Logan's Redemption

by Cara Marsi

  Confidence lit Franco’s blue eyes. He always got what he wanted. Not this time. Doriana rounded the desk until she stood face-to-face with him.

  “Maybe I have plans for the weekend,” she said in a tight voice. “Do your own report.”

  His low laugh made her bristle.

  “Get real,” he said. “You with plans? You’ll probably spend all weekend at work like you always do. As long as you’re here, you might as well finish my report.”

  “Dad gave you the job, not me.” She placed a hand on her hip and glared at him.

  “Please, Doriana,” Janine said in a little girl voice. “Franco and I are so much in love.”

  Until the next blonde comes along. Ashamed at her meanness, Doriana bit her lip.

  “Doriana and I will do the report for you,” Logan said.

  Doriana swung around to stare at him. “What?”

  Logan leveled his gaze at her. “Let your brother and his friend have their weekend. With the two of us working together, we’ll get the report done.”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. What the hell had gotten into Logan?

  “Come on, Doriana,” Franco said. “Logan’s right. You and he will do a better job.” He ran his hand down Janine’s arm. “I couldn’t concentrate with this tigress distracting me.” The blonde nibbled on his earlobe. Doriana wanted to retch.

  Franco turned to Logan. “Damn generous of you. Let me know if I can do anything for you.” His mouth curved in a wolfish grin. “I can introduce you around. I know some of the hottest people in the city.”

  “And I have lots of model friends who would love a date with you,” Janine purred.

  “Thanks for the offer,” Logan said. “I’ll be working.”

  Janine stared wide-eyed at him. Doriana suppressed a laugh. Bet that was something the woman didn’t hear often.

  But things were getting out of hand. “This is my office, not a dating service,” Doriana said. “Leave, Franco. I won’t do your report.”

  “We can do it.” The firmness in Logan’s voice held her. “It’s important to your dad, Doriana. And I know you want what’s best for him and the company. Don’t worry. We’ll get it done. I’ll work with you all weekend.”

  Apprehension mixed with excitement, making Doriana shiver. She and Logan together in a nearly empty building? She pressed a hand to her stomach. She couldn’t do it.

  “Thanks, both of you,” Franco said before she had a chance to protest again. Arm in arm, he and Janine strode quickly from the room.

  “Wait,” Doriana shouted. Too late. The outer door clicked behind them.

  She turned to Logan, her breathing labored. “Why did you do that? This is my office. I dictate what work I’ll do. You had no right.”

  His hazel eyes shadowed. “I’m sorry. I thought I was helping you and your company.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’ll decide what’s best for me and the company.”

  He ran a hand over his face. When he looked at her again, his eyes had softened. “Franco wouldn’t have done that report and you know it. Your father would have given it to you Monday and you would have been up all night working on it. I didn’t want that to happen.” The truth of his words made her throat thicken. She swallowed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He moved closer. She felt his warm breath on her face and inhaled his faint citrus scent. Her insides trembled with need.

  “You know it’s the truth. Anyone can see how devoted you are to this company and your father.” He stroked a gentle finger along her cheek. “Beautiful, smart, and loyal,” he whispered. “A sexy combination.”

  Heat pulled low in her stomach. His closeness and his touch made her ache for something more, something dangerous. Fear brought her back to reality and she stepped away from him. “Don’t talk like that,” she said in a voice that shook. “We’re co-workers. You report to me, at least temporarily. I thought we agreed on a strictly business relationship.”

  He scanned her face. “Sorry. I forgot myself for a minute.” He smiled, not looking contrite at all. “You are beautiful, you know.”

  “Stop it.” But she couldn’t stop the jolts of pleasure that swept her. Trying to collect her wayward thoughts, she glanced at her watch. “I guess we’re stuck with this report. Let’s take a dinner break and meet back here in an hour and a half.”

  Feeling more in control, she looked up to find him staring at her with hooded eyes...eyes that seemed to know a reality she couldn’t face. She dropped her gaze, fighting the longings she’d kept tightly wrapped all these years. Longings he released in her.

  He moved closer and hooked his finger beneath her chin, tilting her face toward his. “Have dinner with me,” he whispered. “We can discuss the report.”

  “No,” she said, pulling free of his scorching touch. The part of her that could still think straight knew if she sat across a dinner table from Logan, the report would be the last thing on her mind. Working with him all weekend would test her enough. She needed a break to regroup her senses.

