Casual: Part 4 (Power Play Series Book 12)

by Kelly Harper

  “I think Lucas will find that I have a much better plan in mind…”

  Logan has something up his sleeve, but I have no idea what it is. Lucas shoots a quick look at Mara before responding. Is he actually deferring to her?

  “What do you have in mind?” Lucas asks.

  Instead of answering the question, Logan turns to me. He looks me dead in the eye and winks, as though to say he knows what he’s doing. Having his attention on me in front of everyone like that sends heat rushing to my cheeks. Finally, he turns back to Lucas.

  “I’m backing out of the deal,” he says. “I’m calling the whole thing off.”

  Lucas looks stunned.

  “Are you insane?” Mara screeches, losing all semblance of self-control. “Do you know how much money we’ll lose?”

  “We?” Logan glares at her. “We aren’t going to lose any money. I’m the one that fronted everything.”

  “How dare you? We’ve both invested in our own ways.”

  Logan lets out a laugh.

  “Yes, I suppose we have…”

  Mara’s eyes narrow, suspiciously, as though she’s trying to figure out what he meant by that. Lucas turns to her. For the first time tonight, there’s a huge smile on his face.

  “Amara, what’s the problem? This is exactly what we wanted…”

  It’s weird hearing him call her that. How long has it been since she’s gone by that name?

  “This isn’t exactly what we wanted,” she shrieks at him. “What we wanted was for Logan to be out!”

  Lucas makes a placating gesture with his hand.

  “Don’t you see? This is even better… Now we can do what needs to be done with the company to get it turned around. It’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for.”

  Mara’s eyes widen and she gives him a disgusted look.

  “How stupid are you?” she says. “I don’t give two shits about your pathetic company. I was just going to carve it up and sell it off, anyway. Your company is nothing compared to his.”

  The smile on Lucas’s face fades.

  “I don’t understand. I thought we were committed to the same thing…”

  She rolls her eyes.

  “You always were a bleeding-heart idealist. How could I be so stupid to think you might actually grow up and see the world for what it is?”

  In an instant everything clicks into place. I couldn’t have been more wrong about Mara being in love with Lucas. It’s the other way around…

  Lucas is in love with Mara!

  This explains the way he acted on our walk, when he said he understood what it was like to have feelings for someone. Once you experience real love, it’s impossible to forget. He fell in love with Mara all those years ago and never got over her…

  Logan isn’t even trying to hide how amused he is by their exchange. Somehow I get the feeling that he figured everything out before I did.

  “Lucas, I never answered your question,” Logan says, interrupting them. “I’m guessing Mara never told you how she planned to take control of my company?”

  Lucas gives him a stern look before shaking his head.

  “I’ve never wanted anything to do with your company. My only concern has been for mine.”

  “I can appreciate that,” Logan says, a sly grin spreading across his face as he turns his attention to Mara. “It turns out our dear Mara has been involved in some… extracurricular activities.”

  Mara’s back stiffens. It’s slight, and it’s the only indication that she knows where Logan is going with this.

  She gives him a flat look.

  “You wouldn’t fly that helicopter of yours without an insurance policy… it’s just good business.”

  “It is good business. However, what you’re doing has the added bonus of being against the law.”

  Lucas suddenly looks very alarmed.

  “Against the law? What are you two talking about?”

  Logan’s smile widens.

  “It turns out, Mara has been secretly recording the private affairs of her business partners so that she can blackmail them.”

  Her eyes widen, as if she’s actually surprised by the accusation.

  “That’s simply not true,” she says, dismissively.

  Logan goes on, ignoring her denial.

  “I first became suspicious when you left that recording for Aimee. I probably would have figured it out sooner but I’ve been a bit… distracted… this weekend.” He glances at me, sending an excited rush through my body. “But when Aimee told me she overheard the two of you in the sauna, things started falling into place.”

  Mara raises her brow.

  “The sauna? I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

  Logan rolls his eyes.

  “I never took you for the type to play dumb,” he says, twisting her earlier jab back on her.

  Mara shifts, composing herself just a bit.

  “Regardless, do you expect us to actually believe this crazy narrative you’ve concocted?”

  “You can believe what you want,” Logan says. “Personally, I’m just going to let the evidence speak for itself…”

  “Evidence?”

  The look on Logan’s face is one of victory.

  “We found the recordings you keep on your hidden server, Mara. We’ve got them all.”

  For the first time, Mara actually looks concerned.

  “That’s impossible,” she says.

  It’s almost impossible to believe, but everything about the way she’s holding herself right now is confirming what Logan is saying. I’m not sure whose eyes bulge more: mine or Lucas’s.

  “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out you were using my own staff against me? Once we figured out who you were working with, it didn’t take much to convince him that it was in his own best interests to turn everything over to us.”

  Mara stares at him, offering no response. I never thought I’d see the day that she was completely speechless.

  “So, it’s true then?” Lucas asks. She remains silent. “Are there videos of me?”

  “Yes,” Logan says. “There are files on you in addition to a number of other players that Mara has been keeping tabs on.”

