Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) (29 page)

“I was a young man very similar to you. But, I never let lust get in the way of business.” Logan shook the other man’s grip off his shoulder. What he felt for Ava went beyond lust.
 

“What are the words you use?
The cameras are flashing
. Remember that, Logan. The cameras are flashing and your pictures have the wrong woman in them.” Sam was meeting his eye now.

“Get rid of the girl Logan, or I’ll bury the both of you.” He met Sam’s glare with one of his own.
 

“Don’t threaten me Sam.” Logan seethed with anger. No business deal was going to dictate the woman in his bed. Had he towed the family’s predetermined path for so long that Sam thought he wasn’t his own man? That he was some extension of the Masters’ family product line?
 

“No threat involved, think of it as a campaign promise.” A threat was aimed at Ava because of her association with him. Sam had influence on the foundation’s board of directors and the research grant funding. He’d fix this. His priority was to protect Ava. He needed the support of another powerful ally. He needed his family.

Chapter 14

Ava had changed. They were physically closer, but a new emotional distance hung between them. She surrendered her body to his demands, but the wall around her heart was reinforced. And it was getting harder to breach. Her body melted under his ministrations, and then the wall would expand.
 

Logan lay with his back against the arm of the couch. Ava lay on her stomach, head resting on his chest. Looking down, her eyes were fixed on the floor. The weight of the world reflected in their sadness.

“Dr. Masters paging RN Walters.” He laughed at his attempt to lighten the mood. “Sweetheart, come back to me.”
 

Logan had to address this divide forming between them. He recognized the signs of Ava’s withdrawal. What he didn’t know was why.

She looked up briefly then looked away. Pain and loss flashed in her eyes, then it was gone.
 

“Ava, what is going on with you?” Logan could feel Ava closing herself off to him. And it pissed him off.
 

“Logan, don’t push.”
 

Don’t push. Was she crazy? He would push the world off its axis to reach her. To keep her.
 

“Sweetheart, I can feel your thoughts, and they are not good. Whatever scenario is going through your head right now, stop it. We are stronger than all the forces that want to tear us apart. Including the ones in your head.” He nuzzled her hair, gently kissing her forehead. “Talk to me. I’m right here. We can work through whatever is making you feel you have to pull away from me.”

“I’m not pushing you away Logan.” The rise and fall of her chest had increased. He could feel her anxiety rising, the emotional walls descend, to lock firmly into place.

“You are not pushing me away, but you are putting barriers up to keep me from reaching you.” He released a breath laden with frustration. “Do you honestly believe I can’t feel you shutting me out?”
 

“Sorry, I’m not doing it on purpose. Will you let me get up?” He didn’t move. Encapsulating her between his expansive chest, his arms around her waist.
 

“Something has changed between us. I don’t like it.”

“Logan please, let me move.” He released his hold. “I don’t want to let you go.” Not ever.
 

She gently pushed against his body and he felt the loss as she moved away.
 

“I know, but we both have a lot going on and the conversation will only make it worse.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes.
 

“What is going on in your life? Exactly.” She wouldn’t look at him.

“Ava look at me. I realize I can be a Neanderthal, but I have this need to remind you that you belong with me. The unanswered question is why it feels as if I am losing you?”
 

Ave remained silent her eyes glued to a single spot on his chest.
 

“Did I do something for you to doubt that I want you?”
 

“It’s nothing you’ve done.”
 

So, someone else caused the change.

“If there is anything that needs to be handled, so that you feel secure, tell me.” He hated secrets. Especially when it was attached to his woman. “Commitment to us is my first priority.”

 
“But it shouldn’t be.” He sat up then, brow furrowed. He reached for her, connecting them once again. He lifted her chin to meet his eyes.
 

“You come first. Why should it be different?”
 

There was no bright light at the end of the tunnel without Ava. The pot of gold was just a pot if she left. Logan wouldn’t accept it.
 

“I know your grant funding is temporarily suspended. Not to mention the board position.”
 

How could she know about the funding? He had just been informed last week. Sam Holbrook was playing hardball.
 

“Who told you?”
 

“It’s not important who told me. Only that I know.” Realization dawned. She thought the problems with the grant stemmed from them being together. That the funding cut was her fault.

But Logan had a plan. In three weeks, he would present his research at the international pediatric medicine conference in Australia. His goal was to secure funding outside of the foundation’s control.
 

“Ava, I will get the funding to continue my research. What I can’t get is another you.” He kissed her. She sank into his body and he tightened his hold. “I won’t let us fail. Do you hear me?”
 

He pulled her arms around his waist securing her wrists in one of his large hands, effectively trapping her against his body. “Look at me.”

She hesitated before meeting his gaze. He glimpsed something new behind her façade. Longing. But as quickly as it appeared it vanished.
 

“I am your man. You are the woman whom I adore with everything I am. Why can’t you trust me?” Logan asked while cradling her face in his gentle caress. “I am willing to do whatever it takes for us to stay together. I’m not ever giving up what we have.”

