Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection

by Gill, Angelita

  She arched a brow. “Of course you would view love as a sport. I wonder why? Failed to win one too many times?”

  “Can’t win if you don’t play,” he remarked. “I have no desire for anything serious and I don’t think I ever will. Love and marriage are good things from what I hear. They just aren’t for me.”

  “What if you miss the woman of your dreams because you’re too busy avoiding the real thing?”

  A pause. “I had the real thing,” Neil answered. “But that only comes along once.”

  Logan raised a brow at this soft confession. Though he knew who Neil was talking about, it was rare to hear his friend even mention his first love, even if he didn’t say her name.

  Deciding it was time to interrupt, Logan strolled in, pretending he hadn’t been eavesdropping. The pair both jerked as if they’d been caught making out; Ashtyn’s cheeks stained red. Logan sent his friend a half-smile. “Stop flirting with my assistant, Neil. She never has been and never will be interested in you. Even if she wasn’t married,” he joked as he handed the papers to Ashtyn. “I made a few amendments in the margins. Nothing they should dispute since we discussed it over the phone. Review it and send it to Hutchings by Monday. He’s expecting it.”

  Ashtyn smiled and gave a single nod. “Will do.”

  “Thanks. And you don’t have to rush off. Stay as long as you like.”

  She shook her head quickly, closing her laptop and gathering her file. “I should go. You both have a nice weekend.”

  “You too,” Logan said.

  Something was in the air. A definite tension. Although he’d been kidding about the flirtation, Logan had no doubt Neil understood the underlying warning. His assistant was a no-fly zone...as in Neil’s fly better stay up when it came to her. All of his employees were off-limits from the skirt-chasing lawyer but Ashtyn especially. There were plenty of pretty, single women in the Bay for Neil to hook up with. Even if Ashtyn was available, he’d never approve of his friend seducing her. He’d break her heart in short order and then things would forever be awkward between his best friend and his best right-hand employee.

  “Coming?” he asked Neil, who seemed to want to linger.

  Neil glanced quick at Ashtyn, pressing his lips together before strolling past Logan. “Yeah.”

  Back to the party, Logan realized he didn’t have to worry about Jordana at all. She sat next to Drew now, laughing while his friend waved his arms and regaled her with one of his more entertaining stories about playing Australian-rules football.

  The flirt. He squelched the impulse to tell Drew he didn’t have a chance with Jordana. But he had no right; she wasn’t his. He couldn’t stand in any man’s way. A friend wouldn’t do that.

  Drew handed her a beer, asking if she knew anything about MMA fighting. She didn’t, so he apprised her of the fighters in the main event. Logan feigned indifference as she asked her questions, and Drew responded readily, making her laugh with his comical quips.

  It took every ounce of Logan’s willpower not to pull her chair closer to him while they gathered around the TV with the rest of them. Ladies loved Drew because he was boyishly good-looking, an easy talker, and—Logan had to admit—a genuine, all-around good guy. Not a player. And as the fights started, Logan noticed Jordana had just laughed at something Drew said. Again.

  Logan clenched his jaw. Hell, she was his friend. He should be the one making her laugh. As the guys leaped off their feet with shouts and hollers when the contender slammed an overhand right, Logan remained in his seat, sulking.

  When he realized Neil was staring at him with a knowing half-smile, he forced his attention to the TV.

  Later on, he went to make a drink, a strong one, when Miranda came bounding up to him in a hushed whisper. “So glad you invited Jordana. I like her a lot.”

  He dropped a whiskey stone in his glass and poured generously. “I’m not surprised. I liked her first.”

  “I’m for sure going to set her up. I have so many guys she’d be perfect for.”

  Here it comes. Miranda already thinking of all the available men to pimp. “You barely know her.”

  “What else is there to know? She’s fun to be around, witty. Lots of gorgeous hair, works for a doctor. As long as she hasn’t escaped prison, she’s prime time girlfriend material.”

  All that was true, however, he didn’t relish the thought of Miranda playing matchmaker. “Don’t talk about her like she’s real estate. And not every single woman wants to be shackled in matrimony like you.”

  She eyed him with suspicion, looking at Jordana, then back. “What’s with you? You were lying when you said she was just a friend, weren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Then why do you care if I set her up with someone? You sound jealous.”

  Why did he care? In fact, if she did start seeing someone, then it might relieve him of his desire for her.

  On second thought, scratch that. Picturing a guy coming in and sweeping her off her feet hollowed his gut. His conviction was beginning to slip. “Come on, Miranda, you know me. Match her up all you want…I couldn’t care less.” Oh the lies we tell ourselves.

  “Are you sure? You’d make a cute couple. In fact, I could definitely see you two together.”

  “How many times do I have say the word friends?” To her, and himself?

  “All right. Well, no matter what you say, if she’s interested, I’m playing cupid.” She clinked her glass with his and walked away.

  After the fight was over, everyone lingered for a drink or two, then started to filter out. While he walked his friends to the door, he noticed Miranda had pulled Jordana to the side.

  Neil chuckled as he sauntered up to him, shrugging on his jacket. “My God man, try to look a little less obvious.”