  Lucas’s eyes widen as he stares at her.

  “I can’t believe you. We go back so far… I thought we had something special.”

  The pain in his voice makes my stomach twist. Mara rolls her eyes.

  “Don’t be so naive. It’s always been strictly business.”

  His face scrunches in pain for a moment before he gets control of himself.

  “I’ve always known you are ambitious. I just never imagined it was more important to you than me.”

  She rolls her eyes again before returning to Logan.

  “I suppose this means you will want to work out some kind of new arrangement?” she says.

  Logan shakes his head.

  “No, I’m done with… this.” He gestures a finger between the two of them. “I’m looking forward to taking a nice vacation from the crazy life I’ve been leading.”

  Her brow knits together.

  “So… we just part ways?”

  He lets out a laugh.

  “I guess you could say that. Though, you have a long road in front of you… As we speak the files we found are being sent over to my lawyers in New York. They have explicit instructions to catalogue them before passing them on to a friend of mine in the F.B.I.”

  Mara’s eyes look like they’re going to bulge out of her head.

  “I see,” she says, after finally getting her whits about her. “In that case, there are things that need my attention.”

  “I thought there might be,” Logan says. Mara turns to make her way back into the mansion. “Oh, and Mara…” Logan calls out. She glances over her shoulder. “Please leave any company equipment with Gervas. You’re fired.”

  Mara looks him up and down one more time before turning away. Without a word, she disappears into the mansion. If I ever see her a
gain it will be too soon.

  Chapter 16

  Aimee

  As soon as Mara disappears into the mansion, it feels like a weight is lifted from all of us. There’s a long silence as Lucas shoots a nervous glance at Logan and me. He has a sheepish air about him, as though he knows he’s been in the wrong and he feels bad about it.

  “Logan, I don’t know what to say…”

  “Don’t let me regret this decision,” Logan says. “Turn your company around. Do something with it.”

  The smile that spreads across Lucas’s face is broad and genuine. It looks good on him.

  “I owe you an apology. All of this went a lot farther than I ever intended. And I was wrong about you.”

  Logan shakes his head.

  “You don’t owe me a thing. We were wrong about each other.”

  “Our mistakes aren’t equal. I overstepped myself.”

  Logan nods understandingly.

  ”We’re not all that different, you and I,” Logan says. “We were brought up around powerful men who were very good at what they do. But I’m starting to realize they didn’t have all the answers. There’s more to life than money and power.”

  Logan looks my way. Warmth envelopes me when our eyes meet. Lucas looks between the two of us before nodding his agreement.

  “I think you’re right about that.”

  Logan holds me in his gaze for a few moments longer before turning back.

  “I’ve had the helicopter fueled up. It will be ready for you as soon as you can pack your things.”

  Lucas frowns.

  “You’re not coming with?”

  “No, I don’t think so. We’re going to stay here one more night. It’ll be nice to have the place to ourselves.”

  Unexpected excitement stirs inside of me. This is the first I’m hearing anything about the change in plans. Lucas bobs his head approvingly.

  “I’m sure we’ll be in touch this week. It might take some convincing to get Father on board with this new plan.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Logan says. “But enough shop talk. Get out of here before I decide you’ve overstayed your welcome.”

  Lucas flashes him that broad grin again and nods his head once. He steps over to me and holds his hand out. I place my hand in it as I stand to face him.

  “It was my pleasure to make your acquaintance this weekend, Aimee Watson. You’re a special woman.”

  He presses his lips to the back of my hand, the same way he did when we first met.

  “Likewise,” I say.

  Lucas heads back into the mansion, leaving Logan and I alone on the balcony. Our eyes meet and a tiny grin pulls at the corner of Logan’s lip. It’s difficult to hold back my own excitement.

  Logan closes the distance between us. His arms wrap around my waist and he pulls me against his hard body. My heart races. Keeping my wits about me becomes quite the struggle.

  “So you’re keeping me here for another night?”

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?”

  “Tomorrow is Monday, you know. Some of us actually have to be at work. We’re not all rich billionaires who can go on vacation whenever we feel like it…”

  A growl vibrates from deep within Logan’s chest.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get you back to work… when I’m done with you.”

  His strong arms lift me off the ground. Our mouths connect in a passionate embrace. Energy leaps from his lips to mine, expanding through my chest before settling itself between my legs.

  I finally get to have Logan completely to myself. No worries that anyone is going to surprise us. Exactly what I’ve been wanting all weekend…

  Chapter 17

  Aimee

  Logan lowers me to my feet and presses me back against the thick marble railing. My fingers press into the back of his head, pulling him even deeper into our embrace. His taste is intoxicating.

  My body buzzes and tingles as I undulate against his solid frame. I can already feel the familiar bulge of his cock growing in his khakis. My hips gyrate, rubbing myself against that magical weapon in his pants.

  I want it.

  I want him.

  I’m ready to have him. Here. Now. This is the moment I’ve been wanting since I first approached him at the bar on Friday. Just the two of us, totally uninhibited, totally free.

