Irreplaceable (23 page)

Scared didn’t even begin to describe how I felt about
letting Logan back in.

“Please, just let this go. Why can’t you forget about me
and move on? We can’t go back.”

He either wasn’t listening or couldn’t hear, because he
walked out of the room. I saw the glow of the bathroom light, then heard the
sound of running water.

When he returned a moment later, I noticed a washcloth in
his hand. He took my hand from my lap and pulled me to my feet in front of him.

“You’re so beautiful, and yet you think you need all this
to get me into bed.” The warmth of the wet washcloth caressed my cheek, wiping
away the layer of blush and bronzer. He continued cleaning it away until it was
just me, fresh faced, staring back at him.

“There you are,” he murmured with a sweet, caring smile.
“Put on the balm they gave you and get some sleep. We’ll talk about things
later.” His brows raised. “Unless you want me to stay. It seems as though you
had been planning for me to, anyway.”

I sighed, staring down at my feet sheepishly. “Logan,” I
sighed. Yes, I wanted him to stay, but I didn’t know how to say it.

“I’ll go.” He surprised me with his gentleness.

His head tilted to the side, and I closed my eyes as he
placed the most delicate kiss upon my cheek. “Good night, Cassandra.”

With that, he handed me the washcloth, picked up his
socks and shoes, and walked away.

I slid down to the bed, falling onto my back and staring
up at the dark ceiling. My heart was wide open, fully ready to consume my
buried feelings he’d stirred back to life.

Chapter Twenty

Sister Act

Logan made his point that night,
and I fell asleep with a cool washcloth between my legs and tears in my eyes as
I accepted what I’d been denying for too long. His absence hurt worse than ever
before. At the end of the day, I wanted him there with me, and it was getting
harder and harder to deny it.

He was in my bedroom, washing the makeup gently from my
face. He saw me, the real me, and that crumbled the walls around my heart. I
couldn’t describe the final blow. I knew what was happening, and I couldn’t stop
it. I was plowing straight into the massive train called Logan, hoping he would
detour before we crashed.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?”

I turned to see Julia walking over from Logan’s yard,
wearing a light smile.

“Relaxing. The sun feels good.” It really did. I’d been
enjoying my back porch lazily for over an hour, sipping hot cocoa.

“Yeah, hopefully it melts some of this snow. I hate
driving in it.” She sat in the empty chair beside me. “Mind if I join you? I’m
waiting for Oliver.”

“Sure. You guy going out somewhere?”

“The movies. Natasha wanted to take him, but Logan
insisted I chaperone.”

“Fun,” I replied, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in my
voice as I grinned at her. It sounded like hell.

“Not really the word I’d use to describe it,” Julia said,
making a face, “but Logan made it worthwhile.” She pulled a wad of cash from
her coat pocket, fanning it in her hand. “I’ll be going shopping as soon as the
movie’s over and Oliver is back home with Jax. You want to come?”

“Shopping or to the movies?” I asked sarcastically.

“Either,” she replied, chuckling as she stuffed the cash
back in her pocket.

“I’ll pass. Why doesn’t Logan just go and chaperone?”

She shrugged, crossing her leg over her knee. “He said he
had a meeting, but I think it’s more about not wanting to be alone in a dark
theatre with a skanky bitch who can’t keep her hands to herself.”

I recoiled. “Oh.” The mere thought of Natasha touching
Logan sent my stomach lurching.

She must’ve noticed, because she added quickly, “Not that
Logan encourages it. You should see how he’s able to tune the chick out. This
morning, he came down for breakfast after his shower and was leaning against
the counter drinking his coffee when she pranced in the back door, wearing an
outdated black nightie. She went right up to kiss him, but he side-stepped her
and strolled across the room to sit with me and ask about my plans for the day,
as if it never happened. Natasha was fuming.” Julia giggled at the memory.

Did I really want to hear this?

“Sorry, it’s just hilarious to watch. My brother has more
tolerance than I do. He’s over there now, helping Oliver get dressed.”

“So they don’t get along then?” I spoke more quickly than
I’d meant to, the words flying out, my mind desperate for the full picture.

“They don’t fight, if that’s what you mean. I’ve seen her
try to bait him in an argument, but he doesn’t care enough to get into it. He
just lets her do her thing while he plots.”

“Plots?” That perked me up.

“Oh, yeah. You didn’t think he would really let her stay
in his home and not use it to his advantage, did you?” Her eyes glistened with
delight. “Logan was pissed when he called me back over after his birthday party
to watch Oliver that night, yet the next morning he came back and explained
that he was allowing Natasha to stay in the guest room and seemed okay about
it. Said it might be for the best, you know—keep your enemies closer and all.”

