Your Captivating Love (24 page)

“We won’t get very far if we continue like this,” Logan says when we pull apart.

“We’re going somewhere?” I tilt my head up, moving my focus from his full lips to his dark eyes. “Besides home?”

“Yep.”

He opens the door of the car, gesturing for me to step inside.

“Where are we going?” I ask once he’s inside too.

“To have a little private celebration because you’re going to see your designs on a runway.”

I yawn. “Can’t we do that tomorrow? I’m so sleepy.”

Gunning the engine, Logan shakes his head. “No can do. You’ll be a star after tomorrow night. Everyone will want to interview you. Tonight, you’re only mine.”

“Oh, that reminds me. I decided to throw a pseudo-opening party for the store in two days.”

“Huh?”

“Pippa and Ava said there will be reporters from influential magazines at the Bennett show, and that it’d be good if I threw a party right after the show and invited them.”

“It’s a good idea,” he says thoughtfully. “But more work. Hence, more power to my argument. We need to celebrate tonight.”

“So, you’re kidnapping me?” I ask coyly, curiosity overpowering my tiredness.

He confirms it with a nod as the car speeds through downtown.

“You still didn’t tell me where we’re going,” I remind him.

“Now, it wouldn’t be kidnapping if I told you, would it?”

“Okay.” I wait patiently as he drives out to the edge of the city and up one of the hills. The car comes to a halt in a curious place: a patch of woods where the lights of the city are visible in all their glory. We exit the car and sit on the hood. It’s one week before Christmas, but the weather is remarkably warm, and there is almost no wind.

“What is this?” I ask.

“Few people know about this place. At least, I’ve never run into anyone here. I like to come here and think. The first time, it was after Sebastian and I signed a big contract. It was the most crucial deal in our ‘go big or go home’ strategy. I made a promise to myself that no matter how things turned out, I’d always remember my roots and take care of my family. By then, I’d seen what money could do to people. It can turn them into selfish shells, or bastards. I didn’t want to be one of them.”

He says all this while glancing at the lights in the distance. I try to gauge whether he’s sending me a message because tomorrow is my big night, but I realize he’s simply Logan. Very self-aware and grounded. I realize something else too, something even more important. He’s allowing me in, and that’s worth even more than whatever success the show will bring me tomorrow.

“I can’t wait to bring my parents to San Francisco,” I confess. In response, he squeezes my hand, and it’s all the support and reassurance I need. “This is your special place,” I say brightly. “And you brought me here. That makes me feel special too.”

“You are, Nadine.” Turning to me, he cups the back of my neck, bringing me inches away from his lips. “You’ve invaded every facet of my life, and I love it.”

Logan’s mouth covers mine, his kiss a testament of both our desperation. In a haze, I sense him pushing himself over me. I let myself lie with my back against the hood of the car, my hands roaming over the taut tendons of his arms.

“You’re mine.” His tone drips of determination. Nodding, I lean in for another kiss, but he denies me. “I want to hear you say it out loud.”

“I’m yours. Only yours.”

His dark eyes probe me for a few seconds, then he leans in and gives me the sweetest of kisses. Needing more of him, my fingers fist in his hair, demanding passion and relief. When we pull apart for breath, his hair is mussed, his eyes hooded.
My man is incredibly sexy.
On a sigh, I feel myself getting slicker.

His hand cups between my legs over my jeans, as if saying that’s his too. I become slicker still. Arching into him, I seek the release only he can give me. His palm presses straight on my clit. I rasp out his name along with a deep, guttural moan.

“I want you.” His low voice does dangerous and delicious things to my body. He dips his hand in his back pocket, retrieving a condom, and placing it right between my breasts. Desperate for him, I unzip his jeans, pushing them past his ass. I slip my hand in the waistband of his jeans, palming his hot and hard length.

Logan’s breath comes out in short, fast bursts as I move my hand with urgency. He makes quick work of pushing my pants down, and there’s just our underwear between us. He kicks off his boxers, and I roll the condom over his erection. He doesn’t bother removing my thong; instead, he pushes the fabric to one side, entering me in one swift move.

