LOGINI had a perfect view of everything through the glass.
Jax and the lady were standing in the middle of the playroom, with the old toys lined up on the shelves behind them. There was a small table nearby, and a dated rug covered the floor under their feet.She looked around the room with a curious and playful expression, and her lips curved into a smile."So what did you want to show me?" she asked as she stepped closer to him."You."He pulled her cWhen I left the boutique, it was almost 2:30. I could feel the nervous energy building in my chest, that pre-outing anxiety, and I don’t know why exactly I’m feeling it right now.We were together yesterday, and I didn’t even feel like this then. The last time i could remember feeling something like this was the first time we both went on a proper date, that was first time we were at La Vie en Rose, and I'd been nervous then too but for different reasons. That had been early in all of this. I mean, yes there was this whole thing with Jax, but it hasn’t imploded and rebuilt itself into something new and complicated and impossible.This time, it felt different. There’s much higher stakes, somehow. Like tonight actually mattered in a way that every other didn’t, or maybe the curiosity drive for what he’s planning is what’s aggravating what’s already there.I drove home slowly, taking the long way, letting the music from my carefully curated "Feelings" playlist fill the car. By the time I
I watched movies, took a very long nap and woke up once again.I couldn't stay in my room. I can't just sit here staring at the clock and spiraling. I needed... something. I need a distraction, and activity, just something, anything.I did my makeup. I kept it simple and natural. I used tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, a little bronzer, mascara, nude lip gloss. My hair was really cooperating with everything I was up to. It fell in loose waves that looked intentionally casual even though I've been sitting with it for over twenty minutes with the curling iron to achieve the effect.By the time I was done, it was only noon. Five fucking hours until Miles picked me up. What the hell was I supposed to do until then?I grabbed my phone and texted my mom: "I'm going out for a bit. I will be back by 4:30 to get ready. I'm gonna be out for a while in the evening too."Her response was immediate: "Okay honey." The reply was surprising, or more like it made it obvious that she's busy bu
The sunlight streaming through my curtains was the first thing that made me realize I'd slept and woken up, then my entire body that's screaming in protest.For a confused, painful moment, I couldn't figure out why every single muscle felt like it had been run over by a truck. Then yesterday's gym session came flooding back, the squats, the deadlifts, the absolutely stupid amount of weight I'd loaded onto every machine in a desperate attempt to burn off my rage at literally everyone, and I groaned into my pillow.Then I remembered my time out with Miles, and to an extent I told myself that it was all worth it, even as my quads seized up when I tried to straighten my legs. It's totally fucking worth it.My phone said the time was 9:47 AM, and if it had lied to me before I wouldn't believe it cause that means I'd slept almost eleven hours.I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept that long. My body had apparently decided that after the physical and emotional punishment of the last fe
"Because I'm into you, Scarlett... Like I really like you. And I want to keep doing this, taking you out, getting to know you better, trying to decide where this goes. But I need to know if what that meant was that I'm with someone else. If your heart's somewhere else while you're sitting here with me. You know... that's just it"The honesty in his voice was devastating. He deserved the truth. Or as much of it as I could give."It's complicated," I said carefully. "There was... someone. Kinda like... like something." I started stuttering, and almost visible." But... but... i'm trying to figure out if it was real or if it was just the situation that made it feel that way.""And that's what this is?" He gestured between us. "Figuring it out?""Partly," I admitted. "But also because I genuinely like spending time with you. That's not a lie or a test. This right now.... it's real."He was quiet for a moment, processing. Then he looked up and
The wine was good, and even though the food was coming soon, I was anticipating some absolutely excellent meals. Miles was being charming and attentive and everything a girl could want on a date.And I was trying. Really fucking trying."So tell me about Chicago," I said, taking another sip of my wine. "How was the business stuff with your dad? You know that's exactly what you said when you were talking on the phone. Business stuff"Miles made a face. "Boring as hell, honestly. A lot of people sitting in conference rooms listening to all of them talk about contracts, liability clauses and all of that. But it was good for him to have me there. He's been trying to get me more involved in how the family business works, and it's really cool I'm not gonna lie.""Is that what you want?" I asked. "The whole corporate lawyer thing?"He considered that, swirling his wine. "I don't know. It's good money, a stable career, makes my old man happy, and probably makes me chill cause of the money and
Jax.He was in the hallway. Of fucking course he was.He looked like he'd just gotten out of the shower himself. His hair was still damp, and he was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt that clung to his chest in a way that made my mouth go dry despite everything.He stopped dead when he saw me, and his eyes traveled from my face down to my dress and back up again, and something flickered across his expression. It was too fast for me to identify."You look..." He stopped, jaw clenching. "Nice.""Thanks," I said stiffly, moving past him toward the stairs, and keeping my composure while my heart was hammering very hard, and I hated that just seeing him affected me this much. I hated that part of me wanted to turn around and ask him to tell me not to go, even though I knew he wouldn't. He'd made that abundantly clear last night, and even me, I must go to where I'm headed."Scarlett." His voice stopped me halfway to the stairs.
I was lying on my back, staring at the dark ceiling like it owed me answers, when I heard his door open. Then footsteps, conversation and giggles. They both walk themselves into his room and almost immediately, his door shut again. My whole body went rigid under the sheets. Not fucking tonight.
I woke up on the cold gym bench that I'd rested, and slept off on hours ago.Alone.I don't even how I didn't remember to go back into my fucking room. The harsh and very bright overhead lights were still on, throwing back my reflection at me from every mirror like it's a f
I was still bent over the weight bench, with my twisted leggings, and my fingers were slick between my thighs, when I heard the footsteps. My blood turned to ice. I scrambled up immediately, and began yanking my leggings back into place with my shaking hands, then wipe my face with the hem of m
It's been four days since the photoshoot and I still couldn't bring myself touch myself even though I was so fucking needy.The whole house was quiet, and about past Seven, the low growl of the engine cut through the quiet house like a fucking grenade.My entire body froze immed







