Youre too old to believe in magic, buster.
If the magic had left her life, he wanted to be the one to restore her faith. Bizarre how quickly shed gotten to him, but after years of bland women and uninteresting relationships, Logan recognized a gem when he saw one.
Im old enough to know what I want, but not too old for you.
Want to bet?
Im a gambling man. He reached out and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. The tiny silver pendants hanging from her earlobe were intriguing. A delicate contrast to her sharp tongue and prickly exterior. He lowered his hand, letting his fingers trail down her soft cheek.
She sucked in a startled breath, then coughed into her hand. Dont read too much into that. I swallowed wrong.
He laughed. Youre hell on a mans ego. Not that he believed her professed disinterest. The rapid flutter of a pulse beating in her neck and the flush of pink that stained her neck and cheeks betrayed her.
All in a days work. She smiled.
The flash of white teeth revealed two dimples on either side of her luscious lips. He vowed to taste that smile before the night was out.
Speak or scram, Catherine said. What do you want, Mr. Montgomery?
Time was running out. He glanced into her eyes before leaning close and whispering in her ear.
TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS come true. A thrill spun its way through her veins. At least fifty guests and party favors later, and she still couldnt suppress the tremor of excitement Logans words brought. Thanks to his husky tone, she knew what he desired, but the sincerity in his eyes made her want to believe he meant more than a cheap fling. Yet after those heart-stealing words, hed stood, reminded her she had other guests waiting and left, walking through the double doors and into the Montgomery mansion. Hed never looked back.
Her instincts had been right. Hed seen her as an interesting diversion. When she hadnt proved easy, he couldnt be bothered with the chase. She shrugged. No big deal. Hadnt she already backed off herself?
So why was the disappointment so lingering?
She had no doubt Logan Montgomery was a man capable of fulfilling every fantasy shed imagined and some she probably hadnt. Just the thought of him made her body hum with a sexual awareness she couldnt mistake. Oh, hed be good and shed enjoy herself, but this was a man capable of getting inside her soul.
They werent meant to happen. Not without someone getting hurt. She being the someone who came to mind. One reckless night wasnt worth a sacrifice in self-worth.
And he obviously wasnt interested in pursuing more.
Over the next hour, the clouds darkened and the guests began a slow trickling out of the estate. The budget on this party had enabled her to splurge on everything, including cleanup, and the crew was waiting to take over. The woman theyd hired as manager would supervise the next shift. By this evening, no remnants of the party would remain. Catherine had no reason to stay.
She edged past the few remaining guests and slipped into the wide entryway that led to the coatroom in the foyer. Yellow and white satin wrapped around the circular staircase in the corner and draped like border paper high on the walls. More than once, she cringed as her sneakered feet squeaked against the freshly waxed marble floor. She entered the closet that was larger than the room shed shared with her sister growing up and hit the light switch on the wall.
Despite the ominous clouds, the day had started off with potential and the closet was empty of jackets and coats. Catherines rain slicker, brought more out of foresight than need, stood out in the empty room.
Gran!
Catherine turned at the sound of the deep, compelling voice in time to see Logan glance inside the walk-in closet. Gran! he called once more. Is that you?
Not unless this party has aged me more than I thought, Catherine said from the back recesses of the room.
He continued his path straight toward her. Not a chance. His gaze settled on her face, intense and focused. Beauty and a smart mouthyoure a lethal combination.
She chose to detour around that remark. I thought you already left. She curled her hand around the soft plastic of her coat, as if a solid grip would keep her safe from her rioting hormones and a sexy man.
Keeping tabs on me? he asked with a cocky grin.
Guest awareness is part of my job.
Seems to me hiding behind your job is part of your job.
Whats that supposed to mean? she asked, although she already knew. Logan had obviously seen through her feigned disinterest.
He walked up beside her. His masculine scent tantalized and seduced. A swirling ribbon of desire unfurled in her belly and reached straight to her core.
I meant every time I try to get close, you scurry behind the job description. Do I scare you, Cat? His voice lowered a dangerous, seductive octave.
