Chapter 3
ROSALIE
Stepping out of the warm cocoon of Logan’s rented BMW into the crisp winter air is a jolt to the senses. The snowflakes are falling thick and fast now, and the wind is blowing lightly.
“Gah!” I shout as a fat flake lands in my eye. “Right in the eyeball!”
Logan laughs beside me, his breath a cloud in the chilled air. “That’s what she said.”
I give him the side-eye. “Real mature, Edwards.”
His brows lift. “Don’t pretend you weren’t laughing on the inside.”
“I admit nothing.” I stick my tongue out, making him laugh harder. A sudden gust of wind blows right up my puffer coat, causing my teeth to chatter slightly. “Damn, it’s nipple-y out here.”
Logan steps closer as we approach the store, shielding me from the wind. “I’ll have to take your word for it.” He gives me a playful grin. “But if you’re in the mood for a little show and tell later, you just let me know, Pip.”
“Haha,” I mutter, thankful I have the cold to blame for my rosy cheeks.
Fucking hell, I’ve blushed more in the last few hours than I have in the last few years.
I don’t know what it is about this man, but the slightest innuendo makes my cheeks flame like a nun caught red-handed in the smut section.
Inside the grocery store, Logan grabs a cart and gestures for me to lead the way. We start in the produce section, where a vibrant array of vegetables gleam under fluorescent lights.
“You good with a big salad for lunch tomorrow?” I pick up a bag of mixed greens and place it in the cart. “We can grab some grilled chicken from the deli for yours, if you’d like.”
“Sure,” Logan replies, carefully inspecting some bell peppers. “You’re still avoiding meat, right?”
“Yo ho! Yo ho! A vegetarian’s life for me,” I singsong to the melody from Pirates of the Caribbean.
He shakes his head, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Now who’s the geek?”
“A.” I point to him. “I called you a nerd, not a geek. And B, we’ve already established you make a terrible nerd.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Logan rubs his chin in mock contemplation. “Why was that again? I can’t quite remember.”
“Yeah, right.” I snort. “You can keep on fishin’ for those compliments, buddy, but I’m not biting.”
“Noted. You’re not a biter.” I startle when his lips suddenly touch my ear as he adds, “But what’s your stance on being bitten?”
An image of Logan’s sandy hair between my thighs as he’s nibbling on my sensitive skin flashes through my head.
Dear god.
I give him a little shove, trying my best not to look as aroused as I suddenly feel. What is with him today? Logan’s naturally flirtatious, but he’s never been so bold with me.
Except that one time we both like to pretend never happened.
“Pip, did you hear me?”
“Huh?” I blink a few times as I realize I was spacing out.
Logan gives my ear a little flick. “I asked if vegetarian chili and cornbread sounds good for dinner tonight. I have a kickass recipe in my arsenal.”
“That sounds amazing,” I tell him. “Since when do you have any recipes in your arsenal?”
“I’m full of many surprises.” He grins shamelessly.
Oh, I bet you are, big guy.
We weave through the aisles, Logan steering the cart with a practiced ease.
It feels odd, doing something so domestic with him, but at the same time, it feels perfectly natural.
I guess it’s not so strange when I consider how much time we’ve spent together growing up.
I’ve always felt comfortable just hanging out with him.
When we cruise through the bakery section, which is loaded with Valentine’s treats, my inner Bitter Betty is nowhere to be found.
I think talking about what happened with Julian earlier made me realize how much I don’t miss what we had.
Considering it’s been only two months since we ended our relationship, that’s a real eye-opener for me.
Sure, I’m pissed about his betrayal, and I feel like an idiot for not seeing the signs that were definitely present.
But I don’t actually miss him. Hell, I’m glad I’m not getting married today.
I spot freshly-baked heart-shaped doughnuts and rub my hands together in glee. “Oh, come to Mommy, you beautiful things.”
Logan chuckles. “The muffins you inhaled in the car weren’t enough?”
I gasp. “I did not inhale them! I nibbled them like the delicate lady I am.”
“Whatever you say, Pip.” He shakes his head, giving me a “You’re delusional” look.
I glare, but let it drop, because we both know I hoovered those muffin tops down in less than five minutes. There was nothing delicate or ladylike about it, but I have no regrets. They were freaking delicious.
