21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
IZZY
I waved at Maggie as she stepped through the doors of the school's cafeteria. I hadn’t rushed to get here, knowing she wouldn’t be here until closer to seven. We’d only gotten here ten minutes ago and grabbed seats at a table. Maggie spotted me and made her way toward us.
“Can we get donuts now?” Nikki asked, popping up on her knees.
“Of course.” Maggie smiled.
They both jumped up and ran toward the line.
“You coming?” she directed at me.
I shook my head. “I'm good on the donuts.” I'd watched at least five kids take a donut only to put it back, and at least two sneeze over a bunch in line. I wasn't a germaphobe, but I also couldn't afford to get sick right now. “I'll wait here and save the seats until you guys get back. “
“Okay. Thanks.” She hurried over and stood in line with the girls.
The line moved slowly as they inched closer to the front. I picked up my phone and opened Instagram, scrolling through the feed to pass the time. Excitement coursed through me when a text from Logan appeared in my notifications.
Logan: Just parked. You guys inside?
Me: Yes. I'm sitting at a table. Maggie's in line with the girls.
Logan: Heading in.
I glanced over at Maggie, who was focused on something Alice was telling her. Would it be weird with both of them here? Nicole might've been convinced nothing lingered between them, but I’d only been working at the hospital since January, so I hadn't seen the two of them together in the same space. In fact...I couldn’t remember if I'd ever seen them together.
My gaze landed on Logan as he weaved through the mass of tables. He sat down across from me, and the smile he sent me had my stomach fluttering again. His dark hair was wet and he looked so sexy in a Henley, especially with the top three buttons undone.
“Hi,” he said, leaning forward and bracing his arms on the table.
“Hey.” I tucked my hair behind my ear as his gaze followed my movements.
“How was your day?”
“Good.” I tapped my nails on the table but stopped when he zeroed in on the nervous habit. Why was I even nervous? “Worked at the hospital, and the girls and I made meatloaf.”
His eyes widened. “Meatloaf?”
“I heard it's your favorite.” My lips twitched as I fought a smirk. “Lucky for you, we saved you some.”
“Can't wait.” He slanted farther toward me and lowered his voice. “Although there's something else I'm craving.”
His gaze heated as he kept it trained on me, and I squirmed in my seat. The way he could make me feel like I was the only woman in the room was unlike anything I'd experienced.
“Daddy,” Nikki's voice broke through the moment. “You came.”
Logan shifted to wrap his arm around his daughter as she clamored up onto the bench next to him. “I couldn’t stay away from my favorite girls.”
Alice took the spot next to me, and Maggie sat on the other side of Nikki.
“Daddy, you need to get your donut before they're all gone.”
Logan nodded and stood. “What kind do you want, Izzy?”
“I'm good.” I kept my gaze averted, suddenly feeling like I was intruding on their time together as a family. “I probably should get going.”
“No, stay,” Logan and Maggie said in unison.
My gaze shot to Maggie, who smirked at Logan before focusing on me. “The girls want you here, you should stay.”
“Please, Izzy?” both girls whined.
I sighed. “Okay.”
“So am I surprising you, or do you have a preference?” Logan asked.
I peered up at him, trying not to stare at the outline of muscles under his shirt. “Surprise me.”
“Jelly filled it is,” he said with a chuckle before walking away.
God, I hoped he was kidding. Who liked jelly-filled?
Both girls had ones with chocolate icing and sprinkles. Maggie looked like she had some type of cruller. I was curious to see what Logan would come back with.
Thankfully, Alice and Nikki filled the time chatting nonstop about school and how excited they were for soccer practice.
“Can we go make the craft?” Alice pointed to the tables on the other side of the cafeteria where they were making paper plate donuts.
Maggie nodded. “Sure.”
The girls ran off and I tapped my fingers on the table, hoping Logan made it back quickly. The way Maggie was staring at me reminded me a lot of the look my mom would give me whenever she knew I had done something and needed to confess. But there was no way I planned on telling her I kissed her ex-husband.
“Ugh, that woman needs to get a clue.” Maggie's eyes narrowed in the direction where Logan was standing, two donuts in hand, talking to the same woman who was at soccer practice.
The reminder that they had talked about getting together for coffee sent my stomach plummeting.
“A clue?” I focused back on Maggie. I couldn't watch the woman flirt with Logan while he smiled at her.
“Yeah, she's relentless. Hasn't caught on that Logan isn't interested.” Maggie huffed.
“How do you know?” I peered back over, taking in the way he smiled and nodded as she talked. He did agree to get coffee with her last week when she approached him at the soccer field. I turned back to Maggie.
She shrugged. “She's been flirting with him since the beginning of the school year. If he was interested at all, he would have already asked her out.”
“They did agree to meet for coffee.” The words spilled from my lips before I truly thought about them.
Her eyes widened a tad, but she shook her head. “I'll believe it when I see it. Trust me, he does not like that woman.”
I shifted uncomfortably. She said it like she was trying to convince me. Could she sense there was something going on? How would she feel about that if she knew?
