Logan's Redemption (6 page)

Logan let himself out of the quiet office. Mission successful. His search had yielded some surprising and useful information. Armed with his new knowledge, he felt more lighthearted than he’d had in weeks. He ignored the small voice that whispered seeing Doriana shortly had something to do with his lightened mood.

* * * *

Where was Logan? Doriana paced her office, clutching the Styrofoam coffee cup and taking small sips of the strong, hot brew. She needed lots of caffeine this morning. She and Logan had worked hard last night and they’d gotten a good portion of the report done. When they left past midnight, Logan looked as exhausted as she felt.

She glanced at her desk clock. A little past seven. The guards downstairs told her that Logan had arrived at six. Where had he been for the past hour?

A
frisson
of foreboding crept up her spine. Did Logan have anything to do with the strange things happening around the company lately—the vandalism, the suspected theft of bids and the uneasy knowledge that someone was targeting them for reasons they couldn’t fathom?

She didn’t know anything about Logan’s life—where he’d been all these years or the reason he’d shown up now. She gulped coffee too quickly, burning her tongue. The sharp pain distracted her from the questions that pounded her head like a heavy hammer.

Holding tightly to the warm cup as if it could absorb her fears, she walked to the window and gave a slight nod to the reassuring presence of old Billy surveying the city from his perch on City Hall. The pale sun peeking over the tangle of buildings seemed to mock her with its promise of a fresh day. After a restless night, she felt anything but fresh. Images of Logan had teased her with yearnings and unfulfilled promises, dominating her waking hours and her dreams.

“Morning.” The deep, masculine voice sent pleasure and sweet memories spiraling through her. She turned slowly to face Logan. He leaned against the doorframe, reminding her of the reckless young Logan, the boy she had loved so much. Her heart took a flying leap against her chest, and her anxieties and suspicions dissipated like the early-morning fog. Her gaze slid over him, devouring his beauty and sensuality.

Well-worn jeans, black sweater and black boots gave Logan a dangerous air. Her gaze traveled a return trip to his face. The knowing look in his hazel eyes made her skin burn.

She pressed the coffee cup so tightly she was afraid the Styrofoam would crack.
Get a
grip. Act like the professional you are. And remember Josh.

“Where were you?” she said in a thin voice.

He held up a bright paper bag. “Donuts and coffee.”

The guards hadn’t mentioned that Logan had gone out. She pushed the disturbing thought aside.

Logan set the bag on the small worktable and began emptying the contents. “Sit,” he said. “Nothing like jolts of sugar and caffeine to jump start the day.”

She couldn’t help smiling. He’d always known how to make her smile. “I already have coffee.” She held up her cup.  

“Live dangerously, Dorie. Have more coffee.”

She shook her head. “Remember our bargain.”

He grinned. She swore her toes curled.

“I forgot,” he said. “You smile. I don’t call you Dorie. Now sit.”

Still smiling, she sat at the small table.

He placed a large container of coffee and a napkin holding a glazed donut in front of her.

“I never eat donuts,” she said.

“Indulge. Develop some bad habits. You’re too disciplined. Eat sweets. Drink too much coffee. Let loose once in a while.”

She had the feeling this wasn’t only about coffee and sweets. “Oh, okay.” Bristling that he had her figured out, she sat down and took a bite of donut. Well, he didn’t know everything about her.

He laughed, showing even white teeth. “See, that didn’t hurt.”

She glared at him while she chewed, not willing to let him know how much she enjoyed the pastry and his teasing. Despite all the hard work ahead of them, she felt strangely relaxed.

He sat across from her and pulled a cream-filled donut from the bag and bit down on it. A dollop of cream oozed out and clung to a corner of his mouth.

Doriana’s hand froze around her coffee cup. She swallowed the urge to kiss the sweet concoction from his lips.

Logan licked the cream off with his tongue. She stared at him, still holding her coffee cup aloft. He caught her staring. His eyes darkened.

Face burning, she pulled her gaze away. “Let’s get to work.”

Hours later her head swam with numbers and her eyes hurt. She massaged the small of her back, trying to ease her tense muscles. “I need a break.”

Logan laid down his pencil and rubbed his temples. “This is grueling work. Good thing we got through a lot last night.”

Doriana rolled her eyes. “If we had weeks to finish like Franco, it wouldn’t be so bad. But that’s Franco for you. And next week he’ll replace Janine with another blonde.”

“Why do you put up with him?” Logan pushed his chair back and stretched his long legs in front of him. The denim fabric pulled across his thighs. Doriana’s mouth went dry. Had Logan said something?

“What?”  She swung her gaze back to his face.

“I asked why you put up with your brother.”

“He’s family. I don’t have a choice.”

He narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t give him the right to push you around.”

She stiffened. “I don’t let him push me around.”

Logan leaned closer and touched his finger lightly under her chin. “You’re his sister. He should appreciate and respect you, and be glad of his family.”

Pain shadowed Logan’s eyes. All those years ago, he’d never talked about his family. He’d always been so proud, too proud. As a teen, she suspected he covered hurt with recklessness and bravado.

Afraid she was falling under his spell again, she jerked free. His problems didn’t concern her. But his son did. And she would protect Josh at all costs.                

* * * *

“I can’t believe we’re finished,” Doriana said. The November darkness had fallen hours ago. But the report was done and stored in the computer.

“It’s been a hell of a day,” Logan said.

Doriana looked at him, sitting across the small table from her. Logan had been there for her last night and today. “Thanks. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“No problem. I hope your father appreciates what you do for him.”

“He does.”

“You don’t sound convinced.” Logan studied her. “You give a lot to this company. I’m not sure the men in your family know what they’ve got in you.”

