Diamonds & Desire: The Priceless Collection

by Gill, Angelita

  Flushed, heart pounding, she didn’t know what else to do, so she nodded as Logan and Katherine went to his office.

  She almost missed the seat behind her as she sat down on the edge, brows furrowing.

  He called her his friend, hadn’t even hesitated.

  Once again, the questions of where they stood came rushing to the forefront of her thoughts, and she wished that, instead of brushing it aside, she would’ve brought up the subject. Now, however, it seemed she had her answer.

  She wasn’t sure how much time went by, but the longer she sat, the more uncomfortable she became. Ashtyn, who flicked concerned glances her way in between taking calls, asked if she could get her a bottled water or a cup of coffee, but Jordana politely declined. Then the assistant walked off to deliver something and Jordana’s discomfort magnified.

  She should go.

  Approaching the cracked open door of his office, she was about to knock and tell Logan she’d see him later, when she heard Katherine say, “We’ve been friends longer than we’ve been working together, Logan. Tell me, what’s with Miss Dove Eyes out there?”

  “Hm? Jordana? I met her at the children’s benefit last month. Nice girl.”

  Nice girl. Jordana swallowed hard. She shouldn’t listen to this conversation. A foreboding feeling came over her, yet her feet refused to move.

  “Lovely. Is it serious?”

  “You know me. Serious only about one thing: the company. I just saw her a few days ago at the gala. I don’t know why she showed up. Surprises are not my thing.”

  Jordana pivoted on her heel, the hurt stabbing at her heart, but still couldn’t bring herself to walk away. Almost trembling, she leaned in instead. A sincere eavesdrop.

  “You heard her,” Katherine remarked. “She was in the neighborhood and just had to stop by. Pardon my frankness, but she’s…how do I put it? She doesn’t look like your style. Trying to date outside the box?”

  Jordana closed her eyes.

  “That’s an interesting way to phrase it,” Logan said.

  “Wait. Jordana’s her name? Is she the woman everyone thought you eloped with?”

  Eloped! What on earth?

  “Don’t stir that pot again. I finally shut that idiotic rumor down. For anyone to think for a second I would marry a woman I hardly know is beyond my comprehension.”

  “There were some rumors going around about you seeing someone new. Maybe because this girl might be more than a good time gal?”

  Another short pause. “She’s not.”

  Another blow.

  “Come on, Logan, you can tell me. You were gone at least two times a week with some nameless client. It’s her isn’t it?”

  “Keeping tabs on me isn’t part of your job description, Katherine.”

  “Touchy, touchy. Don’t be so sensitive, Savant, your Jordana seems as sweet as southern tea. Bringing her to the Mallory Christmas party?”

  “Christmas? That’s more than a month away,” he fairly scoffed. “I…doubt we’ll make it that far.”

  Tears stung Jordana’s eyes, but she sucked in a breath, forcing them back.

  “I see. Well, just let her go in the classy Savant way.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” he said sardonically.

  He asked Katherine a couple more questions concerning the current legalities of the ever developing Hamilton situation as Jordana attempted to gather her dignity under the crushing weight of unexpected pain.

  What a blind fool she’d been, scammed by the most handsome, the most charming of con mans. Logan had had his fun with her and now she was just...a nice girl. A good time gal. How gullible to think she meant anything more after what they shared. Shared? No, she had done the sharing, all he’d done was give and take. There was no sharing.

  When Katherine rose to leave, Jordana stepped back as the woman opened the door. Katherine sent her a curious look with a twist of her wrinkled lips as she walked past. She knew Jordana had snooped.

  Logan was close behind her. He gave Jordana a sexy smile and her knees wobbled like gelatin. She wanted to beg him to take back what he said, fool for him that she was.

  He gestured to his office. “Thanks for waiting. Come on in.”

  “Actually,” she said haltingly as she took a few steps inside his grand office, impressed by its clean and simplistic décor. “I just realized I have so many things to do. It was very rude of me to show up unannounced.”

