“I honestly don’t believe I’d have it in me to…do something like that. It had to be self-defense, but the truth is I don’t know for sure. But I want you to know, you can trust me being here with you.”
The murderer said to the weak, young girl. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and met his eyes. They were sincere and kind, and locked on mine, seeking forgiveness. Trust. It was the one thing I had to offer him, after he had opened himself up to assist in my research. “I know.”
He was quiet for a moment while he studied me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I mumbled, looking down at my feet.
“I know I didn’t deserve it, but it was your visits that got me through the past few weeks.”
“Me too,” I admitted.
He seemed shocked by my admission. He lifted my chin with his fingers. “What do you want?”
“Stay here with me.”
“I shouldn’t be alone with you. Maybe what they say about me is true.”
“I don’t believe you’re dangerous. I trust you.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t.”
It was like a bucket of ice water thrown on my libido.
“I was your test subject, someone to study and experiment with to see how I responded. Was that all I was to you?”
“No, Logan. I never saw you like that. I probably should have. I’m sorry you saw that email from Clancy, but that was his warning because he and Dr. Andrews knew I was getting attached to you, and my friend Liz took me out tonight to meet a man because she said…” I stopped myself from saying anything embarrassing. “She said I needed to, um, get some.”
“Get some?” He quirked an eyebrow.
Shit. My cheeks flared crimson. So much for not incriminating myself with something embarrassing.
He brushed my hair back from my face. “You’re beautiful. You could have any man you wanted on his knees begging for you.”
“Yeah right,” I mused.
His look of concern held. “So…did you? Get some, I mean?”
I looked him straight in the eyes, my lower lip pouting out just slightly. “No.” Okay, that was so the alcohol talking. I was never usually this bold. But he had already admitted he was attracted to me.
He leaned down, bringing his lips flush with mine. “We shouldn’t do this,” he whispered against my mouth.
“I know,” I whispered back. My head knew I was crossing a professional line that wasn’t appropriate, but damn if my body had gotten the memo. I wanted his hands on every inch of me. I leaned in closer, eager to feel him pressed against me.
His eyes stayed locked on mine, as he brought his hand up to cradle my jaw. His thumb skidded against my cheek, brushing my bottom lip.
My lips parted just slightly, in an open invitation to him.
“We shouldn’t,” he breathed, but his eyes were full of heated passion.
“Please.” My eyes drifted closed as he leaned forward and pressed a single kiss to my lips. It was soft and careful, almost innocent, like a kiss between friends. Except his mouth continued to hover over mine.
I trailed my tongue along his top lip until he opened his mouth. When his tongue touched mine, a warm rush of heat shot straight between my legs and I let out a ragged moan.
Logan stopped suddenly and pulled back. “You taste like liquor. Are you drunk?” He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes.
“Not drunk, just a little tipsy.” I leaned into him, wanting to feel his mouth against mine again, but he hesitated to kiss me back.
“I want this, Ashlyn, believe me, I’ve thought of this since I first saw you, but not like this. Not when you’re drunk. Not when you’re unable to think clearly about what you want. You’ll regret this.”
“I won’t…”
“Hush.” He silenced me with a finger placed over my lips. “Don’t tempt me. My willpower can’t stand much more.”
“So give in.” I smiled at him coyly.
He pulled in a deep breath and released a sigh. “Woman, you are trouble.”
I slid my hands up his chest, loving the feel of his firm muscled chest under his T-shirt. My hands found their way into the hair at the back of his neck and I used the leverage to bring his mouth to mine once again. The kiss started out soft and teasing, just damp lips exploring each other, but soon turned wild and heated, our tongues flirting and tasting as we got more comfortable. He might not remember anything of his past; but I knew one thing for certain, he was a damn good kisser.
He pulled back just slightly, breathing hard against my mouth. “Tell me to stop.”
I couldn’t. My voice wouldn’t come. I just continued kissing him, wishing this never had to stop.
“Ashlyn, make me stop.”
“No,” I breathed into his neck, holding on for dear life. He growled near my ear as I moved my hands to his butt, pulling him firmly against me. I felt his thick erection press against my belly. “Don’t stop,” I moaned.
He pulled back from me suddenly. My lips were swollen and damp from his assault of kisses.
“I trust you.”
“If you knew what I thought about….you wouldn’t trust me.”
My heart strummed in my chest. “What do you think about?”
“All the things I want to do to you, but can’t.” He ran his thumb across my bottom lip.
I sucked my lip into my mouth and held my breath. “Like what?” I whispered.