“The reason you hear about that is because it’s so rare. Most people are killed for the usual reasons.”
“Love, money, and revenge.” Murder required passion and those things inspired it.
Logan nodded in agreement. “That’s right. So which one was Bill Bryson?” Logan leaned forward. “I also found out a few things about his brother George.”
“George? What did you find out about him?” Ava had always been under the impression the Bryson family was very close. They’d certainly circled the wagons recently.
“George isn’t a part of Bryson Development. At all. Did you know that?”
Ava frowned, trying to remember anything that would have indicated that, but if anything what she’d seen pointed to the opposite. “Doesn’t George own and manage apartment buildings in this and neighboring counties? I always thought Bryson Development did that.”
“I did too. I’m guessing that’s what they wanted us to think. In actuality, George had his own company—”
“GTB Management,” Ava and Logan said simultaneously. Logan’s eyebrows shot up.
“Have you been reading my email?”
“I’ve been reading those files.” Ava shook her head, excitement coursing through her veins. She loved the feeling when she found a clue. “There were regular payments from Bryson Development to GTB Management. Twice a year – one hundred thousand. I thought it was strange because no reason was given for it. It was categorized as a miscellaneous expense.”
Logan whistled. “A big miscellaneous expense. Even pencils are categorized as office supplies. I wonder what it was for?”
“I don’t know but the payments stopped last year,” she revealed with a sense of triumph. This was the first real lead they’d found.
“Nothing this year?” Logan stroked his chin. “That is interesting. I think I need to bring George in for questioning tomorrow.”
“What should we ask him?” Ava asked eagerly, already formulating questions in her head.
“Not we, me,” Logan replied with a shake of his head. “You’re not a cop, remember? You’re an honorary deputy. I can’t have you interrogating a person of interest.”
He was right. She’d gotten ahead of herself with the excitement of a lead. “That sucks. Will you tell me what he said?”
Logan gave her one of his patented grins. “I can do you one better. How would you like to be there?”
“I can be there?” He was probably yanking her chain. Kicking him in the shin was sounding better and better.
“You can. You can watch on a monitor in my office. I can’t have you in the room with me.”
“You mean it?” She hardly dare believe it but he looked sincere.
“I mean it.” The waitress placed their plates in front of them. “You’ve taken a vow of silence so I’m not worried about you talking.”
“I wouldn’t say a thing.” Ava made an X with her finger across her chest. “Cross my heart.”
“That’s as good as a pinkie swear I guess.” Logan dug into his steak with relish. “I trust you.”
Ava felt warm with that small bit of praise. She had a feeling Logan trusted few people in his life. From what he’d told her, he had scant reason to.
They finished their dinner and Logan insisted they order a decadent chocolate cake to share for dessert. She licked at the fudge icing on her fork and sighed in sublime happiness. Somehow chocolate made a good evening even better.
“Like it?” Logan asked, his eyes twinkling. He obviously knew her answer. “They’re known for their good steaks and desserts here.”
Ava helped herself to another forkful. “I’ll second that. This is delicious.”
“Next time we’ll try the white chocolate cheesecake.”
He’d obviously been to this place before. An image of him sitting in this very restaurant eating dessert with another woman made her feel like a giant boulder was pressing on her chest. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable with him. He was a serial womanizer and she needed to make her expectations clear. Kaylee was right. It was best to head things off at the pass. If he was going to be a jerk, she needed to get out now.
Ava toyed with her fork. “I was thinking we should talk about some ground rules. You know, for this relationship we’re trying.”
“Rules?” Logan’s fork paused in midair. “What kind of rules?”
“Just a few to help us understand what the expectations are. You’ve never been in a relationship before. I’ve been in a few but I wouldn’t say they were all that great. I’m sure you have ideas of what we should do. What I should do. I’d like to hear them. I think we both should come to some agreement as to how this is going to work.”
Logan smiled and stroked his chin. “I’m not fond of rules. You’ll find I go out of my way to break them. Just because I can.”
She should have known he would say that. He wasn’t one to conform to societal norms. “If we agree to a rule then I expect you to follow it.”
“Do I get to make some too?” From the amused look on his face he wasn’t taking this too seriously.
“Of course. We both have to agree,” she said firmly.
“Fine. I’ll agree to three rules if you will too.” Logan tossed out the challenge casually as if he made rules with women every day of his life. He didn’t appear worried in the least. And that worried her. What kind of rules would he want?
“Fine.” Ava licked her lips nervously. “My rules first.” Hopefully if she set reasonable rules he would follow suit. “Rule number one. No dating or sleeping with other women.”
Logan shrugged. “We talked about not seeing anyone else. I’m okay with that. What’s rule number two?”
Ava nodded, searching her memory for things her friends might have mentioned when complaining about their boyfriends. “What about frequency of dates and phone calls?”
His eyebrows drew down. “What’s the usual?”
“Maybe…a couple of times a week?” Ava thought about some of her past relationships but they hardly seemed like a blueprint for success. “But you’re supposed to call the morning after.”