“Look, Logan’s a good guy. I want him to find someone he can build a relationship with, but it’s definitely not her. And he’s too nice to tell her he’s not into her.” She stared at me for a moment too long before a smirk pulled at her lips. “I think once he finally finds the perfect someone, he’ll be all in.”
I swallowed. The way she kept studying me as she talked made me squirm.
“Christ,” Logan said, startling me as he appeared at the table and slid into his seat. “Never thought I'd get away this time. She's relentless.”
Maggie's lips lifted into a smirk as she mouthed told you . “You need to tell her she's barking up the wrong tree.”
He kept his gaze trained on me for a beat before glancing over at Maggie. “I told her she needs to talk to Zack about fire safety week. That he handles all that, and I have no idea of the schedule.”
“Smart.” She chuckled. “Zack will have no problem shamelessly flirting with her.”
He focused back on me. “That's my hope. Then maybe she'll leave me alone.”
Nikki and Alice appeared, cutting our conversation short and waving the colorful donut crafts in their hands, excitedly showing them to all of us.
“I'd better get them home. It’s almost past their bedtime.” Maggie pushed to her feet. “Thanks for bringing them tonight, Izzy. That was such a huge help.”
I nodded. “No problem.”
Once everyone said their goodbyes, Maggie and the girls headed for the exit. Logan stood, that intense stare of his burning into me as I rose to my feet. I swallowed, almost nervously, because I could clearly see the need radiating off him.
“I'll walk you out.” The majority of kids and parents had already emptied out, and his hand landed on my lower back as he ushered me in front of him toward the double doors that led out of the cafeteria.
Once outside in the parking lot, I slowed my feet and pointed toward my car a few rows over. I'd brought my car because I'd planned to leave from here to head home. “I'm over this way.”
He nodded and gestured up the row in front of us. “Okay. I'm up here. I'll drive you over.”
I tilted my head. My car was literally fifty feet away. But the way he was looking at me sent excitement racing down my spine, and I nodded. Anticipation bubbled up as we walked to his truck. The minute I had my door closed, he was backing his truck up and heading to the other side of the lot, passing the row my car was parked in without a second glance. I couldn’t help but smile.
He pulled into an empty spot, throwing it into park and turning toward me. “I feel like a teenager again.” His fingers threaded through my hair, and he pulled me toward him. “But I need to kiss you.”
Our mouths fused, and my core tightened as his tongue pushed its way past my lips. I leaned further over the console trying to get closer to him, needing to be closer. As if he could sense my need, he broke the kiss and reached down, lifting the lever that pushed his seat back. I clamored over the console as he gripped my hips and guided me to straddle him.
“Fuck, these shorts.” His fingers dug into the bottom of my asscheeks, now exposed since my cutoffs had risen up.
I pressed my palms against his chest, pushing him back against the seat, and moved my hips forward, grinding against him, loving the groan that slipped from his lips as he threw his head back. I did it again, watching his face as he fought against the pleasure. After the third time, his fingers dug into my hips, preventing me from doing it again.
“Sweetheart,” he hissed out between clenched teeth. His gaze softened as he stared at me, bringing his hands up to cup my face. “I've thought about this all day. About kissing you again. I could barely think about anything else.”
I smiled, and those ridiculous butterflies took off in my stomach again. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his. What started off as slow and gentle quickly turned into desperate and passionate. It was such a new thing for me. I was so turned on I couldn't stop my hips from moving again, seeking friction.
I moaned into his mouth, and after a moment, I pulled back. Was I really trying to get off by rubbing myself shamelessly against him?
He stared at me and tucked my hair behind my ear. “There's so much we need to talk about.”
I nodded and focused my gaze on his chest, suddenly feeling nervous. “I know.”
He gripped my chin, tipping my head up so I met his intense gaze. “I like you, Izzy. Far more than I should. You're young, and I'm not sure what I have to offer you.”
I opened my mouth to respond because I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he quickly went on.
“My life revolves around my girls and my job. You could find a young guy who could give you the things I can't right now. But selfishly, I want you to myself.”
“I don't want anyone else.” I shook my head. I didn't want to come off desperate, but I needed him to understand. “I like you too. And I get your life is busy and you have a lot of responsibilities.” I blew out a breath, trying to find the words to ease his worry. But maybe the answer was simpler. “Can't we just see where this goes?”
He stiffened but quickly relaxed, and I wasn't sure if I'd said the right thing or not. It was hard. On one hand, I understood the restrictions we would face. But when I really thought of those restrictions, they didn't bother me. Maybe allowing time to show him that would be best.
“Yeah.” He searched my face before pulling my head forward and pressing his lips to my forehead. “We can do that.”
But his tone made it seem like that wasn't what he wanted.
LOGAN
I couldn't blame her for not wanting to label this quite yet. But the need to make her mine still coursed through me as we got out of my truck and walked the few feet back to her car.
