under the contact, especially when I look up and those intense blue eyes are locked on mine.
“Daphne, it’s okay to let someone look out for you once in a while. And after all your father has done for me, it’s the least I can do to provide his hungry daughter a meal once in a while. Please?”
It’s not so much that I agree as I’m stunned into silence by the earnestness of his blue eyes and his touch, so he gets his way.
My hand feels terribly cold as soon as he lets me go to reach for his own wallet to pay the clerk.
At least I know why he looks out for me now—it’s not pity, or maybe it is, but it’s also obligation and gratefulness to my father. It still has nothing to do with me.
But, sad sap that I am, I’ll still cling to every moment I have with Logan.
I expect him to take us right back to the lab but instead, our lunch in one hand, he takes my hand with his other and leads us down the sidewalk away from the lab.
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, Logan Wulfe is holding my hand!!!
What does it mean? Does he—? Oh crap, is my hand sweaty? If I would’ve known he was going to pull this move, I would’ve wiped it on my jeans first.
He lets my hand go almost as quickly as he grabbed it, though, leaving my head a tornado of swirling thoughts.
But he’s grinning at me, that strong jaw and brow so masculine, it kills me. While Adam Archer is what most people would describe as classically handsome, Logan is what does it for me. Rough around the edges, but a sweetness that belies his difficult youth.
And he’s real in a way that Adam isn’t. Adam is like the fake sweetener that’s so overly sweet, it makes everyone like the drink, but only because they can barely taste the original substance anymore.
Whereas Logan is black coffee. Bracing. Honest. Of the earth. And so, so good.
“We’re going for a day-trip.”
“What?” I almost cough the word, I’m so surprised. But then I realize Logan’s stopped us in front of a truck.
“Being stuck in that lab all the time isn’t good for you. You need some vitamin D.” He unlocks the passenger side door and opens it for me, gesturing me inside.
Squee, Logan date back on!
I don’t hesitate scrambling up inside, especially when he holds out a hand to help me.
When he rounds the truck and climbs in, I’m all but bouncing on the seat in my excitement. “Where are we going?”
He smirks, glancing at me. “It’s a surprise. But it’s a ways away. Do you want to eat now or when we get there?”
“When we get there.” I love watching Logan eat and I’m used to going without food.
“Okay, then you should get some rest.”
It’s a warm day, but he still pulls out a light blanket from the back seat and arranges it over me. It’s seriously the sweetest gesture and stupidly, I tear up.
I turn my face towards the window. People don’t do this sort of stuff for me. I’m the one who takes care of Mom, and Dad, too. He’s like me, forgetting to eat, going days without sleep. I get lost in the shuffle and it’s okay, I completely understand. He’s trying to save Mom’s life.
But…Logan looking out for me, regardless of why he’s doing it— He’ll never know how much it means to me.
So I curl up in the blanket and, regardless of how excited I am to spend every second possible with him, I do as he asks. I fall asleep.
When I wake up, I can’t help my yelp of delight.
“Oh, Logan!” I sit up straight, the blanket falling to my lap.
The beach. He’s taken me to the beach. It’s only three hours away, but I’ve only been once before in my whole life. But then again, this is Logan Wulfe, the man of my dreams, who makes dreams come true.
Ten
Present Day
Logan
Daphne’s tied down and spread out on the table like a sacrifice on an altar. Her body is a gift to the gods, lithe and tight with the perfect amount of curves.
Tonight I’m her god.
She obeyed me so quickly, maybe I should go easy on her for this first trial. Her pussy pouts at me, soft and slick with wanting.
Or maybe she obeyed because she craves this.
I lay a hand on her flat belly and she whimpers. I chuckle, “You need