Logan Chapter 105

-Logan-

I can hardly even think with the way Emory looks tonight. I got in touch with a personal shopper through my suit guy, and as soon as I told her who the outfit would be for, she already had something in mind. I’m going to have to tip her again, because she outdid herself. She mentioned that she’d be able to get Emory’s color palette from pictures online, but that she didn’t have a basis for Emory’s regular style. I’m almost glad, because I’m sure that’s the only way I’m getting to see the miracle before me. I’ll always prefer my mate naked, if I’m the only one seeing her, but for being out in public I can’t think of a better look for her.

Emory is feeling self-conscious about the amount of skin she’s showing, which is a shame. I think it’s the perfect amount. She doesn’t have anything showing that I would have a jealous fit over, and what I do see just makes me want to unwrap her so I can worship the rest. I’m not excited about the comments I’ll be hearing about her tonight, about the gazes she’ll attract, but I can’t help the fierce stab of pride that she’s mine. She’s not going anywhere, and she finally accepts that. No one will be taking her away from me.

We sit in silence for most of the ride there. Emory is trying to work up her courage and confidence. I’m trying my damndest to keep my hands to myself so I don’t ruin anything about her look before the cameras start flashing. We could honestly use some good publicity. I’ve been ignoring Anna’s comments about the board’s impatience with my current reputation. Unfortunately for them, it’s going to get a little worse before it gets better. Hopefully, we don’t have to be the talk of the town for much longer, but I’m not stopping until we’re deemed uninteresting for the stupid conspiracies. It should only take a couple of rounds of “Logan and Emory like sex so much they can’t help themselves” before they catch on. It’s not even really a lie.

I guess she wasn’t as absorbed in her angst as I thought, because she whips her head my way. “What?! Are you kidding me? That’s what you’ve been scheming about?”

Oops. There goes the surprise. “Well, technically it took a lot of scheming to get you a nice spa day and your gorgeous outfit. So yes and no.”

She rolls her eyes at me, unimpressed. “I didn’t realize you were dressing me up just to strip me down for an audience later. Don’t you think we should’ve talked about this? This was Derek’s idea, wasn’t it? That asshole.”

I feel the need to defend Deek. Especially because it wasn’t entirely his idea. “If you think about it, little rose, this was your idea. We’re getting the media off our backs.”

“By getting on our backs. Nice, Logan. I don’t know if I can do this. It was one thing to have sex near the rest of the pack with all those pheromones flying, but I really doubt I can do anything while knowingly being watched.” I can smell her fear and upset filling the car, thick enough to choke on.

“Baby, it’s not like we’re going to be the night’s entertainment. We’ll just sneak off to a private place and someone will get a quick glimpse with a cellphone camera. That’s it. Nothing super invasive. We can even stay clothed if you want. You’re taped in, and I can cover you. Don’t you think you might… enjoy it? Just the tiniest bit?”

Emory crosses her arms but says nothing, clearly uncomfortable with the fact that she gets that little thrill in her belly when she thinks about having sex somewhere risky. Even the thought of getting caught- just a little bit, only kind of- has her pulse jumping. I have her now and she knows it. “Just think about it, baby. I know you’re disappointed we can’t take the edge off in the car, here. We’re sparing Silverson this one time, at least.” A blush travels all the way from her collarbones to her forehead, and neither of us can tell if it’s from embarrassment or arousal.

“It’ll be just you and me, too wound up to deal with it anymore. I know you like how I look in this tux, baby. I caught you looking earlier. Don’t you remember- can’t you feel- how absolutely irresistible I find you in that dress? You’re like a statue of a goddess brought to life. A bronze effigy of what the perfect woman should look like. Do you think I’d be able to resist you all night, anyway? How has our track record been with that, hmm?” The smell of her arousal is overtaking that of her fear and anxiety, just like I like it.

I lean in and plant a few kisses along her neck, where I can’t ruin anyone’s hard work. I notice that they have used makeup here to cover a couple of the love bites I’ve left on her. I’ve never thought of hickies as hot before, but I just can’t resist leaving one more on her. She’s mine, and no one here will be able to deny it. She melts into me, and I take a moment to just hold her. When we do finally arrive at the gala, Emory is confident and ready to go once again. She takes a deep breath and my hand, then steps from the limo like the reigning queen she is.

*We’re going to have so much fun at this boring-ass party tonight.* I think her way with anticipation, but she’s too focused on her strut to pay attention to me. The press have lots of questions for us, of course, but she just floats down the aisle carved through the mob like her feet don’t even touch the ground, and I float with her by association. By the time we walk in the door, I’m already itching for her.