Page 88 of Frozen Hearts
I turn on my heel, ready to sprint for my life as a dark figure steps out of the car.
“Riley, that you?”
I freeze before slowly turning back around, recognizing that voice.
“Logan?”
He steps forward into the pool of light offered from the streetlamp above. It bounces off his blond hair, illuminating his boyish features.
“I thought it was.” His gaze shifts past me in the direction of Lux, lips thinning before he once again meets my stare. Something flashes in his eyes too quickly for me to decipher. “You shouldn’t be walking home alone at this time of night.”
Seriously? The last words he spoke to me were essentially contempt at how I choose to make a living, and now he’s giving me grief for walking home in the dark? Sorry, we can’t all afford luxury SUVs to drive around in.
“Noted,” I snark, before moving around him and continuing on my way. It’s far too late—or early, depending on your perspective—for this shit, and bed is calling my name.
Realizing that he’s aggravated me, he blows out a breath. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just… never mind. Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
He stares at me for a moment, incredulous.
“Really? You’re going to risk walking home alone in the dark instead of getting in the car with me?”
I grit my teeth, knowing he’s right. Still, I’m a stubborn bitch and refuse to cave to him.
“Riley,” he growls when I make no move toward him. “Get in the damn car.”
I hesitate for another second until he takes a threatening step forward. He appears menacing in the darkness. If I didn’t know it was Logan and I met him in a dark alley, I’d probably shit my pants. Yet, despite the anger radiating from him, I’m not afraid. I know he won’t harm me—not physically, at least.
My heart, though… that’s an entirely different matter.
He slowly advances, his eyes filled with a dark promise.
“Logan,” I warn, stepping back, even as I continue to glare at him.
“Get in the car, Riley.”
When I don’t jump at his demand, he reaches out with his long arms, and the world tilts as I’m unceremoniously tossed over his shoulder. One arm wraps tightly around my upper thighs, locking me in place as I struggle against him.
“Put me down, asshole!” I bellow as I bang my fists against his back.
Stomping around to the passenger side of his car, he throws open the door and dumps me inside. I’m instantly drowning in everythingLogan. The crisp, fresh scent that makes my lungs feel like they haven’t inhaled properly in months only grows stronger when he leans in, roughly grabs the seatbelt, and pulls it around me before clicking it into place.
His sudden demonstration of concern for my wellbeing is confusing.
“Why do you even care?” I demand, scowling at him. “You hate me.”
He glares right back, the muscle in his jaw clenching, before he shakes his head and steps back to close the door.
Right before it snicks shut, I swear I hear him mutter, “If only it was that easy,” and when I look into his face, it’s lost that hostile anger. Now he just seems sad. Really fucking sad.
When he climbs in behind the wheel, he pulls onto the street, and I keep my focus cemented out my window, determined not to say a word to him the entire way back to campus.
“Where to?” he asks, ruining that idea.
“The dorms.”
I’m still not looking at him, but as the car fills with a fraught tension, I cast him a sideways glance. His hand is wrapped around the steering wheel so tightly that the veins in his arm threaten to pop, and his teeth grind furiously. I can practically hear them all the way over here, but I don’t understand what has made him so angry.
