3. Logan
CHAPTER 3
Logan
C hosen fiancé?
Arranged marriage?
I almost fucking walked away, and I could kick my own ass for it.
After everything the boys have hinted at, and even gathering Brynlee’s personality, I shouldn’t have been so quick to believe the ending of a conversation I didn’t understand.
After hearing the way her father spoke to her and, essentially, evicted her from her home, I suspect that family is more messed up than my own situation. Which no longer seems as daunting as it did yesterday.
As I follow Brynlee to my house, I can see her wiping the tears off her face every so often, and I have to wonder just what kind of bullshit she’s put up with over the years. I’ve only ever caught glimpses of her with Hunter when he’s being dropped off or picked up for baseball. And anytime I’ve come across his mother, she’s always more interested in other things and doesn’t pay too much attention to what her son is doing.
Brynlee is talked about with so much love from her nephew, my son, and even some of the other players on the team. How her father can say and do such hurtful things to her is beyond my comprehension.
Pulling into the driveway of my house, I’m quick to jump out of my truck and open Brynlee’s door to help her out. Unexpectedly, she wraps her arms around my waist and buries her face into my chest. I don’t hesitate to hold her tighter, soothing her as she purges her emotions.
“Let’s get something to eat,” I suggest, and she nods but makes no attempt to move away. I can’t say that I mind all that much. Leaning down, I scoop her up into my arms and carry her inside. Her wide green eyes stare up at me with disbelief, and when I wink, she relaxes a bit in my hold.
My attraction to Brynlee is instantaneous and instinctive. Capturing her in my arms only solidifies the desire I feel pounding through my veins to hold onto her and make her mine. First, I need to discover more about this arranged marriage she has going on.
Until Brynlee, I’d never given a thought to another commitment after my ex split. I didn’t want to do that to Carter after all he’s been through, but the longer I embrace Brynlee, breathing in her scent, the more I question everything I ever thought I wanted.
“I should explain.” Brynlee sniffles, pulling out of my hold and dropping her feet to the floor.
“You don’t have to.” We don’t know each other, and frankly, the only info I need is about whether she’s married or not or if she's in love with some other man. Everything else is an inconvenience I can work around.
Her audible sigh says she’s going to speak anyways. “I was supposed to be a boy. The heir my father craved to take the company's reins when he retired.” I know who her family is, everybody in town does. They own half of Main Street. Her father is some sort of investment banker. “A girl was never good enough in his eyes. I think that’s why Chelsea is such a wild child. When she got pregnant with Hunter, I think my father expected that he would take over. Be the son he never had.”
The sadness in her eyes as she looks at me, begging me to understand whatever it is she isn’t saying, cracks my frozen heart open slightly. Making room for this woman, when I thought Carter was the only person I would ever love again.
“Sit.” I point to a barstool as I lead her into the kitchen. Pulling out a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet above the fridge, I pour us both a glass.
“I’m not technically legal for this, you know.” She downs the liquid in one drink.
“I won’t tell if you won’t.” My attempt to lighten the mood fails as Brynlee reaches for my glass and chugs the contents.
Recognizing she’ll need food to counter the alcohol she just consumed like a pro, I begin to pull out the ingredients for omelets. One of the few things I know how to prepare.
“Chelsea refused to marry Hunter's dad, which was a blessing for them both, because Travis was a real prick. He only reinforced it by taking off so quickly after finding out about Hunt.” I pass her a bottle of water from the fridge. “Thanks.” She gulps down half the contents.
“What does all of this have to do with an arranged marriage for you?” I flip the omelet and level her with an inquiring look as she picks at the label of her water.
“I wish I could give you an answer that makes sense, but I’m not certain I understand it myself. My parents know I have no interest in the family business. They know I want to teach, work with children, but they just don’t seem to care. Sometimes, I think they’re only indulging me, so I feel guilty enough to do as they demand by the deadline.”
“And when is this deadline?”
Her gaze slowly lifts to meet mine. “My birthday in four months.”
Brynlee
I can’t breathe as Logan processes my answer. The deadline is so soon, and I would never expect him to stick around for it. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him to.
“And what happens if you don’t find someone to marry or you don’t marry who your father chooses for you?” His forehead crinkles as he awaits my answer.
I sigh because my answer makes me sound greedy when in truth, I don’t really care about what I’ll lose. “My grandparents set up a trust for Chelsea and me. She has burned through hers, but I don’t gain access to mine until I’m married. If I’m not betrothed by the time I’m twenty, like my grandparents were, the cash all goes to my parents.”
“I see.” I can tell he thinks all I care about is the money.
“It's not about the money. Not really. I’d rather wait for love. The trouble is, my father has been threatening to disown me for years. If I don’t do this, he will follow through. I can’t begin to understand why he’s like this to me and not my sister, but I can’t lose access to Hunter. He’ll have nobody if I’m not around, and I’m terrified of what that will do to him.” I can feel the tears threatening, but I force them away. I have to remain strong, or I’ll crumble and never find my way back.
“So, you have four months to fall in love?” The look on Logan’s face floors me. His eyes are alight with the acceptance of a challenge, and when I nod my head, he shocks me further by shutting the burner off and rounding the counter.
“Guess, I’ll have to start working on that now, then,” he murmurs as he cups my jaw and lowers his head to kiss me.
It starts out soft, easy. Sweet. A slow burn building up to what I imagine will be explosive. But then, he touches me. His hands brush along my sides, and I light up like a Christmas tree, instantly lost in Logan.
Heart thundering.
Breath stealing.
Perfection.
It’s as close to heaven as I’ve ever been or will be.
Every kiss, touch, movement, is done with purpose, giving us both something we never knew what we needed.
I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but tonight, I get to enjoy my time with Logan.
“Wow.” He pulls back so we can breathe. “That packed a bigger punch than I expected.”
“Is that a good thing?” My gaze is shy as I stare up at him.
A sexy smirk plays across his lips. “Very good. The anticipation of exploring you is going to kill me.”
Me, too.
I’m not brave enough to say it, though.