Chapter Twenty-One
Danielle
Everything hums inside of me. Every nerve in my body. Every inch of flesh. I’m straddling Logan, feeling his cock harden against me. I rock my hips, and just the fabric of his pants rubbing against me sends a jolt through me.
My face is cupped by both his large hands, and when he inches those long fingers along my cheek, I can’t help but quiver. Because I know without a doubt those long fingers are going to be exploring more of my body tonight.
“Logan,” I breathe, but don’t get any more words out. He puts his mouth to mine and moves his hand to the back of my head, taking a tangle of hair in his grasp. I widen my legs, pressing myself down against his lap. His cock is getting harder, and—holy shit—it feels huge.
He brings his hands down to my hips, gripping me tight and pushing me down against himself. Then he angles his hips up, rubbing his hard cock against me. Fuck! I toss my head back, nails digging into his back. I’m getting wet already, and I swear he could make me come like this, rubbing against me through my panties.
I’m straddling Logan. Feeling his hard cock press against me. In the back of my mind, I know this could be a terrible idea.
He’s my best friend. The one person in the world I know I can always count on. I should stop. Break away and get up.
Because sex can complicate things, and I don’t want to ruin what we have.
He pushes my hair over my shoulder and puts his lips to my neck, kissing and sucking at my skin with fury. It sends a jolt to me, making me even wetter than I already was. His desperation makes mine worse, and now all self-control has gone out the window.
My lips part, and if I weren’t kneeling in the sand, my legs would buckle and give out. Letting his hand fall down over my shoulder, he grabs one of my breasts through my dress. I’m not wearing a bra, and his fingers circle my pert nipple. I rock my hips again, rubbing myself against him.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he says between kisses, pinching my nipple between his index finger and thumb. I pitch forward, pussy so wet and so hot I need to come before I explode. His fingers go to the zipper on the back of my dress, and I put one hand on his cheek, kissing him with fervor.
He starts to undo my zipper, and my hands fall to his pants, fumbling with his belt. I get it unbuckled, and he starts to inch down the zipper.
“Danielle,” he pants, breaking away.
Having his lips not on mine is like not breathing. Why the hell did he stop?
“Let’s go to our room.”
Room? What room? Oh shit, right. We’re on the beach. A public beach. I blink, looking behind Logan at the glowing lights of our resort.
“I…I forgot where we were,” I admit, inhaling deep. Logan pulls the zipper back up, but I don’t have that kind of self-control. My hands are still on his cock, feeling the length and girth through his pants.
I don’t know if that thing is going to fit inside of me. It if does, it might destroy me in the best way possible.
“There’s no one out here,” I groan.
“Fuck me.” Logan puts his mouth to mine, unable to resist any longer. In a swift movement, he flips us over and moves between my legs.
“I plan to,” I whisper as I go to kiss him again. His tongue pushes inside my mouth, and my pussy contracts. I want to push his head down and feel that tongue against my clit.
Voices echo along the beach. We stop kissing, but Logan makes no attempt to move off of me, and I’m still wrapped all around him. Separating will be physically impossible.
Swallowing hard, Logan starts to sit up. I don’t want to stop because what if the moment is over? I’m so wound up and turned on it’s going to take a lot to ruin the moment though.
Logan gets up and extends a hand for me. Sand falls off me, and Logan laces his fingers through mine. Licking my lips, I look down at his cock, which is so big and so hard it’s barely contained by his pants.
I mean to tell him that I’ll walk in front of him and we’ll go straight to our room. But it comes out as, “I want you,” which doesn’t help our situation at all. Hand in hand, we rush into the hotel. The elevator is crowded, and standing here, smashed up against Logan and his monster dick, I start to think about what we almost did.
And how much I want to do it.
We get into the room, and with anyone else, the vibe would be gone and things would be a little weird. But it’s not.
Not at all.
Logan’s arms go around me as soon as the door shuts, and it’s like we never stopped. Pushing me up against the door, he gathers my dress up in one hand while kissing my neck. I slit my eyes open as I wrap my arms around him.