  His dark brows slanted, and he gently tried to pull her closer to him. “I was just about to ask Ashtyn to clear the next hour. We can order some takeout.” He moved in close, brushing his lips over her ear, lowering his tone. “Eat fast, because afterward, I’ll have my way with you on my desk. That’s a promise.”

  And how many women had he done that to? She bit her tongue from asking. A cold shiver trickled down her spine. Letting him bring her in his arms had been a giant mistake; she was reminded of his kiss, their lovemaking, the laughter and affection.

  In his eyes was the smoldering desire she recognized, and for a second, she considered forgetting what she’d heard. With enough determination, she could shirk the crushed feelings, have lunch with him, and move on, but something inside had cracked. Everything he said repeated in her mind, and her stomach rolled in renewed shame. She’d already been humiliated by a man she loved. No need to let history repeat itself.

  “Logan,” she began, wondering if she should continue. His sharp words—coupled with how withdrawn he’d been lately, her fear to trust someone with her heart who so obviously should not be trusted—and her pride demanded she cut this off here and now. By ending things now, civilly, she could salvage her pride and give him an easy way out at the same time. “Actually, I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. You’re busy, I’m busy, and I just realized—” Searching his puzzled blue eyes, she faltered on her words. Best not to look in them or else she’d back down.

  “What did you just realize?” His voice was tinged with tender concern.

  “That I…” I don’t want to end it like this. But she couldn’t stand the thought of him breaking things off, because eventually, he would, in the “classy Savant way.” Raising her chin, and her courage, she told him, “I heard what you said to Katherine. I wished I hadn’t, but I’m glad I did.” She caught the knowing guilt in his eyes. “For once, eavesdropping is saving me from making a big mistake.”

  “Jordana—”

  “And what about the rumor you and I eloped?”

  With a deep inhale and exhale, he explained, “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to tell you. It was crazy. I ran into a family friend of my mother’s that night at the Stone and McAvoy party. Her husband works for the company that helped with the merge. She heard us being introduced as a married couple and instead of asking me what that was all about, she ran home and told my mother and anyone who would listen that I became a husband over the weekend.”

  Jordana’s eyes widened. “Wow. And everyone knows I would be the last woman you would ever considering settling for.”

  “That’s not what—”

  “Logan, pardon the interruption,” Ashtyn’s voice came on the speaker with a regrettable tone. “Mr. Hamilton is on the line. He says it’s urgent.”

  Logan flicked an annoyed glance at the speaker. “Send him through, Ashtyn.” He rested a regretful gaze back on her, softening his tone. “Please wait. I’ll just be a moment.”

  But it’s already too late. Tears welled when he turned his back.

  Mr. Hamilton’s gruff voice boomed through. “Savant! Got a question for you, and your VP can’t give me an intelligent answer. Hopefully you can!”

  “I’m here, Hamilton.” While Logan rounded to his desk, Jordana walked out. As she strode past a bewildered Ashtyn, feeling Logan’s eyes on her back, hearing him call her name, she hoped he wouldn’t come after her. Once inside the sa
nctity of the elevator, relief washed over her when he didn’t.

  She made it to her car before she finally let her breath go. That’s when the tears streamed from her eyes. No sobbing followed, just hot, strong tears. Though he’d hurt her by what he said, Logan couldn’t be faulted or blamed, not for being honest. Not for essentially being true to himself.

  A man like him was meant to be enjoyed for the present and she certainly did that. She wished, however, it hadn’t been such a momentary present with an abrupt, unsettling end.

  No regrets; she had known getting involved with him was risky, and despite the disappointment, she wouldn’t change any decision.

  But to fall in love with someone who didn’t feel the same supplied a new type of devastation. New tears gathered as she gripped the steering wheel.

  The sound of her cell phone ringing startled her, and she saw Logan’s name on the screen. Silencing it, she tucked her phone in her purse and drove home.

  That night, she soaked in a hot bath, and afterward, opened her closet, running her hand down the dress she’d worn in Vegas. Then she opened the jewelry box containing the necklace. Even in the dimness of her bedroom, its sparkling array dazzled before her eyes as she touched the stones. Why hadn’t she ever given this back? Coming out of her haze, she snapped it closed, and replaced it in her safe.

