Guilt ate at me the longer she stayed asleep. The doctors told me her body was recovering and she would wake up when she was ready, but all I saw was that I let her down. I had promised to protect her in that club and I made a huge error in judgment, one I would never forgive myself for.
When we got back to the house from the police station, I helped Cece inside, taking her to the couch and wrapping her in a blanket. I didn’t know if she was cold, but I wanted her to be comforted and a blanket was comforting. I went into the kitchen to grab some coffee for her and I grabbed snacks for her also. I’d make dinner later. I carried everything in on a tray and set it on the coffee table in front of her. Sean was standing in the doorway watching me, but I couldn’t look at either of them. I needed to take care of Cece right now. That’s what needed to be done. Looking at the tray, I saw there was no cream or sugar. I started towards the kitchen when Cece stopped me.
“Logan. What are you doing?”
“I forgot the cream and sugar. I’ll be right back.”
“Wait. Please come here.”
I turned to look at her and saw a sympathetic look on her face. I didn’t understand it.
“I don’t need to you to get me stuff. I just want you to be here with me when I give my statement. I just need you.”
“Why? You got taken because of me. You got manhandled today because of me.”
“No, I got taken because a psychopath was after me. I got manhandled because two assholes have a vendetta against you. None of that was your fault. Come sit with me.”
Against my better judgement, I sat down next to her and spent the next half hour reliving what she went through the other night. She gripped my hand when she recounted details of her escape, her terror shaking through her body. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me. When Sean finished with her, he got up to head over to the station.
“Sean, how’s Vira doing?”
“She’s fine, sweetheart. In a few weeks, she’ll be almost new.”
Something crossed Cece’s face and I couldn’t place it, but then she got up and went in the other room, leaving me alone with Sean.
“What are we gonna do about this guy, Sean? I can’t be with her all the time and she can’t be walking around alone with this guy after her.”
“I can put a protective detail on her, but it won’t be for long. The department won’t let her have protection forever.” He sighed, running a hand over his face. “We’ve had no luck with identifying him. No one saw him at the club or around her building. I’m gonna check traffic cams where she said she was taken, but that’s not a good area and there aren’t as many cameras. Chances are, it’ll amount to nothing.”
“She can stay with me until this guy is caught. Will Vira be staying with you?”
“For now. That woman is so stubborn.”
“What’s going on with you two?”
He huffed as he looked at me. “Not a whole lot. I told her I wanted to date her exclusively. She’s pretty wild, ya know? She told me she would consider an open relationship, but that she doesn’t do exclusive.”
“Ouch. Sounds very much like Cece. Where did these girls come from? I have never met a woman that didn’t want to string me up by my balls.”
“I don’t think they were wanting a relationship if they were going to string you up by your balls.”
I flipped him off as I stood. “You know what I mean.”
Laughing, he stood and started walking for the door. “I’ll be in touch after I look into the traffic cams. Don’t be surprised if you see cops hanging out on the street.”
✯✯✯✯✯
It had been three weeks and we were no closer to catching this guy than we were the night Cece was taken. Frustration was building with both Cece and I. Cece, because she didn’t appreciate my hovering and me, because Cece didn’t listen to a thing I said. She was always taking off without me, insisting that the police were watching and she would be safe.
Cece had grown more distant from me during the past several weeks and I could only assume that’s why she was always trying to get away from me. I wasn’t sure if it was the attack that had her backing away or if she just needed space, but no matter how much I tried to get her to confide in me, she just pulled away further.
The good news was that I hadn’t been harassed since Sawyer and Calloway had been put on suspension. The department was looking into a shit load of complaints from people who claimed they were harassed by one or both of them. It was all great for me because I had a big meeting coming up and the last thing I needed were two rogue police officers coming after me with bullshit traffic tickets.
Ryan and I were scheduled to meet with Cassandra this morning about the funds that were being raised for VAS. She hadn’t clued us in on the phone whether or not she got all the funds needed or if we were even hired for the job. Ryan and I were both antsy to get to the meeting and find out what was going on. My body was practically vibrating with the tension running through me. We were driving over to Cassandra’s office and Ryan was driving me crazy tapping the steering wheel.
“Would you fucking stop that?” I was on the verge of losing my mind in the car with him.
“Stop what?”
“That tapping. You’re driving me nuts.”
“And you think your leg bouncing isn’t driving me crazy?”
“You should have just fucked her. Maybe then we wouldn’t be waiting to find out if we got the job.”
“Is that your solution to everything? Just fuck her? Shit, I thought we wanted to get the job based on our merits, not whether or not I could please her in bed.”
“If you’re questioning whether or not you could please her in bed, then it’s a good thing you didn’t sleep with her yet.”
“You’re such a fucking asshole.”
