Logan's Redemption

by Cara Marsi

  Doriana trembled in his arms. They clung to each other. Finally, she let out a long, contented sigh and he released her. She slid off the desk and smoothed her skirt over her nakedness. They dressed quickly and he took her in his arms again.

  Doriana rested her head against his shoulder. He rubbed his hands up the smooth line of her back and kissed her lips and the tip of her nose.

  With a throaty laugh, she looked up at him. Her flushed face and swollen lips filled him with a possessiveness he’d never known. From now on only he would make her look like that, satisfied and thoroughly loved.

  “I’ll have to call more of those business meetings,” she said with a smile.

  “I’m ready any time, Boss,” he said with an answering grin.

  * * * *

  “Happy Birthday, Josh.” Logan handed the teen a brightly wrapped package. Doriana, Josh and Logan sat around the Christmas tree drinking hot apple cider. Logan had insisted Josh open the birthday and Christmas gifts from him before going to Doriana’s parents’ house for their annual Christmas Eve party tonight.

  Josh ripped the paper off and pulled out a framed photo. He studied it, a look of pure joy on his face. “Wow! Cal Steward. And it’s autographed to me. Look, Mom.” He turned the photo toward Doriana.

  “Who is Cal Steward?” she asked.

  Josh rolled his eyes. “Only the best Formula One racer in the world.” He looked at Logan. “Thanks, Logan. How did you get this? Do you know Cal Steward?”

  Logan shook his head. “A friend knows him and got the picture for me.” Logan’s gut twisted at the lie. Someday soon he would tell his son about his friendship with the racing legend.

  “Here’s your Christmas gift, Josh.” Logan handed him a large white envelope.

  Josh tore the envelope open and jumped up, waving the contents in the air. “Tickets to the Montreal Grand Prix. And passes to the pits. Cool.” He turned a smiling face to Logan. “Thanks. You give the best gifts. Look, Mom. Three tickets and passes. One for each of us.”

  Logan heard Doriana’s sharp intake of breath.

  “When is it, Josh?” she asked.

  The teen glanced down at the tickets. “June.”

  Logan felt Doriana’s stare and turned to meet her gaze. He couldn’t answer the question in her eyes. He’d be around in six months if she asked him, but she wasn’t asking.

  Her features tensed and she glanced down. He had the feeling he’d disappointed her in some way.

  “You can take your grandfather and Uncle Franco,” she said.

  “I want you, me and Logan to go,” Josh said.

  At least his son wanted him around. Logan shrugged off his hurt. This was Christmas Eve. And Logan hadn’t had a real Christmas since before his mother died. He determined to enjoy this holiday with Doriana and Josh. His family. Would this be his first and last Christmas with them?

  Josh pulled a sloppily wrapped package from under the tree. Cellophane tape held the paper together. A shiny red bow slipped off as Josh, beaming proudly, handed the gift to Logan.

  “This is for you,” Josh said.

  Logan stared at the package. His eyes watered. He blinked to clear his vision.

  “Open it,” Josh said.

  With hands that shook slightly, Logan unwrapped the gift. “A black Lamborghini.” He held up the small plastic model, a scaled-back version of the real one parked in his garage in Tucson.

  Josh grinned. “You told me once that if you could buy any car you wanted, you would buy a black Lamborghini.”

  His son remembered. “Thanks, Josh.” Logan averted his gaze, hiding his guilt. He hadn’t exactly lied to Josh. He just didn’t tell him that he already had the car.

  “I’ve got to call Steven,” Josh said, standing. “Wait till he hears about the tickets.” He raced out of the room and up the stairs.

  “Are you okay?” Doriana asked Logan.

  Logan turned to her. “I didn’t expect a gift from Josh.”

  “Why wouldn’t he give you something? It’s Christmas. I’ve got a gift for you too. Maybe you can wear it tonight.”

  He smiled. “You gave me a gift already. Because of you I made peace with my father.”

  Her face pinked.

  He reached under the tree and pulled out a large package. The colorful tree lights reflected on the metallic silver wrapping. “Merry Christmas, Doriana.”

