YOURS IN THE MOMENT

Belinda Chapman's POV

I packed my car and looked at myself in the mirror one last time before going over the contract I drafted, then got out of the car. My excitement was brimming, as it was another day to show my fiancé what I was capable of. I got to the door of his penthouse and imprinted my fingerprint, walking in immediately as the door opened to my command. His penthouse was situated far on the outskirts of the city, and according to him, he loved the solitude of it-the quiet trees that led to it, the quiet environment. I got in and smiled at the portrait he hung beside his huge television, then walked right up the stairs. My steps were gentle, just like he always wanted.

I was getting married to William Walker, the only grandson and heir to the Walker Corporation. I got to the door, my hand on the knob, when I heard his mumbling, so I paused.

"You hate me... you don't love me. Every time you bring the same old shit up. We just had sex to make up, and you're bringing it up again," he said, and I froze. He was sleeping with someone else; my heart shuddered. "Say something, just say something. I hate this constant talk of my marriage. You pushed me into having to deal with that trash. If you'd agreed to marry me, I wouldn't have to deal with her," he added, and my breath caught. He had just referred to me as trash? Trash?

I let go of the handle and was going to leave when another voice caught me.

"Well, you're getting married in the next two weeks, and you'll have to stay stuck with her. Nothing changes."

That voice was too familiar to be true. No, it could not be.

"I'll just send her off on a trip, and we'll have our time together-a week together, honey. We'll go somewhere different to have fun," he said, and I could clearly hear her grumble. It was her. Her.

"That sounds like a good idea. Fine, I'll deal with that."

I couldn't listen to the rest. I stumbled over my feet and staggered down the stairs to the door, my hands shaking as I placed my finger on the fingerprint scanner, then straight to the car. I didn't think twice. I drove out through the open gate and just kept driving down the open road, my car swerving right and left, my brain juggling thoughts before I slammed straight into a tree. My head hit the wheel violently, but somehow I felt no pain. What pain was there to feel other than the fact that my fiancé-the man I was getting married to in the next two weeks-was cheating on me with none other than my twin sister, Melinda Chapman?

Maybe I was the foolish one. I was the quiet one. I was the one who took all the insults. I was the one who wanted peace. I never retaliated. I never argued with anyone. I obeyed every instruction, swallowed every insult. I stayed there in the car William gave me when he got his new ride. I just sat there, my eyes too dry for tears. He had hurt me too much-no, they had hurt me too much. Melinda always wanted everything I had, but who would have thought she'd go as far as William, the one person I loved for years?

My phone started ringing, and I ignored it. It rang again. I reached for my bag and rummaged through it. It was William calling. I stared at the screen, my heart hammering, my eyes suddenly swelling with tears, every emotion rushing through. The call cut off, then started again. I picked it up this time.

"Do you even know the essence of a digital phone, Belinda?" his voice snapped through. He held me in no regard. I always wanted to prove my worth. "Belinda," he called again.

"Yes," I answered, forcing myself to hold the tears in.

"The whole wedding thing is draining, so I want to be a good man and send you on a trip to Mora for a week," he rattled off in one breath. "Get your stuff ready. You're leaving by tomorrow..." he said, and I snorted.

"I am not going to Mora," I said, relaxing into the seat.

"What did you say?" He was utterly surprised. Yeah, I never went against his words.

"I am not going to Mora," I repeated. "I am going to Penelope," I added.

"Pen what? Who will pay?" he asked. Penelope was an expensive country to visit. If he was going to send me off, then I wanted a comfortable place that would leave a hole in his account.

"You, my darling, of course. You're more than capable, ain't you?" I fueled his ego.

"Uhm, Belinda, we have a wedding to plan, and we need to be unders-" he started.

"Our parents are doing that," I cut in. "Just a trip, William," I added, as though the trip had been my idea initially.

"Fine..." There was my sister's surprised snort in the background, but I chose to ignore it.

