Chapter Twelve
For the second time in a little over a week, Sarah found herself in the hospital. This time, however, it wasn’t just a quick check up before sending her home. Bill had gotten her good, taking a direct hit from a werewolf talon wasn’t something a regular human could spring back from.
Sarah couldn’t remember getting to the hospital or even the first two days. When she awoke, she was staring at the hospital room ceiling. Her side ached with a dull pain and she felt as if someone had taken her head and shaken it around. Her throat was dry and she let out a hoarse croak of surprise.
This got the attention of someone because she suddenly heard a man mumble, “She’s awake.”
To her surprise, Logan’s face came into view. For some reason, Sarah thought he would have skipped town after the fight. But here he was, in the flesh, looking at her with a concerned expression.
“Sarah.” He said. “Wait, here.” He raised a cup of water to her mouth and she gulped it down, realizing just how thirsty she was.
When it was done, she leaned back against the pillows, exhaling slowly, wincing. “God, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
Logan brushed her hair out of her face, cupping her cheek. It was a familiar touch, one that grounded her to the reality of everything that had unfolded recently. Her brain began to catch up with her body, reliving the trek to the crystal pools, the fight, Bill injuring her.
Her hands went to her side, touching it gingerly. “I don’t remember how I got here. I just remember…Bill. He’s…” She trailed off, meeting Logan’s eyes.
He nodded in confirmation. His thumb brushed against her cheek, stirring her feelings back up. “You fainted by the time I got to you. When I saw you, I was terrified. I didn’t know…well, I hurried to get you help as quickly as possible. You had a phone on you. I called for help, got you to the outskirts of the woods in time. It was touch and go for a while. You lost a lot of blood and the cuts were deep. Lots of stiches there.”
“Great.” Sarah replied wryly. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised, should I? I had avoided being injured the whole time. Seems to make sense I wouldn’t be completely lucky each brush with danger.”
Logan cupped her hands, bringing them against his lips, kissing them gently. “Sarah, I didn’t want you to follow me. I was trying to protect you.”
She shook her head. “You don’t get to decide that for me. The whole reason I found you was to be with you, to figure it out together. You can’t just decide to run off like that.”
“But look what happened!” His voice caught. “You could have died. When I saw him strike you…”
“But you were going to die. You know it. He had you pinned by the water. If I hadn’t done something.” She looked at him steadily, refusing to back down. “Even if you don’t admit it, I know what I did. I know that I helped you.”
“You didn’t help me.” Logan replied and her heart fell. “You saved my life. You’re right. He had me pinned. I wasn’t going to break free. Bill was strong and powerful. A tank of a fighter. Once I get cornered, it is a struggle for me. But you ran in there, fearlessly, and distracted him so I could break free. You were like an angel.”
Her face aflame, she mumbled, “Please. I was not.”
“When I saw Bill hit you, I was terrified you were killed. All I wanted in that moment was to get rid of him and make sure you were alright. But of course you pulled through. You always do. Since we met, you have been brave, beyond brave, for someone suddenly thrust into everything.”
“I’m nothing special.”
He squeezed her hands hard, shaking his head. “Don’t say that about yourself, Sarah. You’re the bravest person I have ever met. I used to think Jin was someone special but what I learned about him, what I struggled with, made me realize the man I admired and thought of as family was nothing more than a killer in a pleasing disguise. I never belonged with Liam’s pack either. I have wandered around, struggling to find someone I understood, who understood me…”
He was looking at her now, so intently that Sarah thought her heart might burst. It felt as if he was so close to exposing his soul to her –
The door to the hospital suddenly opened. Millie stood in the doorway, holding a large bouquet of flowers which blocked her face from view. Behind her stood Liam.
“She’s awake.” Liam mumbled to Millie, who came bounding in.
She put the flowers on the table next to Sarah’s bed. “Are you okay? Thank God you are awake. I was so scared!”
The moment broken, Logan’s eyes shuttered and he let go of Sarah’s hands. She wanted to tell him to stay and tell her what he was going to say but not with Millie and Liam here.
