Page 83 of Hearts Storm

thirty-five

Stunned, I stare blindly into space, lips still tingling from Logan’s kiss, body still aching for his touch.

“Damn it,” I whisper-shout, pressing my fingers to my swollen lips.

That dark and broody man has got me all twisted up. One minute he’s kissing me like I’m the oxygen he needs to breathe, the next he’s storming out the door. All because Brex asked me to the gala first.

Snatching up my coffee, I take a long sip, willing my racing heart to calm. But the cinnamon in it reminds me of the taste of his kiss.

Exasperated, I groan.

What I really need is something to take my mind off this mess I’ve created. But right now I’ve got a doctor’s appointment to get to. After that, I can thankfully sweat it out with my pole dancing class.

Two hours later, elated to be cleared for work on Monday, I’m in my truck heading to Summit Studio. Teaching always clears my head, helps me focus, tuning everything else out. Tune out a life that, over the past few weeks, has somehow gotten turned upside down.

An hour after that, sweaty and exhausted, I feel more centered than I have in days. Nothing like helping women discover their strength and confidence to remind me of my own.

I lock up the studio and head down the sidewalk to my truck. The evening air is brisk against my face, a light jacket keeping my damp upper body warm.

Settling into the driver’s seat, I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts until I find Brex’s number. Before I can talk myself out of it, I press call.

The phone rings three times before he answers, the loud, distinct noise of a crowded bar blaring in the background.

“Hey, Pretty. Everything okay?” His voice is deep, sexy, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?”

“This is the first time you’ve called me,” he says, surprise lacing the grin in his tone. “Hold on, let me get away from all this noise.”

The dissonance slowly starts to fade as he moves into a quieter area.

“Your doctor’s appointment was today, right?”

“Yes. I’m clear.”

“That’s great! I knew everything was going to work out.”

“Where are you?” Putting the phone on speaker, my engine rumbles to life.

“Portland, with my brothers.” His voice is clearer now, a deep rumble making my toes curl inside my tennis shoes.

“How’s Dex doing?”

“Could be better,” Brex sighs. “His lawyer up and quit on him, and now he’s having a hard time finding another to represent him.”

It takes less than a second for me to come up with a resolution. “My best friend, Ari, is a defense attorney. She just passed the bar last year. I could talk to her. Or, I could send you her info, and he can reach out to her on his own time.”

“Wow. That would be awesome. I’ll talk to him first. See if he’s interested.” His low rasp glides smoothly over my skin, causing sweat to bead on my upper lip. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”

Clit pulsing, I skirt around his question and blurt, “Logan came over this morning. He apologized for being a dick. His words, by the way.”

“Good. And?”

“He kissed me, then asked me to be his date for the gala.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Right? He wasn’t too happy when I told him you’d already asked, and that I’d said yes.”