23. Logan
23
LOGAN
L ogan's breath caught in his chest as Serena walked up his cabin's front steps. Her light brown hair fell in soft waves around her face instead of its usual messy bun, and without her glasses, her gray eyes seemed to sparkle even more than usual. The wine-colored blouse she wore hugged her curves in ways that made his bear want to growl in appreciation, and her fitted jeans... He forced his gaze back up to her face.
Something was different about her today. Beyond the obvious effort she'd put into her appearance, there was a determined set to her jaw that made his pulse quicken.
"Logan." Her voice was soft but steady as she climbed the porch steps. "I need to talk to you about something."
He leaned against the railing, trying to appear casual despite the way his heart hammered in his chest. "What's on your mind?"
Serena took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I've been thinking about us. About how things used to be, and how they are now." She stepped closer, close enough that he could smell her lavender shampoo. "We're different people than we were back then. Better people, I think. And working with you these past weeks, I've realized something."
His bear stirred anxiously inside him, sensing the importance of what was coming next.
"I still have feelings for you," she said, her cheeks flushing pink. "Strong ones. And I know we agreed to just be friends, but I can't help wondering if maybe we could try again. If you'd want to try again."
Logan's mind went blank, his body tensing with surprise and something else - hope, maybe, or desire, or both.
Serena shifted nervously in the silence, her cheeks flushing pink. "I know it's a lot to ask, and if you don't feel the same way-"
Logan's bear rumbled with pure joy deep in his chest. Here was Serena - his Serena - standing before him with her heart on her sleeve. The morning sun caught the golden highlights in her hair, and that determined tilt of her chin made his heart skip.
A slow grin spread across his face. "You beat me to it."
"What?" Serena blinked, her eyes widening.
"I've been trying to figure out how to tell you the same thing." Logan closed the distance between them in two long strides. "I was going to do something romantic, maybe take you stargazing like we used to. But here you are, brave as ever, saying exactly what I've wanted to hear."
Her lips parted in surprise, and his bear focused on that small detail with intense interest. "Really?"
"Really." He reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd love nothing more than to try again with you, Serena. I agree that we're both different people now. We are better people. And working with you these past weeks..." He shook his head, chuckling. "Let's just say my bear's been insufferable, wanting to be near you all the time."
"Your bear's been insufferable?" Serena laughed, the sound making his chest tighten. "You should try being around you when you're being all..." She gestured vaguely at him. "You know, competent and caring with the animals."
He caught her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. The touch sent electricity racing up his arm.
"Competent and caring?" Logan raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "That's what does it for you?"
"Among other things." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Your cooking's improved too."
"Is that so?" He wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer. "Would you do me the honor of going on a date with me? A proper one, not just festival dancing or sanctuary work."
"I'd like that." Her smile was bright enough to rival the morning sun. "Though I have to admit, I kind of love our sanctuary work dates too."
Logan chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "Good, because those aren't stopping anytime soon. Someone's got to keep me from being too stubborn."
"That's a full-time job," she teased, her eyes dancing with mischief.
"Lucky for me, I found just the right person for it."
Logan's bear practically preened with contentment as he led Serena through the town square. Her hand fit perfectly in his, just like it used to, and every brush of her shoulder against his arm sent electricity through his body.
"Remember that ice cream shop we used to go to?" He nodded toward the corner store with its striped awning.
"Rocky Road's?" Serena's eyes lit up. "They still have the best butter pecan."
"Let's find out if that's still true." He guided her inside, breathing in the sweet scent of waffle cones and sugar that mixed pleasantly with Serena's lavender perfume.
They got their ice cream - butter pecan for her, dark chocolate for him - and walked along the shoreline. The afternoon sun painted everything golden, including the slight flush on Serena's cheeks when he wiped a drop of ice cream from the corner of her mouth.
"Your hands are still warm," she murmured. "Even with the ice cream."
