‘Wow, that’s deep for after two in the morning. You sound as if you speak from experience.’
‘Do you want to live with regrets?’ he frowned.
‘No, of course not, but it’s not that simple. You don’t know my parents, the expectations they have of me. It’s not befitting of someone with my heritage to break the mould and follow her heart, no matter how much I may want to.’
‘Human beings would never have made progress if there weren’t trailblazers, Eve. We’d still be huddled in caves, rubbing sticks together to keep warm, if people didn’t try new things. Text him, set up a date, see how it goes. You may decide he’s not the one worth risking it for, or he may be the one that changes everything, for the better.’
‘Even if I did contact him, I’m not sure he’d be interested anymore anyway. I’ve knocked him back so many times, he’ll have moved on.’
‘Surely to try and to fail, is better than to have never tried at all,’ he advised. I shrugged and yawned.
‘Come on, sleep, I’ll be waking you in a few hours.’
‘You don’t sleep when you’re working?’
‘Not when I need to run a full body inspection before you leave, make sure that everything’s in working order. Can’t have you unhappy with the service I’ve provided,’ he grinned.
‘Trust me, I’m happy, more than happy.’ He turned his head as he heard a noise coming from the street. I gasped as I saw his side profile and it suddenly came back to me where I knew him from. ‘You’re Summer Beresford’s boyfriend.’
‘What?’ he uttered, as he snapped his head back around to look at me with a frown.
‘I saw you together on Celebspot on the net, a picture of you both on the red carpet and you were kissing the side of her head. You were listed as an unknown date.’
‘We’re not dating, you’re mistaken in your assumption.’
‘I’m sure I’m not, I thought I recognised you when I saw you. You’re really seeing her? She’s gorgeous.’
‘I can promise you categorically that I’m not seeing her,’ he responded forcefully.
‘It was you though, wasn’t it?’ I enquired. I wasn’t stupid, his whole body language had changed, he’d tensed up and his eyes had turned dark, bringing her up had angered him.
‘I was there as a friend, that’s all, there’s nothing between us. Now sleep please, you only have a few hours.’
‘Ok,’ I nodded. His tone had turned dominant, this wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. I knew I’d recognised him, I remember thinking what a stunning couple they made and how hot he was. Had she hired him for the night as well? Was someone as pretty as Summer that desperate for dates that she needed to pay Logan? I stifled a laugh. I was paying for a date with Logan, who was I to judge her? Maybe she was like me, just needing an escape, a perfect night to keep her going and I’m sure that Logan would have made sure she got that.
Logan
I sat with her until she was fast asleep, then quietly headed downstairs and grabbed my phone out of my bag, seething. How the hell had Ian missed a photo of me out there with Summer? I rubbed my forehead in frustration. I’d been stupid going to that premiere with her, thousands of fans were there with cameras, as well as the media. How the hell did I expect Ian to source every image of me that got uploaded, without my name on for him to search for? I suddenly straightened up with a smile, my best friend had developed a software package to scan and recognise faces in pictures and video, to protect his identity when he went into hiding. Christ knows how it worked, something to do with facial bone structure and distance between the eyes. Ian must have access to it as he worked for him, as his permanent job anyway, he probably ran it daily, he could just upload my profile picture to the system for it to work its magic. I sent him a message asking him to use it, to make sure he traced any footage of me and deleted it immediately, mentioning the blog that Eve had seen me on as well.
I needed to chill about it, it wasn’t like a previous client was going to come forward and say what I did for a living, not unless they wanted to get themselves splashed all over the tabloids as well. I wouldn’t put it past the conniving Camilla Domville or Yasmin Taylor, my strangers for the night and filthy for the night bookings, both were devious and deceitful and I’d been glad to get shot of them, deleting them from my files, but I half expected one of them to make a move to try and bring me down, in some sneaky vengeful way. Thank God I had material on Camilla which should ensure her silence, but Yasmin was another matter. Maybe I’d been too hasty deleting her file, evidence of our bookings could be the self-protection needed if she tried anything. I sent another message to Ian to ask if he could retrieve both of their files and secure them, in the event I was blackmailed. I shook myself down, there wasn’t any more that I could do, I’d chosen to risk it that night with Summer, and for what? What did I have to show for it other than one more perfect night, a bloodied knuckle, a belly full of anger and a broken damn heart?
