Your Captivating Love (27 page)

“I guess I did.”

I’m speechless for an entire minute. Or longer, it seems, because Logan crosses his arms, raising his eyebrows.

“You’re doing that silence thing again. It’s freaking me out.”

“Yes. Of course I want to marry you.” I lean over him and give him one hell of a smooch. Logan loses no time, wrestling me to the ground, kissing me back with passion. I end up on my back on the floor, him over me.

“I’ll tell you a little secret. The day I flew to your parents, it wasn’t just to bring them to your opening party. I also asked them for your hand.”

“That’s so sweet. Wait, why did you wait two months to propose to me?”

“I still wasn’t supposed to do it now, but it felt right. In case you didn’t notice, I didn’t give you a ring. I don’t have one.”

“You own a jewelry company.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want just any ring for you. You have no idea how many designs I’m making Pippa do.”

“You’re adorable, and you’re making me feel good about myself.”

He traces my lips with his thumb. “I can make you feel
very
good.” He winks then wiggles his eyebrows.

I laugh, fisting his shirt, pulling him closer to me. “There’s no bed.”

Logan pats the floor beneath me. “We do have the habit of not making love on a bed the first time. Let’s make that a tradition.”

“L
et me get this straight,” Logan says. “We’re going in chronological order for this matchmaking thing?”

Ava and Sebastian’s wedding is one week away, and Logan and I asked them to come to our new house for dinner. We’re in the garden, under our big oak tree, bickering about which Bennett we should concentrate on next.

“If you’re going to mock us, Logan,” Ava starts, “you’d better stay out of here. We’re excellent matchmakers on our own.”

His gaze slides to me, but I hold up my palms. “What Ava said.”

“I’m not mocking you,” Logan responds patiently. “I’m trying to understand the bigger picture.”

Ava sighs. “No, we’re not matchmaking in chronological order, we think it’s Pippa’s time now.”

“I was hoping you’d concentrate on Blake next,” Logan says.

“Nah, it’s Pippa’s time now,” Ava insists. “She deserves to have her happily ever after.”

“You might be right,” Sebastian chimes in, and I narrow my eyes. Men don’t do things like matchmaking. I’m one hundred percent sure that Sebastian and Logan want in on this only so they know what we plan for their sister. Not that I’m complaining. If they’re on our side, they won’t try to scare away any potential suitor.

“Alice agrees with us,” Ava says, eyeing the two men.

“I can’t believe we’re taking a page out of Pippa’s book and using it against her. What’s she going to think about this?” Logan asks. “Won’t she find it weird that she’s not matchmaking anyone?”

“Oh, she
is
matchmaking someone,” I reply with a grin. Logan and Sebastian look crestfallen. Having insider information feels
so
good. “As a matter of fact, she’s planning Alice’s downfall as we speak.”

“And you’re planning it with her, aren’t you?” Logan accuses.

“I am,” I state proudly. Ava gives me a thumbs-up.

“Wait,” Sebastian says. “You’re planning a move against Alice with Pippa, and at the same time a move against Pippa with Alice?”

Ava confirms this with a nod, and Sebastian whistles loudly.

“That’s a dangerous game,” Logan says.

“What can I say? Ava and I like to live on the edge.” I rise from my chair, announcing that I want to replenish the juice can. When I return, both Logan and Sebastian seem to have made up their minds.

“Fine, we’re in. But Sebastian and I want to have the last word on any potential candidates.
Before
you tell her about them.”

Ava leans toward me. “I like our men when they’re so pretentious.” She says this loud enough for them to hear it. Sebastian raises his eyebrows, and Logan drums his fingers on the table.

“If you play nice, we
might
let you know when we have a candidate for Pippa,” Ava teases.

“What about Alice?” Sebastian asks. I take a good look at him to make sure he’s not pulling my leg. Nope, he genuinely has no idea. Men can be
so
oblivious. Alice has been pining for one of Sebastian and Logan’s oldest friends since she was in high school.

Judging by the glances that he gave Alice at the last meeting with the wedding planner, he’s done some pining too, or at the very least lusting. The wedding will be an excellent opportunity for these two to... explore each other.

“We’ll see,” I say vaguely. Ava warned me that Sebastian wouldn’t take this lightly. His best friend is a heartbreaker. “Let’s concentrate on Pippa first.”

Ava’s phone beeps. She checks it quickly then groans, turning to Sebastian. “The wedding planner wants us at the location ASAP.”

“Since when do you say ASAP?” Sebastian teases her.