I grinned at him. Our back and forth had released a little tension for both of us and we were ready to go by the time we walked into her office. Cassandra was sitting behind her desk wearing a pair of glasses that made her look like the naughty librarian. I smirked at Ryan when he attempted to talk and croaked instead. I stepped forward to cover his inability to speak.
“It’s good to see you again, Cassandra. How did it go with the investors?” I asked as we both took a seat.
“I’m pleased to tell you that all the investors are in and we actually raised money for more than what is needed because some of them thought we should expand further than what was planned. One of the investors suggested that we have some kind of work program on sight. There are studies that show that veterans who participate in work therapy have a better chance of working through their issues and coming out on the other side ready to acclimate back to civilian life.”
“What exactly are we talking about with work therapy?”
“Well, some people do art therapy or music therapy, which could be included in this facility. Some veterans may need something that they can do with their hands that’s more like work.”
Ryan sat forward with an inquisitive look. “Like rebuilding cars?”
“Something along those lines. There’s not one thing that would work for every veteran, but we could have several small programs if I work the financing the right way.”
“We have a friend that does woodworking with his father. It seems to be something that really helps him with his issues.”
Her eyes lit up. “That sounds like it would be perfect for the facility. Would you be able to add on to your current plans for a shop?”
“I’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem,” I said, feeling the excitement growing. This project could be huge for us, but it also stood to help a lot of people.
“Maybe I could have veterans incorporate their woodworking into the building somehow. What kind of woodworking does your friend do?”
“Mostly furniture. He mostly does custom orders for people. Some come to him with a specific design, while others ask him to come up with something unique.”
“Would he be w
illing to donate some pieces to the facility?”
I looked at Ryan and he nodded. “I think so, but he’s got some stuff that he’s dealing with right now. I’m sure by the time the facility is up and running, he could have some pieces for you. Let me talk to him and see what he says.”
“Sounds perfect. Now, Ryan, let’s talk about when we can break ground.”
✯✯✯✯✯
“This is going to be great for us. What do you say we go out and celebrate tonight?” Ryan suggested.
“Yeah, we could head over to The Pub. Why don’t you ask Cassandra to join us? Ya know, to celebrate VAS getting off the ground,” I raised an eyebrow, knowing that he really had a thing for her and would jump at the chance to invite her out to celebrate.
“Sure. That sounds good. I’ll give her a call.”
“I’ll see if Cece is available to go out.”
We all met up at The Pub that night and had a great night drinking and celebrating. Cece was still being a little reserved with me and I had big plans to find out what was going on with her. When we left, I drove straight back to my place and pulled her inside, slamming her up against the door.
“Are you gonna tell me what’s wrong? You’ve been different for the past three weeks.”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Really? You seem like you’re holding back about something, but I can’t figure out what it is. What aren’t you telling me? Is this about the attack?”
“No. It has nothing to do with that.”
“Then tell me what the fuck is going on.”
She looked away from me and looked so vulnerable. I wasn’t used to this Cece. I wanted the old Cece back. I turned her around and slammed her front into the wall, then ran my hands down her breasts to her pussy.
“If you aren’t going to tell me what’s going on, then I’m going to fuck it out of you.”
I heard her whimper as I shoved my hands down her pants and stroked her wet pussy. I ground my erection into her ass as I grabbed her hair and yanked back her head. Nipping at her neck, I slid down her body, yanking her pants down. I pulled her around to face me and threw her over my shoulder, her pants were still down around her ankles giving her no room to move. I threw her on the couch and took off my belt cinching it around her wrists. I spread her legs at her knees and crawled up between them. With her pants still around her ankles, she had no way of escape.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing, I swear.”
I tore her panties off her body, then undid my pants and shoved them down my waist. I lined up my throbbing cock with her pussy and looked at her one last time.
“You sure you’ve got nothing to tell me?”
She shook her head and I slammed inside, not giving her another minute to think this over. I rammed into her so hard, it felt like my dick would fall off, but the sensations were amazing. She moaned as I continued to thrust inside her. I reached forward and grabbed her tit through her bra.
“Eyes on me, sweetheart.”
Her eyes popped open and there was something there that she was trying to hide. I could see it plain as day mixed with lust. She was hiding something from me. I pulled out and picked her up, toeing off my boots and wiggling my pants off. I almost took her down doing it, but managed to stay upright. Walking over to the bookcase, I held her up against it as I slammed back into her. Books and pictures fell to the ground. Something made of glass shattered at my feet, but I kept thrusting into her.
“Oh, fuck!” She screamed as I rammed her harder and harder, her bound arms wrapped around my neck.
“Are you going to tell me the truth?”
“I am.”
“You aren’t,” I growled. “Tell me or I won’t let you come.”
