by Calinda B
“Really? Where do you live?”
“Staten Island. I have a small place out there.” He smiled down at her. “I don’t much like the confines of the city buildings. How about you, or am I not allowed to ask?” He asked with a chuckle.
When they exited the building, Logan noticed a long, dark limo pulling up to the curb. “Is that yours?”
“Yes, it is.” She glanced around and walked quickly to the idling vehicle. The driver’s door opened, and a tall man hurried around the car to open the back door.
“Good evening, Ms. Taylor.” He stood with the handle of the car door in his hand, waiting for her to slide in. “Will you be joining us this evening, sir?” He turned slightly toward Logan.
“Yes, I will.” He nodded and slipped into the seat, noticing Drew had not moved very far from the door. “Thank you for offering me a ride home.”
“If you’ll give the driver your address, we will be on our way.”
Logan leaned forward, giving the address. When he glanced back at Drew, he noticed her raised brow. He winked and leaned back against the plush seat of the limo. “This is nice.” He glanced around the back of the limo.
She glanced up at him. “Thank you.”
He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her perfect ear and sat back. “You’re welcome.”
8
Drew smiled up at him. This was just too easy sometimes. She was nervous that Scott might be waiting for her downstairs, so she wanted someone to walk her out. Logan was big enough to intimidate the likes of Scott Turner. Moreover, it would give her time to let Logan know she was a little more than willing to date him. It just couldn’t be until after she pulled off her job. She didn’t need the distraction. She’d heard some of what he’d said to his friend. Most of the men she met were more than happy to have fun without any strings attached. He intrigued her more and more for that reason.
When he accepted the offer of a ride and told her where he lived, she smiled. “That works out for both of us. I live on Staten Island as well.” The elevator doors slid open. She looked around the lobby expecting to see Scott waiting for her.
“Don’t worry. If he’s stupid enough to be waiting for you, I won’t let him anywhere near,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing softly over her neck.
“I’m not worried. But thank you just the same.” She nodded as she saw her limo pull up. “My car is here. Come on. Take me up on the ride.”
She felt safe when he placed his hand on her lower back and shoved open the door. She noticed he was looking around, his brows drawn down as he scoured the area, looking for anyone wanting to get near her. She picked up her pace as her chauffeur hurried to open the back door. Sliding in, she motioned for him to sit beside her. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Only if you have water.” His eyes widened as she pushed a button, a wall slid open, and a well-stocked mini bar appeared.
“Of course I do, plain or sparkling?” She smiled as his plump lips turned up into a sexy smile, and his eyes locked onto hers. She handed him a chilled bottle of water. “Would you like a chilled glass to pour that into?”
“Nope, this is perfect. Thanks.” He twisted the top off and took a long drink.
Drew watched as he tilted his head back, her eyes roving over his face. She had a sudden urge to nuzzle his neck and inhale the clean, fresh scent that was uniquely him. She cleared her throat and poured her water into a small glass before taking a dainty sip. “Logan, I wanted to clear something up.”
He turned toward her, his head cocked. “What’s that?”
“I think you misunderstood me tonight. When I said I couldn’t go out with you, I wasn’t saying I wouldn’t go out with you.”
Raising a brow, he nodded for her to go on while his eyes moved down to her mouth before catching her eyes again.
“I’m busy with business for the next couple of weeks, and I fear I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my work if I’m, um, distracted.” She felt the heat of a blush spread over her face again.
He smiled as another chuckle rumbled in his chest. “So I’m a distraction?” He cupped her face. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“For some reason I can’t quite fathom, Mr. James, you distract me very much.” Her eyes moved to his plump, kissable lips. When she glanced up, he winked and sat back against the seat.
“May I ask you a question or have I used mine up for tonight?”
She giggled. “No, you can ask me one more.” She leaned back against the seat, resting her head against the soft leather of the headrest.
“May I kiss you?”
Turning her head, his mouth was so close. All she had to do was raise her head slightly to taste him. “Okay,” she whispered just before his mouth claimed hers. Her heart soared as he deepened the kiss.
“That will have to hold me until you agree to go out with me,” he whispered, tucking another stray hair behind her ear.
Drew leaned forward as the limo pulled to a stop in front of a modest, old home. “This is lovely, Logan.”
“Hopefully, you’ll come see it one day.” He watched her perfectly arched brows lift. She widened her eyes for just a moment before catching herself.
“I’d like that.”
The chauffeur opened the door, and he started to slide out when he felt her hand touch his arm. “Give us a minute, Charles.”
“Yes ma’am.” Charles closed the door and stepped to the side.
Logan glanced at her. “Was there something else?”
“Don’t you want my number?” She felt her face heat again as he gazed at her, a smile spreading over his lips.
“If you want to give it to me, I’d love to have it. Would you like mine?”
“Please.” She pulled her cell phone out of her clutch purse and raised her brow, fingers poised.
He listed off his number and watched as she entered it before he knocked on the window for the chauffeur to open the door. “Just text me and I’ll put yours in my phone. Good night, Drew. Thanks for the lift.” He slid out the door and heard his phone ping, signifying an incoming text. He leaned down and winked at her, giving her a thumbs-up that he received her text.