“She actually wrote that to me. Come on, let’s go, and let the lovebirds enjoy their new house.” Ava sighs, hugging me goodbye. “A word of advice: run away to Vegas and marry. Skip the reception. Preparations are a nightmare, even with wedding planners.”

“Aww, it’s not so bad.” I hug her back.

“Don’t overwork yourself this week. You’re my maid of honor, and I require you to be in top shape.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Honoring her request won’t be all that easy, however. My shop is booming. I’m now selling my designs mostly, and I’m on the brink of signing contracts with big department stores. Several boutique shops in New York carry my dresses, and I can barely keep up with demand. I had to hire two seamstresses. Archer disappeared. Logan and I agreed that he shouldn’t be allowed to scam anyone anymore, and Logan informed me that he’d take care of it. He was quick too; Archer’s website disappeared a week after that. I’m not even sure I want to know how everything went down.

“Ava is right,” Logan says after they leave.

“About what?” I sit in his lap, running my fingers through his hair and admiring my engagement ring. Logan finally gave it to me two months ago. It’s gorgeous, made of white gold with a large sapphire in the center. I sneak glances at it all the time, even in meetings, when no one’s paying attention.

“We should elope to Vegas.”

I open my mouth then close it again, my stomach dipping. “I... We... No. Your parents—”

“Will still have Ava and Sebastian’s wedding to enjoy.”

“Mom would kill me if she didn’t see me in a white dress, and I can’t do this to Ava, even though I do find the idea tempting.”

“Fine, but I want to set the date already.”

“What’s the rush?” I ask.

He wiggles his eyebrows. “I have big plans with my future wife.”

“Wanna share those plans?”

“Only after the wedding, so you can’t run away.”

I narrow my eyes. “Sounds dangerous.”

“You and Ava
did
say you like to live on the edge.”

“Speaking of which, I forgot about Alice.”

I fish my phone out of my pocket. With Logan peeking over my shoulder, I text her.

Nadine: Your brothers agreed to our plan for Pippa. We can start with the first stage already.

My phone chimes with a new message a few short seconds later.

Alice: Game on.

––––––––

<<<<>>>><<<<>>>>

***

Dear Reader
,

This is the end of Logan and Nadine’s story. Pippa’s book,
Your Forever Love
, will be next. It will be released mid-summer.
Please sign up HERE to be notified about the release date for Your Forever Love (you will also receive a FREE copy of my full-length romance Found in Us if you sign up. The retail price is $3.99).

***

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Novella Lost

Lost is a FREE is a prequel novella to Lost in Us and can be read before or after.

W
hatever might help him forget his past and numb the pain, James has tried it all: booze, car races, fights, and then some. Especially women. College offers plenty of opportunities for everything. . . Especially when you have a trust fund to spend.

Serena spirals deeper and deeper into a hurricane of pain. But no matter how far she falls, there’s no redemption from the overwhelming guilt. Two souls consumed by their pasts fight to learn how to survive. But all hope seems to be lost. Until they meet each other.

AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD. You can find the links to all retailers
HERE
.

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Lost in Us: The story of James and Serena

T
here are three reasons tequila is my new favorite drink. 

• One: my ex-boyfriend hates it. 

• Two: downing a shot looks way sexier than sipping my usual Sprite. 

• Three: it might give me the courage to do something my ex-boyfriend would hate even more than tequila—getting myself a rebound 

The night I swap my usual Sprite with tequila, I meet James Cohen. The encounter is breathtaking. Electrifying. And best not repeated. 

James is a rich entrepreneur. He likes risks and adrenaline and is used to living the high life. He’s everything I’m not. 

But opposites attract. 

Some say opposites destroy each other. 

Some say opposites are perfect for each other. 

I don’t know what will James and I do to each other, but I can’t stay away from him. Even though I should. 

AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links
HERE
.

***

Found in Us: The story of Jessica and Parker

J
essica Haydn wants to leave her past behind. Hurt by one too many heartbreaks, she vows not to fall in love again. Especially not with a man like Parker, whose electrifying pull and smile bruised her ego once before. But his sexy British accent makes her crave his touch, and his blue eyes strip Jessica of all her defenses.

Parker Blakesley has no place for love in his life. He learned the hard way not to trust. He built his business empire by avoiding distractions, and using sheer determination and control. But something about Jessica makes him question everything. Not only has she a body made for sin, but her laughter fills a void inside of him.

The desire igniting between them spirals into an unstoppable passion, and so much more. Soon, neither can fight their growing emotional connection. But can two scarred souls learn to trust again? And when a mistake threatens to tear them apart, will their love be strong enough?

AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links
HERE
.

***

Caught in Us: The story of Dani and Damon

Damon Cooper has all the markings of a bad boy: