A deep masculine drawl captured her attention. So tell me what put the frown on that beautiful face. Shed never heard that voice before but her body reacted instantly. She knew who it belonged to. She just didnt know how in the world to handle him.
CHAPTER TWO
CATHERINE OPENED HER EYES and found herself staring into brown eyes the color of her morning coffee, after shed added the cream. She forced a confident smile. What can I get for you? she asked.
The specialty of the house. Whats yours? A sexy near-perfect grin blindsided her and her breath caught in a hitch.
Heavy awareness pulsed through her veins, a delicious accompaniment to the steady beat of the music in the background. Catherine wondered just how many women this man charmed with his good looks alone. Enough to make him dangerous, she thought.
He wore an Italian-cut suit as if he were to the manor born, and when those eyes captured hers, they didnt let go. Not even loud laughter from across the expanse of the outdoors caused his gaze to slide from hers.
She narrowed her eyes to gauge his preference but she wasnt a bartender by trade. She was merely substituting for her absent employee. Glancing at this man, she couldnt begin to guess his drink of choice. And though she could offer an interesting mix of cocktails, the general requests here had been for champagne or Mimosas and, somehow, she couldnt see him as a delicate-drink kind of guy. Why dont you tell me what you had in mind?
He leaned closer, elbows propped on the edge of the bar. His cologne smelled masculine and expensive, a sensual combination that reminded her of spice, temptation and trouble. Something to cool me down and take the edge off the heat, he said.
The clouds had darkened to a stormy gray and a heavy breeze had already begun blowing off the nearby ocean, cutting back on the mugginess and heat. Catherine recognized his words for the come-on they were. Though she wanted to be flattered, she couldnt help but be disappointed as well.
A splash of cold water would work just fine, she muttered. His eyes darkened subtly and she was appalled to realize shed spoken the words out loud.
He grinned. I could think of plenty of things that would work better.
He was too confidenttoo sexy. For all her bravado, Catherine wasnt as secure in herself as she liked the world to believe. Lifes harsh realities had taught her not to trust in muchespecially a tempting man who had charm and knew how to use it.
She glanced at him warily, deciding not to play. Then how about a cold beer instead?
His smile widened. Now youre talking. He walked around the corner of the bar, seating himself on a stooltoo close to Catherines small work space. The width of a bar top separated them, but it wasnt much and certainly not enough. And with waitresses walking around passing out champagne off serving trays, the line for drinks had dwindled. She hadnt had a stray passerby in at least half an hour. They were alone.
She reached for one of the eclectic brews handpicked by Judge Montgomery for the occasion and poured the man his drink. Placing the glass on a cocktail napkin, she slid the beer toward him.
Join me?
Im working, she said, as she wiped down the already shiny Lucite bar with a damp rag.
Ill clear it with the management.
Im the management and I dont mix business and pleasure. Especially not when the risk would be greater than the pleasureand if her tingling nerves and rising anticipation were any indication, she could just imagine how great the pleasure would be.
MissScotch and soda, if I may interrupt. The voice came from the opposite end of the bar.
Catherine grabbed on to the excuse and headed for the waiting guest. While she worked, she felt his heavy gaze burn right through her. Then, noticing a problem across the lawn, Catherine ran to avert disaster between her waitress and an intoxicated guest. She was used to the role of overseer and referee. But between the impending rain and the need for things to go well, this party had her completely stressed out.
To make matters worse, Judge Montgomery waylaid her on her way back to the bar. Though Emma led Catherine to believe she was in charge, her son left no doubt he was paying the bills. And he insisted that the waitresses needed to circulate more and that she shouldnt be fraternizing with the guests. Catherine had to swallow her pride as well as her comeback.
She saw no point in informing the man who would pay for this event that his guest had come on to her. He wouldnt believe her if she had. Instead she bowed, escaped and got hold of her assistant to warn her to have a quick talk with all the help. Then she ran toward the bar. One thing she knew, shed be happy when this day was over.
When she returned, her visitor sat in his same spot, arms folded across his broad chest. You need a break, he informed her, a scowl on his face. Unfortunately it didnt do a thing to detract from his good looks.