We both groan at the connection. As Logan moves in and out of me, my senses are overwhelmed by him. I hitch my legs around his waist, giving him better access. The contrast of the cold hood of the car against my ass, and his hot body over mine becomes almost too much. His thumb circles my clit, driving me crazy. Anticipation builds inside me with a vengeance, and I become insatiable.

My nails dig in his ass as my hips move in sync with him. He fills me utterly and completely until my orgasm hits hard. I ride the wave of my climax alongside him, pulsing around him, crying out against his mouth. As he captures my pleasure, he gives me his release, wild and sweet at the same time.

***

T
he day of the show is surreal. I wake up at five o’clock and am in a frenzy the entire day in my shop. I would’ve preferred to be at the show location, even though there’s nothing for me to do there. Pippa messaged me during breakfast, letting me know she has everything under control, and I don’t have to worry about anything. I can’t help it, though. Every time something good happened to me, it was followed up by something bad that completely obscured my happiness. The show is one of the best things ever to happen to me, and my experience has taught me that good things come at a price.

The afternoon is unusually quiet, with only a few customers. Struggling to keep my mind from imagining scenarios of my doom, I answer my emails when the store’s empty. I leave a certain email from Archer until the very end. I was supposed to give him my answer two days ago, but it completely slipped my mind, what with the show preparations and everything. I type up a long reply, and then delete it. No, it’s best if I call him. He doesn’t pick up. Weird. He used to answer my calls after the first ring. Maybe he’s upset I haven’t called him before, but I had my reasons. I insist, and he picks up after the third try.

“Hello, Archer. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Make it quick.” His tone is brisk and cold, very different from his usual friendly demeanor. He is upset I didn’t call him in the time frame he gave me. Well, he’s making this easier.

“I know I was supposed to call you and tell you my decision, but I—”

“Your boyfriend made your decision clear.”

“What are you talking about?” I rub the back of my neck. The skin there prickles as my stomach constricts with foreboding.

“He made the message pretty clear when he gave me a black eye.”

“I don’t...” My words falter as I remember Logan’s split lip. No, that must be a coincidence. Logan told me he hurt his lip on a glass. He wouldn’t lie to me. Would he? “What are you talking about?”

“Logan attacked me yesterday. He told me to stay away from you. You can consider my offer for cooperation invalid. Don’t call me again.”

I clutch my phone, stunned. What is going on? Archer must be lying. This can’t be happening. Logan would never lie to me.

***

I
arrive at the Bennett show with my heart in my throat, an hour before it’s set to begin. Pippa leads me to hair and makeup, instructing the personnel to turn me into “a star
.
” I’ll be wearing one of my dresses, of course, a red bandage one. When the prep team is done working their magic on me, I resemble the models who’ll be wearing my designs.

Pippa whistles when she sees me. “Logan’ll have a heart attack when you come onto the runway with me at the end.”

“Where is he now? I need to talk to him.”

“No can do. The girls will start walking on the runway in five minutes.” Pippa’s exuberant smile falters. My apprehension must be visible on my face because she adds, “Is everything all right with you and Logan?”

“No idea,” I say in a small voice.

“Right. You can tell me all about it after the show, and I’ll help you kick my brother’s ass, but right now—”

“How do you know I’m not the one who should have her ass kicked?” As usual, being around Pippa makes me smile.

She puts her hands on her hips. “Call it sixth sense. Also, I know Logan. He has this excellent talent for making me want to strangle and hug him at the same time. I have a hunch you just discovered that.” Stopping one of the servers, she says, “Bring Nadine a cupcake from the buffet outside, please.” After he takes off, she winks at me. “When men mess up, cupcakes make everything better.”

While munching on my cupcake a few minutes later, I have to admit there is some truth to Pippa’s words. She waits for me to finish, puts my plate away, and takes me by the shoulders.

“This is your night. Enjoy it. You can deal with my brother later.”

Smiling, I nod.

Pippa and I remain backstage during the show, doing the last checks on each girl. At the end of the show, Pippa always walks out on the runway. Whenever a new designer provides the clothes for the show, he or she walks with Pippa at the end. This year, I’ll be joining her. My palms sweat just thinking about it.

After the very last piece of jewelry is presented, Pippa takes my hand. “Ready?”

