I find myself falling asleep and am woken later by the sound of my phone, screeching in my ear. I hastily sit up and realise I fell asleep with my phone right under my face. No wonder the damn thing seemed so loud.
With a groan, I answer the phone without looking at the caller ID.
“Hey, fucker,” Carters annoying voice says through the line.
“What’s up?” I say on a yawn.
“Not much, Bri and I were going to head around to yours for dinner,” he tells me.
“No can do, brother,” I say. “Jace and I are heading out.”
“Oh yeah,” he says with interest. “Where are you going?”
“That new club on main,” I murmur.
“Fuck yeah, count us in,” he says before calling out to Bri. “Babe, call Cass. We’re going out tonight.”
“What?” I grunt. “That wasn’t an invitation.” Far out. There’s no stopping them now. The whole family is going to be tagging along. I can just imagine it now, the second Cassie recognises Elle, it’s going to be on for young and old.
“Tough shit, bro,” he says and I can tell by his tone he has a grin plastered across his face. “Bri has been begging for a night out to get messy and I’m sure Cass is too.”
Well… this is going to be interesting. If Bri is getting messy, then Carter is too and I can only imagine the type of shit that’s going to come out of his mouth tonight. Hopefully, Sean will come along and can reel him in when that inevitably happens.
“Fine,” I grunt. “Jace is bringing Lacey. We’re meeting at my place before heading in.”
“Ugh, is he still with that chick?” Carter asks in distaste.
“Yeah,” I laugh, “What’s your problem with her?”
“Dude, remember that chick in high school I screwed in the science labs before getting sprung by her boyfriend at the time?”
“Yeah…?”
“That’s her,” he says proudly. Oh geez.
“Shit,” I sigh, tonight really is going to be interesting. “I’d forgotten about that. You sure it’s the same chick?”
“Dude, I don’t forget my conquests,” he laughs.
“Don’t let Bri hear you saying that,” I warn him before checking the time. Crap. It’s getting late. If I don’t have a shower now, I won’t have a chance before everyone start pilling in. “I got to go, man.”
“Yeah, right. We’ll be there soon,” he says before ending the call.
With that, I hobble as best I can up the stairs and get myself showered and presentable before heading back downstairs and ordering a few pizza’s, knowing the girls are already going to be drinking and I’d rather they had a little food in their stomach’s before they get absolutely wasted. I mean, I can already tell it’s going to be an unforgettable night, I just hope it’s unforgettable for the right reasons.
Within the next half-hour, quite literally everyone shows up. Cassie comes waltzing in with Jax first, followed by Carter and Bri, Sean and Sara then Jace and Lacey. The second Lacey walks in, her eyes widen in shock quickly followed by pure panic as she notices Carter smirking at her from across the room and it’s clear Jace doesn’t know shit. Carter looks to me with a wicked grin and I realise he’s going to be the designated shit stirrer tonight.
Just great.
Drinks are poured, pizza is devoured and then the inevitable fight happens.
Who’s driving?
A funny looks comes between Sean and Sara before she says that she’ll drive us all, only it doesn’t solve our problem as there are nine of us to squeeze in an eight-seater car. But Carter does what he does best and crawls into the trunk of the car and hides.
“Nup. No way,” Sara says, shaking her head at my brothers. “I am not driving with that idiot in the back.”
“Come on,” Carter calls as his head pokes up and appears in the back window. “Get your asses in the car.”
“Babe?” Sean questions. He would never make her do something she isn’t comfortable with so if she says no, then the plans about to change.
She lets out a loud huff. “Fine, but if I get arrested you’re all going down with me.”
With that, we pile into the car and before we know it, we’re pulling up at the club.
For some reason, nerves start to take over and I have no idea why but it completely freaks me out. Why the hell am I nervous? I’ve been with a million girls and never once felt this way but there’s something about Elle. I just need to know her. I need to be next to her and find out what makes her tick. What does she like? who are her friends? Where does she live and why the fuck hasn’t she agreed to go out with me yet?
