Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection (25 page)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“What do you want for Christmas?” Logan asked.

Jordana shook her head with a smile. The past few weeks had flown by. Presently they were sitting in a limousine, on their way to the famous Mallory holiday party, and predictably stuck in Friday night traffic. Bob and Meryl Mallory were a power couple well-known for their philanthropy, their Westminster-winning poodle, and their exclusive Christmas soiree.

“You shouldn’t get me anything,” she said, and meant it.

He sighed with false exasperation. “I had a feeling you would say that.” He kissed the back of her hand. “You know very well I’m not going to take that response seriously.”

“Well, you should, because I seriously don’t want anything. You’ve been spoiling me rotten as it is.” She touched the breathtaking diamond bracelet on her wrist, a delicate piece with yellow and white diamonds Logan had made by Charles Sigvy to match her necklace, but he didn’t stop there.

Every week he sent flowers to her apartment. When he couldn’t make date night, he’d reserve and pay for dinner for her and her friends at exclusive restaurants. He gave her gifts way too frequently most recently took her on a weekend trip to Aspen. It was overwhelming.

Her friends told her this was standard when dating a wealthy man and that she’d get accustomed to it in no time, so Jordana did her best to take it in and hang on for the ride. What she found somewhat challenging to deal with? That she couldn’t do the same kind of gestures for him, even knowing he didn’t expect her to. While it was obvious why she couldn’t—she made in a year what he probably made in a week—she began to feel a certain amount of imbalance. Their differences were so stark and real. It never bothered her until recently.

“Come on, Jordana. There’s nothing rotten about you,” he drawled with one of his sexy smiles. “Anyway, I’m getting you something for Christmas and that’s final. Just give me a few ideas and I’ll buy all of them.” He chuckled at her chastising look as his cell phone rang, and he took it out, frowning. “Sorry, I have to take this.”

“Of course.” Another challenging client to contend with, she was sure. The Hamilton situation had finally been wrapped up and closed over a week ago and another took his place.

Logan worked until after seven most weeknights and he often asked her to meet him for a late supper. She could never tell him no, even though she knew dinner would lead to a night out, ending at his place, and making love well past midnight. There were a few times she went to work with only a few hours of sleep, but it was always worth it.

Even so, she expected him to unburden some of his stress, share his worries with her, but he never did, and once again a little wall had been erected between them. He listened when she complained about a bad day at work, when her shower clogged and the super made a huge mess in her bathroom, and how anxious she was about her books. Little daily stresses she’d share and he’d advise how to manage.

But Logan didn’t do the same in turn. She would encourage him, and ask if anything was on his mind, but he’d only dismiss it and distract her with his charisma and his touch, whatever he could do to change the subject. While there were times they were undoubtedly close, some unmeasured emotional distance remained.

She looked over at him, and he gave her a gentle smile, skimming her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

It pained her to see him tense or strained, but with a CEO, she knew there were very rare days that would pass without some level of anxiety. Every time he appeared weary, worn out, she yearned to be there for him, sympathize or even offer advice, and it frustrated her when he shut her out when she wanted in.

As he continued speaking in clipped tones to his VP, she lingered on his handsome profile for a moment, and then looked out the window.

She’d wanted to tell him for weeks she loved him and had on several occasions come close to doing it. Fear it was too soon, fear he’d pull away, kept her from saying the words.

A part of her felt like a coward for keeping her feelings hush. Her mother’s soft words rang in her head: “When you love someone, you should say it right away, Jordana. Everyone should know they are loved by as many people as possible.”

If only he would let her close enough to say it without reserve.

He ended the phone call with a sigh.

She glanced at him as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is it?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

His favorite phrase for whenever she asked what was wrong. She bit back a groan. Did he think she wouldn’t understand if he told her some details about problems at work? Likely, that was his reason. And that by telling her, he’d look less in control, which she knew he would detest showing. “Logan, you know you can talk to me. About anything. Whatever is on your mind.”