"Penelope it is," I said and ended the call on him. This was literally the first time I'd ended a call on him, and somehow, I felt satisfied. I was going to go on that trip, and I was going to live my life, try to think, and get my head straight. I called my best friend to come pick me up and stayed there for hours until she arrived.

Staying on the plane was draining, but I cared less regardless. I watched the plane forge through the clouds and let my mind wander until we got to Penelope. Penelope was a very beautiful country. I had literally never been here, and I'd only heard of it years back. I stayed at the airport, and when the people William paid to tend to me arrived, I left them to handle the procedure of getting my bag, took a cab to the hotel that had been booked ahead of time for me. The cab parked in front of Minestar Hotel, and I couldn't tell the difference between this building and a sightseeing show. It was beautiful.

I walked in with my bag in hand. Security examined me, and I went to the reception. The waterfall at the reception was captivating-the floral scent, the way the area was less crowded. I was so glad I chose this hotel. I had Google-searched hotels in Penelope at Lydia's place and chosen the most expensive before going home to pack my stuff.

"Belinda Chapman," I said as I got to the reception. The receptionist checked the computer, then pulled out a card for me.

"You're welcome to Minestar Hotel, ma'am. Always ring the bell by your bedstand to ask for anything," she said, and I stared at the card. Room 010. Yeah, I'd requested VIP only.

"My luggage will be here in a bit. Bring it up to my room," I said, and she responded with a smile. I walked toward the elevator in the distance and saw a lady coming out, then got in and pressed the number for my floor. I stayed inside, feeling the movement. A minute later, the doors opened, and I looked around the floor. Why was there only one door? I walked to it and saw it was slightly open. That was odd for a hotel-I was supposed to scan my door with my card. Anyway, I pushed it open and stepped inside, only to curse immediately.

"Holy fucking shit," I said as my eyes fell on the naked man in the room, sitting by the glass window with a hemp between his fingers, one leg crossed over the other. A ray of sunlight graced his skin like he was a demigod who owned it. I turned sharply before my brain could process what I'd just seen and realized the door had closed behind me. I turned the handle, turned it again. It was locked. I paused and gulped. "Belinda, you're in deep shit right now," my mind whispered as I stood there, waiting for a miracle to happen.

Over a minute passed, and I didn't hear a movement or sound from the man in the room, so I turned around to face him. He was still sitting by the window like a sculpture made to be sin, the hemp still in his hand, his eyes locked on mine. I tried to breathe and took a step into the room.

"Uhmm... I..." I started, but shut my mouth when he dropped his leg and stood up. Heaven gracious-he had a huge cock. I blinked, my body already getting wet. "Belinda, please," I begged my body as my mouth fell open, my eyes darting between need and embarrassment.

"Who are you?" he asked as he pressed the hemp into the ashtray on the table.

"I... I... I missed... umh, I..." My eyes kept darting, my mouth and brain unprocessed. His hand movement paused, and he looked at me-gosh, he had such pretty brown eyes. I swallowed, but my heart began pounding when he started walking toward me, his dick moving with his body. Fuck. Did he have no decency? Did he know the effect he had on me? I wanted him to push that dick right into my already wet pussy, but instead I staggered backward as he got closer. When my body slammed into the wall, I knew there was no escape for me.

He got to me, his eyes searching my face like he was looking for something. I fidgeted with my fingers to stop myself from grabbing his cock and working wonders on it. It looked so gorgeous. The man was gorgeous. He was over 6'4" tall; I was just 5'8". He was broad-chested, fit, and fuck-his abs. My mouth watered at the sight of them this close. I forced my eyes shut. "Belindaaa," my mind screamed.

A hand touched my abdomen, making me gasp. My eyes flew open. He was looking down at me, right into my eyes, as he trailed his fingers up my torso. I arched against that hand-my body betraying me. I arched against his fingers. He made contact with my bare skin, sending a thrill I'd never felt before. Then his fingers wrapped around my neck. Oh, choke me, daddy-I nearly said it out loud. A smile broke across his beautiful face, his tongue sliding slowly over his lips as he lowered his face to mine. I stared at him, my whole body under his control. I could barely breathe; my pussy was dripping wet, embarrassingly so, for a total stranger.