I shake it off as we make our way towards the door. “What’s up with you?” Jace asks as he reaches for the door. “You look… sick.”
“Nah, I’m fine,” I tell him as I walk past while he holds the door open for the rest of our group. My eyes instantly start scanning the room and I’m not disappointed when I find Elle, looking as radiant as ever in a gold, sequined dress, leaning across the bar and reaching for her drink. She stands with a friend, laughing as she sips in her drink.
I find myself unable to move as I watch her. The flashing lights of the club illuminating her blonde hair and making her look like the only person in the room. My nerves instantly settle and a feeling of rightness takes over. In this moment, I’m exactly where I need to be.
“He’s right,” Cass buts in with a curious look. “You look funny… what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I say defensively but my argument is cut short the second she turns her head towards the bar and notices the blonde bombshell looking like a Greek goddess.
“Oh. My. God,” she shrieks with a smug look. “You’re here to see Elle, aren’t you?”
“No,” I say. “It’s a complete coincidence.”
“Bullshit,” she laughs before turning back to our group. “Logan’s girlfriend is here,” she teases as they look to me in shock.
“Girlfriend?” Sean grunts in disbelief.
I shake my head. “She’s not my girlfriend,” I say as Cass starts pointing her out to everyone. Each of the guys instantly get a look of appreciation come over their faces as they take in my girl.
“She’s hot,” Carter says. “Why don’t you go for it?”
“It’s not for lack of trying,” I tell him. “She’s the new junior physio on the team and doesn’t want to get caught messing around with the players.”
Understanding dawns on all their faces but they all know I’m going to give it a go anyway.
“Alright,” Sean says as he takes Sara’s hand. “Let’s get this night started.”
“Fuck yeah,” Carter calls as he grabs Brianna and yanks her towards the bar.
I stay back with Jace and Lacey and find ourselves a table while the other’s go and grab a shit load of drinks and food for us all.
I watch as Carter and Bri walk by Elle. I grin in amusement as her eyes instantly latch onto Carter like she’s seeing a ghost. Her eyes follow him which is when she sees Bri’s hand in Carters and a look of disappointment takes over her before she covers it up and starts pointing him out to her friend. It’s damn clear she thinks Carter is me, we’re just that identical.
The need to put her out of her misery takes over and I make my way across the club. I squeeze myself in between the girls and throw my arms over each other their shoulders as the two of them continue to check out Carter. “See something you like, ladies?” I smirk.
Elle’s head flicks towards me instantly before recognition hits and a gasp followed by a curse comes flying out of her mouth. “Holy shit, Logan. What are you doing here?” I’m caught off guard by her beauty and feel momentarily paralysed so I’m thankful when her friend cuts in.
“Huh?” her friend says as she looks to me before hooking her thumb in Carters direction. “I thought that was Logan?”
“No, no. He’s not as handsome as me,” I say with a cheeky wink in her direction.
Her face instantly flu
shes as she makes a show of fanning herself. “My, oh my,” she grins. “You’re right about that. I’m Jaz.”
“Hey,” Elle says, cutting off whatever smart-ass response I was about to give before fixing me with a look of pure suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she questions.
I can’t help but smirk at her and in that moment, it’s clear she knows that I was aware of her plans. “I’m here with the family, we’re checking out the new club,” I tell her.
Her suspicion doesn’t disappear. “Right… and what do you think of it so far?” she asks with amusement beginning to shine in those blue eyes.
“It’s fucking stunning,” I murmur as I look to her intently so she catches on to my double meaning. It’s not lost on her as she looks away with that familiar flush taking over her beautiful cheeks. “Why don’t you ladies come join us?” I say.
Her head is shaking before she can even get the words out. “Nah, I don’t think so.”
“I do,” Jaz grins before giving Elle a look that says ‘I dare you to stop me.’
