Less-than-Innocent Invitation (4 page)

If he continued to pressure her, she had a few questions for him—ones she was sure he wouldn't want to answer.

She wasn't too sure she wanted to hear what he had to say, either.

Setting her bag on the bed, she searched through it for the clothes she'd worn during the day—a pair of black slacks and a blue silk blouse. She'd need to wear those tomorrow. Perhaps the first order of business in the morning would be shopping for some clothes and shoes.

Spotting her nightgown, she pulled it out and tossed it across a pillow. Restless, she paced across the room and glanced out the window. Her room was situated at the front of the house and she could clearly see the nearby cottages. Why had he chosen to install her in his home?

To embarrass her? To make her feel uncomfortable? Well, he'd accomplished both.

Feeling edgy, Melissa walked over to the bed. At this rate she wasn't going to get an ounce of sleep. She needed a book or a newspaper, something to take her mind off seeing Logan again, sleeping in his house. Then she remembered seeing some magazines in his living room when she'd passed it earlier. Hoping she could find the way, she went in search of it.

A few minutes after leaving her room, she'd gotten turned around and wasn't even sure where the living room was, but she passed by what looked to be Logan's study and noticed a few magazines on a table. Stepping inside, she picked one up and thumbed through it. She was turning to leave when she was startled by Logan's voice.

“I didn't expect to see you again until morning.”

Melissa dropped the magazine to the floor. “I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were in here.” He must have been sitting in his chair with his back to her. Darn!

Logan watched her pick up the magazine and straighten. “Somehow I figured out on my own that you hadn't come looking for me.”

“I couldn't sleep, no thanks to you.”

Logan stood. “You're annoyed.”

Fire flashed through her eyes. Annoyed? No, she was angry that he'd professed to love her, only to marry another woman shortly after she'd left. “I don't like being manipulated.”

“All I did was offer you and your coworkers a place to stay.” Despite Melissa's terse tone, Logan couldn't take his eyes off her. Even mad at him, she was beautiful. He'd dreamed of seeing her again, but he'd never allowed himself to believe she might one day be in his house. To have her here brought a wealth of emotions to the surface. Frustration. Hurt. Anger.

And desire.

She clutched the magazine to her. “Don't, Logan.”

“Don't what, sweetheart?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Make light of what you've done.”

“Meaning?”

“Using our situation of being without a hotel room to install me in your house. Or should we start where you approached me at the ball? Take your pick,” she told him, still angry with him.

Logan walked over to her. “I thought I was doing you a favor.”

She held up her hand. “It won't work. You're not going to make me feel guilty about leaving.”

He stepped closer until only inches separated them. “You're the one who brought it up this time, Melissa. Maybe you do feel guilty. Care to talk about it?”

“No.” At his nearness, Melissa swallowed hard. He was too near. Too dangerous. Too tempting. She stepped back. “I think I better leave.”

“Really?” he murmured, his voice hoarse. Logan closed the distance between them and slipped his hand behind her neck, his fingers inching into her hair. He wondered how, after she'd left him, he could feel anything more than pain. But he couldn't deny that he wanted to kiss her.

Melissa pressed her hands against his chest. “Yes.” She lifted her face to his, stared into his eyes, refused to back down.

“Did you ever think about me, about what we had together?”

Sensations of awareness coiled through her as he watched her, his gaze intense. “No.”

“You're lying.” Logan ran his thumb over her bottom lip, wanting more than ever to taste her. But he'd be foolish to get involved with her again. She'd proven to him once that she couldn't be trusted with his heart. “When the time is right, you'll admit it. I can promise you that.” With every ounce of willpower he had, he let her go and went to the door.

“Logan.” Melissa waited for him to look at her. When he did, her knees went weak even as her confidence returned. “Don't push me,” she said boldly. “You might not like what you hear.”

Without answering, he walked out, leaving her wondering what would have happened if he'd kissed her. Would kissing him have proven that she was over him? Or, God forbid, would it have reawakened feelings for him she'd buried deep inside?

She began to pace. How was she going to stay in his house and be able to keep her emotions under lock and key? Every time he came near her, every time he touched her, she wanted to know what it would be like to taste him again. The longer she stayed, the more difficult it would be to keep him at arm's length.

And that's what she wanted, no
needed,
to do.

As Melissa returned to her room and put on her nightgown, she decided that tomorrow she'd focus on gathering information for her story. Once she covered all aspects of it, she'd leave Royal, and Logan, behind.

This time forever.

 

In his bedroom, Logan stripped off his clothes and took a cold shower. It did little to take his mind off the woman sleeping across the hall. Having Melissa walk back into his life had disrupted his otherwise placid life.

