Page 79 of One Night Seduction

“Because this is fate at its most rare, Sparrow. Our paths crossed in the most unlikely and twisted ways, but they did so intentionally. Every second spent with you has only solidified that for me.”

I nod as I lift my hand to his neck, holding him in place.

“I love you, Logan.”

It was as if I just told him the meaning of life, the cure to all cancer, that all of his dreams were coming true in one moment. Euphoria washes over his face as he crushes his lips to mine once more, stealing the breath from my lungs, and I hope neither one of us ever comes up for air.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Logan

I know I’m out of my goddamn mind. I have a twenty-one-year-old girlfriend who is still in college, is way out of my league, and oh, yeah, my ex-wife’s daughter.

I don’t care, though.

None of those little boxes are what Arianna fits into. She’s like…air, forever constant and everlasting. She breathes life into me, shaking me from the existence I thought I wanted and introducing me to one I really want to have. I’ve been walking around numb to the world for longer than I’d care to realize. Longer than I probably have the capacity to realize. One night with her flipped my world upside down. Then it was two nights, then it was days. It was watching how kind she is to others, how passionate and creative she is. How beautiful she is to her core and out. I fell so goddamn fast, too fast, I know. There isn’t any other way to explain it, though. I’m here, shaken to my core, for the only woman I shouldn’t want, but the only one I do.

And she loves me too.

The high I felt when I watched those words escape herlips? Unparalleled. I’ve never experienced a feeling like that in my entire life. Relief mixed with joy mixed with anxiety.

Would I be good enough to keep her happy? Strong enough to hold us together? Could I become the man she deserves? I’m not sure about that last one, but I’ll fight until I’m bloody and weak every day of my life to attempt it.

I don’t want her to think this is a lust fueled fling. I don’t want her to wonder if I’m just love bombing her to make her pliant and vulnerable for me. Quite the opposite, actually. I love her fire. I love her fight. It’s not a bratty mind game like what her mother used to play. She stands up for herself; she speaks her mind.

That’s what makes her submission so sweet. It’s a gift she’s giving to me, and not lightly, either. To shed the tough exterior she tries to wear, the one she was forced to adapt to from a young age and allow herself to trust another person is easily one of the most difficult things I could ask of her, and she does it as simply as breathing. Like her soul knows mine better than we know each other. It’s corny and crazy and maybe I’m totally overanalyzing everything, but I just know I need her, and I’ll fight every day to make her as deliriously happy as she makes me.

I’m leaving the office, sending a text to Arianna that I want her ready for a date tonight. I’m taking her to the best little Italian restaurant in Seattle because my sweet Sparrow is long overdue for a proper date. I mean, we literally jumped straight over dating and went straight to living together and falling in love. We’ve been living together for two weeks, and I still haven’t taken her on a proper date? Unacceptable.

As soon as I slide into my car, my phone rings. I’m surprised to see that it’s Tyson. I haven’t spoken to him since we left the lake house.

“Hello?”

“Hey, what are you doing?” Tyson asks.

“Just on my way home.”

“Got any plans for the night? Was thinking we could grab a beer, watch a Crusaders game, or something.”

We haven’t gotten together to just hang out in a while. Months if I’m being honest. Tyson is always asking, but I’m always turning him down. I always have work, a business trip, or something that feels more important. I want to change that, though.

“I can’t tonight. What about next week?” I offer.

“Hot date?” he teases with a light chuckle that dies quickly.

I don’t respond because it isn’t needed. He knows why I can’t meet up with him tonight. Or at least has a suspicion. And his suspicion would be correct.

“You taking good care of our girl?” he asks.

“My girl,” I snap.

A raspy laugh escapes him as he sighs.

“Man, you gotta stop being so easy to rile up when it comes to her. Some might consider it a weakness.”

I let out a halfhearted grunt in response.

He’s not wrong. Wish I could help it.

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