“We’re not failing Logan. I never said those words.”
 

“You have not said let’s move forward. Am I the Titanic in an ocean of submerged icebergs?”
 

“Moving forward in relationships is overrated. Moving forward in my experience means you’re that much closer to hitting the guardrail.”

“Don’t give up on us. On me. We have a life together. You are more important to me than a board position or grant funding. Say you will stay with me.” She looked defeated. Lost.

“I’m with you. Know that I am giving everything that I have to offer.”
 

He felt consumed by possessiveness, an animalistic need to tie her to him.
 

He also felt cornered. Sam Holbrook’s threat, the suspended funding, family loyalty and the patients depending on him weighed heavy on his mind. Without funding the research protocols and medications were unavailable to patients.
 

He talked with his father about Ava. Robert Masters would support his son, alliances notwithstanding. He would introduce Ava to his father, then she would see everything was under control. There was no threat to their being together. After that asshole Holton propositioned her, Ava refused to attend any events with him. The plan for Ava to meet his family was not the best, but it would suffice.

“It’s our six week anniversary. How should we celebrate?” She looked puzzled.

“It’s too soon. There’s no back of the calendar gift guide for six week anniversaries.”
 

It was not too soon for him. At the rate they were going, he should probably celebrate daily.

“We can do whatever we want. There’s no guidelines, sweetheart.”
 

“I don’t have anything in mind. Since you brought it up, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?”
 

“I want you to have brunch with me and my father this Sunday. Darwin will meet us at the club.”
 

“What about your mother?”
 

“Uh. It will be the four of us.” The showdown with his mother could wait another week. “Can you convince Granny Lou to share you with the Masters family this Sunday? I promise to return you well-fed and unharmed.”
 

“I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

“Call your parents, too. When Granny Lou tells them you missed church, the fallout could be detrimental to my health. My father is looking forward to meeting my woman.”
 

She looked away, uncomfortable with the reference. When would she be comfortable being connected to him? They ate and worked together. They slept in each other’s arms and pleasured one another, but he couldn’t escape the feeling of a limited connectivity. Like she could disappear from his life in a blink of an eye.
 

“Look at me, sweetheart.”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Ava, please.”
 

“You. Are. Mine. Get used to it. It will not change.” He would prove his words to be true.

The opulence of the Reserves Country Club rendered her speechless. Logan’s father stood beside their table to greet Ava. She stood in the most lavish dining area she had ever seen. Panoramic views of the dense greens of the golf course, rippling waves and vivid blue sky was visible from every table. Waiters in black tie and jackets strategically placed at the ready to take orders. Soft notes from the pianist drifted across her ears and she sighed. This was Logan’s childhood home. She was not acquainted with one person that lived in the exclusive community. Here she was, at The Reserves, private country club with the Masters. Definitely moving forward by her standards even if Logan felt they were at an impasse.
 

“I’m Robert Masters,” he said extending his hand. Ava looked up into welcoming green eyes, they were Logan’s eyes. He was tall, in great shape, by anyone’s standards, with gray at his temples. He looked distinguished and powerful.
 

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Masters. I’m Ava Walters.”

“Call me Robert Lee. I feel like I know you. Logan talks of little else.” Ava blushed under the knowing attention of the older man.
 

Darwin stepped around his father pulling Ava into a sisterly embrace.
 

“Hey Ava, it’s good to see you again.” Logan pulled a heavy mahogany wood upholstered chair from the table for her to sit.
 

 
Together, the men of the Masters family were ruggedly handsome and charming. Secretly, she tooted her own horn for resisting Logan’s masculine appeal for all of seven days.
 

The view of the manicured golf course overlooking Queens Bay to the north was spectacular. Ava choose an entree of roasted quail, braised carrots and asparagus, rather than a breakfast fare. The blend of flavors had her taste buds taking notes. She had a new recipe for the next family dinner. Everything was perfect. Logan’s business associates may not accept her, but his family did. Family connection meant more to her.
 

“Logan honey, I thought that was you.” At the sound of that voice, the blood slowed in Ava’s veins.
 

Commando Barbie was approaching the table draped in a pastel colored St. Johns outfit, with enough diamonds glittering to imitate a star filled night. Meticulously coiffed blonde hair and flawless make-up.

“I didn’t know you were joining us for brunch at the club. What a pleasant surprise.” The woman settled into one of the two empty seats at the table and fixed her narrowed gaze on Ava.
 

“Hello mother.”
 

Commando Barbie was Logan’s mother.

Bile rose in Ava’s throat. The quail took flight in Ava’s stomach. Closing her eyes she willed her stomach to stop pitching high and low. She was going to be sick.
 

“If I didn’t know any better I would think you intentionally didn’t invite me.” She looked pointedly at Logan. “Logan, who is this with you?”