“It’s Logan,” she tells me, awaiting permission to open the door.
I nod.
Logan stands there, a dark, worried expression falling over him.
All because of me?
Lana moves to the side, inviting the man I’ve grown to care about, a lot, inside. “I think she’ll do better with you right now.”
My focus is on the ground, too scared to look up, but when a shadow appears in front of me, I know it’s Logan. Hard to miss his woodsy soap and large presence. I soak in his strength.
“I’ll be right outside.” Lana’s wearing a sad yet honest smile, grabbing her keys as she walks out the door.
She believes I need Logan right now. I’m not sure why, but she might be right. Maybe it’s security. Even though I feel safe with Lana, it’s different.
Logan carefully steps toward me, reaching out, but is hesitant.Screw it.I need his closeness—his strength. So, I finish the distance we share and throw my body into him. I must have taken him by surprise because seconds go by before both his arms enclose me, binding me to his chest.
My cheek buries into him. New tears fight to leave. I swallow, holding them back because I’m not ready yet. Just being in Logan’s arms is the right thing right now. Uncontrollable tears can wait.
We stand in the middle of the kitchen, while he holds me tightly. One hand finds the back of my head and the other runs tiny slow circles on my back. His body, solid and strong, is the saving grace I crave.
“I needed to make sure you were okay.” His low growl vibrates through me.
“Thank you.” My voice is muffled from being buried into Logan. But I make no attempt to move because this is too good.
Too right.
My body cries out when he breaks us apart only a small fraction to look me in the eye. “Talk to me, Sora.”
“I have to leave. I don’t know where to, but I can’t stay here.”
“Yeah, fuck that. You’re not going anywhere.” His sternness catches me off guard.
“You don’t understand.” I go to leave the security of his body, but he pulls me back in.
“Then make me understand. Let me in.” It’s a plea for me to finally be honest.
I sigh, defeat pouring over me, drenching me in guilt. “You were right. I am running from someone.”
Logan’s hand, the one previously rubbing soothing circles on my back, clenches. “Who, dove? Tell me who.” There’s desperation in his voice. Overcome with anguish. But it’s not like he can help me, and I don’t want him to get hurt trying.
“I’m married, Logan.” There it is. The biggest secret I’ve been keeping from him.
He takes a step back, and that’s when I think I’ve lost him. But he cups my face in tenderness, in understanding which makes little sense. I just told him I belong to someone else. “What did he do to you?” A dark shadow dances across his features.
“Logan. I just told you I am married,” I say again because I can’t possibly understand why he’s not upset. Iwasfaithful to Jason. My relationship with Logan has painfully never gone beyond a flirtatious friendship.
“I heard you. And I don’t give a fuck. You’re running from him for a reason, and I want to know why.”
God, why’s he like this? So strong, taking charge.
“It’s a lot. Once I tell you, there’s no going back. You might look at me differently. Think less of me.”
His stare burns me alive. “There is nothing on this goddamn planet that will ever make me think less of you.”
“You shouldn’t say that until you know the truth.” When the wall presses to my back, I slink down to the floor, curling my knees to my chest. Here goes nothing. “My stepfather sold me to a man when I was seventeen.”
In this moment, the air turns thick, suffocating, and I don’t need to look up at Logan to know what his reaction will be. I feel it. It’s bone crushing and ruinous. The jagged breaths he lets out are also telling.
