Playing With Fyre

by Mina Carter

  Ten minutes later she stood in front of the full length mirror in the corner of the room, surveying herself with a critical eye. Okay, so the black skirt was this side of too short, but at least it didn't threaten to ride up and flash her panties to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Teamed with a purple satin shirt and a pair of knee high boots covering part of her legs, she didn't look too bad...

  The top button of the shirt popped, revealing more of her cleavage. Rae sighed. Okay, it would be better if it didn't look as though she'd been poured into her shirt. Wriggling a little, she tried to use her bra to flatten her bust a bit then refastened the button. She checked in the mirror again. And made the mistake of breathing.

  The button popped open.

  Rae gritted her teeth. She'd have to ask Logan if he had a sewing kit. A couple of stitches would sort the problem and save her dignity. She left it for now. There was only her and Logan in the apartment, and he'd already seen everything she had.

  Leaning forwards she checked her eye makeup in the mirror and started to reapply her lip gloss. Her hands shook, but she managed to slick the gloss on without too much trouble. It was clear; just a little sparkle for her full lips, so any little mistakes wouldn't show up.

  They were going out for a meal but even though Logan had told her which restaurant, Rae couldn't remember for the life of her. Dropping the gloss into her hand bag, she zipped it up and checked the vanity for anything else she might need to take with her. Then, with no further excuse to linger and avoid Logan, she headed out to join him in the main room.

  * * * *

  Logan stood by the floor to ceiling picture windows, whisky glass in hand, as he waited for Rae. He took a long swallow, his pale eyes sharp as he studied the glorious view. He hadn't looked at it, really looked at it, for months. Rae's gasp of delight as they'd walked in earlier, one quickly smothered as she recalled she was supposed to have been here before, had made him look again.

  Rolling his shoulders in his expensive suit, Logan breathed a sigh of relief. This was more him, not waxed jackets and jeans on a beach. He was a corporate shark, lethal when it came to legalities and the fine nitty-gritty of a contract. He'd lost count of the opponents he'd tied in knots at the negotiation table, walking away with what he wanted and leaving them wondering what had hit them. That they couldn't afford to lose those negotiations never crossed his mind. It was business, what he did.

  His fingers tightened around the nearly empty glass, tapping it against his thigh. Somehow he knew Rae would see things differently.

  "So, how do I look?” The voice from behind him took him by surprise and Logan turned. His mouth opened, his jaw damn near hitting the floor. He closed it again quickly and gave her an assessing look.

  She'd done the best with what she had and, if he was honest, she'd pulled it off well. When he'd rang his PA earlier to tell her he wanted the spare closets in his apartment filled with women's clothing and fripperies, he'd specified two things. Tarty, and a size smaller than Rae's.

  Bless her soul, Estelle hadn't batted an eyelid at the request. As he looked Rae up and down he reminded himself to give Estelle a raise for this. He'd checked the closets earlier whilst Rae was in the shower, smiling at what was in there and wondering if she'd brazen it out or fold her hand.

  He'd only known her a couple of days but even so, he knew it would take some balls for her to flaunt herself in the clothing Estelle had picked out. It all depended how much she wanted to keep that little house of hers and how far she was prepared to go.

  But she hadn't folded and, somehow, she'd turned tarty into classy. The almost too tight shirt and short skirt gave her a naughty secretary look, but teamed with boots. Her messy pleat and smoky eyes screamed ‘take me to bed.’ Logan's body leapt to instant attention, something possessive inside him demanding he just hustle her back into the bedroom and take his time stripping the seductive outfit from her body. He ignored the temptation and checked his watch.

  "You look fantastic but if we don't hurry up, we'll be late.” He put his glass down on the sideboard and walked over to her. Without a word he slid his hand into the nape of her neck and pulled her to him for a brief but thorough kiss. She opened instantly for him. Oh yeah, he had her. Hook, line and sinker. Now to just reel her in...

