Chapter Twenty-One #2
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.