“How could I ever hate you Jenny, you have me confused honey.” I hug her. Jenny falls apart in my arms. I look to Logan for some help. He just shrugs. Obviously not knowing what’s going on.
“OK, you’re kind of freaking me out here, why don’t we go inside so we can talk. Whatever is wrong we’ll fix it, we’ve been through so much, it’ll be fine.” I wrap Jenny in my arms and turn her towards my front door. The men following behind.
Once inside even I feel intimidated with the bulkiness of Logan and Darren surrounding us. I give Logan a look trying to channel that he should be less intimidating, then look towards Darren giving them both eyes that I hope conveys for them both to relax a little.
Jenny stops crying and is taking in everything around her. While wiping her eyes she smiles at me, her bright smile lighting her face as she leans into me and say’s, “You have a hot, bad ass cowboy. I am so happy for you babe.” I roll my eyes but smile back.
Jenny looks tired. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a pony tail, but stray pieces have fallen out framing her face. As tired as she looks, she is still a knock out. Bright blue eyes meet mine, hers filling again with tears.
“I’m an idiot. No, strike that. Science should study me to see if I am the only walking human who never uses her brain when it matters.”
“Jenny….” I try to interrupt. But I should know better. She is up and pacing, I look towards Logan and Darren tell them, “Don’t bother, when she gets like this there’s no stopping her. And honestly, it can be quite amusing.”
Logan winks at me, and Darren just continues to stare at the show that is unfolding before him.
“You know what?” Jenny asks but doesn’t wait for a response from anyone. “I shouldn’t be aloud to talk to people. I should just make recordings because it would suck not to talk, like ever. So I can be like Siri, where I’m talking, but not actually interacting with anyone.”
“Jenny, if you’d just tell me…..” I try once again. Even though I know she’s not done, as she continues pacing in front of my couch.
“Look at your place. It’s great. And I may have totally messed that up for you.” Jenny yells and leans into me and sobs. I see Logan and Darren tense up at this remark. I shake my head at Logan when he looks like he wants to say something; thankfully they remain quiet letting Jenny ramble.
She grabs my face with both hands, this is not fun, but I let her and she continues her speech, “You deserve happy, you deserve this adorable place. And it’s adorable.” Jenny pulls it together again for a moment, so I nod and remove her hands from my face saying, “Thanks hon.”
“You wanna tell us how you may have messed something up for Laura?” This is coming from Logan who I noticed is looking tense and circumspect when it comes to my well being. He must have conveyed this to Darren in a non verbal alpha male vibe. By the look on their faces they seem like they are ready for anything. And I mean anything. Gunfire, atom bomb, zombie invasion……and looking between Logan and Darren, I know that whatever was to happen, they would keep us safe.
It was a nice feeling. One so immense that I was overcome with emotion, and a feeling of belonging. I haven’t felt truly safe in so long I forget when the last time actually was.
“And look you have a hot cowboy, and,” Jenny stops and looks at Darren, “his hot cowboy friend, who looks like he is made of granite, may I add.”
I get up and grasp Jenny by her shoulders turning her to face me, and hopefully to get her to stop staring at Darren. Plus the fact that she is making me dizzy with her pacing, “Jenny, this is Logan. You spoke to him yesterday before you beamed yourself here.” That gets me a mini smile from Jenny “Logan and his son have become really important to me. And this” I motion to Darren “is Logan’s friend, Darren, it hasn’t been confirmed or denied if he’s made out of granite. But all the same he’s a great guy.”
I notice Darren’s cheeks turn a shade of pink. Interesting.
“Hey.” Jenny finally says giving them a low wave all the while taking a big breath. Only to look at me and have tears start to flow again.
“Hey Jenny. What is it?” I ask her calmly, knowing that Logan and Darren are probably done with the dramatics, and I too would like to know what she is talking about and why she’s here.
