Page 21 of Logan’s Acadian Wolves

“Well, I’ve got to say that I’ve never seen anything so hot. I mean, damn, girl. Possessive much?” she laughed.

“I don’t know what you mean. I just…I guess I’m not exactly myself yet,” Wynter admitted sheepishly, embarrassed about her behavior in the courtyard.

“Well, Luci won’t be crossing your path anytime soon, I can tell you that. Come on, now.” Fiona started up the staircase. “Nice place, huh?”

Yes it was. She wondered how Fiona knew Logan’s mansion so well. Another one of his women, she supposed. Resigned that she still needed Logan’s protection, Wynter obediently followed Fiona.

“Yes, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Wynter replied. She could literally feel the history oozing from the walls and wondered who’d lived in the home over the years and how old it was.

“He’s been renovating it for a long time. But since he became Alpha, he sped up the work.”

Fiona opened a heavy wooden door. “Here we go. You’re here in the ‘Rose Room’. Logan’s down the hall just in case you get lonely.” She winked. “This is his favorite guest room, you know. I think it says, ‘feminine but rich’.”

Wynter marveled at the rose-colored walls trimmed in metallic gold crown molding. A day bed with curled gold framing topped with cream-colored pillows took center stage. A lovely cream coverlet adorned with pink and red roses brought life to the piece. A dainty crystal chandelier dangled above.

“It’s something, isn’t it?” Fiona asked, opening large closet doors. “So, here we go. While you guys were out, I stocked the dresser and closet here with a few clothes. Dimitri said the clothes this morning fit so I bought more things…shoes, all that good stuff.”

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. I won’t be here long,” Wynter insisted, fully anticipating that she’d be leaving soon.

“Logan wants you to be comfortable, and besides, you are going out tonight,” she reminded her.

Wynter bit her lip, now mortified by what she’d said at the pool. Hoping she’d spend the remainder of her time alone, waiting for Jax, she’d forgotten that Logan said they were going to meet someone later.

“Yes, I suppose I am.” Wynter turned toward Fiona who was getting ready to leave.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,” Fiona stated confidently.

“Hey, I just want to thank you for everything. I know I was really sick last night. You guys helped me, and I know you didn’t have to. Thank you.”

Wynter didn’t even know these people and they were helping her. True, she’d been trying desperately to help their race, but they had no idea what she’d done or who she was. Still, they’d been treating her with respect and kindness despite the fact she’d been less than candid. But instead of throwing her back on the street, they’d fed her, clothed her, saw to her medical needs.

Fiona smiled. “Really, it’s no problem. We all need help now and then.” She turned to walk away and then hesitated. “By the way, not sure if Logan got a chance to tell you, but my sister Dana, the doc who saw you last night, she got stuck at the hospital today. I know she ran some tests, but before you ask, I don’t know anything. She’ll probably be over in the morning or call later tonight.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it. People…they just don’t…they just don’t do these things,” she said as if she were deep in thought.

As Fiona waved goodbye, Wynter considered what Jax had done for her. Saved her from a life of foster care. He could have turned his back on her at any time, but never did. Maybe it was wolves and their undying loyalty? Her parents had been loyal to him, and he’d, in turn, been loyal to them by taking her in, protecting her.

She wanted so badly to tell Logan everything she knew, but it was Jax who deserved her allegiance. When she talked to him on the phone, Jax had barely made mention of her work. He only wanted to know if she’d been all right and that Logan was treating her well. If he’d asked about what had happened over the past two months, she’d have told him everything, despite the fact Logan was listening. She supposed doing so would have been fair game. But to tell Logan, to disclose everything she and Jax had worked for without his permission, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Lust or not, Logan was most likely a temporary distraction in her otherwise boring life.

Despite all of her exceedingly rational thoughts, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. After watching the way he’d touched Goth Chick, hugging her, allowing her to continue to touch him, right after he’d been so incredibly intimate with her, it cut her in two. She couldn’t make sense out of her feelings, because never in her life had she felt such an intense attraction to a man. Even if she were able to comprehend the biological ramifications of her changes, she couldn’t deny a loss of control when it came to how she felt about the Alpha. It appeared as though the tendrils of their incipient connection were evolving in tandem, weaving and strengthening with each second they spent together. And for Wynter, the experience threw her solely into unchartered waters.

