DBTM3

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The weather goddess tucked a loose silvery strand of hair behind her ear as her gaze stole to the huge window before her. But her attentions were not drawn to the serenity created by the moonlit snow blanketing the west courtyard, or the forgotten novel resting on her lap. She'd read the same page at least four times, before giving
up. It was useless. As usual, her concentration was shot the moment she let her guard down. She had no idea what triggered the stray thoughts of the man this time, not that it mattered. She'd been thinking idle thoughts about him more than she cared to admit. And Goddess help her, she was even starting to dream about him. He was the reason she was awake now, pretending to read at three in the morning.

Anything would be better than dreaming of the heated texture of hard perfectly chisled pecs. Or her hands running through thick unruly dark hair. She could almost feel the heat of his mouth burning a trail of fire down her neck and shoulders.

Ororo shook her head in irritation. It was ridiculous. There was no way she could be this hard up for a man. Simply because a man had golden flecks in his eyes and looked breathtaking without his shirt, she had no logical reason to act like a hormone crazed teenager..

She'd been doing an excellent job at keeping her distance from him for over a week. Managing to only to pass him in the hall on occasion where they exchanged quick nods of greeting.

However, dinner was unavoidable. She had to eat as did he, so she was forced to endure the odd looks he'd begun giving her. A smirk when he thought she wasn't looking. The heated gaze that made her squirm in her seat. He deliberately followed her every move with his eyes whenever she moved. Making her feel like she was being very slowly hunted. She was sure it hadn't gone unnoticed by the others since he never once tried to cover it up. And unfortunately, it had added a whole new level of tension around the house. Especially, when the Professor announced that he'd decided to stay on and join the team.

That in itself had surprised her, considering how he'd nearly insulted her choices less than a year ago. Her greatest life passion was a waste of time, as he saw it. She could not help but be suspicious of his motivations. It was so unlike anything she could see him deciding to do, so she felt no qualms about going to find him earlier tonight. She didn't have to look far.

He was in the gym. Not the student gym with its standard PE Equipment, he was down in the lower level state of the art training room specifically created for the X-men. She stood in the door watching him for long moments, doing some sort of Tai Chi- like martial arts to warm up. She'd seen Scott doing something similar, but Logan's movements were far more fluid and graceful. Before she could clear her throat to announce her presence, he turned to her. Shirtless, his hard masculine pecs gleaming slightly with a light sheen of sweat.

"Ya gonna stand there gawking at me all day, Princess?"

Deciding to ignore his idiotic new title for her, she offered a humorless smirk. "Gawking? Do not flatter yourself,Logan." His stance was as cool and cocky as ever, so she continued. " I came down here to speak with you."He appeared to be momentarily surprised, but he quickly recovered inclining his head slightly in acceptance.

The dark gray mats muffled her steps as she crossed the room to sit on the edge of one of the weight benches, the feel of his unsettling gaze burning hot as he followed her path. He did not sit, instead choosing to resume his warm up. She got right to the point.

"What kind of game are you playing at, Logan?"

His arms stilled as he gazed down at her in confusion.

Having his full attention, she continued. "I find it odd that suddenly you want to be a part of the team. If I am not mistaken, you are after all, the same man who said that what we did was a waste of time. Why have you changed your mind?"

Silence ticked for long moments as he continued to eyeball her, his gaze shifting from confusion to vague annoyance, and finally to a hint of amusement as he spoke.

" Who said I changed my mind?"

"Something has changed. There must be some reason for your sudden desire to be an X-Man." She paused, frowning. "Are you still after Jean?"

Irritation fleeted across his face, before being replaced by something unreadable. "Not everything I do has to with a woman, Ororo."

Although she did not quite believe him, he'd been oddly distant with Jean lately. Bordering on polite even.

" But who knows, maybe I just wanted to get to see you in that uniform again." He interuppted her thoughts with a wicked grin forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Cut the bull, Logan."

His lips quirked at her choice of words. It was possibly the first time he'd ever heard use anything close to profanity but he did not dwell on the novelty. His statement grew thoughtful and serious in the blink of an eye.

"I was wrong." he said, simply.

Startled, she just stared up at him. Waiting for an elaboration.

He hesitated and for the first time she'd known him he seemed to be choosing his words carefully. " I am not a fool, Ororo. Nor am I a complete asshole. Despite what you all may think" he added, with a self-depreciating huff. "Unlike you, I never saw a reason to get caught up in this mutant vs. humanity bullshit but no matter what I do...I'm in it. I don't know if I'll ever find the fucks that did this shit to me..."indicating his claws as they slid out with a stark metallic hiss in the otherwise quiet room "but I intend on getting whatever satisfaction I can from sticking 'em real deep into the next bastard who tries and take away my humanity or anyone elses again."

