Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “Absolutely. Can’t afford to lose on that one.” He appreciated her hard work ethic, diligence, and attention to detail. When was her last raise? He’d have to look into it.

  She stopped as she noticed his friends all gathered in the living room ahead. “I don’t want to intrude. I completely forgot about your party.”

  “Not an intrusion at all. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Backing up in his hallway, she said, “If you don’t mind, I’d rather wait in your library and catch up on some emails.”

  “Of course. I won’t be long.” Heading to the living room, he held up the contract to his friends. “That was Ashtyn at the door. I’ve got to get this done tonight, so you’ll have to entertain yourselves for the next half hour or so without me.”

  “Ashtyn’s here?” Neil asked, brows raised.

  He nodded. “I asked her to join, but she’s more of a workaholic than I am and retreated to the library.” Approaching Jordana, he cupped her elbow. “Sorry to leave you by yourself.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She shooed him. “I’ll be fine.”

  Miranda slid off her chair and looped her arm in Jordana’s. “Geez, Logan, you act like we’re gonna poke her with sticks and tie her over a boiling hearth. Come sit with me, Jordana. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have a girl around for once. We’ll have you drinking and cursing like a sailor in no time.”

  With a half smile, Logan ventured to his office upstairs, since that was where he kept his files. He primarily used his library for entertaining and didn’t like storing important confidential information on the first floor.

  After twenty minutes of doggedly making notes for revisions, he headed back toward the library, but he stopped short of the doorway when he heard Neil and Ashtyn talking.

  “Why don’t you come out and relax with the rest of us?” Neil asked.

  “Because I’m here to work.”

  Logan huffed with a smile, shaking his head. He should’ve known Neil wouldn’t be able to leave Ashtyn alone. For some reason, his friend liked to push his executive assistant’s buttons. Mostly in a harmless, playful manner, but she never hesitated to put him in his place. Over the years, Logan had found their banter amusing, but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew Neil was attracted to Ashtyn and couldn’t stand the fact she didn’t blatantly flirt with him like every other woman did.

  “Neil, do you mind?” Ashtyn asked.

  Logan peeked in to see Neil sitting on the corner of the desk, which Logan knew she hated, just like he did.

  “Working on a Saturday night is a cardinal sin,” pointed out Neil, not bothering to move.

  “You’re confusing Saturday with Sunday. Some people like to get things done on weekends.”

  “Some people die too young from working too hard.” He chuckled when she didn’t smile at his quip. “I work on Saturday all the time, but if you don’t take a break, you’ll grow old fast and miss all the fun in life. Anyway, I came in here to tell you I’ve got that info you asked me for. Took me a few hours of research. You owe me.”

  Her tone softened. “I really appreciate it. Thank you. Bring it to me the next time you come by for lunch?” She resumed typing on her keyboard.

  Logan cocked his head. What info? Well, it was none of his business if Ashtyn had procured Neil for legal advice. Maybe he shouldn’t go in just yet.

  “No sweat,” Neil told her. “Nothing like being indebted to an enemy, is there?”

  She stopped typing and blinked up at him from behind her red glasses. “You think of me as an enemy?”

  “Of course not. That was a joke.”

  “Oh.”

  “But I know you don’t like me,” Neil added.

  “That’s not…entirely true. I don’t dislike you. You have your moments,” she said, lips quirking, before frowning. “Now get off the desk.”

  Chuckling, he obeyed.

  “How much do I owe you?” she asked.

  “Do you really think I would charge you for giving some quick legal information? That hurts.”

  “I doubt that. Nothing hurts you, Neil.”

  He laughed. “You’re right. I have no feelings. That’s why I went into law. No emotion necessary.”

  Scooting the chair back, she crossed her arms and legs, posture straight as a ruler, the picture of an elegant professional. “Is that also why you’re never in a relationship? Too many feelings to deal with?”

  “Exactly. Relationships are a game, like everything else in life. I just choose not to compete.”

