Sin Bin

by Maureen Smith

  “Guy Savoy?” Trish looked impressed. “Very swanky.”

  Logan grinned. “My father’s treating. He insists.”

  Trish’s eyes lit up. “We’re having dinner with your father?”

  “And my mother. They’re meeting us at the restaurant.”

  “Hey, that’s great,” Harris said amiably. “I look forward to meeting them.”

  Wendi was pouting. “I can’t go to dinner. I have a book club meeting tonight. We’re hosting a guest author and I’m the president, so I have to be there.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Meadow managed to say convincingly.

  Trish bit her lip, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “Well, since you won’t be there—”

  “You should still go,” Wendi said, a touch grudgingly.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course.” Wendi forced an upbeat smile. “You can fill me in on everything I missed.”

  Harris glanced at the others, then looked down at himself and chuckled. “Guess I’d better shower and make myself presentable enough to dine at a fancy French restaurant.”

  Wendi sighed. “I’d better get ready, too. I have to be at the clubhouse early to get everything set up.”

  As she followed Harris inside, Meadow wondered if she’d give him an earful about being excluded from the impromptu dinner.

  Trish stayed out on the deck with Meadow and Logan, keeping them company while Harris got ready. When she stepped away to walk Wendi to her car, Logan grinned at Meadow.

  “Trish is awesome. I see why you like her so much. And damn if she doesn’t look just like Naomie Harris.”

  “Doesn’t she? It’s uncanny.” Meadow slanted him a teasing grin. “Is Naomie one of your celebrity crushes?”

  “She is now. That woman is fine, and so is Trish.” He laughed as Meadow playfully punched his arm.

  When it was time to leave, Logan offered, “We can all ride together.”

  “Nah, that’s okay,” Harris said, grabbing his keys. “We’re going to be right next to your hotel. No sense in making you and Meadow drive all the way back out here after dinner.” He smiled easily at Trish. “Since you don’t have your car, you can just ride with me and I’ll drop you off at home afterward.”

  Trish gave him an uncharacteristically shy smile. “All right.”

  The foursome left the house, climbed into their separate vehicles and followed each other to the Strip.

  Santino and Roxanne Tavárez were already waiting for them at the restaurant, which was tucked away in the Augustus Tower at Caesars Palace.

  Roxanne beamed when she saw Meadow, her eyes misty with emotion. “Hey, baby girl.” She gave her the longest hug, rubbing her back and whispering fervently, “It’s so good to see you again.”

  “You, too,” Meadow whispered, her heart swelling with fierce affection for this kind, beautiful woman she’d met only twice.

  Once the introductions and pleasantries were out of the way, the maître d’ escorted them to their private table, which overlooked sweeping views of the Roman Plaza and the glittering Strip. As the men pulled out chairs for the ladies, it struck Meadow that they could easily be mistaken for three interracial couples. Logan was clearly white, while Harris and Santino appeared racially ambiguous.

  Once everyone was seated, they ordered wine and the prestige tasting menu, smiling and chatting companionably as the courses began to appear.

  Dinner was purely relaxing and enjoyable. The conversation flowed naturally from one topic to another—the economy, politics, world affairs, local goings-on. They talked about the Rebels and the upcoming playoffs, and Meadow answered questions about her new job. The conversation was frequently punctuated by laughter and jokes. Every time Logan and Meadow expressed a millennial viewpoint, the others would tease them and call them young’uns.

  Several times throughout dinner, Logan captured Meadow’s hand under the table and caressed her knuckles, sending a shiver up her arm as heat spread through her body. Without a word passing between them, she knew she wasn’t the only one looking forward to another night of explosive lovemaking.

  But even as Logan kept her body in a constant state of tingling awareness, she didn’t miss the subtle undercurrents between the other two couples at the table.

  At one point her father and Trish reached for a piece of bread at the same time, their hands brushing. Trish pulled hers away, laughing nervously and apologizing. When Harris picked up the piece of bread and offered it to her, she gave him a sweet smile that had him swallowing visibly.

