With a Twist

by Nicole Hart

  “I don’t really remember a lot about back then. I think I blocked things out of my memory. I only have flashes every once in a while, and they don’t even happen so often anymore.”

  “Lucky you.” Isaac smirked, then stared at the multi-colored carpet of our hotel room.

  “I still dream about it,” I admitted for the first time out loud, ever.

  “Yeah?” Isaac pulled his head up, staring at me.

  “Yeah, my dreams aren’t ever actual dreams, they’re memories.”

  “More like nightmares then, huh?”

  “Absolutely. But I try my best not to let it drag me down, not anymore anyway. I can’t change what happened—none of us can. We were kids. None of those things were our fault.” That truth finally started to sink into my own psyche.

  “Some days, I ca…can’t get that shit out of my fucking head. It just rolls around over and over and over.” He pressed his finger into his temple, his teeth gritting together.

  Maxi glanced at me with wide eyes, fear covering her face. I patted her leg before making my way over to Isaac and sitting beside him. I could handle this.

  “What happened to us was horrible. We didn’t ask for it, and we sure as hell didn’t deserve it. It wasn’t our fault. Ben dying wasn’t our fault.”

  I watched as a tear streamed down his sunken cheek. He swiped it away just as quickly as it appeared.

  “It sure feels like it was. I mean, I saw him sprawled out on the floor, shaking, shit foaming out of his mouth, and I just fucking stood there. I couldn’t move. Why couldn’t I move?” His eyes were wide for the first time today, and he stared down at me.

  “Because you were a child.”

  “My head is so fucked up.” He stood and started to pace back and forth across the worn carpet.

  “You have to know you aren’t alone in this…not anymore.” I watched his old worn-out tennis shoes pad across the floor.

  “I just really want a shower and to get some sleep.” He let out a sigh and stopped pacing.

  “Okay, that’s a good idea. We have an early morning. The clinic wants us there at six.” Maxi struggled to put a smile on her face.

  “Cool.” Isaac grabbed his backpack and went to the bathroom.

  Maxi and I both changed quickly, putting our pajamas on and crawling into the bed closest to the wall, leaving the other for Isaac.

  “Do you think this is going to work?” Maxi whispered as we lay in the bed, the shower in the bathroom shutting off with a loud squeak.

  “It has to, right?” I replied in a quiet voice, not wanting Isaac to worry that we were speaking negatively of him.

  “He really needs help.” Her voice was hardly audible, even right next to me.

  “That’s why we’re here,” I assured her.

  He deserved a chance at a normal life. Everyone did.

  A few minutes later, Isaac walked out of the bathroom, the smell of hotel soap radiated through the room. It was a welcome change from the familiar scent he wore just a few minutes earlier. I heard a tiny exhale come from Maxi, and I knew she was thinking the same thing. Certain smells always triggered memories. And the smell of burning heroin was one you never forgot.

  “I just want to say thank you,” Isaac mumbled as he crawled into his bed, wearing a pair of sweats that were too big for him and a tattered T-shirt.

  “That’s what family does,” Maxi said before she turned off the light.

  Five in the morning came way too quickly as my cell phone alarm started to scream at me. I reached across the nightstand, begging it to silence. Surprising myself that I slept so soundly, not even waking up once.

  “Snooze, just once,” Maxi mumbled.

  “We need to get ready. We don’t want to be late.” I reached across the nightstand and pressed the button on the lamp.

  My eyes started to adjust as I looked over at the empty bed next to us.

  “Isaac,” I hissed, launching myself out of bed, praying he was in the bathroom as my feet shuffled in that direction.

  The bathroom was dark and empty.

  “He’s gone,” I mumbled.

  “No. No, he can’t be.” Maxi sat straight up in bed and darted her eyes in every direction of the room frantically.

  My eyes glanced at the entertainment center, where the small television sat, along with both of our purses. They were wide open.

