by Lila Kane
“What did you mean?” I asked before he could back out of the room.
“About what?”
“When you said that’s not entirely accurate.”
“Elise.”
I heard something more in his voice. Warning, maybe. Exhaustion? But I couldn’t read anything on his face or in his eyes. “I want to know.”
His eyes narrowed in question, as if to say Why now?
Why now? Because life was short—as we’d just seen. Because it was just he and I here now. Because I was tired, and part of me just wanted that tension between us gone so I could relax. Maybe even find some comfort.
But I didn’t say any of that. Instead, I just swallowed and shook my head. “It was a long day. I…”
His eyes softened and he stepped closer. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I would have gotten to you faster if I’d known where you were.”
Moved by his words, I closed the rest of the gap between us. “It’s not your fault,” I said more firmly this time. “I’m glad you were there. If not…” My words trailed off as I lifted my hand to his cheek. “I’m glad you were there.”
His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. One that looked almost painful.
This time I didn’t miss the flick of his eyes. Watched as they travelled over the swell of my breast and lingered on the edge of the towel.
“I do,” he said after a moment. “Care to know you. But I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
The only thing making me uncomfortable was how awkward it was between them. But right now, in this moment, nothing stood between us. Part of me even wished the towel wasn’t between us. Or his clothes.
Logan was all man. Toned, strong, everything I ever fantasized about. My body raced with adrenaline and throbbed with need.
And in the next moment, he stepped back. “I’ll clean up the glass.”
He vanished from the room, leaving me alone and wondering what the hell had just happened.
CHAPTER THREE
The next morning, I called the police station and spoke with the detective Elise had given her story to yesterday. Then I immediately called Isaac to relay that there wasn’t any new news.
“I’m worried about her staying there,” Isaac said. “What do you think?”
“It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours yet.” Though worry was burning a hole in my gut. “If we don’t hear anything by tomorrow, then I’ll echo your worry.”
“What’s the plan?”
I thought for a moment, but I’d had a plan since last night after I’d made sure Elise was safe in bed. “The beach house.”
“I agree,” Isaac said immediately. “The police won’t, though.”
“They’ll deal. They can reach us if they need us.”
I went over a few more details with Isaac but by the time we ended the call, I felt better about the entire situation. In fact, I was almost tempted to take Elise there today. To get her mind off of everything and to set mine at ease.
When I walked out to the living room and saw her heading to the elevator, I snapped to attention. “Where the hell are you going?”
She gasped at the sound of my voice and then slapped a hand over her heart. “Damn it, Logan. I didn’t hear you coming.”
“Is that why you’re trying to sneak out?”
Her cheeks flushed just slightly, completely giving her away. Hell. Was she really not taking this seriously? “I thought you agreed to stay in here.”
“I wasn’t going to leave the hotel.”
When she started for the elevator again, I jogged to the doors and stepped in front of her. “I can’t let you leave.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Logan.”
“I told Isaac I’d take care of you.”
“He’s not my boss either in case you forgot. He’s my brother—”
“And he wants you safe.”
“Are you serious?” she asked, trying to step around me.
I moved in her way again. “Absolutely.”
“Move.”
“I can’t do it.”
“Logan, I swear—”
“It’s not going to happen.”
This time she got physical. She set her hands on my chest and tried to shove me out of the way. It should have been irritation that hit me at that moment—or even amusement—but instead, all I felt was arousal. My dick hardened at her touch, even as she yelled at me.
“Logan, get out of my way. I just need to go down to the gallery.”
“Elise—”
She tried to shove again, so I grabbed her wrists. “You need to calm down.”
“Like hell!”
She only fought harder, body pushing against mine, her dark curls tumbling over her shoulders. But I wouldn’t release her. Couldn’t. I was afraid of what might happen. And more, I was unwilling to let her win this battle.
When she tried to kick me, I dodged her foot and released her hands at the same time. The momentum caused her to surge forward and I used that moment to scoop her around her waist and toss her over my shoulder.
“Logan!” she screamed.
“You’ll calm down before someone gets hurt.”
“If you don’t put me down right now—”
“What? I’m keeping you here for your own good and you know it.”
She squirmed on my shoulder, and when I held her legs tighter so she couldn’t kick me, she pounded my back with her fists. “Put me down!”
I didn’t answer, carrying her all the way to her room and dropping her on her bed. Before she could try to get up again, I straddled her, pinning her hands above her head.
Her breath came out in sharp gasps, breasts rising and falling and turning me on even more. I tried not to lose focus, especially because she was so pissed off, but every part of her that touched me made it harder and harder not to shove my tongue into her mouth and kiss her until she was pliant in my arms.
“Damn it, Elise. Calm the fuck down.”