I distracted myself by opening the gift box I’d prepared for Eve, that James had left here for me. I pulled out fresh luxury underwear, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, along with a cosmetics bag containing her favourite foundation, mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss, cleanser, toner and moisturiser. I repacked her latex bra and trousers, wondering if she’d dare to wear them on a date with Dale. When I picked up her leather jacket, the weight of it reminded me that she’d smuggled her phone in with her. I quickly extracted it, taking the time to double check there was no footage of me on there. I chuckled to myself, here was me worried about my life becoming public knowledge and I was encouraging Eve to break out of her rut and go public with someone that would likely create headline news too. Why was I so good at organising and fixing everyone’s lives and not my own? That was a question that I’d probably need professional help to answer.
Morning After
Eve
I woke up to the delicious smell of piping hot coffee and opened my eyes to see Logan sitting on the edge of the mattress waving a mug under my nose.
‘Morning,’ he grinned.
‘Morning,’ I smiled back as I sat up and pulled the duvet around me. ‘What time is it?’
‘Six a.m.’
‘O my God, why so early?’ I groaned, as I grabbed the hot drink off him and took a big gulp.
‘I still have plans for you.’
‘More sex? Holy shit. You’re worth every damn penny and more,’ I uttered. I’d woken up at four a.m. and had taken him up on that offer of missionary sex, but he made it anything other than boring or routine.
‘Thank you,’ he chuckled. ‘I have no objection to more sex, but I actually had another idea in mind.’
‘Like what?’ I asked wide eyed. As wide eyed as I could be on a serious lack of sleep and totally orgasmed out.
‘First you’re going to eat this delicious fresh croissant I nipped out and got from the bakery nearby, I had to use all my charms to make them open the door early to sell it to me, then we’re going on another road trip.’
‘On the bike?’ I asked, as I felt my face light up.
‘Yes,’ he chuckled. ‘Now drink and eat, I’ve put fresh clothes for you at the bottom of the bed and a case with all your toiletries and makeup in.’
‘That croissant smells amazing, incredible as you are I think I’ll go for food, getting ready and the road trip. One more orgasm may kill me, Logan.’
‘Understood,’ he nodded. ‘I’ll give you some space to get ready.’
‘Thanks. For everything,’ I smiled. He gave me that sexy as hell wink and stood up. He’d changed too, into dark blue jeans and a crisp white shirt with a pair of leather brogues. I sipped my coffee as I grinned to myself. He may be able to ride a bike with the speed and apparent skill of Ricky Carmichael, but Logan Steele wasn’t a hardened bad boy biker. In fact if I took him home, I think even father would approve. Hot as Logan was though, and he was scorching, I was already smitten with my own bad boy and even if Logan wouldn’t admit it, it s
eemed he was just as taken with a certain up and coming actress.
‘You’re welcome, I’d better go and check your car’s ready,’ he replied with another wink over his shoulder, as he jogged down the stairs. I laughed and tucked into an amazing buttery croissant, I was going to have to get this bakery to give our cook some tips.
I found Logan on his phone when I headed down and he quickly hung up and smiled at me.
‘Ready?’
‘I’d say yes, but I’m not sure what I’m agreeing to.’
‘Road trip, then a proper breakfast.’
‘I had a proper breakfast,’ I reminded him.
‘That was a snack, an unhealthy but delicious snack. After all that physical exertion last night, you need some proper sustenance.’
‘I think you were the one doing all the exerting,’ I laughed.
‘Trust me, you’ll be happy with my choice,’ he added, with a mysterious smile as he handed me the leather jacket and motorbike helmet.
‘Your driver’s meeting me here,’ I reminded him.
‘David? I cancelled him.’
‘I need to be in Chelsea at nine, I promised my bodyguard Kane I’d meet him at Mimosa, an upmarket Sunday breakfast hangout.’
