Chapter 11

            "Kendra?" Max called out entering her apartment, instead of her roommate however she found a note saying that Kendra would be otherwise occupied tonight.  Well at least she would be able to take a nice relaxing bath before settling in for the night.  True it was three in the morning and that in four hours she'd be up and moving again but she could deal with it.  She didn't really need that much sleep anyway.

            After running into Zack and Alec she'd spent the next hour tearing through the streets of Seattle trying to clear her mind.  Of all the people she'd never expected to see them.  It reminded her that her life out her was temporary and that she shouldn't get too attached.  The meaning in their words had been clear.  She had to get back on task.

            Well at least she had something to go on now.  Some how though she didn't want to go over all the complications it brought on and so instead she made her way to her dresser to grab a change of clothes.

An object on her dresser however, stopped her short.

            Damn, he'd been here. That man had nerve, she had to give him that.

            Grabbing the statue of Bast she exited her room and headed back over to her bike.  It was a good thing she didn't need sleep cause if she had Logan Cale would have been sorry.

            When Max arrived at Logan's she decided to use the door this time and so she picked the lock.  Darkness flooded the apartment as she stalked quietly through its large open halls.  Creeping to the end of the hall she pushed open the last door, instinctively knowing that that was where her prey lay in wait.

            Smiling as the door crept back revealing his sleeping form, Max silently slipped into the room making sure to close the door behind her.  Max sauntered over to his bed, confidently, smugly, and even a bit egotistically, Running her fingers up his bare arm and tracing the curves of his form with her eyes.

            "I was wondering when you'd show up." Logan responded to her movements without opening his eyes.  Max jumped back in surprise, did he always have to be in the dominating position.  One of these days he was going to get it all shoved back up in his face if he didn't watch it.  Max had no qualms about letting him eat dirt, for once it would be nice if she got to have to upper hand.  Sure she'd had a brief moment earlier that evening but even when she was on top he managed to throw her somehow. Max regained her cool and confident composure as Logan opened his eyes with a smug look that Max wanted to remove with her lips. 

Where had that thought come from?  It probably had nothing to do with the man in front of her.  Maybe it was that time again.  Logan sat up and the sheets slid down to his waist reveling clearly defined and toned chest muscles.  Max licked her lips and banished thoughts that clearly had no place in her mind.

"Breaking into my apartment?" Max questioned with her eyebrow raised.

"It was open." He rationalized as he threw back the sheets and stood up.

"You got a lot of nerve." Max said her voice cold and dangerous.

"Me? You're the one who tried to rip off this place." Logan said in disbelief, advancing on her.

"I steal things in order to sell them for money. It's called commerce. But some stranger sneaking into a girl's apartment is bent." Max stood her ground staring Logan in the eye as he came up to her.

"Bent?" he questioned, close enough for her to feel the warmth that radiated off him.

"Bent." She reaffirmed, Max wasn't going to lose this one.  Logan smiled at her then backed off.

"I left you a present." He tossed over his shoulder at her as he pulled a shirt on.

"Am I supposed to be grateful?" she snapped at him in disbelief.  Logan suppressed his smile at her outburst. Then turned around and answered her innocently.

"That would not be inappropriate." Max couldn't believe the nerve of this guy.

"How am I ever supposed to sleep there again knowing some stranger's probably touched everything I own?" Max fought back with an innocent comment. Logan stopped in front of her and smiled smugly.

"Well, if you're that nervous, you're welcome to stay here." He made no attempt to hide the undertones.  Max seemed to contemplate his offer for a moment then on second thought she started backing away from him.

" Look...if I made you nervous or uncomfortable or creeped you out..."  Logan offered again this time with a sincerity that touched Max.

"Yes...on all counts." She ventured.  

"Well, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention. I had to see you." His voice barely hid the desperation he felt. 

"You'd think a guy who's taken on the job of saving the world would have a few more important things to do than traipse around after some girl." offered sarcastically trying to lighten the tension that seemed to be growing by the minute. 

"I haven't been able to get you off my mind." Logan didn't seem to want to cut her any slack.  

"You need to get out more." Logan seemed to contemplate her comment a minute then with a slight nod he replied. 

"Come here. I want to show you something." Grabbing her arm lightly he tugged her gently to a mirror.

"American, neoclassic gold leaf detail, late 1800s. I could probably fence it for two or three grand." Max tried reason to distract herself from the way his hands rested on her shoulders his fingers rubbing and massaging.

"No, I meant this." He said touching her cheek and tracing a finger down under her chin gently turning her face toward him.  "Probably the most singularly beautiful face I've ever seen." He was getting close too close, Max's head screamed at her to pull away but she wanted to chance it, she wanted to live a little more dangerously.  Besides the way he was tracing his fingers across the back of her neck was more then a little distracting.

"Expensive gifts, surprise late-night visits, over-the-top flattery. Do you always come on this strong?" Max asked swallowing a lump in her throat.

"Only when I meet someone I have to know everything about." It was definitely too far, Max pulled away, turning her back on him, but not before Logan had found what his fingers had been seeking.

"How's Manticore doing these days?" he asked to her back.  Max flew around in surprise. "Your barcode." He offered as an explanation to her unasked question. "This may not be the best timing but I was wondering if you'd be interested in helping me out tomorrow." Logan asked suddenly all business as he brushed past her and out the door headed toward his computer set up. 

Max stormed out of the room after him more then a little angry.  This man created so many conflicting emotions in her and he knew how to play her.  It made her sick the way he had her twisted around his finger before she knew what hit her.  Catching up with him she grabbed his wrist, turned him around roughly and threw him up against a wall, capturing his lips with hers she tore through him like there was no tomorrow.

Breaking away from the kiss she smiled in amusement at his surprise.

"What time you need me?" she asked mocking and insulting with the quickness of her recovery.

"Tttt….ten am." Logan stuttered out making Max's smile widen.

"Gotta jet.  See ya then." She said patting his cheek like he was some kind of puppy.  And then she was gone.