Logan Read online

  11

  Turned out, Piper was working with him tonight but then was going to be off the next three nights. He was heading back to Boston in less than a week and he knew he needed to make things right with her–or as right as he could–before he left. He knew they would at least go back to being friends, but he was hopeful it wasn’t all they were going to be.

  He finished up the reports he needed to read while in the office and at a quarter to five, he walked out and hoped he didn’t look too anxious as he waited for Piper to arrive for work. Part of him wanted to orchestrate something so she’d have to work closely with him, but considering the staff was already making comments about the time they were spending together, he didn’t think it was wise.

  But that didn’t stop him from being the main bartender on tonight.

  Doing his best to keep busy, he stacked glasses and made sure he had enough ice, but he froze when he spotted her out of the corner of his eye. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights when she met his gaze and the hesitation he saw on her face bothered him. In his entire life, he couldn’t remember ever being the cause of someone else’s distress. That wasn’t who he was, and it just strengthened his resolve to do his best to make things right with her.

  Slowly, Piper approached the bar. “Hey,” she said softly.

  “Hey, yourself,” he said with a small smile. “How are you?”

  “Good,” she said, not looking directly at him. She fiddled with the apron around her waist and then with her hair. “And you?”

  Unable to help himself, he walked around the bar, took her by the hand and led her back to the game room. No one was using it and once they were inside, he closed the door. She didn’t try to pull her hand away, but she didn’t look comfortable either. Stepping away from the door, he reluctantly let go of her and went to sit down at the card table. He motioned for her to join him.

  “I…I think I’d rather stand.”

  So stubborn…

  “I’m sorry for the way I acted the other night,” he began. “I never should have left the way I did and I took things out on you that you didn’t deserve.”

  Piper was standing, wringing her hands, but didn’t respond.

  “Lately, it feels like everyone’s coming down on me. I had no idea they all thought so little of me,” he went on, “or that they thought the way I was living my life was such a problem. And what I hate most of all is knowing everyone–including you–doesn’t take me seriously.”

  This time she did step forward. “Logan, I never said I didn’t take you seriously. I think you’re an amazing man who is smart and talented and can do whatever he wants!” she countered.

  “But you don’t take me seriously on a personal level,” he clarified. “Like you never once considered that I’d be serious about you.”

  She stopped in her tracks. “That’s not fair. You have to admit that you have a reputation…”

  “If my reputation was so bad, Piper, then why get involved with me, huh?” And yeah, now he wasn’t quite so calm. If anything, he was almost shouting. “Why would you waste your time messing around with me if you thought I wasn’t fully interested in you? Because I’ve got to tell you, you don’t seem like the kind of girl who goes for a one-night stand!”

  Her eyes went wide and her mouth moved, but no words came out.

  Standing, he walked over until they were toe-to-toe. “Why?”

  “Because I wanted to know what it was like!” she cried, her eyes welling with tears. “For so long I had a crush on you and you never paid any attention to me. Not really. Sure, you were friendly, but you never really saw me!” Pulling out of his grasp, she stepped away. “But as soon as we started spending time together, I knew I was kidding myself. I thought I’d be okay with this being casual, but I was wrong. I wanted more and I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that!”

  She turned her back on him but he was too shocked to speak.

  “For all the hours we’ve spent talking,” she said, “we never talked about us. And there was no way I was going to ask for anything more from you because I couldn’t bear to hear you tell me that you didn’t feel the same way.” Now she spun around. “So yeah, maybe I went into this whole relationship for the wrong reasons. It was selfish of me. But you have to know that I was wrong and I know I was wrong.” She paused. “I’m so sorry, Logan.”

  The weird thing was…he understood. He knew the reputation he had and for so long, he loved it. Thrived on it. But hearing Piper’s admission made him realize that even though he thought he was being charming and a real ladies’ man, it wasn’t a great way to have people perceive him.

  Swallowing hard, he studied her as she wiped those beautiful eyes. “I don’t know what to say, Piper,” he admitted. “I want us to move past this, but…I don’t know how.”

  She gave a curt nod. “Neither do I.”

  “Do you think that maybe we can…maybe start over? This time we’ll talk–we’ll make sure our feelings are clear.”

  Looking down at her hands–which she was wringing again–she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She looked up at him. “What’s the point? You’re leaving in a few days and with any luck, I will be too. I don’t see how it would work.”

  But he wasn’t giving up hope.

  Moving in close to her, he caressed her cheek. “If I wasn’t leaving or if you found a job in the same city where I was, would you consider it?”

  “Logan, there’s no way…”

  One finger covered her lips. “Humor me. If we both ended up in the same place…”

  “But we won’t,” she said against his finger, her expression sad.

  Removing his hand, Logan gave her a small smile. “Piper, just…pretend for a minute, okay?”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “Fine. If we were both going to be moving to the same place–which we’re not–I would say that I would like to give us a chance to start over. But…”

  “Nuh-uh,” he quickly interrupted. “No buts. We’re strictly talking hypothetically here.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “Logan, it doesn’t make any difference. We both know…”

  He silenced her with a kiss. It was wrong and he knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself. It wasn’t the kind of kiss he wanted–those deep, all-consuming ones he loved–and it was over before it began.