“Ugh,” she groans as she looks to me. “Fine, but you need to behave.”
With her shoulder still tucked firmly under my arm, I lead her and Jaz towards our table. “I can’t make any promises,” I murmur for only her to hear as my thumb rubs gently over her shoulder. A shiver takes over her and I know she feels it too, that same feeling that’s driving me right now. I just wish she wasn’t so stubborn and would give in to my wicked charm.
We make it to our table and I introduce the girls to everyone and make sure I let Elle know exactly who Jax is on the team as they are bound to meet in a professional capacity eventually. Carter and Sean make their way back to the table and Jaz practically loses her mind.
“Far out, these men are like… wow,” she says as she practically starts drooling. “Why is everyone here taken?”
“It must be your lucky day,” Elle says. “Logan here is as free as a bird. Have at him.”
“Sorry, love,” I say to Jaz. “I’ve got my sights set on someone.”
Jaz lets out a laugh as Elle groans from beside me. “No shit.”
An hour later, the whole table is a mess of girls giggling while the guys are talking louder and louder as they try to be heard over one another. Elle has relaxed just as I assumed she would after a few drinks and is well and truly on her way to being drunk. I absolutely love it.
Another round of champagne flutes is placed down on the table and Elle reaches across to start handing them out to all the girls. She hands one to Sara who instantly declines. “None for me,” she says holding up a hand. “I’m driving.”
Elle pulls the flute back while Brianna reaches out. “I’ll take that,” she says with a flute in each hand.
“That’s right, babe. Drink up,” Carter encourages.
“Aren’t you generally supposed to discourage your girlfriend from drinking so much?” Elle questions.
Carter smirks back at her. “Nah, not this one,” he says. “Brianna gets real kinky when she’s drunk.”
“Oh, God, I want that,” Jaz says as she gets up from the table. “I need to find a man to take home tonight, who’s with me?”
At that, each of the six girls get up, grab their glasses of champagne and head out onto the dance floor, but I’m grinning like a fool as Elle grabs my hand and hauls me up behind her.
Fuck yeah.
The guys follow behind and find their partners and I soon find myself wrapping my arms around Elle and grinding up behind her as she lets loose and dances like a pro. She turns in my arms and grins up at me. “You knew I was here,” she accuses.
“Yeah,” I laugh. “I saw the message come through on your phone yesterday. Is that going to be a problem?”
“Not right now,” she smiles, “But I’m sure it will be come tomorrow.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I tell her as she throws her arms around my neck and rubs her perfect body up against mine.
“Why’d you come?” she questions.
“I can’t answer that,” I say.
“You can’t or you won’t?”
“Can’t,” I confirm. “I have no idea what it is, but there’s something about you and it’s driving me insane.”
She grins up at me. “You’re a smooth talker, Captain.”
“You like it,” I tell her. “In fact, you love it.” Her face flushes once again and I see the denial on her lips. “Don’t deny it, baby. I know you’re not ready and that’s ok. You will be soon.”
Her eyes meet mine and I see the fear behind them. “You’re a heartbreaker,” she accuses and it all becomes abundantly clear to me. She’s scared I’m going to hurt her. That I’m just like all the other players out there and I’m going to have to prove to her that I’m not. I mean, I’ve definitely had my moments in the past but she’s different. She’s someone I want to be around, someone I see myself caring for and I’ve never had that feeling with a woman before.
She’s going to be mine and there’s no doubt about it, she just has to realise it first.
A few hours later, Carter and Bri are practically screwing on the dance floor. Jax has taken Cass home. Sara is yawning at the table and I have no idea what happened to Jace and Lacey but I know Lacey has the shits after Carter dropped the bomb on Jace and let him know about their past.
Elle and Jaz collapse into their seats while Elle pulls out her phone. “I’m going to call a taxi,” she tells Jaz who nods along while downing another glass of champagne.
The thought of these two disappearing in a taxi terrifies me. “Let me drive you home,” I say to Elle.