It made sense, but was still unnerving. I didn’t say a
word—only listened, digesting it all.

“Logan’s determined to find out why she’s back. He has
his buddy keeping an eye on her at Haven, and even has Katie sucking up to her
so she can try to get some info out of her.”

“Your sister-in-law?”

“Yeah. Katie and Natasha used to be close, at least until
Oliver was born and Katie realized she was friends with a selfish whore.”

Natasha really had been part of his family at one time.
The fact that she was back and living with him had to be affecting him in ways
he wasn’t admitting. The thought was ruining my mood.

“I see,” I said softly and sipped my cocoa.

Julia turned in her chair, eyeing me. “Have you met
Katie?”

“No, I saw her though. I guess she was picking up Oliver
a few weeks back. She’s pretty.” I hated that I added that last comment,
allowing my insecurity to shine through.

“I used to tell her she should model. She and my older
brother Lawrence are amazing parents, and they adore Oliver. They know how hard
Logan works raising him on his own.”

I smiled. “I didn’t know who she was when I saw her, so I
thought…”
Why did I just say that!?

Julia’s head fell back from the burst of laughter thrust
out of her mouth. “Shut up!” Her body flew forward, hands covering her mouth as
she tried to calm her laughter. “Katie and Logan!? Oh my God, I can’t wait to
tell her that.” She wiped a tear away. Was it that funny?

It took a minute or two, but Julia finally regained her
composure.

“Katie’s been dying to meet you. Oliver and I told her
all about his new neighbor that has his daddy smiling whenever she’s around.
You guys will get along great. Think Martha Stewart meets Gisele Bündchen.
Lawrence couldn’t be happier, and I promise, Logan has never showed any
interest, so you’re safe from worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Whatever you say.” Her grin was all perfect white teeth.
“I should call her to come down this weekend and we could go out. A girls’
night.”

Being friends with Logan’s sister was one thing, but
adding in his sister-in-law was a little too close for comfort. It was getting
hard enough resisting him.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to say—“Sorry,
I can’t because I’m afraid I’ll have a good time and end up liking Katie”? Or
maybe, “I don’t want to go and get close to yet another person that will remind
me how great Logan is”? I decided on a lie instead.

“I have plans this weekend. Maybe another time.”

Her eyebrow arched, a stunned smile breaking over her
face. “Wow, you really are a horrible liar, you know that?”

“I’m not lying. I have plans.” I couldn’t even look her
in the eye. I
was
such a bad liar.

“With who?” she pressed, amused.

“Hilary.” There. That sounded realistic.

“Tell her to come along. She
is
a girl, and we’re
having a girls’ night.” She laughed, watching me squirm in my chair.

“I don’t know. I mean—”

“Cassie, I want to get to know you better, and Katie
keeps asking to meet you. It will be a lot of fun. I mean, soon enough we’ll be
sisters, and—”

“What!?” I gasped, my jaw dropping open.

“Okay, now that’s just insulting!” She feigned a pout and
reached over to smack my chin up, closing my mouth.

“Sorry, it’s just…what are you talking about, sisters?”

Julia laughed again, staring at me as though I’d grown
two heads. “My brother is in love with you, Cassandra! Hell, I’d bet good money
that I’ll be attending your wedding next year.”

With an awkward snort of a laugh, I had to remind myself
to breathe.

“You are insane! Married? To Logan?” I wasn’t sure if I
should laugh or cry.

Julia rolled her eyes. “You don’t think one day you’ll be
my sister?”

“Sorry. You’re great and I want to be better friends, but
no, I don’t.”

“Then we bet!” she stated, insisting rather than asking.
She and Logan were a lot alike.

Oh no.
No more betting for me. “I’ve sworn off
betting.”

“Come on, it will make it interesting. I bet that within
two years, you’ll be madly in love and engaged to my brother. I should clarify,
though—to my brother Logan.”

My brow shot up. “You needed to clarify this why? In case
Jax grew into a man I couldn’t resist?”

“Believe me, I don’t get it, but the girls love Jax. I
have never had a single friend who didn’t want to sleep with at least one of my
brothers. In high school, a friend slept over and snuck into Logan’s room when
he was home visiting. He turned her down, of course—he never slept with my
friends—and she ended up in Jax’s bed. Disgusting.” Her eyes rolled back and
tongue choked out.

“Logan never slept with any of your friends? Not even
one?” Why was that so hard to believe?

“God, no! He’s seven years older than me, although most
of the girls I hung around with would still try. Jax, on the other hand,
couldn’t get enough.”

“How old is Jax?”