My heart is racing and my breath hitches. Logan’s hands are on me. One is edging dangerously close to my core, and I almost can’t believe this is happening.
Finally happening.
He pushes his hips against mine, pinning me against the door. His cock presses against me, making me weak. I bring my hand to his chest, dragging my fingers down until I get to the waistband of his pants. I circle the button, and suddenly Logan breaks away.
It’s like someone ripped off my oxygen mask and now I can’t breathe. My lips part, but I can’t form any words. Right when I think he’s realizing what we’re doing, that this is crazy or stupid or maybe both, he looks at me with so much lust in his eyes I think I’m going to burst into flames.
“You are beautiful,” he whispers again, inching his fingers between my legs. I willingly spread them for him, knowing he can feel the heat before his fingers even sweep over me. I let my head fall back against the door.
Logan brings his head down, resting his forehead against mine for a moment before kissing me hard again. It’s an intimate gesture and one that throws me. Because as much as I’m turned on, as much as I need this physical release, it’s so much more.
His tongue enters my mouth at the same time his hand plunges inside my panties.
“Fuck, you’re wet,” he groans, deft fingers circling my entrance. I hold onto him, struggling to stay upright on my feet. He’s making my knees weak and my entire body quiver head to toe with desire.
“You’re making me wet,” I whisper back.
“What do you want me to do about it?” His breath is warm against my skin. I push myself against his hand. He knows what I want him to do.
“This,” I groan.
“Tell me,” he growls. “I want to hear you say it.”
Holy shit. I never took Logan to be a commanding lover, and I’m not sure I can handle it. I need to have him inside me. Now.
“I want you to fuck me, Logan. I want your fingers inside me. I want your mouth all over me. And then I want your cock.”
“Fuuuuck,” he moans, and his mouth goes to my neck again. He widens my legs and sweeps his fingers over my clit. A jolt of pleasure goes through me, and I grip him tighter to keep from falling. He’s taking his time, teasing me, knowing he’s driving me absolutely wild.
Finally, he slips a finger inside of me, giving me a taste of what’s to come. Then he pulls his hand back, yanks my panties down, and drops to his knees. My mouth falls open, and I press myself against the wall, looking down at him.
He’s balling my dress back up in one hand and brings the other to the back of my thigh. My eyes close and he puts his mouth to me, kissing my inner thigh before turning his head up, warm breath against my pussy.
He kisses his way up my stomach, stopping only so he can undo the zipper of my dress. He gets back to his feet and pulls the zipper all the way down. Stepping back, he watches the dress fall to the floor and I’m left standing there, completely naked, in front of Logan.
And now he’s looking at me like I’m the only woman in the world, like if he doesn’t put his body against mine, he won’t live to see another day. He runs his eyes over me, admiring every single inch of my body.
I’ve struggled with my body image my whole life. Some days I’m okay with how I look. And some days all I see are my flaws when I look in the mirror. My stomach isn’t flat. I have cellulite on my thighs. One of my breasts sits a little higher up than the other.
“You are so fucking hot,” he growls as if my flaws don’t exist at all. I drop my eyes to his cock again, straining against his pants. Logan steps in close, hands landing on the curve of my hips. He brings them down over my ass, giving it a squeeze before picking me up and carrying me to the bed.
We fall onto the mattress together, and I scramble to get Logan’s pants undone. I pop the button, and his big cock forces the zipper down. The tip is sticking out past the elastic of his boxers, and I swirl my fingers over the wet tip. Logan groans, melting against me as I stroke him. But right as I push my hand inside and wrap my fingers around his thick shaft, he grabs my wrist and pulls my hand out.
“Don’t you want me to—”
He shuts me up with a kiss, pinning my arms up above me. My body hums with anticipation, and he starts to kiss his way down. He looks up at me right before he takes my breast in his mouth, and the half-second glance is all I need.
Because in that half-second, I see the same look in Logan’s eyes than I did the first time we ever met. The longing for something he didn’t know he wanted…for the one thing that fills his heart.
It’s me.