His head dipped closer; my skin prickled, my body shuddering in anticipation, my breath hitching. He passed my face and leaned to my ear.

"Who are you?" Heaven knew how his words tingled across my skin, and I could feel his cock pressing against me.

"I'm... I'm... Belinda," I shuddered, blinking and struggling to keep my balance as he brought his face back to mine. He smelled so good, so rich.

"Who sent you?" he asked, and my mouth fell open. Sent me? Fear slipped in through my desire.

"Uhm, nobody," I said. "The door was open, and I... I walked in... I-" I stopped when his hand dropped from my neck and he stepped back.

"Leave," he said.

I didn't wait to be told twice. I turned the knob, and this time it opened. I hurried out and didn't look back until I reached the elevator. As I got in, I checked my room card.

Room 010.

I had walked into room 001. I pressed for the lower floor and slammed my head against the elevator glass. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I was Belinda Chapman. I was engaged. I was getting married in the next two weeks, and I was on this trip sponsored by my fiancé. I shouldn't be getting wet for another man. When I got off at the lower floor and located my room, I scanned my card and rushed inside, heading straight for the bathroom. I had made a complete fool of myself. I slipped out of my dress and let the shower wash over me as I held onto the wall, trying to control myself. Hell-his cock. Even William wasn't that endowed. BELINDA, no comparison, I told myself, and just let the shower wash over me.

Logan Garrison's POV

I stayed at the spot even after she left.

BELINDA.

Beautiful in a way that made a million senses-her blush, her voice, her scent, the way her body reacted to my presence. I wanted to keep her as my pet. It had been so long since I'd had a pet. I definitely would have fucked her right there, but I knew better. I wouldn't fuck a lady just because I wanted to. I'd have her beg for it.

I turned and walked back to the window, wondering if I should call a girl to ease my tension or just dwell in that ache. She was gorgeous. She was magnificent. I didn't think I'd let her go if I met her again in the same position. I walked to my closet and pulled on shorts only. I preferred my nakedness when I was alone, and the lady who'd come earlier to ease me had left the door slightly open because I'd told her to. Who would've thought someone would come all the way to the top floor and enter my room just because it was open?

I placed a call to cancel all appointments left for the day and paced my room, my mind empty yet clouded by thoughts of her.

As evening crept in, Martins called and soon was in my room. I was flipping through papers when he dropped documents on my table.

"Logan, Michael reached out for the meeting," he said, and I raised a brow without looking up.

"Cancel it," I said.

"Hmm..." He paused, and I looked up, knowing there was more. "Is it a woman?" he asked, earning a chuckle from me.

"Woman!" I stressed it. "You're making me sound like a womanizer."

"Well, I want to believe you aren't canceling a contract over a woman," Martin said, taking a seat.

"What are you sitting for? Leave," I said sternly. His laugh made me laugh too. Martinez Cole was my personal assistant and childhood friend-my closest person.

"For a minute... Logan, I thought you said you took a break from smoking," he said, and I rolled my eyes at the topic switch.

"I'm stressed," I said, dropping the magazine in my hand.

"I'll postpone the meeting, Logan," he said, standing up. "Your mom has been calling me. She says she can't reach you. You want to worsen her state of mind?" As much as I enjoyed his company, Martin nagged like a woman. "And yeah, your pool is ready," he added before leaving my room.

I needed that. I grabbed a towel from the stand and left the room, heading to the back house and my pool. I hung the towel and dove right in. I swam for a few minutes, then went underwater, staying there to clear her from my mind. Yet she kept coming back. We'd spent only a few minutes together, but her legs, her backside, her skin, her reactions-they flooded my head. I surfaced, exhausted, gasping for air. As I pushed a hand through my hair and turned around, my eyes met hers.

Belinda.

In the flesh. Right in front of me, in a very revealing bikini, staring at me like the world was playing a joke on her.

