Chapter 6 #2
"Skull masks," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. Just thinking about Logan, Ryder, and Cole in those masks made my skin prickle with unwanted heat. "They've already-"
The door opened, cutting me off mid-sentence.
Logan walked in, and my mouth went dry. His black t-shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to every perfectly defined muscle of his chest and abs.
Sawdust dusted his dark hair, and a thin sheen of perspiration made his skin glow in the afternoon light.
He looked like some kind of Greek god who'd decided to try his hand at construction.
His eyes found mine immediately, and that familiar smirk spread across his face. He knew exactly what effect he was having, the bastard. I forced myself to look away, but not before catching the knowing glint in his eyes.
"Haunted house is finished," he announced to Melody, though his gaze never left me. “Everything's ready for Saturday night.”
“Oh Logan, you are an absolute hero,” Melody gushed as she clapped her hands in excitement.
“And all the costumes are coming together too. Megan, did the printer send the rest of the flyers?” Melody turned to Megan, and they launched into some drama about the printer, but my mind was preoccupied as Logan slid into the seat next to me and rested his arm across the back of my chair.
I willed my body to not stiffen as I felt his hand tugging a piece of my hair as he played with it.
Logan chuckled beside me and it took all my effort not to move away.
“Well, I am sure we can think of some other way, Cade do you have any ideas?” I looked up to see both Melody and Megan watching me expectantly.
“Huh?” I asked, having no clue what they were talking about.
“The printers have messed up again,” Megan said. “We need to get the details out about Saturday, so people know where to go.” Oh, printers. I tried to think on my feet but I honestly couldn’t concentrate with the feel of Logan’s hand on my back.
“Well, erm…” I flailed and Logan chuckled again. I shot him a glare and his irritating smirk grew. But then he looked up at Melody.
“Why don’t you ask Williams to put a student blast out on email. That should get the word around and be environmentally friendly as well.” Melody clapped again.
“Oh my god, Logan, you are a genius,” She trilled, and I scowled. As if Logan gave a shit about the environment.
I was ready to say as much when the door burst open again as Hannah rushed in, her blonde hair dishevelled and her clothes slightly askew. It was obvious she'd been up to something, or more likely someone, probably one of her Archive Regents.
"You're late," Melody chided, but Hannah barely seemed to register the reprimand.
Instead, her eyes locked onto Logan and her face went pale.
She quickly looked down at the floor, shifting uncomfortably.
Logan's entire demeanour changed. The playful smirk he'd been directing at me transformed into a cold glare as he shifted closer to my seat.
The tension in the room was suddenly thick enough to cut with a knife.
"What's going on?" I whispered to Silvia, confused by the strange interaction. Silvia leant in close, her voice barely audible.
"After you left the dining hall yesterday, Logan absolutely demolished Hannah and Julia.
Told them if they ever spoke about his Consort like that again, he'd deal with them personally.
" She paused meaningfully. "I believe his exact words were, and it would be painful.
" I felt my breath catch. Logan had defended me?
Despite everything he had done to me, all the manipulation, all the games, something warm unfurled in my chest. It was stupid and dangerous to feel anything positive about Logan's actions, but I couldn't help it.
No one had ever stood up for me like that before.
I glanced up at him, studying his profile as he discussed final details with Melody. He was still a monster, still one of my tormentors, but maybe... God, I was so screwed.
"Alright everyone, that's a wrap!" Melody announced, gathering her papers.
"Be ready for Saturday, and Logan, thank you again for all your hard work.
" She gave me a meaningful look. "Cade, make sure to give him an extra special thank you tonight.
" My cheeks burned at her implication as everyone filed out of the room.
I lingered behind, watching Logan collect his things.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I stopped him.
"Logan, wait." He turned to face me, that insufferable smirk back on his face.
"Yes, Princess?" I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
"Why did you do it? Stand up for me against Hannah and Julia?" The smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. He moved closer, his presence filling the space between us until my back hit the wall.
"Because you're mine," he said, his voice low and intense.
"Mine, and Ryder's, and Cole's. Nobody else gets to disrespect what belongs to us.
" He placed one hand against the wall beside my head, effectively caging me in.
"I take my responsibilities seriously, Princess.
Including protecting what's mine." My heart hammered in my chest.
"I don't belong to anyone."
"No?" His other hand came up to trace my jawline, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “I’m not sure you even believe that anymore.”
“Then you are wrong,” I responded as strongly as I could, but I didn’t need to see the quirk of his lips to tell me I wasn’t convincing anyone.
"Then why are you trembling?"
"Because I hate you," I whispered, but the words lacked conviction. He leant in until his lips were at my ear. I bit my lip to try to control my own responses.
“If it gives you comfort, then keep telling yourself that,” he gently sucked the lobe of my ear into his mouth, sending shivers through me, before letting go again.
“But you and I both know that it is only a matter of time, Princess.” He stepped away from me, picked up his bag and walked out the door without a second look.
Yep, I was well and truly screwed.