“I’m fine.” Sarah said, “Honestly. I think I will be home soon.”
“I’m going to place some of the pack nearby. Bill is gone but he had a couple of helpers. Just in case they get any ideas.” Liam said.
“I doubt it.” Logan replied. “They were cowards. They know if they show up, they’ll be made outcasts. Easier just to skip town without that mark on them.”
Liam shifted uncomfortably, everyone acutely aware that Logan was one. Millie spoke, “In any case, your place will be safe to return to. And you can take all the time you need to recover, Sarah, I mean it. Once you’re fully recovered and doing okay, you can start helping me with the business.”
Logan glanced at her in surprise and Sarah smiled. “That sounds great. Thank you.”
It was a far cry how the first hospital trip had gone where Mary Ann berated her. Alone, disoriented, struggling to understand everything, Sarah had never felt more alone. Now, she had Logan by her side, with Millie and Liam talking and chatting. It felt less like a hospital visit and more like friends talking.
She looked at Logan out of the corner of her eye, hoping to get a better read on him. Even though he was laughing and smiling, it didn’t reach his eyes, and the familiar fear of him skipping town returned.
*
Sarah stayed at the hospital for a couple more days before finally being discharged. She had stiches and pain killers in case the pain ever kicked back up. The doctors also informed her it was more than likely she would be scarred along her side. Great, she had thought, who doesn’t love someone with a giant werewolf scar on their side?
Even with the promise of the scar, Sarah didn’t regret going to the crystal pools. Logan would have died if she hadn’t and the idea of sitting around, doing nothing, and discovering he passed away would have haunted her for the rest of her days.
Millie helped Sarah settle in, fluttering about, talking a mile a minute, to the point where she was getting a headache. She knew her friend was working to make amends – with college, with the werewolves, all of it – but right now, all she wanted was to sleep.
When Millie finally left, Sarah was worried she would fear sleeping at her apartment again. The last time she had been here was when she fought with Logan.
But Sarah was simply too tired to care about being alone. Knowing there were members of Liam’s pack around the area helped as well. She didn’t think anyone would be coming after her but the extra security allowed her to sleep – a dreamless sleep for once.
*
A knock on the door jostled her out of sleep. It sounded far away and it took Sarah a few moments to recall that it wasn’t someone knocking on the hospital door but her own front door. Groggily, she looked at the clock. Somehow, she had slept through the night and well into the afternoon.
Getting out of bed, she relaxed a bit. Her side only ached a little, making it easy to move. Her body had clearly needed the rest. She padded into the living room and opened the front door, not thinking for a second it would be Logan.
But there he was, looking as sheepish as he did on the first day he came to her apartment. And just like that time, Sarah became acutely aware of how she looked like a mess. Face blushing, she invited him inside.
“I just woke up.” She said by way of apology.
“No, I should have called. But I wasn’t sure of your phone number on that burner phone of yours.”
“Oh, I don’t even have it anymore. I tossed it. I was going to get a new proper cellphone tomorrow.” Sarah replied.
He nodded, standing awkwardly in the living room. Sarah suddenly felt grimy and gross, desperately needing a shower, especially now that Logan was here.
She cleared her throat and spoke, “Listen, are you okay waiting as I shower? I just feel disgusting. I tried showering in the hospital but I hate showering in places that aren’t mine.”
“I get it. I’ve been crashing at Liam’s and the shower there takes some getting used to.”
She smiled, glad that he was at Liam’s, not somewhere lost in St. Neuri and darted off to shower. She was anxious to know why he had come by, hoping he wanted to talk to her about them, about those kisses and stolen moments.
After the shower, Sarah took time to look at her stiches in the mirror. It was healing nicely. The pain, once intense and throbbing, was now dull. The wound had softened to a pale pink. The stitches would come out soon. The scar would remain.
Afterwards, she dressed and opened the bedroom door to see Logan hovering in the doorway. Instantly, he looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I got worried that you fainted or something.”
She laughed a little. “Your concern is touching but I just move slowly.”
“How is your side?”