A break doesnt fit into my schedule.
Youve had an overwhelming day. He darted a glance to where shed had her discussion with the host of the party. Emma might have employed her services, but Catherine had little doubt it was Judge Montgomery who held court over the world around him.
Her companion then patted a bar stool beside him. Take a seat and pour your heart out, he said. Im a good listener. What looked like genuine concern etched his handsome features.
If she let him, he could seduce her with that concern. No doubt that was his goal, yet her body temperature inched higher despite his calculated manners. Or was it his warmth and seductive voice that heated her inside and out? I think you have our roles reversed. Im the bartender whos supposed to have the friendly ear.
He reached out, touching the silver earrings dangling from her ear. But Im not the one in need of a shoulder.
It was eerie how well he read her, Catherine thought. His strong hand heated her skin. She was in danger of sensual overload. Catherine shut her eyes against the tremor of awareness shooting through her veins. He affected her on more than the physical plane and that made the dynamics between them even more explosive.
She paused a beat. I appreciate the thought but I shouldnt fraternize with the guests.
Youre doing a great job here. I wouldnt let anythingor anyoneget to you, he murmured.
Obviously he understood little about pleasing an employer and paying the bills.
Youre too old not to realize we all answer to a higher authority, she said wryly.
But only when the authority is full of truth and honesty, not hot air, he said and grinned.
Catherine laughed despite herself. Judge Montgomery had made his displeasure clear. Catherine not only wanted success today, but she also wanted referrals galore. That wouldnt be happening if she spent the afternoon being verbally seduced by a sexy man way out of her league.
Im here to work, she reminded him.
You know this partys a success. Ignore the man, he suggested. Why let him tell you what to do?
Because he signs my paycheck. Besides, Catherine said, arching her eyebrow, he told me to stay away from you. Thats got to be good advice.
He shook his head. Cynical is sad.
He spoke as if hed read behind the words to her philosophy on life, love and dating in the new millennium. Its honest. The only way I know how to be.
He shook his head. Cynical is sad.
He spoke as if hed read behind the words to her philosophy on life, love and dating in the new millennium. Its honest. The only way I know how to be.
Dark eyes met hers. Ill keep that in mind, he murmured.
He spoke sexy words laced with innuendo, Catherine reminded herself. Nothing more. She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. His nearly black hair had been slicked off his forehead in the latest style. Money and class. He possessed them both.
Behind him milled beautifully dressed women, women immaculately and properly groomed for the world he inhabited. She wondered why this man had chosen to hang out at the bar with the help. He wouldnt be interested in a woman way out of his social class with a shady family history.
She didnt know what he wanted, but she suspected he found her an interesting diversion. The thought tapped into her deepest fearthat not only was she like her mother, but shed end up like her as well. Her mother had overdressed, overdone and had always fallen short. Always just been a woman with two daughters and too many responsibilities. A woman alone.
Feeling out of place here didnt help her frame of mind, merely heightened a fear Catherine normally suppressed. Unlike the wealthy Montgomerys, the Luck family had barely made ends meet, had lived on shop specials. And that was when things were good.
Although she lived a world apart from her roots, Catherine wasnt foolish enough to think a woman who once wore hand-me-downs and lived in the poorer sections of Boston had anything in common with this elegant and sexy man.
Well, if you wont unburden yourself, we can go back to you doing your job. Another drink? he asked. Mines gone flat. His deep voice vibrated too close to her ear. An unexpected tremor of excitement shimmied throughout her body.
So has your routine, she said and grinned.
Listen to the woman, sonny boy, Emma Montgomery said in her cultured voice.
Go away. Youre ruining my attempt at convincing the lady to give me a chance.
Sounded to me like you were failing miserably.
Catherine laughed aloud.
Eavesdroppers dont get the whole story. She was on the verge of agreeing to go for a drink when the party ended.
I was?
He stretched his arm over the back of the chair.
You were. His fingertips brushed her shoulder and she trembled. One drink. She met his heavy gaze and wondered, why not?
I always knew my grandson had good taste.
The older womans words provided the answer.