His tongue flicks over my nipple, and I shut my eyes, bringing one hand up and tangling my fingers in his hair. Logan trails kisses down over my stomach. He parts my legs, and I suck in a breath, body shaking. He puts his lips to my thigh, gently kissing my skin. He’s moving closer and closer, getting me so wound up by his slow teasing. I push myself up on my elbow, gripping the tangle of hair tighter in my hand. If I have to guide his head to my pussy, I will.
Because I need him so fucking bad right now.
Logan turns his head, and his nose brushes over my clit. Opening his mouth, he kisses my other thigh, but he’s not as gentle this time. He sucks hard, nipping my skin with his teeth. The change in sensation makes me gasp, and it’s taking all the self-control in the world right now not to lie back and put my own hand between my legs right now, stroking my clit until I come hard against my own hand.
It wouldn’t take me long. Logan has already gotten me so worked up I could come in under a minute.
“I…I need you,” I pant, hands shaking as I try to urge him to my core. Logan slips his hands under my ass, lifting my hips off the mattress. One leg goes over his shoulder, and he looks right into my eyes before diving back down. The stubble on his cheeks rubs against me, and he puts his open mouth on me, tongue lashing my clit.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
His mouth is warm. Wet. Skilled. No one has ever done to me what he’s doing with that tongue right now, and my eyes roll back in my head as the orgasm builds. I was close to coming before he even started, and now I know it’s not going to take long.
He holds my tender core against him as he eats me out, and my breath starts to come out in ragged huffs. My muscles contract as my body prepares for the climax. I’m right there, teetering on the edge.
And then Logan stops.
He turns his head to my thigh again, leaving me reeling. My mouth falls open, and my pussy contracts, but the orgasm never comes.
“Please,” I beg, feeling like I’m going to implode. Heat is building up inside me. “Oh, God, Logan, please!”
He reaches down, taking a hold of his cock, and he looks at me, knowing he’s got me right where he wants me. Stroking himself, he licks his lips.
“If you won’t, I will,” I threaten but can hardly bring my hand up because everything inside of me is jittering with need.
“I do like to watch,” he says, and I don’t know how his voice is coming out so level and even right now. Wide-eyed, I look at him, and my heart hammers even faster. “But I do love the way you taste.” Then he dives back down, mouth going to my core. He licks, sucks, and kisses me, moving his tongue in a fast circle around my clit.
My legs go over his shoulders, and he lifts my hips off the mattress again. His head is buried between my legs, holding me as close to him as possible. His tongue lashes out once more, and the orgasm that was building erupts like a storm. My pussy spasms and I try to move away as I’m overcome and so fucking sensitive right now.
He doesn’t relent and keeps his mouth against me, working that magic tongue. He lowers me back onto the mattress and slips a finger inside me, going right to my G-spot. My pussy is still spasming wildly from the first orgasm, and a second hits me, catching me off guard.
Wetness spills from me, soaking his face and hand. Logan groans, turned on by feeling me come like this. No one has made me come this hard before. I’ve done it myself a time or two with my vibrator, and I was certain no man could get me off this much.
But, fuck, I was wrong.
My entire body is alive, and I’m squirming against Logan, ears ringing and stars dotting my vision. Logan lays me down and wipes his face with the back of his hand.
“Should I be sorry?” I pant, feeling the aftershock of the orgasm pulse through me.
“Hell no. Seeing you come that hard is so hot,” he says, moving next to me. He’s still fully clothed, and while my body is still riding high, not yet able to come down, I know we’re far from being done.
Because Logan Dawson has yet to fuck me.
“No one has made me do that before,” I admit, reaching for him. My hands are still shaking, and I don’t think I could get up and walk if I tried. Heart hammering, I turn toward Logan and look into his eyes.
“Take your shirt off,” I tell him, and he flashes a cocky grin, sitting up on the mattress. Light from the balcony doors spills in, illuminating his muscular body as he pulls his shirt over his head. Then he falls back onto me, and I widen my legs. I taste myself on his lips as we kiss, and I feebly push his pants and boxers down, stripping him naked.
Logan is trying to be patient, trying to give me a minute to recover. I bend my legs up and the glistening tip of his cock rubs over me. He lets out a groan, burying his face against my neck.