“After we have sex?” He laughed when her blush deepened. She had to fight the urge to press her hands to her hot cheeks. “There won’t be any need. We’ll be waking up in the same bed. No more running out afterward, good girl.”
The thought of waking up with Logan next to her sent a rush of heat and excitement through her body. He must have noticed as his blue eyes were a shade deeper and he reached out to capture her free hand with his own.
“It’s going to be hard. My parents aren’t the most open-minded people in the world.”
“You’re a grown woman, Ava. I’m sure you can handle them.”
She wasn’t as sure as he was, but he had a point. She was a grown woman and they needed to back off. Her mother wouldn’t be an issue. Her father was a different story. He’d lock her in a chastity belt if he had his way.
“Rule number three,” she began, trying to get her mind out of the gutter. Logan was so blatantly sexy she had a hard time concentrating on everyday matters. She actually didn’t have another rule but since he’d set the limit she felt like she needed a third one. As long as he treated her with respect, just as Kaylee had said, things would be fine.
Logan’s lips twitched as if he was aware of her predicament. “Go ahead. I can’t wait to hear this last one. Don’t waste it.”
“Rule number three,” she began again. “You’ll always treat me with respect even around your friends.”
Scowling, he leaned forward in his chair. “Have I ever not treated you with respect?”
“This doesn’t really have anything to do with you,” she admitted.
His expression cleared. “Some asshole acted like a jerk whenever he was around his friends?”
She nodded, remembering how Lucas had belittled her writing when they were around his literary friends. After all, she only wrote commercial fiction that made money. They sold literature.
“I just don’t want a repeat of that. It was very uncomfortable for me.” So uncomfortable she’d broken up with him shortly after. His condescending attitude had been almost insufferable.
“Agreed.” Logan grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Now it’s my turn.”
Ava felt a moment’s trepidation at she studied his delighted expression. She’d opened up a can of proverbial worms.
* * * *
Ava wanted rules. Logan wasn’t a big fan of them but if they made her feel more secure he could handle it. Logan knew cheating and being a dick wouldn’t be an issue but she still needed more reassurance. She wasn’t asking for all that much. Basically she was asking he not be a total jerk.
He could handle it.
She was now sitting across from him, impatiently waiting for his own rules. He’d set few of them in his life. Mostly Logan lived by the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated and don’t be an asshole. He was a firm believer in karma. He’d seen it in the Middle East and it was a heartless bitch.
Logan decided to have some fun with her. “Rule number one. If I have a hard day at the office you have to rub my shoulders.”
He watched her expression closely as she digested his outrageous request. The only reason he’d ever received a back rub was because a woman was trying to seduce him into bed. The state of his day had never been a question.
She nodded, her body relaxing slightly as if she had been braced for the worst. She hadn’t heard the next two yet though.
“Rule number two. You have to make me those eggs your mother had for breakfast today every morning after.”
Her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. “You want me to cook for you? That’s a rule?”
He stretched out his long legs and enjoyed her discomfiture. “They were excellent. I don’t remember the last time someone fixed me breakfast. I liked it.”
Her expression clearly told him she thought he was crazy. He was having a great time with this. Finally she nodded. “I guess that’s no big deal. Although I think it’s a weird rule.”
“You didn’t have a rule against weird rules,” he said cheerfully.
“That’s what you really want?” she asked, confusion clearly written in her delicate features. “Breakfast and shoulder massages?”
He shrugged. “Everything else is negotiable. Rule number three.”
Her shoulders straightened and her chin went up as if he was going to give her a right hook. “What’s next? Housework?”
Logan chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve got that covered. Rule number three. You’ll be open to trying new things in the bedroom. Things you haven’t done before or wouldn’t normally be comfortable with.”
She gaped at him, her face turning a flaming crimson. She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “You want to do something kinky?” Her voice had dropped to a whisper which really wasn’t necessary. Their table was off in the corner and the piped in music muffled most conversation.
“I most definitely want to do something kinky. I think you do too. So let’s make it a rule.”
Indecision was written all over her face. He knew how to sweeten the pot having already figured out her weak spot.
“I thought it would help you shake out of that good girl mode you’ve been in.” He watched her reaction closely knowing this was something she desperately wanted.
Her teeth sunk deeply into her bottom lip. “I do want to do that.”
“Then let me help you.” Erotic images ran through Logan’s mind and all of them starred this beautiful woman.
“Help me?” Her eyebrows went up. “I think you’d be helping yourself.”
“Let’s just call it mutually beneficial. Agreed?” He could see the indecision in her eyes. “I only said open to it, good girl. You have the final say.”
“Okay.” She pulled a face at him. “You have strange rules.”
“You have boring rules,” he retorted. “You’re the only woman I’ve given the opportunity to do this and look what you do with them. Just a lot of talk about respect and calling the next day. I would have done those things anyway.”