“I have a million things on my mind,” he drawled with a half-smile, “it’s pointless to bring any of them up when all I want to do is enjoy our evening.”

He had a point, but she wouldn’t give up just yet. “I may not be finance savvy or know much about the industry, but I can at least make remarks that this or that guy doesn’t know his head from his ass. Or stroke your ego and say how brilliant you are. Or tell you,” she added as he laughed, reaching for his hand, “that everything’s going to work out.”

“I appreciate that, Jordana. I do. Just knowing that is all I need.”

Hello wall. She decided to drop it.

The Christmas party promised to be the social event of the holiday season. It was a shame Ashtyn and her husband couldn’t make it to this one either. She and Jordana had struck up a fast friendship and it would’ve been nice to see a familiar face in the crowd.

Ashtyn conveyed clear disappointment she couldn’t attend, but when Jordana asked why, the assistant only said Cliff had made other plans for them that night. From what Jordana could tell, Ashtyn wasn’t looking forward to those plans.

Nevertheless, Neil would be there. Miranda and her husband were also going and a few other people Jordana had gotten to know through Logan. They couldn’t go anywhere and not run into somebody he knew. She’d started a notebook to keep track of them all so she’d never forget a face or a name. They were a popular couple and weekends were filling up for them for this or that social event. At times, it was fabulous, at others, exhausting.

Even his mother had invited him and Jordana to come to Le Coeur for dinner next week. It only took the woman three weeks to finally accept they were a couple. Better late never. Or moreover, better to be late on her good side than forever on her bad. Which reminded Jordana to mention something. “About the dinner with your mom, I can do Friday night. I know Saturday is better for you, but Casey and I are looking at apartments together that afternoon. It’s the only time he can go.”

“He’s moving?”

“I am. Remember? My lease is up in January and they’re raising the rent, so I’m going on the hunt for a new place.”

“I almost forgot. Whereabouts are you looking?” He smiled as pulled her between his legs, her back to his front, and began nuzzling her ear. “Closer to me, I hope.”

She snuggled into his embrace. “You and I both know apartments around your neighborhood are out of my range. Way out.”

“Hmm. I really dislike how far you have to drive to my house.”

“Everywhere in the Bay is a drive. I’m probably going to stay in San Jose, unless I can find a steal or a sublease near work. Sometimes miracles happen.”

He brushed a hand down her arm and pressed a soft kiss on her bare shoulder. She closed her eyes with a smile, reaching back to grasp his neck. His warmth and masculine scent comforted and excited her at the same time. Part of her wanted to kick off her heels and let his hands roam wherever they wanted.

However, she knew if she gave him an inch, Logan would run away with it for miles. He’d have her naked and panting and grasping for him and she’d show up at the party representing the walk of all shame.

“What if,” he said, his voice low as he grazed her neck, giving her goosebumps, “I found you a place close to me…and I took care of it?”

Still in a haze from his wandering hand and lips, she arched as he explored her body. “What do you mean?”

“There are one or two empty lofts in the building Miranda and Phillip live in, and that’s only ten minutes away from me. Or I can find you an apartment in Sausalito, right on the bay. Neil has a houseboat out there. It’d be less of you on the road and more of you on me.”

She chuckled as he hooked her waist with one arm, and slid his other palm up her thigh. She could feel his desire rising, and a particular part hardening on her backside, and it took some strength to keep her focus. “I have to be realistic, Logan.”

“This is realistic. You put in whatever you’re paying now and I’ll make up the rest.”

She froze. Stunned at the fact he was offering such a thing. “Logan, you’re kidding, right?”

“I’m not,” he answered in a sensuous tone, brushing fingers over her breast.

Forcing herself to pull away from his arms, she turned to face him from the other side of their seat. Her body still tingled from his touch. “I can’t believe you would suggest something like this. Pay my rent?”

He shrugged as if he’d offered to give her change for the parking meter. “Part of it, not all. It’s a logical solution. Your lease is up, you have to move, and I’d rather your home be closer to me than even farther away. Plus if you relocate in my area, it’ll also cut your commute to work. And you wouldn’t have to worry about paying more rent than you do now.”

