Page 23 of Logan
Her scent is still on my skin, a mix of vanilla and something softer I can’t name but would know anywhere. My hands are still tingling from where I touched her. From where I held her neck, felt her breath catch against my mouth.
I lean against the wall in the narrow hallway, trying to breathe through the tightness in my chest. I came in here telling myself I was going to keep my distance tonight. That I was going to let her do her job, ignore her in that uniform that has every man in this place looking at her like she’s theirs for the taking.
But then I saw Nathan’s hand on her wrist. Saw the way she tugged to get away and he didn’t let go. I saw red. That’s the thing about Mackenzie, she’s the one place in my life where logic doesn’t exist. There’s only instinct, and mine is always to put myself between her and whatever could hurt her. Even if what’s been hurting her is me.
When I walked into that dressing room, I didn’t plan to touch her. Hell, I didn’t even plan to talk to her. But the way shelooked at me… like she was already bracing herself for another wound I was about to inflict… it broke something in me.
I wanted to leave. I should have left. Instead, I closed the distance, let my hands find her, let my mouth remind me what it was like to taste her. I’d forgotten nothing. Not the sound she makes when I kiss her. Not the way her body arches when I press her against me. Not the way it feels like she was carved to fit against me.
And then I had to stop. Because this is the cycle. I give in, I take, I remember exactly how much I still want her, and then I remember why I walked away in the first place.
She deserves better than the life I can give her. Better than the weight that comes with my name. Better than a man who runs a club that has enemies in every county line.
I push off the wall, heading toward the front of the club. My hands are clenched into fists, not because I’m angry at her, but because I’m angry at myself for letting my control slip.
Every time I tell myself I can handle keeping her at arm’s length, I end up back here, tasting her like I’ve been starving.
And every time I walk away from her, it feels a little more like I’m ripping out something I might never get back.
Chapter Eleven
Mackenzie
And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
‘Iris’ - Goo Goo Dolls
It’s been a week since Ryan’s party.
Since Logan looked at me the way he did.
Since his admission that made absolutely no sense to me.
He hasn’t been back except for dropping things off here and there, and when he is here, he doesn’t look at me. I might as well be invisible. It’s almost worse than the glares, because when he was glaring at me at least he was acknowledging my existence. Now it’s like he’s found a way to make me vanish altogether, and the silence gnaws at me more than the tension ever did.
“Earth to Mac.” Shaina’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. She’s looking at me with that mix of concern and curiosity she gets when she knows I’m lost in my head. “You good?”
I nod, though we both know the answer is no.
“If you say so, girl.” She smirks faintly. “It’s gonna be a busy night tonight, so buckle up, buttercup.” She bumps her hip into mine, the easy affection almost enough to make me laugh.
“There something going on tonight?” I arch an eyebrow.
She shoots me a side glance that’s part warning, part amusement. “Guess you deserve to know. Club’s closed tonight for a private party. Surprise birthday party… for my brother.”
“Awesome…” I mutter, stocking up on bottles I know the guys will want. “Do you know where I’m working tonight?” Since Ryan’s party, Allison’s had me waitressing a few shifts. The tips are better, but tonight… tonight I’d rather be safely behind the bar.
“You’re on the floor,” she says, and I know from her tone she gets why that sucks. “There won’t be many of them at the bar. And just a reminder, full MC means if someone gets out of hand, tell Hank or make eye contact with someone you trust. These aren’t your average locals. You can’t disrespect a brother, no matter how big of a prick he’s being.”
“Got it.” I toss back a shot, the burn spreading warm through my chest.
Shaina watches me.