***********
Jenny sits next to me on the couch and once she composes herself she starts, “So remember that guy that I was dating. I know I didn’t say much about him to you because I didn’t want to jinx it. I think more of the reason I didn’t say anything was because something felt off. I was happy when I was with him; he was attentive, and sweet. But then it got weird.” Jenny looks away.
“How’d it get weird?” I ask grasping both of her hands in mine.
“Well, let’s just say he never took me to meet any of his friends. Ever. We never went back to his place, we were always at mine. He would get a phone call and have to leave, like immediately. When I would question him about his job, he was very evasive. I thought maybe it was something he wasn’t too happy about or embarrassed about doing. He was big, in a muscle-bound-I-can-rip-your-head-off kind of way.”
“Oh my God Jenny, did this guy hurt you?” I immediately feel the air in the room go electric.
“No, no. It’s not what you think. Not like that asshole you dated. But it’s not good either.” I grimace because I think Jenny forgot we have an audience. I decide to ignore her comment, but hear a growl from Logan and in my peripheral vision I can see Darren clenching his fists.
“Jenny, can you get to the point honey?” I ask, knowing that the men in the room are growing more restless as the minutes pass.
“OK, I decided to follow Tony. I was tired of him disappearing all the time and not knowing. Do you remember when we watched that Oprah episode when you had that really bad cold? I brought you that chicken soup from Ben’s deli that you loved.” Jenny starts to get off topic, which happens to her when she is nervous.
“Yeah, I remember, honey, you want to get to the point of the story.” I say quickly.
“Oh, sorry.” Jenny blushes as she looks at Logan and Darren. “Well, Oprah said to trust your instincts. And something was telling me to trust my instincts and follow him. So I did. I followed him. We were at my place, I had made dinner, and it was a really good dinner.” Jenny leaned into me to emphasize.
“I’m sure it was if you were cooking it.” I offer a smile and a nod hoping to keep her going with the story. Because if she doesn’t get to the point soon, I am afraid Logan and Darren are going to tie her up and start water torture.
“It was good.” She agrees.
“So Tony get’s a phone call right when we’re going to sit down and say’s sorry babe ‘Gotta go’, like that was an acceptable excuse and I should be like, ‘Sure honey, you go do your mysterious thing you do.’ Not this time. I got in my car and followed him. Damn good thing I am addicted to cop shows. Do you know where he led me?”
“I would if you would tell us.” I quickly add, cutting off any comments from the men.
“He led me to John’s apartment. John was waiting outside smoking a cigarette. Tony pulls up and they shook hands and walked inside together.”
Shit.
Shit.
Fuck.
“I thought maybe he worked for the FBI, and had to be all secretive. Maybe he was some sort of secret agent protecting the world and he just wasn’t able to share that information with me. Thinking maybe he got a call out like when Batman got the bat signal in the sky. But no. He met with Fuck Face John.”
“John is a fuck face. But Jenny, how would this affect me? He has no idea where I am.”
I see Logan shoot a glance to Darren.
“Laura, this is where I’m an idiot. The biggest idiot on the planet. Tony asked about you. Well, he would ask me questions. I though it was because he liked me. That he wanted to get to know me better. And I was missing you. But then it all made sense when I saw them together. I told him everything. Even where you are n
ow. I’m so sorry, so so sorry. I grabbed some clothes and took the first plane here as soon as I realized...”
“I can’t believe this.” I start to mumble. My body is shaking as is my head.
“There’s more...What I never told you because I didn’t want to stress you out, and you started to sound happy here is, I saw John.”
“What?” I gasp; feeling like my heart is going to stop. I don’t think my body or my mind can take anymore. This is like a bad Lifetime movie.
“The day I was boxing up some of your stuff from your old apartment. John was trying to get in. You changed the lock so he couldn’t. I was watching from the peep hole. He was pissed. He kicked the door and looked like he was going to kick it in when one of your old neighbors came into the hall saying they called the police. So he took off.”