  She stared at it for long seconds before taking the gift from him. She unwrapped it carefully, as if afraid of the contents, and pulled the heavy book from the wrapping. A look of joy on her face, she ran her fingers slowly over the glossy cover. “An architectural book,” she whispered, and looked at him with glistening eyes. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’ll make a great architect,” he said.

  Shadows darkened her gaze. “It’s too late for that.”

  He took her chin between his fingers and tilted her face toward his. “It’s never too late to fight for what you want. And to ask for what you want.”

  “Isn’t it?” she whispered.

  The bright lights of the tree and the soft Christmas tunes on the radio faded as their gazes held. She stared at him, her eyes like melted chocolate and caramel. Would she fight for him, for them?

  Josh’s heavy footsteps on the stairs shattered the mood. Logan reluctantly pulled away.

  Josh entered the room carrying a large duffel bag. He would spend the night at his grandparents, as he did every Christmas Eve. “I can’t wait to get to Grandmom and Grandpop’s. Grandpop promised me a car for my birthday.”

  Doriana gasped and stood quickly. “No, Josh. They will not get you a car. I told them I forbid it.”

  He shrugged and grinned at her. “I forgot my cell.” He dropped the bag and ran up the stairs.

  “What was that about?” Logan asked. “He can’t be serious that your parents will get him a car.”

  Doriana rubbed her forehead. “They wouldn’t dare. Josh isn’t ready for a car.”

  “He’s a good kid,” Logan said. “I’ve seen both sides of him. He can be spoiled and willful, but he can also be polite and respectful like he was when we visited my father this morning at the home. Josh made my father happy and proud, something the old man hasn’t been for a lot of years. Josh made me proud too.”

  Doriana touched his arm. “It meant a lot to Josh to meet his grandfather.”

  Logan put his hand over Doriana’s. “Josh will be fine. He just needs a strong hand to guide him.”

  She pulled away. “Don’t you think I know that? He gets guidance from me.”

  “But not from your parents. They indulge him.”

  Doriana bristled. “He is my son. My parents will not go against my wishes on this car thing.”

  * * * *

  Her parents’ annual Christmas gala looked like another raging success. Doriana glanced around the crowded rooms. Laughing and talking, guests shouldered each other to get to the huge tables filled with copious amounts of food. The sweet scents of cinnamon and apples mingled with the luscious odors of turkey and ham and succulent vegetables prepared by the city’s best caterer. The tinkling of sterling flatware on delicate china competed with the soft Christmas tunes played by a three-piece string ensemble in the large living room.

  “Logan sure is a sight for starving females,” Anita said, coming up to her.

  Doriana’s face heated and she glanced toward the dining room where Logan stood deep in conversation with her tiny grandmother. Her gaze swept his sexy body dressed in crisp khakis and the black cashmere sweater she’d given him for Christmas. The way he listened intently to Nonna made Doriana’s heart swell with pride and love.

  “Nonna likes Logan,” Anita said. “And you’re in love with him.”

  Doriana choked on the eggplant parmesan she just put in her mouth. Anita thumped her on the back.

  “I’m okay,” Doriana rasped, refusing to meet Anita’s gaze.

  Did her love for Logan shine from her eyes like the crystal li
ghts on her parents’ tree? Her body tingled with the memory of making love with Logan on her desk. Had it really been two days since she held him close and felt his body on hers?

  “I’m right, aren’t I?” Anita asked.

  “Stop that, Anita.”

  Anita took a sip of champagne from the glass she held and studied Doriana. “Nonna and the aunties and cousins will figure it out about Logan and Josh. You need to tell your dad.”

  “I know,” Doriana said.

  “What are you afraid of? You’re a grown woman.”

  Doriana set her plate on a nearby table and grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. Averting her gaze from Anita’s, she sipped the cool drink. Why hadn’t she told her family about Logan? A small kernel of guilt blossomed in her chest. Would she feel differently if Logan had a stable job, or was she afraid that if Logan left again, others would know the humiliation she couldn’t hide this time?

