Real Good Man (Real Duet #1)

“You’re a good man, Logan Brantley. A really good man.”

He shrugs, which I’m starting to recognize as a typical Logan response.

“I don’t know about that, but I like to think I’m not a bad one.” He nods at the game. “Let’s have some fun.”

I select the slot on the screen and release the Plinko chip. It lands on some kind of bonus slot, and the lights and sounds of the machine go wild.

“Looks like you just won yourself a jackpot.”

I look Logan Brantley in the eye. “I could’ve told you that before we even started playing the game.”





Chapter 12


Banner


It’s all his fault. That’s the defense I’m going with as my limited willpower slips away a little at a time.

I told myself I wouldn’t do this. But it turns out I’m a liar.

It’s all his fault.

We walk up to the prize counter to cash out our tickets, and when we have the final tally, we both lean over the edge of the glass case full of prizes.

“You trust me to pick?” Logan asks.

“Go for it.”

I’m actually excited to see what he chooses, and besides, now I can study him some more without him noticing. I’ve been doing it way too much tonight, and the more time I spend staring at him, the more I realize just how screwed I am.

He’s not New York handsome in that slick, sophisticated kind of way. No, he’s striking in a holy shit, I don’t even know if I can handle that intensity focused on me while I’m naked kind of way.

Every time I speak, his attention is on me. He listens. Not just to figure out how he’s going to reply, but in a way that seems like he truly wants to hear what I have to say. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced it before, because I had no idea how sexy it is.

And that’s on top of the rippling muscles under his shirt, the devastating grin, the scruff on his jaw, and the piercing blue eyes.

But I’m not truly aware of how screwed I am until he turns around, looking pretty damn pleased with himself.

“Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”

My first thought is maybe he’ll put his dick in it, but I shove that thought right out of my head because obviously we’re in a public place. Maybe we could try this again later . . . Stop it, Banner.

“Why?”

“I picked something out for you.”

I close my eyes and hold my palm up flat, and Logan drops something into it.

When I flick my eyes open, I look down and see a small Wolverine X-Men key chain in my hand. I lift my gaze to his, and he’s holding a Hulk key chain dangling from his finger.

“Figured you could keep this to remember tonight. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting, but I like the idea of carrying a little Bruce home with me.”

It’s a key chain, I tell myself. It’s not like he dropped a four-carat pink diamond in my hand. But why does this feel more important in this moment?

“Thank you. I’ll keep it as a reminder.” My words are bullshit, because there’s no way I’ll ever forget tonight either. And what’s more, I don’t want it to end.

We turn away from the prize counter and walk toward the door. He helps me slip my trench coat on, and I belt it shut.

I can’t let Logan get in that truck and drive back to Kentucky tonight. I can’t.

He follows me outside silently, with his hand on the small of my back again. My heart, which was already hammering at an unhealthy pace, kicks up a couple of notches.

What am I doing? I honestly have no idea. If I take him home, I know I’m going to end up naked with him inside me. And then he’ll be one more one-night stand for the books, because that’s all I’m good at.

But what are my alternatives?

The silence hangs between us, and I have to say something as we make our way along the crowded sidewalk, the lights of Times Square surrounding us.

I make a snap decision. “You’re not planning on driving back tonight, are you?”

“I figured I’d get out of the city and find a place to park, and sleep in my truck for a while before I drive the rest of the way home.”

“I have plenty of room at my place. If your truck is parked in an overnight lot, you’re more than welcome to stay.”

He considers my offer for a few moments. “I’d appreciate that. And just so you know, I’m not expecting—”

I cut him off with a raised hand. “I know. Let’s grab a cab.”

I manage to flag one down, and give my address to the cabbie as we slide into the backseat.

Logan’s thigh presses against mine as the driver whips around a corner when he finds an opening in traffic, sending us both sliding across the seat.

“I got you,” Logan says, wrapping an arm low around my hips to steady me.

He doesn’t have me, though. Not really. But I want him to.

The cab stops in front of my building, and Logan pays this time before we climb out.

The doorman opens the glass door to the lobby when he sees me coming. “Good evening, Ms. Regent.”

“Thank you, Joe. I appreciate it.”

Joe says nothing about the man behind me.

Logan doesn’t speak until we’re inside the elevator. “Regent suits you. It’s a hell of a name, but you carry yourself to fit it. You could definitely be the queen of something.”

It’s not one of those throwaway compliments like you’re beautiful or I love your eyes. It’s sincere, and more of my willpower evaporates.

“Thank you.”

The ride up to my floor is borderline awkward as other building residents crowd inside with us, breaking the unwritten rule that you don’t look at each other in the elevator. A middle-aged couple looks from me to Logan and back to me again, and I can see the judgment on their faces.

Another one-night stand, I’m sure they’re thinking. It’s not like I’ve ever tried to hide it. Why should I?

Regardless, I unlock the door to my apartment quickly. I don’t want to tempt fate. The last thing I need is for Myrna to peek out with her cane in hand and hassle me, telling me to keep my legs shut.

Logan doesn’t say anything about how fast I shut the door and lock it behind us. Instead, he takes in my apartment. It’s done in whites and silvers and grays, with pops of yellow and turquoise. Nothing like what he would pick, I’m assuming, but I love it.

“Nice digs.”

“I like it.”

He turns to face me. “I like you, Banner. A lot. I didn’t exactly expect tonight to go this well.”

I press my lips together, unsure how to respond to his honesty, but I end up responding in kind. “Me either.”

He lifts a hand to push a lock of hair away from my face. “A good surprise for both of us then, even though you’re so f*cking far out of my league, I should be back in my truck heading for the highway.”

My mouth drops open. “I’m out of your league? Have you not seen yourself? Do they not have mirrors in Kentucky?”