  * * * *

  Despite Rae's nerves, the meal went well. Once she let herself forget the precarious situation she was in the conversation flowed easily, Logan more charming than she'd ever seen him. Somewhere in the middle of it all she paused, realising again he really was a nice man. She'd thought he was a right bastard, ready to rip him limb from limb when he'd turned up on her doorstep the other day. Could she have been wrong? She watched him as he poured her another glass of wine, smiling as their eyes locked over the glass.

  "You look very serious there.” His blue eyes reflected the warmth of the candles set in the middle of the table. They'd been seated in a small alcove at the back of the main room, a spot Rae easily picked out as the best in an exclusive restaurant. So exclusive they had bouncers on the door turning away people without a reservation. And there were no prices on the menu, which said far more about the place than the expensive décor or the fine crystal and china.

  "Can you ... Can we afford this Logan?” She whispered under cover of the dessert menu. Her eyes twinkled with amusement, an amusement covering a very real worry. “Because if we end up doing the dishes, I am so not letting you forget it, you know!"

  He laughed, the rich sound of his amusement surrounding them and making several diners glance their way. “Sweetheart, seriously. Don't worry about it. I might not remember the last couple of years but I'm afraid you've been labouring under a misapprehension about me. I'm not a property developer."

  Rae frowned.

  "Of course you are, you have your card in your wallet and I have a le—” She cut herself off quickly; he didn't need to know about that letter. Thank God she'd caught him before he'd done more than look at the logo.

  He shook his head, an enigmatic little smile curving his lips. He had sensual lips, not too full but not thin either, just ... perfect. And the things he did with them! Rae shivered, dragging her mind back to the present as he spoke.

  "I do have a card but the property development is just a hobby. I'm a lawyer Rae, a good one."

  Logan watched her as the news of his occupation and what it implied for their situation registered and sank in. Panic showed plainly for a moment before she got herself under control and she lifted a shoulder in a casual gesture.

  "You always told me you were a property developer,” she replied, applying herself to the dessert which arrived at that moment, and avoided his gaze.

  Oh, well recovered, good girl. Logan smothered his smile, delight and challenge filling him as their game took another step along its intricate dance. She'd actually given herself away, but managed to pull it back. Bizarrely, even though she was trying to play him, he was proud of her ... Proud of the quick responses and the quicker wits required to keep up with him. If he found those in a paralegal or a legal secretary, he'd move heaven and earth to get her working for him. It took a special sort of skill to do what he did. Even though she was new at the game, with coaching she could even give him a run for his money. The perfect partner, the perfect challenge.

  Logan shifted in his seat. Even the thought was arousing. He'd found few men with the capability to match him, and far fewer women. The ones he did know were either married or complete ball-busters he wouldn't want to get in a lip lock with, much less get into bed. But Rae was all soft curves and sharp wits. He smiled. The game was afoot and hell was it fun...

  "I know.” He didn't offer an explanation. The waiter hovered at his elbow so Logan requested the bill. Rae cast him a quick, sharp look but didn't say anything when he turned back to her.

  "You look beautiful.” He slid his hand out, covering hers on the table. “I still don't understand how on earth I managed to capture your heart. How did we meet?” He tilted his head curio
usly, his expression open and honest. He was a good actor—it was necessary in his line of work—and he was interested to see what tale she'd spin him. Before he took her home and screwed her senseless of course.

  "I thought we were talking about the future, about trying again?” she prompted, neatly diverting him. He was still smiling about that as she climbed into the taxi ahead of him a little later.

  * * * *

  Logan folded her into his arms as soon as the door closed behind them, taking her lips in a no-holds-barred kiss that had her hot for him in a heartbeat. She gasped and wriggled against him, all her previous worries and concerns drifting away as she wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him back with passion. The unaccustomed alcohol swirled in her system, conspiring with his kiss to make her giddy.

  "You...” he whispered against her lips, sliding his hand up under her skirt. “...are gorgeous. I can't wait to get you home and strip these off you."

  "Logan ... the driver.” Rae protested as his hand slid higher, trying to struggle up in the seat and push it away. He was stronger though, ignoring her, his fingertips flirting with the lace of her thong under her skirt.

