“If he dies, there will only be two shareholders to deal with,” Luke pointed out. “All the better for us.”
True. But I was ready to move on. With Nishi. To leave this place. To be done with The Company forever. How far did The Company’s reach extend? Would they be able to find us in Idaho?
Probably not as easily as they could find us here.
“Nishi and I are leaving here as soon as I’m able. We’ll join the others across country.”
Luke and Ryan both nodded, glancing at Noah. “We’ve been looking at a few properties online that might be suitable for a mechanic shop,” Ryan announced. “We’re seriously thinking about leaving here soon, too. What about you, Noah? Are you serious about leaving?”
“Yeah. As soon as I get things ready. I’ll be along in a few weeks, I’m guessing.”
“Us, too,” Luke said. Then he and Ryan left, closing the door behind them.
Noah turned back to me. “I’ll keep tabs on the senator’s progress and let you know if he wakes.”
I shook his hand. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
Noah left, and then Tracker, Jacob, and Tony came in.
“Noah said you’ll be joining us across country soon.” Tracker shook my hand.
“Yeah. I want to take Nishi away from here.”
“It’s a little cold there,” Tony stated, “but we don’t have to hide indoors or worry about gangs or The Company coming after us. Or at least, we haven’t yet. It’s almost too quiet there. Luckily, Grace’s bounty hunting will give me some action from time to time, or I’d probably be bored out of my mind.”
I chuckled softly. Tony was one of those guys who needed action, something to do at all times. I imagined family life was taking some adjustment for him, but I knew he was happy, and I had no doubt he and Grace were meant for each other.
“Well, we’re heading out now,” Jacob announced, stepping forward to shake my hand. “Glad you’re going to be all right. Call us when you’re heading across country, and we’ll tell you how to get to where we’re at.”
“I will. Thanks guys.”
They all nodded, said goodbye to Nishi, then left us alone.
Nishi and I looked at each other, smiles slowly spreading across our faces.
“I’ve never been anywhere before,” she admitted. “My father kept me locked up for eight years, and before that, I never left Tokyo. Can we do some traveling along the way to where the other dregs live?”
“Of course. We’ll take our time as we head across country, do some sightseeing, whatever you want. Sound good?”
“Yes.” Nishi wrapped an arm around my shoulders and leaned into my side. “I’m going to miss my mother, but at least I have you now.”
I kissed her gently. “You’ll always have me, little one. Always.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Nishi
Three days later, Logan was up and about. He was still a little sore, but at least he was no longer bedridden.
Noah, Ryan, and Luke had been fixing the damaged portion of the maze over the past few days, using boards to support the ceiling and walls to keep it stable so it wouldn’t collapse. They decided not to go all out with rebuilding, since they were all leaving here soon, anyway, so they agreed that supporting it with boards would be sufficient until we all left. Now, they were all mostly using the escape hatch to go above ground instead of the maze, just to be safe. No one wanted to be buried beneath a pile of dirt and concrete should it become unstable and collapse on them while they were passing through the maze.
The other dregs had made it back to Idaho and each had texted to let us know they were safe. I couldn’t wait to join them. I was eager to leave here with Logan.
Senator Collins had awakened from his coma two days ago, and was now at home recovering with his family. Noah had been watching the news for updates, and had notified us of this latest development. With Collins still alive, Logan feared he would come after us again. He was as anxious to leave here as I was.
I had been taking care of Logan over the past three days, bringing him meals, helping him get up to use the shower or the bathroom, and sitting with him and talking or watching movies or playing games. He always snuggled me close at night, and promised that as soon as he was able, he planned to make love to me again to remind me just how much he loved me.
I anxiously awaited that moment. I was eager to have his hands on me again. Eager to share our bond and our closeness and the love that had been steadily growing the longer we were together. Every moment with Logan was special.
Right now, he was in the shower. We had just finished breakfast, and I was cleaning up while he showered. Right before he’d gotten in the shower, he’d told me to pack my things. Which, in my mind, meant “get ready to leave.” Finally, we were leaving this place.