  “Oh my God, no,” I whispered, and the realization hit me as I rummaged through my purse. “He took my money.” I shook my head, crossing my arms as panic set in.

  Maxi was right behind me as she glanced down at her own purse. “And my wallet, with everything in it.” She sat on the bed and placed her face in her hands. “Dammit,” she mumbled, her voice muffled by her fingers. “How could he do this to us?” She stared at our purses, her eyes bewildered.

  “I don’t know.” It was the only response I had.

  I knew he wanted to get his life together, I could see it in his eyes. But Isaac was powerless to his demons.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The last three weeks had been a whirlwind. I was so busy I hardly had time to think. From pulling doubles to make up for Isaac stealing all my extra cash to visiting Logan every chance I was allowed, I hardly had time to catch a breath, let alone exhale. Logan would be discharged and released today. Gage was picking him up from the clinic, but I hoped he would call me as soon as possible to arrange a time for us to see each other.

  “Order up!” Hector yelled from the kitchen as I shuffled my way behind the counter, full hands and tired feet after almost completing my shift.

  “Got it!” My mind wouldn’t stop replaying the morning in the hotel. It devastated me that Isaac would steal from us and disappear without a trace. Malina was even surprised, promising he had never stolen from her, or even her parents. Maxi kept in touch with her, but she hadn’t heard from him since that night at dinner. She assured us she would let us know if there was any word.

  I gave the food tray to our new waitress, Lindsey, with a smile, as I pointed her in the direction of her table. I was ready to get out of this place, anxious to hear from Logan and in desperate need of a shower. I grabbed my purse without slowing my steps and headed out the front door. My feet became cemented to the sidewalk, and my breath hitched in my chest when I caught sight of the most beautiful surprise standing in front of me.

  “Logan,” I squealed, throwing myself into his strong arms. I didn’t care that my hair was in a messy ponytail or that I didn’t have a stitch of makeup left after a ten-hour shift. I just wanted to be close to him.

  “I missed you,” he whispered into my ear, lifting my feet off the ground as he gripped me tightly.

  “I missed you more.” Timed phone calls and supervised visits were fine when we didn’t have any other choice, but this was what I needed. I longed for this. I buried my face into his neck and inhaled the delicious scent that was Logan.

  “Listen, I’m not even going to beat around the bush. I want you to stay the night at my place.” Logan pressed his soft, full lips against mine. His mouth moved as my lips parted, inviting him closer.

  “Okay,” I mouthed when we parted long enough to catch a breath, my voice deciding not to make an appearance.

  He kissed me once more, but I couldn’t get enough of him, couldn’t get close enough as he pressed his fingertips into my back. My nipples stood at attention as I rubbed against his chest.

  “Fuck.” His voice rumbled in my ear, a smile catching his lips, my feet still not touching the ground.

  “I need to get a bag first. Want me to meet you at your place?” I didn’t want to leave him, even for a minute, but I had to get a few things.

  “I’ve been away from you for too long, I can’t stand it anymore. I’ll take you there.” He stared into my eyes, and I could only concentrate on his lips as his tongue ran across his bottom lip. His eyes were hooded with desire that stole my breath, and the sudden heaviness between my thighs demanded attention.

  “L
et’s go,” I groaned, but sure to brush my lips against his once more. Then he loosened his grip just enough for my body to slide down his, putting me back on the ground.

  The cab ride to my apartment, and then to Logan’s place, was filled with constant touching and kissing. We couldn’t seem to get close enough, especially in the presence of the cab driver who did his best to avoid looking in his rearview mirror. One hand brushing against my leg would lead to a nibble on my ear, followed by my hand sliding down his chest, craving his body against mine. The sexual chemistry was off the charts, and it grew harder by the second to control ourselves—we needed to get the hell out of this cab.

  “Thanks.” Logan tossed cash into the driver’s hand while he pulled me out of the cab with haste. With shaky knees, I followed close behind him, his thumb rubbing against my fingers as we almost ran up his stairs.

