Pistol Whipped - Ashley Bostock Page 0,44

up his phone knowing he was calling her, and this would be one of the final moments of their togetherness they would have before it would come to an end. She would eventually meet someone else and so would he and of course, they would still be friends. They would still call and text—see each other on the odd Sundays he could be home at his mother’s house. Life would still be good.

He pressed the photo of her smiling up at him from his phone and brought the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up.

“Hello?” she answered breathlessly.

“What are doing? Running?”

“I was in the back and left my phone on the counter. I didn’t want to miss you.” She then added, “because you haven’t called since…well—”

“I’m sorry. I got too caught up with work and tying up loose ends. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my house and my truck. All of that is figured out now.” I saved the best for last.

“What day are you leaving?” He hated hearing the hurt in her voice.

“Tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I have to Cinderella…I’m sorry.”

She put on her brave face, he could almost see it through the phone lines, could definitely hear it in her voice. “I know. It’s for the best, right?”

“Yes.” That’s what he was telling himself. But a huge part of him felt like he was leaving a lot behind. “Can I come over tonight?” He rolled his eyes. When had he started asking her things and not just doing it like he had all of his life?

“Of course, I need to talk to you anyway. There’s something I want to tell you.”

“I’ll bring Chinese. The usual?”

“Yes. Okay, I have a customer. See you tonight!”

“Laters.” Logan ended the call and wondered what she wanted to talk to him about. It must be important to her, otherwise she would’ve just told him on the phone. He couldn’t wait to see her and make the most of the small amount of time they had together.

Logan’s truck was sitting in a parking space when she pulled into her parking spot. Her heart fluttered at the sight of his truck, knowing he was in there waiting for her. Okay, breathe. It wasn’t like they hadn’t met like this a million times in the past.

It was just a little different now.

Now, she knew what his towering frame felt like hard and sweaty against her body. She knew what his fingers felt like as they skimmed her skin as if he were playing the piano. She was familiar with the way he smelled, and it wasn’t just from being around him—It was smelling him, on her clothes, and on her pillow in Japan, that had given her an up-close and personal treat to the sandalwood and musk smell that was Logan. She knew how demanding he got in the bedroom and she knew how much she liked it.

“Hey there.” Logan was already behind her, much too close for her to do anything but turn around and greet him. And what a sight he was. His blue eyes were shining bright and the turn of his lips forming that sexy half grin she couldn’t seem to forget, made her heart stop.

“Hi. It’s good to see you.” There was nothing she wanted more than to hug him, so that’s what she did. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, plastered her body against him, giving him the biggest hug she could muster from within. He hugged her back, as much as he could with the bag of take-out food in one hand and the keys to his truck in the other hand.

“Let’s go inside.”

She released her hold on him and led the way into her condo. She flipped the lights on and immediately kicked off her heels.

“I can’t believe you already leave tomorrow.”

Damn it. She had a talk with herself, reminding herself all day she would do everything in her power to not bring up the touchy subject. She didn’t want him to see how depressed she had been feeling since she’d spoken with him on the phone earlier. Well, since he told her in Japan that he would be leaving. She had to buck-up and steel her heart. Be a big girl!

But the sight of him in his worn denim jeans, leaning against her counter and opening Styrofoam take-out boxes loaded with Chinese food—food he knew what to order without asking her what—had her aching in her heart as