“I start night shifts tomorrow for three days.” Tonight was supposed to be my first shift of a four-night rotation, but I switched with someone so I could try to make it to donuts with grown-ups. Either way would have been a crap shoot, but I thought there would be more of a chance if I had the day shift. That was also why Maggie and I came up with a backup plan in case I got stuck on shift.
She nodded, leaning back against her car. “Yeah, I saw that on the schedule. And I go to Maggie’s tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah, sorry for the chaotic change.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I get you guys planned this before hiring me.”
Disappointment landed in my gut at the realization that I wouldn't see her until tomorrow night, and it would only be for a few minutes before I’d have to leave for my shift. “Can I come by and take you to lunch tomorrow?”
She smiled and nodded. “I work at the hospital. My lunch break is at noon.”
I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, letting my fingers trail down the side of her neck. My lips lifted into a smirk as she shivered from the barely there touch.
“I can't wait to try the meatloaf.” I continued my path down her body, skimming over the side of her breast and the bare skin below where her crop top ended. “I bet it's delicious.”
Her breath hitched and I took another step forward. With a finger under her chin, I lifted her face as I leaned down and claimed her mouth, pulling her hard against my body with my other hand anchored to her waist.
It was dark now, and there were only a few cars left in the lot, but the last thing I wanted was for Izzy to be the subject of small-town gossip. Thankfully, the dark-tinted windows on my truck allowed us privacy, but standing out here by her car could be a problem.
Reluctantly, I pulled back and pressed my lips to her forehead. “Text me when you get home.”
“Okay.”
Her breaths came in small pants, and her cheeks still held a twinge of pink. I fucking loved it. I opened her car door, letting her climb in before shutting the door and stepping back. I stood there until she pulled out onto the main road.
The entire drive home, I replayed the way she looked straddling my lap as she moved against me—the way her cheeks flushed and her lips were red and swollen from my kiss.
The house was quiet. Too quiet. I wanted to invite Izzy back here. But I knew what that would lead to, and I didn't want to go there until I was sure. Or rather, until she was sure. Because yeah, I had my doubts, but they weren't about what I wanted. I'd been fighting this for almost six months, and now that I'd bulldozed through all the walls I’d put up, I didn't plan on changing my mind.
But Izzy might. Once she saw the limited amount of time I had outside of my job and the girls, she might decide I wasn't worth it. That thought sat heavy and uncomfortable in my gut.
I warmed up the meatloaf, and when my phone vibrated in my pocket, I pulled it out, pulling up the text thread with Izzy.
Izzy: I'm home.
Me: Good. I'm about to try your meatloaf.
I set my phone down and took the plate from the microwave before grabbing a fork. I looked down at the phone again when it vibrated on the counter.
Izzy: There's a small container of sauce in the fridge too. Make sure to put that on it.
After getting out the sauce and warming it, I spread it over the meatloaf and took a bite. Damn. My eyes rolled back in my head as I savored the taste. I picked up my phone and typed out another text.
Me: This is really good. Do you use a recipe? I like to save ones that both the girls and I like.
Izzy: Um, kinda. If I try something new I'll use a recipe, but after that I go off memory. But hold on, I think I can find the one I used for this years ago.
Izzy: *link to meatloaf recipe*
Me: Thanks.
I finished the food and washed the plate before grabbing my phone and heading into the great room. After turning the TV on, I relaxed back on the couch and typed out another message.
Me: What are you up to?
Izzy: Watching TV. You?
Me: Same.
Although the baseball game was playing and I was only half paying attention.
Me: What are you watching?
Izzy: The Night Agent.
I chuckled.
Me: Really?
Izzy: Why does that surprise you? Because I'm a girl?
Me: Not surprising. It's one of my favorite shows too.
Izzy: Oh.
Me: Yeah. But I read the book first.
Izzy: I binged the first season last year and then went and read the book.
Izzy: I'm also obsessed with Yellowjackets. Have you watched that one?
Me: No. Is that the one about people surviving in the wilderness after a plane crash?
Izzy: Yes! It's a high school girls soccer team. Kinda dark. But so good.
We texted back and forth about the shows we watched, and it became obvious she really liked the darker thrillers. That was actually surprising, considering she was so carefree—the complete opposite of dark.
She hadn't responded to my last two texts by the time I went upstairs and turned on the shower. Was she the type of person who fell asleep easily? That thought led to dirty ones of her in my bed. Naked and writhing under me as I drilled into her over and over again.
I always showered quickly after a shift, but tonight I needed another nice long, cold one. I stepped under the water and braced one hand against the wall as I fisted my hard cock with my other hand. I moved my hand roughly up and down my shaft as I pictured Izzy spread out on my bed, and then above me, riding my cock. Mouth open, cheeks flushed, and head thrown back—just like she was tonight—as she moved. But in my mind, I imagined nothing between us as she chased her orgasm.
“Fuck,” I bellowed as I exploded, imagining what she'd look like as she came with me.
The need to be with her still overwhelmed me as I climbed into bed and shot off one last text.
Me: Goodnight, sweetheart.