  She arched a brow. “Of course you would view love as a sport. I wonder why? Failed to win one too many times?”

  “Can’t win if you don’t play,” he remarked. “I have no desire for anything serious, and I don’t think I ever will. Love and marriage are good things from what I hear. They just aren’t for me.”

  “What if you miss the woman of your dreams because you’re too busy avoiding the real thing?”

  A pause. “I had the real thing,” Neil answered. “But that only comes along once.”

  Logan raised a brow at his soft confession. Though he knew who Neil was talking about, it was rare to hear his friend ever mention his first love, even if he didn’t say her name.

  Deciding it was time to interrupt, Logan strolled in, pretending he hadn’t been eavesdropping. The pair both jerked as if they’d been caught making out; Ashtyn’s cheeks stained red. Logan sent his friend a half smile. “Stop flirting with my assistant, Neil. She never has been and never will be interested in you. Even if she wasn’t married,” he joked as he handed the papers to Ashtyn. “I made a few amendments in the margins. Nothing they should dispute since we discussed it over the phone. Review it and send it to Hutchings by Monday. He’s expecting it.”

  Ashtyn smiled and gave a single nod. “Will do.”

  “Thanks. And you don’t have to rush off. Stay as long as you like.”

  She shook her head quickly, closing her laptop and gathering her file. “I should go. You both have a nice weekend.”

  “You too,” Logan said.

  Something was in the air. A definite tension. Although he’d been kidding about the flirtation, Logan had no doubt Neil understood the underlying warning. His assistant was a no-fly zone…as in Neil’s fly better stay up when it came to her. All of his employees were off-limits to the skirt-chasing lawyer, but Ashtyn especially. There were plenty of pretty, single women in the Bay for Neil to hook up with. Even if Ashtyn were available, he’d never approve of his friend seducing her. He’d break her heart in short order and then things would forever be awkward between his best friend and his best right-hand employee.

  “Coming?” he asked Neil, who seemed to want to linger.

  Neil glanced quickly at Ashtyn, pressing his lips together before strolling past Logan. “Yeah.”

  Back to the party, Logan realized he didn’t have to worry about Jordana at all. She sat next to Drew now, laughing while his friend waved his arms and regaled her with one of his more entertaining stories about playing Australian rules football.

  The flirt. He squelched the impulse to tell Drew he didn’t have a chance with Jordana. But he had no right; she wasn’t his. He couldn’t stand in any man’s way. A friend wouldn’t do that.

  Drew handed her a beer, asking if she knew anything about MMA fighting. She didn’t, so he apprised her of the fighters in the main event. Logan feigned indifference as she asked her questions, and Drew responded readily, making her laugh with his comical quips.

  It took every ounce of Logan’s willpower not to pull her chair closer to him while they gathered around the TV with the rest of his friends. Ladies loved Drew because he was boyishly good-looking, an easy talker, and—Logan had to admit—a genuine, all-around good guy. Not a player. And as the fights started, Logan noticed Jordana had just laughed at something Drew said. Again.

  Logan clenched his jaw. Hell, she was his friend. He should be the one making her laugh. As the guys leaped off their feet with
shouts and hollers when the contender slammed an overhand right, Logan remained in his seat, sulking.

  When he realized Neil was staring at him with a knowing smile, he forced his attention to the TV.

  Later on, he went to make a drink, a strong one, when Miranda came bounding up to him, speaking in a hushed whisper. “So glad you invited Jordana. I like her a lot.”

  He dropped a whiskey stone in his glass and poured generously. “I’m not surprised. I liked her first.”

  “I’m for sure going to set her up. I have so many guys she’d be perfect for.”

  Here it comes. Miranda already thinking of all the available men to pimp. “You barely know her.”

  “What else is there to know? She’s fun to be around, witty. Lots of gorgeous hair, works for a doctor. As long as she hasn’t escaped prison, she’s prime-time girlfriend material.”