  And then there was Santino and Roxanne, who often completed each other’s sentences like an old married couple. Every time it happened, their eyes would meet and hold before Roxanne looked away. It was always Roxanne who broke eye contact. Never Santino.

  Meadow didn’t know the circumstances that had caused their divorce, but she was rooting for them to reconcile because they clearly belonged together. So did her father and Trish. She knew that now, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

  She couldn’t say with the same certainty that she and Logan belonged together. She supposed only time would tell.

  * * *

  After dinner everyone was waiting for the valet to bring their cars around. Roxanne and Trish were chatting like old friends and making lunch plans. Santino and Logan seemed to be having an intense father-son conversation, their heads bent close together as they spoke in Spanish.

  Harris came up next to Meadow and draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. “I haven’t forgotten what Logan said back at the house.”

  “About the Elvis chapel? C’mon, Dad, he was just joking. Seriously.”

  Harris eyed her closely. “It’s every father’s dream to give his daughter away to the man she loves. Please don’t deprive me of that privilege.”

  “I won’t, Dad,” Meadow promised. “I would never do that to you.”

  “All right. I just want to make sure.”

  “You don’t have to worry. Besides,” she added quickly, “Logan and I are nowhere close to being at that stage yet.”

  Her father studied her with an intuitive gleam in his eyes. “Based on what I observed over dinner, I think Logan would strongly disagree with you.”

  Her face warmed and her mouth went dry.

  Harris touched her cheek and smiled. “Lacey would be so proud of the amazing young woman you’ve become. She always knew you were extraordinarily special. I know she’s watching from heaven and beaming with absolute joy.”

  Touched beyond words, Meadow could only smile and blink back tears.

  “I don’t know what I would have ever done if God hadn’t brought you into our lives,” her father continued. “You gave me something to live for after Lacey died. I couldn’t have gotten through that time without you.”

  “Nor I you.” Meadow kissed his cheek and hugged him hard. “I love you, Dad.”

  “Love you too, sweetheart.” He held her tightly, patting her back. After a long moment, she stepped away and smiled through her tears as Logan came up beside her.

  Her father tweaked her nose, then pointed sternly to her and Logan. “Stay away from wedding chapels.”

  They both laughed.

  “Don’t worry, my friend,” Santino joked, playfully ruffling Logan’s hair. “These young’uns know better than to deprive us of a big splashy wedding in Santiago.”

  Roxanne arched an eyebrow. “Who says they’re getting married in Santiago?”

  Santino blinked at her. “That’s my home. Logan spent many wonderful summers there, and my family loves him. They’ll be expecting—”

  “What about my family?” Roxanne challenged. “And what about Harris? Shouldn’t he get a say in the location of his daughter’s wedding?”

  “You tell him, Roxanne,” Harris urged with a grin.

  “What about a lovely destination wedding in Argentina?” Trish piped up cheerfully. “Logan has roots there.”

  As the four adults bickered good-natur
edly, Meadow shot an exasperated glare at Logan and mouthed, You started this!

  He grinned unabashedly.

  The Jaguar was brought around first. Logan and Meadow said their goodbyes, exchanging hugs and kisses all around. Then they climbed into the car and set off for the Bellagio, which was right next door.

  “That was amazing,” Meadow said with a contented sigh. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

  “So did I,” Logan said warmly.

  “I’m so glad our parents hit it off right away.”

  “I knew they would.”

  Meadow beamed. “The four of them had so much in common and so much to talk about. It was wonderful.”

  They pulled up to the hotel, surrendered the car to the valet and headed inside. Since it was their last night together in Vegas, they decided to take a leisurely stroll through the conservatory and botanical gardens. They held hands as they walked, admiring the Japanese-inspired spring display that featured a 35-foot kabuki figure, a traditional teahouse and golden temple, waterfalls, bonsai trees and a brilliant profusion of flowers.

  “This is so beautiful,” Meadow marveled, taking in the elaborate scenery. “Japan is high on my travel bucket list.”

