Sin Bin

by Maureen Smith

  When Logan arrived to pick her up, he was wearing a fitted dark suit with an open-necked shirt and no tie. As smokin’ hot as he looked, she was distracted by the black-framed eyeglasses he was sporting.

  She laughed, pointing to his face. “What is that?”

  “My disguise.” He grinned, obviously pleased with himself.

  “That’s not much of a disguise, Logan. I can still recognize you.”

  “You can because you know me. Other people don’t.”

  Meadow pursed her lips, pondering him. The thick black frames accentuated his sculpted features and made him look serious and scholarly. And sexy as ever, damn him.

  “You’re still recognizable,” she grumbled.

  “We’ll see.” He dragged his eyes down her body, and his gaze softened. “You look beautiful.”

  She blushed like an idiot. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well, too.”

  He grinned and glanced behind her. “Where’s the little guy?”

  “Aunt Rosalie took him to the movies. They left before you showed up because she knew she wouldn’t be able to get him out of the house if he saw you.”

  Logan chuckled. “Good call.” He gave her a lazy smile and held out his arm to her. “Let’s do this, gorgeous.”

  Ignoring the way her stomach fluttered, Meadow tucked her arm through his, and together they started down the front walk. When she saw the two-door sports car parked at the curb, her eyes widened in disbelief.

  “Oh, you’re definitely gonna be recognized,” she asserted.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Seriously, Logan? You’re driving the kind of car that screams multimillionaire athlete!”

  “What, astronomers can’t drive nice sports cars?”

  “None that I’ve ever met. And nothing like this.” Her stunned gaze swept over the outrageously expensive supercar. The shimmering silver body sparkled like diamonds under the evening sun. “What is this?”

  “A Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita.” Logan looked proud. “Ain’t she a beauty?”

  Meadow shook her head incredulously. “I don’t even want to know how much this thing cost you.”

  Logan grinned, holding the passenger door open for her. “See, Shorty? Nice and low to the ground, just like I promised.”

  She smirked at him before lowering herself into the plush leather seat. She didn’t miss the way Logan stared at her shiny bare legs as she swung them into the car.

  He gave her a wink before closing the door and sauntering around the front of the car to slide behind the wheel.

  She couldn’t help admiring the way his perfectly tailored suit jacket fit across his broad shoulders and chest. The masculine spice of his cologne made her mouth water. She was appallingly tempted to lean closer and drag her nose up and down the strong column of his neck.

  She pulled the shoulder strap across her chest and snapped it, strapping herself in before she did something stupid.

  As Logan fastened his seat belt, she remarked conversationally, “It’s really warm out tonight, isn’t it? This weather is kind of schizophrenic.”

  He chuckled. “April can be pretty unpredictable. One day can be hot and sunny. The next day you could wake up to a snowstorm.”

  “Goodness,” Meadow exclaimed.

  He winked at her. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “So you keep telling me.”

  When he fired up the engine, she could feel the horsepower rumbling through her. She must have gasped because Logan looked at her, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

  “You feel that?”

  “Yes.” She sounded breathless. She could almost hear him whispering during hot sex, You feel that? Feel me deep and hard inside you?

  She licked her lips, her cheeks burning. “How do you pronounce the car’s name again?”

  “Ker-nig-seg,” he enunciated. “It’s Swedish.”

  “Swedish, huh?” She smiled crookedly. “Viggo should be driving one of these instead of a Lamborghini.”

  Logan grinned. “I’ma tell him you called him a sellout.”

  She laughed. “I did not!”

  “Pretty much.” Laughing devilishly, Logan revved the engine and pulled off.

  Once they reached the main road, he punched the gas, making the powerful motor roar. Meadow found herself pinned back against her seat, her heart thrumming with excitement. If she wasn’t careful, Logan would turn her into an adrenaline junkie.

