Logan (Chosen Champions #1) - Macy Blake Page 0,53

in the sun all day. His skin had pinkened a little, and he had a warm glow. He smelled like chlorine and charcoal and Bailey. “Hi.”

“Um, hi.” Bailey shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, unable to meet Logan’s gaze.

Logan didn’t like it. At all. He stood, leaving the soup behind as he moved closer. Bailey stepped back, and Logan froze.

Bailey laughed, but it sounded odd. He shuffled around Logan and unlocked the door. “Um, did you want to come in?”

Yeah. Yeah, he did.

More than Logan could explain, even. “I do. If that’s okay.”

Bailey reached out his hand, hesitantly, like he expected Logan to reject him. Logan took it and followed Bailey up the stairs after snagging the soup from the porch. When they reached the top step, Bailey paused on the landing and looked back. The doubt and confusion in his eyes undid Logan.

He moved closer and crowded Bailey against the wall, dropping the soup and cupping Bailey’s cheeks in his hands. Logan breathed in and leaned his forehead against Bailey’s. “I thought about you all day. I hated leaving this morning without waking you up the way I’d planned. And then I was going to take you for a ridiculous breakfast before bringing you home and going right back to bed.”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”

Bailey leaned closer and put his hands on Logan’s hips. “I thought it was a one-night stand. Felt like a fool for thinking there was more.”

Logan’s wolf didn’t have to scent the shame pouring off Bailey; he could feel it. “Well, one, there’s nothing wrong with a one-night stand.”

Bailey opened his mouth to argue but paused. “I know that. I’ve had one-night stands before.”

Logan pretended his wolf wasn’t howling in protest at someone else touching Bailey. “Good, and two, this wasn’t a one-night stand. Hell, I don’t even know what this is. There are about thirty things I haven’t told you that might have you putting me out on my ass, but I’m going to take as much of you as you’re willing to give me.”

Bailey breathed and bumped his nose against Logan’s cheek. “Only thirty? I thought for sure, with all the secrets you’re keeping, it would be closer to a hundred. Your job alone is very mysterious. I’d guess CIA Black Ops, but that’s not right.”

Logan huffed. “You’ll never guess. And I couldn’t confirm or deny anyway.”

They shared a grin. Bailey pulled him closer, then began backing them into the bedroom. He dropped his bag on the floor with a thud and reached for Logan’s neck. He tugged them together and pressed a quick kiss to Logan’s lips.

“I thought about you all day too.”

“Yeah?”

“My head is a mess right now, but I think of you and it calms me. Even though my thoughts are all over the place where you’re concerned. Weird, huh?”

“Not weird. Why is your head a mess?”

Bailey shrugged, and his scent changed again.

Logan didn’t like the change at all. His wolf clawed at him again, demanding he do something. This wasn’t what Logan did best, though. He swallowed hard and leaned his forehead against Bailey’s.

“It’s been a long day. What would you say to a shower, then some soup, and then some sleep?”

Bailey raised his head and stared into Logan’s eyes. He didn’t know what Bailey sought, but after a bit, he nodded. “That sounds good. I’m covered in chlorine and sunscreen.”

“Go get the shower started.”

Bailey nodded and turned to go into the bathroom. Logan took the soup into the kitchen to get everything ready for when they were done. He heard the water start and the soft sounds Bailey made as he undressed. He also heard the long sigh, and Bailey’s muttered words.

“I’m so stupid.”

Logan abandoned the soup and went back into the other room. He found Bailey staring at himself in the mirror. He turned and smiled at Logan, but it wasn’t the real one. The one that lit up his face and made Logan want to hold him and make him laugh again, just so he could feel that spark of joy once more.

“Talk to me,” Logan said softly.

“About what?”

Logan closed his eyes to keep his wolf from shining through. He turned away and went to the bedroom window. It overlooked the neighbors, and without the blinds in place, they’d be able to see everything in the apartment.

“I should go,” Logan said.

“What? No. You… just got here. You brought soup.”

“And you don’t want me here.”

“That’s not true. What makes you think that’s… I want