Chapter 7 Rosalie
ROSALIE
Soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a glow across the room.
I stretch languidly, every delightful ache reminding me of the mind-blowing night Logan and I shared.
I smile to myself, recalling the way his touch had electrified every nerve ending.
How his kisses ignited an insatiable fire within me.
And then there was the dirty talk. Sweet Jesus, the filth that flew out of his mouth really got me going.
The fact that Logan could back it up made it even better.
I suspected Logan would be good in bed, but I truly did not know how amazing sex could be with anyone until last night. Every experience from my past pales in comparison. Logan is a giver—and then some—and it’s obvious he enjoys doing it. I lost count of how many orgasms I had last night.
And the wildest part? My brain—the same organ that usually won’t shut up, that overthinks and analyzes everything into oblivion—actually quieted.
For once, I wasn’t stuck inside my head, spiraling about my fear of failure and the resulting fallout.
Last night, I stayed in the moment and just felt.
Cherished, aroused, and satisfied in a way I never thought possible.
Beside me, Logan stirs. I turn to face him, propping myself up on one elbow to watch him wake up.
His hair is disheveled, and the neatly trimmed beard on his jaw gives him an irresistibly rugged look.
Those hazel eyes, more green than brown today, blink open and focus on me, a lazy smile spreading across his lips.
“Morning,” he murmurs, his voice still husky from sleep.
“Morning,” I echo. “Sleep well?”
“Like a rock. How about you?” Logan stretches, muscles rippling under the covers.
“Same.” I’m sure my smile is dopey as hell, but I couldn’t care less.
The blankets fall to his waist as he turns toward me. I have to make a concerted effort to keep my eyes above his shoulders.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” I admit, a mischievous grin tugging at my lips. “But it was totally worth it.”
“Oh?” His grin matches mine. “So, I take it you enjoyed yourself?”
“Major understatement.” My gaze travels over his broad shoulders and trim waist, down to the obvious bulge beneath the sheets. “It was incredible, Logan.”
He stretches to place a soft kiss on my lips. “I aim to please. You were pretty damn incredible yourself, Pip.”
We share a look filled with unspoken longing and mutual admiration. The connection between us feels even stronger now, a blend of familiarity and newfound intimacy.
“So, you don’t have any regrets?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.
Logan frowns. “No way in hell. Do you?”
I sigh dreamily. “Not one bit.”
“Good.” He wets his lower lip. “But I do have one question.”
“What’s that?”
Logan leans in like he’s about to share a juicy secret. “Do you really know karate?”
It takes a moment to connect the dots, but when I realize he’s referring to my moment of supreme idiocy on the porch, I bury my head under a pillow and groan.
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
He knows damn well I am not trained in any of the martial arts.
He yanks the pillow off my face and tosses it to the floor. “Not a chance. But I think we can work with it. You’d look hot wearing a white gi and nothing else. I’m up for a little role play, if you are. I’ll be the sensei, and you can be the new student at my dojo.”
An embarrassingly loud snort-laugh flies from my mouth right before an equally loud grumble comes from my stomach.
Logan throws his head back in laughter and climbs out of bed. Offering a hand, he says, “C’mon, Daniel-san. Let’s get you some breakfast.”
He pulls on a pair of sweats while I grab one of his T-shirts.
Since Logan’s so much taller than me, it hits me mid-thigh and covers up all my naughty bits.
As we make our way to the great room, I’m acutely aware of the way his eyes linger on me, and I may or may not swing my hips with a little extra flair.
“Wow,” I say, taking in the breathtaking sight outside the wall of windows. “It’s a good thing we stocked up yesterday.”
Snow is piled high against the glass, a pristine white blanket covering everything in sight. It’s clear that a massive amount of snowfall occurred overnight, and flakes are still falling, so it’ll be even deeper soon enough.
“Agreed,” he replies. “I chopped plenty of wood a few days ago, so I’ll grab it out of the shed after breakfast. I haven’t seen a generator though. Did I miss one?”
“Unfortunately not.” I walk over to the hallway closet.
“But as you know, my dad likes to be prepared.” I open the door, scanning the shelves.
“If the power goes out, we have flashlights, batteries, an old radio, bottled water, and a battery-powered lantern. There should be a camping stove and coolers in the shed and then the stone oven out back.” I lift on my toes to pull a box down.