“Nineteen, same as me.” Her eyes lit up. “We’re twins! I
thought you knew.”

“No, but I should have guessed.”

“So, what do you say? The bet’s on?” she pressed,
reminding me of the silly wager she insisted on dragging me into.

“Fine. And when I win, what do I get?”

“You won’t, but if for some reason you do, then
I’ll…hmmm.” She looked thoughtful for a moment until her face beamed, staring
at me with a renewed eagerness. “If you win, I’ll tell you what Logan said in
his sleep this morning.”

“What?” Did I want to know?

“Logan was sleeping on the couch when I came over, and I
heard him talking,” she explained, grinning with an I’ve-got-a-secret
elusiveness.

I sighed. “Why would I want to know that two years from now,
especially if I’m not even with him then?”

Her smile faltered as she thought it over. “I guess if it
were me, I’d want to know.”

What the hell did he say? She was right—I did want to
know, and now I’d have to wait two long years to find out. I sucked in a deep
breath and blew out a heavy sigh. “All right.”

Julia sat up straighter, unable to control her
excitement. “Great, and when I win, which I will, you have to name your first
daughter after me.”

“What!?” Oh, she had to be kidding!

“Ahhh.” She wiggled her finger at my flabbergasted
expression. “See, you
are
a little worried I’ll win this.”

“No, it’s just…” My first daughter? A child? With
Logan
?
My head began spinning.

“Come on, at least the middle name,” Julia drawled.

“What’s your middle name?” Why did it matter? Logan and I
were not having a daughter—or any kids, for that matter.

“Not telling.” She gave a cheeky wink. “Got to be able to
trust your future sister-in-law,” she teased.

“You’re positively insane!” I giggled at her antics. “But
why not?”

We shook on it, and I slurped down the rest of my cold
cocoa.

“So, any plans for tomorrow night—the big V Day?” she
asked, leaning back in her chair.

“Luke, Caleb’s brother, called earlier and asked me to
hang out for the night. He’s bringing over pizza.” Her head snapped back in my
direction accusingly. “As friends. He’s dateless as well,” I clarified, not
that it was needed. I was very much single, although I felt far from
unattached.

“Really?” I noticed the pink of her cheeks deepen. God
knew Luke liked her, and he hadn’t even been officially introduced. Did she
have an eye for him as well?

With an inquisitive stare, I regarded her with a crooked,
knowing smile. She caught it, then looked down at her lap sheepishly. Who was
this girl, and since when was she bashful?

Picking a piece of invisible lint from her jeans, she
added, “I mean, he’s cute. I guess I expected him to be in a relationship.”

Yeah, she was interested, all right. It was a shame she
was still dating my ex-dumbass. Or was she?

“Nope, he’s single. It’s a shame, though, because he’s a
really nice guy. He just needs to find the right girl,” I said.

“Yeah. So, does Logan know?” She looked up and out at the
row of trees across my backyard.

“That Luke’s single? Not sure he’d care.” I lifted my shoulders
and made a face.

Julia shot me a smile and giggled. “That you’re not his
date for Valentine’s.”

Oh, that. He might care about that, but then again, he
hadn’t asked. “No, but he never asked.”

“You wanted him to.”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.” With a wider smile, she added,
“Next year, he’ll make up for missing it.”

“Next year, he’ll be moved on to another girl,” I
retorted immediately.

The moment she opened her mouth to reply, Logan appeared
from around the corner of my house.

“Oliver’s ready to go,” he said, interrupting our
challenging stares.

Did he hear us?
He had to have heard at least my
last statement.

Julia stood. “I’ll be calling Katie to set up a night
out, or maybe a girls’ weekend to Vegas this summer.”

I didn’t have a chance to do anything other than laugh to
myself before she was skipping away happily, humming to herself.

“Hi,” Logan said softly, looking down at me wrapped in a
flannel blanket on the porch chair.

“Hi,” I repeated with the same thoughtfulness. He looked
amazing as always in his black wool pea coat with a dark work suit underneath.

“How are you feeling this morning?” His blatant glance to
my crotch heated the blood in my cheeks.

“Better,” I replied softly, regretting looking up to meet
his humorous gaze.

“That’s good to hear.” The corner of his lip twitched. “I
wanted to ask about Valentine’s, but I overheard you have plans already.”

I took in his intimidating stance in front of me. He held
himself with such grace, strength, and power, and here I sat with bedhead and a
crotch slathered with balm. It suddenly felt like we were polar opposites,
defying the odds by enabling our attraction.

He was watching my every uncomfortable move as my mind
reeled back to wondering how long he’d been listening to his sister and me. The
idea of him overhearing us put me back on track with words ready to aim his
way.