Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection (23 page)

“He’s trapped in Hong Kong.”

Trying to digest all this information, she rubbed her palms together, overwhelmed.

“Logan wants you to know he saw only a portion of these photos, specifically the ones kissing your ex.”

“He didn’t see how I kicked Zack out afterward?”

“Not until he reached out to Stiner and had him send the rest of the proofs. If he had seen them all from the get-go, at the very least, he would’ve wanted to talk to you to get the whole story. His mother has a way of manipulating things to her satisfaction and most of the time, Logan sees right through it. When it comes to you, it’s different. You see, she wants him to marry for money or fame. She doesn’t care if he’s happy or in love—she doesn’t believe in it.”

“He doesn’t either. Believe in love. Partly because of his parents. How…how…wicked of her to do something like this.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Wicked. It’s funny because it’s true.”

“Well, it’s just as good a word as any,” she mumbled, flushing.

Neil smiled, shaking his head. “You really are a charmer.”

“Just because I used the word wicked?”

“I don’t know if anyone’s told you, but you have a guileless quality. Something that’s rare to find in a woman these days. Don’t confuse guileless with childish,” he added when she made a face. “They aren’t the same. I hope you hang on to it as long as you can, Jordana.”

“Are you always so frank?”

“Always.”

Her smile was soft. “I like that.” She looked down and sighed, wondering how she should react to something like this, still numb. Part of her outraged at the knowledge she’d been spied on, her privacy violated, and that actions had been convoluted to appear much more scandalous. All so Ms. Savant could make sure her son would want nothing to do with her. “What now, Neil?”

“That’s up to you. This is where I cut ties. Believe it or not, I have other things to do than play messenger for you and Logan. He just wanted you to know why he behaved the way he did.” He paused. “I’ll leave you to it. Just remember, you have two things on your side, Jordana. The truth. And love.” He rolled his eyes and slapped a hand on his thigh before he stood. “I can’t believe I just said that. Excuse me while go something unapologetically masculine.”

She laughed. “You’re wrong, Neil. I have three things on my side.” At his look, she amended, “Don’t worry. It’ll be our secret.”

He tucked a hand in his pocket, smiling. “Listen. What you and Logan have, it’s hard to find. Hard to keep. Easy to let pride, people, gossip, and other bullshit get in the way. You shouldn’t let Diedre have the last word for you two. Just so you know, he’ll be back Friday after next.”

Bolstered by his words, she smiled. “Thanks, Neil.”

“No sweat. If things don’t work out, I hope you keep in touch once a while. I might need an insider to an ear, nose, and throat specialist some day.”

“As I might need an honest lawyer.”

Neil put his finger to his mouth. “Shh.” Winked at her, then left.

Later that night, Jordana debated what she should do, the pictures spread all over her bed while she paced.

The hurt from how Logan had treated her that night had dissipated to understanding. He’d thought she was a liar. A cheater. Had the proof for his eyes to see. Although it frustrated her he didn’t bother to hear her side of things, she couldn’t harbor anger for it anymore.

Deep down, she knew she was already emotionally making her way back to him.

After wearing a hole in her floor, she typed out a text to Logan, staring at her draft message for five full minutes before sending it: I saw Neil. Now I need to see you…

Barely a minute passed when she got a reply from Logan: If I could I’d fly home right now. I have so much to say.

Me too. In person. Come home soon, she wrote back.

A pause. 9 long days. You’ll wait for me?

She smiled. As long as it takes.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Friday of Logan’s return had finally come.

Jordana she couldn’t stop watching the clock at work and as soon as the last patient had been checked out, she made a path to her car.

Logan had texted her every few hours, telling her about his day. When he landed. When he arrived at work. Then meeting after meeting.

When he told her he didn’t know when he’d able to break free, she told him she was coming to him anyway. That she’d wait in his office, even if they only got a few minutes.

He liked that plan.

Knowing they were so close yet so far away had nearly driven her crazy, and while she moved along with the sluggish traffic, her anticipation only multiplied.