I look at Logan. “I gotta go. I have to leave here. If John comes looking for whatever was in that book.” I start to panic. “He knew Grace had that book. He wanted it back. Something that could get him in trouble. Something big. Maybe big enough to get her and Ellie killed.” I start to pull my hands through my hair. I feel my eyes well with tears and I look up at Logan. “That was no accident. If I didn’t know it then, I sure as hell know it now.” I am pacing, breathing like I just ran a marathon. I can’t wrap my mind around this. I knew John was a dick. Now I have reason to believe he is a murderer too.
Jenny looks confused, looking between me and Logan. “What book are you talking about?” she asks. I quickly tell her about the journal I found, repeating, more like talking to myself, that I have to leave- immediately.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Logan says grabbing my shoulders and halting my pacing.
I stare at him like he’s crazy before stating firmly, “No, I am. I’m leaving. Now.”
I mentally shake myself knowing I need to leave and try to walk by Logan to get to my closet. I don’t even make it a half a step before I am thrown over Logan’s shoulder. This all happens in less than a second flat and before I know it I am staring at his ass as he is sauntering to my bedroom. “Are you crazy?” I yell and swat at his ass.
“Be quiet.” Logan slaps my ass, kicks the door shut to my bedroom. Why this turned me on at a stressful moment like this I will never understand.
But it did.
A lot.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Remember When
Jenny and I are doing tequila shots in between sipping a fruity drink called Tropical Balm.
Sounded too good to pass up.
This is after Logan told me that I’m not leaving. He may think I’m staying but I’m still not convinced!
Then he kissed me.
It was long, hot and wet. That kiss convinced me. But it’s more than that. I know I don’t want to leave Logan or Cody. I like it here.
No, if I’m honest with myself I love it here.
And my heart is healing with the help of the Thompson boys.
Logan knew that the information in that journal was important for John to keep secret. He told me that he has men he trusts already working on this and they are already trying to find John. There are also a lot of men working on taking down the rest of John’s operation. I didn’t have the energy at this particular time to ask any questions about what that meant. All I knew was that I trusted Logan.
Logan and Darren decided, without Jenny or my input, how to keep us safe. Jenny was going to stay with Darren (this should be interesting) and I was going to continue my stay with Logan.
I tried to argue that Jenny and I should go to a hotel, or somewhere else. Might I add, Jenny looked pale with the thought of having to stay with Darren. And I was more concerned with Cody and Zoe being in danger. I didn’t want John to be in the same state as them let alone come close enough to breathe the same air.
He knows I have Grace’s belongings. And now he knows where I am.
My life sucks.
Logan insisted that he knows best, and Darren nodded his agreement.
Men.
Testosterone riddled men.
At least Logan promised me that Cody will be fine and he has already arranged to have him stay with Helen and Mark for a few days.
Which leaves us to now. Sitting at the table in the bar drinking. Darren’s brothers manning the bar, coming over to make small talk when things are slow. I feel myself start to relax. That would be the side effect of the copious amount of alcohol that has entered my stressed out system. I start to giggle. Jenny who must be getting to be in the same state as me stares at me with glassy eyes.
“What are you giggling about?” Jenny asks while smiling. The first smile I’ve seen since she got here.
“Just remembering. You….me…..volunteer work.”
Jenny chuckles. Darren watches Jenny and I see the corners of his mouth twitch up in a semi smirk. Hmmmmm. My semi drunken mind is thinking of playing matchmaker. But I can’t clearly think on that now, I will ponder that later, sober.
“That was fun. Remember when you spent a half hour talking to that old lady in the wheelchair. Trying to get her to eat her food.” Jenny starts to snort with laughter.
“I heard the nurse say she wasn’t eating. I just wanted to try to help.”
“Yeah, but she was deaf and blind, she didn’t even realize you were talking to her let alone standing there.”
I laugh thinking about it, “Yeah, nice of those nurses to wait so long to tell me. They also forgot to say she just wasn’t eating the pudding, but ate everything else with vigor.”