Excitement bubbled inside me. Logan and I were going to take that trip now. Head across country, do some sightseeing, and eventually end up in Idaho with the other dregs.
I made quick work of the dishes, then quickly packed the few things I had. I also packed stuff for Logan, filling his large duffle bag with all the necessities he might need for a long road trip. He’d said to pack lightly, that we wouldn’t want to haul a bunch of stuff around the country, and that we could buy anything we might need along the way. By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, I was ready to leave.
He paused in the bedroom doorway, his gaze taking in the two bags on the bed that I’d stuffed to nearly bursting. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, his skin glistening with water droplets, his shaggy hair towel-dried but still damp. My heart gave an excited thump as my gaze met his. He was so beautiful, so masculine, and so mine. Desire stirred, heating my loins.
I stepped toward him, lifting my face for his kiss. His gaze heated as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine. Logan was an affectionate, touchy-feely kind of guy, and I loved it. I liked it when he touched me, and I liked touching him. Throughout his recovery the past few days, he constantly touched me or kissed me or held my hand or wrapped an arm around my shoulders or my waist. I had no doubt he loved me, because he expressed himself all the time with gentle touches. Sweet kisses that were filled with promise. With love.
I let out a soft moan and pressed closer against his bare chest, kissing him back greedily. The towel tented toward me, his erection straining against the fabric and pressing into my stomach. I let out a soft giggle, reaching down to yank the towel aside.
“Nishi,” he groaned, kissing me deeper, his tongue delving in to tangle with mine, while his hands moved to pull me closer.
“Does this mean you can have sex now?” I leaned back and ran my fingers over his rock hard chest.
His answer was to scoop me up and carry me to the bed, his mouth claiming mine again in a deep, passionate kiss. He shoved the bags onto the floor, laying me back and leaning over me, his hands making quick work of my clothes.
And then I was gloriously naked beneath him, our hands and mouths seeking, touching, taking, giving in a frenzy of need.
His kisses were deep and passionate. A claiming. He left me no doubt that I was his. I kissed him back just as hungrily, just as eagerly as he kissed me. Claiming him as well. This beautiful warrior was mine. All mine.
I spread my legs as he settled between my thighs, his weight a welcome intrusion. I arched up against him, anxious, eager, ready for him to claim me. But Logan apparently wasn’t ready to take me yet. He took his sweet time, kissing me long and slow and deep, then giving each of my breasts the same attention, licks and sucks and gentle nips.
“Logan.” I squirmed beneath him. “Please. I need…”
He lifted his head, his gaze patient, but also full of desire. “You never let me take my time, little one. You’re always in such a hurry. You’re not rushing me this time. I’m loving you the way I want to.”
“I don’t have any patience,” I muttered. “Please. Get on with it. I need you. Now.”
He chuckled softly,
lowering his mouth to mine again. “My impatient little Nishi.” But Logan was still in no hurry. He kept kissing me, slowly, deliberately, taking his time. I reached down and grabbed his ass, urging him closer and arching toward him, rubbing against his erection. But he pulled back just out of reach, making me moan in frustration.
“Not yet, little one.”
Logan did more than take his time. He literally drove me mad with desire, kissing me everywhere, touching me everywhere, leaving no place untouched, no part of my body un-kissed. He trailed his tongue over my breasts, down my stomach, across my hips. He kissed my thighs, my calves, even my feet. He suckled my breasts, my earlobes, my neck. He nuzzled my inner thighs, slowly making his way up to my…oh God!
The soft stroke of his tongue was so erotic, I let out a gasp and arched into him, my fingers tangling in his sexy hair. Then he licked and sucked and drove me insane with his mouth. The orgasm hit me hard and swift, and so strong that I shuddered, again and again, at the exquisite pleasure that dragged on and on. Finally, I collapsed against the mattress, a little stunned, and way more appreciative of Logan’s mouth, and his extreme patience. Why had I never let him do that before?