I set a four-pack of doughnuts in the cart. “Besides, there’s no such thing as too many baked goods. You’re just jealous I’m not a weirdo who doesn’t appreciate them. You know that’s not natural, right?”
“I like some baked goods,” he argues. “I’ve just never had much of a sweet tooth.”
“You like one.” I hold up my index finger. “And if you ask me, cheesecake barely counts, unless it’s the triple chocolate from Sweet Temptations.”
Logan smirks. “Agree to disagree, Pip.”
I smile in victory. “Agree to disagree” is Logan speak for “I know you’re right, but I don’t want to admit it.”
We continue our shopping adventure, and when we get to the spice aisle, Logan reaches over to grab some cumin, sending a jolt through my veins when his arm accidentally brushes against my chest. I catch my breath, hoping he doesn’t notice the effect he has on me.
Play it cool, chica.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you sneaking chocolate,” I tease, nodding toward the Cadbury bar he’s tucked halfway beneath the bread.
“I’m using that to make hot chocolate. If you ask nicely, I might even be willing to share.”
“Or I can just get my own,” I say, laughter bubbling up between us.
God, I feel so much lighter than I did when I got off the plane this morning, and I know the man beside me is partially responsible for that.
Maybe I was supposed to run into Logan this weekend.
Maybe the powers that be knew spending time with him would help bring this sudden epiphany of mine to the surface.
As we approach the checkout, the narrow lane nudges us to stand even closer.
Logan’s cologne—a combination of cedar and cinnamon—makes me want to bury my nose in his neck, maybe even nibble his ear near that tiny silver hoop he wears.
I never knew a grocery store could be so damn erotic, but this one sure is.
Time for a distraction, Rosa.
“So, after we get back to the cabin, what’s next? Are we doing it like Anna and building a snowman or maybe a snowball fight? I promised myself some snowy fun while I’m here, which means you are obligated to join in on said fun, since you’re here, too.”
Logan’s smile turns mischievous. “A snowball fight could be fun. Fair warning, though, I’ve got a pretty good arm.”
“We’ll see about that,” I counter, bumping him playfully as we load the groceries onto the conveyor belt.
Logan insists on paying for the groceries, despite my protests. “Make me breakfast in the morning, and we’ll call it even. I have a feeling we’ll both be famished by then.”
The words are innocent enough, but his tone is loaded with suggestion. My cheeks heat, and I can’t help wondering if that was intentional. The cashier’s knowing smile only adds to my embarrassment.
“Have a happy Valentine’s Day, you two,” she says as we wrap up.
Logan flashes her a grin while I duck my head, busying myself by zipping my coat. Damn him and his effortless charm.
We gather up the bags, arms full as we head out into the cold.
After the last bag is stowed in the SUV, I take a moment to check my phone—habitual, really—wondering if the patchy mountain service has graced me with a bar or two.
Surprisingly, I have full reception again, so I quickly type out a message to my cousin, my fingers numb from the cold.
Me: So…the cabin was unexpectedly occupied when I arrived. By LOGAN. And he’s being EXTRA flirty which is making me feel a certain kind of way. I don’t know how to stop myself from wanting to climb him like a tree.
I hit send before I can second-guess sharing that bit of juicy news.
Sylvie’s response is almost instantaneous.
Sylvie: Why would you want to stop it? The big guy upstairs has handed you a golden ticket, Rosa. Jump his bones! Hard, fast, and REPEATEDLY. I expect a detailed report afterward, including measurements.
Sylvie: *Austin Powers “Yeah, baby!” GIF*
Sylvie: *Magic Mike floor humping GIF*
Heat rushes to my cheeks at Sylvie’s not-so-subtle suggestion, and I can’t help but chuckle softly to myself. The thrill of it lingers, whirling in my chest, when I sense Logan close behind me.
Glancing up, I catch him leaning over my shoulder. His eyebrow arches, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips, but there's a question in his eyes, a curiosity that suggests he might have seen more than I’d hoped.
“Who are you texting, Pip?”
Flustered, I shove my phone back into my pocket with more force than necessary. “Just checking in with Sylvie while I have reception.” God, I hope my voice doesn't betray the sudden spike in my pulse.
“Figured.” Logan’s smirk widens. “She’s always had a way with words. And GIF selection, apparently.”
Now, I know he read at least part of the conversation. Fuck my life.
