An Act of Redemption (26 page)

As my orgasm continues to tear through me, I vaguely register Logan move to stand behind me. In an effort to have him inside of me as quickly as possible, I push back—seeking him, needing him. I don’t have to wait for long. Gripping my hips firmly, he plunges inside of me with a force that knocks the breath from me.

A groan leaves him as he stills deep inside of me. “We still good, Anna?” he asks, his voice is tight with restraint.

“So good.” I moan, finding it hard to get words past my raw throat. “Please don’t stop, I want everything you have to give me.”

With a growl, his grip strengthens on my hips and he begins fucking me with an intensity that has my knees buckling from his ferocious thrusts. Gripping the sofa, I bite my lip to stifle my screams.

“You feel this, Anna? Do you feel how fucking perfect this is?” he says through clenched teeth. “How could I want anything else when I have this? This is fucking heaven, baby. There isn’t anything or anyone else that could ever come close to it.”

“Logan.” I whimper, his precious words completely contradicting the way he’s possessing my body.

“You are mine! Say it.”

“I’m yours.” I moan softly, obeying the order.

“And I’m yours, baby.”

It’s a statement but I find myself repeating it anyway. “You’re mine.”

“Look at me, Anna.”

I crane my head back to look at him, the air seizing in my chest at the view behind me. Logan’s powerful body is on full display, glistening with sweat. His eyes are wild with lust as he pounds into me, claiming me in a way that can only be described as animalistic. It’s the most beautiful and real thing I’ve ever seen.

The sight has a smile tugging at my lips and it fuels one of his own. “Tell me you love me, baby.”

“I love you,” I say easily, my smile growing bigger.

“Forever.”

“Forever.”

“Good, now come on my cock so I can fill up your tight little pussy with mine.” Lifting my hips, he changes the angle of his powerful thrusts, hitting that hidden spot deep inside of me.

It has me crashing over the edge for a second time and it’s no less intense than the last. “Oh god. I’m coming again.” I scream as ecstasy explodes through every part of my body.

“Fuck, yeah, you are. I can feel it all over my cock, baby.” He groans just before stilling and following along with me into sweet oblivion.

I slump over the sofa completely limp, Logan’s heat blanketing me. I couldn’t move a muscle if I tried. I feel him drag his nose softly along my back before his lips press against my bare shoulder. “My, Anna,” he murmurs softly.

I smile and try to say something back but all I can manage are a bunch of incoherent sounds at the moment. He chuckles, and after another brief kiss to my back he pulls out of me then sweeps me up into his arms.

A noise of disappointment leaves me as he heads to the bathroom. “No shower, only bed.”

“We’ll be quick then I’ll take you to bed.”

“How about a bath instead?” I suggest hopefully, knowing I’m in no shape to stand.

“Baby, there’s no way I’m fitting in the bathtub.”

I lift my head from his shoulder to look at him. “Can we try?” He stares down at me, clearly not wanting to do it. “Please?” I add, summoning up my best smile.

“Fine, we’ll try,” he grumbles.

I give him a triumphant kiss. “Thank you.”

He grunts. “You’re lucky I love you so damn much, I would not climb into a bathtub for just anyone.”

I giggle at his grumbling then decide to start the bath since he stares at it not really knowing what to do. “Do you have any bubble bath?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

His expression is unimpressed. “Do you think I fucking have bubble bath?”

Unable to contain it any longer I burst out laughing. “I’m just teasing. Trust me, you’ll like this. It’s much more relaxing than a shower.”

I climb into the steaming-hot water first then move up so he can get in behind me. It’s a little small for someone his size, okay
really
small, but we manage. “See, easy-peasy,” I say, turning my head back to look at him.

He cocks a brow, clearly not agreeing, but wraps his arms around me and pulls me back against his chest. “It’s definitely much more appealing with you in here.”

With a smile, I relax back against him then grab one of his hands and kiss the inside of his palm before linking our fingers together. We sit in blessed silence and I soak in the intimacy of being like this with him.

He ends up breaking the quiet a few minutes later. “I talked to Janey earlier today.”

