“Shh. I’ve got you, baby.” He continued sliding his finger in and out, his pace quickening just slightly as I got closer. He kissed my lips and breathed against my mouth as I came. I called out his name again and again until the last of my orgasm rocked through me.
A few moments later, I opened my eyes to see him still watching me. My cheeks were flushed and my breathing still ragged, but I didn’t care how I looked just then, I only wanted to touch him, to make him feel the same way, to watch him come apart.
I sat up and reached for his waistband, working to unbutton his jeans.
“No. Just sleep now, sweetheart.” He eased my shoulders back against the bed, and then adjusted his erection.
I whimpered in protest, but he kissed me once again, silencing my plea.
My eyes drifted closed and I savored his kiss.
“Just rest.”
I wanted to argue, but suddenly the bed felt too good and sleep was too close. The combined effects of the alcohol and my orgasm had left me spent.
Chapter Five
I startled awake at a thumping sound. My first thought was who the hell was knocking on my door at this hour; until I remembered Logan was sleeping in the other room.
I rose from bed and stepped across the creaky wood floors down the hall. I could see Logan crumpled on the living room floor, pounding his fists on the ground.
I sunk down on the ground next to him and ran my hands up and down his back. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
He responded to my presence by gripping my hand. His knuckles were red and swollen from where he had punched the floor. He looked up at me with the most pained expression and heart cinched in my chest.
“I don’t want to be alone,” he murmured, bringing my hand to his lips. “Come here.”
I curled up on my side, tucking myself into his body. He snuggled me into me like his life depended on it, clinging to me for safety. He rubbed his cheek against the top of my head, smoothing my hair down before he settled in and found a comfortable spot. Soon his breathing became deep and steady and I knew he had drifted off to sleep. I was glad my presence seemed to comfort him.
I pulled a throw blanket from the couch to cover us both and closed my eyes, concentrating on his deep, steady breaths.
At dawn the light woke us up, that or the aches and pains of lying on a wood floor. I rolled to my side and rubbed my aching hip.
“You didn’t have to stay with me last night.” Logan’s voice was thick with sleep, and even deeper than normal. I liked it. I liked that he could let his guard down with me.
“I wanted to.” I felt a sort of responsibility toward Logan. I wanted to be the one to be there for him and help him through all of this.
Without another word, he lifted me from the floor and carried me to my bed, placing me carefully in the center. He offered a small sleepy smile while still standing at the foot of the bed.
“Stay.” I reached a hand out toward him. He looked at my hand, and then at me curiously. A moment later, he accepted my invitation. I’d been there for him last night, and now he was choosing to get closer to me, to provide me with the comfort I associated with being near him. He lay next to me and pulled me in close, holding me against his chest.
Later that morning, I woke for a second time and I crept out of bed, not wanting to wake Logan. He lay sprawled across my bed, still wearing his jeans. I admired him for a second, silently reading the words tattooed on his side. Aut viam inveniam aut faciam tibi. I tiptoed out of the room and sat down at the cluttered dining room table, locating my laptop under a stack of papers.
I checked my email, discovering I had two emails from Professor Clancy. The first was sent yesterday afternoon informing me that all charges against Logan had been dropped due to lack of evidence, and the possibility that the murder was committed in self-defense, and that Logan had signed himself out against the doctor’s orders last night. His last line was a warning about how he and Dr. Andrews were worried that Logan might come looking for me, since he seemed to be fixated on me. A chill danced up my spine.
Clancy’s second email was detailed feedback on my thesis, which apparently needed a lot more work. Yikes. The track changes function was in full effect, splashes of red covering nearly every inch of the page. This was going to require a lot of coffee.
“That smells good.” Logan ventured into the kitchen behind me, running one hand over his hair in an attempt to smooth it down. He looked adorable first thing in the morning, sleepy-eyed and still incredibly sexy. Unfortunately, he shrugged his T-shirt on over his head, blocking my view of the delicious six-pack he sported.
I arranged two mugs on the counter and poured coffee into each. “How do you take your coffee?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “No clue. Surprise me.”
I laughed and added a splash of the steamed milk to each of our mugs, thankful that the elephant in the room – him getting me off last night seemed to fade into the background. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Yeah, that park bench set a pretty high bar.” He chuckled. “Thank you for bringing me here. It was more than I could have expected. Thank you.” He took a sip of his coffee. “This is good.”
I smiled and sipped my own. “I’m glad you like it. I slept like a baby.” I shifted uncomfortably, remembering my wanton behavior last night. Crap, shut up Ashlyn.
He smirked. “About what happened last night…” He ran a hand over his hair, hesitating to continue. I thought he’d offer some explanation for why he hadn’t allowed me to touch him, to make me feel better about being such a hussy. “That can’t happen again. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I can’t put you in a compromising position. Dr. Andrews and your Professor were right and I won’t do that to you. I don’t want this,” he motioned between us, “to discredit your research on amnesia.”