Drew turned in her seat and watched him walk up the steps to his home. He was drop dead gorgeous and so different from anyone she’d ever met before. She figured she just might be in trouble. The thought startled her. She’d always been in control of every situation, every emotion. She would go online tonight to do a bit of research on this gentleman. Drew liked to know who she was dealing with.
She touched her lips. When he had kissed her so tenderly, she felt something like butterflies in her stomach. She’d actually leaned a little into the kiss, wanting to be closer to him. This kiss was different from any she’d had in her life.
Shaking her head, Drew leaned back, closed her eyes, and went through her memories of the layout of Scott’s house. She didn’t know what that dark look meant that had appeared in Scott’s eyes that morning, and she didn’t think she wanted the trouble it could possibly bring her, if he figured out the jewel was gone.
She slid her phone back out of her clutch and made a call. “Hello Sergio, it’s me. What happened when Scott stepped off the elevator?”
“He was acting stupid in the lobby. Jay called up and warned me. I wasn’t going to let him make a scene so I politely asked him to leave.”
“I was worried he would be waiting for me downstairs.” She sighed. Thank heavens, they had good people in place just for these circumstances. “I appreciate you watching out for me.”
“Not a problem, Ms. Taylor. I made sure he left the area. My men were on him. Let me know if you need anything else, ma’am.”
“I will. Thank you, Sergio.” She disconnected the call, slid the phone back into her clutch, and waited as the chauffeur pulled up in front her home. Once he helped her out of the limo, she thanked him and went inside.
Drew set the alarm before she made her way upstairs to her room. As she wa
lked up the left staircase, she wondered what Logan would think of her home. It was one of the nicest mansions on Staten Island. However, she didn’t often entertain, so she rattled around the place alone most of the time.
Laughing, she realized that beside her nanny, she’d always been alone. She rather envied Logan having a grandmother who spent time with him and loved him. What would life have been like for her if she’d had someone to do that with her? Shaking off the thoughts, she undressed to shower.
Once she’d finished and dressed for the night, she picked up her laptop and carried it to her bed. She slid in between her sheets and logged on to google this man who had her so distracted. She clicked on the first link and was greeted with a close up of the handsome man who had caught her attention. His blue eyes sparkled even in the picture. She read through the information and clicked on some of the links. An hour later, she had a greater understanding of this wide receiver for the Knights.
Drew logged off and placed her computer on the antique nightstand beside her bed. Turning off the light, she pulled her covers up with a sigh, closed her eyes, and drifted off with thoughts of his kiss filling her dreams.
She was startled awake by her phone ringing. Her heart galloped in her chest as she rolled over to see it was only four-thirty. Turning on her light, she grabbed the phone to see it was Scott calling her. She rolled her eyes and silenced the ringer. What the hell are you calling me for this early? Kicking off her covers, she sat up knowing she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep.
Drew picked up her robe and tugged it on as she slid her feet into the fluffy slippers sitting beside her bed, before making her way to the bathroom. After drying her hands, she picked up the house phone and punched the extension for her live-in chef. “Sorry to wake you so early, Anthony. Would you please make me some coffee and scones? I’ll be down in about ten minutes.” Glancing at her cell, she noticed Scott had called four more times in the last ten minutes.
This is getting old Scott. Picking up her phone, she hit return call, took a deep breath, and put herself in game mode.
“Drew! Why have you been ignoring me?”
She sighed loudly. “I don’t feel like I’m in a place right now to have a relationship with you. Things got out of hand.”
“We had a wonderful evening and things seemed to have gone quite well until we went downstairs for breakfast,” he said in that same menacing, low voice. It seemed almost as if he was trying to command her to believe what he was saying.
“I can’t believe you don’t get this.” She pretended to sob, waiting to hear his response.
“We will work this out.”
“Just stop hounding me.” Sobbing harder, she hoped the dick would get it and back off.
“I’m not hounding you. I’m trying to find out why you’re being such a bitch. You think I’m someone to play with?” He growled. “You know my number when you’re ready to talk, and it better be sooner than later, if you know what’s good for you. Nobody walks out on me and gets away with it.”
Taking a deep breath, she whispered, “Don’t call me again.” She disconnected the call, sat back, and started shaking. She sure as hell didn’t like what he’d said or the way he’d said it. Once she collected herself, she headed downstairs for her breakfast, finding her breakfast dishes set up in the smaller dining room.
She would have preferred to eat in her sunroom, but since it was still so early, there was no sense in it. The darkness would prevent her from looking out on her gardens. She sat down just as her butler made his way into the room with her coffee and scones. “That looks wonderful.”
“Good morning, Ms. Taylor. I trust you slept well.” He poured her coffee before placing it on the table. “Here are your scones. Will there be anything else?”
“No, thank you.”
He stepped away and left as quietly as he’d appeared.
After she finished her breakfast, she went back to her room. She woke her phone and scrolled down through her contacts. Perfect. Touching the number, she waited for Ramsey to pick up.
