Logan Chapter 59

-Logan-

Emory’s eyes are wide on me, and the girls in the kitchen are whispering just low enough that I don’t know what they’re saying. I can guess, though. There is so much that human men just don’t seem to do right. All I want to do is take care of her. I don’t want Emory to need anything long enough to ask for it. Someday soon, I’ll know her well enough that I’ll be able to anticipate anything she needs, and she’ll be able to do the same for me. She’s saved from answering when our breakfasts are brought out to us. We thank the ladies for our food and eat in relative quiet. I can practically hear Emory processing.

We’re in the car before she apparently comes to an answer for her musings. She hits the button for the divider between us and Silverson, takes a deep breath, and then turns to face me. I can feel my eyebrows shoot up my forehead when she starts to speak. “I think our discussion went off the rails a bit, in there. I’m not sure how I offended you, but I’d appreciate it in the future if you didn’t take that tone with me in front of other people in your pack. I felt like a kid getting scolded in public, and it seems like I’ll need the respect of your people in the near future.” She looks down at her folded hands in her lap, obviously determined to be very reasonable about it all.

I try not to smile at her earnest expression- my amusement would just offend her more. “I’m very sorry you felt that way, little rose. That wasn’t my intention. From my point of view, you questioned my ability and willingness to take care of you in front of those same pack members. I know human men don’t seem to care as much about it anymore, but it’s a point of pride for the males of our pack to take care of their mates- whether fated or chosen- in every way. The most respected couples know each other well enough that the females of the pairs never need to ask for anything out loud. It’s almost like telepathy. It’s a beautiful sight, honestly.” I allow myself to fold my hands in my lap, to mirror hers.

She breaks from her “I’m so reasonable to discuss this like an adult” face to stare at me incredulously. “I’m sorry, Logan! It wasn’t my intention to embarrass you, either. I guess we’re both experiencing a little culture shock.” Culture shock seems like a good word for it, though I was thinking of it more as growing pains. I know we’ll get there.

“Well, we’ll just have to figure it out as we go along. Is the serious discussion over?” I shoot her a grin and she loosens up, smiling back at me.

“I suppose so, unless you have something else?” Adorable.

“No, I just wanted to know when I would be allowed to tell you how absolutely delicious you look today. We don’t have time anymore in this car ride for groveling, but don’t think I’ve forgotten about it. Maybe we can sneak off between meetings later…?” Her eyes widen comically before she frantically shakes her head.

“No way are we doing anything in that building, Logan! I couldn’t bear it if we got caught! I can’t believe you’d even suggest it with how busy you keep saying today will be.” She does have a point, I suppose, though it wouldn’t take much convincing to get me to skip out on the shareholders’ meeting. I need to figure out how I’m going to explain her presence for that one.

Emory eventually calms back down after I pretend to drop the whole idea of some afternoon delight, and we walk into the building together. We draw a lot of eyes, which I’m used to, but Emory is clearly uncomfortable with the scrutiny. I put my hand to her back to guide her to the elevator and get another disapproving flash of her eyes. She doesn’t correct me in front of everyone in security. Word will circle the building by the end of the day that she arrived on my arm. She’ll be untouchable to anyone who wants to keep their jobs.

When we arrive at my office, Emory smiles at Anna, gently closes the door, and then turns to me with her arms folded. “I can’t believe you put your hands on me in front of everyone back there. It’s bad enough that we have to arrive together when I’m clearly not here to do my actual job, but you had to basically piss a circle around me on top of that? What do you even have to be possessive of? None of those people have ever said more than two words to me!” Her cheeks are bright red with anger, and that eyebrow is riding high on her forehead. I didn’t realize I’d be in this much trouble for this.

“First of all, I saw how they were looking at you. Second of all, I didn’t want to make it clear you’re off limits just for dating. I wanted everyone to know that messing with you is messing with me. I don’t want anyone giving you trouble, little rose, so I made sure they wouldn’t.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I contemplate getting advice from James about bratty attitudes.

“First of all,” she says, mimicking my voice, “I doubt it. Second of all, that just means that they won’t say anything when you’re in earshot. Heaven forbid I end up alone in a room with some of the ladies working here. They’ll eat me alive for being with you when they can’t.” That’s a flattering picture, but she’ll never have to worry about it because I don’t plan to let her out of my sight until we get back to the pack house.

“Then I guess you’ll just have to stay with me for the day. That was the plan anyway.” She squeezes her nose for a second.

“I can’t sit in on your shareholders meeting, Logan. You’ll get fired from your own company. I’ll sit out with Anna. You can tell them that I’m here for security, or that we’re going somewhere else after this, or whatever you want to tell them. I will not have you dragging me into meetings I’m not qualified to hear.”

“We’ll see about that.”