The sound of his claws retracting was jarring, causing her to shiver slightly. She found herself staring at him. Really looking at him. The man behind the rage and claws and the bad attitude. She had no idea how long she looked at him, feeling her eyes drawn helplessly into the intensity of his. Seeing the warrior inside who refused to be at anyone's mercy ever again. It struck a real and synchronized chord inside her and moved her to finally speak.

"What did they do to you, Logan?"she heard herself whisper. Even as she asked , she knew it had to have been more unspeakable than she'd ever imagined.

"What the fuck do you think? They turned me into a freak of nature...a goddamned animal." Anger heated his
words, but she knew his rage was not directed towards her. Because underneath the anger, his pain loomed deep and yawning. It twisted her gut and she longed to reach for him. Comfort him. Anything to let him know she understood.

"I'm sorry." she said instead.

She tried not to show a reaction, as he unexpectedly moved towards her. Still, her heartbeat sped up and her posture tensed. She swallowed slowly when he stopped before her, towering over her. The faint scent of his sweat tickled her nose but she kept her eyes trained on his refusing to be intimidated. She didn't expect violence any more than she expected his next move, gasping slightly as he suddenly leaned down until they were eye to eye.

The woman in her couldn't help but admire the gorgeous golden flecks in eyes she'd never really noticed before, as she felt his hands enclose around her wrist. His touch sent a hot shiver through her body.

"I don't need your damned pity..."he enunciated carefully, the words echoing in his beautiful eyes.

"I know." Ororo said, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. His nearness was overwhelming and she could now understand exactly why this man had the power to turn Jean's head. Logan radiated masculinity from every pore and it made her all the more aware that she was female. Nervously, she wet her suddenly dry lips as she noticed his nostrils give an involuntary twitch. It would have been comical, except the motion was quickly followed by a low, sexy hum from his throat, almost like a purr. She'd never heard anything so arousing in her life.

Ororo felt like she was standing outside herself even as she followed his lead, leaning towards him as his face neared hers. Like one of those out of body experiences she'd heard about. Still, she was well aware of his faintly salty breath as it fanned her cheek, the slow dilation of his pupils as he met her unwavering gaze and the feel of his thumbs making tiny circles on the insides of her wrist.

He was drawing her impossibly closer until she could feel the moist heat of his mouth with each rapid breath he took. Waiting for permission, she realized belatedly.

"Logan? Are you in here?" A masculine voice called out.

They both jerked away at the unexpected interruption, gazes forced apart to Scott's surprised face . Even behind the crimson hued glasses they could see his curious eyes swing from the two of them, as Logan stepped away from her as though he were guilty.

"Uh....I...."he stammered awkwardly, not certain if he'd seen what he thought he saw.

"What do you want, Summers?" Logan spat, irritably when it became obvious the fearless leader had forgotten what he wanted to say.

The usual frown that appeared whenever he spoke to the other man presented itself on Scott's forehead as he spoke, even though his eyes were directed right on Ororo. "You have a visitor upstairs, Logan."
Logan cocked his head to the side in question, but Scott's attention remained focused on his flustered looking friend.

Ororo didn't miss the questioning look Logan shot her. She too, was wondering what had happened. She found herself disappointed that nothing did. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized what she was thinking and Scott's obvious disapproval wasn't helping. If the muscle ticking in his jaw was any indication, she was going to have to sit through one of his annoying lectures. One day that man would realize that he could not control every aspect of everyone else life, no matter how well intentioned.

Out of the corner of her eye she watched Logan stiffen just before he turned and stalked towards the door, snatching his discarded shirt from its spot near the door on his way out. She hid her amusement as he accidentally on purpose bumped into Scott as he left.

"What the hell was that all about?" Scott asked incredulously, the moment Logan disappeared around the corner. " Have you lost your mind, Ro?"

Shooting him a warning glance, she stood to her feet. "Leave me alone, Scott."

"Christ, Ro. He's been here...what two weeks and already trying to put the moves on you. Can't you see what that jerk is all about?"

Attempting to bury her agitation was futile. She felt insulted. "What real business is it of yours?"

Scott blew her off with a sigh. "All I'm saying is don't get too close to him, Ororo. He'll only hurt you."
"You know what, Scott...."she bristled, crossing the room to where he stood. "You have no idea what just happened here. Even if you did, it would still be none of your business."

Opening his mouth to speak, he was effectively silenced as she brushed past him. On her way out the door, she heard him muttering to himself. "What the hell do they see in that guy?"

She'd been asking herself that very question.

TBC

Continue to Part 4

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