“Better. A lot better, actually. It’s healing faster than I thought it would. I mean, it is no werewolf healing, of course, but I’m glad it is going alright.”
Logan looked relieved. Sarah took a step back, turning around to reach for her hairbrush. Logan took a step into the room, looking around.
“This is cozy. This whole apartment…it feels safe and secure. I like it.”
“It used to be my escape. I liked hiding out in here. I would go to work and hate everything and then come home and watch TV.” Sarah said as she ran the brush through her hair, her back to Logan, feeling acutely aware that he was in her space.
“And now?”
“And now…it doesn’t feel like I need to hide out in here so much. Isn’t that odd? How much can change in such a short time? Even coming back here didn’t feel like I was returning to my safe hideout. It felt like I was just coming to my apartment.” She paused for a moment, shaking her head. “That probably doesn’t even make sense.”
Logan was behind her now, gently taking the brush out of her hand and putting it on the dresser. Sarah’s heart thumped wildly as he moved her hair out of the way and brought his lips to her neck. She closed her eyes, the warmth spreading through her body. His lips trailed down her neck, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her back against him.
She knew they were tumbling off a ledge. The feeling in the air was different, intense, bristling with energy that had been built up. Sarah didn’t hesitate or question anything. She wanted him more than anything else she ever encountered in her life.
He whispered her name and she turned to face him. Their lips met hungrily, a kiss with tongues exploring each other’s mouths, Sarah’s back striking the dresser from the sheer force of it. Clothes began to tumble off. Logan’s jacket hit the ground and then his t-shirt. Sarah could only take a moment to stare at the muscles, running her fingers over them and feeling the heat of his skin. Logan was in perfect shape, muscled and toned like someone Sarah would have seen on magazines.
Her normal self-consciousness about her body didn’t appear, however, as Logan gently pulled off her shirt. Standing in front of him in only her underwear, she felt no urge to hide or cover up. She liked him seeing all of her like this. Grabbing his hand, she led him towards the bed, falling back on it, allowing Logan to drink in the sight of her body.
“You’re beautiful,” He said in a taunt voice as he pulled the belt off his jeans, “Since the first moment I saw you, I thought you were beautiful. Your body, those curves of yours, those gorgeous eyes…”
Sarah’s face flushed with color at his words and seeing him fully undress. He looked at her with unmistakable lust in his eyes as he began to crawl over her. She could feel how hard he was against her thigh. Every nerve in her body was grabbing out for him. It made her head light and dizzy with desire.
His lips found hers once more and he kissed her. They were skin to skin now. Sarah’s heart hammered in her chest as she held onto him.
The kiss broke and Logan was looking into her eyes before speaking, “I love you, Sarah.”
The words rolled through her, shock spreading out, her limbs tingling. Never had Sarah thought that she would hear those words – especially from Logan. She was startled into silence but Logan didn’t notice. He wasn’t yet finished.
“I fell for you instantly. I can’t even explain it. I have never felt that way for someone before. It swept over me like a wave. I was helpless to it. Is it crazy to feel so strongly about you so quickly?” He was slightly rambling now but Sarah wasn’t going to stop him. “Even if it is, I don’t care.” He leaned down and began to leave a trail of kisses along her shoulder, to her neck. “I want you and only you. I want to be with you, Sarah, if you will have me. I want to see where things go with us.” He kissed her gently and looked into her eyes.
She was in no place to refuse him. Not after what they went through together or how her feelings had taken her over so swiftly. Sarah didn’t want him to leave St. Neuri. She wanted him to stay here and be with her. Was there ever any question about the depth of her feelings for him? The way Logan came in so simply and annihilated the careful shielding of her heart?
“I love you too.” Sarah whispered back.
Logan’s eyes widened in surprise and then a smile broke out across his face. He kissed her again, soft and gentle this time, as his hands made sure not to touch her injury. Both knew they would have to go slow and soft this time.
Logan positioned himself at her entrance and then slowly began to enter her. Sarah gasped as he filled her up, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close. He let out a low groan as he entered her. She could feel how large he was, easily the biggest man she had been with and closed her eyes.