I hold it up, showing him everyone’s favorite top-hat-wearing tycoon.
“If we get bored, we have plenty of games.”
Logan’s long legs cross the room in a matter of seconds. Before I know it, his hands are bracketing my hips, and his lips are pressed against my ear. “I can guarantee boredom will not be an issue.”
I bite my lip. “Is that so?”
His fingers creep under the hem of my borrowed tee. “I’d be happy to give you a reminder.” My stupid stomach growls again. “After we eat.”
I yelp as he smacks my ass. “Hey!”
Logan grabs my hand, pulling me toward the kitchen. “C’mon, woman. I’m starving. You promised to make me breakfast, remember?”
I smile. “That I did.”
Logan brews some coffee while I whip up some banana chocolate chip pancakes.
We fall into an easy rhythm, exchanging playful banter and flirtatious glances.
The casual domesticity feels natural, almost like we’re a married couple who’ve been doing this for years.
As we sit down to eat, I can’t help but think about how quickly things have changed between us.
Less than twenty-four hours ago, I was facing a lonely, bitter weekend, and now here I am, sharing breakfast with Logan after a night of mind-blowing sex. Life has a funny way of surprising you.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Logan asks, a knowing smile on his lips. “You’re awfully flushed all of a sudden.”
I laugh, caught off guard by his perceptiveness. “Fishing for an ego boost again?”
“Nah, I know what I bring to the table.” He winks playfully, but there’s a stark vulnerability lingering in his gaze, reminding me of his teenage self.
I smile softly. “You’re the total package, Logan. You know that, right? Honestly, I do not know how some woman hasn’t nailed you down by now. Any girl would be lucky to have you by her side.”
He shrugs. “Maybe I’ve been waiting.”
I scrunch my brows. “For what?”
“For the timing to be right with the right girl.” He gives me a pointed look as if he’s encouraging me to read between the lines.
Could he possibly be referring to me?
I’ve spent half my life hiding or ignoring my feelings for this man, and if I’m reading him correctly, he’s been doing the same with me, for part of that time at least. I’ve known Logan is attracted to me—he hasn’t exactly made a secret out of it—but, at some point, I’d become complacent, thinking we’d never move beyond the flirty friend zone.
I had convinced myself that the moment we shared all those years ago was nothing more than a drunken blip.
But I think last night may have been our game-changer.
My mind desperately wants to dissect and discuss every single moment, asking what last night meant to him.
I want to shake him and scream, “Were you referring to me just now? Am I the girl you’ve been waiting for?
!” But I stifle the urge, reminding myself there’s a time and a place for that, and the afterglow period isn’t it.
“Oh.” I gulp. “Yeah, timing is important.”
Logan chuckles, pulling me into a quick side hug, letting me go as he stands and plops a kiss on the top of my head.
“Not that I’m complaining,” I begin, “but what was that for?”
He strides over to the fireplace, crouching low to the ground. “Stop worrying, Rosie. We’ll figure it out when the time comes.”
“Worry?” I laugh awkwardly. “You think I’m worrying? Pfft.” I wave my hand dismissively. “I’m totally calm over here. Practically in a meditative state, in fact.”
Logan gives me his, You’re a hot mess, but you’re an adorable hot mess, headshake before looking over his shoulder. “Rosie, we don’t have to have all the answers right now. Let’s just enjoy this—us—for what it is, one moment at a time. I promise, no matter what, I’ve got you.”
I stare at him for a beat, worrying my lip. “You make it sound so easy,” I say softly, more to myself than to him.
Logan stacks the logs with practiced ease, his broad shoulders shifting as the muscles in his back flex enticingly.
Once satisfied, he strikes a match, the slight flare flickering briefly before the flames crackle to life.
The firelight dances across his profile, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the focused curve of his brow.
Even with the daylight pouring through the windows, the golden glow of the fire adds warmth to his rugged features, drawing my gaze like a magnet.
The faint scent of pine smoke mingles with the lingering aroma of pancakes and coffee, wrapping the cabin in a cozy, heady mix that eases the edges of my anxiety, if only for a moment.
“Maybe because it is.”
I roll my eyes as I pick up my coffee mug and take a slow sip, letting the steam rise around my face. Easy. God, wouldn’t that be nice?