Heart of Steel (26 page)

     Immediately, Harry backed towards the door and grinned. “Oops, I knew I should have called first. Guess I’m still getting used to the idea that Chandler isn’t alone anymore, waiting for news about my life.” He ignored her protests and paused on the threshold. “Sorry about the inconvenience. Maybe we can all meet for a drink one night. Talk to you later.” Harry rushed out as fast as he had rushed in.

     The room fell silent.

     Chandler crossed her arms in front of her and glared at the man who leaned against the couch in a relaxed stance. He shrugged his massive shoulders and walked into the kitchen. “What are those heavenly smells coming out of the oven?” He breathed in deeply. “It doesn’t smell like tofu is in this recipe.”

     “Logan, how could you?”

     “Well, we still have some time left. I think I’ll get a refill on that cognac. Want one?”

     Chandler followed in his footsteps as he made his way toward the liquor cabinet. “You can’t continue treating my friends like this. I thought you understood my relationship with Harry, yet you practically toss him out the door.”

     “All I said is that we have a problem.” He refilled his glass calmly.

     “It was the way you said it and the way you looked when you said it.”

     “I refuse to give up an evening with you so I can listen to another man’s woes. From now on they can all look for another woman to nurture them.”

     “You’re doing it again!” Frustration vibrated through her body. “You’re trying to order me around and give me rules to follow. Just because I’m sleeping with you doesn’t mean I’ll do everything you say.”

     He took in her defiant stance and lowered his voice to a silky drawl. “You seemed to be pretty responsive to my instructions last night.”

     Heat rushed to her cheeks at the mention of that wildly erotic evening in his arms. “I won’t let you bully me by using seduction.” Her chin lifted. “Why were you rude to Harry when he told you he’s interested in another woman? He specifically came over here to tell me he had date.”

     “I knew the moment I set up the date he’d rush over to tell you, and I was right. Harry needs to learn I’m first in your life.”

     “That’s ridiculous, he’s always in a rush to tell me things. And of course you’ll always be first in my life, I don’t think that’s even a—what did you say?” She broke off and glanced at him with suspicion. “Did you say you set up their date?”

     Logan propped one hand against the side of the easy chair and crossed his ankles like a lazy jungle cat taking a break. “Yep.”

     She stared at him with horror. “You’re the one who persuaded Rachael to ask him out?” Logan nodded in satisfaction. “How did you do it?”

     “One of my employees does a lot of business with McKenzie & Tetenbaum. I had him make a few phone calls to track down this woman Rachael, and then I paid her a visit. I mentioned Harry did a little work for my company and he thought she was an interesting person. My job got easier from there because she immediately lit up and told me she thought he was one of the nicest men she’d ever met. After a brief discussion, I convinced her to ask him for coffee, and guaranteed he’d say yes. The rest is up to them.”

     Chandler opened her mouth, then quickly shut it. She turned on her heel and marched into the kitchen, muttering under her breath as she went to check the pasta and broccoli casserole. Logan followed. After slamming the oven door closed, she threw the hot mitts on the table and faced him. “How could you manipulate poor Harry like that?” she demanded. “If he had any idea you did this he’d be humiliated.”

     “If I didn’t step in those two would never get together. I did them a favor.”

     “You did this so you could get Harry out of the way.” She glared at him. “You used a person’s weakness to get what you want.”

     “Don’t push it, lady. This was the right thing for everyone. Harry has to stop depending on you.”

     She threw up her hands. “You make me crazy, Logan Grant! I am usually a calm, focused person. I practice yoga and meditation so I can get in touch with my feelings and approach life with total peace. You are wrecking my concentration! You’re jealous and demanding and stubborn and—don’t even think about it.” She put her hands out in front to ward him off as he started moving toward her. “We will not solve this problem with sex.”

     He didn’t listen. She backed away and circled around the sofa to put an object safely between them.

     “Come here,” he commanded softly. “When you get into these emotional outbursts there’s only one way to reason with you.”

     “Don’t come near me.” She stumbled over the coffee table in a hasty retreat. “You can’t control me like you do your employees.”

     “If you were one of my employees you’d be fired for disobeying a direct order. I’m not trying to control you, Chandler, I’m trying to show all your strays that you won’t have the time to nurture them on a full time basis anymore. Now stop moving away from me and come here.”

     With one swift lunge he tackled her down on the sofa and pinned his body over hers. He grasped both her wrists and held them above her head with one hand. Her chest heaved and she let out a sigh. She glared at him as his gaze roamed over her flushed features.

     “I won’t let you seduce me,” she said stubbornly. “You manipulated Harry, you’re bullying me, and I have to think about what effect this will have on our relationship.”

     “Dammit woman, if I didn’t love you so much I’d put you over my knee instead of doing this!” His mouth took hers in a frustrated assault of emotion, hot and demanding. She melted helplessly beneath him, her lips opening to the thrusting motion of his tongue against hers. His hand released her wrists to peel open her blouse, his palms cupping and squeezing the weight of her breasts, teasing the hard crests. Heat exploded through her as she arched upwards. His mouth moved down her neck, and the words he had spoken suddenly flashed through her mind.

     “Logan, what did you just say?”

     “Forget anything I said.” His teeth bit at the sensitive curve behind her ear and a shudder ripped through her. “Actions speak louder than words. I’m taking you to bed.”

     He scooped her up and walked into the bedroom. She fought the sensual lethargy that clouded her mind. “No, you said something very important.”

