Your Captivating Love (4 page)

I smile sadly. “I did. It was supposed to be a loan. Half a year later, I was fired and struggled to find a job. Thomas made it clear he wouldn’t support me financially. When I asked him about my savings, he threw in my face that we didn’t have a contract. I broke up with him.” My eyes burn, all traces of pride gone. Shame overcomes me. “I was so stupid and so trusting,” I whisper to myself. Clearing my throat, I add in a strong voice, “That was two years ago. I worked three jobs until I moved here. I’ll make it this time, and I won’t owe anyone anything.”

“I’m sure you will. Let’s get one thing straight. You were not stupid. The person you love is someone you’re supposed to trust.” An endearing fire flickers in his eyes. “If there’s something I hate more than people taking advantage of others, it’s if they get away with it.”

“We’re not talking about me now, right?”

“No. My sister recently divorced her leper of a husband.”

“I’ve heard, but I don’t know the details.”

“I’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes. He married her for her money. Sebastian and I made him sign a prenup. If they divorced before their tenth anniversary, he wouldn’t receive a penny. They divorced before their fourth.”

“That’s great; it means he walked away with no money.”

“No, but he hurt my sister, and the law isn’t punishing that.”

I’m touched that he cares so much about his family.

“If I run into that asshole again—”

I sit up straight. “Woah, relax, Batman. You can’t be the silent protector, making your justice. Sometimes, you have to forgive and move on. Otherwise, you’re wasting your energy with people who’re not worth it.”

It suddenly dawns on me that the scene in Alex’s office wasn’t a display of manhood, at least not on Logan’s part. This man protects fiercely, and loves the same way too. It fills me with joy that I’ve been the object of his protection.

“Right. I believe we were sidetracked. We were talking about your shop and love for fashion. You didn’t study fashion, though, did you?”

“No. It felt unsafe. I majored in accounting. I hope I’ll never have to work as an accountant again, but if the store doesn’t work out, I’ll go back to doing that. My last boss said I’m welcome back anytime.”

Logan stiffens at this. “Why not search for a job as an accountant here?”

“An accountant’s salary has a greater purchasing power there than in San Francisco.” I don’t tell him about my plan to look after my parents. Sharing that is too personal.

Logan puts his hand over mine on the table as if sensing my turmoil. If his touch was meant to reassure me, he succeeded. If it was also intended to send my hormones into disarray, he excelled. Being around Logan is consuming; my entire body buzzes with life and need around him.

“You won’t fail, Nadine. You have passion, you have drive, and you have a plan. It’s by no means foolproof, but it’s as close as it gets.”

“You sure know how to make a girl feel good.”

“Trust me, you haven’t seen anything.” His voice is low and raspy all of a sudden. “I can make a girl feel
really
good.”

I swallow a mouthful of quiche. “Did this discussion turn to sex?”

“Actually, I was thinking about a round of double dessert, but we can talk about sex. It’s one of my favorite topics. I’m an expert on it.”

I laugh. I cannot help it. “Is that so?”

“I don’t mean to brag, but women’s opinions have been unanimous on this.”

I decide to play his game. “You shouldn’t believe everything you’re told.”

“Oh, I wasn’t told. I can tell just by observing a woman how good a time she’s having with me.”

For someone who hasn’t had sex for a long time, his words are like fuel to the fire. I can imagine how his lips would touch mine. I cross my legs to quench the sudden ache between my thighs. I’m already fantasizing about what he could do with his hands on my body, and that’s
very
bad.

“We got sidetracked again,” I say.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying the new topic.” Logan flashes me a smile full of mischief.

Despite myself, I return an equally naughty smile. “Shouldn’t you be serious and grumpy all the time? You’re the CFO, after all. Chief Financial Officer. I thought grumpiness came with the job description.”

“It’s required very often when people piss me off, as is the obligatory stick up my ass.”

“So I have the privilege of seeing the fun side of you.”

“Exactly. I can be Chief Fun Officer for you.”

Laughter bubbles out of my throat, my entire body relaxing. “You
are
funny.”

“I'm insulted by the surprise in your voice.”

“I meant it as a compliment,” I assure him.