“Danielle,” he growls, and then it’s like he can’t wait any longer. I’m getting worked up all over again, and while we’re moving fast, both desperate for a release, there’s something tender in his touch, something that’s so magnetic and feels so right. It’s more than just two people meeting a physical need.
It’s like we were made for this. Like we were meant to be together.
Logan brings his face back to mine, kissing me as he lines his cock up to my entrance. I widen my legs and angle my hips up, heart in my throat. He kisses me hard and pushes that big dick inside of me, filling every single inch.
I cry out in pleasure, body going into overdrive. I’m still so hot and worked up from before. My clit is sensitive, and just having his thick cock inside of me rubs my G-spot in the perfect way.
I know I’ll be coming again, which is another thing no one has ever made me do.
Logan starts off slow, drilling his cock in and pulling it out until only the tip remains. It hits me in the sweet spot, and I shudder, muscles tensing as another orgasm builds inside. He pushes in and pulls back again, breath coming out in a huff.
Then he gives in, unable to hold out anymore, and starts fucking me hard and fast. My mouth falls open, and I grip him tight, digging my nails into the skin on his back. He lowers himself against me and slips one arm under my body. His movements slow, but then he flips us over, pulling me on top
Gasping, I reposition us and plant my hands on his chest, riding him hard. He holds my hips, grinding me against him. I come again, leaning forward with my breasts in Logan’s face. His fingers press into my skin as he comes, bucking his hips up. I feel his cock pulsing, filling me.
I collapse onto Logan, hands trembling as I gulp in air. Gently, Logan moves us, pulling out and spooning his body around mine.
“No one has ever made me come that way before either,” I confess as Logan pulls the sheet over us.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He pulls me close.
I smile, snuggling a little close to Logan.
He is good.
We are good.
Good friends…and even better lovers.
Chapter Twenty-TwoDanielleI roll over, stretching my arms out. In his sleep, Logan reaches for me, and I move back into his embrace, nuzzling against his chest. Muted sunlight streams through the open balcony doors. My hair is a tangled mess around my face. I’m thirsty and have to pee, but I’ve never been more comfortable than I am right now, lying under twisted sheets with Logan.It’s like our bodies were meant to be together.My heart is so full, and for the first time in my life, things feel like they’re going exactly the way they’re supposed to. That all the things I thought were mistakes were actually mile markers. The road was twisted, uphill, and slippery most of the way, but it led to me being exactly where I’m supposed to be.Right here with Logan.My best friend.And the man I love.Grumbling to myself, I tear away from Logan’s arms and get up, stumbling to the bathroom to pee and get a drink. Then I fall back onto the mattress, and Logan spoons his body around mine. I’d o
Chapter Twenty-ThreeLoganI wasn’t prepared for this. It was the last thing I thought would happen, but it did. And now I can’t stop smiling when I look at Danielle. She’s standing up for her sister, holding a bouquet of brightly colored flowers. Her hair is pulled back in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and she looks absolutely beautiful.This is the longest I’ve seen her since she left this morning to get her hair done. Things ran over at the salon, and she had to run back to the room, change, and then head down to the beach with the rest of the bridal party for photos. I’m sitting in the back, and I don’t know a single person around me. Though even if I did, it wouldn’t matter.My eyes are on Danielle and Danielle alone, as they will be the rest of the night.Things are fucking perfect right now, and as soon as we get time together at the reception, I’m going to pull her aside and tell her everything.This wasn’t some vacation hookup.I don’t want to be fuck buddies, even tho
Chapter Twenty-FourDanielleI look at myself in the mirror as I wash my hands, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t pick apart my appearance. Having my hair and makeup professionally done helps, but mostly…I look happy.Because I am.So incredibly fucking happy, and nothing can dampen my mood. Want and desire swell inside of me, and I’m going to go find Logan and take him up to our room. He said he was going to take his time with me, but I want to do the same to him.Tie him up. Tease him. Make him beg for more.I dry my hands, smooth out my dress, and go back to the reception hall. Logan is at the table, with his back to me. A smile pulls up my lips, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop smiling.Logan turns around, almost like he can sense me coming. He’s on the phone, and something isn’t right.“What’s wrong?” I ask, rushing over to him.“I’ll call you back,” Logan says to whoever he’s talking to.“Logan?” I’m getting a little freaked out. “What’s wrong?”“That was
