I cannot believe I agreed to this. Just as he said, Kacen drove me to my apartment so we could survey the damage and pack up what I would need for the next week or so. Our kitchen ceiling is pretty much on the floor. I just left it as it was. There were a few picture frames on the counters that I didn’t want to get ruined, everything else was either already ruined or could be replaced.
So here I am, in my room at Kacen’s. I followed him up the steps as he led me to the room across from his. “Make yourself at home, Logan. If there’s anything you need, let me know,” he says as he sets my luggage on the bed. “I’ll leave you to unpack.”
He was out the door before I even had a chance to thank him. There seems to be some tension between us today. Then again, maybe it’s just me. I can still feel his arms around me.
I unpack my two suitcases and decide to call Stacy to let her know what’s going on. Her cell goes to voicemail so I leave her a message. “Hey, Stace! There was a leak in the apartment above ours. Our kitchen is pretty much destroyed. I’m staying at Kacen’s until it’s repaired. He said you are welcome here as well. When you get home, call me. We can pick up what you need from the house. Call me.”
There’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call out.
Cole opens the door and sticks his head in. “Hey, we’re going down to the basement to start writing. You want to come sit with us?” he asks.
“I don’t want to be in the way.”
“Trust me, you will not be in the way. Besides, my boy seems a little distracted, not sure he’ll be worth a shit knowing you’re upstairs,” he admits.
“I’m always upstairs when you’re writing,” I remind him.
He nods. “Yeah, you are, but that’s during the day. Now you’re here sleeping in his house.”
“I’m not sure how that makes a difference. I can go to a hotel if that will help.” Panic starts to rise. I thought they wanted me here.
“Fuck no! You are not going to a hotel. Listen, he wants you here; we all do. It would be nice for you to come downstairs and join us.”
I nod that I heard him. He taps twice on the door before softly closing it behind him. I think about what he said. Why would Kacen not be able to concentrate? Is he worried about me being here in his house? Why did he offer for me to stay if that’s the case? Gah! I’m such an idiot. Why did I agree to stay here? He’s my boss, nothing more. But he’s sexy and sometimes when he looks at me, I can’t think clearly.
Damn hormones!
I pull up hotels on my phone and call to make a reservation for the night. I’ll figure out which one I can stay at long-term tomorrow. Right now, I just want to get out of here. I quickly re-pack everything I just finished unpacking, grab my purse and my phone, and open the bedroom door. Kacen is there with his arm raised as if he was getting ready to knock.
He smiles as he looks down at me. I can tell the minute he sees my suitcases. “What the fuck, Logan? Where are you going?” he demands.
I square my shoulders and lock my eyes on his. “To a hotel.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing, I just don’t want to be in the way here. I’m your employee. I should not be staying here.”
Kacen places his hand on my shoulder and gently guides me back into the room, shutting the door behind him. He keeps walking until the back of my legs hit the bed, gently pushing me to sit down on the edge. With his index finger, he raises my chin to meet his eyes. “Logan, we both know you are more than just my employee. We don’t talk about it, but it’s there.” He tucks a stand of hair behind my ear. “I feel it just as strongly as I did then, standing on the beach the first time I lay eyes on you.”
I nod. He’s right. There is something more, and neither one of us has acted on it.
“I want you here. Hell, you’re practically a part of the band.” His blue irises study me. “What changed your mind?” he asks softly. Almost as if he’s afraid to hear the answer.
“Cole asked me to come down while you all write tonight.” He nods and smiles.
“Yeah, you should.”
“He also said you would be too distracted if I was up here while you all were trying to work.”
“Hmmm. He’s right, you know. I would be distracted.”
My chest is tight from his admission. I try to stand, and his hands come to my shoulders and push so that I continue to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Logan.” He says my name reverently. “Although Cole was looking out for me, he should have explained himself a little better. I would be distracted. Not because you are in my house, or upstairs alone, but because anytime you are anywhere near me, I want to be right next to you. Do you not wonder why, if we write during the day, it’s upstairs most of the time? Do you not wonder why I’m always the only one awake when you get here each day? I want to be wherever you are.”
I suck in a breath. Did I hear him right? He wants to be near me?
“So, please, Logan, please stay here. I want you here.” He reaches down and laces his fingers through mine. “Come downstairs with me, hang out with us while we work.” Leaning down, placing his lips next to my ear, he whispers, “Please.”
How do I say no to that? I nod my agreement. “Okay,” I say softly.
I feel the feather-light press of his lips against my temple, and then he’s gone, lifting my suitcases onto the bed. “Let’s get you unpacked.”
I place my hand on top of the case he’s about to open. “I can do it.”
“Okay, but it needs to be done before we head downstairs. I’ll wait in the hall for you.” He looks from me to the bags then turns and walks out the door.
Holy shit!