Her breath jerked in at the sharp tone of my voice. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
“I’m doing it because I need you safe. I don’t care if you’re angry with me, but please, please don’t hate me. I’m doing this because I can’t see you hurt. I’d never forgive myself if that happened.
She fell still on the bed, her eyes on mine in question. “Logan…”
But I’d already started and I wasn’t going to stop. She needed to know how important this was.
“You wanted to know why I don’t seem to care about you? Why I’ve never asked for more?” I squeezed my fingers around her wrists. “Because I care too much, and it’s not my place to say or do anything.”
“But—”
“Let me finish.”
She snapped her mouth shut, but there was confusion and something more, something almost like…hope in her eyes.
“You’re Isaac’s sister. He loves you more than anything, and he’s the closest friend I’ve got. Getting in between that could fuck it all up, but that doesn’t mean I don’t see you. That I don’t feel you every time you’re near or have to hold back so I don’t make all the wrong moves.”
And it was driving me crazy. Having her body beneath mine right now was torture. She fit so perfectly underneath me, every curve, every hard and soft part of her. And the heat…God, I swear she was on fire and she was burning me along with her.
“So if I have to restrain you to keep you here, I will,” I added quietly.
But she wasn’t fighting anymore. In fact, her body seemed to be straining toward me. She licked her lips and I snapped. I swooped down and captured her mouth with mine, tongue plunging into her mouth. She matched my speed by angling her head and massaging my tongue with hers.
My whole world tilted with realization. Holy shit. I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
Elise wanted me, too.
#
I’d never been more turned on in my life. Logan was stron
ger than any man I’d ever been with, able to hold me captive with one hand and a kiss. My body lit on fire, anticipating every touch from him and only getting hotter with each spot he caressed.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Logan said, his eyes devouring my body.
With his free hand, he tipped my chin up to kiss my jaw and down my throat. I ached in places I never knew could ache. I wanted him to touch me places I never thought would arouse me. But every part of me needed him—more than my next breath.
“Touch me, Logan,” I gasped.
He didn’t hesitate to slide his hand down to my breast, fingers teasing the nipple through my clothes. His cock grew so hard I felt it against my leg. I squirmed because it felt so good—because I wanted my hands on him too—but he wouldn’t release me.
“Logan—”
“This is dangerous, Elise.”
“What do you mean?” I panted, lifting my head to kiss his jaw and then run my tongue along the seam of his lips.
He groaned and returned the kiss, long enough my center clenched in anticipation, but not long enough to give me any kind of relief.
“Don’t worry about Isaac.”
I realized my mistake the instant I made it. I’d said my brother’s name. Logan jerked back, and then released me like I’d burned him.
Sitting up, I rubbed my wrists where he’d held them.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked.
“Not physically, no,” I murmured. But my heart had taken a small hit.
I could tell Logan felt more than he was giving me, and it was a relief. I knew there was something there, something between us, for years. If I could give into it, couldn’t he?
“Fuck.” Logan shoved a hand through his close-cropped hair. “This is why I never wanted to start anything.”
The words were just another jab to my heart. Never wanted to start anything?
“Because you’re too afraid to finish it,” I shot back, standing from the bed.
His eyes flashed with surprise and something more, something I didn’t have the chance to read before his phone rang.
He pulled it out, checked the number, then answered immediately. “Yes. I’ll be right down.”
Logan stuffed the phone back in his pocket and turned for the door. I followed him to the elevator.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“There’s a delivery at the desk.”
“For you?”
He frowned. “For you.”
“Then I’ll get.”
Logan didn’t even look in my direction. “We’re not doing this again.”
No, we didn’t need a repeat of what just happened in my bedroom. So I compromised. “Can I go with you? Just to get out for a few minutes and stretch my legs?”
His jaw clenched. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”
I stepped into the elevator with him when the doors opened. “Perfect. Just a few minutes.”
Instead of arguing, he pressed the button for the lobby and we rode in silence. He stood as far away from me as he could, but I ignored it. I ignored my feelings, too, because now I had no idea what to think.
At the desk, the woman greeted me with a smile. “How are Mr. and Mrs. Crane enjoying their honeymoon?”
I smiled, though I hadn’t had a chance to talk with Isaac yet. “They’re loving it. It was a much-needed vacation.”
She passed over a manila envelope and I took it before Logan could grab it. He eyed the front, shaking his head. “Be careful.”
“What? Maybe it’s from Isaac.”
But now he had me worried. There wasn’t an address or anything else on the front but my name.
Logan gripped my arm and steered me to the elevator. “We’re going back up.”
I didn’t argue, only followed along, opening the envelope at the same time.
“Wait,” Logan said, stopping me from reaching inside. “Fingerprints.”
“What?”
He took the envelope from me and brought it to the kitchen. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and reached inside the envelope with it. When he pulled out a large photograph, I gasped.
