6. Logan
6
LOGAN
I ’m leaving the elevator when there’s a sudden, jarring darkness. The emergency lights and the streetlights flicker and die, and then the world around me plunges into an unexpected black void. I fumble for my phone to use its flashlight, the ambient glow from my screen illuminating just enough of the floor to keep me from tripping.
As I reach the doors, I realize the darkness extends beyond the street. I look over at Serena’s candy store, noticing the absence of the usual warm glow through the windows. The light’s gone.
Is she in there?
Should I go check on her?
What if she’s alone and someone tries to break in?
The bell above the shop door jingles softly as I enter, though it’s a sound almost swallowed by the silence. The shop’s still, save for the faint rustling of what I assume is Serena moving around. I call out into the darkness.
“Serena? You here?”
A moment later, her voice responds from somewhere deep in the store. She sounds slightly panicked but attempts to be calm. “Logan? Is that you? The power’s out!”
“Yeah, it’s me,” I reply, following her voice. “I noticed. Do you need any help?”
“I could use some,” she says. “The flashlight in the back room is out of reach. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on.”
“It’s not just here. The whole block is out.”
“Well, shit. I can’t lock the shop up without the power.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s an electric lock system, but I also can’t set the alarm systems without it. When I first moved here, I had issues with break-ins, so I had to think outside the box with things.”
“You had break-ins here? In the business district?” I ask in shock.
That’s odd. Most criminals wouldn’t bother to come to this area because they know there’s no money in all of the professional spaces.
“Yeah. They never caught whoever it was, but I think my ex had something to do with it.”
I cock an eyebrow and then realize she can’t see me. I manage to make my way through the aisles, carefully avoiding bumping into anything. Everything is now a maze of shadows and uncertainty. Serena’s outline becomes visible as I reach the back room.
“Why do you think that?”
“I have a type,” she sighs and laughs simultaneously.
What does that mean?
I’m finally at the back of the store, standing in front of her. I can’t see her face, but I can see that she’s uneasy.
“Here,” I say, handing her my phone. “You can use this until we figure out what’s going on.”
“Thanks,” she says, taking the phone with a relieved smile. Her face is soft, illuminated by the dim light. “I was hoping it was just a blown fuse or something. I guess we’re stuck in the dark for now. Or rather, I am.”
“Someone probably hit a power pole or something,” I shrug. “Where’s your phone? Why weren’t you using the flashlight on it?”
“It’s dead somewhere,” she says with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“How do you let your phone go dead or lose it?”
“I forgot to charge it last night, and I’m not on it much.”
“You were going to walk home from here, at night, without a phone? That’s unsafe.”
“I carry pepper spray and a taser on my keychain.”
“A taser on a keychain isn’t going to do shit.”
“Would you like me to demonstrate on you?”
“No,” I snort. “It’s not safe for you to walk home without a phone.”
“My ancestors did just fine without a phone,” she answers airily as she goes to the front door.
“Your ancestors weren’t living in a time when audacity ran wild.”
“Be that as it may, I’ll be fine. Thanks for your concern.”
The way she says it makes me take a step back and realize that my overprotective instincts have kicked in for some reason. Normally, it wouldn’t phase me that a woman was walking alone. Yes, I’ve gotten on to my sisters for it, but never someone I barely know.
The thought of her getting hurt bothers me.
“What are you going to do?”
“I can’t leave the shop unlocked, so I’ll just stay here until the power comes back on.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“It will eventually. We can log on to the power company’s website and see the estimated time of restoration.”
“I can do that. I didn’t think about that.”
She hands me my phone and I quickly look up the website.
“What’s it say?z
“It’s not even saying there’s an outage.”
“It may be too soon. But…was my shop the only one dark?”
“No. The whole block is. My building is without power, too.”
“But did you look at the other buildings?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“You own a tech company with military contracts, right?”
“Shit,” I breathe.
I call Jonas, the head of security in my building.
“Mr. Pierce,” the gruff voice answers quickly.
“Is the power out on the entire block or just for us?”
“Entire block. I’ve got maintenance trying to get the emergency generator up and running. I don’t like that all of the emergency lights are cut too.”
“That’s a problem.”
“We’re on it, Sir. I’ve got extra guys coming in and have sent a call to the police department as well. The electric company isn’t showing an outage. We’re doing thorough checks of everything.”
“Thanks, Jonas. Keep me posted.”
“Will do, Sir.”
I hang up the phone.
“Is it the entire block?” she asks softly.
“Yeah, but our emergency generator and emergency lights didn’t kick on as they should. That’s alarming.”
“If you need to go, I understand.”
“No, no. It’s fine. They’ve got it under control. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.”
“I’m an adult, Logan,” she groans in frustration.