“I wonder what a real insult would sound like.” He winks at me good-naturedly. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay longer. I have a meeting in an hour.” His eyes don’t leave mine as he asks the waiter for the check. Stubbornly, I keep his gaze until my cheeks heat up, and then I break the eye contact.

“What are you doing this afternoon?” he asks as we leave the restaurant. “Do you want me to drive you anywhere?”

“No, thanks. I’ll walk around the city, checking out the competition.”

“I meant what I said about your business plan. If you want another opinion, I’m happy to help. Also, once Alex sends you locations, I’d like to come with you to see them.”

“Why are you so interested?”

Logan stops in front of me, putting his hands on my arms as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. I lick my lips.

“I know what it’s like to be a founder. If I’m honest, I miss the excitement of those early years. It was fun, mostly because I was building something with my brother. You’re doing this on your own in a new city. I don’t want you to feel alone here.”

His words hit a nerve. Loneliness is something I grew accustomed to after my split from Thomas, and I like spending time with myself. But moving across the country to a place where I only know Ava is a different story. I didn’t want to go back to New York. I wanted something new.

“Very considerate of you. You’re welcome to join me on the shop hunting, but I have one condition.” I hold up a forefinger.

Logan narrows his eyes as we reach his car. “I’m listening.”

“I want two croissants next time.”

“Feisty. I like you more with every passing second. Call me when you have something.” His gaze lingers on my lips for the briefest of moments before snapping up to meet my eyes. “I’ll probably see you before that too. My family likes you.”

He leans in to me, kissing my cheek. At the same time, he presses his palm against the small of my back, and all my senses explode. The innocent kiss turns into something almost sinful as he lingers with his cheek against mine for a few seconds. His hand at my back feels incredibly intimate, and his smell.
Oh, God, he’s too much.
I swear the air between us sizzles. When he finally pulls back, my knees are weak. With a wink, he climbs into his driver’s seat.

I look after his car until it’s out of sight, gathering my faculties.
Focus on your business, Nadine. Focus.
Repeating this mantra does nothing to calm my racing pulse, though. This man can make me smile, swoon, and have the hots for him all in the span of minutes.

Logan Bennett will be the death of me.

––––––––

I
have been known to decide one thing and do the complete opposite, but deciding to stay away from a woman then flirting like there’s no tomorrow with her is new even for me. Obviously, I can’t control myself around Nadine. When I kissed her cheek, I damn near took her mouth too. I wanted nothing more than to pin her against my car and kiss her blind. That was on Monday. Today is Friday, and I’m still thinking about the non-kiss. Her scent of oranges is branded in my senses now.

A subtle vibration from my smartphone alerts me to a message.

Pippa: Sorry, won’t make it to lunch.

My jaw ticks. I’m going to have to eat both portions of Chinese food I ordered to be delivered to my office. Tapping my fingers on my desk, I search through my emails, expecting one from Ava. She was supposed to send me a report half an hour ago. I don’t find it, so I text her.

Logan: Where’s the report I asked for?

Ava: I left a print copy on my desk, forgot to email it to you. Can’t do it now. I don’t have access to my laptop.

Logan: Where are you?

Ava: Sebastian and I are meeting the wedding planner.

Right, Sebastian did mention that. My assistant is off for lunch, so I go to Ava’s office myself to find the report on her desk. To my surprise, there’s someone inside. I recognize her immediately, even though all I see is her back. A smell of oranges lingers in the air. Nadine’s staring out the window, giving me a chance to observe her. Fuck, she’s sexy, wearing a white, figure-hugging dress, a red jacket on her arm. Her round ass is particularly perfect.

“Nadine.”

She turns around, her eyes widening in surprise as I walk into the office. God, she’s beautiful. And just like that, my control slides away. The more she talks, the more my resolve to keep my distance from her weakens.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her.

“Waiting for Ava to go to lunch. She was supposed to meet me in her office.” Nadine taps her foot, her lips forming a thin line. She’s adorable.

“Ava’s not in the building. She and Sebastian are meeting the wedding planner.”

Nadine frowns. “What?” Pulling out her phone, she dials furiously before pressing it to her ear. “Hi, Ava. I’m waiting in your office. We planned to eat lunch together.” There’s a small pause, and then Nadine groans. “You forgot?”