  All that was true, however, he didn’t relish the thought of Miranda playing matchmaker. “Don’t talk about her like she’s real estate. And not every single woman wants to be shackled in matrimony like you.”

  She eyed him with suspicion, looking at Jordana, then back. “What’s with you? You were lying when you said she was just a friend, weren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Then why do you care if I set her up with someone? You sound jealous.”

  Why did he care? In fact, if she did start seeing someone, then it might relieve him of his desire for her.

  On second thought, scratch that. Picturing a guy coming in and sweeping her off her feet hollowed his gut. His conviction was beginning to slip. “Come on, Miranda, you know me. Match her up all you want…I couldn’t care less.” Oh, the lies we tell ourselves.

  “Are you sure? You’d make a cute couple. In fact, I could definitely see you two together.”

  “How many times do I have say the word friends?” To her—and himself?

  “All right. Well, no matter what you say, if she’s interested, I’m playing cupid.” She clinked her glass with his and walked away.

  After the fight was over, everyone lingered for a drink or two and then started to filter out. While he walked his friends to the door, he noticed Miranda had pulled Jordana to the side.

  Neil chuckled as he sauntered up to him, shrugging on his jacket. “My God, man, try to look a little less obvious.”

  He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “That your whole ‘we’re just friends’ was self-denial mumbo jumbo. I don’t know why you’re even bothering with this front. You’ve wanted her from the first minute you saw her. Tell her and get it over with.”

  He shot Neil a look. “Keep your voice down, will you?”

  “Just saying, she won’t be single long. Are you really going to let Drew take her out?”

  He jerked his gaze to Neil’s. “He asked her out?”

  Neil clicked his cheek. “Got ya. Man, you’re easy. If he hasn’t, he will.”

  Nice trick move, but he let it slide. “And in the meantime, Miranda is going to have her engaged by New Year’s. Why does every married woman think every single woman wants to be in a relationship?”

  Neil slapped a hand on his shoulder. “The majority do. Better act fast, my friend. And quit pretending you don’t want her. You suck at it.”

  The lawyer had a point. As Neil walked out, Miranda approached with Phillip. “Good party, Logan. Have you found a date for the Bridges of Marin County gala yet?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. I’m sure Ashtyn will remind me plenty between now and then.”

  “Fine. Just be sure you don’t bail on it this year. You know how much that charity means to me.”

  “I promise to make an appearance. You have my word.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Lovely. And bring a date I can stand.”

  An idea sprung to mind as he glanced at Jordana.

  Phillip shook his hand. “Thanks for hosting. Great fight, huh?”

  Was it? He’d barely looked at the TV. “Yeah. See you two later.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” Drew said to Jordana as he and Ronnie, his neighbor, approached the door.

  Just as she was about to step outside with them, Logan touched her shoulder. “How about a tour of the house before you go?”

  She grinned. “I’d love that.”

  “Great.” He slammed the door in his friends’ faces. “’Night, guys.”

  Jordana hadn’t been nervous all night.

  Until now.

  Alone with Logan and with no one around to keep her distracted. She’d felt his eyes on her throughout the evening, but whenever she tried to meet his gaze, he dragged it away. Maybe he didn’t appreciate her giving her attention to Drew. Could he have been jealous? Well, she wished she could tell him she wasn’t interested in his friend if that was the case. Perhaps Logan was beginning to see her as less of a pal and more of the woman he wanted at the charity. One could hope. She followed him as he started the tour.

  “This is the dining room,” he said as he switched on the light. “I should really turn it into something useful. I rarely eat in here.”

  “But it’s such a beautiful space,” she complimented, admiring the glossy black piano silhouetted against the demilune bay window. The walls were a rich, earthy green with a contrasting white-trimmed fireplace against the east wall. An antique French mirror hung above, flanked by 1920’s style sconces. What she guessed was a modern walnut table looked to be paired with Louis XIII-style chairs dressed in cream slipcovers. She once spent a summer working in a furniture store back home and could admire vintage touches. “The window faces west. I bet when the sun sets, it’s lovely in here. Why would you decorate it and never use it?”

