Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection (6 page)

Logan chuckled. “What about Miranda? We’ve been friends since college. It’s possible.”

“True, but she’s like a sister. Huge difference in personality compared to Rebecca.”

Logan had regarded Rebecca as a good-times friend, which was why he liked having her as his platonic date. Funny how sex hadn’t ruined their friendship, neither had feelings, just good old-fashioned deceit and greed. “Now what, counselor? If I can’t be friends with a woman, and I don’t have the time or energy for a relationship, what’s left? Is there a way to spend time with a woman without complicating it?”

“Yes, I think they’re called escorts.”

“Be serious.”

“What the hell do you want?” Neil shrugged. “If there’s anything I’ve learned, women are nothing but complex. Stunning, fascinating creatures, but complex. At one point or another, they’ll want something from you.”

Was Neil right? Logan didn’t know. One thing he did know was he’d be keeping his distance when it came to the fairer gender. There was nothing worse than being played a fool.

On the other hand, Jordana prevented him from thinking too harshly on the female species forever.

Still, she was the exception, not the rule.

With a sigh, he shook his head.

He needed more exceptions in his life than rules.

Chapter Four

“There’s something weird about you,” Jordana’s co-worker remarked.

Jordana grabbed the photocopies from the printer. “Weird?”

Piper, a pixie-haired brunette in her early twenties, had been reading a lot of spiritual books on opening her third eye and reading auras. Every day she would make a comment about the room’s energy or a patient’s vibe. She even cleansed the office with sage one night to banish any negativity. It made a dull day go by listening to her, especially when the doctor was out for surgery, and they were spending the hours cleaning up medical records.

“Yup,” the girl said. “Do you light the candles I gave you? And put the crystal in your kitchen? You’ve been giving off a somewhat intense wave all week.”

“Is that so?” Jordana half-laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the same old me.”

“Has anything, I don’t know, unusual, happened to you recently?”

In a way. She couldn’t believe that night happened at all...then she’d open up the little safe in her apartment and stare at the diamond necklace, reminding her that the event, and the man, were very real. “Nope. Nothing unusual.”

Piper’s eyes narrowed as if she didn’t believe her. “Hmm.”

Piper wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Jordana’s glow. Lucee had come over to pick up the dress and to gush about Adam’s big break. He’d been offered a major part in a popular play. A first for him. That was the emergency. Jordana wanted to scold her sister’s boyfriend for making it seem as though the situation was life and death, but couldn’t when her evening turned out to be pretty special, too. When she told Lucee about Logan, and shown her the necklace, her sister went wild, demanding every detail. However, after Jordana told her she’d left without giving him her number, her sister practically slapped her silly for it.

She knew her sister was right. Leaving without any sort of goodbye had been rude and she regretted it.

So why not do something about it?

She found Logan’s business card, traced her fingers on the embossed lettering, then picked up the phone and dialed. One long ring and then, “Good morning. Logan Savant’s office. Ashtyn speaking.”

“Hello, Ashtyn. My name is Jordana Shaw, and I’m—”

“Jordana! From the children’s benefit?”

Jordana paused. “Yes?” How did she know?

“I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me to interrupt. I’m Mr. Savant’s executive assistant. How are you today?” she asked in a friendly tone.

“I’m fine, thank you. Is he in?” Her heart started to pound.

“Unfortunately, he’s out of the office at the moment. May I take your number? I’ll make sure he receives it as soon as possible. He’ll be so pleased to hear from you.”

So the millionaire had told his assistant about her? Interesting. “Sure, he can call me at work.” She gave the information and hung up with a smile.

Later, while Jordana was refilling the supplies in one of the patient rooms, Piper burst in, startling her. “Jordana!”

She spilled the Q-tips in the sink. “For heaven’s sake, Piper! You scared the heck—”

“It’s a man,” her co-worker exclaimed holding up her palms, eyes widening. “Like, a man, out in reception asking for you.”

“Who?” she asked absently.

“Logan Savoy or something.”

She jerked. “Logan Savant?” Heat swept over Jordana as Piper nodded with a grin. Logan’s here? She just called his office an hour ago. She tugged at her Strawberry Shortcake scrubs. Her hair was up in a sock bun. Would he even recognize her? Even though he’d caught her off guard, she couldn’t deny her elation he’d just decided to stop by, instead of calling.

“Are you coming out or what?”

“Yes, of course, I’m on my way.” She flipped a quick hand. “Go. Don’t leave him out there by himself.”

Trying to project a cool demeanor, feeling all levels of anxious, she took slow steps down the hall and walked out to the waiting room. Clogs, for Pete’s sake, she had on pink clogs. Might as well come out in a clown’s costume.

