Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

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Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection Page 241

by Petrova, Em


  “Well, she doesn’t get any sympathy from me,” Neil stated, ever loyal. “And it sounds like you were too easy on her.”

  “Did you expect me to crucify her?”

  “Not really, but you’re surprisingly ambivalent.” He rounded the table. “It’s no small thing what she tried to pull off. I don’t know how I’d react, but it’d be hard to brush this off. Not to mention, I’d want to warn Ben about what kind of baby mama he has on his hands.” He bent down and shot a ball in the pocket.

  I’m losing this game. “Ben has enough to worry about with his debt and setting things right with his life. I don’t want to get tangled up in some triangle when I barely escaped it. Maybe once he finds out he’s going to be a father, it’ll motivate him to get clean. At least, I hope it does. For the kid’s sake.”

  “Aren’t you pissed off she tried to screw with you?”

  Not as much as he would’ve imagined. Ten years ago, when he was twenty-six, he might’ve reacted differently. Now? “Getting angry at this point doesn’t benefit me.”

  “Ah yes, I forget,” Neil drawled. “Nothing ever gets a rise out of you.”

  He had his limits. “Emotion will never serve me as well as logic.” Letting anyone see him weak or vulnerable would open up a box that couldn’t be resealed. Besides, there was nothing to be angry about now. Thanks to Jordana. If only he could tell her that. “I don’t let things get to me because, if I did, well—” he leaned over, eyed the line, and hit the ball hard into the right corner “—I wouldn’t be able to run a company and keep my sanity.”

  With a snicker as he came around the other side of the pool table, Neil said, “I don’t think Rebecca should get off so easy.”

  “Trust me, with Ben as the baby’s father and no income, she isn’t. She’s leaving the Bay, heading to her folks’ place in Fresno,” Logan informed him, straightening. “By the way, let’s keep this between us. Rebecca is gone, and the last thing I want is to rehash this and possibly leak it. I know our friends would never say anything on purpose, but these things have a way of getting out.”

  “I agree. No one has to know. Just you and me.”

  Logan paused; just thinking her name made a corner of his mouth twitch. “And Jordana.”

  “Ah, yes.” Neil grinned. “Your guardian angel. How could I forget?”

  Logan knew he never would. Or the smile, the voice, the electric chemistry between them he couldn’t stop thinking about. Every morning this week, he asked his executive assistant, Ashtyn, if she’d found her yet. No such luck. He had her calling every ear, nose, and throat doctor in the area. Using social media had also proved fruitless.

  Neil, observing him, stood up on his toes and rocked back on his heels. “I, uh, assume you’re going to see her again?”

  If fate was kind, then, yes, he would. Nevertheless, he set his mind to forget about sleeping with her, if indeed he ever found her. It didn’t take a psychology degree to sense the vulnerability in those hazel eyes. Women like Jordana were on the lookout for one knight—not one night.

  “I plan to see her at least once,” he admitted to Neil. “I want to convey my gratitude for what she did. I would’ve that morning, but as you’ll recall, you rudely interrupted and scared her off.”

  “All the better for the chase!”

  He slanted him a glance. “I think she deserves something for saving my ass.”

  “I think a diamond necklace worth thousands would suffice.”

  “Not to me.”

  “If I were you,” Neil advised, “I wouldn’t go near another woman for at least six months.”

  He smiled. “Now, that’s a lie and you know it. You love women too much. Besides, it’s not as if I was dating Rebecca. What the hell was she thinking?”

  “Dollar signs.”

  Logan twisted his mouth in wry distaste. Her betrayal had him questioning his instincts, which he relied on a great deal. His ability to read others and sense deception, conflict, and underlying motives, had been honed razor-sharp. Over the years, it’d alerted him to everything from dubious businessmen to imprudent investments. Either Rebecca had been one fantastic actress or his reliable perception had dulled. Not good.

  “Like I’ve always said,” Neil said, chalking his cue stick. “Men and women can’t do the platonic dance. All moves lead to disaster, one way or another. Sex, feelings…sex.”