  “The room was like this when I bought the house, so I can’t take credit. And I’m usually at the office when the sun sets.”

  “What a shame.”

  “Not really. My office has a nice view, too.”

  She gave him a chastising smile. “Do you play?” she asked, gesturing to the piano.

  “I can, if forced. My mom insisted I learn an instrument, and at the age of ten, I picked piano. After high school, I sort of let it go. It’s a little excessive to have when I neglect it so often, but I was so used to having a piano in the house, it felt empty without one.”

  “Got a favorite you like to play? Mozart? Beethoven?”

  “The Forrest Gump theme song.”

  She laughed as they moved on. Next, he showed her his den, his library with a pool table, the ridiculous cinema room with stadium seating, and outside to his saltwater pool.

  “What do you think?” he asked as they stepped back inside.

  “It’s the biggest bachelor pad I’ve ever seen, but it’s pretty.”

  “Pretty bachelor pad. Kind of an oxymoron, but I’ll accept that.” He grinned.

  She smiled, tucking her hands into her back pockets. “It’s a lot of space for one man.”

  “I like my space.”

  “And I like your friends.”

  “You sound as if you weren’t expecting to.”

  “You never know! Normal people have weird friends all the time.”

  He chuckled. “I know they liked you, too. Especially Miranda. Did she, uh, ask if she could set you up on blind dates?”

  “Actually, she did.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Do I scream desperate for a date or something?”

  “No, she just likes to be the master of love lives. Sorry if she cornered you about it,” he said as they slowly ventured back to the foyer.

  “Not at all. I was flattered she offered.” She noticed he was leading her toward the front door.

  “Well, don’t hesitate to tell her to back off if you’re not interested in being her latest project.” He studied her, almost as if waiting for her elaborate, then asked, “So are you going to let her set you up?”

  “I told her I’d think about it.”

  “If you say yes, be warned. She’ll take over your Friday and S
aturday nights until you threaten to change your number. Once she sets her mind to it, she won’t stop until you’re practically wed. She’s a believer in happy endings and all that noise.”

  All that noise? She stifled laughter as she swiveled to face him. “We need more people like Miranda, then. Anyway, I’d consider going out with someone if she thought we’d hit it off.”

  “Yeah?” He leaned a palm high on the wall behind her, looking down, gaze smoky. Lowering his tone, he said, “Well, I’d like it very much if you turned her down.”

  Oh? She gulped. Sometime in the last few seconds, he’d stealthily entered her personal space, filling it with his scent and heat. Flattening her hands to the wall, she looked up into his eyes. “Why should I?” she asked softly, knees going weak.

  He stared at her mouth and then traced his gaze over her features, back to her eyes.

  Her heart beat like a loud drum, and for a second, she couldn’t breathe, trapped by his seductive gaze…and anticipating his intention. Slowly, he descended.

  She didn’t move. Couldn’t move.

  He set his free hand on her waist and gently drew her in, pressing his lips to hers, unrushed. The subtle, increasing power of their kiss melted her bones, and a need rose from a sexual place she’d long neglected.

  He pulled back an inch, his thumb toying at the edge of her bottom lip, and as she took a quick intake of breath, he kissed her again, a little harder this time, encouraging her to open. All she could do was comply, parting her lips as he slipped his tongue inside. A short moan came from his throat and he locked his arm around her back, jerking her against his form. She leaned back and wrapped her arms around his neck, losing balance.

  Her nipples tightened, desire pooling between her thighs as he pushed her against the wall. Lord, did her body flame and heartbeat scatter. She wanted him with a frenzied passion she’d never experienced before. Desire and sex had always been warm, pleasantly thrilling sensations, but not to this degree, where she felt like she would agree to anything, as long as he kept going.

  When he broke away, she whimpered helplessly. Whoa. That was the hottest kiss in history. In her history, that is.