  With one swift motion, Logan pulled me inside his apartment and closed the door behind him. Locking it with one hand, he grabbed me around the waist with the other and lifted me off my feet, pressing me against the door. My legs wrapped around his waist, and I squeezed them together, trying to suppress the urge that had been building since I first saw him outside the café.

  As much as I wanted him right here, I didn’t want it to be like this. I didn’t want him to strip me out of my coffee stained waitress uniform, with a messy ponytail. I wanted to be sexy for him, and no matter how much he caressed me and his eyes showed admiration for me, I didn’t feel sexy.

  “I really need a shower first.” My heavy breathing controlled most of my sentence.

  Logan pulled back slightly, his breathing just as heavy as mine and gave me a confused smile.

  “A shower, now?” He pressed his forehead to mine and squeezed my ass cheek, causing a current between my thighs.

  “Trust me…I’ll be quick,” I promised as he spun us both around and carried me into the direction of the bathroom. He allowed me to slide down his body, my head spinning from the friction it caused. With a groan, Logan backed away and left the room.

  I shed my clothes and turned the shower on at the same time. I had to make this fast—my body wouldn’t allow anything else. I hopped in the steamy shower and succumbed to the hot water sliding down my body. As I grabbed the shampoo that sat on the edge of the tub and squeezed it into my hand, I felt the breeze from the curtain moving.

  “Need some help,” Logan whispered, his breath hotter than the water that rolled down my body. His hardness brushed against my back when he reached around and pulled the bottle from my hands. The way he lathered the shampoo into my hair, massaging my scalp, made me fall closer into his chest, my body moving slightly side to side. His cock pressed into my back almost drove me wild with desire.

  “Yes,” I moaned, my head tilting back, his slick hands sliding over my breasts.

  “I couldn’t wait another minute.” His deep voice rumbled in my ear, causing me to shiver as he spun me around. He slammed his lips into mine seconds before he lifted me against him, my back pressing against the tile.

  “I don’t want to push you, Jess.” He spoke as if he had a moment of fear run across his mind, and that was the last thing I wanted.

  “Please, Logan. Don’t make me beg…because I will.” I whimpered, needing him right now more than I had ever needed anything.

  “You never have to beg for anything. Whatever you want, baby…it’s yours.”

  As he pressed his stone hard body against me, his mouth began to claim me.

  My body.

  My heart.

  My soul.

  All of it belonged to Logan.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Day turned to night while we remained in the shower, the water turning cold long ago, before we made our way back to Logan’s bedroom. And as I lay in his arms, peace washed over me. The sound of his breathing soothed me. I didn’t even mind the rhythmic hum of Bentley’s snores all the way in the other room.

  “Sorry, I have to fix that blind.” He pulled his arm out from under me and padded his bare feet over to the window to straighten the crooked slat that would have seemed unnoticeable to most people. He adjusted it three times before he grumbled “Fuck” under his breath.

  “It’s okay, Logan.” I cooed at him, hoping to reassure him everything was fine.

  “I’m on this new medicine, but I still get the urges sometimes, and the harder I try to fight it, the worse it is.” He hung his head as he walked away from the window, closer to the bed.

  “Well it doesn’t bother me, so don’t let me being here make a difference, okay? I want you to do whatever makes you feel better.” I pulled him down onto the bed, using all my strength that hardly made him budge. He appeased me and crawled next to me, my body sliding next to his, fitting like a glove.

  “Smoking a fatty would make me feel better.” He chuckled, the muscles in his chest rippled against my cheek.

  “I don’t mind.” And I didn’t, not in the least.

  “Nah, I’d rather be here next to you. A joint isn’t worth getting out of this bed.”

  “Who says you have to get out of bed? It won’t bother me, I promise.” I ran my nails lightly down his bare chest, his smooth skin prickling under my touch.

  “You’re sure?” He rolled onto his side, facing me, staring into my eyes. Watching. Waiting. Those postcard eyes pierced straight into my soul.