She tightened her jaw. “They appreciate me. And it’s really none of your business.” The words slipped out.

Anger flickered in his eyes. “Sorry,” he said, his voice harsh.

She relaxed her shoulders. She hadn’t meant to be so nasty. “It’s been a long day.”

Logan stood. “Let’s get out of here. We both need some fresh air. I’ll buy you a cheesesteak.”

“A cheesesteak? You must be kidding.”

“I guess you’re going to tell me you don’t eat those any more either.”

“I don’t.”

“What kind of Philadelphian are you? You used to love cheesesteaks.”

“That was a long time ago.”   

His eyes warmed like molten gold. “I’ll have to teach you to love them again while I’m here.”

Imagining what else he could teach her made excitement swirl through her. She glanced away. “It’s late. I need to get home. I haven’t seen my son since yesterday.”

* * * *

At the mention of Doriana’s son, jealousy, as unwelcome as a rattler on a desert hike, snaked through Logan. How could he resent a three-year-old? He loved kids. What he hated was the reminder that she’d been with another man, made love to that man and bore his child.

He was courting trouble, but right now he wanted to do anything he could to prolong his time with Doriana. The loneliness of his hotel room yawned like a bottomless pit.

“Have dinner with me,” he said. “It won’t take long. It’s not like we’re going to some fancy restaurant. I haven’t had a good old Philly cheesesteak since I left this town.”

Her shoulders set in a rigid line. “I can’t.”

“Afraid to go out with me?”  Or maybe she thought he wasn’t good enough for her. He’d gotten over that hurt long ago and he wouldn’t resurrect it now.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she said, lifting her chin.

He leaned over the table until his face was inches from hers. “Prove it. Let me buy you a cheesesteak.” He smiled, trying to diffuse the tension between them. “I promise not to ravage you when the night’s over, especially if we have grilled onions on our steaks.”

Her lips quirked in a grin, giving him hope he could break through the defenses she put up and find the girl she’d once been.

“Donuts and cheesesteak. You’re not good for me, Logan.”

He laughed. “Is that a yes?”

“Your car or mine?” he asked a little later when they entered the deserted garage.

She looked over at his battered twenty-year-old Jeep and then at her dark red Jaguar.

“I think mine,” she said.

The teasing response died in his throat. The hairs along his neck prickled with warning and his body kicked into fight mode. They weren’t alone.

Logan put his hand on the small of Doriana’s back, guiding her, but also protecting her if needed. He felt her stiffen, but didn’t move his hand as he led her toward his wreck of a car. He had to be in control in case anything happened.

“We’ll take mine,” he said. “We’re going to South Philly. We might have to park on the sidewalk. You wouldn’t want to hurt that fancy car of yours, would you?”  He forced a grin. “Are you embarrassed to ride in my junker?” 

She looked up at him with those incredible chocolate eyes. He almost lost his footing. “I’ve ridden in worse.”

He gave her a wry smile. “I doubt that.”

“Where did you get this thing?” she asked, as she waited for him to unlock the passenger door.

“Borrowed from a friend.” The lie formed a knot in his stomach. What would she say if she knew about the black Lamborghini parked in his garage in Tucson? But that didn’t matter. He’d moved beyond trying to impress others a long time ago. And he had more immediate concerns.       

Doriana slid into the passenger seat and Logan locked her door. He scanned the room as he walked around to the driver’s side. Whoever was out there knew how to keep hidden.

“Stay there,” he said. “I want to look around.”

She frowned but stayed in the Jeep.

Logan did a quick circle of the nearly empty garage, looking into the few cars parked there. He opened the stairwell door. Nothing. Maybe one of the guards had come down for a forbidden smoke and hurried back upstairs when he saw them.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something more dangerous than a prohibited smoke was going down. Was this case just about corporate theft and vandalism? He was missing something.     Doriana rolled down the window. “Logan?”

He didn’t want her suspicious. He unlocked the car door and slipped into the seat next to her.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“I thought I heard something. Probably one of the guards sneaking a smoke.” He started the engine. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”

* * * *

Hell, who would have thought someone would be around on a Saturday night? The guy suspected something. He’d have to be more careful next time. The old man’s daughter was a real looker. Better than her pictures. He’d have himself some fun and bring the old man to his knees.
    

* * * *

Doriana shivered in the chill air and took another bite of her incredibly delicious and very messy mushroom cheesesteak, inhaling the succulent aroma of fried onions and ketchup mixed with the choking odor of exhaust fumes from the traffic on the narrow streets. She held onto the steaming hot sandwich, letting it warm her hands, as she glanced down the long counter at the other diners huddled against the cold night. Inside the small steak shop, the cooks labored over hot griddles. But the patrons ate outside regardless of the weather.

“We must all be crazy.” She looked at Logan, standing next to her. “Only in Philadelphia would people eat outdoors in November. And in such a tasteful atmosphere.”

And I’m crazy for being here with you
. Why had she said yes to his invitation? Maybe the challenge he threw at her had something to do with it. If she’d wanted to prove she was immune to Logan’s charms, it wasn’t working. Her body thrummed with life just being close to him.

Logan ’s smile lurched her pulse into high gear.

“We don’t have anything like these cheesesteaks in Arizona.” He bit into his sandwich, an ecstatic look on his face.

Doriana laughed.

He put his food onto his paper plate. “I made you laugh.” The harsh overhead lighting caught the teasing sparkle in his eyes. “You should laugh more often.”

Her face flushed and she looked away to study the oversized menu visible through the steam-filled windows. Warm memories nudged her. She and Logan had loved the cheesesteaks here. And she’d loved him so much then. Until the day he’d walked away, taking the joy with him. But he’d given her a precious gift—Josh.