“Yeah they hated us.”
“They should, we sucked. We only gave water to the patients who looked healthy.”
Jenny looks ashamed. “Yeah, that was mean of us.”
“I know, but we were kids. And remember that guy who was standing there naked asking for his water.”
I laugh again.
“Of course you remember Laura. You bitch. You didn’t tell me he was naked, and made me bring in his water by basically pushing me in the room before I realized it.”
Funny times. With both sit back with smiles on our faces. Feeling relaxed…for now.
I was just about to reach for another drink when I felt Logan’s hand on my own. He leans towards me, his forehead is resting on mine and say’s, “Don’t drink anymore tonight darlin’.”
“Why?” I ask while narrowing my eyes at Logan. Why is he dictating how much I should drink?
“Because tonight when I sink my cock into your beautiful body. I want you sober and aware of everything I’m doing to you.”
Well that comment sobered me up instantly and soaked my panties at the same time. “Uh, Ok.” Is all I manage to whisper back. I lick my dry lips, and since Logan is so close my tongue grazes his too. I hear him suck in a breath before saying, “Time to go home.”
Jenny and I hug our goodbyes at the men’s trucks. Darren made sure my semi inebriated friend Jenny was buckled in safely. I grab Darren’s arm before he could walk away and look up into his face.
He looks down at me questionably, “Keep her safe, please. She’s my best friend, the only person left I consider family. Take care of her for me.”
Darren’s face softens which is a really nice look on him, “With my life Laura. I’ll protect her with my life.” With that he nods at Logan and hops into his truck and takes off.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Finally
I stand in Logan’s bedroom wondering what to do. My drunken state has worn off but I am still feeling good. I don’t have any pajamas here so I decide to take off my clothes and borrow one of Logan’s tee shirts if I can find which draw they are in. We’re alone in the house. Cody is at Helen’s and Zoe is staying at a friend’s house for awhile.
I am standing in my pale yellow hipster underwear and matching bra, when the bedroom door opens. Logan stands in the doorway wearing flannel pajama bottoms. Only flannel pajama bottoms. Yum.
I try to cover myself but Logan’s not having it. He looks at me with desire. Saunters,
no it’s more like he prowls over to me and pulls my arms behind my back. “Don’t ever cover yourself from me honey. You’re beautiful and I want to see all of you.”
He steps back still holding my arms behind my back and slowly looks me up and down. It feels like a caress. My breast start to swell. I am so ready for this. Have been ready for this.
Logan’s blue eyes are dark with lust as his one large hand is holding both of mine, restricted. The other is lightly tracing up my side. His fingers trace the top of my underwear. Slowly he slides his hand up my stomach and towards my breasts. I can feel a warm trail everywhere his hand has touched. And I want him to heat me up all over.
As if whatever control he was trying to maintain snaps he backs me up against the wall. He raises my arms over my head, restrained. Yet I feel so safe. So wanted. Logan lowers his mouth to mine and finally crashes it against me. His lips are warm and soft. He licks the seam of my lips with his tongue awaiting entry. I don’t make him wait. I open up and give as good as I get. I can’t hold back my feelings and am determined to show him exactly what he does to me. How he makes me feel.
I push my head forward trying to overtake the kiss. It’s clashing of teeth, nipping of lips, grinding up against one another. I feel his erection pressed against my stomach and suddenly regret being so much shorter than him, because I would love to feel that pressed against my mound.
As if he read my mind Logan wraps his arm around my back and turns me so we are headed towards the bed.
Yes!
He places me down with a gentleness that makes my heart melt. I am under Logan with the view of his muscular chest in front of me for my pleasure. He slowly starts to kiss my chest, going lower and lower. My hands make their way into his hair gripping him. He stops at my breast and sucks my nipple into his mouth. He nips at it making me jump and then lavishes it with tenderness. That alone makes me feel like I am going to have an orgasm. He shows the other breast the same attention.
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