It was one thing to have a drink with a good-looking guy, another to form illusions about a man who belonged to a family as wealthy as the Montgomerys. They would never accept her. Not on a bet. Not even if Emma Montgomery demanded itand Catherine couldnt help doubting whether Emma would be as gracious toward Catherine regarding her grandson as she had been regarding business. She now under stood Judge Montgomerys stern warning and obvious disdain. He didnt want her anywhere near his son.
Emma patted her hand. Lovely party, Catherine. You exceeded my expectations.
A little while ago, Catherine would have agreed. After the last ten minutes, she had to wonder. And if there was anything Catherine hated, it was self-doubt and self-pity. She had to get away from these people before she lost the one thing she treasured: her faith in herself. Hardwon faith.
She swallowed over the lump in her throat and glanced at her watch. Almost over. I have to get back to work.
You mean you dont want my company after all? His eyes clouded. A wounded little boy look graced his chiseled features. If she wasnt careful, shed believe shed hurt his feelings. But the most shed possibly offended was his pride. Protecting her heart was worth the sacrifice.
She watched Emma Montgomerys retreating, regal form. His grandmother. Catherine shook her head, disappointed. She turned back to the privileged son. Im not sure what youre after, but I cant provide it.
Cut me some slack. Companys all Im looking for. Your company.
She narrowed her eyes and she tried to gauge his sincerity. His gaze, once steady on her face, had slipped to her thigh. She glanced down. The hem of her miniskirt had bent up, exposing an expanse of skin hidden beneath the sheer black stockings. It wasnt much, but shed revealed more than shed wanted Prince Charming to see.
Company, her Aunt Fanny. She looked like an easy mark. Regret surged through herit wasnt strong enough to douse the flame of desire hed ignited, but she wasnt about to get burned. Or let him see hed flustered her.
She left the skirt hem alone. Sorry, I have other plans.
He shrugged and raised his hands in a gesture of defeat. Okay. But you cant deny me another drink.
Because she was being paid to do the honors. She didnt appreciate the reminder. She shrugged. I cant discriminate. Its my job.
You wound me.
Youll live. She sounded too breathless for her own liking. Yet he was right. She couldnt turn him away. Worse, she didnt want to.
But the sooner she gave him his drink, the sooner hed be on his way. He wouldnt hang around her the rest of the afternoon being shot down. No matter how much she wished otherwise. Okay, hotshot, tell me what I can get you.
LOGAN DOUBTED SHE WANTED to hear his real desire. Especially since it involved them both in a horizontal position with their naked bodies crushed together in a sweaty tangle beneath the sheets. Or in the pool cabana behind the bar.
Hurry up. I need to refill the serving trays with champagne, she whispered.
Her warm breath tickled his ear. Her scent, an intoxicating oriental blend of spices, heated the rest of his senses. The mix of perfumes emanating from the guests had grown heavy hours ago, hanging on the damp humid air. But Catherines stood out, sexy and unique, like the lady herself.
His gaze dropped to her thigh. When shed bristled the first time, hed promised himself he wouldnt look again. But the hint of skin and the promise of what lay beneath was too much for a man to take.
She headed behind the bar, to obvious safety. Tapping her fingers impatiently against the top, she said, Im waiting.
Patience, he murmured. I want to make sure I get what I want. He had one shot at capturing her interest, at making her want to get to know him as badly as he wanted to know her.
More likely you want an excuse to linger. What I dont know is why. Her green eyes shimmered with curiosity.
Which, Logan decided, was better than disgust or disinterest. He wanted to linger, all right. To sit here and drink in her blond beauty and sassy mouth. Logan eyed her warily, then reminded himself she may be female, but she wasnt a mind reader.
She might sense that he wanted more than her companyand she was right. But as much as he desired her, it was too soon for that to be an issue.
Hed have to take it slow. What I want is something special, he said thinking aloud. More than a plain old beer. He glanced down at her hands, noticing the blunt nails and clear polish for the first time. No fancy frills, colors or artifice to this woman, he thought and was more than pleased. He leaned over the edge of the bar. I want you to create magic, he said in a deep voice he barely recognized.