Fighting for Power (Howl of the Elements: Book One)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

As the car slowly pulled up to the path that led to the warehouse, Layla scoffed, “So my surprise was a ride home? Is this where I’m supposed to say thank you for your such kind generosity?”

Logan glanced over at the sarcastic look she was giving him. “Something like that,” he grinned at her and pulled the seatbelt off.

After he jumped out of the driver’s side, he sprinted over to the passenger door to open it for Layla. His attempt at being a gentleman only landed him a deadly glare from her as she pushed passed him. Tilting his head to the side, he stood there for a minute just watching the way her hips swung back and forth as she padded down the path. A familiar heat rose within him, engulfing his chest. His eyes darted to the rain drops that glistened on her bare arms, making him wonder what it would look like if the rest of her was exposed as well.

Gulping, he snapped his attention back to the task at hand, “Wait up!”

Layla paid him no attention and kept walking forward at the same pace. The only sign of acknowledgment was a simple gesture of rolling her eyes as he ran up to her side.

“Will you just stop for a second?” After receiving no response, he continued, “You’re going to ruin it.”

Groaning, Layla slowed her pace and looked him in the eyes, “Ruin what? It’s raining out here, and I’m getting cold. Thanks for giving me a ride. It was nice, but I think I can walk myself to the front door.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” Logan slouched his shoulders and shook his head at her, “Just go ahead, I guess.”

“Do you seriously think I need your permission to enter—“ her voice was cut off as soon as she opened the front door to the warehouse.

Frozen in place, her jaw dropped and she could barely manage to even make herself process the scene in front of her. The room before her had changed dramatically. It was no longer as large as it was before, yet it still seemed big. The rickety staircase no longer existed. It was replaced by two sturdy looking wooden staircases on each side of the room that led upstairs to an open hallway with fresh wooden railing lining the edge. There were new walls that had yet to be painted. The cement floor was full of sawdust, sheetrock debris, and random pieces of insulation.

“Follow me,” Logan said as he gripped her arm to drag her inside.

His face was lit with a huge smile as he took in her shocked expression. Shutting the door behind them, he pulled Layla towards the right side of the room. A large wooden door was propped open, and they slowly entered into a long room.

“This will be the ladies’ restroom. There will be a big mirror and long counter with sinks here. Toilet stalls will be across from it, and down at the end will be shower stalls. It’s the same set-up on the other side of the entryway for the men’s restroom,” he stated, gesturing with his hand to each area that he had mentioned.

There was no counter or stalls yet, and the walls were unfinished just like the entryway. There was a small window high up on the wall across from the door. Still in shock and feeling confused, Layla let Logan lead her back into the entryway. She didn’t noticed before, but there were two very large windows on each side of the front door of the warehouse, showing her a sky that was beginning to clear of the dark clouds. Rays of sunlight shined through, casting light across the cement floor.

“Come on,” chuckling, Logan wrapped his arm around her waist to guide her to the wide archway directly across the room from the front door.

Stepping into the next room, Layla saw another huge window to the right. Besides for that, this room was also empty, even though it was bigger than the entryway. Another wide archway across the room led to another large empty room that had a couple bay windows lining the walls.