Belinda Chapman's POV

Moments later, my luggage arrived at my room door. I tried to settle in, but my mind refused to stay put. Every thought seemed to drift back to him-his lips, the brush of his touch. Occasionally, I found myself lifting my shirt, inhaling the lingering trace of his scent, then recoiling at the audacity of my own fascination. I told myself to keep it in check. He was a stranger. A stranger I should erase from my mind.

Then my thoughts drifted back to me. This time, I cried into my pillows. William was really cheating on me with Melinda. The betrayal struck me so deeply because he knew just how much my twin sister and I were always at loggerheads. He knew how much she frustrated my life, and he still chose her to cheat on me with.

William was my childhood crush. Tall, handsome, from a life of comfort and privilege. I had liked him for as long as I could remember. When my father came home one day and asked me if I would marry him, I hadn't questioned it-I'd said yes. Because having him seemed like a luxury. Until I truly got to know him.

William Walker. Charming, yet cruel. Loving only when it suited him. He was abusive, both emotionally and physically, and always excused it as "temper issues." I had tried telling my mother, as I could never confide in my father, but she dismissed my pain with a casual, "Endurance is a virtue." So I endured. And endured. But at this moment, I didn't think I could hold it anymore. I was living in bondage, and it dawned on me just now. I had done everything to prove just how much I mattered.

In tears, I didn't know when I fell asleep, but I woke up very late. The evening air was chilling, so I decided to go swimming. I changed into a bikini and grabbed a scarf, walking right out with my card and the hotel guide in hand. I took the elevator down and checked the hotel guide again-the swimming pool was behind the building-so I walked there and was glad to find it empty.

I dropped my scarf, card, and guide together on the recliner seat, but I had barely started swimming when a group of men arrived. Their presence kept me on edge, so I got out. Despite their cajoling that I was safe and they weren't there to disturb me, I still picked up my things and left.

I was dripping, and I decided to go to the garden. I had wandered for God knows how long, checking the art on the walls, taking in the scents, seeing some couples smooching, others just lying in each other's comfort, until I stumbled upon a fancy gate. It read Private Area, yet I peeped in. It was a swimming pool. Oh. I smiled mischievously, forgetting the rule again, and walked in.

I dropped my scarf and my things, then turned to the pool when I heard the water grumbling. I was frightened to that point, but all my fear turned to awe when I saw a man in the pool. Not just any man-the man from earlier. The one from the room.

I'd never seen any man so magnificent. His hand ran through his hair, his muscles flexed. He looked stunning in the blue pool, his eyes fixed on me, roaming over me, his torso rising from the water, and my mind drifting back to how massive he was. I stared at him, my body reacting so strangely under his gaze, my mind going wilder than it ever had.

"You have a way of walking in on me," he said, his body floating closer in the pool. I gulped. His skin was so lit; the water dripping down made him even more attractive.

"I wasn't expecting anyone..." I was always defending myself every time we met. "...I'll just leave," I said, turning to pick up my scarf.

"Owwww," he said behind me, and I turned to catch him staring at me. "Just like that?" he asked, giving me a cute face. "I could do with company," he added, and didn't wait for my response before swimming afloat back into the pool.

I could watch him all day-the way he stroked through the water, the way he moved. But was swimming with him not dangerous? Come on, Belinda, you're no kid. I cautioned myself and walked to the pool.

"Oush," I said at the sensation of the water. It was cooler and colder than the previous one. He turned to me as I stepped in, the water reaching my waist as I held the deck to ease myself in. I stared right back at him, but my pulse started rising when he suddenly began swimming toward me, his eyes fixed on me. It took only a few seconds before he was right in front of me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, but from his eyes I couldn't tell if he was flirting or teasing me. It was a harmless question-why was I overthinking everything?

"Yeah," I said, my voice coming out in a whisper. Come on, Belinda. He remained in front of me, staring like I was the only thing in the world. Fuck, I loved his eyes.

"First time in Minestar?" he asked, and I blinked.

"Um, yeah," I said, and then he ran his eyes over me. Why did I wear such a revealing bikini? And worse, why was my body reacting so wildly to his every move?