  He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “That your whole ‘we’re just friends’ was self-denial mumbo jumbo. I don’t know why you’re even bothering with this front. You’ve wanted her from the first minute you saw her. Tell her and get it over with.”

  He shot Neil a look. “Keep your voice down, will you?”

  “Just saying, she won’t be single long. Are you really going to let Drew take her out?”

  He jerked his gaze to Neil’s. “He asked her out?”

  Neil clicked his cheek. “Got ya. Man, you’re easy. If he hasn’t, he will.”

  Nice trick move, but he let it slide. “And in the meantime, Miranda is going to have her engaged by New Year’s. Why does every married woman think every single woman wants to be in a relationship?”

  Neil slapped a hand on his shoulder. “The majority do. Better act fast, my friend. And quit pretending you don’t want her. You suck at it.”

  The lawyer had a point. As Neil walked out, Miranda approached with Phillip. “Good party, Logan. Have you found a date for the Bridges of Marin County gala yet?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. I’m sure Ashtyn will remind me plenty between now and then.”

  “Fine. Just be sure you don’t bail on it this year. You know how much that charity means to me.”

  “I promise to make an appearance. You have my word.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Lovely. And bring a date I can stand.”

  An idea sprung to mind as he glanced at Jordana.

  Philip shook his hand. “Thanks for hosting. Great fight, huh?”

  Was it? He barely looked at the TV. “Yeah. See you two later.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” Drew said to Jordana as he and Ronnie, his neighbor, approached the door.

  Just as she was about to step outside with them, he touched her shoulder. “How about a tour of the house before you go?”

  She grinned. “I’d love that.”

  “Great.” He slammed the door in his friends’ faces. “‘Night guys.”

>   ***

  Jordana hadn’t been nervous all night.

  Until now.

  Alone with Logan and with no one around to keep her distracted. She’d felt his eyes on her throughout the evening, but whenever she tried to meet his gaze, he dragged it away. Maybe he didn’t appreciate her giving her attention to Drew. Could he have been jealous? Well, she wished she could tell him she wasn’t interested in his friend if that was the case. Perhaps Logan was beginning to see her as less of a pal and more of the woman he wanted at the charity. One could hope. She followed him as he started the tour.

  “This is the dining room,” he said as he switched on the light. “I should really turn it into something useful. I rarely eat in here.”

  “But it’s such a beautiful space,” she complimented, admiring the glossy black piano silhouetted against the demilune bay window. The walls were a rich, earthy green with contrasting white-trimmed fireplace against the east wall. An antique French mirror hung above, flanked by 1920s style sconces. What she guessed was a modern walnut table looked to be paired with Louis XIII-style chairs dressed in cream slipcovers. She once spent a summer working in a furniture store back home and could admire vintage touches. “The window faces west. I bet when the sun sets, it’s lovely in here. Why would you decorate it and never use it?”

  “The room was like this when I bought the house, so I can’t take credit. And I’m usually at the office when the sun sets.”

  “What a shame.”

  “Not really. My office has a nice view, too.”

  She gave him a chastising smile. “Do you play?” she asked gesturing to the piano.

  “I can, if forced. My mom insisted I learn an instrument, and at the age of ten I picked piano. After high school, I sort of let it go. It’s a little excessive to have when I neglect it so often, but I was so used to having a piano in the house, it felt empty without one.”

  “Got a favorite you like to play? Mozart? Beethoven?”

  “The Forrest Gump theme song.”

  She laughed as they moved on. Next he showed her his den, his library with a pool table, the ridiculous cinema room with stadium seating, and outside to his saltwater pool.

  “What do you think?” he asked as they stepped back inside.

  “It’s the biggest bachelor pad I’ve ever seen, but it’s pretty.”

  “Pretty bachelor pad. Kind of an oxymoron, but I’ll accept that.” He grinned.

  She smiled, tucking her hands in her back pockets. “It’s a lot of space for one man.”

  “I like my space.”

  “And I like your friends.”

  “You sound as if you weren’t expecting to.”

  “You never know! Normal people have weird friends all the time.”

  He chuckled. “I know they liked you, too. Especially Miranda. Did she, uh, ask if she could set you up on blind dates?”

  “Actually, she did.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Do I scream desperate for a date or something?”

  “No, she just likes to be the master of love lives. Sorry if she cornered you about it,” he said as they slowly ventured back to the foyer.

  “Not at all. I was flattered she offered.” She noticed he was leading her toward the front door.

  “Well, don’t hesitate to tell her to back off if you’re not interested in being her latest project.” He studied her, almost as if waiting for her elaborate, then asked, “So are you going to let her set you up?”

  “I told her I’d think about it.”

  “If you say yes, be warned, she’ll take over your Friday and Saturday nights until you threaten to change your number. Once she sets her mind to it, she won’t stop until you’re practically wed. She’s a believer in happy endings and all that noise.”

  All that noise? She stifled laughter as she swiveled to face him. “We need more people like Miranda then. Anyway, I’d consider going out with someone if she thought we’d hit it off.”

  “Yeah?” He leaned a palm high on the wall behind her, looking down, gaze smoky. Lowering his tone, he said, “Well, I’d like it very much if you turned her down.”

