Logan is not the only one with past problems. He thinks my innocence is refreshing but I feel certain that novelty will wear thin after a while. My heart is heavy when I think of my past and I don’t know if I will ever be able to let that go. He agreed to take things slowly but for how long? My feelings are so strong for him, not just emotionally but physically. Just thinking about the way he touches me and whispers in my ear makes my body tighten. Do I want to give myself to him in every way? Is that even possible for me? Part of me does want to run. That’s even evident to him. He even asked me to promise him that I would not run away from him. Is that possible? It’s all so daunting.
My head is still reeling after I shower and change into my favorite pair of slouchy sweatpants and a cozy Roxy sweatshirt. I wish Erin hadn’t gotten stuck in Chicago and she had to do the interview for Studio One. Then maybe she’d be dealing with all of this instead of me. But I know I’m not being truthful with myself. Logan told me when we met he woke up. I have to admit that it goes both ways.
I need to throw myself into some reading and work to get my mind off everything. Crawling on my bed, I gather my Shakespeare textbook and my laptop. When I power it up I find I have two emails. The first email is the one that he thought I was purposely ignoring after the concert.
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Questionable reputation
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:35am
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
You are without a doubt the most clever girl I’ve ever met.
I do enjoy your Shakespearean quotes and the fact that you found another one by Iago to respond to mine, impresses me even more.
My questionable reputation and I would like to take you out tonight. I don’t like you being angry with me and I think we would resolve this quicker in person rather than through emails or over the phone.Let me know if that works for you.
Logan
His email makes me smile. I understand now why he showed up at Elsie’s. He asked me to go out and I didn’t respond. I fondly remember the package of coffee from Logan the last time I failed to give him an answer. He is not a patient man. Instead of a gift set this time, I got kidnapped. I open his next email.
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Willing captive
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 1:33pm
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
I’m glad we were able to talk last night. I hope you feel better about us. I am happy to talk through any issues you have any time. I want us to work and it will as long as you don’t keep trying to run. Trust me. Besides, I will come after you especially since you make such a pleasant captive.
Logan
I hit “reply.”
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Desirable captor
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 5:12pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
I’m glad we talked too. Trust is difficult for me but I will try. I don’t know why you think I’ve attempted to run from you. Maybe I’ve tried to hide but I don’t believe that I’ve tried to run. If I actually did run, I don’t think you’d catch me. I’m a very fast runner. Did you forget? That being said, I did enjoy your abduction, especially since you are quite a a desirable captor with or without me being under the heavy influence of margaritas.
Emilia
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: A challenge?
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 5:15pm
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
You should know that I’m not one to back down so easily.
I do enjoy challenges, especially from challenging women.
Surely, you are underestimating my abilities. I am quite fast myself. Should you choose to run, I will catch you. I can promise you that, baby.
Logan
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Bring it on
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 5:18pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
I readily accept any and all challenges from one so confident in his abilities. I wonder. How did you get to be so cocky?
Emilia
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Bringing it on
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 5:20pm
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
Maybe next time you could ask my mom about how I got to be so cocky? Or I could give her a copy of your intriguing interview and she could share her thoughts ;)
I’m taking it from the title of your email that you are inviting me to come over so I’ll be over shortly.
Logan
Hmmm…tempting. Is he serious? I have work to do. I quickly type out a reply and hope he gets it before it’s too late.
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Not in the literal sense
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2012 5:22pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
I have work to do, something you business majors clearly don’t have enough of. I look forward to you bringing it on another time.
Emilia
As much as I would like to see him again, I do need to get work done. Is he really coming over?
17
THERE’S A KNOCK on the door and I immediately know that either my email wasn’t read or he read it and chose to ignore it. When I open the door Logan is standing on our front porch with two bags in his hands. He’s wearing navy blue sweatpants and a fitted grey v-neck t-shirt. His hair is still damp; he smells heavenly. I’m thankful that I took a shower after my run so I’m not totally appalling to him. He looks at me, a bit unsure. He probably thinks I’m not happy with his eager attempt to challenge me.
“I brought dinner.” He smiles as he holds up one of the bags in his hands.
Then he holds up one of the other bags. “And wine.”
“This is how you bring it on?” I smile. “You know I have work to do and I wasn’t actually inviting you over.”
“I picked up Italian. Didn’t you say that was your favorite?” He smiles. “But if you have too much work then I’ll just be on my way.” He starts to turn and leave.
I grab his upper arm, pulling him towards me.
“Well, since you went to so much trouble and I am pretty hungry. I guess you can stay.” I smile.
I giggle and push the door open, allowing him to come in the house.
Just as he enters the house, Bryn comes barreling down the stairs. She’s dressed in black leggings and a long loose sweater that falls off one of her shoulders. She looks completely refreshed compared to when I saw her about an hour ago.
“Feeling better?” I ask.
“Much. Hey, Logan.” She eyes him suspiciously.
“Bryn.” He nods.
“Logan brought take-out. You hungry?” I smile.
“No, thanks. I’m headed to Josh’s. You two have fun.” She quickly kisses me on the cheek and gives me a hug.
“Don’t wait up.” She whispers. “But it looks as if you’ll have company.” She winks and then she’s out the door.
“You plate and I’ll pour.” He smiles. He hands me one of the bags.
“No doubt you are a bad influence.” I say as I grab the bag.
“Just taking care of you. You ate yogurt for breakfast and I bet not much else the rest of the day. Am I right?”
I shrug.
“You run every day and you certainly could use some carbs. I would have to argue that I’m a good influence.” He smiles as he pulls open the cork on the bottle of red wine.
“Well since you put it that way.” I roll my eyes as I pull out two plates and some silverware.
“Where do you keep your wine glasses?” He asks.
Accidentally I brush him softly with my body¸ while I reach above him to gra
b two glasses from the cabinet. When I turn to hand them to him I’m slightly pressed against him. He puts his hands around my waist.
He smiles. “You aren’t disappointed I’m here are you?”
“You know I’m going to put you to work, make you help me with my research.” I smile slightly.
“That sounds quite promising.” He smiles softly. He moves his hand from my waist and traces his thumb against my lower lip. The familiar charge radiates through my body.
“Let’s eat so I can help you with that research.” He pulls back but not before I notice his eyes flicker with a wicked gleam. I know the research he’s talking about is quite different from mine.
“Bad influence.” I murmur.
“Let’s sit before you decide to kick me out.” He laughs.
I bend the edges on the foiled take out containers to peel off the white top and place the pasta and meatballs on two plates. The pleasing aroma of garlic and spices wafts through the kitchen.
“It looks and smells delicious.”
“It’s Fettuccine Bolognese and turkey meatballs. It’s from Trattoria Mollie, one of Oprah’s favorite restaurants.”
“If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for me.” I smile and put the plates down on two placemats on the island.
“Is Pinot okay with you?” He asks as he hands me a glass and we both sit down, side by side.
“Sounds good.” I giggle. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring tequila since you were so pleased with the way it affected me last night.”
“Believe me, I thought about it. But pasta and tequila don’t mix. Next time I’ll pickup Mexican. I know you don’t like Thai food.” He says as he skillfully swirls the pasta around his fork and takes a bite.
“Do you like Mexican?” He asks.
“Yes, especially margaritas.” I smile.
“That I know.”
The rest of the meal we eat in silence. The dinner is delicious and I’m surprised to find how hungry I am. There’s just a small pile of pasta left on my plate.
“See, you were hungry.” He says, as he looks at my plate.
“I can see why Oprah likes it.”
Standing, I lean forward taking his head in my hands. He’s gazing up at me when I bend to kiss him on the lips.
“Thank you.”
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
“Now, let me help you with that research.” He smirks.
“You don’t have any work to do?” I ask while I clear the plates and put them in the dishwasher. Logan sits on the barstool and sips his wine.
He ignores my question. “So you think you can out run me?”
“Probably not after eating all that pasta but yes, under normal circumstances, I think I could beat you.” Taking a sip of wine, I turn and lean against the counter.
He puts his wine glass down on the counter and saunters towards me. Not taking his eyes off mine, he reaches around my waist and pulls me towards him. I feel flush from the intoxicating combination of the wine and his heated gaze.
“You know I love a good challenge.”
I gaze up at him. “Yes.”
“I believe your words in your email were that you readily accept any and all challenges.” He smirks.
“Um. Weren’t we joking?” I smile pleadingly.
He leans down and with one hand behind my neck, softly tugs on my hair, leaving my neck exposed. His soft lips brush against my neck and around my ear. “Joking?” He whispers.
“Were you joking?” He breathes between kisses. “I know I wasn’t.” I can’t tell if he’s serious.
I close my eyes and relish in his kisses. One hand is in my hair while the other reaches underneath my sweatshirt, caressing my back and squeezing me tightly against his body.
“I can think of all sorts of challenges. Do you have any suggestions?” He whispers.
I come up with a plan and hope he’s good-humored about it. Pulling back, I breathe, “I do have a challenge.”
“Oh?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Come.” I say. I put my hand out to take his and lead him up the stairs to my bedroom.
He grabs me around my waist as we stand beside my bed.
His eyes are hooded and his voice is sexy. “You think I don’t know what you are up to, Miss King?”
I smile.
“I was bringing you up here so you could help me with my research. Did you have something else in mind, Mr. Prescott?
“Don’t play coy with me.” He pulls me close and kisses me hard on the lips. His eager tongue coaxes mine as I moan into his mouth. His body sensually rubs against me and I feel my heart race to keep up with the passion that’s building up inside me. Suddenly he pushes away from me, leaving me for the first time wanting more, really wanting more.
“Okay. Shall we get started on that research?” He murmurs.
I gaze at him, trying to steady my breathing. He acts unfazed but I know he is just getting back at me for my misleading flirtation.
“If you think you can beat me in your little game of seduction, well you have underestimated me.” I reluctantly give him a slight smile.
“Promises, promises.”
“You know there’s no real competition in that department.” I murmur as I look down at the floor. “I’m not experienced so it really…” I fight the overwhelming lump that’s forming in my throat.
Logan takes his hand and gently lifts my chin so that I’m looking into his eyes. His other hand is around the small of my waist.
“Emilia, look at me. I don’t care that you are inexperienced. Honestly, I find it one of the many things that make you so irresistible.” Irresistible?
“But…” I whisper.
“Please stop with all the buts and what ifs. I want you. I’ve told you that and I will keep telling you that until you finally believe me.”
“This is all so confusing to me some times.” I murmur and look away from his gaze.
He takes his hand and caresses my cheek. “What’s so confusing to you?”
“You.” I whisper.
“Why?” He frowns.
“I never thought I would ever feel this way. You have captivated me, completely and utterly captivated me.”
He breathes. “Don’t you see? I feel the same way about you?”
“No, not really.”
“I don’t know what I have to say or do to show you. You should have no doubt I am quite caught up in your spell.”
“And I in yours.”
Logan’s arms are wrapped around me. We stand gazing into each other’s eyes for a long minute.
“I have to say I think you might be a bit of a bad influence.” He smirks.
“How do you figure?”
“Well, you said you wanted to work and you are obviously distracting me from doing mine.”
“Um. Excuse me?” I can’t hide my disbelief.
“You don’t have to look so surprised. I actually have some work to do. I left my books downstairs.” He smiles.
“But you said you didn’t have any work.”
“I never said that. Maybe you just thought that.” He pauses for a minute.
“Should I get my books and work with you or are you going to continue to be a bad influence and keep me from my studies?” He tries to stifle his smile.
I roll my eyes. “I guess that means you aren’t helping me with my research.”
“There you go distracting me again.” His eyes are filled with humor. “You think you can stop?”
“I’ll try.” I whisper.
He stares at me for a moment. Reflecting on my words, he runs his hand through his hair.
“You want to play again, Miss King?”
I reach for my Shakespeare textbook and crawl onto my bed. I gaze up at him, trying to look innocent.
“I don’t want to keep you from your studies, Mr. Prescott.” I smile sweetly and roll onto my stomach.
“I have to grab my books.” He says. He turns to leave an
d heads down the stairs.
“Sure.” I reach for my laptop and power it up before I lose my clarity.
“You need anything?” I hear him call from the bottom of the steps.
“Just you.” I shout.
In a second, he is on the bed next to me. He takes his hand and slides it under my shirt, softly stroking my back.
“As you wish.” He scoots closer to me and kisses my cheek.
“Oh. Sorry. You’re right, I am a bad influence.” I giggle.
“See you are the naughty one. Now leave me alone so I can get my work done.” He teases.
Logan rolls onto his back and starts to read his book. Trying hard to focus on my laptop and my work at hand, I attempt to ignore the distracting body that is so close to me.
A few minutes pass and then I feel his eyes on me. I peek at him and he smiles.
“Don’t tell me you’re already done.” I tease.
“No. I just thought you might be interested in my book.” He says in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Really?” I say. I try to hide my amusement.
“Yes.” He smiles.
I deliberately yawn. “Some captivating business literature. Yes, sounds exciting.”
“You might like this one.” He smirks.
“Oh?”
Then he holds up the front cover of the book so I can read the title.
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini, PH.D.” I laugh.
“Seriously? What class are you reading that for?”
“A marketing class. It’s a national bestseller too.” He points to the words on the cover.
“Yes. I knew there was a reason that you’re so good at persuasion.” I giggle.
“I have to go back to work now but thank you for your amusing interruption.” I say. I turn my attention back to my laptop.
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