“Not really.” I say this with a grin on my face. The atmosphere is infectious. The models are loud, laughing and joking, waiting to walk outside one last time, led by Pippa and me. Drawing in a deep breath, I announce, “Now I’m ready.”

Praying not to stumble over my own feet, I step on the runway with Pippa by my side. The crowd erupts in applause. The deafening sound has the unexpected effect of calming my nerves. I realize I was chewing the inside of my cheek. Carefully, I put one foot in front of the other. I can’t make out any faces because the spotlight blinds me, so I wave in the general direction of the crowd, smiling brightly and whole-heartedly.

When we return backstage, my legs begin to tremble.

“Oh. My. God! My legs have turned to Jell-O.”

“That’s adrenaline,” Pippa explains. “Listen, quick instructions. There will be reporters wanting to speak to you. Just be calm and be yourself.”

“Noted.”

“Don’t forget, there are plenty of cupcakes out there. If you feel down, grab one.”

“Only you could give that advice with a straight face, sister.” Logan appears from behind us, taking both Pippa and me by the waist. “You two were stunning out there.”

“This is my cue to leave before becoming a third wheel,” Pippa says. She gives me a knowing look as she leaves.

Logan loses no time, pulling me in the now-empty hair and makeup section. Hairspray clogs the air, and breathing becomes a chore.

“I wanted to kidnap you from that stage,” he says in a low, seductive voice. “Since we’ll both be busy with reporters tonight, I wanted to give you a quick—or not-so-quick—kiss before the mayhem begins.”

I take a deep breath, unable to meet his eyes.

“Is something wrong?” he asks.

“What
really
happened to your lip?” I blurt out.

Logan takes a step back, remaining silent for almost a minute. Finally, jamming his hands in his pockets, he asks, “You spoke with Archer?”

“Yes.”

I fold my arms over my chest, looking at him expectantly. “I asked you not to get involved.”

“The guy is scamming designers, Nadine.” Running a hand through his hair, he sighs in frustration.

I bite my tongue, digesting this new piece of information. “I did my own research and thought something wasn’t right. He wouldn’t give me the contact information of any designer he’s worked with. That was a big red flag. I wasn’t going to go into business with him anyway. Why did you do all this behind my back?”

“I was going to talk to you about it after the show. I didn’t want to spoil this for you.” Taking a deep breath, he adds, “Since it’s confession time, I should also tell you that the bank didn’t approve your loan, so I paid your old debt.”

I gasp. “You. . . Oh, Logan.”

“Nadine, I just want to protect you. You know that, right?”

“I do, but you... Oh, God. We don’t have time to talk about this right now. I need to go outside to the reporters.”

“Of course. We can talk later, at home.”

“We’ll both be tired and angry, and that’s not a good combo for a talk.”

Logan straightens his shoulders. “Okay. We’ll sleep and talk tomorrow.”

“I think I should sleep at Ava’s tonight.”

“What?” Logan stiffens.

“It’s that... I won’t be able to sleep at home knowing you’re next to me, and we still have to talk about this. I’ll sleep at Ava’s, and tomorrow I’ll come home. We’ll be both be rested and we can talk. I just need a good night sleep, that’s all.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Okay, I’ll pick you up.”

I nod as Pippa steps into the room, throwing her hands in the air. “Here you are. What are you doing?” Watching Logan and me, she adds, “Looks like I need to kick your ass, brother. However, this is bad timing. Reporters are waiting to interview you. Nadine, too.”

Logan nods and leaves the room. Immediately, Pippa hurries to me, putting an arm around my shoulders. “I have a feeling cupcakes won’t cheer you up. This is tequila territory.”

Despite myself, I laugh. Then I draw in a deep breath. “I’ll need to crash at Ava’s place tonight. I’ll talk to Logan tomorrow.”

“You can stay with me,” Pippa says. “Now, I need you to smile and charm reporters. There are people from
Vogue
and
Elle
who want to talk to you.”

“Bad timing,” I mumble to myself.

“Unfortunately, life tends to be a series of badly timed events,” Pippa responds. “Go get them. This is your night.”

I hug Pippa. “Thank you for everything.”