Chapter 14: Chapter 14

LAUREN

“You’re right,” Logan said, his expression soft. “You snuck out on me before I could taste you again, and it pissed me off.” He stepped forward. “I took it out on Shana, and it won’t happen again.” He took another step. “I’ll give her a raise to apologize, how’s that?”

Lauren raised a brow, her shakes subsiding as his heat neared. “Just like that?”

He smiled, coming closer, now inches away. “Just like that.”

Shaking her head, she said, “And what if she asks why? No, it’s still affecting her.”

She moved to step back, but Logan closed the distance between them, putting both hands on either side of her face and pulling her into a kiss. She melted against him, but he broke the kiss to speak.

“Tell me what I need to do to make this right, to make us happen, and I’ll do it,” he said. “I don’t know what you want from me, sweetheart. Just tell me what you want.” Logan’s lips pressed against her jaw, brushing so lightly along it.

It was nearly impossible to think when her body was swimming with so much desire. She knew, though, that what she told him would change everything, especially if she told him she wanted it all, just not with him.

Rather, she wanted him but without his name.

Logan Hawke’s name overshadowed everything and everyone around him. She refused to get lost in his shadow. But how could she tell him that? And how could he guarantee that it wouldn’t happen?

When Logan’s hands cupped her breasts, Lauren decided to protect Shana first. But how? Lauren couldn’t think; her brain wasn’t working properly, Logan’s thumbs effectively shutting it down as they skimmed her nipples.

Sparks of pleasure shot through her with fierce precision, hitting her core like lightning. She clutched his forearms, breathing hard as he pressed her back against the tall desk.

“Tell me what you want,” he said, his breath heavy in her ear.

She wanted space to think. Fresh air. A clear mind. All she could say now was, “I don’t know.”

His hands ran down her back. “I think we both know what you want.” He squeezed her ass. “And I can give it to you.” He grabbed the backs of her legs, beginning to lift them to wrap them around his waist, but the elevator dinged.

Logan broke away from her so fast she was left clutching the desk. He shoved his hands in his pockets as Shana walked toward them from the elevator.

“I’ll message you later,” he said in a hushed voice.

Lauren shook her head at him. “No.”

He narrowed his eyes but turned away and walked back into his office, his look of determination making Lauren shiver.

Shana huffed as she reached the desk and grabbed her handbag from under it. “Finally,” she said. “Can’t believe he made me do that when I could have just emailed those memos.” Shana pulled on her jacket, hanging the bag on her shoulder.

“Anyway, let’s go to lunch and give that alter ego of Mr. Hawke’s a chance to cool the fuck down,” Shana said, turning to Lauren. “What do you feel like?”

Lauren blew out a breath and shrugged. “You choose,” she said, which pleased Shana. She was the foodie, not Lauren.

As they made their way out of the building, Shana chattered about her morning, work, and Dre the Cop, then about where to eat. Lauren followed her to wherever they went for lunch, but by the time they got there, she was oblivious to everything around her.

Lauren’s mind was stuck on Logan. She listened to none of the conversation, tasted none of the food, and saw none of the beauty of Central Park as they passed through it.

Logan made her feel things she never had before, but was she willing to risk everything to act on those feelings? Could she ignore the life-altering implications?

She damn well wanted to.

***

Lauren was in bed, finalizing details for her upcoming event when her phone buzzed. Her stomach twisted as it did each time she received a message since leaving Logan’s office. But this time, the twist was warranted.

It was him, as promised. Her breaths became harder to take as she contemplated ignoring it, but her curiosity won that argument in her head.

Logan

I’ve never had to chase a woman before but I’m going to chase you, Sweetheart. Hope you’re good at running because once I catch you, I’m not letting you go.

Lauren sucked in a breath. It was everything her heart wanted to hear. But that was dangerous. She had said one night, and he had to accept that. Her body did too.

Lauren

I’m not running anywhere. We’re not compatible. Accept it.

Logan

Not the impression I got last night.

Lauren

Forget about last night.

Logan

Impossible.

Lauren had nothing to say to that. Because she couldn’t forget either. So she set her phone down and went back to her work, but fifteen minutes later, another message came up.

Logan

See you soon, Little Landon.

Lauren didn’t answer that one either, but something pulled her gaze to the window, then all around her room.

Gathering her blankets around her, she shivered, sure she could feel his eyes on her.