  One day she’d think about her time with Logan and only remember the deliciously fun parts, and the part where her heart broke wouldn’t feel so bad. She’d survived worse.

  When her cell phone vibrated as she was climbing into bed, she was not all that surprised to see it was Logan, for the fourth time. Well, whatever he had to say, she still didn’t want to hear it. A minute later, her notification went off that she had a voicemail. He hadn’t left one until now.

  Though she considered ignoring it, deleting it without listening, her weakness got the best of her. She played the message on her speakerphone. As soon as his smooth, deep voice came on, her stomach twisted hot and she bit back a despairing cry.

  “Jordana, it’s Logan. It’s so late.” A heavy sigh. “I can’t stop thinking about you. About this afternoon. I’m so—I need to explain, please allow me to and call me back. I’ll be waiting for your call all night. All week. As long as it takes.”

  He hung up, and the automatic voice asked if she wanted to delete, save, or replay the message. Despite herself, she hit repeat. “Jordana, it’s Logan. It’s so late…”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Friends were invaluable, free therapy.

  Unless Jordana counted the second cup of coffee she bought for Casey. He insisted on hanging out at the neighborhood café once she broke the news about ending things with Logan.

  She needed cheering up, but knew it would be a temporary respite.

  She was tired, yet restless. Resolute, yet conflicted. Every morning she woke up determined to get through an entire day without thinking about Logan. By the time she walked out of her apartment, she’d already forsaken that goal.

  “It’s too bad Mr. Savant turned out to be the rule and not the exception,” Casey said wryly. “I had hoped,”—he squeezed his eyes shut—“prayed he was more than meets the eye, but his rep as a true ladies man remains solid. Can’t believe he introduced you as his friend, as if he hadn’t been hot n’ heavy for you for weeks. Well, I did warn you…”

  “I know, I know.”

  “Hey, I’m not judging. I’m just saying.” He tore open a sugar packet. “It shouldn’t be that big of a shock. At least you got some dresses and diamonds out of the whole ordeal.”

  Jordana didn’t have the energy to smile at her friend’s joke. Dresses and diamonds were not compensation for the heartache. “Do you think I was too rash to break it off?”

  “Nah. Defense is the best offense. He was acting weird anyway. The signs were all there, and instead of ignoring them, you listened to your instincts.”

  She gave a subtle nod, folding her arms around her middle, staring at the floor. True. It still didn’t make her feel much better about it however.

  Casey bent his head to catch her gaze, setting a hand on her knee. “Remember what you told me after Zack smashed your heart into a thousand tiny pieces? You said you should’ve paid more attention to the little signs. That deep down you knew something wasn’t right, but that you’d ignored your instincts. You didn’t want to face it because you were too afraid to lose him.”

  And she’d done it again. When would she ever learn? “I remember.” Shifting in her chair, she straightened her spine. “I told myself I would never feel that way again. Like the idiot who knew better.”

  “Exactly. And with Logan, you stopped the player from playing you. Don’t second guess. It was the smart and brave thing to do. You heard that conversation for a reason. Although,” Casey added, pulling the wooden stir stick from his coffee and tossing it in a bin, “I have a feeling it isn’t over between you two yet.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  He shrugged. “A hunch.”

  Afterward, they walked down to a craft store and she picked up fresh art supplies. She planned to fill the rest of her Saturday working on a new Betsy book, slathering on her favorite beauty mask, and watching funny animal videos on YouTube. Lucee had offered to take her out drinking and dancing at a hot club—her sister’s one and only remedy for relationship blues—but Jordana had declined. Maybe next weekend. Or next month. Surely by then she’ll be over him.

  As she and Casey turned right on the corner and started up the sidewalk to her place, she glanced ahead, and halted in her tracks.

  Logan. Leaning on the stair rail of her building, hands in pockets.

  Casey had gotten a few feet in front of her before he realized she’d stopped. “What’s up? Forget something?”

