Chapter 5 #2
The kettle starts to boil, so I find two mugs and make us each a cup of tea.
If someone had told me that this was how my day was going to go today, I would not have believed them. Hey, Kaylee, before the sun sets, you’ll have kidnapped your client and forced him to buy a house. But don’t worry, he’s a willing hostage, so it’ll all work out.
Will it? Even if he signs the papers, he could still back out of the sale. But maybe the signature would be enough to save my job. Enough to keep a roof over my head.
Worry tugs at me, but I push it aside when a snow-covered Logan stomps back inside, his arms full of logs.
Snowflakes cling to his dark hair, and his nose is red from the cold.
He toes off his boots by the back door, then heads toward the fireplace in the living room.
I can’t seem to take my eyes off his broad, muscular back as he crouches down and sets to work getting a fire going with expert ease.
I love watching him move, the way his muscles bunch and flex beneath his clothes.
And now I know what’s beneath those clothes. Well, beneath his shirt, anyway.
I’d nearly swallowed my tongue at the sight of Logan chopping wood shirtless yesterday.
All that skin, all those muscles, covered in a fine dusting of dark hair.
Before bed, I’d touched myself to thoughts of him, that chest, those arms, moving above me as he fucked me hard and deep, making me scream his name as I thanked him for making me feel so good.
I watch as Logan pushes up his sleeves, rearranging the logs in the fireplace.
He’s so strong and capable. So big and smart and confident.
He’s honestly perfect in every single way. I don’t even mind his grumpiness. It suits him.
Within minutes, a fire is crackling merrily in the fireplace, which is a good thing, because a strong gust of wind outside has the power flickering again.
I pick up the two mugs of tea and square my shoulders, taking them into the living room. Logan takes his with a small smile.
“My, what civilized conditions you’re keeping me in.” His tone is dry, but I can see a flicker of humor in his eyes.
“So,” I say, sitting down on the couch. Logan sits down on the opposite end, watching me intently. “Have you thought about which house you’re going to buy?”
“Mmm.” It’s a completely non-committal sound.
I watch his mouth as he purses his lips, blowing steam away from the rim of his mug.
What would it feel like if he did that over my nipple?
My clit? I shift subtly in my seat, trying to ignore the throb between my thighs.
“Let’s rewind a bit, first. John said he’s going to fire you if you don’t get me to buy a house? ”
I roll my lips inward and nod. “Yes. Multiple times.”
He frowns. “I see.” He sets his tea down and rubs a hand over his face. “This is my fault.”
“How is this your fault? I’m the one who failed to find you the right house. I’m the one who threw your keys into the snow.”
He sighs. “Does John always give you a hard time?”
I’m careful, because I’m pretty sure John’s his friend. “Um, well. He just has high expectations, and…” I lick my lips. “He’s been threatening to fire me for a few days now, and he just…”
“Just what?”
“I don’t think he likes me very much. He was…upset when you insisted on hiring me as your realtor.”
Logan shakes his head. “I’ll take care of John, Kaylee. It’s the least I can do.”
“The least you can do is buy one of the houses I’ve shown you.” I sip my tea, wrapping my fingers around the mug for warmth. Outside, flakes pelt the windows as the wind blows them sideways.
“Mmm.” That sound is both infuriating and intoxicating.
He sighs, his big shoulders rising and falling.
“Kaylee, I have a confession to make. And I really hope you don’t hate me for it, because it’s my fault you’ve had John breathing down your neck.
This, all of it, is my fault.” He picks up his tea and takes another sip.
I frown, shaking my head. “So you’ve said, but I don’t understand.”
A muscle in Logan’s jaw jumps as he sets his mug down, then scrubs a hand over his mouth. He takes a breath, and then meets my eyes. “I rejected every house you showed me not because there was something wrong with it, but because I wanted to keep looking at houses with you.”
I stare at him, confusion and anger rooting me to the spot.
“What do you mean? Why would you do that? You’ve been wasting my time on purpose?
Why?” My anger spikes and I push to my feet, pacing in front of the couch.
“Do you have any idea how much stress I’ve been under because of you?
How many sleepless nights I’ve had, thinking I was going to lose my job?
You pushed me to commit a felony, for crying out loud!
” I’m full on shouting now, and I don’t care.
My vision is red-tinged at the edges, and something wild and raw is clawing at my chest.
He stands, too, towering over me, but not in an intimidating way. “Kaylee, I—“
But I’m too angry, and I cut him off. “You what? Decided it would be funny to mess with my job, my life? I could end up homeless because of you!” I’m shaking now, tears pricking at my eyes as I clench my hands into fists at my sides.
I am not okay. Clearly.
He reaches out, his hands landing on my shoulders, and I hate the way his touch makes me soften instantly. I hate the power he has over me. I hate the way my body responds to him, even when I’m furious. “Kaylee, I’m sorry.”
“Fuck your sorry!” I yell, slamming my hands into his chest and pushing hard.
Of course, he doesn’t budge, as immovable as the mountains surrounding us.
“Get out!” I try again, pushing with all of my might.
“Get out, get out, get out!” He doesn’t move.
I’d probably have more luck dragging the refrigerator outside by myself than getting Logan Armstrong to move.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his gorgeous mouth, and god, that only makes me angrier. “You kidnapped me, remember? I can’t leave. That’s sort of the basis for how this works. Kidnapper,” he says, pointing at me. “Hostage.” He points at himself.
I let out a completely undignified shriek and shove against his chest again. “Then…no talking! No more talking! Because everything you say—“
This time, he cuts me off. “Don’t you want to know why I did it? Why I rejected all those houses? Why I wanted to spend time with you?”
I glare at him. “Fine. I’ll bite. Why?”
He closes the distance between us and slowly slides his arms around me. Heat that has nothing to do with my anger flares to life inside me. Damn him.
“Because I’m in love with you, Kaylee.”