Logan shuts the back hatch. “Do you want to stop anywhere else while we’re in town? It looks like there’s definitely a storm rolling in, so this might be our last chance.”
I glance around, noting the fresh blanket of snow that has accumulated while we were in the store. In just thirty minutes, at least a couple more inches have piled up, turning the parking lot into a glistening sea of white.
“Wow. It’s really coming down now. I’m good to go back if you are.”
He walks over to the passenger side and opens my door, acting like it’s no big deal he just caught me talking about possibly banging him. Well, fine. If he can pretend, so can I. “I’m good, too.”
After I’m tucked inside, he rounds the hood and climbs behind the wheel.
As Logan starts the engine, the warmth from the heater washes over me, melting away the chill.
I snuggle deeper into my seat, pulling the edges of my coat closer.
My phone vibrates quietly in my pocket, no doubt a string of innuendos and GIFs from my cousin, but I don’t dare check it right now.
Logan’s presence is both comforting and unsettling.
Glancing over at him, I notice the focused way he navigates the snowy road, his hands steady on the wheel.
A slice of sunlight cuts through the gray sky, highlighting the rugged contours of his face and his closely cropped beard.
In this quiet moment, with Logan beside me, it’s too easy to imagine what Sylvie suggested.
Too easy to want it. I tear my gaze away, but it does nothing to derail my train of thought.
Could I have a no-strings-attached fling, just this once, to get him out of my system?
Here, away from the real world, could Logan and I share something temporary that wouldn’t make things awkward between us afterward?
I could swear he’s feeling the same sparks, the same curious tension that’s been tugging at me since I arrived.
The flirty banter, the way he’s been looking at me, those fleeting glances laden with desire—am I imagining them?
Would he be open to a weekend of being more than just my brother’s best friend?
These thoughts run through my mind as Logan pulls into the cabin’s driveway. He kills the engine, and the sudden silence feels heavy with potential.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice soft in the car’s quiet.
“Yeah, just thinking about how much snow we’ll need to shovel tomorrow.” I offer him an airy grin that hopefully masks my inner musings.
Logan chuckles, reaching over to squeeze my hand briefly. “We’ll manage.”
We head inside, and as I put the groceries away, Logan starts a fire in the hearth with skillful hands, the glow of the flames dancing across his chiseled jawline.
I can’t help but admire his toned back and broad shoulders as they strain against his sweater.
My heart races when he pulls that sweater over his head, setting it aside.
The white T-shirt he has on underneath clings to his torso, showcasing the beautiful ink wrapped around each one of his arms. I imagine those strong limbs banding around me as I writhe in pleasure.
His fingertips brushing over my skin, teasing me relentlessly until I’m begging him to put them inside of me.
“See something you like, Pip?” His voice is casual, but the heat in Logan’s gaze tells me he’s reading me like a book right now.
“Still on your fishing expedition, Edwards?” I sass, trying to throw him off the scent of my internal-quandary-slash-X-rated-daydream.
“Always,” he replies with a wink.
When I catch myself practically drooling over a fantasy of the man sitting right in front of me, a sudden resolve settles in.
I need to know if there’s a chance for something real between us, even if it’s temporary.
I know Logan’s no stranger to casual sex, but I’m not na?ve.
Nothing between us could ever be just casual.
Logan’s an undeniable part of my inner circle, a constant presence during the holidays and family barbecues.
I try to imagine Logan smiling across from me at our annual Fourth of July celebration, as if nothing had happened.
Would we still joke and tease, or would the memory of us tangled in the sheets hang between us, forever changing the way we interact with one another?
Or worse, what if I was the only one who couldn’t stop thinking about it?
My chest tightens at the possibility of him treating me like just another one of his fleeting hookups.
I don’t think that would happen, but it is something to consider.
I’m not sure if I’m ready for this, but the thought of never knowing kills me.
For once, I want to stop holding back and see what happens.
I nearly married a man who never made my heart race, not even close to the way Logan does with a single glance.
There’s just something about him that makes me feel alive like no one else ever has.
Thirty years from now, I don’t want to look back on this moment, constantly wondering what could’ve been.
The risk of crossing this line with him is enormous, but as I continue watching Logan move about the cabin with an ease that feels like home, I realize that the bigger risk might be never knowing at all.