Chapter 12 — Reed

Reed watched Logan’s hasty retreat, his jaw hanging open in shock. He couldn’t comprehend what happened between him and Logan a few moments ago, but he knew that whatever it was, he’d never felt like that before. His skin was still tingling with goosebumps and when they were kissing, Reed felt as if a swarm of butterflies had taken flight in his stomach.

He swallowed hard, his erection pressing against his shorts, demanding for a release, yet Reed knew it would be futile. He needed more. Reed had admitted to himself about his building attraction to Logan for the past couple of weeks, but he never thought that it was or could be reciprocated. When he thought about it, maybe there were a few little hints here and there where he’d caught Logan staring at him, but c’mon, this was Logan—King of the Closed Off. He’d never given off the impression that he was interested in Reed, let alone gay.

Reed’s heart was beating so hard and fast, he thought it might thump right out of his chest. He wanted to go next door and confront Logan about what happened, but based on the other man's reaction, he might need a little space while he worked through his feelings.

Reed felt so confused. Logan was gorgeous, kind, and mysterious, and Reed felt so utterly safe when he was wrapped up in his arms for those precious few moments. It was safe to assume his desire wasn't one-sided because he could feel and see Logan’s erection pressed up against him, but the way he ran off, suggested that he regretted it.

Reed knew that things would be different between them now and he hoped that Logan wouldn’t feel awkward around him.

He scrubbed his face with his hand and opened his door. Logan’s door was firmly closed and Reed walked and stood outside, his fist raised in preparation to knock. However, at the last second, he changed his mind and lowered his hand. Logan would join them for dinner soon.

As he sat at the dining table a short while later with his parents, he looked at the empty place next to him.

"Mom, where’s Logan? Isn't he joining us for dinner?"

Susan helped herself to the mashed potatoes. “I’m not sure, hon.” She stood. “Let me go check, it’s not like him to miss dinner.” She gave Reed a worried look. “By the way, what’s happened to your face?”

“My face?” Reed lifted his hands to his cheek. He hoped his eyes weren’t swollen from before.

“Yeah, your eyes look a little puffy, but your chin’s all red. Like a rash.”

Reed pretended to stab his potatoes, but his heart pounded. “Maybe I’m coming down with something,” he mumbled. That damn mountain-man beard.

Susan returned a few minutes later and Reed looked past her expectantly. “Logan won’t be joining us tonight, honey; he said he was really tired and wanted to have an early night.”

“Does he want a plate brought up to him?” George inquired.

She shook her head. “No, I asked but he said he’s good.” She shrugged. “Oh well.” She eyed Reed’s half-eaten plate of food. “Eat up, Reed… you could do with a few extra pounds on you.”

Reed forced a smile on his face, yet his heart sank with disappointment.

Reed had the distinct feeling that Logan was avoiding him over the next few days. Sure, they spoke in the morning about their plans for the day and the jobs that lay ahead, but it seemed that Logan couldn't wait to get away from him. Of course, being his bodyguard, physically, they had to be around the same vicinity, but Reed felt an even bigger wall was placed around Logan, one that seemed impenetrable. Every time they were on their own, Reed tried to speak to him about what had happened, but Logan would cut him off, changing the subject or coming up with a different excuse why they had to talk later. In other words, as Reed realized, he avoided the subject at all costs.

By the second day, Reed was incredibly hurt. He wasn't a man to beg, and he could take a hint, so he decided to leave Logan alone and abide by his unspoken wish. Conversation was strained between them, and Reed couldn't help but wish that they were back in the city, where they wouldn’t be in each other's space as much as they were out here on the ranch.

On late Saturday afternoon, lying on his bed, Reed decided to call Kellen, before he had to get ready for the family night out. He sighed, as all the excitement he felt earlier in the week with Logan was now gone. In fact, he was dreading it. Hitting the call button, Reed lay back on his pillow. Kellen picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, bud. How's it going?"

Reed exhaled dramatically. "Get me the hell out of here."