‘I know it, don’t worry, Kane will find you there on time.’
‘Are we coming back here?’
‘No and don’t worry about your clothes and stuff, my driver will bring them in a bag to you there, before nine.’
Logan really was organised, I’d have to pass on his details to Tiffany, he was worth every single penny. I’d never forget last night, as long as I lived. He sped down the street, taking charge of the bike with all the skill of a seasoned champion racer. I idly wondered if there was anything Logan couldn’t do, as he headed towards the city centre, surprising me. I wondered where he was taking me? We chatted about his love of Harleys as we zipped along and watched the city coming to life with dustbin men and street sweepers cleaning up, shop keepers laying out boxes of fresh fruit and veg ready for opening time. I lay my head on Logan’s shoulder and closed my eyes as I tightened my grip around his waist, warming my hands with the heat from his body. I felt so tired, I knew exactly what I’d be doing this afternoon, having a well-deserved forty winks.
‘We’re here,’ came the voice through my headset and I opened my eyes to find Logan had parked up in one of the small squares in Chelsea.
‘Chelsea? Why are we here, did I fall asleep and it’s already nine?’
‘No,’ he laughed. ‘We’re having breakfast at Mimosa’s, then I have a surprise for you.’
‘O my God, that was delish,’ I sighed, as I cleared my plate of eggs Benedict with extra spinach.
‘Hmmm, I needed that,’ Logan nodded, as he drained his second coffee. I was amazed at how much the man ate, then again he did work up one hell of an appetite. He’d had eggs Benedict too, with a “side” of eggs Florentine and smoked salmon, a tropical fruit salad and two rounds of wholemeal toast with organic peanut butter to finish off. ‘What?’ he exclaimed, as I grinned.
‘You have one crazy appetite. So, it’s still only seven-twenty. Do you have any topics of conversation to fill the next hour and forty minutes, before Kane arrives and I get an earful?’
‘No, I’ve already settled up, so I’ll be leaving you here.’
‘On my own?’ I looked at him surprised, as he stood up and bent over to plant a kiss on my cheek.
‘I enjoyed meeting you, Eve. Here’s your phone that you weren’t supposed to bring with you,’ he advised as he handed it back to me. Damn it, I’d forgotten about it and hadn’t even noticed it was missing.
‘Sorry, but Kane would have gone out of his mind if I’d been stupid enough to lose him and not have some way of contacting him if I was in danger.’
‘I get that. You may want to consider putting a passcode on it though, anyone could access your contacts list and send a text message without your consent,’ he winked. ‘Your surprise will be here shortly.’
‘What did you do?’ I hissed. He just grinned and saluted me as he headed for the door. ‘What did you do?’ I called, but he ignored me and strode off. ‘Damn it,’ I muttered. If he’d text my parents to tell them what I’d just been up to with him, I’d make sure he’d regret it. I quickly turned it back on and rapped my foot impatiently as it powered up, then checked my last message and swallowed hard. While I was sleeping, “I’d” managed to have a text conversation with Dale. ‘O shit, Logan,’ I sighed as I scrolled down to read the first one.
Dale, it’s Eve. I’m so sorry that I turned you down all those times you asked me out. I’m ashamed to admit that I was worried about what my parents would think if it came out that we were dating. You see I’m not just Eve Myers, I’m Lady Eve Myers and my family have certain expectations when it comes to a boyfriend for me, but I’ve decided screw them. I don’t want the sort of guy they deem suitable, I want you, I’ve wanted you since the moment I first set eyes on you. I can’t stop thinking about you, fantasising about you and I don’t care whether my family approves or not. I’d be honoured if you’d forgive me for my short sightedness and meet me at seven-thirty at Mimosa’s in Chelsea to talk. If at the end of it you feel inclined to ask me out again, be assured that this time I’ll say yes. Eve x
I’ll be honest too then. After we met one of Nevada 6 told me who you were, but that’s not why I asked you out, Eve. I wanted you as soon as I saw you too. If I come you’d better be there and not have changed your mind again. Dale
You’ve no idea how happy you’ve just made me. I’ll be here, I promise, on Jax Teller’s life, pre-season seven that is, and you must know that’s a serious promise for a Sons of Anarchy biker loving girl like me ;-)
Damn, if you’re swearing on Jax’s life, pre-dramatic death, you really are serious! Seven-thirty then, looking forward to it Lady Myers. Your dirty bit of rough on the side ;-) x
O Dale, you have no idea how dirty and rough I love it! Can’t wait to see you x
Wow, I so struck lucky grinding against your backside that night. Some lady you are! See you then love x
See you then hot stuff! x
‘Logan bloody Steele,’ I laughed as I shook my head. Part of me wanted to be mad at him, part of me was thankful that he’d taken the step that I desperately wanted to, but was too scared to.
