Out of Control

Chapter X

By Artemis Fortuna

Author's note: I do not own or make profit off of any X-Men titles or characters.

Well, readers, ten chapters down! I have a pretty generalized plot in my head, but I mostly make up the chapters as I go. I would really really appreciate some form of feedback. I am also looking for a beta. If you're interested, please either message me or let me know in a review. Things are about to get pretty awesome in the next few chapters, and I hope this chapter might get you excited for that. Thanks for reading, guys! I hope you're enjoying it!

I had a wonderful night with Logan. After a few beers, his standoffish demeanor fell off of him like a drape. He smiled more and would throw his arm across my shoulders as we walked down the brightly lit, thriving city streets. We hit numerous clubs and bars, trying to take in the city and all of its glistening, glittering glory.

At one point, Logan dared me to use my ability to get us a free round of drinks. Sober, I would have said no without any hesitation at all. But in my intoxicated state, I got us more than just one round. By the time Logan and I stumbled back into our hotel room, we both were absolutely gone.

We might have shared a few conversations that I couldn't recall later, but the one thing I remembered quite well was when Logan kissed me.

It was completely out of the blue and caught me wholly by surprise.

"Lilly," he said, using my entire name for a change, "You are a terrifying woman."

His arms wrapped around my waist and his lips softly caressed mine. Whether it was the alcohol or something new stirring inside me, I kissed him back just as softly, trying to memorize every delicious new emotion he triggered. It had been a long while since I had felt such delicious pleasure. His rough, calloused hands stroked the soft skin on my cheeks as I placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating as quickly as my own. Slowly, gradually, we both pulled apart and looked at each other, trying to sense one another's reaction. I let out a sigh and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

Beyond that, all I remembered was falling asleep next to him, with one of his arms placed securely around my waist. That night I slept harder than I had in a while. It was a deep, dreamless sleep, but when I woke up to my alarm the next morning, I'd never felt more rested.

After sneaking out of bed without waking up Logan, I padded across the room and stepped out onto the balcony. The sun was just beginning to rise and the city was just awakening from its slumber. Placed on a table to my right was a pack of cigarettes. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I'd never smoked before. Well, that I was aware of. I noticed butts scattered on the ground with lipstick marks at the end the same shade as the color I wore last night.

I put my forehead in my hand and rubbed, trying to remember what else had happened the night before. I was not the type to get drunk, especially that drunk. I had woken up in Logan's arms. Did that mean that I had sex with him?

No, I woke up with my clothes on. I thought to myself, holding onto the railing with both hands and sighing as I looked out over the city.

The pack of cigarettes caught my eye again. Hesitantly, I walked over and took one. A silver metallic lighter was laying on the arm of one of the lounge chairs. I flicked the lighter and raised the flame to the end of the cigarette, inhaling carefully.

"Morning, Lils."

Logan's sudden appearance had startled me, causing me to cough. Through flaming lungs, I managed a meager wave in his direction. Once I as under control again, I took a seat in a lounge chair and inhaled again. Logan took the seat next to me.

"Here, it's kinda chilly out here," he said, handing me his denim jacket.

I smiled and put it on, careful not to get any ash on it. His musky, smoky smell wove around me. I looked out at the city, watching as its inhabitants stirred to greet a new day. The sun was beginning to peek around the base of the skyline, greeting citizens as they awoke. I glanced at Logan, then back at the city.

"What's on your mind, Lils?" Logan asked, lighting up his own cigarette.

I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head back on the headrest. "Do you know what happened last night, Logan?" I asked through closed eyes.

He was silent for a moment. His hesitation caused all of the unease and doubt that had been pooling in my gut to sink and spread like a poison. I groaned.

"We had a few drinks-"

"A few?" I scoffed.

"-and then came back and went to sleep." He finished.

Wait.

Logan didn't remember kissing me?

I frowned, taking a puff of my smoke. How could that memory stand out so boldly in my foggy recollections of the night before, yet be entirely forgotten in his? I felt almost hurt.

I put on a mask of relief. "Okay, good." I forced a smile as I put out my cigarette and stood up. "Well, I'm going to get ready for the shoot. We need to head out soon."

Logan nodded, but stayed seated. As I went inside, I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.

The photo shoot wasn't anything special. Me and a bunch of other bikini-clad girls braved the frigid Boston air to perch ourselves on a sailboat and attempt to look sexy. All the while, Logan stood with the hair and makeup artists on the dock, comfortably drinking steaming coffee. I was green with envy.

By the time it was over, my lips were blue and I couldn't seem to stop shivering, despite the massive blanket Logan had draped over me. I was ready to shower and get into some comfortable clothes and just rest.

"Logan, I hate to be a spoilsport, but I'm not sure if I'm up to going out again tonight." I said as we climbed into the taxi to head back to the hotel. "I'm still recuperating from last night."

Logan chucked and nodded his head in understanding. "No worries, Lils. I need to go out for a bit anyway. You rest up, then maybe you'll be more fun later."

The childish part of me wanted me to stick my tongue out at him. The mature part of me won. I rolled my eyes and gave him a smirk. As the taxi drew closer to the hotel, I gathered up my purse and wrapped my blanket more securely around myself.

"I'll see ya later, Lils."

I waved at him and watched the taxi drive off into the bustling afternoon traffic of Boston. The doorman opened the door for me and I entered the hotel, heading towards the elevators. I silently thanked my sober self for packing up a change of clothes into my purse for after the shoot. Now, instead of just wearing a bikini and a blanket, I was wearing a pair of Capri sweats and a red top. The elevator finally opened. I pushed the button for the 9th floor, rolling forward on the balls of my feet as I made my ascent. Finally, I reached my floor. I took a left towards my room, but stopped in my tracks. I'd forgotten the keycard with Logan. I sighed. Perhaps the check in desk in the lobby could give me a replacement.

I turned around to head back to the elevator, but ran straight into someone. I glanced up at the person, an apology on the tip of my tongue, but then I actually looked at the person before me.

My breath was suddenly gone.

It was him. The man I was once in love with.

His short dirty blond hair was now shaggy and unkempt. He was wearing a doorman's uniform. I looked into his eyes, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest. His eyes were the same deep chestnut. I ached to be in his arms again, and I had to physically restrain myself from walking into them again.

After all of these years, he was here again.

"Hello, Janae Sullivan."