Page 17

“What?” His brows slam down. “No, I… Warm metal. It helps stop the itching.”

“That sounds like a bunch of bullshit.”

“It works,” he says softly, studying my face. “I can do it for you.”

My heart leaps, but I ignore it, shaking my head as I step around him. “No, thank you.”

“Salem, let me help.”

“I’m fine.”

His hand gently catches my elbow. “No, you’re miserable. Let me help. Please.”

That whispered plea has me pausing, but instinct makes me hesitate. The urge to take his offer battles with the impulse to prove that I don't need anyone. “I can do it myself.”

Logan exhales slowly through his nose as he rubs his temple. “You won't be able to get the ones on your back. Just sit down.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he just looks at me calmly. Patiently. It’s infuriating. I hate this. I hate how easily he still slides into this space with me like he never left it.

But my back is on fire. It's either this or rub against a tree like a bear. Taylor and Christian would never let me live it down.

“Fine.” With a frustrated sigh, I drop onto the bench and peel off my shirt, thankful that I took my necklace off this morning. “This better fucking work.”

“You'll feel better, I promise.”

He turns on the sink to fill a mug with hot water before sliding behind me on the bench.

His thighs encompass my hips, the warmth from his body radiating through me. I'm so stiff that my muscles scream. It's been over a year since we've touched each other.

When his fingertips lightly trace the edges of my sports bra, I bite my tongue to keep from shivering under his touch.

“This should probably come off too,” he says mildly, thumbs slipping beneath the band. “You’ve got bites under here.”

“Whatever.” Lifting my arms, I let him pull it off, the cool air instantly pebbling my nipples. I have to fight the urge to cross my arms and shield myself. I've never been shy about my body, but being vulnerable around him again puts me on edge.

And fuck, the way my stomach clenches when he gently sweeps my hair over my shoulder tells me that I'm in serious fucking danger.

“This is going to feel warm,” he murmurs, his breath on my neck when he presses the spoon to my skin. The shiver I'd been holding back rolls over me. “Too hot?”

“No,” I rasp, shaking my head. “How did you know about this little trick, anyway?”

He drags the spoon to another bite. “My maternal grandmother. She was kind of eccentric.”

“You never mentioned your mother's side of the family before.”

There's a lengthy silence, only the sound of his shaky breath before he speaks again. “We never saw her much. She didn't hold the same values Dad did, so…”

I scoff, twitching when the warm metal raises goosebumps on my flesh. “God forbid anyone thinks differently than your dear old dad.”

Logan says nothing, only dips the spoon into the water before returning it to my back. When it becomes clear he has no plans on responding, I glance over my shoulder to catch his attention. “What’s going on between you and Devon?”

He freezes, something visceral flashing in his eyes before they shutter. “Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me. You're a shit liar.”

“He fucked my wife,” Logan snaps suddenly, surprising me by the force of it. “You want me to be all cool with him after that?”

I reel back, attempting to scoot away from him, but he holds onto my waist tightly. “I'm not your fucking wife, Logan.”