Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,269

need.”

“If you don’t mind, I can borrow a vehicle and go myself. I know you have things to do.”

“I’m actually still tired, heading back to bed. You all good with writing a little later?” Tristan asks.

He just redeemed himself.

“You don’t need to be packing all that shit by yourself.” I realize my words sound harsh. “Logan, let me help you. I want to. Trust me, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t offer.”

“Thank you,” she says, a slight blush crossing her cheeks. I want to grab her face in my hands and kiss the hell out of her. Instead, I just nod and stand to get rid of the trash.

I want her here, but now I have to worry about how I’m going to keep my damn hands off her while she is.

Chapter 21

Logan

I cannot believe I agreed to this. Just as he said, Kacen drove me to my apartment so we could survey the damage and pack up what I would need for the next week or so. Our kitchen ceiling is pretty much on the floor. I just left it as it was. There were a few picture frames on the counters that I didn’t want to get ruined, everything else was either already ruined or could be replaced.

So here I am, in my room at Kacen’s. I followed him up the steps as he led me to the room across from his. “Make yourself at home, Logan. If there’s anything you need, let me know,” he says as he sets my luggage on the bed. “I’ll leave you to unpack.”

He was out the door before I even had a chance to thank him. There seems to be some tension between us today. Then again, maybe it’s just me. I can still feel his arms around me.

I unpack my two suitcases and decide to call Stacy to let her know what’s going on. Her cell goes to voicemail so I leave her a message. “Hey, Stace! There was a leak in the apartment above ours. Our kitchen is pretty much destroyed. I’m staying at Kacen’s until it’s repaired. He said you are welcome here as well. When you get home, call me. We can pick up what you need from the house. Call me.”

There’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call out.

Cole opens the door and sticks his head in. “Hey, we’re going down to the basement to start writing. You want to come sit with us?” he asks.

“I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Trust me, you will not be in the way. Besides, my boy seems a little distracted, not sure he’ll be worth a shit knowing you’re upstairs,” he admits.

“I’m always upstairs when you’re writing,” I remind him.

He nods. “Yeah, you are, but that’s during the day. Now you’re here sleeping in his house.”

“I’m not sure how that makes a difference. I can go to a hotel if that will help.” Panic starts to rise. I thought they wanted me here.

“Fuck no! You are not going to a hotel. Listen, he wants you here; we all do. It would be nice for you to come downstairs and join us.”

I nod that I heard him. He taps twice on the door before softly closing it behind him. I think about what he said. Why would Kacen not be able to concentrate? Is he worried about me being here in his house? Why did he offer for me to stay if that’s the case? Gah! I’m such an idiot. Why did I agree to stay here? He’s my boss, nothing more. But he’s sexy and sometimes when he looks at me, I can’t think clearly.

Damn hormones!

I pull up hotels on my phone and call to make a reservation for the night. I’ll figure out which one I can stay at long-term tomorrow. Right now, I just want to get out of here. I quickly re-pack everything I just finished unpacking, grab my purse and my phone, and open the bedroom door. Kacen is there with his arm raised as if he was getting ready to knock.

He smiles as he looks down at me. I can tell the minute he sees my suitcases. “What the fuck, Logan? Where are you going?” he demands.

I square my shoulders and lock my eyes on his. “To a hotel.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing, I just don’t want to be in the way here. I’m your employee. I should not be staying here.”

Kacen places his hand on my shoulder and gently guides me back into the