  "Shhh, it'll be fine.” His voice was quiet in her ear as he moved his hand long enough to flick his coat over their laps. His warm hand returned to her thigh, pushing her skirt up as he stroked his fingers over the dampened lace between her thighs.

  Rae flushed, sure the driver knew exactly what was going on. But he kept his eyes on the road ahead, not as much as a flicker towards the mirror into the back compartment.

  "You're hot and wet already.” Logan's hand cupped her mound, massaging through the damp fabric. She was. There was something about him, the low level flirting, the occasional intense looks he sent her, that fired her blood and had her hot and ready for him.

  His fingers dipped under the lace, into wet heat and Rae shuddered. She tilted her head to allow him better access. His lips wandered across her jaw and down the throat she bared for him as he urged her thighs further apart. His clever fingers moved and spread wet heat over needy flesh.

  Then he found her clit, circling the tiny bud of flesh, soft brushes of his fingers followed by harder pressure, driving her arousal higher. Gasping, she turned into his kiss, their tongues duelling as she spread her thighs a little wider, desperate for his touch and the release it would bring.

  He chuckled, a low rumble in his chest as he stroked again, bringing her almost to the brink. She moaned, trying hard to keep the noise down and her ass from wriggling at the delicious torment. Any minute now the driver was sure to notice what was going on ... She broke the kiss, too close to the edge to concentrate, her head dropping back against Logan's arm.

  He tightened his arm, pulling her closer to place a kiss on her forehead. A gentle, innocent kiss as, under the coat, he slid two fingers deep inside, massaging the silken walls of her inner channel as he used his thumb over her clit. Rae's eyes closed, rolling back as pleasure exploded through her. White hot pleasure that drove her hips against his hand then invaded every cell. She moaned in disappointment as he withdrew, smoothing down her skirt.

  "Oh don't worry sweetheart, that was just the beginning,” he promised. “We're home, and as soon as we get upstairs I'm going to take you every way possible."

  They tumbled out of the cab, Rae barely aware of Logan paying the driver as she stood on the pavement waiting for him. She shivered as the bite of the oncoming winter found its way under the heavy coat, raising goose bumps over exposed skin. Skin humming with sensual pleasure, an empty ache between her thighs as she shifted from one foot to the other, trying to ease the effects of the climax in the taxi. It was no good, she needed more. Much, much more.

  "Come on.” He grinned, all but dragging her to the front door of the large and distinguished looking building looming over them. Logan's apartment, the luxury apartment she'd been amazed at when they'd arrived earlier, was on the top floor. She'd wondered when they arrived how a property developer could afford such a place. Of course, now she knew.

  Rae's heels rang out over the marble in reception, her eyes down as she avoided the gaze of the security guard. She was sure what they'd been up to in the cab was written all over her face. She'd had her legs spread as Logan brought her off for heaven's sake. She was the slut the clothes in the closet said.

  "Come here, you.” Almost before the doors had closed Logan was crowding her into the corner of the lift. He pulled her up against his hard body, her soft breasts mashed against his chest. Their eyes caught, held, the sexual tension in the tiny space nearing breaking point. “I could kiss you all night.” He growled, bending his head to kiss her.

  Rae's lips parted, anticipating the warmth of his lips over hers when the doors pinged and opened. Mischief filled her as she slid past him, giggling as she evaded his grasp to dance onto the landing.

  "Gotta catch me first,” she called back, laughing as she ran. She had his key card in her hand, recovered from her handbag, and she was through the door in a flash. Quite where this light-headed mood had come from Rae didn't know, but she would enjoy it whilst it lasted. For the moment she just wanted to pretend they were a proper couple, with a real future.

  "Oh no you don't!” Logan appeared, catching her in the doorway of the bedroom as she paused. She squealed, a sound more of delight and pleasure than anything as he grabbed her and kissed her deeply.

  His lips descended, a single quick brush to orientate himself before he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. The merest pressure of his lips coaxed hers apart and then his tongue swept in to duel with hers, a heated exchange that had fire coursing through Rae's already sensitised body.

