Logan groans and presses his forehead against my shoulder.
“Yeah, that shower idea was stupid, wasn’t it?” I say.
“What do you think?”
I can’t read his tone. “I plead the fifth.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m full of terrible ideas today. I’m not sure what the positive outcome of this one will be. At least the shower got us back to the event on time, huh?” I pause, but Logandoesn’t respond. I’m suddenly desperate to make him react. “And we kept it professional. It didn’t lead to sex.”
“Oh my god.” At least he’s laughing now.
“You know, I’ve never understood the appeal of shower sex,” I continue thoughtfully, feeling a small thrill. God, girl, how much adrenaline do I need? But I can’t stop.
“There’s never enough room for both people under the water, so you’re either overheated or freezing. Then there’s the risk of slipping. And there’s no space, so positions are limited to just—”
“Are youtryingto torture me?” he growls.
“I’m being a good assistant,” I say sweetly. “Discussing the pitfalls of something we very professionally didn’t do. Though there were a few…bumps here and there.”
Logan groans again. His warm breath against my hair makes me shiver. “No one’s perfect.”
Heis. The thought rings through me as strong and clear as a bell. “Some people are close.”
He snorts. “Big claim about someone who got us locked in a cave.”
“Not me. You.” I hesitate, then decide to surge ahead—the dark and his closeness making me brave. “Logan, in all seriousness, I’m in awe of you.”
“What?”
The words spill out of me in a rush. “You never let your temper get the best of you anymore. You’ve become so kind. Thoughtful. Compassionate. I know it isn’t much coming from me. Talk about being complimented by the lowest of the low; it’s like a slob complimenting someone’s clean house. But still. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. I’m…honored that you’ve let me back in to get to know you again.”
There’s a long pause. Hot embarrassment flashes through me. I shouldn’t have said anything. I made this already awkward situation even worse.
Then I’m moving—Logan lifts me with an easy strength and rolls us until I’m lying on top of him, face-to-face. The cot creaks in protest, then it’s quiet again. His body is a warm, solid weight beneath me. Our bodies fit—probably even more than they used to. A stinging sense of loss wraps itself around my heart and squeezes.
“You’re wrong,” he says softly. “It’severythingcoming from you.”
My throat tightens, and my vision blurs. I turn my face away, hoping he can’t see me tearing up, but then he gently swipes his thumb beneath my lashes. The motion is so tender that my heart gives a painful thump.I’m here,he had whispered to me in the lonely dark. And he is.
There’s more I need to say, I realize. The words press against the edges of my heart so forcefully, I’m afraid I’ll die unless I get them out.
Live fast, die young, Sierra. Now or never.
I press my ear to his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart soothe me for a second. “Logan…what you said back there. You’re not insignificant. Not to me.”
His body quiets to an unnatural stillness beneath me.
“My life may not compare to the history of the world, but you…” My breath shakes as I inhale. I can feel the sharp intensity of his gaze on my face. “I’m sorry I didn’t contact you after I ran away. I wanted to. So, so badly. Now that I know what I put you through, I regret it more than you’ll ever know.”
“Why didn’t you?” Logan asks finally. His tone is difficultto read, and I’m not quite brave enough to look for clues in his face.
I shake my head. I don’t want to open up that can of worms and bring that bully town marshal into this private, quiet moment with Logan. “There’s nothing to say that can undo the past. We don’t need to talk about it, Logan.”
“I think we do. Sierra, look at me.”
I can’t bear to look at him. He touches my chin gently until I can’t resist the pull of his gaze. His expression is serious, searching.