Because you’re too damn impatient.
Logan lifted his head, his gaze smoldering with lust, then he kissed me hard, his tongue delving deep to claim mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tightly, so ready for him to take me. I spread my legs wider, urging him to claim me.
Instead of thrusting home and taking me hard, which was what I expected after so much gentle slowness, he eased in just a bit, then withdrew, eased in a little more, a little deeper, then withdrew.
We both moaned, the exquisite pleasure making another orgasm rock through me. Logan quickened the pace then, sinking deeper, rocking his hips against mine, his gaze latching on mine. Then he took my mouth again, kissing me hotly, deeply, as he thrust once more, going deep—oh God, so deep. Another orgasm spiraled through me, intense and overwhelming. I clung to him as we both rode the waves of pleasure and then slowly came back to earth.
Logan rolled sideways, pulling me with him, so that I was lying on top of him, our bodies still joined.
I swallowed hard, emotion clogging my throat. Tears stung my eyes. I blinked rapidly, fighting them back. I was so overwhelmed, I couldn’t find my voice. Though the other times we’d been together had always been amazing, it had never been like that. Logan had always let me control how we made love before, but this time he’d taken charge. And it had been simply…so beautiful I couldn’t find the words to express how he’d made me feel.
Logan pressed a kiss to my lips, then another one to my brow. “It’s okay, little one. Let it out. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
I choked out a sob. “I didn’t…expect…that. It was…so…” I broke off, unable to come up with an explanation of how I felt right now, of how Logan had made me feel, so I just blurted, “I love you.”
He smiled the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. “And I love you, sweet Nishi. See? It doesn’t always have to be fast and furious. Slow and gentle is nice, too.”
I burrowed my face into his chest, embarrassed by my emotional reaction. Logan had just made me feel so cherished, so loved. I had never felt that way before. I had never given him the chance to make me feel like that before, because I’d always been in a hurry to have his hands on me.
He was right. Slow and gentle was nice, too. Amazing, in fact. I wanted to do it like that again. More often, too. Slow and gentle was erotic. Sensual. So incredible.
Logan tilted my chin up, forcing me to look him in the eye. “I do love you, Nishi. And the best way to show you that is with tenderness, with selflessness. If I can satisfy you, make you feel good, then that makes me feel good. I’m not really a fast and furious kind of guy.”
My throat clogged with emotion again. He was so right. Logan was gentle, kind, a true sweetheart. An amazingly thoughtful and tender lover. “You satisfied me very much, Logan. More than I can express. You’re so special. I don’t know how I ever got lucky enough to be with you.”
His expression softened. Then he kissed me again. Slowly. Gently. And I melted against him, heat flaring between us once again.
“Can we stay in bed a little longer?” I asked against his lips. “I don’t want to leave just yet.”
He chuckled. “Definitely. There are many ways to make love, little one, and I plan to show you all of them.”
We didn’t leave that day. Instead, we stayed in bed, making love, our bags forgotten on the floor.
Logan showed me all the different ways there were to love each other. So many beautiful ways to be together, touching, loving.
Yes, I liked—no loved—them all.
I loved him. Only him. Forever.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Logan
Nishi and I finally left the maze the following night. We’d spent most of the past twenty-four hours in bed, making love again and again. She made me so happy. Neither one of us had wanted to get up out of bed, but it was time we left here. Time I took her to a safer place. There would be plenty more time for loving later.
Nishi and I scrolled through possible travel routes online, checking out places to see and things to do, finally settling on the route we would take across country. We were both excited about the trip and eager to leave.
Though Noah would be coming along in a week or so, I still went to tell him goodbye, so he would know I was leaving. Nishi gave me privacy to visit him alone while she packed the last of our things.