  She glanced over at Josh’s picture. “I have uh-babysitting arrangements to make.” Not a complete lie. Josh had been on his best behavior lately, but she couldn’t trust him alone most of the weekend. She’d insist he stay at her parents’. He’d fight her, but he’d not risk another grounding.

  “My offer for dinner is always open,” Logan said.

  Her chest tightened. Could she keep up this masquerade for six months? She had to. Raising her chin, she said, “Thanks for the invitation, but no dinner. Not now. Not ever.”

  “We’ll see,” he said. “I never give up, Doriana.”

  She grabbed her purse from the desk drawer. “See you in an hour and a half.” As she hurried from the room, she pulled her cell phone from her handbag. She’d order a pizza for her and Josh. Do not think about Logan. Think about the food. But thoughts of Logan filled her and she knew she fought a losing battle.

  * * * *

  Logan watched her leave. Damn. He flirted with danger, danger to his psyche. He had to stay away from Doriana. They weren’t right for each other. Had never been right for each other.

  He strode to his office and pulled his jacket from the coat rack. A brisk walk in the chill November air would cool him. Shrugging into his jacket, he let out a low, bitter laugh.

  He needed more than a walk. He needed Doriana. His body and soul burned for her. He’d tried to forget her. Other women had tried to break through the wall he’d built around his heart. None had come close. There was always Doriana. Just one more night with her, that was all he asked. One night to hold her and possess her and she’d be out of his system for good. He could go on with his life. He slammed the door, shutting out the lie, and headed down the hall.

  ~~~~

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The key Callahan gave him fit easily into the lock. Logan turned it gently until he heard the click. He stepped into the office housing the sales department and closed the door softly behind him. Security lights illuminated the early-morning paleness. He stood still, allowing his eyes to adjust and getting the lay of the place.

  A lucky break to have an excuse to be in the building on a Saturday. With Callahan’s keys he could let himself in at any time, but he didn’t want to arouse the suspicions of the guards who were on duty round the clock.

  Working on the report with Doriana gave him reason to be in the building, but he wanted to help her because she’d end up with the job anyway. He wanted to make things easier for her. Was it guilt? What happened between them was a long time ago. And he’d been forced to run. He pushed the thought aside for another time. He had a job to do.

  He glanced at the digital clock on one of the desks. Six. He’d meet Doriana in her office in an hour. She had looked so tired when they finally quit work after midnight. He hoped she’d gotten more sleep than he had. He’d tossed and turned, his sleeplessness broken by dreams of Doriana. Hot, spicy dreams filled with a soul-baring yearning he couldn�
�t shake, even awake.

  When they’d first started work last night, tension cut around them like glass shards, but once they delved into the project, the atmosphere lightened. He’d always felt good around Doriana. When they were teens she had a way of making him feel special. He drew a deep, cleansing breath. Those memories belonged in the past. He knew better than to go there.

  Logan moved farther into the room and forced himself to focus. His instincts and bits of evidence pointed to someone in Sales leaking the bids. Director Bryce James? That was almost too obvious. But he had to consider all possibilities.

  Logan wanted to get a feel for the place, to see where everyone sat, visualize the culprit taking the sealed bids from the safe or hacking into the computer. His covert operations with the Special Forces had taught him to look for things easily missed by others, to pay attention to the slightest detail.

  He circled the room, treading carefully, stopping at each desk and going through drawers and wastebaskets. Thankfully, the cleaning crew wouldn’t come in until later today.

  He found Candi’s desk and sat in her chair. Framed pictures of her adorned every free space. Picking up one of the photos, he studied it. A beach picture, Candi wore a skimpy white bikini that exposed her lush charms. The skinny, dark-haired man in the picture with her had a sour expression on his face, as if life had dealt him a bowl of lemons.

  Interesting. The man stood with his arm draped around a woman who left most men salivating and he looked angry. Logan needed to get the boyfriend’s name from Candi or one of the other employees and check it against the list of fired workers. And he had to stay on good terms with Candi. A few subtle questions and she might give him the information he needed to crack this case.

  He poked around her desk, pulling open drawers. A piece of paper stuck in the corner of one drawer caught his attention. He pulled it out and read it. Smiling, he carefully replaced the paper where he found it.

  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.”