  She wanted Logan in her life. If he left again, she wasn’t sure she could survive, or that Josh could handle the rejection. The urge to touch Logan, to reassure herself he was still here, overwhelmed her.

  “Talk to you later, Anita.” She hurried to the dining room and Logan.

  Logan’s gaze met hers as she approached. Something passed between them. Love? Need? Her pulse quickened.

  Doriana slipped her arm through his when she reached him. He smiled down at her and pulled her closer.

  Nonna gave Doriana a knowing grin and patted her cheek. “Logan is a good man,” Nonna said. She looked at Logan. “Treat my Doriana well.”

  “I will,” he said.

  Love surged through Doriana.

  With a smile, Nonna moved away.

  Doriana looked up at Logan. He bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. Several guests watched them and she wondered if they saw the resemblance between Josh and Logan. She loved Logan. But could he love her?

  She shook her head against the thoughts that jumbled through her mind like New Year’s confetti. She’d worry later. She handed her empty glass to one of the servers.

  “Let’s find Josh,” she said to Logan. “It’s getting late. Dad usually makes a big deal about giving Josh his birthday gift.”

  Logan placed his hand over hers where it rested in the crook of his arm. “Do you know what your dad is giving Josh for his birthday?”

  “No,” she said. “And I don’t care, as long as it’s not a car.”

  “Attention.” Her father’s voice boomed through the rooms. Doriana turned to see her father standing by the hall staircase, a smiling Josh next to him. Lena stood on Josh’s other side.

  “Tonight is a very special night.” Dan put his arm around Josh’s shoulders. “My favorite grandson is sixteen today.”

  The other guests laughed and applauded. Josh beamed.

  “You know what sixteen means,” Dan said. Josh looked at him expectantly.

  Doriana held her breath. No, please, don’t let it be.

  “Sixteen means a driver’s license,” Dan said. “If you have a license you need something to drive.”

  A gasp went up from the crowd. Doriana’s heart lurched.

  “What is he talking about?” Logan asked.

  She couldn’t look at Logan, didn’t want to see the accusation in his eyes. Didn’t want him to see the fear in hers. Josh was her son and her responsibility. She prayed her parents wouldn’t go against her wishes.

  “Everybody outside,” Dan said. An excited Josh followed his grandparents outside.

  Doriana moved slowly on leaden feet. She crowded with the other guests on the marble steps leading down to the driveway. She shivered and Logan put his arm around her. She wanted to lean into his rock-hard body, but tension kept her immobile.

  A sleek black sports car, driven by one of the parking attendants hired for the evening, pulled up the circular driveway. The attendant jumped out and held the door open, dangling the keys in his hands.

  “There it is, Josh,” Dan said. “It’s all yours.”

  “Wow, Grandpop, Grandmom, thanks. You’re the best.” Josh gave each of them a quick hug and scanned the crowd.

  “Look, Mom, Logan. Isn’t it cool!”

  Doriana chewed her lip to stifle her cries of protest. She couldn’t make a scene in front of the guests.

  Logan stiffened beside her. “Who are Josh’s parents? Lena and Dan? Or you and me?” Anger heated his voice.

  “Not now, Logan,” she said, pulling away from him.

  “He can’t keep the car,” Logan said. “He’s too young and irresponsible.”

  Doriana lifted her chin. “You’re telling me how to raise my son?”

  “He’s my son too.”

  Doriana didn’t care if anyone overheard them. The tension that throbbed between her and Logan overwhelmed everything else.

  Laughing, Josh and his grandfather ran down the steps and jumped into the car. The other guests clapped. Doriana couldn’t breathe.

