by Krista Lakes
“I happen to like salads,” I said, sticking my tongue out at him.
“I happen to like you,” he responded immediately. A little blush colored my cheeks. What a flirt he was. “Still, a salad?”
“You're right. It's vacation. Get me the brownie sundae for dessert,” I acquiesced.
“That's more like it,” he said with a grin.
While he picked up the phone and ordered, I stretched out on the bed, feeling the sheets slide across my skin as his voice caressed my ears. I felt wonderful. Being with Logan, tangled up in sheets felt luxurious and comfortable at the same time. Being with him like this, now that I didn't think he was out to get me, was easy. Almost too easy.
“They'll be here in thirty minutes,” Logan informed me, hanging up the phone.
“Thirty minutes?” I whined. I was hungry now. “I don't know if I'll last that long.”
A naughty smirk lit up Logan's features. “I guess I'll just have to distract you until then.”
I trembled at his words, feeling a different kind of hunger fill me. A hunger that only Logan could satisfy.
“Distract away,” I said, my voice breathless with want. Logan's eyes darkened and his body hardened as he bent over me and began to make me crave only his body.
Chapter 21
“You go on in,” I told Logan as I entered the password into my phone. “I'll be right there.”
“Okay,” he murmured into my hair, kissing me before heading toward the bathroom. I raised my eyes from the screen to watch his muscled ass as he walked. I bit my bottom lip and made a little noise of appreciation when he leaned over to turn on the shower. He must have heard me, because he turned and winked at me before stepping into the spray of water. I was sad when he closed the glass door, blurring my view of water sluicing down his body.
I had two missed calls and a bunch of emails. The messages could wait until later, but I needed to call Maddy and assure her that I wasn't dead.
“Hey, Maddy,” I greeted her when she picked up the phone on the third ring. “You called?”
“I checked your room to see if you wanted some dinner, and you weren't there.” I could hear the TV on in the background. She must have been in her room. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah, I'm fine. I'm actually feeling better about things.” Logan's administrations had me feeling more than fine, but I wasn't ready to tell her about him yet. She wasn’t Logan's biggest admirer, and I knew she would discourage me from seeing him. But right now, he was the only person I wanted to see.
“Good!” I could hear the smile in her voice. “You want to come to dinner with Tyler and me? There is a very good chance, though, that Tyler will go see the dog and ditch me. I could use the company.”
“Thanks,” I said slowly. I could see the hazy outline of Logan's body in the shower. I really wanted to get wet with him. “But I can't. You two have some good mother-son-dog bonding time without me. Go with him to feed the dog or something.”
“Because that's my idea of a great vacation.” Maddy's eye-rolling was audible.
“I wanted to ask, how is Spock doing? Tyler did a great job of setting things up for him.” I watched through the glass as Logan soaped himself up. The tempered glass door hid the details, but my imagination was doing a fantastic job of adding them in.
“The dog doesn't like the room, but other than that he's doing well. Tyler's planning on sleeping with him down there tonight,” Maddy said. I knew her well enough to tell she was shaking her head at the thought. “I don't know how I'm going to tell him the dog can't come home with us.”
“Are you sure about that, Maddy?” I hesitated to say it was a bad idea, but I knew I was going to have to help Tyler sell the dog to her. “Tyler's such a good kid. He deserves a friend.”
“You've made a friend here, too, haven't you?” Maddy asked, changing the subject and catching me off guard.
“What? I haven't found a dog...” I really hoped she didn't know about Logan.
“Disappearing all day and now sounding all happy and content? Please. There are some definite hotties around here,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant and failing miserably. She was living vicariously through me. “That surfing instructor was pretty easy on the eyes. Please tell me it's the surfing instructor.”
“Maddy, I have no idea what you're talking about.” That was only a little lie. I didn't know who the surfing instructor was.
“Fine,” she pouted. “Just know that I'm a little jealous, but I'm glad you're finally finding a way to relax. How about I see you for lunch tomorrow? You can tell me all about his perfect six-pack abs then.”
I couldn't help but smile. “Sounds good. I'll see you then.”
“Oh, and one more thing,” she added quickly. “Stay away from Logan Hayes. You don't need him complicating things or messing with your head any more than he already has. That man's trouble.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” I replied, hoping I wasn't giving everything away with my voice. Maddy had the ability to see right through me when she wanted to.
“Okay. Have fun, and I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Maddy.” I clicked the phone off and tossed it onto the bed. I was about to disregard Maddy's recommendation-- hell, I already had. That shower had waited long enough.
Chapter 22
Gray light seeped through the edges of the boarded-up window, but instead of making Logan’s room seem gloomy, it simply made me sleepy. I guessed it must still be early morning, but with the storm hiding the sun, it was difficult to tell. A gust of wind shook the boards on the windows, but they were locked down tight. So far, the hotel had withstood the force of the hurricane as if it were nothing more than a summer breeze. Noah had done a good job.
I rolled to my side, expecting to find a warm body to cuddle up against. Instead, I found empty sheets. The space was cold. Logan was long gone from the bed. A moment of panic washed over me, but peeking out through the doorway, I could see the glow of a computer screen in the other room. I instantly relaxed. He was just working. I could understand that. The man ran a multibillion-dollar travel company; he had to work sometime.