"Logan," he said, stepping back from me. "That's my name." And then he disappeared into the water.

He went underwater. I felt so watched that I dived in too, only to realize he wasn't even watching me. He was swimming in the opposite direction. A wash of disappointment hit me. I should have been relieved. But I wasn't. My spirit dropped as I tried to get him out of my head. Maybe he felt nothing for me. Maybe I wasn't even attractive to him. Come on, Belinda, you're engaged. I tried to caution myself, but he shouldn't determine my mood-yet...

"Are you tensed?" His voice came from behind me. My stomach flipped as I turned sharply to find him staring straight into my soul.

"Uhm..." I couldn't find my words as he moved closer. I didn't move. He towered over me, my body arching over his bulge. Heavens. I tried to catch my breath.

"Should I ease you?" he asked, his hand circling around me and pulling me closer, earning a short gasp from me. I'm an adult, and heaven knows I wanted him to treat me like this. "Should I?" he asked, looking at my face.

"Ye... yeah," I stuttered, his hand going to my ass and grabbing it. My breath went uneven. I could feel his fingers trailing up my thigh from behind.

"Tell me how you want me to treat you," he said, pushing us toward the edge of the pool.

"How you wish," I said, my eyes closing as he pressed me against the cantilever edge, his hand leaving my behind and coming to my front.

"Really?" He kissed my skin, trailing his lips over my neck while rubbing my clit area.

"Fuck..." it slipped out of my mouth as he sucked my skin softly while rubbing me. "Hell... damn," I said, widening my legs.

"That's my girl," he said, sucking my body. Then he shifted the tiny strip of my bikini, and I gasped when he moved his fingers over my spot. "I love your sound... give me."

"Frea... ahhh, Logan... hell..." He brought his right hand up and pushed down my bikini. My breasts spilled free, my nipples hard and ready at his mercy. He stared at my breasts as he rubbed me, and I writhed-his eyes, the way he devoured me with them.

"Hell, you're beautiful," he said, pressing my breasts like he was astonished. I smiled at his reaction, then rolled my eyes at the way he rubbed me. Was this how he treated women to pleasure? I loved it. "You're so pink and full. Oh damn, I want to eat you." He licked his lips hungrily, then dropped his mouth to my breasts as he dipped his fingers into my pussy.

"Fuck... fuck... mm, ahh, Logan," I cried softly into his hair, digging my fingers into his back as my body vibrated against him. He curled his fingers inside me, playing with my walls while rubbing my upper clit with his thumb. His mouth bit at my nipple. I lost myself. I could feel my orgasm building, and he increased his movements as if he could read my body.

"Beg for me," he said, nibbling my breast.

"Logan... baby... oh fuck this... I'm cumming," I said shamelessly, my body riding his fingers as he pushed them deeper. "Yeah... yeah... right th-ahh..." I lost my voice, clutched him, and moaned into his ear. "Heaven... heaven... baby, I'm cumming."

"Fuck, you feel so good... ahh, yeah. Cum, cum... I want to eat you," he said, biting my skin. His lips triggered every nerve as I felt my slick release on his fingers. He shook me vigorously, our groans blending as I came undone.

"Fuck me... fuck me, baby... fuck, Logan, fuck me as you please," I cried, my body pulsing with release.

"Oh God," I whispered, my head falling back as I peaked.

"You like it?" he asked, looking at my face.

"Fuck me, Logan," I said, meeting his eyes. I needed a good fuck.

"Damn, your eyes," he said, cupping my face and placing his tongue on my lips, sucking slowly. "I wanted to kiss you so badly this morning."

"Why didn't you?" I asked, my leg kicking in the water as he lifted it to his hip, my pussy pressing against his bulge. My body trembled. I would dream of this fuck for the rest of my marriage.

"I wanted to let you go," he said, then dropped his lips to mine, kissing me slowly at first. My hand slid into his hair as he parted my lips and went deeper. My breasts pressed to his chest, his bulge grinding against me.