She gaped at him, caught between incredulity at his idea, bafflement at his casual tone, and a trifle bit of anger. Maybe he’d read her wrong but she didn’t need anyone’s help to pay her rent. Or any bill for that matter. Just when she was about to tell him to forget it, the car door opened, and Tom stood smiling with an outreached hand.

She hadn’t even realized they’d made it to the party. Logan leaned across the seat and kissed her quick. “We’ll work this out later.”

Thrusting her shock aside, she let Tom help her out of the limo.

Lifting her lashes to the beautiful mansion standing before them, her mouth dropped open, in awe. The home looked like something out of Christmas card. A single candle glowed in every window and the hugest wreath she’d ever seen hung on the door. Two young men dressed like Nutcrackers flanked the front entrance with the hum of music and laughter just beyond. In unison, they moved to open the doors for her and Logan.

He came up beside her, hand on her back. “I love how you never pretend to be unimpressed by your surroundings.”

“I have yet to be.”

He chuckled as the doors swept open.

Every inch of the mansion had been decorated to the minutest of details. It was as if she’d stepped into a holiday wonderland. The general splendor of the party, the magic of the season, being amongst good friends and Logan’s doting attention forced her to put a pause on the apartment conversation.

She burned to finish the discussion, but didn’t want to spoil the mood. He was likely shooting out the idea without giving it real consideration, knowing full well she would never take him up on it.

Like when she refused to borrow one his cars. And the time she mentioned missing the burgers at a dive bar in her hometown in Iowa, and he offered to fly her there. For burgers!

Logan would take any small gesture and throw it a hundred times farther than it needed to go. She adored his enthusiasm, but learned there were times when she had to bring him back down to earth. Not that she didn’t enjoy being with him in the clouds once in a while.

“Have you noticed all the green in the room?” Miranda asked as she came up beside Jordana later on, dropping a piece of chocolate in her hand.

“Green?”

Miranda nodded toward Logan, who was standing among a group of men on the other side of the room. “Hm-mm, all the women just green with envy that Logan Savant is off the market. They aren’t jealous just because it’s Logan, but also at the way he looks at you, dotes on you. No other gal has captured him the way you have. It’s unprecedented.”

Jordana gave a small smile. “I’m a lucky girl.”

“Ha! Don’t be modest. He’s the lucky one. I knew it the first night you came over for the fight. He tried oh so very hard to pretend he didn’t care that I wanted to set you up, and completely denied it when I asked him if he was interested in you as more than a friend. What a dork. Lied right to my face!”

“Well, your offer to set me up had him make a move on me that very night.” She took a small bite of the chocolate with a private smile as Logan looked over at her and winked.

“Then I consider that a successful though indirect match. Speaking of moves, he mentioned you’re searching for new digs. He’s pretty excited you could be living in our neck of the woods. Did he tell you about our place? You’ve got to come by and see one of the lofts. Phillip and I love it there. Room to breathe, sane neighbors.”

He’d already mentioned her moving to his friends? That meant he still considered his idea a “logical” one after all. Even though they’d only talked about it for less than thirty seconds! She withheld her ire. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to stay in San Jose.”

“Oh, okay. Well, just let me know. I’d be happy to get you in touch with the realtor.”

“Thanks, Miranda,” she smiled as the pretty brunette kissed her cheek. Glancing over, she caught Logan’s eye and watched as he excused himself to make his way toward her.

He smiled, his dimple deepening, as he brought her in his arms. “Ready to go home? I think I’ve had enough jolliness for one night.”

Funny he should say home, as if his was hers. She offered her best smile, but was unable to hide some of her distress in her eyes, and he noticed. “Everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” she lied.

He hooked a finger under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “Are you sure?”

She nodded, knowing she shouldn’t be dishonest, but this wasn’t the time or place to bring it up.

He skimmed a hand down her face. “Jordana, there’s something I need to tell you,” he spoke in a tender tone. “Something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now.”