I reached out to the nightstand and checked my smartphone. It was only a little after eight in the morning, but the little blinking alert light was going crazy. In addition to all the emails I'd ignored previously, I'd received five urgent messages. I hoped, maybe, that one or two of them might be my consultants asking to return to Dream Vacations, or maybe my lawyer telling me I'd be able to destroy Gerald Hayes in court. Either way, I needed to go to my room and use my computer.
I slid silently out of bed and tiptoed out to the living area. Logan's room was similar to mine. He sat typing away at the work desk. I crept up behind him, grinning like a naughty school girl at the thrill of startling him. It looked like he was emailing someone, but I did my best not to read over his shoulder.
“Good morning, handsome,” I whispered seductively in his ear.
Logan jumped practically three feet into the air and slammed the laptop shut. I giggled and came to sit on his lap. He stared at me for a moment, his hand still pressing down on his computer.
“Good morning to you too,” he finally spit out. There was an edge to his words that I wasn't expecting, but I put it off as just being annoyed that I had scared him. He quickly shuffled the papers laying on the desk into a computer bag and out of sight. It was almost as if he didn't want me to see them.
He pushed me off his lap and stood up, putting the laptop into the bag with the papers. Once everything was away, he took a deep breath and smiled at me. His shoulders dropped down to their proper position, and he looked far calmer. I wondered what could possibly be in that bag that had him so anxious to keep it private.
“You okay?” I asked, trying to get my bearings. I had been expecting warm kisses by now.
“Yes,” he said, but his head shook no. “Just catching up on work stuff. Lawyers stress me out. You want to go get some breakfast?”
“
I can't,” I replied, looking around the room for my clothes. I had thought I had taken them off here, but I didn't see them.
“Room service again?” Logan asked, wrapping me up in his arms. This was the morning greeting I had been expecting. He pulled me in to him, his bare chest against mine. Between his skin and the panty-dropping smile he was using, I was tempted to stay. Very tempted.
“I can't,” I said, kissing him softly before disentangling myself from his arms. “While room service does sound wonderful, I need to go check my email.”
I saw my shirt peeking out from beneath the couch and pulled it out. Logan was right behind me as I stood, nipping on the soft spot of my neck and sending shivers down my spine. His breath was hot and welcome on my skin. “You sure?”
I let myself relax against him again, his kisses teasing the delicate skin of my neck and the shirt nearly falling from my fingers. “I can’t,” I managed to say a final time, though not without hesitation. I stepped away and turned to look him in the face. “I have this little business problem I'm trying to fix today.”
He grimaced slightly. “Right. That. I promise, I'm doing what I can to make it right.”
I knew this wasn't his fault. It was his father's. “I really appreciate it. I do.” I put the shirt up over my head, starting the process of getting dressed. “You want to get a table for us downstairs? I'll do my best to get through my emails quickly, but then we can at least still have breakfast.”
“I'll take you any way I can get you,” he answered, his eyes hovering at the bottom hem of my shirt and darkening. He was wearing only a pair of boxers, and I was strongly considering changing my mind yet again. But my phone chirped indicating another urgent message. Business before pleasure, I thought. Always business before pleasure.
“I want you to know how incredibly tempted I am just to stay up here,” I said. He grinned and I nearly lost my nerve to leave.
“Hurry, then, and we'll eat quickly and come back.” He paused, bending over to pick up my shorts and hand them over. He leaned back and watched me finish dressing. As I put on my shoes, he waggled his eyebrows. “Or maybe we'll go destroy your room next.”
“I'd like that. I'll see you in fifteen minutes. Maybe twenty, depending on the emails,” I promised, going to the door.
“One more thing,” he said, crossing the distance between us and taking me in his arms again. I knew his kiss was coming, but even then, I wasn't prepared for it. He took my breath away, stealing it for himself and making me forget that I had ever needed to breathe in the first place. My knees went weak, and my heart pounded in my chest as my body started to heat. I melted into him, relishing his kiss. This was the way to start a morning.
“That's better than coffee,” I gasped when he let me go. He chuckled, obviously proud of himself.
“There’s more where that came from,” he assured me, sauntering back to his office chair. I took one last look at his broad shoulders, enjoying the view and the pleasant tingling sensation that his visage caused in my nether regions. Today was going to be a very good day.
I slid my key card into the door and waited for the green light to flash in recognition. I never trusted these electronic hotel locks. I had accidentally stored one too many of them in the same pocket as my phone so that they were demagnetized.
“Where were you all day yesterday?” Maddy asked, startling me. I nearly missed the green light because I was too busy bumping my head against the ceiling. “And in the same clothes no less?”
“Maddy, you scared me,” I told her, putting a hand to my thumping heart. The little jolt of adrenaline raced through me. “What are you doing here?”
“Just walking by.” Maddy came right up next to me, peering into my face and then bursting out in a big grin. “I was right. You've been with someone.”
“What?” I chuckled nervously. I wasn't ready for this conversation yet. I hadn't had my coffee, and while Logan's kiss was the best way to wake up, I wasn't ready to face the wrath of Momma Maddy without my caffeine. “I have no idea what you're talking about.”