Slowly, Logan began to thrust. It was just enough that it gave her pleasure but didn’t hurt her. Each movement was languid as if they had all the time in the world. Sarah gave herself over to him completely, rocking her hips in time with his thrusts.
Logan kissed her neck, her hands traveled down his back, his lips dragged across her shoulders. The slow pace caused the pressure to mount in between her legs. Even though he was a werewolf, even though Sarah had seen the full extent of his power, she felt safe in his arms, knowing he would never hurt her.
As Logan thrust, their breathing grew ragged in unison. For the first time in her life, Sarah felt small pushed against a man. Their skin was pressed together, the sound of his grunts filling the air as he thrust inside her. Sarah’s back arched and she let out a small moan which only seemed to spurn Logan on more.
He was moaning her name now. It sounded good coming out of his mouth. Even though the movements were slow, it was somehow making her feel better than any other sex she had before. She knew that she was close to toppling over the edge, to be with him completely. By the way Logan was breathing, she also thought that he was nearing his climax as well.
“I love you.” He said once more, his voice hoarse in her ear and she clung to him, letting his words wash over her.
“I love you too.” Sarah whispered back.
Her fingernails dug into his back as her head rolled backwards in pleasure. Her climax rolled over her, intense, sweeping her along with it as she bucked her hips wildly against Logan. He went still inside her, groaning loudly as he climaxed as well.
They came in unison, holding onto each other, united at last. Sarah lost herself in the pleasure, the past events melting away. In this moment, there was only Logan – his body against hers, his fingertips along her skin, his moans in her ear. Nothing else mattered. Ever since Sarah saw Logan, her world had been about him. Now, they were together at last.
Afterwards, they laid together in comfortable silence with Sarah resting her head against his chest. She could hear the steady beat of his heart. Trailing her fingers along his chest, marveling at the turn of events, she finally felt relaxed.
“Is your side okay?” Logan asked, breaking the silence, “I tried not to go too hard.”
She smiled against his skin. “I’m fine, promise.”
His fingers were along her back now, slowly trailing along her skin, leaving goosebumps all over. Logan gently placed a kiss on the top of her head. Even though it was the middle of the day, Sarah was already feeling sleepy again and yawned.
“Need to rest?” He asked.
“I don’t want you to go.” She mumbled.
Even though Sarah couldn’t see his face, she could still hear the smile in his voice when he replied with, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise?” She asked. “I don’t want you to feel as though you have to stay here as an outcast or feeling alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have you, don’t I?” Logan replied easily. “I’ll find a place of my own where Liam’s pack activity is the lightest.” He cleared his throat. “Liam is going to help me find a job.”
Surprised, Sarah propped herself up and looked at him. “Really?”
“Yes. Unofficially, of course. But he is going to pull some strings. Get me set up somewhere where I don’t feel like I need to hide out.”
“But how will the pack take it? To see you here?”
“Being an outcast doesn’t mean I have to leave. Just means life might be harder. But with you…I don’t want to run, Sarah.” He said seriously. “I want to stay here with you, the woman I love, and see where this goes. If you would like that.”
“I want that too.” She couldn’t look at him, too shy suddenly to look him in the eye as she spoke, “I know it is crazy how fast everything has unfolded. But I know how I feel about you. How intensely it came over me, how I wanted to be around you and make sure you are okay.”
Logan’s fingers were under her chin, tilting her face up just enough so she had to look at him. His gaze was steady, filled with warmth. “Sarah, I was connected to you instantly. As a werewolf, you never know when things will become too dangerous, when life will be cut short. That’s just part of the life. Living fast, not holding back when emotions slam into you and show you what you want. And I want you. Enough to stay in St. Neuri. Enough to be here with you.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. The kiss was gentle, filled with promise. In that moment, Sarah marveled at just how much had changed. Not only in her life, being with Logan but with work, how she was treated, what she wanted from it.
Strange how everything could change so quickly. But for the first time in Sarah’s life, things were perfect.