  Logan chuckled. “What about Miranda? We’ve been friends since college. It’s possible.”

  “True, but she’s like a sister. Huge difference in personality compared to Rebecca.”

  Logan had regarded Rebecca as a good-times friend, which was why he liked having her as his platonic date. Funny how sex hadn’t ruined their friendship, neither had feelings, just good old-fashioned deceit and greed. “Now what, counselor? If I can’t be friends with a woman, and I don’t have the time or energy for a relationship, what’s left? Is there a way to spend time with a woman without complicating it?”

  “Yes, I think they’re called escorts.”

  “Be serious.”

  “What the hell do you want?” Neil shrugged. “If there’s anything I’ve learned, women are nothing but complex. Stunning, fascinating creatures, but complex. At one point or another, they’ll want something from you.”

  Was Neil right? Logan didn’t know. One thing he did know was he’d be keeping his distance when it came to the fairer gender. There was nothing worse than being played for a fool.

  On the other hand, Jordana prevented him from thinking too harshly of the female species forever.

  Still, she was the exception, not the rule.

  With a sigh, he shook his head.

  He needed more exceptions in his life than rules.

  Chapter Four

  “There’s something weird about you,” Jordana’s coworker remarked.

  Jordana grabbed the photocopies from the printer. “Weird?”

  Piper, a pixie-haired brunette in her early twenties, had been reading a lot of spiritual books on opening her third eye and reading auras. Every day she would make a comment about the room’s energy or a patient’s vibe. She even cleansed the office with sage one night to banish any negativity. It made a dull day go by listening to her, especially when the doctor was out for surgery and they were spending the hours cleaning up medical records.

  “Yup,” the girl said. “Do you light the candles I gave you? And put the crystal in your kitchen? You’ve been giving off a somewhat intense wave all week.”

  “Is that so?” Jordana half laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the same old me.”

  “Has anything…I don’t know…unusual happened to you recently?”

  In a way. She couldn’t believe that night happened at all… Then she’d open up the little safe in her apartment and stare at the diamond necklace, reminding her that the event—and the man—were very real. “Nope. Nothing unusual.”

  Piper’s eyes narrowed as if she didn’t believe her. “Hmm.”

  Piper wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Jordana’s glow. Lucee had come over to pick up the dress and to gush about Adam’s big break. He’d been offered a major part in a popular play. A first for him. That was the emergency. Jordana wanted to scold her sister’s boyfriend for making it seem as though the situation was life-or-death, but she couldn’t when her evening turned out to be pretty special, too. When she told Lucee about Logan—and showed her the necklace—her sister went wild, demanding every detail. However, after Jordana told her she’d left without giving him her number, her sister practically slapped her silly for it.

  She knew her sister was right. Leaving without any sort of goodbye had been rude and she regretted it.

  So why not do something about it?

  She found Logan’s business card, traced her fingers over the embossed lettering, then picked up the phone and dialed. One long ring and then, “Good morning. Logan Savant’s office. Ashtyn speaking.”

  “Hello, Ashtyn. My name is Jordan
a Shaw, and I’m—”

  “Jordana! From the children’s benefit?”

  Jordana paused. “Yes…” How did she know?

  “I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me to interrupt. I’m Mr. Savant’s executive assistant. How are you today?” she asked in a friendly tone.

  “I’m fine, thank you. Is he in?” Her heart started to pound.

  “Unfortunately, he’s out of the office at the moment. May I take your number? I’ll make sure he receives it as soon as possible. He’ll be so pleased to hear from you.”

  So the millionaire had told his assistant about her? Interesting. “Sure, he can call me at work.” She gave the information and hung up with a smile.

  Later, while Jordana was refilling the supplies in one of the patient rooms, Piper burst in, startling her. “Jordana!”

  She spilled the Q-tips in the sink. “For heaven’s sake, Piper! You scared the heck—”

  “It’s a man,” her coworker exclaimed, holding up her palms, eyes widening. “Like, a man, out in reception asking for you.”