Maddy laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “You met a boy. Or rather, judging from that happy glow you're giving off, you met a man.”
I nearly slipped putting the key card in a second time, but I at least managed to get the door open. Maddy followed me inside, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Maddy, I have no idea what you're talking about.” I tried to keep my face serious, but she knew me far too well. She hugged me and giggled.
“Tell me all about him. I want to know everything.” She grinned. She was so happy for me. Both of us had struggled with the dating world the past two years, so I knew she saw either one of us getting any action as a victory for both of us.
I sighed. There was no way I was getting out of this. At least I didn't have to tell her who it was. “Maddy...” I had no idea what to say next. Maddy, I'm sleeping with my biggest rival and the man who already broke my heart once. And I think I'm falling for him again. Because, I'm just that smart. Yeah. That would go over really well.
“I haven't seen you this happy in a long time. I was a little worried about you,” Maddy confessed. “But right now, you're radiant. Love looks good on you.”
“It's not love,” I said a little too quickly, feeling a blush settle in my cheeks.
Maddy raised her eyebrows. “If you say so. Whatever it is, at least the sex makes you look good.”
“Maddy!” My blush went deeper.
“Messy hair, rosy cheeks, a little wiggle in your walk…” Maddy demonstrated, moving her hips in a swivel that made her look like she was going to throw out her back in the process. “It's pretty obvious. Tell me all about him.”
I let my arms fall to my side. There was no fighting her. If I just gave her the info she wanted, and left out the Logan part, everyone could go happily to breakfast. If she saw me at breakfast with him, I could say I was being a good businesswoman and considering all my options. That sounded reasonable enough to me.
“Well, he's built like a Greek god and worthy of the legends.” I thought of Logan's broad shoulders and the magic his fingers could work. Definitely worthy of the legends. “I was... let's go with hesitant, about him at first. But he's not what I thought. He convinced me to look a little deeper.”
“Oh, you've got it bad.” Maddy snickered and sat down on the bed, bouncing up and down a little like a middle school sleepover guest. “What's his name?”
“Um...” I turned away from her, digging into my suitcase, and bit my lip. Maddy knew my history with Logan. She was one of the few people that actually understood all of it, and had witnessed its effects on me. Ever since the wedding, she had become extremely protective of me when it came to Logan. I was pretty sure she felt guilty about blabbing to him.
A knock on the door saved me. “I got it,” Maddy said, hopping up from the bed. I let out a sigh of relief. Hopefully, it was just housekeeping.
“Hi, Maddy,” Logan's voice said from the doorway. “I was just seeing if Olivia was ready for breakfast.”
My heart dropped, landed on the floor, and flopped around like a fish. It just had to be Logan at the door. I was pretty sure Fate hated me. I held onto a sliver of hope that I could convince her this would be just a business meeting, but I could feel it in my bones that she was going to figure it out. Maddy was a mom. She always figured this stuff out.
“She's getting dressed. How about I have her meet you down at the restaurant?” Maddy was nothing but polite, and I knew that meant trouble. She was never courteous unless it was to a customer or someone she was contemplating killing later. She said the politeness was part of her plan to get away with murder some day. All the witnesses would say it just couldn't have been Maddy because she was always so gracious. Logan was a dead man.
“That sounds wonderful. Would you and Tyler like to join us?” Logan asked. I wanted to kiss him and smack him at the same time. Bless him for trying to find a way to be a part of my life, but
this was just digging my grave a little deeper.
“We already ate, thank you,” Maddy responded.
“All right. Say hi to Tyler for me,” Logan said with a smile in his voice. “I should go get a table before all the good ones are taken. It was nice to see you, Maddy.”
“Thank you, Logan. I'll send Olivia down in just a bit. We have some things we need to discuss,” she said, all smiles and sunshine. An icy balloon was growing in the pit of my stomach. The regret I had so successfully ignored up until now was filling up all the hollow spaces in my body. I quickly changed my clothes as Maddy quietly closed the door.
“Please tell me this isn't what I'm thinking it is,” she said, coming into the bedroom. She was wearing her worried mom look and I could feel my willpower crumbling against it.
“Maddy, let me explain...”
“Oh my gosh, it is...” Maddy leaned against the doorway, her mouth hanging open. Disappointment was written all over her face. “What is there to explain? You're sleeping with the man who not only tried to ruin your business once, but is actively trying to do it again? Not to mention, the last time he slept with you he never bothered to call you back? What are you thinking?”
“He didn't have anything to do with the business!” I interjected. I hated that disapproving look. I would take angry, upset, or horror over disappointed any day of the week.
“Olivia...” Maddy pressed her fingertips into her forehead and took a steadying breath. “Don't you see what he's doing?”
“He didn't have anything to do with the consultants, Maddy. He feels terribly about all of it. He's even trying to help,” I told her, desperate to explain. I couldn’t handle her stricken gaze.
“He's using you!” she exclaimed, swiftly crossing the space between us and resting her hands atop my shoulders so she could shake them.
“What?” Her words didn't make any sense. I stepped back, but she didn't let go.