His hand cups my cheek and he runs his thumb across my swollen lips. “Don’t fight it, baby. I know you’re scared, but I got you. Let me show you how it feels to be loved by a real man.”
“Kacen, I just—”
“Shh. I fell hard and I fell fast. I know what I want, Logan. It’s you. All of you.”
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Don’t be. I will never hurt you. If I’m ever given the honor to truly call you mine, I will cherish you with every breath I take.” Leaning down, he presses his lips to mine.
That’s how we spend the rest of our afternoon. Kissing under the shade trees by the pond. Kacen never tries to take things further; he just kisses the breath out of me.
He’s in the middle of telling me about his twin cousins, Blaise and Asher, and jokes the three of them used to play on their little sister, Ember, when his cell rings.
“Hello?” He listens. “Yeah, we’re here. I brought Logan back to the pond. We didn’t realize it was getting so late. We’ll pack up and head back. Be there in twenty,” he says, ending the call.
“The guys?” I ask.
He smiles. “Yeah, I didn’t realize it was so late. They picked up pizza. I’m sure you’re starving with our meager lunch, and we skipped breakfast all together.” His jaw clenches. “I need to take better care of you.”
“I’m hungry, but I’m also a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
He mumbles something under his breath as he folds up the blankets. Throwing the mostly empty cooler over his shoulder, he places the blankets under one arm, and slides the other arm around my waist. “Let’s get you fed.” He kisses my temple and guides me back to the side by side.
Chapter 33
Kacen
I load the cooler and the blankets and walk Logan to the driver’s door. “Okay, let’s get you strapped in.”
“What?” she asks, confused.
“I told you that you could drive back.” I grin.
“No, it’s okay. The guys are waiting on us.”
“It’s just like driving a car. I promise we’ll be safe. Just take it slow.”
“Are you sure about this?” she asks, gripping the wheel as I climb into the passenger side.
“Yes. Now, like I said, it’s just like driving a car. Turn the key, gas on the right, brake on the left.”
She does as she’s told and moves the gearshift to “D” and gently eases her foot onto the gas pedal. .
“You can give it a little more gas, babe.”
Looking over at me quickly, she grins and presses down on the gas. My eyes widen in surprise. I throw my head back and laugh. Laughter that I’m sure can be heard over the roaring engine and the whipping wind. “This is so much fun,” she yells.
I can’t wipe the grin off my face at seeing her this happy. She can drive every fucking day if she wants, anything to see that smile.
I place my hand on her leg and give it a gentle squeeze, letting her know I’m here.
The drive back is much faster than the drive to the pond. I took my sweet time on the way there. “This Teryx thingy is awesome,” she tells me just as soon as she pulls up to the garage. “When can we do that again?” she asks.
Again, I laugh loudly at her enthusiasm. “Anytime you want, beautiful.”
“Holy fuck! You let her drive?” Cole says from behind us.
Logan unbuckles her seat belt and climbs out of the driver’s seat. “What? Women can’t have a little fun too?” she asks him.
“Yes, you can. It’s just that stingy bastard never lets anyone drive. He likes to hog it all to himself,” Cole says.
I make my way toward them and stop beside Logan. “She can drive anything of mine she wants.”
“Holy shit!” Tristan says.
“What?” Logan asks.
“Let’s eat,” Gavin steers the conversation back to food.
“Shouldn’t we put everything away first?” she asks.
She’s always thinking of what she can do to help someone else. “Let’s get you fed.” I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her inside. “I can take care of that later.”
We follow the guys into the kitchen. There are five large pizza boxes spread out on the island. “I got a little bit of everything,” Tristan explains.
“Thank you,” Logan tells him as she takes a slice of pepperoni and places it on a paper plate.
The rest of us just eat standing over the box. Our behavior causes Logan to laugh. “Seriously, you all act like it’s been weeks since you’ve eaten,” she teases.
“I had a hard workout today, burned off some calories. It takes a lot to feed all this, baby girl,” Gavin waves his hand down his body.
I reach over and smack the back of his head. “Her name is Logan.”
Gavin smirks; he did it on purpose. They know not to flirt with her.
“Who the fuck are you? Vanna White?” Gavin quips.
“I got your Vanna White,” Cole says, grabbing his junk.
I place my hand over Logan’s eyes and she rolls with laughter. Unable to resist, I lean over her shoulder and place my lips next to her ear. “I love that sound.”
“I think I got the rhythm we were working on figured out. I want you guys to hear it, tell me what you think,” Cole tells us. “I was up until the early morning hours, but I think I’ve got it.”
“Done,” Tristan says, shoving half of a piece of pizza in his mouth.
“You coming down to sit with me?” I ask Logan.
“I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Never. That will never happen.” I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. It’s still a little crazy from our ride back. “I want you there.” I do, I want her there. It’s weird because, before her, bringing a woman to a writing session was out of the question. Not that the guys would be pissed, it’s just not something you did unless you were sure she was it. By my insisting that she be there a few nights ago, I declared my hand to my boys. They know from that simple gesture how I feel about her.
“I’m going to go put the Teryx up and take care of the cooler and the blankets. I’ll be right back,” I say, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. I want to kiss her, but I don’t know if we’re there yet. She let me get lost in her lips this afternoon, but that could have been a heat of the moment decision. I told her I would give her time, and I intend to, but the wait is going to damn near kill me.
Chapter 34
Logan
It takes extreme effort to not watch him walk away. Instead, I focus on the piece of pizza that’s sitting in front of me.
“What did you do to our boy?” Cole ask.
“What?”
“Kacen, he’s different with you,” Gavin explains.
“He’s never let a girl sit in on writing, none of us have,” Tristan adds.
“I’m sorry. I told him I would be a distraction,” I apologize.
“Logan, you’re not a distraction. It’s fine that you’re there,” Gavin tries to reassure me.