“How is she doing?” I ask, realizing I haven’t spoken to her since Logan has been back.

“Good, by the sound of it. She wanted to see me again, but I told her probably not until this is over. She was disappointed and it made me feel like shit, but we are so close to the end of this. I don’t want anything leading back to them, not after what happened with you.”

I nod, completely understanding that. “Don’t feel bad, I’m sure she understands. Once this is over there will be plenty of opportunity to make up for lost time.”

“Yeah, when I’m not making it up with you,” he adds quietly, his arms hugging me closer.

His words have me warming from the inside out; sometimes I wonder how I made it the four years without him. “What about your mom?” I ask softly, hating to break the easy moment.

I feel him subtlety tense. “What about her?”

“Have you spoken to her?”

“No.”

I tread carefully, not wanting to upset him. “Are you going to?”

He’s quiet for a long moment. I start to think he isn’t going to answer but he eventually does. “One day. It’s just…”

“What?” I ask as he trails off.

“I don’t know, Anna. I’m still so pissed off at her and that makes me feel like shit too, because in the end she’s my mom. But I lost out on a lot because of her choices. It’s time I can never get back and it’s hard to swallow the resentment.” The pain in his voice is evident, even though he’s trying to hide it.

Taking his hand, I bring it to my mouth again for a kiss. “I can understand that. I was mad at her too for a long time,” I admit quietly. “Sometimes I still am, but I try to let it go because bitterness is a horrible feeling. It’s okay for you to be upset. You’re completely justified for how you feel because you’re right, you lost a lot from her choices. Just because you’re mad at her doesn’t mean you don’t love her, and I think she knows that, too. You obviously just need more time. One day you’ll be there. Forgiveness won’t happen overnight but you will find it eventually, I know it.”

Silence surrounds us and I start worrying that I overstepped. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything and just listened.

“Sometimes I don’t like how smart you are. You make too much sense.”

My apprehension vanishes and a giggle escapes me. “It’s a gift. I’m hoping this is what will make me a good psychologist.”

He chuckles. “You will make an amazing counselor, baby.”

“So you liked my idea about the clinic?” I ask, wanting his thoughts now that it’s just the two of us.

“Yeah, it’s perfect for you.”

“I hope so,” I say quietly, wanting the opportunity to make that difference. To give back to people like Sarge and the guys who have impacted my life—for people who fight for our country.

“I know so, because if anyone can erase the darkness from someone’s soul it’s you, Anna.”

My heart stalls in my chest, his beautiful words taking my breath away. Sitting up, I turn around and straddle him. His hands possessively grip my hips as I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my forehead on his. “Is that what I do to you?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“Yeah, that’s what you’ve always done for me. That’s why when I tell you no one could ever compare to you, Anna, I’m telling you the truth.”

I smile, knowing the jealousy I was feeling earlier was ridiculous because he’s right. “Nothing could compare to what we have,” I say softly, my lips only a breath away from his.

“Nothing, baby.”

“Forever,” I whisper.

“Forever,” he agrees before sealing his mouth over mine, bringing the same peace to fill my soul as I do his.

Anna

I
’m rushing down the hall to my next class, hating that I’m running late, when Charity comes running out from around the corner, looking frantic and terrified. I stop abruptly and grab onto her shoulders in concern when I see she’s crying. “Charity, are you all right? What’s wrong?”

“No, I’m not. You have to come quick, Anna. I need your help.”

“What happened?”

She tries speaking but sobs hysterically wrack her body, making it hard for her to form words.

“Just calm down and tell me everything. I’ll help you.”

She glances around the hallway as if looking for someone then shakes her head. “Not here. Come with me, quick.” Taking my hand she pulls me behind her, making a beeline for one of the side emergency exits.

I almost trip over my feet trying to keep up with her quick, purposeful strides. “Charity, slow down.”

“I can’t or they’ll find us.”

“Who?” I ask, confused and a little terrified about what’s going on.

“Just trust me, Anna. We have to move now.” We burst through the emergency exit, which leads into a deserted area at the back of the building. She continues to drag me behind her through the field until we turn the corner into an alley where an SUV is parked, not far from campus security.