In hindsight, she should’ve brought some clothes to change into. The only thing she had time to do was brush out her hair from its sock bun and apply a little lip stain. Frankly, she didn’t care she’d be walking into Savant Financial Group with her white scrubs covered in yellow butterflies. Glancing at the time, she groaned at how fast time would go, and how painfully slow traffic moved.

When she saw the exit, her heart hammered with excitement.

The lobby was packed with employees done with their workday, milling around discussing end-of-the-day business, cell phones going off and being answered.

“Excuse me…pardon…oops, sorry,” she apologized as she wove her way through the crowd. People bumped into her, in a hurry to get home.

It felt like swimming upstream. When she got to the security desk, no one was there. Up on her toes, she searched around for a security guard to check-in. “Oh, forget it.”

Rushing to the row of elevators, she waited for one to open; the only person going up when the rest were coming down. Once she heard a chime, and a herd of Savant employees abandoned the elevator, she swung inside and hit the button.

Just then, the elevator across hers opened. Standing in the middle, with a group of men in suits flanking him, was Logan. He hadn’t seen her; his profile was averted as he sliced his hand in the air, and spoke in a sharp, business-like tone, “Cancel the meeting next week with Wilkinson. I can’t stand indecision for a deal clearly in their favor, which translates they’re up to something.” The stout gentleman next to him nodded. Logan started to step off when he looked up, his incredible blue eyes locking with hers. Trapped by his gaze, she stood frozen.

Then her doors closed. She snapped out of her reverie and hit them with a light fist. “For crying out loud!” As she soared to the top floor, her pulse thrummed in her ears.

“Fifty-first floor,” announced the robotic female voice. The doors parted to the executive offices and she furiously pressed the button for the main level. Seconds later, the elevator slowed, dinged, and the voice relayed, “Main level.”

Jordana rushed out, looking right then left.

No Logan.

Did he go back up?

To make sure, she rushed to the lobby. The crowd had thinned and there were only a few lingering, but no Logan.

He must’ve gone back up to meet her at his office? About to step on the elevator again, she heard a voice behind her. “Excuse me, miss. You lost?”

She swung around to the security guard who’d risen from his seat behind the desk. “Uh, no,” she told him.

“If you’re going up, you need to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge.”

“Oh, please just let me go. I swear I’m not dangerous.”

He didn’t care. Grabbing the clipboard, he slapped it on the counter and jabbed a finger on the paper. With a whine under her breath, Jordana marched over. She scribbled her name and set down the pen. The security guard—name tag said Joe—lifted his gray, wiry brows. “Reason for your visit?” He pointed to the blank space.

Holding back a harsh sigh, she retrieved the pen and filled in her answer. She tapped her foot in impatience as he took his sweet time opening a drawer and writing her name on a card. He slid the temporary ID in the holder with a superior, artificially polite smile. “There you are, miss.”

She plucked it from his hand. “Thank you so much,” she said a little sarcastically.

A male voice boomed in the lobby. “Savant! What do you mean you’re done for the day? What the devil? Where are you going?”

Jordana snapped her attention to her right, and saw Logan striding from the bank of elevators.

Heart in her throat, she pushed away from the desk, unable to conceal the absolute joy from her face. His shoes squeaked on the floor as he stopped.

She started to smile, repeating the words he’d spoken to her that first night. “I really hope you’re looking for me.”

A slow grin spread his face while he strode toward her.

She shortened the distance, hurrying to him.

And with everyone watching, he captured her face and kissed her. Kissed her long, with passion, adding force that caused her lean back. Hoots and whistles surrounded them, echoing off the walls.

When he broke off, she was lightheaded and breathless. “What happened to your poker face at the office?”

Staring in her eyes, shaking his head, he skimmed his fingers over her cheek. “When it comes to you, there’s no such thing.”

The Vice President of Client Relations strolled over to the security desk, as employees and visitors alike watched the two with amusement and awe, keeping their distance. “Who’s that, Joe?” he asked.

