Chapter 35
thirty-five
Stunned, I stare blindly into space, lips still tingling from Logan’s kiss, body still aching for his touch.
“Damn it,” I whisper-shout, pressing my fingers to my swollen lips.
That dark and broody man has got me all twisted up. One minute he’s kissing me like I’m the oxygen he needs to breathe, the next he’s storming out the door. All because Brex asked me to the gala first.
Snatching up my coffee, I take a long sip, willing my racing heart to calm. But the cinnamon in it reminds me of the taste of his kiss.
Exasperated, I groan.
What I really need is something to take my mind off this mess I’ve created. But right now I’ve got a doctor’s appointment to get to. After that, I can thankfully sweat it out with my pole dancing class.
Two hours later, elated to be cleared for work on Monday, I’m in my truck heading to Summit Studio. Teaching always clears my head, helps me focus, tuning everything else out. Tune out a life that, over the past few weeks, has somehow gotten turned upside down.
An hour after that, sweaty and exhausted, I feel more centered than I have in days. Nothing like helping women discover their strength and confidence to remind me of my own.
I lock up the studio and head down the sidewalk to my truck. The evening air is brisk against my face, a light jacket keeping my damp upper body warm.
Settling into the driver’s seat, I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts until I find Brex’s number. Before I can talk myself out of it, I press call.
The phone rings three times before he answers, the loud, distinct noise of a crowded bar blaring in the background.
“Hey, Pretty. Everything okay?” His voice is deep, sexy, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?”
“This is the first time you’ve called me,” he says, surprise lacing the grin in his tone. “Hold on, let me get away from all this noise.”
The dissonance slowly starts to fade as he moves into a quieter area.
“Your doctor’s appointment was today, right?”
“Yes. I’m clear.”
“That’s great! I knew everything was going to work out.”
“Where are you?” Putting the phone on speaker, my engine rumbles to life.
“Portland, with my brothers.” His voice is clearer now, a deep rumble making my toes curl inside my tennis shoes.
“How’s Dex doing?”
“Could be better,” Brex sighs. “His lawyer up and quit on him, and now he’s having a hard time finding another to represent him.”
It takes less than a second for me to come up with a resolution. “My best friend, Ari, is a defense attorney. She just passed the bar last year. I could talk to her. Or, I could send you her info, and he can reach out to her on his own time.”
“Wow. That would be awesome. I’ll talk to him first. See if he’s interested.” His low rasp glides smoothly over my skin, causing sweat to bead on my upper lip. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”
Clit pulsing, I skirt around his question and blurt, “Logan came over this morning. He apologized for being a dick. His words, by the way.”
“Good. And?”
“He kissed me, then asked me to be his date for the gala.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Right? He wasn’t too happy when I told him you’d already asked, and that I’d said yes.”
A brief moment of silence greets my ears before he murmurs, “This is a good thing, Rey.”
“How can you say that?” I grip the steering wheel and pull onto the main road. “He was pretty mad. Like, stormed-out-the-door-and-slammed-it-in-my-face mad.”
“Trust me.” Brex sounds amused. “He’s gonna stew over it, but it’ll get his brain working overtime. That’s what Logan does.”
I bite my lip. “Has he called you?”
“Not yet.”
“brEXTON!” A deep, gruff voice booms in the background, followed by the clatter of what sounds like a pool cue hitting the floor. “Get your ass over here! Rune is trying to stiff me on the last round!”
“Sorry, Rey. That’s Dex,” he sighs. “I swear my brothers are going to be the death of me.” I stifle a laugh when an image of him pinching the bridge of his nose pops into my head. “Just... trust me. Logan will figure his shit out. He’ll come around. Okay? Gotta go, Pretty. See you Saturday.”
After we hang up, I sit quietly in front of my cottage, engine idling, staring at the last of the evening twilight as fades behind the pines, Brex’s promise ringing in my ears.
Just... trust me. Logan will figure his shit out. He’ll come around.
But what if he doesn’t? What if I’ve just made everything a hundred times worse?
My phone buzzes. I glance down, expecting it to be Brex with some sort of last-minute reassurance, but it’s Lizzy.
LIZZY
Just landed in L.A. Rowan says hi. How’d the doctor’s appointment go?
Great! No concussion. Just a mild contusion. Cleared for work on Monday.
LIZZY
That’s amazing. I’m glad you’re okay.
Thanks. Me too. I’m excited.
LIZZY
Shit. I see Evo. He’s picking me up. Have fun on Saturday, and do EVERYTHING I would do, babes!
Despite the knot in my stomach, her words make me laugh. Leave to Lizzy to always say what’s on her mind.
Shaking my head, I pocket my phone, grab my bag from the passenger seat, and head inside.
This girl’s got a hot date with a soaking tub, glass of wine, and her vibrator.