a physical attraction. The girl did something to me deep inside.
But this was too fast. We needed to slow down. Get to know each other better first. I’d never been so consumed with lust before. I’d never lost control like that.
“Logan?” her voice was soft, confused. “What’s wrong?”
I raked a hand through my messy hair, then looked her in the eye. “I’m sorry. That was a little…too fast. I should have asked if I could touch you first. Forgive me?”
She blinked. “Forgive you? What for? I liked it. And besides, I was the one who started it. You don’t ever have to ask if you can touch me, Logan.”
“Nishi.” I lifted her off me, setting her next to me on the couch.
Her eyes filled with hurt. “You don’t want me?”
I rubbed a hand over my face. “Of course, I want you. Very much. But I think we should get to know each other better first. I don’t want to rush into anything.”
She was silent a moment, then, “You’re the first and only man I have ever wanted.”
My heart gave a little ping of joy at that confession. She didn’t know how good that made me feel. “After you get to know me better, you may change your mind,” I warned. I didn’t want to believe that, but it was true. Once she learned more about me, she might not want to have anything more to do with me.
“I doubt that, Logan. You’re the first man to ever kiss me, unless I count Jiro, but I only let him kiss me so I could escape.”
What?
“Nishi…” Shock rocked through me. Was she saying what I thought she was saying? That she was…
Oh, hell! How was that even possible? I couldn’t corrupt this sweet, innocent creature. What was I thinking?
The Trainer (military romantic suspense) (The Dregs Book 5) Page 11