Chapter Twenty-FiveDanielle“Mom.” I gently nudge her. “We’re landing.”She sits up, blinking rapidly, and looks around. Maybe she took more Xanax when I wasn’t looking, because she slept nearly that entire flight. I don’t know the last time I slept for a solid eight hours, and I know that’s entirely my fault. I stay up too late doing non-important things, like binging TV shows or finishing a book.My phone is in my hands, waiting to get the all clear to turn it off airplane mode. It’s early in the morning here in Chicago, and I’m terrified for the news I’ll get once I get service again. I pack up my bag and look out the window, feeling an odd sense of relief to see Lake Michigan and the flat, green Midwest land below us.Using my feet, I push the bag under the seat in front of me and grip the armrests. Landing always makes me a little nervous, and I don’t have Logan’s hand to hold this time.I turn my phone back on the second we’re on the ground and check for updates. A text comes t
Chapter Twenty-SixLoganDanielle is sitting in the waiting room. Her legs are curled up under her and her head is resting against the wall. She’s wearing black leggings and my sweatshirt, and my heart swells in my chest when I see her through the glass doors. I have to get buzzed into the ICU waiting area, and Danielle gets up as soon as she sees me.I take her in my arms, hugging her tight and holding her close.“How is he?”“Um,” she starts, letting out a shaky breath. “Stable for now. He was in really bad shape, and he’s so lucky the paramedics got him here in time.”“That sounds promising.”She nods. “I thought so too, but the doctor isn’t as optimistic.”“And how are you?”“I’m…shaken but okay. And I’m still just shocked to hear that he was so sick. I had no idea. I mean…I saw some changes but wrote it off as him aging. You slow down when you get old.”“He was acting just fine before we left.”“I know, and that’s what scares me.” Danielle rubs her forehead. “The doctor said he’s
Chapter Twenty-SevenDanielleI open my eyes and roll over. I don’t know what time it is. Or what day it is. All I know is Logan is in bed next to me, and his slow and steady breathing is the only thing keeping me from falling apart. Everything happened so fast.We got to the hospital. Grandpa seemed like he was going to pull through. And then he was gone.I slowly get out of bed, needing to use the bathroom. Logan hasn’t even gone home yet since he got back to Eastwood. Everything was so perfect before, and I would give anything to go back to our last night in Hawaii.After using the bathroom, I go downstairs, following the sound of the TV. Mom is in the living room, drinking wine and watching a baking show. It’s almost four in the morning.“Mom?”“Oh, Danielle, honey. You’re up.”“So are you. Did you get any sleep?”“A bit here and there.”I cross my arms over my chest, chilled even though it’s warm in the house. Usually, we’d turn the air conditioning up before going to bed. I hate
Chapter Twenty-EightLogan“How’s Danielle doing?” Owen asks, moving an empty casserole dish from the counter to the sink. We’re at her house, and the service for her grandpa just ended. A few people are still at the house, sharing stories and memories. Her grandpa was respected by the town, and we are all feeling his loss. I think half the town turned up today, bringing flowers and food and giving their condolences. That’s the thing with small towns. When you know most everyone, you care for most everyone.“She’s trying to keep it together.” I open the fridge, trying to find a place to put the bowl of taco salad someone brought. It won’t fit, and I’m pretty sure the extra fridge in the basement is full already too.The last few days passed in a blur. Danielle cried, slept, and drank a lot, and then when the rest of her family came into town, the time was spent reflecting on her grandpa’s life and looking through scrapbooks. Now everything is over, and people are leaving.Stacking the
