Chapter 4

4

Logan

I t had been far too many days since I’d seen the woman that would be mine.

Blythe.

God, just thinking her name had my cock punching forward and the need to be with her riding me hard.

And here I was, pining after a woman who didn’t know me but soon would in every single fucking way.

I messed with the Santa outfit, feeling confined. The damn thing was a 3XL to fit my big body, but shit, it was still too tight over me. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I looked so damn ridiculous.

Fake white beard on. Check.

Stuffing under the velvet red jacket and around my midsection so I looked like the fat fuck. Check.

Red hat with white pom pom on the end, black patent leather belt around my midsection, and shiny faux leather boots on my feet? Triple fucking check.

I looked stupid as hell, but it would make some kids happy, and wasn’t that what this whole shindig was about? Besides, I told myself that as soon as this was all said and done, I was going to go after Blythe.

I’d kept my distance, giving her space, knowing I’d see her at the event—today. There was no deviating from my plan; I’d ask her to dinner, get to know every little thing about her, then make her mine in every primal, physical way I could.

As soon as I stepped into Morton’s, I zeroed in on her. And I hadn’t stopped staring at Blythe until I’d been forced to go change. I knew she felt my gaze. Hell, I wasn’t trying to hide it. It was better she see—feel—how much I wanted her. What was the point of trying to hide it?

I said fuck the cost and headed out, searching her out again and again and again. She wasn’t in the room, so I snapped my head in the direction of the only other door in the room. It was closed, and a low growl left me at the thought of her in that room, locked away from me as she changed. I started to stiffen, a massive erection making itself known.

Not right now, fucker.

I had a semblance of self-control. It wasn’t much, not when it concerned Blythe, but I had to get my shit together and get through tonight. After that, if the fucking third leg hanging between my thighs wanted to stand and salute her, so be it.

And then my thoughts went to the gutter. Images of her on her back in the center of my bed, her hair fanned out on the white sheets, the dark strands standing out in contrast. I’d just stand there and look my fill, taking in every single inch of her. I wondered how her breasts would feel in my palms. How tight would her nipples get for my mouth?

How wet would she be for me? She’d have to be drenched to accept the monster between my legs comfortably. It was a curse and a blessing to have such a big dick, and all these years, I’d been celibate for Blythe. I knew that without a doubt.

Tonight, I’d make her mine. No matter what.

Blythe

Three hours later and the last family was being ushered out of the department store. The staff was busy doing some final touches, and I heard they would finish up cleaning and tearing things down tomorrow before the store opened.

And here I was, very, very aware of the fact that Logan spent any free time he had looking in my direction. Because of the role I played at the event, I had to stand by his side the entire time, a basket of candy canes in my hand, handing one to each child after they were done telling him what they wanted for Christmas.

I was very aware of the feel of his body so close to mine, of his heat penetrating me, how my skin felt tight, how my breathing had been so damn erratic. I tried to play it off like I was fine, adjusting the curly white wig on my head, the red bonnet that sat on top of it. I tried to do everything, focus on anything else that wasn’t him. But that was like trying to not notice a giant elephant stomping through a China store.

I excused myself as I went to the back room to change and get out of this godforsaken outfit. Before I stepped inside, I looked over my shoulder and saw that, yup, Logan was looking right at me. His expression was positively… scorching.

There was this look in his green eyes, one that held a hell of a lot of promise. I wasn’t sure what that promise was, but I knew what I wanted it to be.

After shutting myself in the back room, I busied myself with putting my street clothes on. I hung up the costume and then looked at myself in the mirror. I was dressed like I was in damn Antarctica, but then again, Montana this time of year was frigid. My jeans were form-fitting, tucked into my UGG boots.

My shirt was white cashmere, a present my mother had gotten me last year for the holidays. It certainly wasn’t something I could have ever afforded, so I wore it on special occasions… and I hoped tonight would be a very special occasion.

It was form-fitting, accenting my breasts, making them look a little bigger than they really were. I buttoned up my red peacoat, the wool soft and thick, the color bright like blood when it hits oxygen. I was starting to sweat, but it didn’t have anything to do with my layers and everything to do with the arousal pumping through my veins.

I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I’d been on this perpetual ledge of arousal ever since my first meeting with Logan. And that had been how long ago? It seemed equal parts a lifetime ago and just the other day. I closed my eyes and breathed out slowly, trying to catch my breath, failing miserably.