"Logan," I gasped, looking into his eyes.

"Fuck me, Logan," I said, and he smiled before claiming my lips again, grinding me faster against his bulge. He didn't give me space to moan. He kissed me mercilessly, his hands roaming my body. He lifted my legs, spreading them for his dick. He was punishing me. I wanted him. I let go of his lips and cried against him, my body failing me as sensation overwhelmed me. He hadn't even fucked me yet, and I felt like this.

"Logan, please... fuck... yeah... Logan... lo-ahhh," I moaned into his ear as he freed one hand and pulled out his dick. I felt him grind my pussy along its length. I sucked in. "Oh baby... yeah... ahhh... come on... fuck me... oh hell... fuck meee."

"Oh... Belinda... ahhh, yeah," he groaned, grinding harder. I wanted him inside me, but my mind blanked as my body reacted. My vision blurred, my moans breaking free, my screams loud.

"Fuck me... oh, Logan... fuck... yeah... yeah... cum... damn... ahh..." And he slammed me against his hard cock. Then suddenly, he stopped.

"Yoooo," he said, shaking me. I stared at him, my eyes still blurry. He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Why are you crying?" he asked gently.

I froze. I was crying?

"I..." I couldn't find the words. "I was?" I asked.

"You're crying," he said, then quickly tucked his cock back into his shorts.

"No, don't do that... I want you to fuck me," I pleaded, hope crashing. I wanted that cock. But he looked at me like I was a child.

"You were crying," he repeated, his gentleness unlike anything I'd ever seen on William's face.

"I love... I love how you-"

"It's okay. I won't push anymore," he said, lifting me onto the deck. He stood between my legs, looking into my eyes. The switch was dizzying. I still wanted him, but looking at him from this position felt like a blessing.

"I think you need to rest," he said suddenly.

"I... I-"

"Leave, Belinda," he said, and I swallowed my words. Why was he so wicked?

"I don't want to go," I said, loving whatever fueled my stubbornness.

"Then I'll leave," he said, stepping back.

I stared at him, then climbed down. After adjusting myself, I grabbed my scarf, card, and guide and hurried out of the pool in embarrassment. Why had I cried because of his dick? Fuck the words I'd said. Was I cheap? The thought brought tears to my eyes as I took the back elevator to my room, shame watching over me.

Logan Garrison's POV

Tears were usually a turn-off for me, yet somehow hers cut deeper. I'd meant to tease her, but she couldn't handle my heat. Thinking back on it, I smiled.

"That was cute," I muttered, my mouth suddenly watering again at the taste of her breasts. Her body. My fingers still remembered her warmth-the way her insides hugged them. Logan Garrison, I warned myself, grounding my thoughts before I completely lost it. I was a flirt. I discarded women at my convenience. I had no business thinking about her.

But my groin tightened anyway.

Her reaction replayed in my head-her cute face, her body, the way the bubbles slid over her toned, fair breasts. Hell... those hard pink nipples, bold and defiant, like I could never suck them enough.

My hand wrapped around my cock in the pool, and her moan flooded my mind as I stroked slowly. I was Logan Garrison. I could call anyone to come ease me off-but her? I couldn't shake her. I didn't just want release. I wanted to sink into her. To penetrate her.

"Belinda..." The groan tore from my throat as I wanked harder. "Open that pussy... yeah... fuck... open..." I imagined her right there with me, my grip tightening as I rubbed my shaft vigorously, broken groans spilling out. "Belinda... m-ahh... I want your pussy... fuck... I want to fuck you..."

I braced a hand on the edge of the pool, my mind drowning in her-her moans, that damn tight pussy. "Yeah... fuck... gimme that pussy..." My voice faltered as pleasure crested. "Suck in my cum... your fucking pussy... ahh... I love it... fuck... come closer..."

The release hit hard.

"I'm cumming... fuck... I'm cumming in you..." My body shuddered as my semen spilled into the pool. "Oh fuck, Belinda," I breathed.