After a long shower, Wynter steadied her emotions, committed to getting through the evening with Logan without incident. But as she descended the staircase, butterflies began to dance in her belly, as she nervously anticipated Logan’s reaction to her earlier behavior. Alphas could be unpredictable, and she wasn’t certain how he’d address her interruption of his conversation with Goth Chick. It was bad enough that she’d been aggressive, obstructing his view of a pack member. But it was the kiss she’d planted on him that had her really worried. It had been a possessive, ‘get your hands the fuck away from my man’ kiss. She knew her intention wouldn’t be lost on Logan and fully expected he’d call her out on what she’d done.

Her emerging wolf clawed at her mind, and she wasn’t sure she wanted the message to be lost on him. No, clearly her wolf was staking some kind of a claim. Unfortunately, the human, and logical part of her, seemed to be taking a vacation. Torn between holding on to the threads of her humanity or letting go altogether, giving into her untamed cravings, she couldn’t decide if what she’d done was wrong or just a natural part of who she was becoming.

So when Wynter reached the landing of the stairs, she deliberately kept her eyes low in submission. She stole a fleeting glance at Logan, who looked fabulously handsome and with his usual air of danger. His wet hair was neatly combed, and he smelled deliciously spicy and masculine. He was casually dressed in a crisp white dress shirt with rolled up sleeves, and dark dress slacks. She swore her panties grew wet within seconds of being in his presence. It was ridiculous, she knew. Like a teenage girl with a crush on the quarterback, she tried desperately to hide her arousal. But no matter how hard she attempted to shove the carnal thoughts into the deep recesses of her brain, she couldn’t seem to control the visceral reaction to the man.

Logan watched intently as Wynter carefully but gracefully navigated the steps. Altogether stunning, Wynter wore a little black dress that tightly hugged her curves. Off-shoulder sleeves accentuated her newly tanned arms, and formed a perfect v into the valley between her breasts, revealing the swell of her cleavage. Resplendent and sexy, she blushed upon his gaze. Her pack experience became apparent as his submissive little wolf looked away. Logan smiled; she simply had no idea how beautiful she really was.

Logan had thought about Wynter’s kiss all evening. Even though he intended to play it off, refusing to bring it up at dinner, he had so not forgotten. In a display of dominance, Wynter had shown her alpha tendencies. The way she’d pushed Luci out of the way, then given him that branding kiss; it had amazed him and frightened him all at once. On the one hand, he’d enjoyed the hell out of her choosing him, and he desired her intensely. On the other, he wasn’t looking for a mate and didn’t want to hurt her. But hell, the way she’d responded to his touch in the pool was positively remarkable.

During dinner, Logan soon found himself enchanted by Wynter’s witty humor and intelligence. It was clear to him that she’d been well schooled even though she avoided talking about her career. He knew it was all directly connected to her secrets, the reason why she’d been in New Orleans. But the light conversation allowed him to get to know Wynter better, without her worrying about his expectations.

A look here and there, flirting and blushing, stirred his attraction to her. Although the sexual tension between them hung like a tight electrical wire in a storm just waiting to explode, he’d decided not to snap it during their meal. A glance every now and then to Dimitri told him that his beta was fully aware of their growing connection. The easy banter between him, her and Dimitri flowed naturally, feeling comfortable and easy. He wondered if he’d ever be able to share her like they’d done with other women, seriously doubting it.

Surprised by the easiness of their discussion and the non-mention of the incident by the pool, Wynter relaxed, getting to better know both Logan and Dimitri. Like Logan, his beta radiated a lethal sexiness that appeared to attract women like bees to honey. From the hostess to the waitress, women shamelessly flirted with both men. Controlling her jealousy wasn’t as easy as she hoped but Wynter managed to keep it together. While “Kitty”, the server, fawned over Logan, Wynter silently recited the periodic table. Gotta love science. It did help a little to take her mind off the very uncharacteristic need to throttle the waitress.

After the spectacular dinner with Logan and Dimitri, Wynter relaxed, forgetting where they were headed. However, upon their arrival at the vampire club, her heart raced as she exited the car. Even though both Logan and Dimitri reassured her that she’d be safe with them, seeds of doubt floated. What if one of her former guards frequented this place? What if Kade didn’t believe her? What if it was a trap? Trust me, he’d told her. She wanted so badly to listen to the cocksure Alpha’s words of assurance. Aware that she had no choice in the matter, Wynter wrapped her hand tightly around Logan’s arm, holding her breath as the doors opened.