“It doesn’t mean you don’t need someone here, just in case.”
I can feel her eyes boring into me, but I don’t care. I don’t even know why I’m being like this.
Why is it so important for me to be here making sure she’s safe? My business…everything I’ve worked so hard to build could be under attack, and I’m worried that someone is going to break into a candy shop and hurt this woman that I barely know.
“Whatever,” she sighs.
“I guess we’ll just have to make the best of it then.”
“It’s a good thing I was closing up anyway. No one else should be coming in. And I got the money in the safe.”
The darkness seems to press in around us, making every sound and movement more pronounced. I can feel the tension of the situation creeping in, but I also sense something different, an intimacy that the darkness seems to bring out.
“So, what’s the plan now?” I ask, attempting to shift the conversation away from the uncomfortable silence.
“We can’t do much until the power’s back. I guess we can talk? Get to know each other a bit better? I’m not sure how you’ll do with that.”
“Sure, sounds good. What do you want to talk about?”
There’s a pause, and then Serena laughs softly. “How about we start with something light? Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
I’m quiet for a moment, considering the question. I’m usually pretty guarded, especially with people I don’t know well. But here, in the dark, with Serena’s voice so close, I feel a strange urge to open up.
“Well,” I start slowly, “here’s a fun fact—one I don’t usually share. I’m still a virgin.”
Aside from Serena’s gasp, silence follows. “Seriously? I wouldn’t have guessed that. I also didn’t think that was a thing for men.”
“It’s not something I talk about often. It’s just... never felt like the right time or place.”
I hear Serena’s breath catch slightly, and she seems to process the revelation. “Why not? I mean, it’s your personal choice, but... I didn’t think someone like you would be so...”
“Traditional?” I offer, trying to make light of it. “I guess I am in some ways.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that,” she says, her voice softer now. “But it’s interesting. I’m glad you told me.”
The way she says it makes me feel unexpectedly vulnerable. The silence that follows is thick with the weight of unspoken emotions. The dark room, with its close proximity and shared secrets, seems to heighten the intimacy between us.
I move a little closer, trying to gauge her reaction. “You know, it’s strange. I’ve always thought of myself as being pretty in control, but this situation...” she waved at the dark, “it’s different.”
“Different, how?”
“I don’t know. It’s like being here with you, in this dark, confined space... it’s making me rethink things. My choices, my priorities”, I say.
“Sometimes situations like this make us see things more clearly. We’re forced to confront parts of ourselves we usually keep hidden.”
Her words resonate with me, and I find myself wanting to be closer to her. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. It’s like... being in the dark with you makes me face parts of myself I usually keep locked away.”
“Like what.”
“I’ve never told anyone that I was still a virgin. My best friend doesn’t even know.”
“Surely, people know—women know. You’ve dated a lot.”
“I’ve dated a lot but rarely past the second date.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I haven’t found a woman that I can stand longer than that,” I shrug. “Most women aren’t confident enough to support me. It’s not long before I hear, "Why do you work so much? I need more attention. Or, can’t you blow off that meeting and take me to dinner?”
“Have you ever thought it’s the type of woman you date?”
“I have to have a certain type of woman because of…”
“Keep telling yourself that,” she laughs, shaking her head. “I get it. I’ve been told my entire life that a man doesn’t want a woman who talks back or thinks for herself. I’ve been told to play small and not show up a man, but that’s bullshit. A woman who lets you walk all over her—a woman who’s just a pretty accessory, won’t help you reach your full potential. If that woman isn't happy with herself, how can the two of you find happiness together.”
Whoa.
“You’re pretty judgmental.”
“Have you met yourself? Had a conversation with yourself? That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“You don’t hold back, do you?”
“No, I don’t. I speak my mind, and I’m always honest and open with people I care about.”
She stops abruptly as the last words come out of her mouth.
How can she care about me when we’ve only just met?
How can I care about her as much as I do when we’ve only just met?
We’re standing inches apart now, the darkness making our proximity more intense. Her breath is warm against my skin, and I can sense a shift in the atmosphere. It’s like the darkness is not just outside but inside us, blurring our boundaries.
In the shadows, our closeness turns into something tangible.
“Serena, I’m not sure what’s happening, but…I want to kiss you again.”
“Then do it, Logan,” she breathes.
She doesn’t wait for me, though. She raises up on her tiptoes and kisses me hungrily. I tug her into me, my hands going into her hair. She molds herself to me.
Her lips are soft and warm against mine, sending a rush of heat through me. I deepen the kiss, savoring the taste of her lips and the scent of her hair. Every touch, every moment with Serena feels like coming home.
She reaches down, tugging at my pants.
Oh, she’s impatient, is she?
