“Need to know?” My voice shot up an octave. “Is that some new rule your arrogant ass created just to piss me off?” My words were explosive as I stepped into him. Despite his towering height, I felt anything but intimidated. “Well, then let me make myself very clear when I say you did not need to know Hilary’s secret. But me? I did deserve to know that you were paying guards to beat the crap out of Kurt—especially considering the reason he attacked me was because of it!”

I blanched the moment the words rolled off my tongue, and his eyes flashed. No longer were they bright blue, but almost black as his pupils dilated.

My body went slack on a heavy sigh, no longer able to hold the pressure of my defensive stance. “I didn’t mean you’re to blame, just…”

My attempt to backtrack faded as I watched Logan’s lips part, his expression shifting to almost impassive. Any spark of concern that’d leaked through his features was now gone, leaving no signs of regret. And the longer he remained silent, the more loudly the truth rang between us. The allegation of the guards was true.

“I didn’t pay them,” Logan said roughly.

I needed more. “But—”

“Kurt had to be punished for hurting you that night outside Haven. I called in a favor. That was all.”

“A favor?” I whispered. “From a guard?”

“Yes.” He reached for me again, but I scooted around him and across the room, in need of air. “I never considered it a secret from you, Cassandra. He hurt you that night, and—”

“What about the other day?” I interrupted.

“When?”

“You were having lunch with those two guards. Why?” My voice trembled. I was afraid of his reply.

He shook his head. “I didn’t ask them to touch Kurt. I swear to you. I just wanted them to help me get on the visitors’ list.”

“You want to go see him!?” I blew out, outraged.

Logan advanced toward me. “I needed him to know, to fully understand, that if he ever comes near you again, I will kill him.”

I blinked, tears brimming in my eyes at the wrath radiating off him. “He can’t hurt me. He’s locked up.”

“For now. But one day, he’ll get out, and I don’t ever want you worried about him coming for you again.” His thumb grazed my jaw gently. “I’ll always protect you with everything I have, Cassandra. I’ll fight dirty if I have to, and I’ll never apologize for it.”

“Logan…” I murmured, closing my eyes as I sagged against him.

“When it comes to your safety…I may not always be upfront with you if I think it will protect you not to be, but I’ll never lie to you.”

What did that mean? He’d lie by omission? It wasn’t how I preferred communication to work in our relationship, but for the moment, I’d let the subject drop. We’d tackle that issue when I wasn’t on a timeline for work, because something told me it wouldn’t be an easy battle.

His arms encased me, drawing me in, palms splayed flat against my backside. “You have to trust me.”

“Ditto,” I whispered, resting my head against his hard chest. He smelled like my Logan: of soap, mint, and virility.

There was a moment of silence before he spoke again. “I’m sorry. Natasha’s been under my skin; I want her gone, and adding the Caleb and Hilary shit just overloaded me. I should have never allowed you to walk out yesterday. That was my fuckup, but Caleb and I had some things to finish up before he could leave.” He tilted my chin up with his fingertip. “I spent the night regretting not stopping you. Never again. Forgive me.”

I smiled, moistening my lips. “You know I do. I love you. Just tell me one thing.”

“Anything.” He was already pressing his lips to my cheek, peppering kisses down toward my neck.

“Can I bitch slap Natasha the next time I see her?”

He pulled back, his brows lifting in amusement. “Bitch slap?”

“You heard me.” I grinned, biting my bottom lip to contain my giggle.

“I love it when your gorgeous mouth surprises me. Such a naughty little angel.”

“She was pissed, and you know why,” I said, still smiling as I thought about the enormous painting hanging above his fireplace.

“Yes, I imagine I do, but I don’t care. I hung that canvas hoping to surprise you when we woke. Never imagined the day would take such a dreadful turn.”

My hands slipped up to the collar of his shirt and tugged him forward. “It’s beautiful. Massive and extremely unexpected, but by far the best piece of art I’ve ever seen.”

“Just you wait. There will be plenty more.” A smirk appeared on his lips.

“When did you paint it?” I asked, intrigued.

“Back in the fall. I was at the window of my office watching you with Oliver and couldn’t help myself. I snapped a picture and spent that week working on it after Oliver went to bed. I was afraid if he saw it, he’d tell you, and the last thing I wanted to do was freak you out.”

My laughter bubbled up. “Since when did you care about freaking me out, Mr. Invite Me to Join you for a Threesome?”

His hands slipped behind my neck as his mouth slanted over mine.

“Hm, good point.”

He took control of the kiss as I parted my lips, feeling his tongue sink inside my mouth, caressing and stroking the contours of my own. My fingers dug into his arms, and I felt addicted to his embrace, savoring the decadent growl he released.

He tasted of lust, sex, love—everything I’d ever need to survive. My fingers sank into his hair and my body fell flush against his, begging for more.

My brain somehow found its way back from the fog, and with one annoying glance at the clock, I was reminded that there was no time.

“I need to get dressed. I can’t be late,” I said, breaking the kiss before it led to something I knew neither of us would be able to stop.

He released me reluctantly and stared down at his cock, which strained against the designer fabric of his trousers.

I stroked my hand over him and grinned. “If I wasn’t in a hurry, I’d surprise you with my mouth again.”

His thumb traced my lip. “Tonight, I expect to enjoy just that.”

“We’ll see how good you are till then,” I teased.

He grinned, totally relaxed—the polar opposite from how he’d looked when he’d arrived. “I have to get Oliver ready for school.” He stole another nip at my lips as his hands explored down my back and over my ass, squeezing. “You want me to give you a ride there?”

“I do love the rides you take me on,” I murmured against his skin, my lips skating over the scruff of his jaw as my arousal began to boil. Someone needed to stop us. He was an addiction.

“Tonight, I’m all yours.” He placed one more kiss to my forehead, then strode to the doorway. “And if you hear from Hilary, let Caleb know. The man’s a mess. He’d make a damn good father. It’s a shame she didn’t have more faith in him and their relationship.”

“I’ve been trying to reach her, but she’s not answering,” I explained, sobering.

The tightness in Logan’s features returned when he turned to face me. “Caleb flew to her aunt’s house last night. She’ll be sorry when he finds her—and trust me, he will find her.”