I’m out of breath by the time she stops. “What the hell is going on?” I ask, bending forward to rest my hands on my knees as I gasp for breath. When she doesn’t answer, I look up to see her tears have stopped and a smile on her face. Unease ripples down my spine. Before I can anticipate it she delivers a blow across my face with the back of her hand, the shock and power of it knocking me back. I trip over something behind me, landing on my butt. My hand covers the sting of her slap as I stare up at her in utter shock.

Malicious laughter barrels out of her; making her look crazy and nothing like the friend I thought I knew. “That was too easy, you are so fucking stupid.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Are you crazy?” I ask, tears welling in my eyes as I try to figure out what’s going on. The sound of a car door opening draws me out of my shock. I look at the SUV behind Charity and see a man I don’t recognize step out, his stance threatening. I quickly realize that I’m in very serious trouble.

Without a second thought I jump to my feet and turn to run in the opposite direction, but I’m yanked back by my hair. “I don’t think so, bitch!”

An angry shriek rips from my throat as I spin around in a swift move Jaxson taught me and slam my fist in Charity’s face. I only manage to clip the side of her chin due to the hold she still has on my hair, but it’s enough to stun her. With a howl of pain she loosens her grip for a fraction of a second. I attempt to make my escape, but before I can get away, big, strong arms grab me from behind. “No! Let go of me!” The guy slams a hand over my mouth to cover my screams and drags me backward to the SUV. I fight with every ounce of strength I possess but it’s not enough. Terror robs me of breath when he hauls me into the back seat with him.

Charity follows in after us and slams the door behind her. “Hurry up, Lewis, what the hell are you waiting for?” she snaps.

Lewis? Logan’s Lewis?

At the familiar name my gaze moves to the driver to see his face battered, guilt swirling in his eyes. Shaking his head, he turns around and puts the SUV in drive.

Charity sends another blow across my face, catching me off guard. “You stupid bitch, that’s for hitting me.” She delivers another one and I’m helpless to do anything but take it since the guy still has his arms locked around mine. “And that’s just because I’ve been dying to take you down a notch. I never bought your sweet little act.”

I grind my teeth against the rage fueling inside of me, wanting nothing more than to hit her back. “You’re going to pay for this.”

“Oh yeah, by who? Your boyfriend?” I remain silent because I don’t need to elaborate, we both know exactly who I’m talking about. She laughs. “You really are so dumb, Anna. Your boyfriend has no idea who he messed with. It’s too bad really, I wanted to fuck him before they got rid of him, but I guess I won’t get that chance now. You’re both going down.”

Oh god, Logan!

Logan

A
s I drive to pick up Anna from school my cellphone rings. I look at the call display before answering and curse when I see it’s Lewis. I knew the call was coming but I was hoping for a few more days of reprieve.

A few more days of getting lost in nothing but Anna.

With a disappointed breath I answer the phone, knowing I can’t put it off, no matter how much I want to. “Yeah, Lewis, what’s up?”

“I need to see you. Can you come to the club? It’s important.”

I tense, the tone of his voice putting me on edge. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s good, but we need to talk in person. I found out some information on what we discussed the other day.”

I glance at the clock to see I have a few minutes to spare. “Yeah, okay, I’m on my way, but I can’t stay long.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

“See you soon.” I hang up and arrive five minutes later at the abandoned building that’s been hosting all of the fights over the last few weeks. Looking around the parking lot, I notice the only vehicle here is Lewis’s souped-up sports car. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, but I still can’t shake this feeling that something is off.

After sending Anna a quick text to let her know I might be late, I lean over and grab the gun I have in the glove compartment. I tuck it in the back of my waistband as I get out of the truck and head inside.

As soon as I walk through the door I can tell something’s wrong. It’s dead quiet and mostly dark. I go to reach for my gun when I hear one cock behind me.

“Not so fast, asshole. Arms up and hands where I can see them,” an unfamiliar voice orders behind me.

My eyes briefly shut and I raise my arms, knowing I have no other choice.