I grab her wrists in my hands and hold them so that she can’t get my pants undone. She whimpers and tries to pull away. I bite at her bottom lip just as I press her against the wall.
“Logan," she whispers, her eyes locked with mine. "I want you."
I can see the desire and urgency in her eyes. I let go of her wrists and cup her face, gently brushing the hair back from her cheek. Our breath mingles as I lean in closer.
"I want you too, Serena," I admit hoarsely.
My hands go down to her thighs, where I bunch the fabric of her skirt in my fist. I need to touch her. To feel her. To bury myself inside her and forget about everything.
Her hands are frantically fumbling with my belt. She gets it undone before she unbuttons and unzips my pants. Her hand sinks in and grabs my hard cock. I suck in a breath.
I want to taste her, savor this moment, but with the way that she’s playing with my dick, I can’t think of anything but being buried balls-deep into this wet pussy of hers.
I lift her up, wrapping my arms around her thighs as she wraps her legs around me. I press her against the wall and catch a glimpse of pure eagerness in her eyes. I groan, unable to resist her any longer.
With one swift movement, I thrust into her, burying myself deep within her. Serena lets out a gasp, her head falling back. I hold her close, kissing her passionately as we begin to move in sync, our bodies mingling in a primitive dance of lust and need.
Seeing as her thigh is securely locked around my hip, I let go to roam over her body, my fingers tracing the curves of her hips, the softness of her stomach, and the tautness of her breasts. Each touch sends a jolt of desire through me, and I know that Serena is the only one for me.
"Logan," she moans, her voice barely audible, tucked in the crook of my neck. "You feel so right."
I can feel her body trembling against mine, her nails digging into my back as she arches into my touch. Our ecstasy grows with each passing second, and I know we're quickly approaching our breaking point.
"Logan," she gasps, “Fuck me harder.”
Her words send a shockwave of desire through me, and I pull back just enough to look into her eyes.
"Are you sure, Serena?" I ask, my voice deep and possessive.
She looks back at me, her eyes filled with passion and longing. "Yes. Yes, Logan, yes."
With that, I thrust into her again, harder and faster than before. The wall holds her back, and her head knocks against it in pleasure and pain. I can feel her wetness pulsating around me, her pussy gripping my cock with each thrust. Damn!
The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the room. The only other noise is the sharp intake of breaths and the occasional gasp. I grip her hips, pulling her closer with each thrust. Every inch of her body is mine, and I want to remember every single moment of this.
"Fuck, yes," I groan.
I thrust into her again, deeper and harder than before. Serena's moans fill the room, mingling with the sounds of our bodies thumping together. Her nails dig into my back, leaving bright red marks that will undoubtedly turn into bruises later.
I can see the intensity building in her eyes and feel the sheer passion coursing through her veins. I’ve given myself to her. She's mine, and I'm hers. No one else matters.
"Logan," she moans, her voice ragged and low. "Don't stop, don't you dare stop..."
Her words spur me on, and I pick up my pace, my hips moving in a powerful rhythm that matches the wild energy within her. Serena's eyes roll back into her head as pleasure washes over her.
I lean down, kissing the side of her neck, feeling the pounding of her heart against my lips. "I won't stop, I promise. I'll never stop."
Her nails clutch my back, and I can feel her core tightening, the walls of her pussy gripping my cock with a fierce intensity. Her moans grow louder, more desperate, and I can tell that she's close.
"I'm gonna cum. Fuck, I'm gonna cum!”
I thrust into her one last time, burying myself deep within her. Serena arches her back, her head thrown back in rapture, as she lets out a cry that fills the room.
I keep pumping into her, my hips moving in a steady rhythm as the ecstasy washes over me. I feel her body tremble, and I can tell that she's reached her peak. I continue to thrust into her until I, too, can no longer hold it back.
With one final, powerful push, I explode inside her, the sensation of her hot, tight pussy around my cock pushing me over the edge. My body shudders, and I let out a triumphant roar, feeling like I've come home.
This is what I’ve been missing this whole time.
Damn, I shouldn’t have waited so long. But Serena…she’s…incredible.
We stay locked together, panting and gasping for breath, our bodies still moving in sync. Our chests rise and fall in unison, matching the beating of our hearts. I press my forehead against hers, my eyes locked onto hers.
"I can’t believe we just did that in my store,” she murmurs softly. “Or that I took your virginity.”
“Oh shit, I…I wasn’t thinking.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” she giggles. “Sexual bucket list check off, I guess.”
I chuckle.
Suddenly, she’s perfect in every way.
“Yeah, I guess.”
There’s a strange sound, and the power comes back on. I realize that we’re right in front of the windows of her store, and anyone walking by can see everything. I instantly grab her clothes and hand them to her as I quickly get dressed, too.
Great, I lost my virginity… and possibly to an audience.