  “You’re gonna love it.” Logan smiled down at her. “Maybe I’ll take you there this summer.”

  Her pulse sprinted and her palms moistened. He sounded so confident, making future plans with her as if he had every intention of sticking around.

  “We can cross off a few places on your list. Japan, Italy, Nigeria.” He nuzzled her hair. “I start my offseason training in July and I have to be back for training camp in September. But we can do a lot of traveling before then.”

  Meadow felt breathless and shivery.

  He bumped her with his shoulder. “What do you say?”

  “Um, we’ll have to play it by ear,” she told him. “I’ll still be new on my job. I might not have that much vacation time.”

  “Of course. We’ll see how it goes.” Logan smiled, pressing a kiss into her hair. “I wonder how long it’s gonna take your dad and Trish to figure out that they belong together.”

  Meadow drew back and stared up at him. “You think so, too?”

  “It’s totally obvious.”

  “I know, right?” Meadow said excitedly. “I was thinking that the whole time!”

  “So was I.” His eyes gleamed. “That is, when I wasn’t thinking about kissing you, or running my hand up between your thighs, or getting you back into bed. When I wasn’t thinking about having your beautiful legs wrapped around me—”

  “Hush,” Meadow laughed breathlessly as flames shot through her from cheeks to core. “Getting back to my father and Trish—”

  Logan laughed as they stopped in front of the twelve-foot-tall teahouse. She was glad there weren’t that many people around—less witnesses in case he tried to debauch her, which she wouldn’t put past him.

  “I’ve always thought Trish was perfect for my dad,” she said earnestly. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished that he met her before Wendi. Aunt Rosalie feels the same way.”

  Logan grinned. “Then it’s unanimous. He needs to dump Wendi and get with Trish.”

  “God, if only it were that simple,” Meadow said wistfully. “Dad doesn’t enter relationships casually. He didn’t date for years after Mom died. Hell, he wouldn’t even look at other women. I know he got lonely sometimes, and I know he craved a woman’s presence around the house. When he started dating Wendi and she asked to move in with him, I understood why he agreed. I just wish the woman he’d chosen to shack up with was Trish.”

  Logan nodded. “I think he’s starting to realize he’s with the wrong woman. Not only are he and Trish clearly attracted to each other, they also seem more compatible. And there’s a huge difference between the way Wendi treats you and the way Trish treats you. Wendi’s kind of a bitch whereas Trish is really nurturing and maternal with you. I know that matters a lot to your dad. It would definitely matter to me.”

  “Would it?”

  “Hell yeah. If I were a single father, I wouldn’t date a woman who can barely tolerate my kid. If Wendi doesn’t think your dad picks up on her animosity, she’s seriously mistaken. I’m a guy, and I can totally see that he’s losing patience with her. That whole exchange they had about her daughter’s boyfriend? The way he called her out for being shallow? That came from a place of frustration and disgust.”

  Meadow gazed up at Logan, appreciating his insightful perspective. “You’re so observant.”

  He gave her a lazy look. “If you ever decide to sit your father down and tell him how you truly feel about Wendi, she’s outta there. Seriously. Stick a fork in her. She’s done.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Absolutely.” Logan grinned at her hopeful tone. “Wendi had better be glad you’re such a kind, gentle soul. Any other daughter would have sent that bitch packing.”

  They both laughed.

  As they resumed walking through the gardens, Meadow gave him a sideways glance. “What about Santino and Roxanne? They clearly still love each other.”

  “They do. Most definitely.” Logan smiled sadly. “I have fond memories of them flirting with each other, laughing and play wrestling. I remember them bachata dancing on the patio on warm summer nights, which usually led them to the bedroom,” he added with a grin. “I can still hear the moans and groans and banging headboard. Cynara would be so mortified, especially if she had friends over.”

  Meadow giggled.

  “When things were good between them, they were really good. But when things fell apart…” Logan trailed off with a mournful shake of his head.