I pick up the report, pretending to look through it, disguising my smile. Ava
never
forgets anything. She’s an organizational genius. She did this on purpose.

Nadine finishes the conversation in a clipped tone.

“My best friend stood me up. She has a good excuse, though. Wedding stuff.” As our gazes meet, I’m confident Nadine doesn’t buy the excuse any more than I do. Pippa canceled on me, Ava on Nadine.
This smells of a setup.
“I’ll have to join them in a few of those meetings. As the maid of honor.” Her eyes light up as she says the last words, and she squares her shoulder with pride. Damn, she’s so cute. I’d love nothing more than to kiss that sinful mouth of hers.

A recognition hits home. As Ava’s friend and maid of honor, she’ll soon become one of our closest family friends. Dating family friends is not a good idea. Daniel did that, and things went wrong, fast. If I date her for a while, even if we break up amicably, it will still be awkward at family gatherings. Nadine deserves to be happy here. I can’t mess that up.

“I’ll go,” Nadine says. “Lots to do.”

I open my mouth to say okay, and something else comes out instead. “Stay.”

She peers at me from behind her eyelashes with uncertain eyes. Her chest heaves up and down, red splotches appearing on her cheeks and neck. Finally, she looks away, licking her lips.
Jesus
. She’s fighting this as much as I am. Who’ll give in first?

“I’ll grab a sandwich on the way. I have a lot to do,” she murmurs. “It’s better that Ava couldn’t make it. That way, I can check more things off my to-do list today.”

“Take it easy, you don’t have to do everything at once,” I say, remembering how crazy those days when Sebastian and I started out were.

“I don’t mind hard work,” she responds.

“Of course you don’t.”

It shouldn’t surprise me, but since we’ve made it big, I’ve met plenty of entitled people. They expect things to be handed to them. Nadine works hard, and she got back on track after every setback. She’s a fighter, and I love that. I respect that.

As I watch her small frame, it’s hard to believe she has so much strength in her. I want to hold her in my arms and make sure no bastard ever hurts her again, like her ex. My protective instincts are on high alert. Damn it. I reserve my protective instincts for my family. The women I date are on the receiving end of
other
types of instincts. My limits blur when I’m around Nadine, and that won’t do.

“Stay,” I repeat. I tilt her chin up and leave her no option but to look at me. She swipes her tongue over her lower lip, and I nearly lose my control and kiss her. “You have to eat. This’ll be quick.”

As Nadine nods, I realize something. She’s lovely, on the inside and the outside. Eventually, someone will ask her out, and that’s something I can’t live with. The only solution is to ask her out myself, consequences be damned. And there went my resolution to stay away from her. I blame it on that beautiful ass of hers.

You’re screwed, Bennett.

***

I
will murder Ava. First, I’m going to ask her how the meeting with the planner went, and then I will murder her. She did this on purpose. Ava believes my self-imposed dry spell is nonsense, and that Logan’s the solution.

Logan is trouble. I know that by the way not only my body reacts to him, but my mind as well. I squirm just looking at him, all strong and tall and
man
.

“We’ll eat together. I ordered Chinese for two earlier. It should arrive any minute now.” His voice is firm. “Unless you don’t like Chinese?”

“I like it.” If I’m honest with myself, I
like
being around him. I feel happy, happier than I’ve been in months. Logan disappears in the corridor, returning with two small bags of takeout food. After I hang my jacket on the back of Ava’s chair, I help him put the food and drinks on the table. Our arms brush by accident, and I immediately jump, biting my lip. Great. I’ve been in the same room with this man for five minutes, and I already want to climb him. How will I survive lunch?

I slump in the chair behind the desk while Logan sits across from me. Having a desk between us should make things easier.

“How come you’ve ordered for two?” I ask, attempting to grab some chicken with my chopsticks. Just when I think I finally got it, the piece falls back in the plate. There were no forks in the paper bags. Logan’s proficient with the chopsticks, which is probably why he didn’t bother to ask the restaurant to send us forks too. On a sigh, I concentrate on attacking my chicken again. This will be a long lunch.