That was the first time I'd ever wanked-and she was the reason. I wanted that damn girl.

I stayed there for a while, staring into nothing, trying to understand how one woman had taken over my thoughts so completely.

Eventually, I climbed out of the pool and grabbed my towel, rubbing it through my hair when my phone lit up. My mother. I answered with my left hand, knowing she wouldn't stop calling if I ignored her.

"Mom," I said, already feeling her energy.

"Lee," she replied sharply. "Your wife is here."

I frowned. "Wife?" I echoed.

"Susanne."

I cursed under my breath.

That witch.BELINDA CHAPMAN's POV

I closed the door behind me and leaned into it, the wood cool against my spine, my chest rising too fast for the quiet room. My body felt overheated, restless, like it had been touched without being touched at all. I slid down until my shoulders hit the wall, pressing my lips together to contain the sound threatening to escape me.

I had cried.

Not the soft, polite kind. The kind that left my eyes burning and my chest aching-because something inside me had shifted.

I crossed the room slowly, each step deliberate, as if my body needed time to remember where I was. When I reached the bed, I didn't sit. I folded into it, sinking into the sheets, letting the mattress cradle me as my breath finally broke loose.

My thighs drifted apart on instinct, heat spreading low and slow, a reminder of how alive I suddenly felt. Not needy-aware. Every nerve seemed tuned to one frequency: him. His voice. His presence. The way he looked at me like he knew things about my body I had never been brave enough to learn myself.

"God..." I whispered, burying my face in the pillow, fingers curling into the fabric. "Please."

I didn't even know what I was asking for.

My heart was racing, not with fear, but with the dangerous thrill of recognition. In that moment, I wanted him. Not desperately-not yet-but with a quiet certainty that terrified me. I had never felt this kind of pull before. Never felt so seen without being exposed.

William had never made me feel like this. With him, there was no anticipation, no heat building beneath the skin. Just routine. Darkness. Silence. He took what he wanted and turned away, leaving my body untouched in ways that mattered.

But Logan-

Logan made me feel things without asking permission.

"Oh God," I breathed, staring at the ceiling. "How can someone feel this... right?"

My phone buzzed beside me, snapping the spell just slightly. Lydia's name lit up the screen, followed by her messages-persistent, dramatic, familiar.

I smiled, slow and secretive, before calling her back.

"Where have you been?" she demanded the second she answered. "I've been calling like a madwoman."

"I was out," I said, voice softer than usual, warmer.

"Out where?" She paused. "Bel... why do you sound like that?"

I pressed the phone to my ear and turned onto my side, knees pulling in slightly, comforted by the familiar intimacy of her voice. "I met someone."

A sharp squeal erupted on the other end. "I knew it. Tell me everything."

"He's... different," I said carefully.

"Different how?"

I hesitated, searching for words that wouldn't give me away. "He makes me feel... awake."

Silence-then, softly, "Does he know you're engaged?"

The question landed heavy.

"No."

"Belinda..."

"I know," I murmured. "It's not like that. I just-"

I stopped. I didn't have the words to explain how a single glance, a single moment, could unravel years of numbness.

"The last time you sounded like this," Lydia said gently, "was when you met William."

I exhaled slowly. "And look how that turned out."

She didn't argue.

"What's his name?" she asked instead.

"Logan."

The name felt dangerous in my mouth-smooth, weighted, intimate.

"Do you know anything else about him?"

"No," I admitted. "But somehow... that doesn't scare me."

After the call, the room felt too quiet again. I lay back, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting where they shouldn't. I imagined his presence-not touching, not claiming-just close. Close enough to feel the heat of him, to feel the air change between us.

Sleep came late.

The next morning, I woke with a soft smile already on my lips, my body relaxed, my mind unruly. I moved through the day like I was carrying a secret beneath my skin.

Then the deliveries came.

One after another. Thoughtful. Intentional. Excessive in the most intoxicating way.

And when I finally saw the ribbon-

"Thanks for your company, sexy."

My breath caught.

This wasn't William

This was him.

LOGAN