Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Startled Awake

For once, I’m not dragged down to the station to give my statement.

Officer Lloyd writes everything on her notepad, assures me they’ll keep in touch, and heads off, leaving my apartment in peace once again.

Logan closes the door behind them all before wrapping his arms around me, nuzzling his face into my hair. "You okay, sweetheart?"

I nod, my body melting into Logan’s embrace. His arms feel like a sanctuary, shielding me from the chaos that’s become my life. The warmth of his chest seeps through my clothes.

But reality creeps back in, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s here. I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze. "Not that I’m complaining, but what brings you by at this hour?"

Logan’s fingers trace lazy circles on my back. "Spent all night with Marcus, going over the defense strategy."

He’s not answering the question, but I’m too tired to bother pointing it out. "That must have been exhausting."

"It was." He sighs, his breath ruffling my hair. "But honestly? I just wanted to see you."

My heart skips a beat at his words, then a nagging suspicion tugs at the back of my mind. I pull back slightly, eyeing him. "Logan... were you planning on sleeping here?"

His lips curve into that disarming smile he’d be able to trademark. "Is that a problem?"

I bite my lip, torn between desire and caution. "I don’t know. Is it?"

Logan’s hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing across my skin. "Nicole, I’m not here to pressure you into anything. Being with you is my peace. After the night I’ve had, I could use a little of that."

That feeling of finding an oasis in the middle of a storm is exactly how Logan is for me. When my brain isn’t settled on more primal desires, anyway.

"Okay," I whisper, surprising myself with how easily the word slips out. "You can stay."

A soft kiss against my forehead. "Thank you."

Suddenly, I’m hyper-aware of every little thing out of place. A discarded shirt here, a stack of books there. It feels strangely intimate, letting him into this private space. And I didn’t clean for the occasion.

Logan doesn’t seem to notice or care about the clutter. He shrugs off his jacket, draping it over a chair. "Mind if I use your bathroom?"

I gesture in the direction of the toilet. "Go ahead."

While he does whatever he needs to do, I crawl into bed. No point in making it a big deal. He’s here, he’s staying the night. I’m tired. He can meet me under the covers.

I rub my face against the pillow, sighing in comfort as my body melts into the bed. The soft cotton caresses my cheek, and the tension in my muscles finally lets go.

My eyelids grow heavy.

Just as I’m drifting off, the mattress dips. Logan slides in beside me, his warmth radiating through the sheets.

"Nicole?" His voice is a low rumble in the darkness.

"Mm?" I manage, not quite ready to form words.

His hand finds mine under the covers, fingers intertwining. The touch sends a small jolt through me, momentarily chasing away the fog of sleep. "Thank you for letting me stay."

I squeeze his hand in response, too tired for anything more elaborate. He shifts, getting comfortable, and I feel the brush of his leg against mine. It’s innocent enough, but my body reacts, a warmth spreading through me that has nothing to do with the blankets.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," he murmurs, his breath tickling my forehead.

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