Logan Chapter 142

-Emory-

“... and then I told her that I had shopping to do and to take care! It was the best feelin’, I swear.” I’m practically jumping as I tell Logan about my mild confrontation earlier in the day, and he’s sitting across the dinner table from me with a big, dopey smile on his face. I know that he constantly deals with high-stakes contracts and angry investors on a day to day basis, but he’s actively listening and reacting like I slayed a dragon and won the Super Bowl on the same day. It’s both gratifying and almost a little embarrassing.

“I don’t know how you can say something nice and it’s still an insult. Is that what they’re teaching in the schools in the South instead of grammar?” Logan smirks, knowing he’s winding me up. I know by now that he just likes to see the pink in my cheeks and hear me splutter, so I let the comment pass in favor of finishing my story.

“So I bumped her shoulder as I walked past and grabbed myself some chocolate as a reward. I thought Hammer was going to choke himself to keep from laughing at the lady’s face.” We both laughed at the image, and I made sure to remember the look on her face in great detail so Logan could see it in my head.

Logan sets his fork down and leans toward me before he starts to talk again. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you, baby. I’ve had so much fun watching you grow into the Luna I knew you could be. You’re a force, and it’s a privilege to watch your fire burn.” I set my fork down as well. I can’t taste the chicken on my plate anymore, anyway. I know that look on Logan’s face.

My gaze is trapped by Logan’s as I watch his nostrils flare to take in his effect on me. I’m starting to notice the more subtle scents of others’ emotions sometimes, but I’m just not as experienced. It would be impossible to miss the sharpening of Logan’s scent right now, though. He’s just as ready for me as I am for him. I watch his eyes flash as his wolf peeks out at me, and mine stirs beneath my skin with a tingling awareness. Logan’s smirk stretches into a full grin as he whispers in my head.

*Run*.

The chair hits the floor behind me as I shoot out of the breakfast nook, startling the cooks and making Logan laugh out loud. I’m already panting as I sprint through the sitting room, trying to decide where I want to take this game. I’ll have more options if I run outside, but we’re also more likely to be seen by other pack members. Inside would be more discreet, but I’m also more likely to corner myself in a room. Maybe I can loop him around some kind of furniture? Whatever I end up doing will have to be spur of the moment if I don’t want him hearing my thoughts and spoiling my head start. I hear Logan bid the cooks goodnight and tell them to worry about cleaning up tomorrow before he starts the chase, stretching my head start by almost a minute. I can work with that.

Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor, I push hard to get up the stairs as quickly as possible. The hallway up here loops around- coming out at a balcony on the other side of the entryway. There’s a narrow strip that connects it back to the sweeping stairway and guest rooms at the beginning of the hall. Our rooms are toward the back, where the house curves to better accommodate our suite. I figure if the first part of the loop fails, I can kick and fight my way out of Logan’s arms before we get fully into the bedroom and run around the couch in our living room and get out the door, starting the game over again. Hopefully.

Logan lopes into the entryway as I make the top of the stairs, his dress shoes tapping on the tile floor. “You know, little rose, I’ve never had to work this hard to give someone a reward before!” He’s amused and taunting. He didn’t tell me to run out loud, and to anyone else it would look like I’m acting bratty by turning what could be a sweetly proud moment into a hotly primal one. Somehow, I just know we’ll both enjoy the result of this little game just as much as we would have enjoyed the sentimental lovemaking.

My lungs are heaving, so I don’t waste my breath on a vocal reply. *I may deserve a reward, but you still need to earn yours!* I think back to him, feeling very proud of myself for finally getting comfortable enough with the both of us to show off some sass. Logan’s boisterous laugh echoes through the halls to me. I know the fight won’t last much longer- I can already feel myself sinking into the outskirts of subspace. I know Logan wanted this game of chase just as much as I suddenly do, or I would already be on my knees whimpering for him by now. I never thought I would be this woman, but I also didn’t realize that I’m not a woman at all. I’m a she wolf.

I can feel him gaining on me. I’ve just grabbed the corner of the hallway, hoping to make the turn without losing momentum, when I feel a steel band capture me around the waist. Drat. Caught. I expect Logan to either take me down to the floor out here or sweep me up bridal-style to carry me to our room, but I’m swiftly spun before he plants a shoulder in my stomach and hauls me up like a sack of potatoes.

“Oof! Logan!” I smack his back a couple of times, pushing myself upright to try and get some air back in my lungs. All I get for my trouble is a couple stinging smacks on my ass, which I should’ve seen coming. It’s like the impact turns my higher thinking off completely, and I slip into the foggy bliss of patiently waiting for whatever Earth-shattering plans Logan may have for me. My mate always takes care of me.