“Drew! What’s going on, Princess?” His infectious laugh bubbled through the phone. “What are you doing up so damn early?”
“Ramsey, do you really have to call me princess?” She rolled her eyes, hating how he’d dubbed her with that nickname. “I was woken by my mark calling me at four this morning. He won’t back off.”
“What the hell? What happened?” His voice thundered through the phone.
“He has a nasty side. I got out quickly, and he has been blowing up my phone. When he called this morning, I played as if I was devastated and asked him to please leave me alone. I think he’s too much of a loose cannon.”
“Tell me what you need.”
She relaxed, feeling the tension she didn’t even realize she had, loosen in her shoulders. “Maybe invite him to the high stakes poker game? Try to figure out where his head is. I’m thinking about trying to get in and put it back.”
“I’m thinking the best thing to do is for you to let this one go, Princess. If he is as unstable as you think, it might not be smart to go through with this.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. She hadn’t thought about it like that. Shit, she wasn’t going to let him scare her enough to back down. She wanted to cut her ties to him as quickly as possible. “Can you try to set something up? I want to be done with this one within the week.”
“You think that’s long enough?”
“Photographic memory, remember?” She laughed. It didn’t ring true to her ears and hoped he didn’t catch the nervous tone in it.
“Right...” She had to pull the phone away from her ear, his big, booming laugh was too loud. “You’re lucky, takes me a couple of times before I even feel half ready. Damn, one date and you already pulled it off and now you want to put it back.”
“The sooner the better. When do you think you can set up a game?” She sighed. “Make sure you mention it’s high stakes and be sure to play on that arrogant ego of his.”
“Okay. I’ll get something together and approach him. I know how to play the mark, Princess. I’ll let you know when it’s a go. Take care. You going to the club tonight?”
“Yes. I’ll see you there.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you soon.”
Her phone went silent. Drew chose her clothes for the evening and placed them on hangers in her dressing area. She placed a pair of Stella McCartney white linen pants on the bed. Walking into her closet, she selected a belt to go with the wide-leg pants and a pink, sleeveless jersey. Her black shoes and new black diamond necklace would accent the outfit perfectly. Once showered and dressed, Drew headed out to do some shopping. She sighed as she climbed into the back seat of her limo for the ride downtown. Her fingers flew over the phone keys, typing information to Ramsey she had gleaned from Scott over the few dates she’d had with him at the club.
Leaning her head back on the seat, she wondered if this was going to be her life forever: bored, alone, endlessly shopping, and eating at the Diamond Club, waiting for the next rush of adrenaline from doing another lift. This can’t be all there is to my life. Turning on her music, she closed her eyes and tried to clear her head. Logan’s bright blue eyes popped into her mind, startling her for a moment before she relaxed and let the memory of his kiss flow through her again. Her heart sped up, and her body heated as she felt a flush cover her skin. Her eyes popped open as she sat up. What the hell?
This was a very foreign feeling. Could she be interested in this man? Really interested in him? She had never felt anything like this in her entire life. She wanted to explore this later, once everything was done. For now, she pushed the feelings back, deep inside. Shaking her head, she knew her credit card would get a workout today.
Hours later as her chauffeur carried her multiple bags to the front door, Drew’s mood had leveled out. Shopping always allowed her to plan her moves in her mind. It was as if each choice of a blouse, pants, dress, or negligee helped the pieces
of her plan drop into place. She’d never be able to explain it to anyone. It just worked for her. Hell, it was the only thing that had kept her sane all these years of being alone and working through her own shit.
Once Timothy carried all the bags upstairs, she closed her door with the anticipation of organizing her purchases. Organization was Drew’s joy. Everything was organized to perfection in her home, especially in her bedroom. Making quick work of putting away her new finds, she glanced at the clock seeing it was almost five. No wonder I’m hungry. She hadn’t eaten since early that morning.
Glancing at the dress she had chosen earlier, she decided it was early enough that she could go in what she was wearing. After all, it was classy and looked elegant on her. She checked her makeup and headed downstairs, calling for her limo on the way.
9
Logan rolled out of bed and dressed for the gym. Knowing they had practice today, he wanted to get his workout done early. He called his usual cab company and packed everything he needed into his workout bag. He made his way downstairs and just had time to grab a couple cold waters from the fridge when he heard the cabby honk his horn.
Logan opened the back door of the vehicle and tossed his bag across the seat. He closed the door and glanced up at the eyes twinkling in the mirror. “Good morning, Gus.”
“Good morning.”
“What are you doing working this early in the morning?”
“Taking a couple of extra shifts for one of the guys. His wife had a baby yesterday. I’m going to be tired as hell, but he needs to be there.”
“That’s nice of you. Bet your family misses you though, working long shifts like this.”
Gus glanced in the rearview, his eyes clouded with sadness. “Lost the missus a few years back. Daughter lives in California and the son is in Germany. So, I’m on my own.”
“Sorry, Gus. I’m sure you miss them terribly. What was your wife’s name?” Shit, rambling again.
The smile reached Gus’s eyes again. “Sally. But I’m sure you have better things to do than hear about my family, Mr. James.”