  Oh? She gulped. Sometime in the last few seconds, he’d stealthy entered her personal space, filling it with his scent and heat. Flattening her hands to the wall, she looked up in his eyes. “Why should I?” she asked softly, knees going weak.

  He stared at her mouth, then traced his gaze over her features, back to her eyes.

  Her heart beat like a loud drum, and for a second she couldn’t breathe, trapped by his seductive gaze...and anticipating his intention. Slowly, he descended.

  She didn’t move. Couldn’t move.

  He set his free hand on her waist and gently drew her in, pressing his lips on hers, unrushed. The subtle, increasing power of their kiss melted her bones, and a need rose from a sexual place she’d long neglected.

  He pulled back an inch, his thumb toying at the edge of her bottom lip, and as she took a quick intake of breath, he kissed her again, a little harder this time, encouraging her to open. All she could do was comply, parting her lips as he slipped his tongue inside. A short moan came from his throat and he locked his arm around her back, jerking her against his form. She leaned back and wrapped her arms around his neck, losing balance.

  Her nipples tightened, desire pooling between her thighs as he pushed her against the wall. Lord, did her body flame and heartbeat scatter. She wanted him with a frenzied passion she’d never experienced before. Desire and sex had always been warm, pleasantly thrilling sensations, but not to this degree, where she felt like she would to agree to anything, as long as he kept going.

  When he broke away, she whimpered helplessly. Whoa. That was the hottest kiss in history. In her history, that is.

  “Jordana.” He waited until she opened her eyes. Crooking a finger under her chin, he said, “Please don’t let Miranda fix you up. I’d go crazy. Okay?”

  Stunned, all she could do was nod. “Oh-okay.”

  A small smile moved his mouth. “Good.” He moved away and moments later, she barely registered him walking her to her car and opening the driver’s side door after she unlocked it. “Drive safe,” she heard him say.

  “Er, I will. Goodnight.”

  It wasn’t until she started her car that she finally broke out of her daze. Her lips were still burning from his kiss, the rest of her aching. Glancing at the window, she saw him standing in front of his door, hands in pockets, watching her drive off.

  She blew out a breath as she turned from of his driveway. So. He didn’t want her to see anyone else. That would be no problem at all.

  Chapter Six

  Lunch with Logan day.

  That’s what her sister called it. It was the fourth time in almost two weeks and he was on his way to pick her up from the doctor’s office. She looked forward to their midday meals together, but wondered why he had yet to ask her out on a real date, and why he hadn’t kissed her since that night at his house.

  Miranda had called a week ago, asking if she was free Friday night—she knew a pediatrician who was dying to meet her—but Jordana informed her she was no longer interested.

  All she wanted was Logan. But…

  Were they dating or were they just casual? Had he possibly regretted kissing her? He certainly didn’t behave as though he did, still charming and flirtatious as ever. In any case, there was no need to rush into anything, like her sister often did.

  Speaking of Lucee, she hadn’t heard from her in over a week, which was a little odd. Jordana texted her about having dinner on Monday, but had yet to receive answer, and it was Thursday.

  Dr. Palecki left early for a long weekend, so the office was empty except for her and Piper. Her cell phone display showed zero text messages and calls and she couldn’t help but check it every half hour. As flaky as Lucee could be, she usually
returned messages in a day or two.

  “He’s here,” Piper announced with a grin, watching as Logan’s sedan pulled up.

  The level of her worries lessened when Logan got out of the car, smiling, to open the door for her. “What’s the menu of the day?” he asked. “The Italian place the other day gave me the greatest heartburn I’ve ever known, so try to remember my immediate health before you make a decision. I have to take pills for that, you know.”

  She laughed softly. “Okay, how about something light, something simple. T-man,” she called to his driver with the nickname she’d made up for him. “Take us to ‘The Last Spoon’ on 6th and Crestwood, please.”

  “Yes, Miss Shaw.”

  Logan chuckled. “You’re getting good at that.”

  Once they arrived at the café and ordered their lunches, she discreetly checked her cell phone again. No Lucee.

  “Everything okay?” Logan inquired. “You seem a little upset.”

  “How can you tell?”

  He wriggled his fingers. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but you crack your knuckles one by one with your thumb when you’re worried about something.”

  She stopped, and set her hand in her lap. “I do?”

  He nodded. “I started to notice when you spoke of an infant who needed ear plugs. And when you thought you’d be late after our lunch when we got stuck in traffic. Then the time you thought your debit card had been stolen.”

  Geez. She had no idea she had a tell. “Well, guess I shouldn’t try to become a professional poker player. It’s just I haven’t heard from Lucee yet. She hasn’t responded to any of my texts and I’ve been trying to reach her since Monday.”

  “I see. I thought that was her signature communication. Few and far between. Delayed, sporadic texts.”

  “It is her usual mode, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less worried until I hear from her.”

  “I have a feeling she’s just being Lucee, lost in her own world. Is there anything I can do?”

  She conjured up a smile. Since it wasn’t very polite to fidget when someone took you out to lunch, she tried to relax. “No. You’re right. She’ll call when she comes out of her bubble.”