“Hey.” I opened the door to his tech room and found him behind the desk as usual. Boxes were stacked in the corner and on the end of the table, evidence of his packing. Noah was very particular about his equipment, and treated it all like it was very delicate. I was glad to see him packing and getting ready to leave here as well. He might be joining us sooner than I’d expected.
“We’re heading out now. I wanted to say goodbye.”
Noah rose from the chair and hugged me. “Yeah man, stay safe, all right? I’m happy for you guys. I’ll be joining you soon. Just got to pack the rest of my stuff. Give me a week or so, all right?”
I slapped him on the back, stepping away. “Sure thing.” Though I would see him again soon, I was still going to miss him. The dreg bond did that to me. Noah and I were extremely close, and it was painful to be away from each other for very long. But I had my Nishi now. And I knew this wouldn’t be the end, that Noah be joining us in Idaho soon.
Ryan and Luke came down the corridor a few minutes later as Nishi and I were heading for the escape hatch with our bags. They were both dressed up, their hair slicked back, their cologne wafting over us as they paused in front of us. They were obviously heading out to pick up women.
“You two leaving now?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah. We’re going to do some sightseeing as we travel across country. Eventually, we’ll end up in Idaho with the others.”
Ryan shook my hand. “Good luck to you, bro. We’ll be along soon, too.” He nodded at Nishi. “You take care of him, doll, all right?”
Nishi nodded. “I will.”
Luke slapped me on the arm. “Take care, man. We’ll see you soon.”
I yanked him in for a shoulder bump. “You guys stay safe. With Collins out of the hospital now, there’s no telling when The Company might strike again.”
Luke’s expression turned serious. “Yeah. We’ll be careful.”
Luke and Ryan followed us as we headed for the escape hatch. “We’re going out to pick up some chicks,” Ryan informed. “Gotta get a few last flings in before we leave, you know? But we’ll try to lay low.”
Now that I was with Nishi, I felt kind of sorry for Ryan and Luke. “Don’t you two ever get tired of meaningless sex?”
Luke snorted. “It’s not meaningless. There’s lots of meaning to it.” He waggled his brows, making Nishi choke out a laugh and shake her head.
“You, two…” she muttered.
Ryan winked, then he and Luke climbed up the ladder, disappearing into the old mansion above.
“Wait, we can’t leave yet.” Nishi turned away. “I forgot to tell Noah goodbye.”
We headed back to Noah’s tech room and found him rolling up a cord to a monitor. He gently set the monitor in a box and packed blankets around it, then turned to us, his questioning gaze landing on mine. “Everything all right?”
I nodded at Nishi, who stepped forward. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you goodbye, Noah, and to thank you for everything.”
Noah’s expression softened. He pulled her in for a quick hug, her tiny body almost like a child’s against his large bulk. Noah was the tallest dreg, standing at six-four, two inches taller than me. He towered over Nishi like a skyscraper. “Anytime, Nishi, and I should be the one thanking you for making Logan so happy.” He was a big softie underneath, just like me. Which was probably why we got along so well. If I had been partnered with a playboy like Ryan or Luke, we likely wouldn’t have seen eye-to-eye, our opinions too conflicting. Noah was the best.
They separated, smiling at each other. “Goodbye, Noah.” Nishi wiped at a tear. “I can’t wait to see you again soon.”
“Likewise.” He sent her a gentle smile. “There’s no need to cry. I’ll be there soon.”
I cleared my throat, and we shook hands once more. “Later, man. Take care.”
Nishi and I headed back toward the escape hatch, while Noah went back to packing his equipment.
Nishi and I stopped at the gas station in Eatonton a half hour later to fill the truck up with gas and to grab a few snacks for the road. Nishi went in the store while I filled up the truck.
“Be quick about it,” I advised her. “We need to get out of here as soon as we can.” Though it was after midnight, The Company could easily have soldiers watching for us, and I had an urge to get far away from here, as quickly as possible. So Nishi and I could start our future together.
The Trainer (military romantic suspense) (The Dregs Book 5) Page 29