Chapter Twenty-NineDanielleI lean against the metal gate, watching the horses run around the pasture. The chickens are already fed, and the goats are grazing near the barn. It’s a little after eight in the morning, which is still early for me but not as early as Grandpa got up to feed the animals.I can handle eight AM. Well, when the weather is nice, that is. I’m already dreading having to trudge out here in the rain and snow.Logan was still asleep on the couch when I came out here, and I silently go back into the house, not wanting to wake him. He’s been my rock the last few days, and I really don’t think I could have gotten through this without him.I’m making breakfast when my phone rings, and I hurry to silence the call. It’s a local number, but since I don’t know who it is, I don’t answer. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message. And I really don’t feel like talking to anyone right now anyway.Looking around the kitchen, I feel an emptiness in my heart. I want it to go awa
EpilogueDanielleAbout a year later…“I finalized the menu for the bakery,” I tell Logan, watching him put another log on the fire. He comes back to the couch, picking up the papers from the coffee table, and sits next to me.“Are you warm enough?” he asks, reaching for another blanket.“I’m fine,” I tell him, though I know he’s going to keep pampering me like crazy. He’s been at it all week, and I don’t think he’s going to stop any time soon. “The temperature did plummet fast today.”“Yeah. But it’s supposed to warm back up soon.”“I’d like that.”“Gotta love the spring weather in the Midwest. It was hot two days ago and back down to freezing today.” Logan pulls my legs into his lap and starts rubbing my feet. I lean back, closing my eyes. “That feels good.”We got married in October, much to my own mother’s dismay. It wasn’t enough time to plan a big fancy wedding, but that’s not what we wanted anyway. Just a week or so after Logan proposed, we started looking around for places to
Chapter Thirty-OneDanielleLogan puts his lips to mine again, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders. I love this man so much. He is the best friend I could ask for, and the best relationships are built on a foundation of respect and friendship. We just fit together, and I know I’ll never find another person in the whole world who gets me better than Logan Dawson.Things feel the same between us, and yet everything has changed.“Do you need to go to the lawyer now?” he asks between kisses.“I should.”“Want me to come with you?”“You’ll be bored.” His lips go to my neck, and I start to melt against him. “Hell, I’ll be bored. But it would be nice to have you with me.”Logan pulls me into a tight embrace, and I rest my head against his chest and listen to his heart beating. My eyes fall shut, and for the first time since we left Hawaii, I don’t feel like I’m spiraling out of control.Things are still messy. Things are still going to hurt for a while. But that’s life, isn’t it? It’s no
Chapter ThirtyLoganI sit in the driveway, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. I just left Danielle’s house and got home, but I haven’t gone inside yet. My mind is racing, and my heart is beating fast right along with it.I love her.I don’t want her to leave, even if it’s just for a few weeks. But I don’t want to be selfish, because she’s going through a hard time right now, and if getting away from Eastwood is what she needs, then she should go.But will she come back?She came here because her grandpa was here, and now that he’s gone…what’s going to keep her here?Me.Maybe. Maybe not.“Fuck,” I swear under my breath. For the last year I’ve wanted to tell her that I love her. We finally made love, and it was incredible. She’s incredible.We are incredible together.I close my eyes and lean my head back against the seat.And then Owen knocks on the window. “Dude, what the hell are you doing?” he asks, opening the passenger side door.“Trying to decide if I should tell Daniel
Chapter Twenty-NineDanielleI lean against the metal gate, watching the horses run around the pasture. The chickens are already fed, and the goats are grazing near the barn. It’s a little after eight in the morning, which is still early for me but not as early as Grandpa got up to feed the animals.I can handle eight AM. Well, when the weather is nice, that is. I’m already dreading having to trudge out here in the rain and snow.Logan was still asleep on the couch when I came out here, and I silently go back into the house, not wanting to wake him. He’s been my rock the last few days, and I really don’t think I could have gotten through this without him.I’m making breakfast when my phone rings, and I hurry to silence the call. It’s a local number, but since I don’t know who it is, I don’t answer. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message. And I really don’t feel like talking to anyone right now anyway.Looking around the kitchen, I feel an emptiness in my heart. I want it to go awa