  “Logan,” she sighed, leaning into him.

  With his arms going slowly around her waist, he rested his forehead against hers. “I know.” They stayed like that for several minutes before he realized just how long they’d been back here. “Come on. We need to get out there, otherwise people will really talk about us.”

  “I’m sure anyone who saw you drag me across the room is already talking,” she said, but he saw the smirk on her face and knew she was teasing.

  “Wanna really give them something to talk about?”

  This time she laughed while rolling her eyes. “Stop.”

  He really wanted to test how strong that “stop” was, but he decided against it. Opening the door for her, he let Piper walk out first and he followed two minutes later–immediately heading for the bar.

  After that, things weren’t quite so strained. They talked and joked and laughed, but he knew he was going home alone tonight. Several times he wanted to talk to her about the negotiations he was currently in with her friends and some of the exciting progress they were making, but…it wasn’t the time. Not yet.

  At the end of the night, it was painful to say good night to her and watch her leave, but he was serious about them starting over.

  It just sucked that this was part of it.

  He was the last one to leave, and when he got home, he wasn’t as tired as he thought he’d be. First, he showered and changed into a pair of shorts. After that he wandered around the apartment and tried to find a way to unwind. Glancing at the TV, he considered practicing his gaming skills that Eric was helping him with, but he knew that would just keep him up. So he
turned off most of the lights, grabbed his laptop, and decided to do some more reading on the gaming industry. At this point, he knew enough to be able to do a presentation to anyone who asked, but it never hurt to keep learning. Plus, reading in bed was a great way to help him fall asleep.

  Another great way to help him fall asleep would be having Piper wrapped in his arms, but…for now, this was the best he could do.

  If Logan was trying to wear down her resolve, it was working.

  He texted her with funny quotes, sent her interesting articles on what was new in the gaming industry, sent her links to job opportunities all over the country, and just this morning, she found him jogging around the estate.

  Yes, jogging.

  It just so happened that she was sitting outside having her coffee and there he was.

  In all his sweaty glory.

  He stopped and talked with her for a few minutes–even asked if she wanted to join him on his morning run–but she turned him down. Jogging wasn’t her thing. So she offered him a bottle of water and he talked about how he’d gone over and visited with his brother Devlin and his girlfriend Hannah at their new home here in King Harbor the day before.

  “Hannah fell in love with that house and now it’s theirs,” he said. “I’ve never seen my brother look happier.”

  “Good for them! Devlin was always a nice guy. I’m so glad things are going well for him.”

  This had been the pattern for the last three days. They’d have casual conversations, he’d tell her about his family and whatever drama was going on that day, and she wanted to just fling herself at him and kiss him until she couldn’t think anymore.

  She wouldn’t, but she really, really wanted to.

  Tonight would be the last time she’d see him. Tomorrow, Charles would be back and Logan would be returning to Boston and she felt completely unsettled about the whole thing. Being friends with him wasn’t a hardship; hell, they’d been that way for years. Okay, maybe not the way they were now, but they had always been friendly to each other. But now that they’d had this change in their relationship, could she really be okay with just being friends? Especially if he wanted more? Was she being crazy? Stubborn? Should she have told him she would be willing to try a long-distance relationship?

  Shaking her head, she knew it wouldn’t work. And it had nothing to do with Logan and everything to do with her. She wanted long-term commitment. Even if he saw a future with her, living in different states wouldn’t help. That wasn’t going to change no matter how badly she wanted things to work out with him. Eventually, one of them would have to sacrifice and move and it would only lead to resentment. It was a sad reality, but there it was. Their timing just sucked and eventually she’d get over it.

  They were both scheduled to work but for the first time since she came home–and maybe that one night after their fight–she really didn’t want to be at the Vault. She wanted to call Logan and ask him to dinner or just to hang out or…

  Just one more night, she thought. I’d give anything for just one more night.

  It would just be torture, but it didn’t make Piper want it any less.

  She forced herself to get ready for work and perhaps she put a little more attention into the way she did her hair and makeup, but…she wouldn’t outwardly admit it. Kissing her father goodbye, she made the short drive across town and then sat in her car for a solid five minutes before she got up the courage to go in.

  Once she was inside, there wasn’t time to think of being alone with Logan or possibly seducing him in the game room because they were extremely busy. There had barely been time for anything more than a smile and a few words most of the night. Even though part of her knew it was a good thing, she couldn’t help but encourage people to finish up and leave as her shift was coming to an end. Most nights it didn’t bother her if people lingered, but tonight she just wanted everyone to go.

  Finally, a little after one a.m., the Vault was empty except for Piper and the rest of the staff who all seemed more than ready to call it a night. She waved to Morgan and Sharon as they made their way out and before she knew it, the only other person left on the floor was Logan. Off in the distance she could hear the kitchen staff cleaning up, but they tended to stay in the back.