She looks up at me with a smirk. “Nup, no way,” she says. “Besides, I thought she was driving,” she says as she looks to Sara who’s now asleep on her husband’s shoulder.
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” I say before nodding to Sean. “Come on. I’ll drop you guys home, too.”
Sean nudges Sara and lets her know we’re leaving. She fishes through her purse and hands me the keys before letting Sean help her up. “You coming?” I say to Elle who looks completely undecided.
“Nope,” she says.
I stop in my tracks and look down at her, realising she’s just being stubborn. “Why not?”
“Because I’m not a damsel in distress. I don’t need you to come in and save me. I’ve been taking care of myself long enough,” she tells me.
“Babe, you’re being stupid. Get your ass out of that chair. I’m taking you girls home.” She presses her lips together in consideration and I can see she’s still leaning towards a big fat no, but unfortunately for her, I’m not taking no as an answer. “I’m not going to take you home and take advantage of you. I just want to make sure you get home safe.”
She rolls her eyes as she gets to her feet. “Fine. You win this round, Captain, but only because I don’t want to sit in the back of a dirty taxi.”
“Noted,” I grin.
Chapter 8
Elle
The blinding sun coming through my bedroom window is enough to wake me and realise that maybe I drunk a few too many glasses of champagne last night. My head aches and I’m pretty sure if I don’t make it to the bathroom within the next few seconds, I’ll be seeing last night’s dinner all over my bed.
I groan as I get myself up out of bed and to my feet. I have to use the wall to stabilize myself as I head down the hallway and find the bathroom. After finishing my business, I take a good look at myself in the mirror. Holy crap. I look like a train wreck. My hair looks like Louie has been living in it for the past few months, mascara is smudged all over my face and for some reason, I’m wearing a shirt that certainly is not mine.
What the hell happened last night?
The last thing I remember is being in the club after that big buffoon crashed my girl’s night with Jaz. Then he ordered round after round, we danced, he said something that is way too blurry for my mind to recall and then I somehow got myself home. Though, I should probably go check in with Jaz to
make sure she made it home safely as well, even though neither of us would have left the club without the other. You know, safety in numbers and all that crap.
I look down at the shirt that comes down to my knees and try to remember why it’s familiar to me. I know for a fact that it’s not one of Brendan’s as this is way too expensive for our kind of budget and besides, I buy all his clothes for him and I certainly didn’t get him this.
I wrack my brain as I go about brushing my teeth and washing the mascara off my face. I’m halfway through brushing the nest out of my hair when it hits me. This is the shirt Logan was wearing last night. But how the hell did it get on me and more importantly, why the hell is it on me?
Though… I have to admit, I like the way it looks on me… and smells.
Did something happen last night that I’m not remembering? Shit… is my underwear still intact? I raise up the bottom of his shirt and take a peek. Oh, thank god, there they are. I couldn’t have lost my virginity without knowing, right? I’m sure if that had happened he would have been right there in my bed this morning… or maybe he’s the kind to screw me and leave but then he would have left with his shirt on… right?
Why the hell am I in his shirt? And why the hell do I like it so much?
Shit. There are way too many questions that need to be answered and I’m sure Jaz might have a few of them for me, she tends to do a little better the morning after a big night but first, I need coffee.
I leave Logan’s shirt on as I trudge up to the kitchen, I mean, why not. It’s comfy as hell and smells just like him. I can live in the fantasy for just a little while longer.
I bypass the kitchen and flick the button on the kettle before cutting across the back of the lounge to say good morning to Louie. I take the blanket off his cage and give him a smile that kind of hurts my head. “Hey, little guy. Did you miss me last night?” I ask as I let him out.
With a squawk, he makes his way out of the cage and makes himself comfortable on my shoulder. I head back in the kitchen to finish making my coffee when Louie flies off my shoulder and finds his favourite spot on the lounge.
Logan_Denver Royalty [Book 1] Page 6