Another Life

Part 7

I was back in the kitchen, where I usually found my self most nights. It was late, almost dawn, I must've been here for hours. The mansion was quiet, most kids asleep and even early risers hadn't made their way down yet. It was just me, the dim light filtering in through the windows, and the smell of rain still hanging in the air.

I stared into my glass of whiskey, swirling around the amber liquid. My mind replaying what happened in the rain with Jean. Her kiss. The feel of her lips on mine. The way she'd pulled away, the lust in her eyes. I couldn't shake it, but I knew it was dangerous territory, even for me.

I heard footsteps—soft, hesitant. I didn't need to look to know it was her. I could feel her presence, like a warmth radiating in the room, pulling me in. She was the only one who could make me feel that way.

"Logan?" Jean's voice was soft, almost uncertain. "Are you okay?"

I took a long sip of my drink before turning to face her. She was standing in the doorway, her hair still damp, her face etched with worry. She looked tired, like she hadn't slept one bit. I wonder if she's been thinking about the kiss like I have.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice gruff, trying to play it cool. But the truth was, I wasn't fine. Not by a long shot. "You?"

She shot me a weak smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm...I don't know, Logan. I'm confused."

"About what?" I asked, even though I already knew damn well what she was confused about. Hell, I was just as lost as she was.

She hesitated, biting her bottom lip. "About last night... about everything."

I nodded, pulling out a cigar debating on whether to light it. "Yeah, well you and me both, beautiful."

She stepped out of the doorway, moving closer, and I could see her hands were trembling. "I didn't mean to... to kiss you like that," she said. "I don't know what came over me."

I set my glass and cigar down on the counter and turning to face her fully. "Don't apologize," I said my voice low, steady. "Especially not for that."

She looked me dead in my eyes, her eyes wide, almost as if she was reading my thoughts. "Logan...I don't know what to do," she confessed, her voice cracking. "I don't want to hurt Scott,  but I... I can't stop thinking about you, about our kiss."

I felt a surge of desire and hope rising in my chest. I had been waiting years for this. I took a step closer to Jean, closing the gap between us. "Jean," I began, my voice tender. "Do you remember that night we saved Rogue? When everything went to shit when me and her first got here?"

She nodded, her gaze locked on mine. "Of course, I remember."

I took a deep breath, the memory coming back to me in a rush as if it happened yesterday. "And after the fight, you took care of me downstairs. You didn't leave my side."

She nodded again, a small smile tugging at her perfect thin lips. "Yeah I remember. You had been recovering from having your powers taken by Rogue to save her after what Magneto did."

I couldn't help but smile at that. "You know what I said to you then. When you told me Rogue might have a crush on me?"

She frowned, taking a moment to think, then she shook her head. "No...what did you say?"

I took another step closer, reaching out to gently take her hand in mine. "I told you my heart belongs to you," I said softly, my eyes not leaving hers. "And it still does, Jean. It always has."

Her breath hitched, her eyes filling with tears. "Logan..."

"I know you're with Scott," I continued, keeping my voice steady as possible, even though my heart was pounding against my ribs. "And I know you love him. But I had to say it. I had to let you know how I feel. Because this thing between us...it's real, Jean. You know it, and I know it."

She stared at me, her eyes searching mine, I could see the conflict there, the fear, the uncertainty. But there was something else, something deeper. Something that told me I wasn't alone in this.

"I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"You don't have to say anything," I replied, squeezing her hand gently. "Whatever happens next...that's up to you."

She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Logan I...I care about you. More than I should. But Scott... he's..."

"I know," cutting her off, not wanting to hear his name. Not now. "I know Jean. But you deserve to be happy. And that's all I want. For you to be happy."

She looked back up at me, her eyes filled with more tears, and for a moment, I thought she might say something, might finally admit what we both knew was true. But instead, she just pulled her hand away, stepping back, putting distance between us.

"I need time," she said, holding back more tears. "I need to figure some things out."

I nodded, my heart sinking, but I understood. "I'll be here...waiting."

She gave me a small smile, sad smile, turning away and walking out of the kitchen, leaving me standing here alone with my thoughts and the ghost of her touch still lingering on my skin.

I watched her go, my mind spiraling. I knew this wasn't the end but could she come around sooner?