"Bear shifter perk." He grinned, his chest swelling with pride when she leaned into his touch.
They spent hours exploring the places they used to go together - the pier where they'd had their first date, the bookstore where she used to practice her potions. His bear rumbled contentedly as they discovered new favorites too, like the art gallery that had opened last spring.
As sunset approached, they ended up at the lighthouse point, watching the waves crash against the rocks below.
"This was perfect," Serena said, her gray eyes reflecting the orange sky. "Just like I remembered, but better somehow."
Logan pulled her closer, his arm wrapping possessively around her waist. "Because we're better. Stronger." His voice dropped lower. "Would you like to come back to my cabin? I could make us dinner."
Her smile sent his pulse racing. "I'd love to."
The drive back to his place was filled with comfortable silence and shared glances. His bear remained contentedly alert, knowing she was close, knowing she'd chosen them again. This time, Logan swore to himself, they'd get it right.
When they pulled up to his cabin, the porch lights created a warm glow that welcomed them home.
"I made the right choice," Serena said suddenly, turning to face him. "Giving us another chance."
Logan's heart swelled. "So did I, Serena."
Logan's cabin filled with the rich aroma of garlic and herbs as he prepared Serena's favorite pasta dish for dinner - fettuccine with his special mushroom sauce. He smiled as he watched her settle onto one of his kitchen stools, her eyes following his movements with appreciation.
The domesticity of the moment, having her in his kitchen again after all these years, made his chest tight with happiness.
"The sauce smells amazing." Serena closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "Just like I remember, but better somehow."
Logan's bear rumbled with pleasure at her praise. He'd spent months perfecting this recipe after she left, though he'd never admit it. "Secret ingredient."
"Let me guess - more garlic?"
"That's between me and the sauce." He winked at her, loving how her laugh filled his kitchen.
Steam rose from the pasta as he plated their dinner, the sauce coating each strand perfectly. His bear practically strutted as he set the plates on his worn wooden table, pleased to provide for her.
"This looks delicious," Serena said, raising her eyebrows.
Logan pulled out her chair, unable to resist brushing his fingers against her shoulder as she sat. The simple touch sent electricity through his arm. "Wine?"
"Please."
He poured them each a glass of red, then settled across from her. The soft glow from his pendant lights caught the silver flecks in her gray eyes, making them sparkle. His bear longed to lean across the table and kiss her, but he held back. Some things were worth savoring.
"You know," Serena twirled pasta around her fork, "I missed this. Being here with you."
Logan's heart skipped. "The cabin missed you too." He caught her gaze. "So did I."
The smile she gave him was worth every minute he'd spent learning to cook, worth every lonely night wondering if he'd ever see her again. His bear huffed in agreement - she was home, where she belonged.
Logan soon settled onto his leather couch, two steaming mugs of coffee in hand. The fireplace cast dancing shadows across Serena's face as she accepted her cup, their fingers brushing. His bear stirred at the contact, wanting more.
"Still take it with vanilla and cinnamon?" he asked, watching her inhale the aroma.
"You remembered." Her smile sent a warmth through him that had nothing to do with the fire.
As they talked, sharing stories and laughing about old times, Logan noticed how she'd gradually shifted closer. Her knee now pressed against his thigh, sending electricity through his body. His bear demanded he close the remaining distance between them.
When she set down her empty mug and turned those gray eyes on him, something in his chest tightened. "Logan?"
He didn't answer with words. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, a question more than a demand. But when she melted against him with a soft sigh, his control snapped.
His bear growled in satisfaction as he deepened the kiss, one hand sliding into her hair while the other pulled her closer. She tasted like coffee and cinnamon and something uniquely Serena that he'd missed for far too long. Her fingers gripped his shirt, holding him just as tightly as he held her.
When they broke apart, both breathing heavily, Logan rested his forehead against hers. "I've wanted to do that since the day you walked back into my life."
This was right. This was home. This was everything he'd dreamed about during those long years apart.