“Listen, uh…”
“Jill.” Her squeaky voice pierced his ears.
“Right, Jill. You’re going to have give me some space, okay?”
She stuck out her lower lip and pouted. “Are you sure? I could keep you company tonight.” She twirled her bleached-blonde hair around her finger.
“I’m sure. I don’t want any company tonight. Just…Leave me alone.” He put up his hands then turned and walked away. He hated being rude to the girl, but she wouldn’t give up. And even if he did want company, he sure as hell wasn’t going to take a woman back to Trent’s place. What would he tell her? They couldn’t go to his house because the ghost busters were working there? Right.
He spotted Trent and made his way through the crowd.
“Hey, man. I see you already forgot about the blonde.” Trent smiled and inclined his head toward the girl Logan had just rejected.
“Shit.” He laughed. “Not my type, man.”
“Good.” Trent smiled, put his arm around Logan’s shoulders, and turned him around. “Because there she is.”
His breath caught in his throat when he saw the vision of beauty in royal blue. She was gorgeous, her silky hair falling in loose waves over her soft shoulders. The turtle neck and slacks he saw her in last time just didn’t do her justice. His stomach tightened, and his heart pounded in his chest as he watched her talking casually with her friend.
He got a different vibe from her; like she was set to a different frequency than the rest of the crowd. Even at a charity benefit, the sticky twinge of sex and money still pounded through the room. It sickened him, made him tired, so he tried to ignore it. But this woman wasn’t interested in those things. He detected a trace of animosity about the whole ordeal radiating out from her creamy skin. His fingers twitched with the urge to touch her. To feel the softness of her delicate curves. But it was more than that. He wanted to know her.
“Go get her, man.” Trent slapped him on the back and gave him a push, but he hesitated.
“I don’t know. She’s…I don’t know.”
“She’s different. Yeah, I got it. Now go talk to her before she gets away again. What? You need me to play wing man?”
Logan took a deep breath as the blonde turned and met his eyes. “Shit,” he mumbled. “No, man. I got this.”
* * *
A smile tugged at Allison’s lips when her gaze met those piercing sapphire eyes. He returned the smile, and they looked at each other for a moment before he made his way toward her.
Tina clutched her arm. “He’s coming over here. I told you he’d notice you in that dress.”
“Oh, no.” She pulled from her grasp. “I have to go.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” Tina grabbed her hand to stop her. “You promised you wouldn’t run away from him tonight, and I’m going to hold you to it. Even if I have to hold you down. Now, turn around and smile at the man.” She held her by the shoulders and spun her around just in time to meet Logan’s gaze. His eyes were even more beautiful up close.
“Hi. I’m Logan.” He held out his hand, and she unclenched her fist to place her palm in his. His firm, yet gentle handshake gave her a jolt, and her tension eased when his own nervousness washed over her. She wasn’t trying to read him, but his emotions seemed to seep through his skin.
“I’m Allison.” She looked at the floor and then at his eyes.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Yeah, you both already said that,” Tina said. “I think I’ll go get a drink.” She walked away, leaving Allison alone with Logan.
“Umm…” He ran his hand through his hair and shoved his hands in his pockets.
She’d assumed he’d be smooth and fake, but he was nowhere near the pretentious asshole she'd expected him to be. He seemed sweet and a little bit tongue-tied, and the soft spot she already had for him softened even more.
“I’m sorry. I’m…nervous.” He blew out a breath and looked into her eyes. “You make me nervous.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t imagine herself making any man nervous, much less a man like Logan Mitchell. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to.”
“It’s okay.”
They stared at each other, and she wracked her brain for something to say. Anything to ease the awkward silence stretching between them. Where were the lines? He was supposed to say something witty. And then she’d laugh, and he’d make a move, and she could tell him to buzz off and be done with him.
But he just looked at her, all his conflicted emotions swirling in a mess around him. His eyes slid from her face, down the length of her, and back up again. “You’re very beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Heat flushed her cheeks. Dozens of men had told her that before, but coming from Logan it seemed to mean more. She could feel he meant it.
“I haven’t seen you around much. Where do you work?”
“In an antique store downtown. I’m…” She paused as a man approached Logan.
“Hey, man. I hate to pull you away, but it’s time. They’re waiting for you.”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a long blink. “I’m sorry, Allison. I need to make a quick speech. Will you wait for me?” He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “It won’t take long.”
Her breath hitched at the feel of his warm breath on her skin. Unable to form a coherent sentence, she nodded.
“I’ll be right back.” He smiled and walked away, and all she could do was stare.
“Well…What happened?” Tina handed her another glass of wine.
Her heart raced, and her stomach quivered as she watched Logan take the stage. The chardonnay cooled her fingers, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the intriguing man long enough to take a sip.
“Allie, talk to me!”
She blinked. “He, umm…Well, nothing happened, really. He had to go.”
Tina beamed. “I see that. I also saw him whisper something in your ear. What did he say? Tell me everything.”
She couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. When was the last time she felt so giddy over a guy? She was about to answer Tina’s questions when Logan began his speech.