He was the one who had orchestrated getting her here to his home so if he lost a night's sleep obsessing about her, he had only himself to blame. What
had
he been thinking? Their past relationship and subsequent breakup should have warned him to stay away from her.

When she'd broken up with him and left town, he'd been hurt and disappointed and disheartened. She'd never given him the chance to talk to her. Why? He'd been foolish enough to believe she loved him. But a bet
ter opportunity clearly had come her way and she'd grabbed it without even thinking about him.

He'd been in a well of pain, given to feeling sorry for himself until eventually, feeding on the need to survive without her, he'd pulled himself together enough to think about the ranch.

Then he'd met Cara through his brother, Bart. Attractive and provocative, she'd stroked his ego. Before he knew what hit him, he was knee-deep involved with her. When she began talking about getting married, Logan hadn't taken her seriously because they hadn't been dating very long. But then, he'd thought, he hadn't known Melissa long, either, and he'd wanted to marry her.

But Cara had kept talking about marriage and he warmed to the idea. He cared for her, and they'd enjoyed being with each other.

Though he could honestly say he'd tried, his relationship with Cara hadn't worked out. She hadn't been any happier on the ranch than Bart had been. While Logan and Cara had gotten along well when dating, they'd argued often during their marriage. Finally, Logan hadn't been able to take it any longer. When he'd asked her for a divorce, she hadn't fought him. It was only after she'd left that he'd faced the truth—he hadn't loved her.

Not like Melissa.

Half aroused from thinking about her sleeping across the hall, he threw his damp towel on the bathroom vanity, went into his bedroom and climbed into bed. As he lay down, he interlaced his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling.

Was he a fool to have brought Melissa here? He'd thought he'd been smart by keeping her in town to confront her.

And to give himself peace of mind.

So far, at every turn, instead of putting his past with Melissa to rest, she'd stirred up feelings of frustration, anger and awareness.

And lust.

The sex between them had always run hot, the reason he'd become so deeply involved with her. The first time he made love to her, he'd known that what he felt for her was different than for any other woman he'd been with. She'd gotten under his skin.

Now things were different. When she'd left him before, she'd severed any emotional attachment he'd had for her.

Lust he could handle.

His goal in getting Melissa to stay in Royal wasn't about getting her in bed.

As long as he remembered that, his heart was safe.

T
he next morning, Logan walked in the back door after meeting with his foreman about a new roof for one of the barns. The aroma of bacon and eggs filled the air as he headed to the dining room for breakfast.

He hadn't seen Melissa yet this morning, and after their encounter in his study last night, he half expected her to avoid him.

As he stepped into the kitchen, Norah approached him, the phone pressed to her apron.

“Gavin is on the telephone. He said it was important and he couldn't reach you on your cell.”

Logan checked his belt where he usually clipped his cell and realized he'd left it in his room. “Thanks, Norah,” he said, accepting the phone, “I'll take it in the study.”

Recently elected to the position of sheriff, Gavin O'Neal was well-respected throughout the community. As a member of the TCC, his experience in law enforcement was invaluable. With their property lines next to each other, Gavin and Logan were neighbors as well as friends.

So why was he calling so early?

Dropping into his chair behind his desk, Logan picked up the telephone. “Hey, Gavin.”

Gavin's voice drawled across the line, “Morning, Logan.”

“What's up?”

“Can you meet at the club this morning?”

At the seriousness of his friend's tone, Logan sat straighter in his chair. “What's going on?”

“I want to discuss the autopsy findings on Jonathan Devlin. As you know, I'm down a few deputies and I may be needing your help with the investigation.”

The recent murder of Jonathan Devlin, the town's main historian, had everyone concerned. After falling into a coma, he'd been hospitalized. In the days prior to his death, he'd begun showing signs of improvement and the doctors cautiously had believed he would recover.

Instead, he'd died of a sudden heart attack.

An ornery man, Jonathan hadn't been especially liked by the community. The circumstances of his death were peculiar, so an autopsy had been performed.

“I've already talked to Jake, Thomas and Connor,” Gavin said. “I'll call Mark as soon as I hang up with you.”

Logan glanced at his planner. “What time do you want us there?”

“Ten-thirty.”

“I'll be there.” Logan disconnected the line.

Grimacing, he stood and left the study. What had Gavin found? From his hard tone, it couldn't be good.

Logan arrived in the dining room to find Daniel and Rick across from each other at the table already eating.

Rick looked up. “Hi, Logan. We were going to wait for you, but Norah insisted that we start eating while the food was hot.”

“I'm glad you did. I had a call I needed to take.” He sat at the end of the table nearest them. “Where's Melissa?” Logan hadn't meant to ask, but the words had just spilled out of his mouth. Annoyed with himself, he buttered a piece of toast, then added some eggs and bacon to his plate.