She clearly wasn’t convinced of that, ergo her rules. Maybe he should give her three more and see if she came up with something more interesting. Appearing to have something else on her mind, she frowned and dropped the fork on her plate.
“What about when I leave? What happens then? I can’t stay here forever.”
Why not?
Logan ignored the little voice inside of him. Luckily he hadn’t asked the question out loud. She had a life in Portland, a home and friends she wanted to get back to. He felt a twinge of unfamiliar jealousy and pushed it away, not liking the feeling in the least. He’d never been the jealous type and he wasn’t about to start now.
“How long do you think you’ll be here?” Logan’s fingers drummed on the tablecloth. “Are you planning to leave right away?”
“Not right away,” she denied. “Just until you find Bill Bryson’s murderer.”
“Ava, it could take months to find Bill’s killer. Or I might never find him,” Logan said gently, squeezing her hand. “Are you prepared to hang around that long? Is there something you need to be back in Portland to do?”
“I need to start my new book but I can do that anywhere really. I have a friend watering my plants. I guess I just figured you’d solve the case in the next couple of weeks.”
It was just as well she wasn’t looking too far in the future. He’d never been the forever kind. Although if he ever did settle down, Ava would be the type of woman he would want.
Logan nodded. “Then we won’t look further than the next two weeks. When those two weeks are up, we’ll reassess the situation and decide if we want to carry this forward.”
“And if we do? We might have to do the long-distance thing.”
“If in two weeks we still feel the same, that will be the least of our worries.” Logan gave her a lopsided smile. “I’m not sure how to say this but I’m not looking for a wife and a couple of kids, Ava. If you want the fantasy, I’m not your guy.”
“I’ve never wanted to get married.” Frankly, her simple statement, spoken sincerely shocked him. He’d assumed that she was looking for a husband, a commitment. She’d make a wonderful wife and mother. Just not for him. “I like being independent. I don’t need to marry a man to take care of me or anything. As for kids, well, I’m still young. I can decide that later.”
“As long as we’re on the same page,” Logan said, waiting for the rush of relief but it never came. “I’ll try to be a good boyfriend while you’re here.”
“I’ll try too. I’ll even follow your stupid rules.”
He leaned forward and her perfume teased his nostrils. Now that they had the mundane matters taken care of he was ready for more pleasurable pursuits. He’d been thinking about it all damn day.
“Would a good girlfriend go home with her man and do unspeakable acts of debauchery with him? Rule number three, good girl.”
He watched with amusement as her hands fluttered to her throat and then nervously pushed her curls off her forehead.
“I think she would.”
Logan admired her bravery. He’d be sure to reward it handsomely. Just as soon as they got home.
Chapter Sixteen
They scampered into Logan’s bedroom, tripping on the stairs. Breathless and panting, Ava paused in the middle of the bedroom, suddenly unsure as to what she was supposed to do. Logan had snapped on the bedside lamp and she wasn’t sure she wanted to strip to her birthday suit while he stood there and watched.
Logan tossed his hat on the dresser and started to pull off his boots. “Take off those clothes, Ava, unless you want them torn off.”
No man had wanted her enough to tear her clothes off in a fit of passion. It sounded kind of fun. At least it would be until tomorrow morning when she had to go home in a towel. After making him eggs, of course.
“You’re bossy.” She gave h
im a teasing smile but he chuckled and grinned in response. Arousal curled in her belly as he kicked his boots to the side and stepped closer. She could feel the heat from his body and couldn’t resist the urge to run her hands down his muscular chest before wrapping them around his lean middle.
He bent his head and kissed her so thoroughly it made her head spin and her knees weak. It really wasn’t fair that he was this potently male. But he was all hers for the next two weeks. When he lifted his head he continued to nibble on her lower lip.
“You don’t know the half of it. I like getting my way so start shucking those clothes, woman.”
Ava tilted her head, a smile playing on her lips. “Are you going to do that all the time?”
“Do what?”
“Issue orders like that. You could try asking me.”
He looked every inch the arrogant male at that moment. He pulled her close and locked her lips with his, letting her know in vivid detail who the man was in this relationship. It was a dominating kiss, but at the same time gentle. He simply kissed her as if she belonged to him body and soul. She had a feeling when the two weeks were up that would be true. By the time he let her go, her cheeks were hot and she wanted more, much more. From the amused look on Logan’s face, he was well aware of her predicament.
“Asking takes too much time, good girl. I’d rather just tell you how things are going to be. If you have an issue we can talk about it. Then we’ll do it my way.”
He certainly knew how to poke and prod at her normally placid temperament. “You’re not the boss of me, Logan Wright.”
“That’s what you think.” He was obviously enjoying this battle of wills, supremely confident he would win any skirmish. She had to admit the back and forth had lit a fire inside of her that made this entire interaction seem bold and sexy. She’d never realized competition could heighten her arousal. “By the way, you have a punishment coming for leaving last night. I think you’re going to spend some quality time over my knee.”
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