The guard shrugged and checked the visitor’s log. “Jordana something. On the reason for the visit she wrote, ‘In love with your boss.’”

***

Logan’s world felt right for the first time in weeks, and he was only vaguely aware of the scene they’d caused in his lobby. Perhaps he might care about it later, but at the moment, he really, really didn’t. It was amazing to have Jordana back in his arms, especially since, for a while there, he thought he never would. When they came up for air after another inappropriately long kiss, he spoke, his voice rasp. “Maybe we should go up to my office.”

Her hazel eyes gazed up at him with sweet lust. “We can make love in there?” she asked quietly.

He clenched his jaw, suppressing a needful growl. “Jordana—”

“People are staring. You’ll never live this down.”

“I don’t care. Now everyone knows.” He took her hand. “Forget the office. Let’s get out of here.”

With many pairs of eyes on them—no doubt people were wondering why the CEO was kissing the girl in the butterfly scrubs—he kept his eyes ahead, unable to suppress his grin.

As soon as they were in the car, he directed Tom to take them to his house. While he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, hold her, lose himself in her, first things first. “I have so much to say. How can I ever rectify how I treated you at the gala?”

She squeezed his palm. “If I’d been in your shoes, I would’ve been just as upset.”

“But you would’ve listened to my side. How I spoke to you is unforgivable. I let my emotions get the best of me. If I could go back I’d…at least tell me you forgive me. I’ll never treat you like that again.”

She cupped his face. “Of course I do, but it doesn’t matter now.”

“It does to me,” he emphasized. “I don’t know why I acted like such an unreasonable ass. The only excuses I have were intoxication and total refusal to be persuaded to change my mind about you, even though deep down I knew something was off. I still can’t believe I let my mother tell me what kind of person you are, as if she knew you better than I did. All I could see was you kissing Zack. I went a little out of my mind, I guess.”

She sighed, intertwining her fingers behind his neck. “He wasn’t a part of my world when you and I met, or even after we broke up.” Her voice started to shake as she continued. “And it infuriates me you thought I was the kind of person who would cheat on their fiancé, or sleep with two men at the same time. That I would possibly settle for you because it didn’t work out with him. I’d never do that.”

His gut filled with more regret, if that was even possible at this point. He hated causing her any ounce of pain. “I’m so sorry. This might be too little too late, but it never felt right, believing my mother, what I saw in the photos. I was mad jealous he had you and I didn’t. But, frankly Jordana, it was easier accepting you had someone else than accepting I’d never had you in the first place. Easier to think I didn’t really know you, that you lied to me.” He sighed long. “That’s what you get from a cynic like me.”

She searched his features for a few moments. “I didn’t trust you after what I heard and you didn’t trust me after what you saw. I guess we’re both guilty of putting more faith in our cynicism more than each other. And I’m sorry for not telling you about Zack. With all our jokes about commitment and marriage, I was embarrassed to mention my sad story.”

“You shouldn’t have been embarrassed at all. But I know I am for how I behaved.” He cupped her cheek. “You had every right not to trust me.”

She shrugged. “You didn’t know about my past and I kept it a secret.”

Felt so good to get all of this out in the open. He covered his hands over hers and kissed her fingers. “I should’ve been honest with my mother. Remember the actress I was dancing with at Marguerite’s party? She was the one who told my mom what you meant to me. Had I just introduced you and my mother that night, this would’ve never happened—”

She pressed two fingers to his mouth. “Let’s not talk about regrets anymore.”

He could go on and on with apologies, but she was right, it was time to close the door on what happened. “Come here,” he whispered, pulling her into his lap. He could smell her soap and still taste her lip balm on his mouth. The combination fueled his desire, surging his cock to life as she sat flush against him. Bringing her forehead to his, he whispered, “I want you. It’s been too long.”