  She looked at him behind the wheel of the car, completely relaxed and at ease with himself. She was struck by the starkly different paths their lives had taken. Just a week ago, she’d been an unemployed social worker whose bank account was running on fumes. In contrast, Logan was a hockey superstar with legions of adoring fans. He was making piles of money, driving a rare sports car, and wearing a Brioni suit and a Chopard watch—luxury items she could never afford in five lifetimes.

  As if he’d read her mind, Logan said in a quiet voice, “I’m still me.”

  She stared at him.

  “Santino used to tell me that money can’t buy happiness. I didn’t believe him. I thought he was full of shit. And then I made it to the pros and started earning the kind of dough I’d always dreamed of. And…I still felt empty inside.” Logan turned his head to meet Meadow’s gaze. “The money and fame? I’d give it all up in a heartbeat if I could turn back time and keep my mother from walking out of my life.”

  As Meadow’s heart melted with sympathy, she reached across the console and gently squeezed his arm.

  He took his right hand off the steering wheel and placed it over hers, infusing her with the warmth of his skin. She watched as he brought her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed each finger, one after the other. Her stomach tingled and her breathing grew shallow.

  He gave her a soft smile, then released her hand and fiddled with the satellite radio buttons. “Got any preferences?”

  She shook her head. “Not really.”

  “You like classical music? You seem like someone who would enjoy classical music.”

  “I do, but sometimes I have to be in the mood for it.”

  He stopped on a throwback R&B channel that was playing Tank’s “Sex Music.” The singer’s seductive crooning flooded the car. “…just wanna lick you from head to toe…I’ma have you screaming oh, oh…Baby, take this ride…”

  Logan gave Meadow a sidelong glance. “How’s this?”

  She bit her lip and crossed her legs. “Keep going.”

  “Why?” He turned his head, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “You don’t like this song?”

  “I’m not in the mood for it,” she muttered.

  He laughed knowingly and resumed pushing buttons. “Do you like rap?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Not really.”

  He chuckled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “A lot of it is misogynistic trash, and I’m not a fan of mumble rap.” Her lips twitched. “But there are a few ratchet female artists I enjoy listening to. They’re my guilty pleasures.”

  Logan gave her a slow grin. “Good to know you indulge in guilty pleasures.”

  “Are you calling me repressed?”

  “Not at all, darlin’. I know better.” He slid her a look that told her he was remembering their steamy make-out session. It made her thighs heat up.

  “Play whatever you want.” She hesitated before muttering under her breath, “Except sex music.”

  He laughed darkly and chose a hard rock station. The pounding music provided the perfect backdrop for what quickly became an exhilarating thrill ride in the powerful sports car.

  Meadow’s pulse raced excitedly as he deftly weaved in and around slower vehicles, making her laugh and whoop as they went tearing through the streets of Denver. He was driving fast but not recklessly. She felt as safe with him as she’d felt on the back of his Harley.

  The cocktail reception was being held at a historic observatory located in the middle of a park dotted with shade trees.

&n
bsp; Logan pulled into a parking lot close to the observatory. The building was made of red sandstone and had a domed roof. Meadow was so busy admiring the Romanesque architecture that she didn’t notice Logan coming around to open her door until he drawled humorously, “Should I come back later to get you?”

  She looked up at him and grinned sheepishly, then placed her hand in his and stepped out of the car. “I just love observatories. I try to find one every time I visit a new city. This observatory has a famous refracting telescope that I’m excited to check out. Although—” She glanced up worriedly at the graying sky “—we probably won’t be able to view anything since it’s starting to get overcast.”

  “We can always come back,” Logan said, still holding her hand. “The astronomical society hosts weekly and monthly events here, and the park is a popular spot for stargazing on Public Nights.”

  “I know.” She gave a happy sigh. “It’s so awesome.”

  He grinned at her. “I guess this is about to be your second home, huh?”

  “Pretty much.”

  Laughing, he pulled her close to his side and kissed her temple. The affectionate gesture turned her insides to goo.