  “Who?” she asked absently.

  “Logan Savoy or something.”

  She jerked. “Logan Savant?” Heat swept over Jordana as Piper nodded with a grin. Logan’s here? She just called his office an hour ago. She tugged at her Strawberry Shortcake scrubs. Her hair was up in a sock bun. Would he even recognize her? Even though he’d caught her off guard, she couldn’t deny her elation he’d just decided to stop by instead of calling.

  “Are you coming out or what?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m on my way.” She flipped a quick hand. “Go. Don’t leave him out there by himself.”

  Trying to project a cool demeanor, feeling all levels of anxious, she took slow steps down the hall and walked out to the waiting room. Clogs, for Pete’s sake, she had on pink clogs. Might as well come out in a clown’s costume.

  Logan slowly grinned. “Jordana.” His silky, deep voice sent shivers down her spine as his eyes raked her head to toe.

  Oh. Well, he certainly didn’t look at her as though she resembled a clown. “Mr. Savant. This is a surprise. I hope you’ve been pouring your own drinks lately.”

  He laughed, those gorgeous blue eyes lingering on hers, and she felt more self-conscious than ever. He represented the dashing CEO in his gray suit and red tie, with a freshly shaven face and styled hair. A walking magazine ad again.

  “Hope it’s acceptable that I came by unannounced,” he said. “As soon as my assistant told me you’d called the office and gave me your number, I looked up the address and headed this way. Did you know I’ve been making her call every ENT specialist in the Bay looking for you?”

  She couldn’t hide her disbelief. “You did?”

  “There are no less than twenty-two ear, nose, and throat doctors in a twenty-mile radius. Did you know that?” He smiled, clasping his hands behind him.

  She shook her head. Why would he go through so much trouble?

  He looked around the vacant waiting room. “I was hoping I could steal you for lunch if you’re available.”

  Her heart thrilled at the thought of a lunch date with him, beating wildly while she simply smiled. “Sure. I’d like that. The doctor is off-site, so it’s pretty calm today.”

  He grinned, showcasing that dimple. “Good.”

  “I’ll just go get my purse.”

  Piper had it waiting for her as soon as she pushed through the door, whispering, “Jordana, I totally get it now. You’re shining like a Fourth of July sparkler!”

  Jordana sent her a look. “Shh. Want me to bring you back something?”

  “Just the details of everything that happens.”

  She met him outside, where he waited by his chauffeured car.

  “Jordana, this is my driver, Tom,” he said as she climbed in, and she gave a little wave to the rearview mirror.

  The driver’s kind, deeply crowed eyes met hers. “Afternoon, Miss Shaw.”

  Logan asked, “Where would you like to go?”

  “Well, there isn’t much around here except drive-thrus and the Ham Hut. It’s a sandwich place, and they’re always packed at this time of day.”

  “Might I suggest something,” said Tom. “Carlisle’s is a few miles from here.”

  “Perfect,” Logan responded. “Nice place. And their menu has everything you can imagine.”

  “Sloppy joe sandwiches?” she joked.

  He slid her a smile. “It might be more gourmet sloppy, but if that’s what you want, it’ll be my main objective to make sure that’s what they serve you.”

  A few minutes later as they pulled in front of the restaurant, Jordana quickly noticed Carlisle’s would be nothing like a quick bite at the Ham Hut. With decorative flames waving behind the elegantly etched steel sign and tall, glossy black front doors, it was the kind of establishment where judges and surgeons went to socialize and network.

  “I’m not appropriately dressed,” she said, nervousness building as they approached.

  “You’re a professional in medicine. Be proud,” he told her, opening the door. “Just walk in with confidence, and no one will bat an eye.” Then he winked.

  She smiled. Well then, she could do that.

  They were shown to a table near the rear, and she ordered an iced tea with lemon. Her options were overwhelming when she opened the red leather-bound menu, everything from complex salads to quail eggs to open-faced salmon sandwiches. She settled for soup and salad.

