I am my own grim reaper. Taking the lives of those I love, she repeats in her head.
Avery takes the proffered helmet from Logan’s hand and climbs onto the back of his bike. Her form-fitting pencil skirt slides toward her waist, revealing most of her thighs as she wedges herself onto the seat. She gently reaches around Logan’s body, trying not to awkwardly molest him, but he takes his hands and tightens her arms around his waist. Avery can feel his deep inhale as she presses herself closer to him.
“Ready?” he asks as he revs the engine.
Avery nods, uttering a breathless, “Yep,” and clings tighter as they take off.
Chapter Three
HAVING AVERY’S THIGHS PRESSED against his own and her body tightly resting along his back is one of the best feelings in the world. When she wrapped her arms around his waist, he couldn’t help but hitch his breath on his intake of air. She was either going to be his worst undoing… or his life’s antidote. Logan could already tell she was going to be important. He had this pull toward her that he couldn’t explain, and couldn’t help acting on - even though he knows he shouldn’t. He was no good for her. And from the empty look in her eyes – a look of someone that has been through hell - Logan knew that she was going to be a complication. And he doesn’t need any complications.
But for now, in this moment, he can enjoy her. Hell, any man would enjoy a beautiful woman pressed against him.
Logan takes the road slowly, more cautiously than normal since he isn’t wearing a helmet, and revels in the feel of her body and the rumble of the engine. The bike comes to a stop outside a fifty’s era diner located just off the main road. He dismounts and his hands have a mind of their own because soon he’s grabbing Avery by the waist and lifting her off the bike. It takes all of his strength not to tug her skirt higher on her thighs, exposing more of the soft, pale skin.
They stroll casually into the diner and he waves at Ethel, who’s manning the register behind the counter. After they take their seats, Ethel makes her way over to them and places the laminated menus on the table.
“Hiya, Dr. Chamberlin. How goes it?”
“Fine, Ethel. This is our new medical assistant, Avery. I’m sure you’ll be seeing her around.”
Avery and Ethel exchange greetings before both turn to glance at him.
“I’ll take a water and your loaded big-bubba burger.”
“That sounds great. I’ll have the same,” Avery says.
“How old are you?” Logan asks abruptly, as Ethel turns to walk away.
She is startled from a brief reverie and says, “I’m sorry, what?”
“Just a simple question. I’m trying to get to know our new employee.”
“Oh, I’m twenty-four. You?”
“Twenty-nine. Favorite color?”
“Green.”
“Me too.” He grins. “I know you’re from the same town as Melanie. Did you grow up there?”
She simply shakes her head before taking a sip of water from the cup Ethel placed on the table.
“Outside Atlanta.”
“Any boyfriend, girlfriend, husband?” Logan inquires, trying to get to the nitty-gritty.
A hushed, “No,” escapes between her lips as she continues to stare down into her drink.
“So, what brings you to our small town then?”
At his simple question, she completely shuts down. He can see all signs of life completely drain from her eyes and face… in a word, she looks numb.
“I don’t want to talk about it. And really, can we just finish our burgers then head to the apartment?”
Faking a yawn, she feigns exhaustion as an explanation for her attitude.
Whatever. I don’t need to deal with some girl’s problems anyway. Even if said girl makes me feel things I hadn’t felt in years.