Logan slowly grinned. “Jordana.” His silky, deep voice sent shivers down her spine as he raked her head to toe.

Oh. Well, he certainly didn’t look at her as though she resembled a clown. “Mr. Savant. This is a surprise. I hope you’ve been pouring your own drinks lately.”

He laughed, those gorgeous blue stare lingering in hers, and she felt more self-conscious than ever. He represented the dashing CEO in his gray suit and red tie, freshly shaven face and styled hair. A walking magazine ad again.

“Hope it’s acceptable that I came by unannounced,” he said. “As soon as my assistant told me you’d called the office, and gave me your number, I looked up the address and headed this way. Did you know I’ve been making her call every ENT specialist in the Bay looking for you?”

She couldn’t hide her disbelief. “You did?”

“There are no less than twenty-two ear, nose, and throat doctors in a twenty-mile radius. Did you know that?” He smiled, clasping his hands behind him.

She shook her head. Why would he go through so much trouble?

He looked around the vacant waiting room. “I was hoping I could steal you for lunch if you’re available.”

Her heart thrilled at thought of a lunch date with him, beating wildly while she simply smiled. “Sure. I’d like that. The doctor is off-site, so it’s pretty calm today.”

He grinned, showcasing that dimple. “Good.”

“I’ll just go get my purse.”

Piper had it waiting for her as soon as she pushed through the door, whispering, “Jordana. I totally get it now. You’re shining like a Fourth of July sparkler!”

Jordana sent her a look. “Shh. Want me to bring you back something?”

“Just the details of everything that happens.”

She met him outside, where he waited by his chauffeured car.

“Jordana, this is my driver, Tom,” he said as she climbed in, and she gave a little wave to the rear view mirror.

The driver’s kind, deeply crowed eyes met hers. “Afternoon, Miss Shaw.”

Logan asked, “Where would you like to go?”

“Well, there isn’t much around here except drive-thru’s and The Ham Hut. It’s a sandwich place and they’re always packed at this time of day.”

“Might I suggest something,” said Tom. “Carlisle’s is a few miles from here.”

“Perfect,” Logan responded. “Nice place. And their menu has everything you can imagine.”

“Sloppy Joe sandwiches?” she joked.

He snaked her a smile. “It might be more gourmet sloppy, but if that’s what you want, it’ll be my main objective to make sure that’s what they serve you.”

A few minutes later as they pulled in front of the restaurant, Jordana quickly noticed Carlisle’s would be nothing like a quick bite at The Ham Hut. With decorative flames waving behind the elegantly etched steel sign and tall, glossy black front doors, it was the kind of establishment where judges and surgeons went to socialize and network.

“I’m not appropriately dressed,” she said, nervousness building as they approached.

“You’re a professional in medicine. Be proud,” he told her, opening the door. “Just walk in with confidence and no one will bat an eye.” Then he winked.

She smiled. Well then, she could do that.

They were shown to a table near the rear, and she ordered an iced tea with lemon. Her options were overwhelming when she opened the red leather bound menu, everything from complex salads to quail eggs to open-faced salmon sandwiches. She settled for soup and salad.

After the server took their order, Logan said, “Jordana, I’d like to talk about last Saturday, if that’s all right with you.”

Nervousness bubbling up, she nodded and sucked in a breath. “Of course.”

“I was a little disappointed you left the way you did.”

Reminded of her rude exit, she felt her cheeks stain with red heat. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snuck off like that. I’d told you everything I knew and I just…didn’t want to get in the way.” Embarrassment had been her main motivator.

“I understand the whole situation must’ve been very bizarre for you.” The waiter poured two full glasses of water and Logan waited until he departed. “More than anything, I’ve wanted to find you so I could thank you.”

“Thank me?” That explained the thorough search.

“For what you did. I never got the chance to. Everything you said was true. I had a serious conversation with Rebecca the day after the event, once my brain stopped sizzling.”

“That must’ve been awkward, to put it mildly. Considering what she’d come close to doing to you.”

“Well, it’s definitely not the something I ever want to experience again. I said I wouldn’t make a big deal of this as long as she told Ben about the baby, and to let him try to do the right thing. If he didn’t step up, I reminded her of all the support she’d find through his family. Rebecca just needed reassurance she wasn’t alone.”

His perspective on this impressed her. By his tone and demeanor, he didn’t even harbor ill feelings toward the woman. If he did, he hid it very well. “You aren’t mad she drugged you? You do realize if she’d put too much in your cocktail, you could’ve been seriously sick. Even died.”