His gaze never wavered. Warm eyes she could drown in locked and held with hers. Did he scare her? More than he could imagine.
Because thats the last thing I want.
Then what do you want, Mr. Montgomery?
He laughed deep in his throat. Semantics wont keep me at a distance. Its Logan.
I
Say it.
She licked her dry lips. His gaze followed the movement. Logan, she murmured more to appease him than to become more intimate.
Nice. Now as I was sayingI want to erase that cynicism from those beautiful green eyes. I want to make your dreams come true.
His words struck Catherine in her heart. Unfortunately she still didnt believe he saw her as more than an interesting diversion from the more cultured, more beautifully dressed women at the party. Women who would trip over themselves for a chance at landing one of the states most eligible bachelors.
You want a good time, she said.
He had the audacity to grin. That, too.
She wanted to give in to that handsome face and easy smile, which meant she had to get out of here, to her empty apartment where safety and reality would reassert themselves.
Logan, she said, not wanting to give him further reason to believe he affected her. I think
A loud thud cut her off as the closet door slammed shut behind them. She jumped at the unexpected sound.
Hold that thought. He touched her lips with one finger. Heat traveled between her mouth and his skin.
A shiver took hold. Desire? Fear? Probably both. Though she liked to flirt, shed never reacted to a man with such carnal, sensual awareness before.
Before she could think further, he strode to the door and jiggled the door handle. The muted sound of metal hitting the marble floor sounded from outside. He muttered a curse.
Whats wrong?
Nothing as long as you arent claustrophobic. He held the doorknob aloft in his hand. Looks like the old lady has her own agenda. Not that I mind.
An uncomfortable feeling arose in the pit of her stomach. What are you saying? She eyed the doorknob in his hand and shook her head.
He banged on the door with his fist. Open up, Gran.
Whats your hurry? The companys good and the way things look, youve got plenty of time. Ive got to find someone in this house who understands hardware. I think I did serious damage, she called back. The click of heels on the floor sounded as Emma Montgomery walked away.
She didnt, Catherine said, glaring at the door through narrowed eyes. She wasnt claustrophobic but she disliked the feeling of being trapped. Especially with this man.
She did. Logan shrugged. Sorry. She tends to get carried away.
She?
You wouldnt be suggesting I set you up? Disbelief and humor lit his gaze. Im interested, not desperate. I can get my woman without Grans help.
Your woman? She swallowed a laugh. That has a Neanderthal sound to it.
He shrugged. I kind of liked it.
You would. So how about breaking down the door, Tarzan?
If I give it a shot, will you have that drink with me?
You wouldnt stoop to using your grandmother, but bribery is okay?
Is that a yes?
She believed he had nothing to do with their current predicament. The eccentric older woman would definitely pull a stunt like this. The only question was why. She certainly couldnt think Catherine was an acceptable choice for her grandson, nor could she believe Logan incapable of getting his own dates.
Speaking of dates, she had a decision to make. The closet, which had seemed so large when shed first entered, was shrinking by the minute. She couldnt breathe without inhaling the scent of spice and man, an erotic combination that stole her breath and threatened to take her sanity next. One drink in a public place was much safer than hanging out alone with him now.
She glanced at his handsome face and forced a casual shrug. One drink, she agreed.
She hoped she didnt live to regret those two little words.
CHAPTER THREE
RELIEF AT HER ACCEPTANCE warred with the steady beat of desire pounding inside him. Should I be flattered that you accepted? Logan asked. Or insulted you want out of here so badly?
Neither. I accepted because Im thirsty. Now give it your best shot.
He wouldnt have an inflated ego as long as Catherine was around. Logan was honest enough to admit he wanted her by his side for a long while. Long enough to get to know the cautious woman with the sassy mouth.
He needed time, but time freely given, not under duress. He eyed the door and slugged it as hard as he could with his shoulder. His bad shoulder. Hell, after years of college baseball, both shoulders were bad and this one rebelled against his attempted escape. It rolled in the socket and he groaned in pain.