‘Who’s Logan bloody Steele?’ came a strong cockney accent. I took a quick intake of air as my heart started beating wildly.
‘No one you ever have to worry about,’ I smiled, as I looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of my very own gorgeous biker, one I hadn’t had to pay for.
‘So, we doing this or what?’ he demanded, as he shoved a hand through his unruly blond hair.
‘Talking? Sure,’ I nodded, feeling oddly nervous.
‘I meant the kissing thing, I have some seriously good memories of kissing you and right now my memory tank’s running empty and needs topping up.’ He grabbed my hand, sparks of energy flowing up my arm as he yanked me up out of the booth, against his hard body. He grasped my face and kissed me properly, tongue and all. I flung my arms around his neck as I kissed him back just as forcefully, not caring that we were in an upper class eatery, I’d waited too long to do this to care. We laughed as there was a round of applause as we finally broke apart panting. Dale nudged me back into the leather booth and sat next to me.
‘Wow,’ I sighed. ‘Tell me you’re free this morning?’
‘For you I’m free all day, and night,’ he added with a wink, making me laugh. ‘What do you have in mind, love? Rough and dirty?’
‘Actually rough may well be the theme of the morning, if you’re feeling brave?’
‘I wouldn’t have contacted you after that first night if I wasn’t. So?’
‘My bodyguard Kane will be meeting me here at nine o’clock and I’d like you to come with us to meet my parents.’
‘Holy shit,’ he muttered. ‘Already? They’ll freak won’t they?’
; ‘Yes, but I don’t want to see you in secret, if we’re doing this it’s upfront and above board and if they don’t like it, well … tough,’ I nodded, shaking internally. I had a feeling Dale and I would work out just fine, but Logan was right, it was time to break the mould, to show them who I really was and if I didn’t do it now, I was liable to lose my nerve.
‘Kane’s the guy who hauled me off you by the scruff of my neck?’ he asked with a frown.
‘Yes,’ I grimaced. ‘Too much?’
‘Please, for a bad boy like me? Doesn’t every Princess need to have a Prince ready to fight a dragon to win her over?’
‘Hardly a Princess,’ I laughed, as a warm feeling spread through my body to know he was in. ‘But you don’t need to win me over, you already have,’ I advised, as I pulled him to me by his battered leather jacket collar and kissed him again, thanking God for the incredible Logan Steele.
Client Evaluation
Logan
I smiled as an email came in from Eve, while I waited for James with my bags outside Ray’s garage. He’d done a run to drop her belongings to her, while I headed back here on the bike and tidied up.
I could have killed you when I read those messages, but now I just want to thank you, sincerely. He came. We’re going to try this and you’ll be proud of me, I’m taking him back to meet my parents, may as well go flat out and try and drag my parents out of their cave and into the 21st century eh? Thanks again for an amazing fantasy, I have a feeling you may have just set me up with an even better reality. You’re one amazing man Logan. I hope she realises that and you get your HEA too. With fondest regards and thanks. Eve
Wow, I hoped they’d date, I hadn’t expected her to have the balls to take it one step further, good on her for following her heart. Though was I that transparent when Summer was mentioned last night? I sighed again at the thought of her, but was distracted as the Merc’s tyres rumbled along the cobbles towards me. James pulled up, then jumped out to take my bag.
Biker for the Night (For The Night #6) Page 6