The Write Off: An Enemies To Lovers Romantic Comedy (Love In 2C Book 3)

Chapter 30

Rilla

“When I get you upstairs, you’re going to pay for that little stunt.”

“Oh, Pretty Boy Stalker, one woman’s punishment is another woman’s picnic.”

The stunt in question was a stroke of genius on my part. We’d just spent more than an hour at a local bookstore, pointing out books we’ve read and books we want to read, looking for books for his niece. We made desert-island top five lists of books we couldn’t live without. He bought me a copy of his all-time favorite mystery novel, challenging me to figure out the killer before the final reveal. I spent twenty minutes explaining the key differences between the Throne Of Glass and ACOTAR series. We even made out a little against a shelf in the back.

The perfect date.

While at the counter preparing to pay, I managed to slip a book into his pile without him noticing. He was busy making polite conversation with the middle-aged woman at the cash register and I seized the moment like the golden opportunity it was. The look on both of their faces when she scanned Ravished By A Raptor by Dixie Swallows was absolutely priceless.

I look at the book in question as we approach his building. The illustrated cover shows a buxom woman, windswept hair flowing at her side. Holding her from behind is a horny-looking velociraptor, looking like he’s about to devour her in more ways than one.

I had managed to hold it together until we were out of the store, but the moment my feet hit the pavement I laughed so hard I almost peed myself.

“I use that bookstore a lot, Rilla. They know me there.”

“Well, now they know a different side of you.” I rub my midsection that aches from laughing so much. “I was just trying to prove to you that dinosaur erotica is, in fact, a thing.”

“Well, you made your point.”

He holds the door to his building open for me and takes my hand in his as we walk to the elevator. There is another tenant waiting there already and he nods at us. The elevator arrives and when we step in, Logan moves to the right corner, pulling me back against him. His arms encircle me and he rests his chin on the top of my head.

I’ve never been one for prolonged physical contact. I’ve always enjoyed my personal space, that protective bubble that keeps everyone at a respectful distance. But Logan has burst that bubble. Not only do I not shy away from his touch, but when I’m forced to go without it for too long, I start to crave it like a controlled substance.

I’d wound up giving him a watered-down report of the Bryce incident when he came by later that day. Maybe it was because I’d felt better after my heart-to-heart with Betty or maybe I’d decided that it wasn’t worth making myself rehash it again. Perhaps it was because he was still in his gym shorts from basketball when he arrived and awakened an athlete kink I never knew was hiding inside of me.

Whatever the reason, I told him about Bryce’s thoughts on my headshots but left everything else out. Even with the limited details, I could tell Logan was angry. He assured me that I wouldn’t be forced to do anything that made me uncomfortable and offered to address it to his superiors if it came up again. I promised him that it was nothing I couldn’t handle, but I appreciated how ready he was to go to bat for me.

Did I just use a sports reference? This man has really gotten under my skin.

We arrive on his floor and exit the elevator. His apartment is much nicer than mine. Newer building, newer amenities, newer everything. He unlocks and opens the door and as soon as we’ve crossed the entry, his lips are on my neck. We only left his bedroom a couple hours ago, but I’m more than ready to let him take me back there.

However, never one to pass up a chance to rile him up, I slip away from his arms with my new favorite book in hand.

“Why don’t I set the mood by reading aloud from your new book?” I quickly scan the paperback for a saucy scene and it doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for.

“I don’t think that’s necess–”

“‘His talons dug into the flesh of her milky-white breasts. His lust-filled screech, tortured and raw, filled the night air and her loins vibrated with need. She gave herself over to him, fearing nothing except her own unbridled desire.’”

“I’ll show you unbridled desire.” He starts in my direction looking ready to pounce. I try to outrun him, but I only make it a few steps before he scoops me up on his shoulder and carries me down the hall.

“How come you never screech lustily for me, Logan?” I feel his frame shake beneath me. We’re both laughing so hard that I’m afraid he might drop me. “A girl…needs to feel…special…sometimes.” I’m wheezing for breath, unable to stop laughing long enough to fill my lungs with the air they want so desperately.

Logan drops me on the bed and collapses on top of me. He rests his head on my chest, struggling just as much as I am. Making Logan laugh, really laugh, makes me downright euphoric.

“You’re a lunatic,” he says as he props himself up on one forearm and wipes his leaking eyes with his other hand. “I’m in love with a lunatic.”

We both freeze. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion and for a moment I wonder if time itself has stopped. I tell myself it was an offhand remark. A heat-of-the-moment declaration that he’s going to take back. I wait for him to backtrack. To make a joke or tell me he didn’t mean to say the words he just said.

He doesn’t.

“I hadn’t planned to tell you that while the topic of discussion was dinosaur pornography, but here we are. I love you, Rilla. I hope that doesn’t freak you out.”

“No, I…um…” My brain is screaming at my mouth to form words, but there is a breakdown somewhere in the signal transmission. “I just–”

His mouth lowers to mine in a soft, comforting kiss. His lips pull away too soon, but he rests his forehead against mine. “You don’t need to say it back. This is not a transactional proclamation of love. I’ve been feeling this way for a while and I’m glad you know. Okay?”

“Okay.” I nod, wanting to say so much more.

Just then, a buzzing starts that feels like it’s coming from Logan’s back pocket.

Raising one dark eyebrow, he says, “My loins appear to be vibrating with need.”

I snort loudly, smacking his chest as he grins down at me. I can tell he loves making me laugh, too. He rolls off me, pulling the phone out and answering it as I continue to giggle on the bed.

“Hi Shannon, what’s…oh shit…”

I sit up, worried by his change in tone. Are the kids okay? I can’t read anything but concern on his face as he listens to the phone against his ear.

“Of course. I’m home. You can drop them off with their overnight bags and grab them in the morning.” Another pause. “No problem. I’ll see you soon.” He ends the call and turns to me. “There’s been a bad accident on the freeway. A transport truck collided with a tourist bus. Massive injuries are being reported. They’re calling in everyone at the hospital Shannon works at, so she’s dropping off the kids. They’ll be here in twenty minutes.”

“That’s horrible. The accident,” I clarify. “Not that your niece and nephew are on their way here.”

He runs a hand through his thick hair looking nervous suddenly. “Do you want to stay? I know they’d both like to meet you. But I realize this isn’t the day you anticipated and I understand if you aren’t ready. I have to wait for them, but if you want to go you can take my car.”

So many big steps in one day. Whether I’m ready or not to meet the small humans who take up such a big place in Logan’s heart, I’m not about to walk out on him after he said what he said.

“Of course I’ll stay.” I raise my hand to the hint of stubble on his cheek and he leans into my touch. “But just so we’re clear, I’m not taking it easy on them in Mario Kart. They’re going down.”

He kisses the inside of my palm, looking grateful. “I would expect nothing less.”