...The bedroom door slammed against the wall. “Kayla, are you okay?”
Logan’s booming voice filled the room and swept over her. Afraid to move from the bed, not remembering what was beside it, she held out her hands to him. His voice became a lifeline in the midst of the storm that surrounded her. Strong arms gathered her into them. The smell of Logan’s cologne enveloped her and created an island of safety. The trembling in her body subsided. “Now I am.”
“What’s wrong?”
Kayla folded herself deeper into his arms. It was so safe here, even though he had created the chaos that surrounded her. She wanted to stay in his arms where the world was solid. “A bad dream. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You screamed.”
“I know. I woke myself. Someone was about to grab me.”
“Who?”
Kayla trembled and breathed in deeply. Who had been after her? The man with the heavy boots. The boots like Logan’s. However he didn’t smell like Logan. “Someone who wears work boots like yours.”
“It wasn’t me, was it?”
“No. The man from the mugging. He wore boots that sounded like yours.”
Logan pushed her away from him. “I didn’t mug you.”
“I know you didn’t. He smelled different and didn’t have a bandage on his hand.” She put her arms around him to pull him close. “You still have the bandage?”
He pressed his hand against her cheek. “It’s still here.”
“I knew that.” She nestled into him, knowing she was acting silly. She didn’t need someone to protect her, but she held onto him tighter. For a few moments she’d draw on his strength. She might not need him, but she wanted him. She wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to forget everything else that had happened and think only of Logan holding her. And kissing her.
“You want some coffee? I’ll make some if you don’t want to go back to sleep.”
“No, thanks. Stay a moment more and I’ll be fine. It’s that this is a strange place and I got disoriented. I couldn’t remember where I was.” She tightened her arms around him, fearing he’d release her, fearing the terror from the dream would return. “Hold me until the nightmare fades.”
He shifted and his lips touched hers. As they lingered, the heat intensified against her mouth. Sparks ran through her body and collided in her center, turning her insides liquid. Pulling away, he nibbled at her neck and ear, his warm breath caressing her. His hand massaged down her back and across her hips.
“God, you’re beautiful.” His whisper stroked her ear.
She touched his face. Letting her fingers trace the curve of his cheek, she stopped at his lips and he nibbled at her fingers.
“Kiss me.” His voice begged.
She turned her lips toward the sound of his voice. Heat seared into her as his lips took hers. Shivering, she pressed herself against him, letting the kiss push away the nightmare...