  Nothing more.

  Nothing less.

  Unable to wait a second longer, my hands dart for his belt. A hard tug frees it. His pants are ripped open a second later, unleashing his monstrosity.

  Logan’s cock is all mine. I don’t have to share it with the ghost of any other women. This time, I can enjoy him fully, without worrying about being caught or betraying anyone’s trust. He’s settled things with Mara and Lucas. Now it’s time for his reward.

  Logan lets out a groan as my fingers wrap around his thick root. His cock is harder than I’ve ever felt it. I tug it, moving my hands in slow circles while I look him in the eye.

  “Do me a favor…” I say.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t hold back. I want everything you have to give. I want all of you.”

  “You already have all of me,” he says. “I can’t give you any less.”

  I bite my lip to distract myself from the butterflies that suddenly erupt in my stomach.

  “I want to feel you inside of me. All of you.”

  “As you wish.”

  I grab my dress and pull it up until it’s scrunched around my waist. Logan’s fingers hook into my panties. I lift one foot at a time as he drags them off. His hands slide up the backs of my legs while his soft lips kiss there way up my inner thigh. His tongue slides between my folds and over my clit, but he doesn’t stop there.

  In one fluid motion, Logan grabs me by the ass and lifts me into the air. My legs spread and hook around him and my hands grab him by the back of his head. I pull him into a deep and powerful kiss. Logan transfers my weight to one arm. His free hand reaches beneath me and takes hold of his massive growth.

  The tip of his cock rubbing against my soaked pussy is the only warning I get before his enormity presses into me. I gasp for breath as he slides into me. My back arches and my legs tighten around his waist, trying to pull him even deeper. I lean back to thrust my hips forward, letting myself be supported by Logan’s strong embrace.

  His fingers press into my back. They’re comforting. I feel safe when he’s holding me. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to finally trust that feeling.

  Logan’s eyes widen and his mouth slacks open in a look of pleasure.

  “You’re still so tight,” he says.

  “I’m just too tiny for that gigantic thing.”

  He shakes his head.

  “You’re perfect for it.”

  I gasp as Logan thrusts himself into me. It feels like he’s filling every last possible part of me. But still, I want more. I want absolutely everything. My body won’t settle for anything less.

  “Harder,” I whimper.

  Logan slams his hips forward, driving himself even deeper. My body stretches and expands to accommodate. I’m literally growing because of him.

  “God, yes baby, just like that!”

  Logan groans with each hard thrust. The sound of his pleasure builds delicious tension inside of me. I let my head fall back as his fingers dig their way down my back. The cool air off the sound chills the sweat beading on my exposed skin, sending pulses of sensation throughout my body.

  “Give me all of it,” I beg. “Give me everything.”

  Logan’s eyes meet mine. They blaze intensely as our connection strengthens. Unable to stand the little distance between us anymore, I grab the back of his head and pull his lips to mine. Fireworks ignite when our lips touch. They explode from the inside out as intense orgasms contort both of us.

  Logan’s cock floods me with his warmth. His entire body quivers with every burst. My vagina pulsates in sync with him as I tighten my grip on the back of his head. It’s a moment that may ne
ver end. It’s like the entire world is coming to a standstill with us at the center of the chaos.

  When everything slows down and things start making sense again, Logan lets out a low groan. He hugs my chest to his. The beating of his heart slams a rhythm against my breasts. Logan’s cock slides out of me as I lower my legs to the floor. I cling to him, never wanting to let go.

  Neither of us moves for a long while. We just stand there, holding each other close. My cheek presses into his muscular chest and the world around us seems to fade away. I don’t know for certain how long we remain in each other’s arms. It could be a minute, or a lifetime.

  “That was incredible,” I say, finally.

  Logan flashes a smile. It pinches the corners of his eyes into little creases in the most adorable way.

  “We have the whole place to ourselves,” Logan says, softly. “And there’s a lot more where that came from.”

  Excited energy renews within me.

  “We shouldn’t let that opportunity go to waste…”

  Chapter 18

  Aimee

  The rest of the night is a steamy, sex-fueled haze. Something new has overtaken Logan. Now that Mara and Lucas are out of the picture, it’s like he’s been freed of all his restraints. It’s as though he’s trying to make up for lost time.

  And he’s doing a damned good job of it.

  We spend the night making our way through the mansion. Logan has his way with me in new and exciting places all night long. (Who knew getting laid on a staircase could be so acrobatic and fun?) Stephanie and Bre are going to be beside themselves when I get back to the City and tell them all about it.

  Logan suggests we end the night in my room. He wants to spend what’s left of the night with me in some place that isn’t going to remind us of Mara and everything that happened. He doesn’t get any complaints from me…

  We have sex one more time on the bed that still feels like a cloud. Logan is laid back, his hands gripping my tiny waist while I squat on his dick and ride him like I’ve never ridden anyone before. For how many times we’ve had sex already, he’s still impossibly hard. And my body has never been more open to someone than it is to him in this moment.