  After the server took their order, Logan said, “Jordana, I’d like to talk about last Saturday, if that’s all right with you.”

  Anxiousness bubbling up, she nodded and sucked in a breath. “Of course.”

  “I was a little disappointed you left the way you did.”

  Reminded of her rude exit, she felt her cheeks stain with red heat. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snuck off like that. I’d told you everything I knew, and I just…didn’t want to get in the way.” Embarrassment had been her main motivator.

  “I understand the whole situation must’ve been very bizarre for you.” The waiter poured two full glasses of water and Logan waited until he departed. “More than anything, I’ve wanted to find you so I could thank you.”

  “Thank me?” That explained the thorough search.

  “For what you did. I never got the chance to. Everything you said was true. I had a serious conversation with Rebecca the day after the event, once my brain stopped sizzling.”

  “That must’ve been awkward, to put it mildly. Considering what she’d come close to doing to you.”

  “Well, it’s definitely not something I ever want to experience again. I said I wouldn’t make a big deal of this as long as she told Ben about the baby and gave him a chance to try to do the right thing. If he didn’t step up, I reminded her of all the support she’d find through his family. Rebecca just needed reassurance she wasn’t alone.”

  His perspective on this impressed her. By his tone and demeanor, he didn’t even harbor ill feelings toward the woman. If he did, he hid it very well. “You aren’t mad she drugged you? You do realize if she’d put too much in your cocktail, you could’ve been seriously sick. Even died.”

  He leaned back, sweeping a napkin across his leg. “You have a point, but fortunately for me, all I got was a fuzzy memory and a migraine. But anger takes a lot of energy I can’t spare. Am I disappointed in her as a friend? Very. Mad as hell? No. I’d rather forget the ordeal and move on.”

  “That’s very mature of you.”

  “A man is capable of it once in a while.”

  She giggled. “Right, well, some would feel a little animosity toward her for trying to manipulate their lives.”

  He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “No real damage was done. I’ve learned to let go of things that, in the end, don’t affect my present or future. The only thing I lost in this was a friend. Luckily, I can choose more of those.” He moved his gaze out the window, drumming his fingers. “You know, I think about how I would’v
e felt if I had a child with a woman I wasn’t in love with. It wouldn’t have been my most ideal way of becoming a father, but Rebecca had it right. I would’ve given her, and the baby, everything.”

  Jordana swallowed at the tenderness of his voice. She wondered if he’d ever come close to having a family of his own. “Have you ever been married?”

  His blue gaze met hers, his mouth quirking. “I haven’t. Why do you ask?”

  Ah, he was the devoted bachelor. “You give off that distrustful air most divorced men have after an ex-wife or two.”

  Chuckling, he raised a brow. “Or two? Now that’s a scary thought! No, I haven’t taken that leap. Or even come near it, for that matter.”

  “Would you have married her? Rebecca?”

  “No,” he answered without pause. “She would’ve gotten everything but that.” As the server approached, he looked up with a smile. “Bottom line, you spared me from a serious trap. A life-changing one.” He locked his eyes on hers, his tone sincere and utterly grateful as he reached and covered her hand. “Thank you, Jordana.”

  Fire flashed up her arm, heat settling on her face. “You’re welcome. Really, it was nothing. What I did, I mean. I think any woman in my shoes would have intervened.”

  “I doubt that.” He slid his hand away, rested an arm on the edge of the table, and curiously rubbed his thumb over his fingertips. “In any case, I owe you.”

  She smiled up at the server in thanks as her salad was set down. “What? You don’t owe me anything. Have you forgotten about the crown jewels you gave me that night?”

  “Funny you mention that. You and my friend, Neil, think a lot alike. Anyway, the Sigvy is notwithstanding. Besides, I don’t do payback with trinkets. I want to do something for you, like you did for me.”

  “Forget it.” She forked her salad. “I’m not looking for any return favor.”

  “Well, that compels me even more, and I won’t take no for an answer. I want you to think of something, anything that I can do for you.”

 

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