  Untying her apron, she walked over to the bar and was a little disappointed that there wasn’t a plate of food waiting for her. Funny how she had gotten used to Logan doing that for her. Would it be wrong to go back to the kitchen and see if she could get something to go? Looking over her shoulder toward the back, Piper seriously considered it.

  That’s when she heard Logan clear his throat.

  When she faced him, she saw two plates on the bar–each with a crab cake sandwich and fries. His smile was so damn charming that she almost crawled over the bar to thank him.

  Pulling up a stool, she sat. “Are you really hungry or is one of these for me?” she teased. “Because I have to tell you, I feel a little light-headed from lack of food.”

  His smile grew. “Well, I was going to eat both of these, but I guess I could be convinced to share.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  He nodded, but when Piper reached for one of the plates, he pulled it just out of her grasp. “Uh-uh-uh…I said I could be convinced; I didn’t say I was convinced.”

  “Logan Blackthorne, don’t you dare toy with me right now. I could faint right here and then file a claim with the labor department for being forced to work without getting a delicious crab cake sandwich on my break.”

  “You didn’t take a break.”

  “My point exactly.” And with a triumphant grin, she pulled the plate from his hands.

  Luckily, he didn’t fight her. Instead, he pulled his own plate close to him and started eating. After a minute he said, “You’re pretty mean when you’re hungry, you know.”

  “Yup,” she replied around a bite of her sandwich, not even caring how unladylike she looked. “But just know, it was an empty threat. I would never turn you in to the labor board. I was just hangry.”

  “Hangry?”

  She nodded. “Angry because I was hungry.” She reached for a fry and shook it at him. “You’ve spoiled me. I never used to have a problem with going home and eating PB&J. But after this, I fear I’m ruined for life.”

  And she wasn’t just talking about the food.

  They made small talk while they finished eating and Logan wiped down the bar and took their plates to the kitchen while Piper made her way to the breakroom to get her purse and sweater from her locker.

  Did she linger for longer than she needed to?

  Maybe.

  Was she hoping to walk out with Logan and have some time to talk with him and maybe hang out for a little while?

  Definitely.

  After ten minutes, however, she figured it wasn’t going to happen and made her way out to her car. She had just gotten behind the wheel and started it when there was a knock on the window. With a loud scream, she turned and saw Logan standing there. With her hand over her rapidly-beating heart, she rolled down the window and caught him chuckling. “Not funny, Blackthorne. You just about gave me a heart attack.”

  Squatting down beside the car, Logan rested his arms on the door and grinned at her. “Sorry. I called your name and thought you heard me.”

  “Well I didn’t,” she said, still feeling a little breathless.

  “You heading home now?” he asked quietly after a minute.

  Feeling nervous, her tone was equally quiet. “Um…yeah.”

  His gaze was neutral and she wished she knew what he was thinking. Was he asking her plans simply because he was curious or because he wanted to make plans with her?

  “So, uh…what time are you leaving tomorrow?” she asked. “Are you heading out early or are you going to meet with Charles in the morning?”

  “I talked to him earlier today so he’s all up-to-date on everything here, but I was going to leave after I had lunch with Nana.”

  She nodded. “I’m sure
she’ll enjoy that. Are you taking her out or is she making lunch?”

  “Piper?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Come home with me.”

  She could feel herself blush. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Yeah, it was pretty much madness when they arrived at his building and got into the elevator. Cliché or not, he wanted Piper and he was impatient to have her. Their kiss was wild, untamed, and fairly brutal and neither seemed to care. Logan bit her lip and she bit him right back.

  It was incredibly sexy.

  They fumbled down the hall to his door and once they were inside, Logan began taking her clothes off–which wasn’t easy because she was doing her best to strip him too. There were far too many impatient hands trying to get things done and he finally gripped Piper’s wrists to stop her. “One of us is going to have to wait their turn.”

  She pulled free and gave him a playful shove. “Why does it have to be me?” Then she laughed and finished unbuttoning her own blouse before tossing it to the floor.

  “Fantastic idea,” he all but growled. “We each undress ourselves and then…game on.”

  “Bring it,” she said, kicking off her shoes before turning and running toward the bed. Logan caught up with her by the sofa and swung her around–the need to kiss her was too strong to wait. They were both naked from the waist up–although Piper did have a very sexy, barely-there bra still on–and he figured here was the perfect place to help her get rid of it.

  “You’re still overdressed,” he panted, kissing his way along the slender column of her throat. First, he pulled the band out of her hair and let the silky strands fall over his hands. He gently massaged her scalp until she purred with pleasure.

  “That feels amazing…” she moaned.

  “Baby, I’m just getting started.” His hands went around to her back to unclasp her bra, and they both sighed in unison as he peeled it from her body. “God, Piper…” Yeah, he was a breast man and that’s where his hands gravitated. Her head fell back as she sighed his name.

  Together, they awkwardly made their way back to his bed–knocking into furniture and tripping over their pants along the way–but once he had her there and was sprawled out on top of her, Logan felt like he was home.