  “I am,” I assured him before reaching upward and brushing my lips across his.

  God, he was beautiful.

  He gave me a quick peck before leaning over me and reaching into the nightstand drawer. I watched as he pulled out a joint and lighter, then lay flat on his back. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little mesmerized as I watched him put the stick between his lips, the flame turning the twisted end of the paper a bright orange, getting brighter as he inhaled. The distinct smell filled my senses, and I realized it didn’t smell bad at all—in fact, I sort of liked it. The smoke billowed from the end and then slowly from his lips. He didn’t look in my direction, simply stared at the ceiling, completely unaware of my gawking. Each hit he took, the end would burn brighter, then he’d place it at his side as he exhaled, smoke dancing around both of us, drawing me in.

  The longer I watched, my head started to feel a little fuzzy, and I was pretty sure I was getting a contact high. I’d never had one before, but I was convinced I was right when I started to smile for no reason at all. I refrained from giggling because, although I was completely content in Logan’s presence, I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of him, either.

  “You okay, babe?” Logan propped himself up on his elbows and watched me. His eyes were bloodshot, and his crooked-like smile let me know all was well with him, and that made me happy.

  “More than okay.” The giggle I had been trying to suppress escaped my lips.

  Logan licked his thumb and index finger, before pressing the end of the joint between them, putting it out, and then placing it gently on his nightstand. I was fascinated by every move this man made. He turned back, gave me that smile once more before rolling me onto my back, hovering over me, licking his lips.

  “Does my baby have a contact?” He chuckled, kissing my neck, his breath teasing my senses.

  “I think so.” I giggled once more, closing my eyes, too embarrassed to look at him. But the smile that covered my face wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Look at me.” His deep voice rumbled close to my face, the smell of pot still lingering around both of us. “Open your eyes,” he whispered.

  My eyes fluttered open, gazing at the perfect face perched over me.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said with a groan.

  I couldn’t respond, all I could do was stare at him, take him in.

  “I think I’m falling in love with you, Jess.” His words took me by surprise. No, it was more than that. They utterly shocked me.

  “What?” My voice squeaked out just one syllable, convinced I must have heard him wrong.

 
; “I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” He kissed my neck before continuing. “I fell in love with the way you trace your fingers along my face.” Another kiss. “I fell in love with the way your breath sounds into my ear on the phone.” Kiss. “I fell in love with the way you watch me, without judgment.” Kiss. “I fell in love with a woman who was convinced she was weak, but is actually the strongest person I’ve ever met.” Kiss. “I take it back, I don’t think I’m falling in love with you…I know I’m already there, Jess.” He pressed his lips against mine, my own parting, welcoming him.

  “I love you,” he whispered against my lips.

  “Oh, Logan,” I mumbled, tears threatening to fall. I didn’t understand how someone as amazing as Logan could love someone like me. “I love you,” I whispered back to him, my lips trembling.

  “You do?” he asked, and I couldn’t believe he could question it.

  “I knew I was going to love you from the moment I saw those postcard eyes,” I admitted, maybe to myself for the first time.

  “Postcard?”

  I ran my fingers down the side of his face, taking him in, all his beauty.

  “I found a postcard once—it was from Orange Beach, Alabama. And the beach was this perfect emerald green. It was the most beautiful shade I had ever seen. And then I saw you, and your eyes were a perfect match. And my heart just knew, even before the rest of me realized it.” I lifted my head and kissed each of his eyelids, my lips moving from one to the other.

  “You’re perfect.” His lips were so close to mine, but not close enough to touch.

  “Perfectly flawed.” I smiled.

  “Perfect for me.”

  I closed my eyes, my senses on overload, everything around me, overwhelming me.

  “Open your eyes,” he repeated his words from earlier.

  I did as he asked.

  “You soothe me. I need to see you as I make love to you.” He grabbed my bottom lip, sucking it gently. Then he pierced his eyes into me, claiming me with a look.

  This man.