The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2)(45)

“You’re in a shell?”

He shrugged. “That of a cynic.”

“And how do I help?”

“By showing me that there is at least one genuinely selfless person in the world.”

Before she could react to the compliment, he opened his front door so they could leave.

She let that conversation sink in as they made their way back outside, slogging past two buildings and down the ramp to the bowels of Chelsea. While waiting for Logan’s car, Claire shivered, partly from wearing wet clothes in near-freezing temperatures, and partly because she’d give anything to teleport to Sanctuary Sound rather than have to drive through Manhattan and on I-95 in this storm.

Visions of eighteen-wheelers careering into them danced through her head.

“Uh-oh. You’re turning green again.” Logan looked around. “Should I get a bag in case you throw up?”

She blinked rapidly so he wouldn’t see her humiliated tears. She wanted to be that strong, brave woman he’d once believed her to be. “I’m good.”

He leaned close. “You don’t need to lie. I know we’re pushing your limits. Next time it will be easier.”

Next time. She didn’t know if there would be a next time, even though she did enjoy seeing his apartment and dining with him in an authentic French bistro without being bothered by everyone she knew. But her elevated heart rate couldn’t be healthy. As memorable as the highlights of this day had been, she couldn’t control her anxiety.

As that thought made her frown, Logan wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Her cheek pressed against his chest, where the smell of wet wool mingled with his fine cologne. Her breath seemed suspended in this dream state with her as she savored his friendship and understanding. The roar of his car’s engine echoed up the ramp before the attendant parked it beside them.

Resigned to the end of their quiet moment, she eased out of his embrace, determined to face the inevitable, terrifying journey home without making a scene. He didn’t release her, though. Instead, he lifted her chin. “Claire . . .”

And then he kissed her.

Something about the decided sparkle in her eyes had acted like a match that set to boil the simmering interest he’d been holding inside. Her full, firm lips tasted like sugar and wine and everything decadent and sweet. Desire pulsed through his groin. He could feed on her mouth for days if they weren’t in a dirty garage with his car idling beside them while the attendant impatiently awaited a tip.

Logan broke away and stared into her now-dazed expression. As third kisses went, she wouldn’t be forgetting it anytime soon. He whispered, “We should go.”

She nodded, frozen in place, so he directed her to the passenger seat, tipped the attendant, and climbed behind the wheel.

Claire had buckled up, but her fingers weren’t in a white-knuckled death grip on the car’s arm like they’d been earlier that day. Now she stared into space, biting her lip. This could be a good thing, considering the weather and the ugly two-hour drive ahead. Maybe if he kissed her more often, she’d have better things to think about than her fear.

Yet within five minutes of leaving the parking lot, her fingers began to twist into a knot on her lap.

She needed another distraction, so he plunged right into uncharted territory. “Are you upset that I kissed you?”

He hoped not, because he very much wanted to do so again. Next time without an audience.

“No.” She looked down, mumbling, “What’s another pity kiss between friends?”

“What?”

“You heard me.” She gazed out the passenger window. “It isn’t very flattering to know that you’re always feeling sorry for me for one reason or another and thinking that your kiss is a magic elixir.”

“That’s not even close to the truth,” he sputtered.

Okay, maybe that first kiss, eons ago, had been somewhat about making a convalescent girl with a crush on him feel a little bit better. But sympathy had nothing to do with his motivation today.

“Forget it, Logan. Really. My anxiety is elevated enough without making this into a big conversation.”

He could feel his eyes bulging. “First, I don’t want to forget it. In fact, I’ll rather enjoy remembering it. I kissed you just now because I wanted to. Because we had a nice day and you looked pretty. Because you soldiered on despite your fear. Today reminded me of all the reasons I admire you and made me want to learn more. To have you look at me like you used to, instead of with suspicion. To like me for who I am, nothing more or less.”

She turned in her seat to face him. “Forgive me if I find the timing of your interest a bit fishy.” Her voice carried a slight edge. “You wouldn’t even be in Sanctuary Sound if not for Peyton, nor would you have hired me. We’ve known each other for half our lives, Logan, yet you never looked my way before.”

He stared at the road ahead, turning her words over in his head. He couldn’t lie. He hadn’t been attracted to her until now. He’d liked her. He’d noted interesting things about her. But he hadn’t been stirred before this month. Why not?

Hell if he knew, and did that even matter? “I can’t say why things have changed, but I promise that kiss had nothing to do with my sister.”

“Maybe not, but it doesn’t matter. There’s no point in exploring whatever feelings might be there. Even if I could see into the future and know that I would, one day, be able to comfortably sit across the table from Peyton, you’d be long gone by then. Our lives have nothing in common, and I have no more ability to traipse the world than you do to stay still.” She let out a little sigh and touched her lips as a gratified smile popped into place. “But I won’t lie. It was a very nice day . . . and kiss.”