It was a picture of me. One of when I talked to the police yesterday. Then he pulled out another one of our hotel.
His eyes went dark and calculating immediately. “You don’t have to see this,” he said.
“I’m fine,” I bit out. Actually, I was angry. “It says something on the back.”
He flipped the second picture over and we spotted words written in black marker. Only seven words that chilled me to the core.
You’d better keep your mouth shut, bitch.
CHAPTER FOUR
The beach house was only an hour away, but I made sure we weren’t followed this time. Made sure I was deliberate about taking a skewed path there. The police hadn’t been too happy about us leaving, but I basically told them to fuck off. Until I knew Elise was safe, I was going to do what I could to keep her protected. Away from the rest of the world.
I parked close to the house and scanned the area before walking to her door and opening it. I took her arm, helping her out, and stayed right by her side as we walked up the stairs to the house and stepped inside.
“We’re okay,” she said as we walked in. “No one else is here and no one followed us. You made sure of it.”
I still kept her close as I surveyed each room and made sure we were really alone. After I got the luggage, I’d bolt us in. I’d had someone come ahead and stock the kitchen with food and drinks—everything we’d need for the next two weeks. And if we had to stay longer, I’d figure it out then. Between that and convincing Isaac he didn’t need to return from his honeymoon, there wasn’t much else to do but make sure Elise felt safe.
And maybe distract her a little as well. As I brought in our luggage, I watched her pace in front of the windows. I couldn’t tell if she was worried about being here, worried for her own safety, or frustrated about what had happened in her room yesterday.
I’d lost control. Completely. One minute I was reminding myself to stay away from her and the next, she smelled like heaven and her body was underneath mine. I had to taste, to touch, to feel. And now that I had, I could barely stop myself from doing it again.
“Are you hungry?” I asked after locking the front door.
She turned to face me, dark hair tumbling over her shoulders. She angled her head, considering, and I waited, keeping my distance. If I didn’t stand too close to her, I couldn’t touch her. I couldn’t run my hands over her soft skin or the swell of her breasts. I couldn’t feel her body heat beneath my hands or taste any part of her.
“I’d like to go for a walk,” she said.
“The beach is off-limits for now.”
“But…” She swiveled again, eyes drawn by the waves and the sun shining down. It was a beautiful day and we were stuck in here.
I was used to it—had spent so much time with Isaac that I didn’t mind being inside for extended periods of time. But Elise wasn’t that kind of person. She was exuberant and curious and needed that outside exposure.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “For now, it’s best to stay in here.”
She stepped to the window, which already made me nervous, and looked up and down the coast. “You don’t think they know where we are, do you?”
“No.”
That’s all she needed to know. I doubted we were followed, but the guys we were up against were professionals, so I didn’t doubt they were already looking for her. And to be threatening her even when the police was after them just proved they were cocky sons of bitches and wouldn’t stop with a little threat.
I walked up next to her, careful not to touch her, but curious what was going through her mind. Halfway out of my own mind wondering if she was dying to touch me again as much as I was to touch her. I’d never felt something so good, so right, in my life. It wasn’t even about Isaac anymore. I knew my friend would understand the attraction, the feelings. We’d figure it out. It was mo
re about making sure I didn’t get distracted. I had a job to do and one small slip could completely fuck it up.
“You’re not telling me the truth,” she said quietly.
I glanced over to find she was staring at me, her brown eyes wounded. God, that killed me. To see her looking at me with anything but trust. Or love. I wanted so much for her—no, us. I wanted it all, but there was a time and place for everything.
“I’m doing what I have to.”
She shook her head. “That’s bullshit.”
“Elise.”
“I’m not fragile, not someone you have to protect even with your words. You can tell me the truth about what’s going on. Out there.” Then she reached out and touched my chest, just over my heart. “And you can tell me what’s going on in here, too.”
I tried not to flinch when she touched me. It would hurt her thinking I didn’t want it when the reality was that I wanted it too much and I was scared to let myself go there. Even that small touch made it hard for me to focus.
“You’re in danger,” I said simply. “It’s my job to protect you.”
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Whose job is it to take care of you? To give you what you need?”
My heartbeat quickened. My job, I wanted to shout at her. I’d been taking care of myself my whole life. I didn’t need anyone else.
But it was a lie. That’s why I was so defensive. I needed her.
“I’m going to do another sweep of the house, make sure the doors and windows are locked.” I stepped away from her, forcing space so I didn’t grab her and take her right there. “Stay inside.”
I didn’t miss her sigh as I walked away, but right now there wasn’t anything more I could do.
#
I called Gia. Partly because I wanted to check in on her and see how their trip was going, and partly because I didn’t know what else to do. Logan was acting so strangely and I needed another woman who’d understand.