  She groaned, sagging against him as his hands slid into her hair, holding her still as he plundered her lips, taking his fill.

  They moved towards the bed, hands helping each other remove clothing. Whose hands removed what Rae didn't know, didn't care. She sighed as her back hit the cool sheets, the sensual pleasure of crisp cotton almost ignored as the heat of Logan's body settled over her. Her thighs parted on automatic, cradling him in the softness of her hips. Her sigh became a gasp as he moved, the blunt head of his cock presented at the slick entrance to her body without warning. He thrust into her, stretching her and seating himself up to the hilt in one powerful movement.

  Rae arched her back, the full sensation of being stretched rippling through her in a delicious cascade. Her legs had lifted to wrap around his hips as he started to pull out when there was a sound in the apartment beyond the bedroom. Rae didn't register it at first, pulling Logan down to her for another kiss.

  She froze as a feminine voice rang out, “Honey, I'm home!"

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  Chapter 8

  Oh shit. There was only one person that could be. Logan's wife. His real wife, not the stand-in. Shit, she knew this had to happen. Knew at some point the real Mrs. Fyre would turn up and she'd be done for.

  Panic filling her, she pushed at Logan's shoulders, trying to push him off. She couldn't see his eyes in the dark of the room but he resisted her for a moment. Rae shoved again, desperate to get him off. It was one thing to be caught in bed with another woman, quite another to actually get caught with your pants down and in the middle of the act.

  He rolled off her with a sigh, lying on his back with his arm over his eyes. The light from the door fell across the bed, highlighting every inch of his beautiful male body, including the heavy and incredibly aroused manhood jutting proudly against his taut stomach. A mouth-watering display of male flesh. At any other time Rae would have taken her time and had a good look. Not now though; she was too busy grabbing a sheet and trying to cover herself.

  She scooted up the bed, eyeing him in disbelief. He didn't seem to be at all bothered that there was another woman in the apartment calling him ‘honey.’ Which was weird, if he thought she was his wife, shouldn't that raise some suspicions?

  "Logan?” she queried through the lump in her throat, dreading his
response. In fact, she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole right at this moment. What alcohol she'd had in her system had been burnt out by the sheer adrenalin surging through it. Adrenalin hurtled around her bloodstream by the manic pounding of her heart.

  "Honey, are you in? You're waiting for me in bed aren't you, you sexy wickle beast?” The high, giggling voice made Rae wince. It was the kind of falseness she always associated with bleach blond hair and false eyelashes thick enough to be mistaken for a couple of caterpillars.

  But ‘sexy wickle beast'? What kind of self-respecting woman used that sort of language once they were out of their teens? The kind who used another of Rae's pet hate phrases—'ickle bunny.’ Ickle was not a word, wickle was not a word. These women needed to get a dictionary. Or better yet, Rae would buy them one. Then beat them to death with it.

  "I wondered when this would happen.” Logan pulled the sheet over his waist to cover his nakedness an instant before the door opened to reveal the owner of the voice.

  Tall and blond, she was the supermodel type Rae could imagine on Logan's arm. Which bizarrely made it worse. Rae was short, and had always struggled with those extra pounds padding her curvy frame. Supermodel she wasn't. Not even for a guy with a bad squint and beer goggles.

  The newcomer's jaw hit the ground as her eyes swept over the bed. Registering not only Logan but Rae huddled against the headboard as she wondered how the hell she was going to explain about this one. And what did Logan mean about ‘wondering when this would happen'?

  "Who the fuck are you?” the other woman demanded, her eyes narrowing as they focused on Rae. “Logan, did you pick up a stray again?"

  Bitch! Rae didn't care who the bloody hell she was, that comment was uncalled for. She opened her mouth to say something catty to the underfed stick insect when Logan rolled to his feet. The light from the hallway fell across his face and Rae shivered. It was like looking at a different man, not the lover she'd been with all night. The look in his eyes was cold, hard. Ruthless.