“Haven't seen her yet,” Rick said.

Logan raised an eyebrow. When he'd dated her, she usually had been out of bed before him. “Not a morning person?”

“Are you kidding?” Daniel took a sip of his coffee, made a grunt of approval, then took another sip. “She's usually the first one into work every day.”

Chewing his food, Logan found that interesting. It could only mean one thing. Melissa
was
in her room avoiding him. Well, if she thought she'd wait him out, she was in for a surprise.

He wasn't going anywhere until he saw her.

 

The scent of bacon and eggs hit Melissa as she left her room the next morning. The thought of eggs made her stomach roil. She'd settle for a cup of coffee and a
piece of toast. She'd hardly slept at all, and she wasn't in the greatest of moods. It had nothing to do with her conversation with Logan last night. Nothing to do with being tempted to kiss him.

Nothing to do with sleeping only a few rooms away from him.

Today she would borrow Daniel's car to run some errands. Before she did any additional investigation on her story, she needed to buy some clothes.

Her steps faltered as she entered the dining room and saw Logan. He was sitting at a large walnut table, a cup of coffee in his hand. Daniel and Rick also were seated at the table.

“Good morning, everyone. I was hoping to find a cup of coffee.”

Logan looked up at her approach. “Have a seat. I'll pour you some.”

She saw the coffee urn on the table and reached for it. “Thanks, Logan, but please don't get up. I can do it,” she said without looking at him.

“Morning, Melissa,” Daniel said.

Rick finished a bite of his food, then swallowed. “Hey, Melissa.”

With her cup full, she pulled out a chair and sat down, thankful that Rick and Daniel were seated next to Logan and she didn't have to sit near him. She added sugar and cream to her coffee, then looked up at Daniel. “I'd like to borrow your car for a while this morning. I have some errands to run. I also need to head over to the museum and check out the Halifax exhibit, get the details on what happened with the vandalism.”

Daniel shook his head. “Sorry, Melissa, but my plans have changed. As much as I was looking forward to staying here for a few days, I have to head back to Houston.”

Melissa's hand froze in the middle of reaching for a piece of toast. “What? Why?”

“Jason called this morning. There's a story breaking in Houston about busting a drug ring.”

“Then we're leaving,” she concluded.

“I am,” he clarified. “I'm leaving you and Rick here to work on the Jessamine Golden story and how it might tie in with the Halifax exhibit.”

“Are you sure you want to go there, Daniel?” she asked, trying one last time to dissuade him. “There's probably nothing to it. So far, no one even knows what it means. And the map is hardly worth mentioning.”

Daniel picked up his cup, then paused before taking a sip. “Stay on it. The appearance of the map is interesting enough to follow. And I want more about the historical mystery.” He nodded. “Contact me when you've finished your first segment on the ball and the Halifax exhibit.”

Frustrated, she set down her coffee. “I'll work on it. I hope the mystery surrounding Jessamine Golden doesn't disappoint you.”

“It's going to go over big. I just know it. A lot of wealthy, influential people live here. Who knows who could be involved?” He sat back in his chair and looked at Logan with gratitude. “Well, I've gotta run. I can't thank you enough for your hospitality, Logan.” He stood and extended his hand. “Don't get up. I'll see myself out.”

“You're welcome anytime.” As Daniel left, Logan
glanced at Melissa, who didn't look at all pleased that her producer was leaving her in Royal. From the cold shoulder she'd been giving him, he had a feeling she was eager to avoid him. More determined than ever to pin her down, he said, “I can give you a lift into town, Melissa.” Being alone with her in the car would be the perfect opportunity to question her. She couldn't avoid answering him there.

“I appreciate it, Logan, but Rick will still be here. I'll ride in with him.”

Rick stuffed the last of his bacon into his mouth, chewed it, then swallowed. “Logan said I could hang around the ranch this morning and take a look at his operation.”

She stared at him with disbelief. “What?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “C'mon, Melissa. You're not going to be shooting this morning, are you?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Then you don't really need me. The ranch foreman's already agreed to let me tag along with him for a while.”

“I have a meeting at the Cattleman's Club so I'm going into town anyway,” Logan cut in. “You might as well ride with me.”

Melissa finished the last of her coffee. This wasn't working at all the way she'd planned. The last thing she wanted was to spend more time in Logan's company. Why? she asked herself. Because she didn't trust Logan? Or because she didn't trust her own feelings for him? “Thanks anyway, but I can take Rick's truck.”

“If you take my truck, then later want me to meet you, I won't have any way to get there,” Rick told her.

“All right,” she said, accepting her fate. “But keep your cell phone with you in case I need you.” Fine. She'd ride into town with Logan. Maybe after she poked around a little at the museum, she'd learn that the vandalism of the exhibit was merely a prank. If so, she'd write a conclusion to her story and leave Royal by tomorrow.