I exhaled, feeling weak and far too shy, because I knew I couldn't make the first move where Logan was concerned. I resolved myself that tonight I was going to stop by the grocery store, grab a big bottle of wine, a tub of ice cream, take a scolding hot bubble bath, and pout about why I didn’t just go for it with Logan.

He might watch me, and I definitely felt sexual, attracted vibes coming from him, but I was far too scared to be the “aggressor.”

A bubble bath and getting drunk wasn’t what I particularly wanted to do tonight. What I really wanted to do was the man outside currently dressed as Santa. But I wasn’t going to let my thoughts go that way. Nope. Negative. Hard pass. Although it seemed my body had other plans as sexual thoughts of him slammed through me.

I felt my body warm, soften. My nipples tingled, my pussy wet. My body prepared itself for what was most definitely not going to happen—not tonight, at least.

I moved away from the mirror and headed toward the door to leave, telling myself I’d make a beeline right to the front door and leave without one backward glance. I didn’t want to be trapped in his stare again, snared by the ferocious look in his eyes or the heat from his big, powerful body.

I focused on the ground, people milling all around, a holiday song softly playing overhead, my mind and body at war about leaving because I knew Logan was here. I was thankful I’d opted to take an Uber to the department store, not wanting to deal with the crowd and the steady snow falling since this morning. My mind was so wrapped up in Logan that I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on driving if I’d taken my own car to Morton’s.

And then my body was stopped, the massive chest in front of me like a wall of solid rock.

I gasped and stumbled back, my feet twisting out from under me. I knew I was falling, that the ground would come up fast, embarrassment the main worry I had. But then I felt strong hands grip my waist and steady me. I was being lifted up like I weighed nothing. On instinct, my hands landed on the chest, my fingers curling into the hardness. God, it was like iron under my nails.

I knew it was Logan before even lifting my gaze to his face. I smelled his cologne, or maybe it was just his natural scent. Either way, it made me feel drunk with need and want. I was dizzy, excited, so breathless that when I did lift my focus to his eyes, I couldn’t catch my breath.

And then I was looking into a pair of deep-green eyes. My breath faltered.

I’ve been looking for you.

I’ve been thinking about you.

So much. So, so much.

I want you.

Thank God I was with it enough not to blab that out loud.

I took a step back and inhaled deeply, trying to find my center, trying not to look like I was totally aroused right now. Which I was, but that was beside the point.

“Hey,” he said, and I shivered—yeah… actually freaking shivered at the way his voice moved over my body.

“Hi.” I lifted my hand in a wave and promptly clenched my jaw and closed my eyes as I instantly felt like an idiot. When I opened my eyes again, I felt how hot my cheeks were, but it wasn’t my embarrassment that had my breath stalling. It was the way he looked at me.

So. Intently.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he said and then exhaled, as if he’d been holding his breath this whole time.

My eyes went wide, my eyebrows no doubt practically up to my hairline. That certainly wasn’t what I expected him to say.

“Shit,” he grumbled and looked down at the ground. “I didn’t mean to just spit that out like that.” Logan lifted his head, his eyes locking on mine once more. “But it’s the truth. Ever since I saw you that first time, you’re all I can think about, Blythe.”

My heart was beating so hard it was actually painful. And there was no way I could form a coherent response in this moment.

He took a step back, and maybe I should have retreated, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I wanted Logan crowding the hell out of me. I had to tip my head back to keep looking into his face, this severe sincerity in his expression.

This was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Heck, this was like nothing I had ever envisioned before. Here was this massively large man, all male, his masculinity pouring from him until I couldn’t breathe in the best way, and he was telling me he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about me.

All I wanted to do was throw myself into his arms, and how fucking insane was that? But the need was so strong I actually felt myself take a step closer, as if I was actually going to press my body against his, as if I would soon be able to feel all that male hardness pressed to me.

“Let me take you out.”

His words had my body going tight, shock taking the front seat to my arousal.

He stared right in my eyes. “Let me spend time with you, Blythe.”

The way he said my name made me feel so... good. I still wanted to be naked with him, be sweaty and panting and moaning all the obscenities that came from taking a man such as him deep into my body. But I could be a lady, at least pretend to be right now. There was plenty of time for me to be horizontal with Logan.

But on the heels of that thought, I knew that's not all I wanted. He confused me simply because he had these emotions churning in me the likes of which were foreign. It not only confused me, but it trapped me deeply, and I didn’t want to get free.

I licked my lips and continued to hold his very green stare, as I said softly, “Okay. I’d like that.”