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Kellen's tone immediately changed, from relaxed to being on alert and professional.

"That's just it. Nothing is going on around here. And I'm just feeling a little too claustrophobic with being on the ranch. I need to get away from here, Kel.”

“Reed, we’ve said it before, you need to lay low. We’re still doing the best we can to flush out your stalker but until he’s found, you know it's not safe to come up here. It’s for your own good, bud. Logan and I are doing the best job we can.”

“But, why can't I come back?" Reed pouted at the other end. "I mean, can't Logan watch me while I'm in my house and going about my business?"

"Technically, yes, he could, but obviously the city is a lot bigger than the ranch. We have a better chance of keeping you safe there than we do if you are back here.” Kellen’s voice lowered. “We don't know what the stalker’s capable of, Reed.”

Reed felt like banging his head against the wall. It was no use pleading to come back. “Well, in that case, I hope he gets bored of waiting for my return and makes himself known soon. At this rate, I’d even go so far as to say I’d hug him for giving me my life back”

“Not funny, bro.”

Reed rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Sorry. I’m just not sure how much more I can take of this.”

“You sound really down.” Kellen sighed and Reed felt bad for giving him a hard time. “We all miss you and want you back. Is everything going okay with Logan?”

Reed felt a lump in his throat at the mention of Logan's name. He swallowed hard. He had to speak to someone about his feeling and Kellen was his best friend. "No, buddy. It's not."

"What happened?"

"You really wanna know the truth?"

“Reed, if there's a problem with Logan, I need to know."

Reed shook his head even though Kellen couldn't see him. "There’s no problem per se with Logan, so you can relax. I just got myself into a bit of a sticky situation with him and I'm not sure what the best way forward is."

"Tell me what happened. Let's see if I can help you fix this."

“Kel, tell me, how do you get through to someone?" Reed felt his eyes sting and he blinked rapidly. "He kissed me, dammit. And it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced in all my life."

The other end went silent and for a moment Reed thought that he had lost the call. “Dude, you still there?"

“Reed,” Kellen groaned at the other end of the phone. “What did I tell you about not getting involved?"

"I swear I didn't. I’m telling you, man, he came on to me. We’ve been together and shared our space for over two weeks and naturally, we’ve gotten a lot closer, but I swear I didn't think he had any feelings towards me. Hell, I didn't even know he was gay, or bi, or whatever. And now that he's kissed me, he's basically avoiding me and I don't know what to do."

"Jesus.”

Reed could picture Kellen dragging his hand down his face as he softly swore on the other end. “You sure know how to get yourself into situations, don't you, Reed? What the hell am I going to do with you?

“Tell me what to do. Please.”

“Okay, well, first you need to take a deep breath and think carefully. But I can’t dictate your feelings, man, I can only advise on the practical. Do you want me to look into getting you a new bodyguard if you feel you can't work with Logan anymore?"

Reed thought about it for a second but he knew he’d miss Logan if he wasn't around. He couldn’t bear the thought of Logan working with someone else in a different town or different city. "No," he answered softly. “I don’t want anyone else and I don't want him to go away."

“I’m glad to hear that, I like him a lot. Look, I’m sure it’s probably a difficult situation for him too, Reed. After all, you are his client and now the lines have been blurred. You're both gonna have to talk about it and deal with it like mature adults. Try and figure out how you can get past this.”

Sure. If we can get past this.

Reed dragged his feet for the next couple of hours, hiding away in his bedroom. Finally, his Mom told him to get a move on with getting dressed, or they’d risk being late.

Walking over to his wardrobe, he selected the suit he had especially sent in for Logan. After their visit to town a few days ago, Reed called in a favor with one of his friends, sending him Logan's measurements. Based on his own eye and experience with fashion, Reed took pride in the fact that he could pull off this surprise with his knowledge, and the suit was custom designed. It arrived yesterday, but Reed was in no mood to show Logan. Now, he ran his hand over the exquisite navy blue fabric, which he’d chosen to compliment Logan’s ocean blue eyes. The stark white shirt, hung perfectly in its hanger, was made out of Egyptian cotton thread, the finest money could buy.

