“Can’t I come with you?”
Shaking my head, I meet her gaze. “It’s too dangerous. If we’re both spotted, we would both be in danger.”
Vera pouts, her lips pursed, and my dick takes notice of how plump they are. The soft pink color making me pulse with need.
“Fine,” she responds while picking up the pen and scribbling down a few items while I watch her. Even though she’s aware of me, she doesn’t look up, instead she focuses on the page in front of her.
It feels so normal to be here with her. As if we were a proper couple, living together, and I’m heading out to do the shopping while she stays home to do whatever it is women do.
I don’t notice her finish up the list because she asks, “What’s wrong?” It drags me from my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.
“Nothing.”
“Logan, do you think we could ever be like this in a normal situation?” she asks in response.
“What?”
“I don’t know. I mean, we’re like a couple. Right?” This time when she looks at me, I see it in her eyes. She cares, or something. She has feelings for me even after I kidnapped her.
“Vera,” I mumble her name as I consider what this could mean.
“No, please don’t tell me I’m being stupid.”
I turn away, focusing on the truck outside instead of looking at her. “I’m not going to tell you anything that’s a lie.” I grip the counter so hard, my knuckles turn white. I want nothing more than to believe we can make this work, but I’m not into fairy tales. My story doesn’t end with a happily ever after.
“Logan,” she calls to me, but I can’t look at her. “Please, Logan, tell me you feel it. You have to.” Her plea twists my gut.
“Vera,” I say her name once more, then spin on my heel to look at her. “I feel every fucking thing that you do. I want nothing more than to claim you as mine. To keep you locked away in a tower where nobody can find you.”
“Which is pretty much what you did,” she tells me on a shrug.
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair, tugging the strands, pulling so hard, I feel the bite of pain as it pricks my scalp. “I never meant to hurt you. To steal you.”
“I know.” She’s in front of me in seconds, her hands on my arm, but I can’t touch her because I’m craving her far too much. “I’m going to the store.” I pull away from her, grabbing her scribbled list and my wallet. I don’t lock her in, I don’t even tell her not to leave, I make my way to the truck before I race back inside and take her the way I want to.
It’s better that I go get something for dinner and perhaps a bottle of wine. I’ve never been big on drinking, but maybe I can show her a small ounce of romance. We could sit and eat together, enjoy some wine, and finally get to know each other.
That’s what I want to do, learn about who she is. Deep down, I know that the physical part of a relationship, or whatever we’re doing here will take longer to nurture.
Her admission of wanting me, even after what I did shocked me. I knew she enjoyed a few kinks that weren’t normal, but I’ve never seen desire swim in someone’s gaze the way it did when I squeezed her neck. When I stole her breath and enjoyed her body.
It’s wrong.
But I can’t stop my feelings from taking over.
21
Vera
Once the truck is gone from view, I move toward the fridge and open it. There aren’t many vegetables in the drawer, but I can make do with what he has. I search the rest of the cabinets and find ingredients for soup.
The moment he walked out of the door, I decided I would do something for him. Logan has been alone for so long, the same as I have, and I’d like to show him how this could work.
Even though our physical relationship is teetering on edge, I know we can find an emotional connection. I believe we already did, now I just need him to see it. I set out all the ingredients before I grab a pot and set it on the stove.
When I turn to the counter, I glance at the corner of the living room where Logan’s laptop sits, along with my backpack. Quickly, I race to the bag and unzip it, finding my iPad and laptop. I pull out the smaller device and turn it on. If I can let my father know I’m safe, then I can relax.
Once the browser opens, I click on my mail link and open the inbox. I type out a quick message and smile when I imagine him reading it. I miss my father. He was a good man, nothing like Herbert.
I shut down everything once the message has sent and head back into the kitchen to start the soup. If Logan had a cell phone, I could’ve told him to bring some bread.
I smile at the thought of trying this, being in a relationship. It’s not the normal way people meet, but then again, there are dating apps with success stories. I guess ours started out differently when we met all those years ago.
I think back on that day, reminding myself how big he looked then. Like a mountain of a boy, and he was only eighteen. Now that he’s a man, he’s larger than life.
I get to work on the vegetables and get them to simmering before I hear the truck again. I go to the door, pulling it open to find Logan coming up the steps. He reaches the porch before noticing me.
“Hey,” he says, and I notice his gaze is no longer troubled. Perhaps the space has given him some time to think and come to terms with whatever this is.
“Hey.” Stepping aside, I let him in and notice the two large brown paper bags he’s carrying. Once we’re shut inside, I follow him into the kitchen.
“What are you making?” he questions as he looks at me with an amused expression.
“Soup, you had some veggies that have seen better days, and I figured we could have it for lunch.” I don’t want to seem over eager, but I can’t stop the flurry of butterflies that awaken in my belly when he smiles. I’ve not ever seen him grin like that, and I have to be honest; it’s breathtaking.
“Okay, then.” He chuckles. “Guess it’s a good thing I got some freshly baked bread rolls.” He starts unpacking the groceries and I help to put items in the fridge. We move in comfortable silence.
By the time everything is in its rightful place, we stop, both standing in the middle of the small kitchen. Our gazes locked on each other.
“This definitely will take some getting used to,” Logan finally says.
“What?”
He takes a step toward me, closing the distance between us. “Having a beauty in my home, having her make me lunch, give me kisses when I want it.”
“And all you had to do was kidnap me,” I tease before leaning up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his mouth. The beard he’s been growing tickles my chin, and Logan’s hands trail down to my ass as he lifts me against him.
My legs easily wrap around his waist, and my arms lace around his neck. Our lips mold together, his tongue darts out, dancing with mine as he deepens the kiss. Heat pools between my legs. A whimper of pleasure escapes me when Logan bites down on my lower lip, tugging the flesh until a sting of pain shoots through me, all the way to my clit.
“Logan,” I mewl his name, and he swallows it with a kiss. He sets me on the kitchen counter before his hands roam my thighs, his one hand snaking between us as he teases the apex between my legs. “Logan.” Another whimper tumbles free as he continues to play with me, pressing, circling, taunting.