He leaned back, sweeping a napkin across his leg. “You have a point, but fortunately for me, all I got was a fuzzy memory and a migraine. But anger takes a lot of energy I can’t spare. Am I disappointed in her as a friend? Very. Mad as hell? No. I’d rather forget the ordeal and move on.”

“That’s very mature of you.”

“A man is capable of it once in a while.”

She giggled. “Right, well, some would feel a little animosity toward her for trying to manipulate their lives.”

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “No real damage was done. I’ve learned to let go of things that, in the end, don’t affect my present or future. The only thing I lost in this was a friend. Luckily, I can choose more of those.” He moved his gaze out the window, drumming his fingers. “You know, I think about how I would’ve felt if I had a child with a woman I wasn’t in love with. It wouldn’t have been my most ideal way of becoming a father, but, Rebecca had it right. I would’ve given her, and the baby, everything.”

Jordana swallowed at the tenderness of his voice. She wondered if he’d ever come close to having a family of his own. “Have you ever been married?”

His blue gaze met hers, his mouth quirking. “I haven’t. Why do you ask?”

Ah, he was the devoted bachelor. “You give off that distrustful air most divorced men have after an ex-wife or two.”

Chuckling, he raised a brow. “Or two? Now that’s a scary thought! No, I haven’t taken that leap. Or even come near it for that matter.”

“Would you have married her? Rebecca?”

“No,” he answered without pause. “She would’ve gotten everything but that.” As the server approached, he looked up with a smile. “Bottom line, you spared me from a serious trap. A life changing one.” He locked his eyes on hers, his tone sincere and utterly grateful as he reached and covered her hand. “Thank you, Jordana.”

Fire flashed up her arm, heat settling on her face. “You’re welcome. Really, it was nothing. What I did, I mean. I think any woman in my shoes would have intervened.”

“I doubt that.” He slid his hand away, rested an arm on the edge of the table and curiously rubbed his thumb over his fingertips. “In any case, I owe you.”

She smiled up at the server in thanks as her salad was set down. “What? You don’t owe me anything. Have you forgotten about the crown jewels you gave me that night?”

“Funny you mention that. You and my friend Neil think a lot alike. Anyway, the Sigvy is notwithstanding. Besides, I don’t payback with trinkets. I want to do something for you, like you did for me.”

“Forget it.” She forked her salad. “I’m not looking for any return favor.”

“Well, that compels me even more, and I won’t take no for answer. I want you to think of something, anything that I can do for you.”

Jordana looked at him across the table and knew he meant what he said, though she had no intention of taking him up on it. “I don’t want you feel obligated to me at all. Really. If Neil had stopped Rebecca’s plan, I doubt you’d expect him to accept a reward of some kind.”

“Are you kidding me? Neil would’ve been the first to demand compensation. Whether he’d choose Super Bowl tickets or a mud wrestling session with twins, I couldn’t tell you.”

Jordana covered her mouth with her napkin as she laughed.

“You don’t have to think of something right this moment.” He gazed at her, voice softening. “My gratitude has no expiration.”

Gulp. “Okay. If I need a cup of sugar or a ride to the dentist, I’ll keep you in mind.”

“I hope so.” There he was with those smoldering eyes and silken words that always set her pulse to scalloping. “We’ll table the subject for now. The conversation is too heavy for lunch anyway. So let’s talk about something else. I feel as though you know a lot about me, but I don’t know much about you. Feel as though I should know more about my rescuer than her name and occupation.”

She half-laughed, then shrugged. “What do you want to know?”

“Let’s start with where you’re from. I’m sensing you weren’t born a Cali girl.”

She smiled. “You’d be right. I was born in Iowa.”

“Ah, a Midwestern woman. The best kind.” He winked.

They spent the rest of the meal chit chatting. Topics like her job at the doctor’s office, how long she’d lived in the Bay. He asked her all about small town living, what brought her out west. Mostly, she’d followed her sister out here to keep her out of trouble, and then ending up staying, never wanting to be apart from her only living relative if she could help it.

In fact, Jordana realized as the waiter refilled her iced tea almost half an hour later, they had talked exclusively about her. The only part she left out about her recent years in the city was how she had been engaged and then dumped last spring. He didn’t need to know that sliver of shameful information.

“So you came out here to watch over Lucee,” he said after their plates were taken away, “Graduated from Santa Clara, seriously considered working for a cruise ship, got a job with Doctor Palecki instead, and rescue complete strangers from conniving friends in your spare time.”

She laughed. “That’s about it in a nutshell. My life story is a little boring, isn’t it?”