Logan Chapter 53

-Logan-

The pack house is deserted. I should remember to thank Landon for that later. Emory and I have had all afternoon to get used to each other in this space as opposed to a more neutral one. She’s- understandably- a little less sure of herself here, but I can almost feel her relaxing little by little beside me, and her hand loosens in mine as I draw her to what will be our bedroom.

I’m not a professional designer, so I’m interested to hear her opinions of my space. It was okay if she didn’t like the penthouse, because I really wouldn’t like living in it full time, either. My rooms in the pack house, though? This is where I can be my most authentic self. I don’t let the rest of the pack in here as a general rule, partially because that’s traditional and partially because I need to have my own space if I’m going to be who the pack needs me to be the rest of the time. How do you respect a man after seeing his dirty underwear on the floor? All of this fades from my head as Emory takes the first couple of steps into my rooms.

“Well, darling rose? I’m not a professional, but hopefully it has more soul than the penthouse.” I bump her shoulder with mine, hoping for at least a smile. I don’t smell as much anxiety rolling off of her as before, so I’d say it’s progress. “This will be our private space. There isn’t much reason for anyone but us to be here outside of emergencies. I have Darsha come in and clean twice a month or so, but that’s all. I can tell her to stop even that if you want us to be the ones to clean. Or I can tell her to come more, since we’ll presumably be spending more time here…?” I realize suddenly that I’m babbling. Is that what that feels like? I’m surprisingly nervous that she won’t like it. “You can change anything you want, of course. The only really important things in here are the pictures and my parents’ antiques- the end tables and bar in here.”

“Shh.” She puts her free hand on my arm and squeezes the hand she’s already holding. “I think it’s gorgeous, Logan. The bar is an amazing piece, and I see what you were doing with the greens. I wouldn’t have paired those shades together, but the overall effect is very homey and calming, which is perfect for the home base of a high- powered man like you. I might get some different art to go in here- something a little more on the blue or brown spectrum rather than hammering more green into the mix. But the whole space just feels like you. It’s nice to finally feel like I know you rather than a mask that doesn’t extend past our interactions.” I had no idea it felt like that for her. Stepping into the penthouse must have been like realizing she was alone with a sociopath.

“So it must have been terrifying to be in the penthouse when I suddenly broke down a door and started raving about wolf shifters. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I hope you realize that I would never hurt you.” I just barely restrain a whine from my wolf in the back of my throat. I need to give her a little more time to get used to that part of me, I think.

“Physically. You would never hurt me physically, and I understand that. You will hurt me again emotionally, Logan. That’s just how relationships are. I’m sure I’ll hurt you at some point, too. Hell, I’m sure it hurt you that I didn’t immediately believe you about being a wolf. I’m still not sure I haven’t hallucinated this whole damn day. We’ll just have to make a deal to talk it out and try to forgive each other when it does happen.” I suppose that makes sense.

“Well then. It’s a deal, sweetheart.” I put out my hand for her to shake, and she crinkles her nose in the cutest way before we shake on it. “Now that we’ve agreed on that, would you like to see my actual bedroom?” I walk her through the living room of the suite, point out the half bathroom attached that has barely been used, and pull her into my bedroom.

There’s more calming green in here, and it’s fairly empty. I have my king size bed, as is necessary for a man of my size, and two light wood end tables to match the four poster bed frame, a light wood dresser for my casual clothes, and a walk-in closet for my suits. I try not to think about the play equipment I have in my top drawer and where Emory will put her casual clothes. There’s plenty of room in the closet for her. We’ll figure it out.

Emory does a couple of slow turns to take the space in, but all I can concentrate on is the fact that my point of view puts her perfectly in the center of two posts on the end of my bed frame. I could tie her there for a little fun. Hell, having her in this bed at all will be like a dream come true, at this point. She turns back to face me, and I must be easy to read at this moment, because the scent of her arousal blooms through the air and mixes with mine. She gulps before she speaks. “Is this… draw, a part of the mate bond, do you think?”

“Do you care? It’s where we’re at either way, and I don’t particularly want to fight it. I doubt there’s a universe out there where I’m not attracted to you, little rose. Are you telling me that you’re still not ready to ride this wave with me?” I watch the blush travel up Emory’s neck to her face as she thinks over my thinly-veiled offer. I’ll do whatever she wants, but I really hope she wants what I do.