“Welcome, friends. I hope you’re enjoying my little party.” He spoke to the crowd, but his eyes focused on her the entire time. “We’ve got some great entertainment lined up for you, but let’s not forget the real reason we’re here—to raise money for the children’s hospital. I hope you all brought your checkbooks, because I’m going to be asking you to open them up pretty soon. But first, put your hands together for our entertainer of the evening.” As the audience cheered, Logan hopped off the stage and disappeared in the crowd.
A flush of dread washed away the elation she’d felt a moment ago. What was she doing talking to a guy like Logan Mitchell? No good could come of this. “I have to go.” She turned to make her escape, but Tina caught her by the arm.
“He’s coming back over here.”
“I know, that’s why I have to go.”
“No, you don’t. Quit acting like a freak and talk to the man.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The man had her heart pounding and her stomach doing flips, and that was never a good thing. But she could do this. Talk to him. Let him down easily and excuse herself to leave.
“Hi.” When he smiled, the cutest little dimple formed on his left cheek.
“Hi.” Her whole body warmed under his gaze.
“Sorry about that. I, uh…”
“It’s okay.” She tried to think of something intelligent to say, but staring into Logan’s eyes made her mind go blank. A small sigh of relief escaped her lips when a gray-haired man walked up to shake Logan’s hand.
“Great party,” the man said.
“Thanks for coming,” Logan replied. He turned back to her. “Sorry. Listen, I was wonder--”
Another man with blond hair and beady brown eyes interrupted them. “Looks like it’s a success, man.”
“Yeah. Thanks for your support.” L
ogan turned back to her, and yet another person approached to greet him. He grit his teeth and took her by the hand. “Let’s get out of here.” His frustration flowed into her as if he was willing her to feel his emotions as he led her toward the elevator.
She couldn’t seem to block him out. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere quiet.”
The elevator doors whooshed open, and he ushered her inside. He pressed the button for the top floor and turned to her, taking both her hands in his. Her heart fluttered as she took a step toward him, drawn to him in a way she didn’t understand. She gazed up into his eyes, and the elevator dinged, opening into a short hallway with a door on either end. He led her to a dimly lit banquet room with an amazing view of the city below. Bright lights sparkled in the distant night sky behind the breathtaking cityscape. The exterior walls were glass from floor to ceiling, and the same soft jazz music from the ballroom below danced through the air.
She paused near the doorway. “Should we be here? What if someone finds us?”
He chuckled. “It’s okay. I own the building.”
“Oh.” She went to the window, placing her hand on the glass as she absorbed the scenery. “The view is incredible.”
“Yes, it is.” But he wasn’t looking at the city below. He was staring at Allison. Her heart jumped when she looked in his eyes and he reached his hand out to stroke her cheek. She leaned into his touch as he brought her mouth up to meet his. The kiss was soft, tentative, and his lips lingered over hers, so close she could feel his breath on her skin.
She could have pulled away. That would’ve been the smart thing to do. Just turn around and get her butt back on that elevator. But she didn’t feel like being smart. She wanted Logan. She wanted to taste him. To feel his hands on her body. She wrapped her hand behind his neck and pulled him to her, crushing her mouth to his.
He responded, desire flooding from his body as he wrapped his arms around her waist and slipped his tongue between her lips. The taste of him sent shivers down her spine, and she trembled as his hands slid up to the bare skin on her back.
This was crazy. She didn’t make out with men the first time she met them. But there she was, wrapped in Logan’s embrace and wanting nothing more than to feel his naked body against hers. To drown herself in his essence. She ran her hands over his rippled abs and across his chest, sliding his jacket over his shoulders. A deep moan escaped his throat when he shrugged out of the jacket and dropped it on the floor. She felt his desire ignite, as her own flames burned hotter.
With her back against the window, he pressed his body to hers, urgently exploring her mouth with his tongue. His arousal grew, pressing into her stomach, waking every feminine desire that had long lain dormant inside her. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it, running his hands up and down her arms and across her shoulders. The phone quieted, but the passion between them built as their kiss deepened and their bodies intertwined. The phone buzzed again, and Allison took a deep, shuddering breath.
“Maybe you should answer that,” she whispered.
He pressed his forehead to hers, closed his eyes, and blew out a hard breath. Then he pulled the phone out of his pocket and put it to his ear.
“Yeah.” Frustration rolled off him as he spoke to the caller. “Shit. Yeah, I’ll be right there. Meet me at the elevator.” He turned off the phone and dropped it in his pocket, shifting his gaze to her eyes. “I have to go. Will you come back down with me?” He took her hand and led her back to the elevator.
“Is something wrong?”
He smiled and stroked her hair. “No. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just time for me to go work some money out of these stingy high-rollers.”
Her head still spinning with passion, she followed him onto the elevator.
He turned to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come on so strong. I brought you up here so we could talk, and I don’t know what happened. I got carried away, and I apologize.”
She put her hand on his cheek. “It’s okay.”
“No. No, it’s not okay. You’re different, Allison. And I don’t want you to think that’s all I want from you. I’m going to make it up to you. Have dinner with me tomorrow?”
She inhaled sharply. She didn’t want to get involved with Logan or any man. Amazing as he seemed, she just couldn’t risk it. “Logan, I don’t think so. I—”
“Please?”