  Together they strode up the long walk and into the old building. Meadow inhaled appreciatively, enjoying the smell of aged wood.

  A heavyset white woman stood at the entrance greeting guests as they arrived. She gave them a welcoming smile that froze on her face when she got a good look at Logan.

  “Oh my stars! Aren’t you Logan Brassard?”

  Meadow laughed and shook her head at Logan. “That didn’t take long.”

  He grinned sheepishly and adjusted his glasses—his fake, completely useless glasses.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” the woman gushed, shaking his hand. “I have to get your autograph for my son. He plays for his high school hockey team and he’s a big fan of yours. I’ve been trying to get him interested in astronomy for years. Boy, he’s sure gonna wish he’d come with me tonight.” She pulled out her phone and grinned at Meadow. “Can you take a picture of us?”

  “Sure.” Meadow took the phone and stepped back a few feet as Logan posed with the beaming woman, draping his arm around her shoulders. After the first photo was snapped, the woman jokingly asked him if he could remove his glasses so her son wouldn’t question whether it was really him.

  “I didn’t even know you wear glasses,” she said with a girlish giggle.

  “He doesn’t,” Meadow said wryly. “They’re supposed to be a disguise.”

  “Oh!” The woman giggled again, her green eyes sparkling as she playfully elbowed Logan and winked. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

  When Logan grinned and winked back, the woman nearly swooned against his chest.

  Suppressing an eye roll, Meadow snapped a few more pictures before handing the phone back to the woman.

  “Goodness, where are my manners?” Giddy and flushed, she grinned at Meadow and introduced herself as Helen, the astronomical society’s treasurer. “You must be one of our new members. Welcome, welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you join us tonight!”

  “Thank you.” Meadow smiled warmly. “I was hoping to see the famous telescope.”

  “I know,” Helen said with an apologetic sigh. “Unfortunately, it’s cloudy tonight so you won’t be able to look through the telescope. But you can still view it in all its glory. One of our volunteers has been taking people up to the dome. Just flag him down whenever you’re ready.” She grinned teasingly at Logan. “I’ll get your autograph later, so don’t try to sneak off.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he told her with a wink.

  She tittered and blushed like a schoolgirl.

  Meadow shook her head at Logan as they walked away together. “Have you no shame?”

  “None whatsoever.” Grinning, he put his hand on the small of her back and steered her into the rotunda.

  About eighty guests milled around, mingling in small groups and eating canapés. Several people glanced in their direction and did a double take when they saw Logan.

  Meadow shot him an exasperated I told you so look.

  He ducked his head, his grin turning sheepish.

  “I’ll be damned,” a man’s voice cut through the music and the chattering crowd. “Is that who I think it is? Is that actually Logan Brassard?”

  An excited buzz swept across the room as a bespectacled man came bounding up to them like a Labrador, beaming as he enthusiastically pumped Logan’s hand. “Great to meet you, Logan. I’m a huge fan.”

  “Thanks, man. Appreciate that.”

  “I definitely wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight.” The man pointed to his face. “Hey, when did you start wearing glasses? Is that gonna interfere with your playing?”

  “Uh, no. They’re just for reading.” Logan turned to Meadow at his side, making her blush when he introduced her as his “beautiful, enchanting date.”

  She and the man exchanged friendly handshakes.

  “Meadow let me tag along with her tonight,” Logan said, smiling down at her. “She’s a big astronomy buff. She knows everything there is to know about the planets and stars.”

  “Awesome. I’m a bit of a hobbyist myself.” The guy grinned at her. “Thanks for bringing Bruiser tonight. When word gets out that he was here, our membership is gonna explode.”

  As if to illustrate his point, more people made their way over. Before Meadow knew it, they were surrounded by a small crowd. The press of bodies made her feel suffocated as she stood beside Logan with a social smile, listening to the incessant babble of voices.