Her lips parted on a whimper as she sank her hips in deeper, and kissed him with slow sensuality. While his fingers dug into the back of her skull, he slid his other hand under her shirt, needing to feel her. He cupped her breast, felt the peak of her nipple through the thin bra. Desperate to put his mouth there, he couldn’t wait to make her wet and writhe on him, but her stiff top wouldn’t allow it to happen with ease. “Where’s the zipper on this thing?” he complained.

She chuckled. “It doesn’t have a zipper. You have to pull it off.”

“Scrubs aren’t designed for great foreplay, are they? All I want to do is touch you, see you.”

She planted a soft kiss on his chin, a sexy smile on her mouth. “You will.”

Logan removed his jacket, and Jordana loosened his tie. With her legs wrapped around him, he did his best to keep from tearing her scrubs off and making love to her in the back seat. Desire demanded release inside her soon; reason said he could wait.

“I left my car at your office. Good thing I parked in an overnight garage,” she said. “And I don’t have a change of clothes so you’re getting me as-is.”

He chuckled. ‘As-is Jordana’ was stunning. “Where do think we’re going? I don’t plan to let you leave my bed ‘til Monday morning.”

“I can’t just spend the weekend with you with the scrubs on my back. I need my toothbrush, my hairbrush, something to wear…”

“These are all minor details.”

She gave a wistful smile, and a troubling look cast over her eyes.

He crooked his finger under chin, and made her raise her gaze. “What is it?”

She bit the corner of her lip. “That night at the benefit…or any night after it. I need to know. Were you ever—with anyone? I don’t want any secrets between us. I want to start fresh.”

Other women. She fretted if he’d slept with any. Though he’d been sorely tempted to lose himself in an empty sexual encounter like he used to, he’d realized something in him had changed since he met Jordana. The vacant lust was not there. He wanted a connection, craved it, and knew it was a waste of time to seek it in a stranger. Smearing his thumb across Jordana’s bottom lip, hearing her intake of breathy desire, seeing the devotion in her eyes, he needed these things from her. “The answer is no. I never so much as kissed another. It was going to take more than that to get over you. A lot more.”

She smiled softly. “I had no right to ask, because we both thought it was over between us, but I didn’t want to wonder.”

“I understand. What about you?” He brushed a finger under her chin.

She brought him in for a kiss. “As if you had to ask.”

Tom’s voice came through the speaker. “Ahem. Mr. Savant. We’ve arrived.”

He and Jordana chuckled as they disentangled themselves. “Sorry, Tom. Stay right there, I’ll get the door. I’m going to need you to run an errand for us.”

“Yes, sir.”

He told Tom to take the rest of the weekend off.

“It’s great to see you and Miss Shaw together again,” his usually reserved driver remarked.

When Logan rounded the car and walked up the walkway to the front door where Jordana waited, his hunger intensified. He wanted to ravish and ride and wreck himself inside her. She had no idea how much he ached, but she would have an inkling of it in about, oh, five seconds. After he punched in the code for the keyless lock and opened the door, she stopped in foyer, fingering the gleaming new side table by the door.

“Is this new? Whoa!” she cried as he hoisted her up over his shoulder and proceeded to remove her Crocs, dropping them as he climbed the steps.

“Don’t touch anything in the house until you’ve touched me.”

She laughed. “I can’t believe you’re taking me up the stairs like this.”

“This way, I know exactly where you’re going.” He made it to the bedroom and set her down to her feet, smiling devilishly.

“Logan, I don’t feel very sexy. I’ve been working all day.”

“I don’t care.” He unbuttoned his shirt. “You could be covered in mud and I’d still want to make love to you. Please don’t make me wait.”

With a lilting smile, she raised her arms up, and he lifted her shirt over her head. As he unbuckled his belt, and removed his pants, she slid off her scrub bottoms. Damn, how he missed her body. All its curves and lushness. With a soft groan, he pulled her to him and kissed her down to the bed.

He jutted his arm under her and hoisted her fully on the mattress. His cock was so hard, he envisioned one caress from her hand, one thrust inside her tight sex would make him come. To satisfy her first, he’d of course do his damnedest to stop that from happening too soon.