She glared at me. “You wouldn’t dare.”
I pulled out of her and rubbed my dick against her clit. Her eyes shuttered as I felt her body tremble against me.
“Oh, God. Logan, yes!”
I pulled my dick away from her and her eyes popped open. “Put your cock back inside me.”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“Do it now or I’ll never fuck you again.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve got you trapped against my dick right now. I don’t think you’re in the position to make demands.” My mouth moved to her neck and I whispered against her ear. “I could slip back inside you right now and make you come so hard that you’ll forget your name. Or, I can tease you with my dick and keep pulling away right before you orgasm. What’s it gonna be, sweetheart? I’ve got nowhere to be.”
I rubbed my dick against her again and felt her breath hitch as need roared through her.
“My name is Cecelia Clark,” she yelled as I slammed my cock back inside her and stilled an instant later.
I pulled back slightly and looked at her face. Uncertainty crossed her features and I finally saw it. Before she reminded me slightly of Cecelia, but now I could see it in all her features. She wore her hair differently and it was a different color. She wore makeup now and she held herself differently. Her body was definitely different. She had filled out in all the right areas and toned up in others. I felt like such an ass for not seeing it earlier, but she had changed so much in ten years.
I didn’t waste another minute as I fucked her hard against the bookcase. I had once loved this woman and now she was back in my arms. I didn’t want to contemplate how I felt about that right now. I had her back and I would think about the rest later.
She squeezed me tight with her legs and her pussy clenched as she came. I slammed into her one more time as I came, biting her shoulder and leaving my mark. Slowly, her legs became limp and her arms hung loosely around my neck as her breathing slowed. I walked back over to the couch and slowly extricated myself from her, then took my belt from around her wrists. Rubbing my hands over the red on her wrists, I brought them to my mouth, kissing the red marks I had left behind. Then I pulled her shoes and pants off and carried her up to my bedroom.
I laid her down in bed and stripped her of her t-shirt and bra before taking off my own shirt. I pulled her close to me and kissed her temple. There was so much I didn’t understand and I wasn’t sure I would like her answers, but I needed to ask.
“You’ve changed a lot.”
She was silent for a minute and I didn’t think she was going to say anything, but then she finally spoke.
“When you left me, I changed everything about myself. The thought that I wasn’t good enough really cut me deep. I met Vira and she helped me become the person I am today.”
My callous words to her that day rang in my mind. I had been young and stupid with no thought for how my words might affect her.
“I was stupid and afraid. I’m sorry I said those things to you.”
“What were you afraid of?”
“I loved you and I thought I was too young to be in love. I didn’t want to be tied down to one person yet. I had this stupid idea that I needed to experience more women, to find a woman that could give me more.”
“Well, you certainly got that,” she sniped at me.
“I had no idea that what I said would hurt you so much. I’m more sorry than I can put into words.”
“It wasn’t just that you hurt my feelings. You made me question everything about myself.” She sat up and glared at me. “I changed who I was so that no one could ever make me feel as small as you did that day. I’m not the same girl I was back then. When I said I didn’t want a relationship, I wasn’t lying. I haven’t been with a man more than once since I was with you ten years ago. I’ve fucked a lot of men and I enjoyed every minute of it. I will never be that woman again.”
“I know, and I will never be that kid again. I can’t change what happened ten years ago, but that doesn’t mean we can’t move forward as the people we are today. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t attracted to the woman you’ve become. You have to admit we have great chemistry. Before, we just didn’t have
that.”
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue our relationship the way it is, or lack of relationship. I wouldn’t mind continuing to fuck you, but don’t get any ideas of more.”
“Fair enough. So, why did you change your last name to Baker?”
“My dad cheated on my mom. Actually, he had been cheating on her for years. I decided that I didn’t want anything to do with him and that included having his last name.”
“You must have thought I was a real ass when I didn’t recognize you in the club.”
“Honestly, I was relieved. I kind of panicked when I saw you there. When you didn’t know who I was, my confidence came back. No girl wants to run into an ex-boyfriend and be a bumbling idiot.”
“No guy wants to fuck a girl and realize later he’s fucked her before.”
She chuckled and then climbed on top of me. “Well, the solution to that is to just keep on fucking her.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cecelia
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying my time with Logan. In fact, we could hardly keep our hands off one another. I felt this desperate need to have him all the time. If we were home, we were screwing and sometimes when we were out too. He seemed to want me just as much, so I didn’t feel bad about using his body. However, lately I was feeling something more than just desire for him. I was afraid that I was falling back in love with him, but I just couldn’t allow that to happen. I didn’t want to mess up what I had with him.
Logan (For The Love Of A Good Woman Book 3) Page 16