  When she couldn’t take any more, she started easing her way out of the crowd.

  Logan reached out and caught her wrist, bending to murmur in her ear, “Where are you going?”

  “I’m just getting some refreshments.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. Stay and mingle.”

  He searched her eyes. “Don’t go look at the telescope without me.”

  “I won’t. I’ll wait for you.”

  He nodded, then reluctantly released her wrist and went back to answering questions while she headed across the rotunda.

  The refreshment table was laden with an assortment of finger foods and vegetable trays. She made herself a small plate and accepted a glass of champagne from a smiling server.

  Nibbling her canapés, she wandered around studying the framed photographs that lined the walls of the rotunda.

  While she was admiring a photo of old Denver, she was joined by an elegant older couple who struck up a friendly conversation about the city’s historic districts and landmarks.

  Their stories were fascinating, but she found her gaze constantly straying back to Logan. Women were orbiting around him like planets orbiting the sun, sucked into the gravitational pull of his hotness. They asked him questions and giggled at his responses, batting their lashes and finding excuses to touch his arm. They were utterly shameless, no better than puck bunnies. Their fawning attention set Meadow’s teeth on edge and made her unreasonably grouchy.

  At one point he was deep in conversation with three academic-looking types when a simpering redhead interrupted, whispering something in his ear and slipping him a business card. He hesitated before taking it, smiling as he pocketed the card.

  Meadow glanced away and took an angry swig of her champagne, annoyed with herself for letting his whoriness get under her skin.

  The next time she looked around, he was at the refreshment table talking to the president of the astronomical society. He stood with that loose-limbed stance of his, hands tucked into his pants pockets. He appeared to be listening intently, nodding from time to time, occasionally nudging his glasses up his nose. When he cracked a joke, the president threw back his head with a raucous belly laugh.

  Meadow could barely refrain from rolling her eyes. It was disgusting the way Logan had turned a roomful of seemingly intelligent people into starry-eyed sycophants. She remembered what her a
unt had told her that morning about Hunter Duchene’s ability to mingle in high society. These weren’t Logan’s peers and he didn’t share their interests, but he was holding his own just fine. Truthfully, she didn’t know whether to feel proud or annoyed.

  As if sensing her thoughts, he looked across the room to where she stood. The way his eyes locked on hers made her wonder if he’d been keeping her in his sights the entire time he’d been socializing.

  He gave her a smile that sucked the air from her lungs. Miss you, he mouthed. Be there soon.

  She turned away without acknowledging his words or his smile. As she drifted away from the chatty couple to look at more photographs, a voice spoke behind her.

  “I’m so glad I didn’t skip tonight’s reception.”

  She turned to find an attractive black man standing there. He appeared to be in his early thirties, medium height with deep brown skin and hair cut in a low fade. He had warm brown eyes that sparkled with intelligence behind trendy wireless frames.

  He smiled and extended his hand. “Ephraim Fleming.”

  “Hi.” She smiled, shaking his hand. “Meadow Ryan.”

  “Lovely name for a lovely lady.” He gave her an appreciative perusal. “How is it that I’ve never seen you around before?”

  “I’m new in town,” she explained. “I just moved here from Las Vegas.”

  “Las Vegas? Wow.” He laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone from Sin City.”

  She grinned. “I get that a lot.”

  He shifted closer to her. “So what brought you to Denver?”

  “A new job.”

  “Really? Congratulations.” He had a nice smile. It didn’t sock her between her thighs or set her pulse racing. But it was warm and gentle, the kind of smile that made the recipient feel special.

  “So what do you do?” he asked.

  “I’m a social worker.”

  “Oh?” He looked so disappointed that she raised an eyebrow at him.

  He gave a rueful chuckle. “Forgive me. When I arrived tonight and saw you—this beautiful young black woman with killer legs—I selfishly hoped you might be a professional astronomer. There aren’t too many of us in the field.”