  “Why did they divorce?” Meadow asked quietly.

  Logan puffed out a heavy breath. “Santino made a horrible mistake. One that he’ll always regret.”

  Meadow stared at him. “What did he do?”

  Logan shook his head again. “I don’t want to tell you. It might change your opinion of him.”

  She winced. “That bad?”

  He nodded grimly. “It was a dark time for him. For all of us.”

  “I’m really sorry to hear that,” Meadow said gently. “You mentioned before that he and Cynara have been estranged since the divorce.”

  Logan nodded. “She wants nothing to do with him. He understands why, but…it’s tough for him. Same goes for his estrangement from Roxanne. He was so happy when she agreed to join us for dinner. She only came because she wanted to see you, but having her there meant the world to him.”

  “I could tell,” Meadow murmured as they wandered down a pathway beautifully lined with cherry blossom trees. “I’m glad she came. It was wonderful to see her again. I’ll never forget the kindness she showed me at a time when adults could be scary and unpredictable.”

  Logan smiled with quiet affection. “Roxanne has a heart of gold.”

  “Pure gold,” Meadow agreed warmly.

  Logan stopped walking and turned to face her. His expression was serious. “I’m really glad you came on this trip, Jupiter. I’ve had the time of my life with you.”

  “I feel the same way,” she said softly.

  “Yeah?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “It’s good to hear you say that.” His dark eyes searched hers, penetrating protective walls she’d had up for as long as she could remember. “Sometimes I don’t know where your head’s at—what you’re thinking or how you’re feeling. You’re hard to read at times.”

  That made her smile. “I think you read me pretty well. Better than anyone else, actually.”

  “And that scares you.”

  She nodded.

  When he gently cupped her cheek, she couldn’t resist turning her face until her lips touched his warm palm. His eyes flashed with a hungry heat.

  “When we get back to Denver,” he said, “I want us to start hanging out and going on dates. You know, doing the whole couple thing.”

  She swallowed hard, staring up at him
. “You want us to be a couple?”

  “I do.” His other hand lifted to cup her face, his callused thumb stroking her cheek. “What do you want?”

  “I…don’t know,” she admitted. “Honestly, Logan, I’m still trying to figure us out. I…I don’t want to rush things.”

  “I won’t rush you.” His voice deepened. “But you need to know that I want you, Meadow. All of you. And I’m not going anywhere.”

  She shivered at his words and the possessive intent in his eyes.

  He stared back at her, letting her absorb the full impact of his declaration as he held her face between his hands.

  “Puedo besarte?” he said in a husky voice. “Can I kiss you now?”

  She smiled. “Sí, por favor.”

  His lips curled up in that sexy grin that turned her insides to molasses. Then he leaned down and covered her mouth with his.

  Heat rushed through her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, melting into his intoxicating kiss.

  Maybe what happened in Vegas didn’t always have to stay in Vegas….

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  MEADOW

  * * *

  Gamenetic was located in the Denver Tech Center, a sprawling business park southeast of Denver. It was home to more than sixty major companies spanning several industries.

  When Meadow reported to work on her first day, there was a humongous bouquet of flowers waiting for her at the reception desk.

  “Oh,” she gasped in surprise. “What beautiful flowers!”

  Phoebe, the receptionist, was all smiles and dancing eyes. “They were delivered first thing this morning.”

  Meadow lowered her nose to the flowers, breathing in the wonderful scent. Tucked inside the bouquet was a gold box of Belgian chocolate truffles.

  Delighted, she turned and beamed at Dirk. “Thank you for the welcome gift—”

  He looked sheepish. “Uh, it’s not from us.”

  “It’s not?” Puzzled, Meadow reached for the small white card nestled between the fragrant blossoms. She could feel Dirk and Phoebe staring at her as she slid the card from the envelope.

  Hey, beautiful, the note read in Logan’s bold handwriting. Congratulations on your new job. I know you’ll do amazing things there. Thank you for an unforgettable birthday. I’ll cherish the memories forever. Yours Always, Logan