     He dropped her on the rose comforter and stood over her sprawled body like a warrior with his captive. “About putting you over my knee?” He unbuttoned his shirt and stripped it off his body.

     “No, before that.” Her eyes were helplessly drawn to the lean muscled strength of his chest.

     He placed one knee on the bed and leaned over her. His thumb gently stroked her lips dragging across the tender flesh as she opened her mouth. Her teeth lightly scraped the pad of his thumb. A low groan rumbled his chest. “I told you I loved you. But surely you knew that already.”

     A surge of joy raced through her. She reached up and pulled his head toward her, kissing him hungrily.

     He felt her blossom beneath him, all sweetness and light and passion, her emotions reaching out to touch him in an almost visible caress. “I didn’t know,” she whispered. Emerald eyes filled with naked longing. “I hoped in time you’d love me, but I wasn’t sure. All weekend you never said a word.”

     His knee slid between her legs and opened her for his more intimate touch. “I showed you how I felt every time I took you in my arms and entered your body.” His hands cupped her face. He let her see every emotion he’d been too afraid to let go of—every feeling he never uttered in words. “Each time I cried your name I told you I loved you.”

     She clung to him and wrapped her legs around his. “I needed to hear the words.”

     “Never doubt the way I feel for you. I’ll have to show you on a more regular basis.”

     She laughed with happiness and urged him closer. “Maybe some actions are better than words.”

     He moved over her and joined his body with hers. This time, they both cried out the words as they reached the peak together, and drifted back down as one.

     Moonlight beamed through the open window creating shadowy patterns against the dusty rose sheets, throwing Chandler’s features into a hazy glow.

     Logan stood beside the bed, naked, watching her. She slept with a deep peacefulness that made a smile touch his lips. She was curled up in the fetal position, one hand tucked under her cheek. Her glorious hair fanned out over the pillow, and the rippling moonlight made the strands seem like a halo.

     He had to tell Chandler about her father.

     Logan turned away and walked to the window to gaze out at the dots of light sprinkling the night skyline. He rubbed his brow at the thought. The woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with pursued a path of honesty and truth—it was a part of her inner core. He was awed by such qualities, and knew that because he respected her, he must tell her everything. About the deal her father had made him. About the offer of marriage. About Thorne.

     Everything.

     It was not something he looked forward to.

     He sighed as he tapped his fingers against the windowsill in thought. His life was on the brink of change, and the woman lying in bed was the cause. Suddenly, a contract worth millions of dollars was not very important.

     He’d never been more satisfied with his life. Being with Chandler softened something inside of him, soothed his emotions, made him want to give all of himself to another person and receive the same back. For the first time in his life he was in love, and he wasn’t going to screw it up.

     She stirred and murmured in her sleep. Logan turned from the window and made his decision. Tomorrow night he’d tell her the truth. Then he’d tell her father to go to hell, along with his million dollar contract.

     He slipped under the covers, pulling her close to his body. She snuggled against him immediately.

     Logan closed his eyes and let sleep wrap its misty fringes around him, until he was lured into a world of blackness.

     Chandler grabbed her bottle of water, stuffed it in her purple duffel bag, and glanced at her watch. She’d be late for class again, but Linda could take over for the warm-ups. She smiled. Ever since Logan Grant had been keeping her up at night, she’d been late almost every morning.

     Of course, it was worth it.

     The doorbell rang as she reached for the doorknob. She flung it open and stepped back in surprise. “Richard, what are you doing here?”

     Dressed in a black suit and brilliant multi-hued silk tie, he stood in her doorway with a concerned look on his face. “I need to talk to you. Can you give me a few minutes?”

     She hesitated. “I’m already late for my morning class. Can we catch lunch later?”

     He shook his head. “I thought about this for a long time, and I can’t wait any longer. Please, Chandler.”

     “Sure. Come on in.”

     She threw her bag back on the floor and settled comfortably into the sofa. He took a seat beside her. “I haven’t heard from you since our last talk. You’re involved with Logan, aren’t you?”

     She fidgeted. “I’m sorry. I told you we could be friends, but yes, I am involved with him now.”

     “He’s lying to you.”

     A trickle of ice ran down her spine. “I know. He told me about his threats toward you, and I apologize for that. I promise it won’t happen again. He also admitted the truth about the dossier.”

     Richard pulled back looking surprised but quickly recovered. “Well, I’m glad about that, but this is more serious. At first, I was going to keep my mouth shut. If you decided to get involved with him, it’s really none of my business. But I love you. I won’t stand around while Grant screws you over.”

     “What are you talking about?”

     “He’s meeting with your father at nine this morning. They’re signing a contract. A contract that will merge your father’s company with L&G Brokerage. The biggest coup the industry has seen in years.”

     The knowledge started to sink in, but she fought to remain calm. In a way, she still refused to believe it. “I’m surprised Daddy would ever give up his company, it’s his life.” She paused, not wanting to ask. Knowing she had to. “Do you know the terms of the agreement?”

     Everything seemed too quiet as she waited for him to say the words she already knew.

     “A ring on your finger. He gains the company if he marries you.”

     This time the room didn’t sway. This time she didn’t feel as if she’d break into a thousand jagged pieces. A blessed numbness took hold as she stared at Richard and realized he spoke the truth. Logan Grant had scored the deal of the century. The man was so damn good she’d believed he loved her. Just like Michael. Because the bottom line with a good businessman was always money.

     And she’d been a fool to forget it.