  “We need to talk,” Logan said. “Tonight.”

  ~~~~

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The click of the front door locking behind them echoed the tension that had filled the car on the long trip home from her parents’ party. Doriana walked slowly into her house and removed her coat and hung it in the hall closet. She would remain calm despite Logan’s pointed silence and her own fury at her parents.

  She marched into the living room and switched on the Christmas tree lights. Might as well make the place comfortable for the storm smoldering between her and Logan. The last hour at the party had been torture. Logan simmered with his censure of her and her parents. Some of her nosier relatives voiced their opinions that Josh was too young for such an expensive car. The not-so-subtle message in their looks and words was that she had lost control of her son, if she ever had it.

  “Sit down,” Logan said, coming into the room. “We’re going to talk.”

  “I prefer to stand,” she said, whirling to face him. She stiffened her spine. He would not intimidate her. But damn him for looking so sexy, even glowering at her.

  “Suit yourself.” He slipped off his jacket and threw it on the nearest chair. Tension showed in every line of his muscled body. “I’ve been trying to figure out for a while how to say this.” His voice was tight. “After what happened tonight, I can’t put it off.”

  Foreboding formed a knot in her chest. It was time for him to move on. But then why was he so upset over her parents’ giving Josh a car?

  Logan paced the room, a sleek lion ready to spring. When he turned to face her, a vein throbbed in his temple. “I knew Josh was spoiled, but I didn’t realize how much. Giving him that expensive car was irresponsible of your parents, especially when they went against you. You’re his parent, not them.”

  She bristled. “I know that. But you have no right to say anything against my parents. I couldn’t have raised Josh without them.”

  Pain flashed in Logan’s eyes. “I wasn’t around. I understand that. And your parents are good people. But they’re blind where Josh is concerned. They knew how you felt and they got him a car anyway. What kind of message does that send Josh?”

  She raised her chin. “I’ll have a talk with my parents. I’ll make them send the car back.”

  “Why do you think they’ll listen to you this time? Josh needs a firm hand. And he doesn’t get it with them or you.”

  Anger propelled her to his side. They faced each other, like fighters squaring off. “You’ve been his father less than a month,” she said. “And you’re telling me how to handle Josh?”

  He gripped her upper arms. “That’s not quite fair is it, Doriana? You tried to hide the truth from me. If I hadn’t confronted Josh that day in your office, would you have told me at all?”

  “I was protecting my son the only way I knew.”

  He tensed. “Protecting him from his own father? And how much of an effort did you make to find me all these years?”

  Doriana jerked free of his grip. “Even if I fou
nd you, would you have come back?”

  He flinched. She wanted to reach out to him, to touch him and tell him she was sorry for her harsh words, but he’d hurt her too. Would they ever make peace?

  “You’ve never changed your opinion of me, have you?” he asked in a hard voice. “I’m still the boy from the bad neighborhood, not fit to be a father to your son.” With a contemptuous glance, he turned away and strode to the fireplace. He leaned on the mantle, his profile to her. His chest rose and fell with his shallow breathing.

  Doriana studied him. His jaw set in a tight line. His entire body looked coiled and ready to fight. Or maybe flee. Tears sprang to her eyes. They’d come so far in the last weeks. How had it all gone so terribly wrong?

  “What do you want, Logan?” She tangled her fingers through the long strand of pearls she wore, trying to rein in the anxiety that churned her stomach.

  Logan’s hazel gaze impaled her. “I want to be in Josh’s life.”

  “What?” She yanked on the pearl necklace. The strand came apart in her hands. She watched helplessly as beads rolled all over the floor. My life is coming apart the same way. She raised her gaze to find a stony-faced Logan staring at her with unyielding eyes.

  “What’s your answer?” He spit the words out.

  “How long will you be in his life, Logan? You’ll leave again and what will happen to Josh? I will not see him hurt.”

  Logan was at her side in an instant. He grasped her shoulders. She winced at the anger in his eyes. The twinkling lights of the tree reflected on the golden stubble of his beard, mocking the tension that arced between them like an electrical current.

  “I’m Josh’s father,” he rasped. “I’m not some stranger, here one day and gone the next.”

  “Aren’t you?” She bit down on her lip. Hurt shattered the chiseled planes of Logan’s face. She glimpsed the vulnerable young boy he’d once been, the boy she’d fallen in love with. He released her as if he couldn’t bear to touch her. Her throat thickened with tears.