As he took it off the rod, he wondered if Logan would accept it, or if he even still planned on coming for the evening. Folding the suit over his arm, he walked out of his room and knocked on Logan’s door. He hadn't seen much of him this afternoon, but he knew he was around somewhere. Logan’s deep voice called out from inside. "Come in.”

Reed’s heart started its staccato beat in his chest. Pushing open the door, he looked around and spotted Logan sitting in a chair, staring out of the window. Logan looked up when he entered and they held their gaze, so many unspoken words passing between them. Reed thought he saw pain behind those expressive blue eyes.

"Hey." Reed held out the suit to him.

Logan’s eyes widened in surprise. "What's this?"

Reed shrugged, smiling. “Just something I had thrown together for you. I hope it fits."

Logan got up from the chair slowly, his eyes flicking from the suit to Reed and back again. He reached for the suit and held it at arm’s length. "Wow, this is amazing, Reed. Thank you. I honestly didn't plan on coming tonight."

Reed’s heart hammered a little faster. He knew things had changed between them but this was all a little too much. “Does that mean that you no longer want to be my bodyguard?"

Thankfully, Logan shook his head, his brows knitted together. “Not at all. I just wasn't sure if you'd want me there, but then again… if there’s a problem with security…”

For the first time since Reed had met Logan, he seemed unsure of himself. “We don't have to go if you don't want to." Reed forced himself to concentrate on that wall behind Logan’s back. To look anywhere but at him as it just felt so awkward and strained between them.

"I'd like to go, Reed.” Logan tilted his head until Reed had no choice but to meet his gaze. “I just wasn’t sure what to wear and… this is incredible.”

“No problem.” He squinted his eyes over Logan's physique and again at the suit. "I think I have the right measurements so you should be good. Shout if you need anything." Reed gave him a small smile and left Logan on his own.

Back in his own room, Reed got ready in record time. After a quick shower, he pulled on his white shirt, and ran a comb through his damp hair. Next, he pulled on his pants and then finally finished off with the jacket. The dark colors were a stark contrast to what he used to wearing—muted instead of bright and cheerful—but it reflected his mood and he thought he looked okay.

Sighing, he turned off his light and stepped out of his room. Every cell in his body was drawn to Logan’s room, to ask if he needed any help with the cuffs or his bowtie or anything at all, really, but he pulled his feet to the stairs instead. As he neared the bottom, his mother looked up, a grin spreading across her face.

“Well, just look at you, honey. Why, don't you look handsome tonight?"

“Thanks, Mom. It's not my usual taste but I guess it’ll have to do."

Susan glanced upstairs. "Is Logan ready?"

Reed plastered a smile on his face. “I’m not sure."

His mom gave him a strange look as he walked past her and into the front room, plonking himself down in front of the TV with his cell phone while his parents ran around doing last minute things.

Twenty minutes passed and there was still no sign of Logan.

Reed was beginning to think that maybe he’d changed his mind and he was almost sure he'd have to go upstairs and remove his suit, too. Another couple of minutes passed and then he heard Logan’s footsteps coming down the stairs. Finally. He stood and flicked the TV off, grabbing his cell, his eyes focused on the latest social media feed.

As he walked to the door, he tore his eyes away from the screen and looked up.

His heart leapt into his mouth.

He'd never seen Logan look as handsome as he did in that moment. He had shaved off his beard and his smooth face was visible, making him look years younger.

Logan shot him an uncertain look, eyebrows raised and held open his hands, gesturing at his body.

“Well, how do I look?"

Reed was acutely aware that that his jaw was hanging open like a fish. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if there was drool on his chin. He closed his mouth and swallowed.

"I see it fits.” The smile on Reed’s face expressed so much more than the words that came out of his mouth.

"Like a glove. Thank you." He pointed to his chin. "You like?"

“Yes. You don’t clean up too bad, Mr. Price."