Chapter 40: Two Kisses
Emma knew Logan's wake-up temper was terrifying, but she didn't have time to worry about that now. The knocking grew more insistent, and she had to act quickly.
"Logan, someone's here. Can you hide for a bit?" she whispered urgently, her eyes wide with anxiety.
Sure enough, Logan's expression turned apocalyptic. His intense gaze bore into her, a storm brewing in his dark eyes.
Emma clasped her hands together, pleading, "Please, please!"
His face remained stormy, the muscles in his jaw tightening. Desperation drove her to lean in and kiss his lips briefly, "Please?" Her voice was soft, her lips brushing against his like the fluttering wings of a butterfly, enough to melt anyone's heart—anyone but Logan, it seemed.
Logan's anger vanished instantly at the touch of her lips, though his face stayed icy. He internalized his rage, his emotions conflicting within him. Ha, did she think he was so easy to appease?
Seeing no immediate response, Emma anxiously kissed him again, this time more lingering, "Please!" Her hands grasped the fabric of his shirt, pressing her body closer to his in a desperate attempt to calm him.
A flicker of surprise crossed Logan's features before he sighed deeply, his resistance crumbling. "Okay," he finally muttered, his voice betraying a slight vulnerability.
Emma beamed, relief flooding her face. "Thank you! Hide in the bathroom. I'll be quick!"
Logan raised an eyebrow but complied, striding to the bathroom silently. Hmm... if one kiss didn't work, try two.
Once Logan was hidden, Emma quickly composed herself and opened the door. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest, fearing it was the dorm supervisor, but to her surprise, it was Samantha Green.
Seeing Emma, Samantha froze, her eyes widening in surprise. The girl, unadorned and in a simple nightgown, looked fresh and stunning, an ethereal beauty that was impossible to ignore.
Though Samantha knew Emma's true appearance, it had been a while. Seeing her now, she was shocked. As a recognized beauty and the class belle, Samantha prided herself on her looks, but next to the bare-faced Emma, even with makeup, she didn't compare.
Samantha's expression fluctuated, barely maintaining her usual friendly tone, "Emma, why did it take you so long to answer?"
"Sleeping," Emma replied curtly.
"But it's only eight. Why so early?" Samantha exclaimed, her curiosity piqued.
"It's late for me. What do you need?" Emma asked, keeping her voice steady.
"To chat, of course! Let's talk inside!" Samantha stepped forward, acting familiarly and brushing past Emma without waiting for an invitation.
Emma frowned. In her past life, she'd eagerly welcome Samantha, chatting till late into the night. But now, she had no interest.
Still, glancing at the bathroom door, she decided not to push Samantha away. Whatever Samantha wanted, it was better to deal with it quickly and get her out.
Inside, Samantha seriously scolded, "Emma, how could you open the door without makeup? What if someone else saw you? Logan Black has spies everywhere, even at school!" Her tone carried a mix of mockery and genuine concern.
Emma raised an eyebrow, bemused by Samantha's theatrical worry. "Spies? Really, Samantha? That sounds like something out of a movie," she said, trying to keep her voice light.
Samantha huffed, her dramatic flair unflinching. "I'm serious, Emma! Logan Black is notorious for keeping tabs on everything. You have to be careful."
Emma tried to hide her smirk. If only Samantha knew Logan was hiding in her bathroom right now. "I appreciate the concern, but I can handle myself," Emma replied calmly, trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory.
Samantha eyed her skeptically but chose not to press further. Instead, she flopped onto Emma's bed, making herself comfortable. "So, what's new with you? Anything exciting?"
The questions felt intrusive, but Emma played along, answering with minimal detail while keeping one eye on the bathroom door. The minutes dragged by, filled with idle chatter that felt more like an interrogation.
Finally, she decided to take control. "Samantha, I'd love to chat more, but I really need to finish some assignments. Is there anything specific you wanted to talk about?"
Samantha pouted, clearly displeased by the abrupt end to their conversation. "No, nothing specific. Just missed our talks." She stood up, seeming reluctant to leave.
Emma walked her to the door, her smile polite. "I'll catch up with you later, okay?" she promised, hoping to expedite Samantha's departure.
With one last scrutinizing look, Samantha finally left. Emma closed the door behind her with a sigh of relief, leaning against it for a moment to regain her composure.
She quickly made her way to the bathroom door, knocking softly. "Logan, you can come out now," she called, her voice low and steady.
The door swung open, and Logan stepped out with an air of composed authority, though his eyes held a trace of lingering annoyance. "Your friend likes to talk," he remarked dryly.
Emma winced slightly. "Sorry about that," she said apologetically. "She can be persistent."
Logan's stern expression softened slightly as he reached out, his hand gently caressing her cheek. "It's fine. Just be careful who you let in." His protectiveness was evident, mixed with a hint of possessiveness.
Emma couldn't help but shiver under his touch, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. "I will. Thank you for understanding."
Logan's eyes darkened with a smoldering intensity as he stepped closer, his hand sliding from her cheek down to her neck, his thumb brushing against her pulse. "You should know by now... I'll always look out for you. But don't make a habit of hiding me." His voice was low and husky, the underlying warning clear but laced with affection.
Emma nodded, her breath hitching at his closeness. "I won't. I promise."
Without another word, Logan's gaze flicked to her lips, and before she could react, he leaned in and captured them in a deep, consuming kiss. His other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. This kiss was filled with a mix of passion, assurance, and a faint possessiveness that left her breathless.
Emma's hands instinctively reached up, tangling in Logan's hair, pulling him closer. His body was firm and warm against hers, his lips moving with an intensity that made her knees weak. She melted into him, her heart racing.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily. Emma's eyes fluttered open, meeting Logan's intense gaze. The room felt charged with electricity, their breaths mingling in the silence.
Logan's hand slid down to rest on her lower back, his other hand still cradling her neck. "Emma, you make it very hard to leave," he murmured against her lips, his voice a mix of frustration and affection.
Emma chuckled softly, the sound shaky. "Maybe that's the plan," she teased lightly, though her heart still pounded.
Logan's eyes sparkled with a rare softness, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Devious," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers again in a feather-light touch.
As he finally stepped back reluctantly, the loss of his warmth made Emma ache. "I have to go now, but I'll see you soon," he promised, his gaze lingering on her disheveled form.
Emma nodded, her fingers still tingling where they had touched him seconds ago. "Okay. Take care."
Logan gave her one last, deep look before slipping out of the door smoothly, as if he were a shadow blending into the night, leaving Emma alone with her racing heart and swirling thoughts. Despite the earlier tension and the day's events, her heart felt lighter, knowing that no matter what, Logan was always there for her.
That night, Emma found it hard to focus on her homework, her mind replaying the heated kisses and the warmth of Logan's touch. She could still feel the lingering sensation of his lips on hers, like a gentle but persistent reminder of his presence in her life.
With a soft smile and flushed cheeks, she finally settled down to study, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Whatever challenges the future held, she was ready to face them, with Logan by her side.
In the quiet of her room, after the whirlwind of emotions, Emma made a silent promise to navigate these troubled waters with care, knowing that her actions would inevitably shape the future of her relationships and her dreams. With a final, dreamy sigh, she turned her attention back to her studies, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her.