And say goodbye to Logan. Again.

 

Logan's pickup rocked as he hit a pothole on the back road before turning onto the main highway and heading toward Royal. “Do you plan to remain silent the entire ride?” He glanced at Melissa. “Or do you plan to talk to me?”

Melissa looked up from her reporter's notebook. “I'm not ignoring you. I'm thinking about the story I'm working on.” She went back to flipping through the pages. If she were inclined to talk, she'd demand to know who he'd married. Which she could never do because it would seem as if she were interested in him. Which she wasn't. Really.

Still, it grated on her nerves to know he'd married within months of her leaving. His actions only solidified her reason for breaking up with him. He'd needed a wife to secure his inheritance. It hadn't mattered who the woman was.

Old hurt coiled through her as she recalled the day she'd found out why he'd proposed. She'd run into a friend from school, Cara Young, who had been dating Logan's brother, Bart. Cara had revealed that the terms of their father's will dictated that the first of his sons to marry would inherit the ranch.

Because he didn't want the ranch, Bart had refused to marry Cara to get it. He'd told her that he and Logan had made a deal. Logan would marry Melissa, thereby securing the ranch, then he'd buy out Bart's portion. Cara had been furious.

Crushed and betrayed, Melissa hadn't wanted to believe Cara. But she'd thought about Logan's words right after he'd proposed.

I'll have everything I've ever wanted, Melissa. I'll have you and the Wild Spur.

The truth had been right there for her to hear. She had been too in love with Logan to see it. So she'd done the only thing she could to save her self-respect. She'd given Logan his ring back and left town, using her desire to be a reporter as the reason she'd changed her mind about marrying him.

Did he really want to dredge all that up?

Glancing at him, Melissa noticed his taut jaw, his white knuckles as he gripped the steering wheel. This certainly wasn't going to be a pleasant experience if they couldn't be civil with each other. She'd probably be with him for only a few days at the most. How hard could it be?

“I appreciate your giving me a lift into town.”

“Where do you want to go first?” Logan asked, deciding not to press her now. They'd be in town in a few minutes. When he talked to her, he wanted time on his side.

“Shopping.”

Her response evoked a grin from him and lightened his mood as he thought about the times they'd gone shopping together. “You always did like clothes.” And she'd looked damn good in whatever she wore. Even
better when she was naked. He stole a look at her, letting his gaze drift over her breasts. Though she was still thin, her body had gentle curves and swells that were hard to ignore. He dragged his eyes back to the road.

“I can't very well wear these same clothes every day that I'm here,” she said, feeling the need to defend herself because he probably hadn't forgotten how much she loved shopping. He used to go with her often.

“I was just teasing you.”

“Oh, gee, I missed that.”

“You can walk around naked for all I care.”

Her eyes widened. “Logan!”

Thinking about her naked sent all kinds of erotic images through his mind. Ever since she'd arrived, Logan had been fighting the desire to kiss her. Though he'd started this, he needed to clear his thoughts. Otherwise he would be very uncomfortable for the remainder of the ride into town—and the rest of the day. “All right. Do you want to go to the museum after you shop?”

She watched him warily. “Yes. I think that's the best place to start investigating the vandalism of the Halifax exhibit.”

“I don't know how long my meeting will be. I'll drop you downtown, then come back and pick you up.”

“Thanks.” She turned to a fresh page in her notebook and jotted down her phone number, then she ripped out the page and handed it to him. “This is my cell number. Call me when you're on your way and I'll let you know where I am.”

He stuffed it into his front shirt pocket. “I shouldn't be too long.”

She turned a little in her seat to face him. “As a long-time resident, why do you think anyone would vandalize the Halifax exhibit?”

He shrugged. “Beats me. Maybe someone's just trying to tarnish Gretchen Halifax's name. Could be someone doesn't want her to win against Jake for mayor,” he speculated.

Her brows dipped in thought. “Do you think she
will
win?”

“It's hard to say. Jake is a strong candidate. He's a local businessman and he's well liked in the community.”

By his tone, Melissa read into what he hadn't said. “And Gretchen Halifax isn't?”

“I didn't say that, but, truthfully, I don't know her that well. She comes across as very ambitious. I guess that's not always a bad thing.”

Intrigued, Melissa jotted some notes on her pad. “Does she have any secrets?”

“None that I know of.” He had a gut feeling there was more to her, but with nothing solid to go on, he didn't speculate further.

“Does Jake Thorne?”

At her focused, intelligent questions, Logan let his gaze drifted over her feminine features. She was a beautiful woman, but he'd always known there was more to Melissa than her appearance.