The door opened, bringing a gust of cool air from the lobby rushing into the elevator. A man stood outside the door, waiting for them.
“Come on. Where have you…Oh, hello there. I’m Trent.” His gaze landed on Allison as she smoothed her disheveled hair.
“Hi.”
He turned back to Logan and pointed to his mouth. “You got a little lipstick there, my friend.”
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and slipped his jacket on. Then he handed her a card. “So you can call me in case you get away. But I hope you won’t go anywhere. I’m not done talking with you.” He gave her one more quick kiss on the lips before Trent pulled him away.
* * *
“So, it went well, huh?” Trent asked as they made their way through the crowd toward the stage.
“Too well.” What the hell was he thinking? Allison wasn’t the type of girl who fell for a seduction like that. She was different. Special. Shit, he was an idiot. And why the hell did he just ask her out to dinner? If he didn’t want to get involved with her, he was doing a shitty job. He could always hope she didn’t call him. But he couldn’t leave things that way. She probably already thought he was a womanizer, and that little escapade just drove the point home. He had to make things right with her.
“Aw, don’t get all gloomy on me now,” Trent said. “You’ve got to squeeze some money out of these tight-wads first.”
“You’re right, man. You’re right.” Still stiff from his encounter with Allison, he cursed under his breath and adjusted his pants before he mounted the stage. He pretended to adjust the microphone as he scanned the room for her. He had to talk to her again. Why her opinion of him mattered so much, he wasn’t sure, but it was something he knew he would obsess about until he could make things right with her.
“Hello again,” he said into the microphone, still searching for Allison. “How about that entertainment? Was it awesome? Make sure you stop by the buffet and the bar too.” At last, he found her. His gaze locked with hers, and he smiled. “I hope you’ve been enjoying yourselves. I know I have. But it’s that time of night. As our party comes to a close, I ask each and every one of you to think about how blessed you are to be healthy. To have healthy children. We should all be thankful to be standing here today. We have the power to change the world, my friends, and we can do it one life at a time. By donating to the children’s hospital, you’ll be saving lives. So, who’s with me? Let’s be the change. Let’s make a difference.”
Logan nodded to Trent, who climbed on stage to collect checks as Logan descended the steps in pursuit of Allison. But he lost her in the crowd. He scanned the room, searching for her silky blonde hair that felt so good in his fingers. For her royal blue dress that hugged her breasts the way his hands ached to. But there was no sign of her. She was gone.
Hell. What if that was the last time he saw her? What if she got in a wreck on the way home? She’d die thinking he was a pig who only wanted her for sex. What if she was mugged? Or raped?
A sickening feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. She could get rear-ended at a stop light and be forced into oncoming traffic. Or she might have a blow-out and roll her car over in a ditch. It was stupid. He knew it was irrational, but he couldn’t stop the thoughts from consuming him. When he got like this—in this obsessive state—the emotions around him amplified. All the horny, eager, disgusting feelings of the crowd blasted at him from every direction, disorienting him until he felt like crumpling on the floor.
Leave. He needed to leave. He had to get out of that cesspool of emotions and be somewhere he could g
et control of his thoughts. But he couldn’t go home. The ghost busters were there, and that was another problem he couldn’t handle thinking about right now. He’d have to find a way to calm his mind at Trent’s place.
He bolted for the door. Trent would cover for him; he’d seen Logan through plenty of these episodes. He waited for the valet to bring his car and counted the number of times he could tap his foot before the Mercedes pulled into the drive. He couldn’t lose it in front of these people.
Trent lived twenty minutes outside the city, and the drive back was hell. He counted the stripes in the road to keep his mind off the incessant thoughts that slid through his head. He wanted it to stop, and there was one sure way to do it. A bullet to his brain would quiet his mind. Or maybe he could just drive his car off a bridge. An overpass would probably work better. Crashing into concrete would crush his bones, hopefully killing him quickly. Driving off a bridge, he’d probably drown when his car filled with water. That would take too long.
Shit! He had to stop thinking like that. He clutched the steering wheel in a death grip as he drove over I-75, afraid the invitation to silence might send him off the edge. One day, he might lose his mind and do it.
He pulled into the driveway and marched to Trent’s front door, letting himself in with the spare key. He made a sharp right into the guest room, threw his duffle bag on the bed, and undressed. There were no color-coded hampers to put his clothes in, so instead he folded them into neat piles and placed them on the dresser. He stepped into the adjoining bathroom, turned the hot water on full blast and stood under the shower, letting the stream pelt his body, washing away the sludge of emotions that lingered on his skin. He scrubbed his face, washed his hair, then continued down the rest of his body, relaxing with the routine.
This time’s not so bad. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to give the tub a good scrubbing. He pulled on some sweat pants and a t-shirt and headed to the utility closet, where Trent kept his cleaning supplies. A little Ajax with bleach on a scouring pad would get rid of the thin film of soap scum that coated the tile in the shower. He scrubbed the walls and floor of the shower, counting the movements as he went. Five hundred strokes later, he rinsed the walls and stood back to appreciate the sparkling bathroom.
To Catch a Spirit Page 6
