“Logan, I’ve missed you. I saw your car and thought maybe you had the day off. I thought we could spend the day together.”
Not on my watch. I set my cup down on the table and quietly walk toward the door.
“Not interested in your games, Daniel. It’s over between us.”
“Logan, come on, you don’t mean that. We were good together. Three years, you’re just going to throw that away?”
She scoffs. “Me throw it away? Really, Daniel? Do you even hear yourself right now? You fucking strung me along for three years! I lost three years of my life that I WILL NEVER GET BACK!”
“Come on, now, we can work this out,” he pleads with her.
I’ve heard enough. I step up behind Logan, aligning my body with hers. I place one hand on her hip and the other on the door, pulling it all the way open. Releasing the door, both hands now reside on her hips, and I pull her into me. She tenses for only a second. Placing my lips against her ear, I whisper, “Follow my lead.” I’m sure to him it looks way more intimate, which is just an advantage for me.
Pulling away, I drop a kiss on her temple. I want to say it’s all a part of the show I’m about to put on, but that would be a lie. I’ve got her in my arms. She smells incredible and I just can’t help myself. I’ve thought of this more times than I care to admit over the last month. I cracked last night under the pressure. I would like to blame it on alcohol consumption, but I can’t. It’s just her. I can’t resist her.
Acting as though I just remembered douchebag was there, I extend my hand. “Kacen. How do you know my girl?” I ask.
Confusion crosses his face. “Your girl?” douchebag asks.
Crossing my arms over her stomach, Logan relaxes against me. “My girl,” I repeat for him.
“What the hell, Logan?” He gives her a hard look.
Standing to my full height, with Logan’s tight little body wrapped in my arms, I pin him with a stare. He immediately backs up a step. When I speak, I make sure my tone is menacing and my stare never wavers. “Let’s get something clear right now. You will not speak to her like that. I know who you are, and your history with Logan. I believe my girl has made it clear she’s done with you. I can, however, say that I’m glad you stopped by today. We get to have this nice little chat and set things straight. I also get to meet the jackass who fucked up the best thing to ever happen to him.” I kiss Logan on the temple to calm my nerves. I’m really trying hard to be civil here. “You will leave her alone. No more text messages, no more phone calls, and no more surprise visits.”
Although he looks like he could piss his pants, he still runs his mouth. “I suppose you think you can stop me from seeing her? She was mine for three years.” He smirks. “I know Logan well enough to know she wasn’t cheating on me, so that means you’ve known her, what, a few weeks at best?”
“Daniel, just leave, please. I don’t know how many times I need to tell you it’s over before you let it sink in. I’m done.”
Reluctantly, I release my hold from around her waist, stepping in front of her, bringing me closer to this Daniel character. I step closer and feel Logan move with me. Her hands clench the back of my shirt. “Trust me, I know her. I know every delectable inch of her beautiful body. I know how she tastes, and I know what it feels like to come inside of her. She’s mine. Don’t think I won’t hear about it if you keep harassing her. I have attorneys on retainer who will eat you alive.” I get right in his face. “Try me, motherfucker. See what happens to you when you mess with what’s mine.”
I can see the worry in his eyes. He doesn’t know who I am. He sees my ink and views me as a thug. What did Logan ever see in this chino wearing pansy-ass?
He looks around me to get a view of Logan. She must sense the movement because she steps up beside me. I immediately wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my chest. “Last chance, Logan. When you come to your senses and drop this loser, I won’t be waiting for you.”
“It’s over, Daniel,” Logan repeats.
“Whatever, bitch—” He doesn’t get a chance to finish whatever he was going to say. I grab him by the collar of his shirt and push him up against the wall.
“What did I tell you about talking to her like that?” I pull my arm back ready to blow when I feel her hands pulling it back.
“Kacen, please. He’s not worth it.” Her eyes are pleading. There is a double meaning. If the press were to get ahold of the fact that I assaulted him, without him throwing the first punch, they would have a field day. Who am I kidding? They will twist it and have a field day regardless.
I release him. “Get the hell out of here. Forget her name, forget her number, forget her address. Forget her.”
He rubs at his neck, giving us each one last hard look, before turning and walking away. I watch him until I can no longer see him.
“Well, that was fun,” I say, turning to face Logan.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. Thank you for stepping in. You didn’t have to do that.” Her voice is soft.
In one long stride, I’m standing toe to toe with her. I place my index finger under her chin and tilt her face up to me. Big brown eyes filled with hurt and shame stare back at me. “He’s a fucking idiot. If you were mine, I would never let you go.”
Knowing that it’s supposed to be wrong, I just don’t give a fuck. I lean down and place a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. She releases a soft gasp of surprise, but doesn’t pull away. I kiss a trail to her ear. “You deserve better,” I whisper.
It takes extreme effort, but I stand to my full height and take a small step back.
“I’ll . . . um . . . I’ll just get my purse.” Her voice is whisper soft as she turns and walks into her apartment.
Chapter 19
Logan
What just happened? This morning has been a roller coaster of emotions. Disappointment: my car acting up and being late for work is frustrating as hell. Anger: Daniel showing up thinking we could just rewind, that is, until he needs another break. Desire: from the second Kacen placed his hand on my hip to open the door, desire coursed through my veins. Factor in the kisses to my temple and the way he defended me, calling me his.
I wish I was.
Then there was the kiss, just a whisper of a touch on the corner of my mouth, my cheek. His words. Everything from that night in Hawaii comes crashing back into me. The way he touched me, held me. Sometimes there are moments like today and I think he remembers too and he wants me. Other times, I feel like I’m just Logan, his personal assistant. When I see what looks like fire in his eyes for me, my mind begins to race. If I were to find another job, then he would no longer be my boss.
I find Kacen leaning against the hood of my car, feet and arms crossed. I can see the corded muscles in his arms, his ink catching my attention like it always does. The memory of those powerful arms holding himself above me as he pushed inside . . . GAH!
Kacen holds his hand out and I drop the keys into them. I stand back and watch him unlock the door and then try to start the car. He tries a few times and this time, there is no sound. Nothing happens at all. He pulls his cell phone out of his pocket, taps the screen a few times, and puts it to his ear. I can hear the low rumble of his voice, but I cannot make out what he’s saying.