Royally Endowed(14)

“Ellie—”

But I’m already turning, skipping the elevator and heading right for the stairs, trying to appear dignified while bleaching the image of Logan touching that woman from my mind.

“Later, Logan.”

“Fuck . . .”

And the sound of the slamming door chases me down the stairwell.

Out on the street, the air is humid and the cars are loud, honking. It’s after eleven p.m., so the sidewalk isn’t too crowded, but it’s busy enough that I should be able to give Logan the slip if he tries to follow me.

Or I would be . . . if I were dealing with an average guy.

“Ellie! Hold up!”

There’s nothing average about Logan St. James.

I make it one block before he’s standing right in front of me, blocking my way. He’s got a shirt on, but it’s only half-buttoned.

“Why’d you run away so fast?”

I shrug, tapping a quick beat against my outer thighs. “You know how it is—places to go, people to see.”

Logan bends his neck forward, lowering his head, catching my eyes and holding on tight.

“Why’d you come here? Tell me the truth.”

“It’s not a big deal . . .” I sigh, feeling small and stupid.

“Tell me anyway.”

I look down at the cracked sidewalk. “Remember the other day, that last exam I was studying for?”

He snorts. “Yeah—physics, wasn’t it?”

“I got my grade back.” I slip the paper out of my pocket, holding it up. “I aced it.”

And for the first time, I say out loud, “I’m valedictorian.”

Logan gazes at the paper for a long moment. And when he takes it, I feel the brush of his finger against mine.

“Look at that,” he says with awe. “That’s brilliant. Smart girl.” His large hand moves to my shoulder, squeezing. And I feel it everywhere. Warmth tingles through me, from the top of my ears to the tips of my toes.

“Congratulations, Ellie.”

My mouth stretches so far into a smile, tears spring up in my eyes. “Thanks. I just . . . I wanted to tell someone.”

Him. I wanted to tell him.

Because he’s gorgeous, but even more than that—he makes me feel wanted. Valued and important, like I’m someone worth protecting. Knowing this man would give his life to shield me, guard me from pain or danger—it’s a heady thing. An arousing, stirring thing.

I lost my virginity to Aaron Myers after the winter formal last year. I’d known Aaron since I was a kid, he’s a good guy. It wasn’t true love, it was just something we ended up doing, and it was nice. A good memory.

But now, I wish I had waited. For Logan. I know it’s stupid and would never happen, but if in some upside down, alternate universe, it did happen—he would make the earth move for me. I feel more alive just standing next to him, than I have around anyone else. I can only imagine, dream, what it would be like to be held in his arms, to feel the power of his body, his passion and tenderness, surrounding me, inside me.

“I’m glad it was me.” His hand squeezes again. “Let’s walk you home.”

“You don’t have to.”

As much as I love being around Logan, I don’t want to be annoying. Don’t want to become a nuisance to him.

“Aye, I do. It’s not safe.”

I roll my eyes to the skyscrapers. “I grew up in New York—it’s my city—I know it better than you do. We’re in Tribeca, for God’s sake . . . it’s not dangerous.”

“You’re a young, beautiful girl, Ellie. The whole world is dangerous for you.”

And, of course, among all those words, the one I latch onto is . . . beautiful.

Because I’m still an idiot.

Half an hour later, we walk into the coffee shop, where Cory’s blond head rests on his arms on the table. Logan walks straight to him and kicks the leg of the chair—almost knocking him over.

Cory startles awake, sputtering, “What—who?” Then he rubs at his eyes. “What’s the deal, Lo?”

“The deal,” Logan says in a deadly calm tone that makes me shiver, “is you’re gonna get your arse back to the flat, pack up your shit and go home. You’re done.”

Oh crap.

“No, Cory—you don’t have to do that—it’s not your fault.” I tell Logan, “It’s not his fault.”

But Logan doesn’t even look at me. He’s staring daggers at poor Cory. Jagged, bloody daggers.

“You’re gonna want to move now, mate, or you won’t like how I’ll move you.”

Cory frowns down at the table. Then he pushes out of the chair, so hard it falls back, and stomps out.