Chapter Twenty-EightLogan“How’s Danielle doing?” Owen asks, moving an empty casserole dish from the counter to the sink. We’re at her house, and the service for her grandpa just ended. A few people are still at the house, sharing stories and memories. Her grandpa was respected by the town, and we are all feeling his loss. I think half the town turned up today, bringing flowers and food and giving their condolences. That’s the thing with small towns. When you know most everyone, you care for most everyone.“She’s trying to keep it together.” I open the fridge, trying to find a place to put the bowl of taco salad someone brought. It won’t fit, and I’m pretty sure the extra fridge in the basement is full already too.The last few days passed in a blur. Danielle cried, slept, and drank a lot, and then when the rest of her family came into town, the time was spent reflecting on her grandpa’s life and looking through scrapbooks. Now everything is over, and people are leaving.Stacking the
Chapter Twenty-SevenDanielleI open my eyes and roll over. I don’t know what time it is. Or what day it is. All I know is Logan is in bed next to me, and his slow and steady breathing is the only thing keeping me from falling apart. Everything happened so fast.We got to the hospital. Grandpa seemed like he was going to pull through. And then he was gone.I slowly get out of bed, needing to use the bathroom. Logan hasn’t even gone home yet since he got back to Eastwood. Everything was so perfect before, and I would give anything to go back to our last night in Hawaii.After using the bathroom, I go downstairs, following the sound of the TV. Mom is in the living room, drinking wine and watching a baking show. It’s almost four in the morning.“Mom?”“Oh, Danielle, honey. You’re up.”“So are you. Did you get any sleep?”“A bit here and there.”I cross my arms over my chest, chilled even though it’s warm in the house. Usually, we’d turn the air conditioning up before going to bed. I hate
Chapter Twenty-SixLoganDanielle is sitting in the waiting room. Her legs are curled up under her and her head is resting against the wall. She’s wearing black leggings and my sweatshirt, and my heart swells in my chest when I see her through the glass doors. I have to get buzzed into the ICU waiting area, and Danielle gets up as soon as she sees me.I take her in my arms, hugging her tight and holding her close.“How is he?”“Um,” she starts, letting out a shaky breath. “Stable for now. He was in really bad shape, and he’s so lucky the paramedics got him here in time.”“That sounds promising.”She nods. “I thought so too, but the doctor isn’t as optimistic.”“And how are you?”“I’m…shaken but okay. And I’m still just shocked to hear that he was so sick. I had no idea. I mean…I saw some changes but wrote it off as him aging. You slow down when you get old.”“He was acting just fine before we left.”“I know, and that’s what scares me.” Danielle rubs her forehead. “The doctor said he’s
Chapter Twenty-FiveDanielle“Mom.” I gently nudge her. “We’re landing.”She sits up, blinking rapidly, and looks around. Maybe she took more Xanax when I wasn’t looking, because she slept nearly that entire flight. I don’t know the last time I slept for a solid eight hours, and I know that’s entirely my fault. I stay up too late doing non-important things, like binging TV shows or finishing a book.My phone is in my hands, waiting to get the all clear to turn it off airplane mode. It’s early in the morning here in Chicago, and I’m terrified for the news I’ll get once I get service again. I pack up my bag and look out the window, feeling an odd sense of relief to see Lake Michigan and the flat, green Midwest land below us.Using my feet, I push the bag under the seat in front of me and grip the armrests. Landing always makes me a little nervous, and I don’t have Logan’s hand to hold this time.I turn my phone back on the second we’re on the ground and check for updates. A text comes t
Chapter Twenty-FourDanielleI look at myself in the mirror as I wash my hands, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t pick apart my appearance. Having my hair and makeup professionally done helps, but mostly…I look happy.Because I am.So incredibly fucking happy, and nothing can dampen my mood. Want and desire swell inside of me, and I’m going to go find Logan and take him up to our room. He said he was going to take his time with me, but I want to do the same to him.Tie him up. Tease him. Make him beg for more.I dry my hands, smooth out my dress, and go back to the reception hall. Logan is at the table, with his back to me. A smile pulls up my lips, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop smiling.Logan turns around, almost like he can sense me coming. He’s on the phone, and something isn’t right.“What’s wrong?” I ask, rushing over to him.“I’ll call you back,” Logan says to whoever he’s talking to.“Logan?” I’m getting a little freaked out. “What’s wrong?”“That was