Catherine was by his side in an instant. Im sorry.
Not your fault, he muttered through gritted teeth. He counted to ten and waited for the pain to subside. Since it often popped out in his sleep, Logan was used to the routine. Slowly the shoulder numbed as the pain eased.
Soft hands reached for his collar. Logan let her slip the jacket off his shoulders. If she wanted to play Florence Nightingale, hed let her. He wasnt proud that he was taking advantage of her concern. But he doubted hed have a better chance to catch her with her guard down.
She lowered herself to the floor, her back propped against the wall. Sit.
Logan sat beside her.
She turned and began working the sore muscles in his arm with her fingertips. The pressure felt so good he groaned in relief. That feels great. Thanks.
Youre welcome. Now tell me how we ended up like this. What made you think Emma was in here? Catherine asked.
He leaned his head backward and focused on the rhythmic motion of her fingers pressing through his shirt and into his skin. The cocktail waitress who said, Your grandmother is waiting for you by the coat closet. Nothing unusual or sinister about that Her fingers pushed deep and eased off, caressed and massaged the sore muscle. Unless you know my grandmother. Mmm. A little deeper.
She complied. Those fingers worked magic and Logan found himself seducedby her scent, her touch, by her.
Better? she asked.
Much. As close to perfect as he could get without lying naked beside her.
Someone should come looking for us any minute, she said.
If you believe that you dont know my grandmother.
Maybe, but therere plenty of people out there who can handle something as simple as a broken doorknob. The cleaning crew will have no problem fixing the handle.
Assuming she asks them to or brings their attention to us, which is doubtful. He rolled his head to the side and met her gaze. Desire shimmered in her eyes, just as it pummeled inside of him. Weve got time.
People might want drinks, she said, but the protest sounded weak.
Something tells me Emmas handling things as we speak. Besides, the party was winding down, with the judge holding court, reminding them about the formal breakfast hes holding in the morning.
Logan knew this because hed spent a ridiculous amount of time assuring his father he would not be at the affair, he would not meet with future supporters and he most certainly would not be at the press announcement next Saturday. Hed have preferred to be in the thick of the party watching Catherine. Instead hed been beating his head against a brick wall, just as he had too often as a child.
And from the stubborn glint in the judges eye, he hadnt accepted Logans words. Too bad. The older man couldnt say he hadnt been warned.
You always call your father the judge? she asked.
When he called him anything at all, Logan thought. Thats what he is.
Hes also your father.
Who thinks he rules everyone the same way he does his courtroom.
And I always thought any father would be preferable to none at all.
So, she had no father in her life. Some more insight. He stored the knowledge, sensing it was an important facet of Catherines nature, a way to breach her defenses.
Not always. Dont get me wrong, hes been there for usas long as we toe the line. That was about to change. Edgar Montgomery might have put up with his sons erratic behavior, as he called it, but only because he believed hed gain what he wanted in the end. It wouldnt happen this time, which just might cause the ultimate family rift.
Whos us? Catherine asked.
Me and my sister, Grace.
I have a sister, too. So tell me what it was like growing up here. She made a grandiose gesture with one arm. Obviously here meant the Montgomery Estate.
As a general rule, Logan didnt choose to remember his childhood. Hed already divulged more in this one conversation than he had in the past thirty-one years. Along with the memories came an attached fear he would end up as alone as his old man. No matter how many people his father invited into his home, no matter that his wife trailed his every move, the judge was like an island. He allowed people to get near but never close. Not even his children.
For Catherine, a woman who eyed him and his wealth with obvious suspicion, Logan would dig deep and be honest. It was lonely, he admitted.
Thats sad. Her hand curled around his and her head eased onto his shoulder.
Stunned, Logan glanced down at their inter twined hands. Shed reached out to him. With the simple truth hed begun breaching her well-built defenses. Money and status didnt impress her.
Honesty did. His respect for Catherine rose.
Pulling herself up to her knees, Catherine faced him, eyes wide, her expression curious. How could you be lonely with so many people around? she asked.