  “Your hunch was on the money. It’s him,” she finally explained to a bewildered Casey.

  “Where?” Her friend followed her gaze, and gasped. “Shut the front door. That’s him?”

  She nodded, taking a deep breath as she shifted the bag to her other arm.

  Casey roved his wide gaze to her. “Even from this distance I can tell the internet pics don’t do him justice. How the hell did you let that specimen go? Don’t answer, I’m just kidding. It’s kinda romantic, him hanging out by the steps. If he wasn’t a heartless a-hole I’d almost forgive him on the spot!”

  She dismissed her friend’s gushing. “Why do you think he’s here?” she asked with apprehension in her voice.

  “You know why. You’ve been ignoring his calls and the man wants to talk. Don’t faint. Here.” He pulled the band from her ponytail, fluffed and arranged her hair around her shoulders, and righted her blue infinity scarf. When she made a face at his fussing, he said, “Better to be sexy than sad. Want me to walk you up?”

  She shook her head, and took a deep, much needed breath. “Thanks, but it’ll just make things awkward.”

  “You’re worried my hulking spaghetti arms will intimidate him?”

  She leaned in for a quick hug. “Worried once you meet him, you’ll make me forgive him on the spot. I’ll talk to you later.”

  He gave her shoulders a little shake. “Don’t go soft. Be strong. Even in the face of sinful beauty with a silver tongue.” He kissed her cheek and jogged across the street to his apartment.

  Legs heavy, Jordana resumed her walk. As she neared, Logan lifted his gaze and locked on hers, relief in his eyes. Ignoring the betraying leap her heart gave at the sight of him, she struggled with the conviction that had sustained her decision for the past few days.

  Wearing black slacks and a dark red button-down shirt opened at the throat, he was too fine for words as he straightened from his casual pose. A soft smile moved his lips. “Hello.”

  “What are you doing here?” A minor triumph. Her voice didn’t shake at all.

  “You haven’t retur
ned my calls.” His baritone speech carried huskiness as he shrugged, “I had to see you.”

  “You could’ve given me a heads up with a text. I don’t like surprises. Just like you as I recall.”

  Remorse etched on his handsome face. “Jordana, about that. What I said to Katherine—it wasn’t what it sounded like.”

  “Really?” She brushed past him and walked up the few steps to her building’s front door, fishing for her keys while her hands shook. “I took everything you said out of context? You called me the ‘nice girl’ from the charity. As if we barely knew each other. You practically laughed when she asked if you’d take me to a Christmas party. I thought we...” Her throat closed up, and she strove for strength as she pivoted to face him. “It was exactly what it sounded like. Denial is pointless. You were being truthful, and even though your words were a little harsh and I wasn’t meant to hear them, they were precisely what I needed to hear. Now I know where we stand.”

  He planted a foot on a step. “At the time, I felt I had to say those things. Katherine asked about you because she knew—in those few seconds you and I were face-to-face—that you were more to me than some acquaintance. I didn’t like it.”

  “So you thought belittling me was the best way to dodge her nosy questions?”

  “No—it’s just...it’s nobody else’s business who you are to me.”

  Including her, apparently. “Well then, who am I to you?”

  Despite herself, hope was high. Now would be his best opportunity to tell her how he felt and end this misery. She waited, holding her breath.

  He cast his gaze away.

  The last vestiges of hope vanished with the silence of his answer. “You don’t even know how to answer that, do you?”

  Raising his gaze, he gestured like a man at a loss. “Jordana, I’m sorry. How I behaved, you should know it was just an act.”

  “What do you mean an act?”

  “I’m the CEO of a corporation. I always have my poker face on at the company, and that was the first time I slipped. Her questions caught me off guard and I just reacted. A bad, cowardly reaction I won’t deny that.” He captured her hand, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles, sending electric frissons of heat up her arm. “Have dinner with me tonight. Come home with me,” he spoke with sensual persuasion. “I’ll make it up to you a thousand times. I’ll find a thousand ways.”