I couldn’t believe this man was mine. He never gave up on me. He never gave up on us.
“Do I get a kiss?”
“Right now, all I want to do is say f**k it and crawl back into bed with you. So coming any closer ... is a bad idea.”
The sheet slipped to my waist as I sat up and I heard him groan.
“Fuck.”
There was no question I wasn’t getting a kiss, so I threw the covers aside and slipped to the edge of the bed.
His hands clenched into fists as his eyes travelled down my na**d body then back up again. He shook his head back and forth and inhaled a deep breath. It felt amazing that I could do that to this man, make him want me. He’d always made me feel beautiful. He still did, and I loved him even more if that was possible.
He cleared his throat, but it was still a little unsteady as he said, “I bought you a dress. It’s in the bathroom.”
I sat up. “You bought me a dress?”
He gave a curt nod. “Shoes are there too.”
“When did you do that?” We’d spent nearly every moment of the last week together.
“When I went to see Deck. Get dressed, Eme. Meet me downstairs. I want you to meet our new manager.” He walked out of the room shutting the door a little too hard behind him, and I laughed. I also noticed how his jeans had become snug between his legs when I’d thrown back the covers.
When I walked downstairs, following the sound of voices out onto patio that now had a huge white canvas tent over it, I was feeling ... well beautiful. I couldn’t remember the last time I truly felt attractive. I mean, I definitely didn’t when I was a girl growing up with my mother’s constant belligerence.
Logan was staring at me.
Our eyes locked. The guy he was chatting with stopped talking and turned to look at me too. Yeah, I felt beautiful. Logan had always made me feel that way. No matter what crap my mother spilled, it was all lies. The only way to make herself feel better was to put someone else down, and that someone happened to be her daughter.
My dress fit perfectly, a simple asymmetrical white chiffon skirt, plunging neckline top with a dipped back that contrasted with a subtle black lining. Logan had laid out a pair of stunning white and black strappy heels which, surprisingly, fit too. I wondered if Kat had anything to do with it.
Then there was the box he left wrapped with a yellow bow on top of my makeup bag. I gasped when I opened it, eyes filling with tears as I saw the pendant necklace laid in blue velvet. The tasteful diamonds hung on a solid, thin gold chain. When I put it on, the necklace fit snug to my neck, the pendant touching the center of my throat so that you could see my skin through the center of the diamonds. It was striking, and for a few minutes I admired it in the mirror as it nestled against my skin. I wasn’t sure where he had the money for it, but it was from him, and he’d been thinking about me.
When I saw the note folded neatly below the box, I smiled.
It said,
“No panties tonight, Emily. I want to be on stage knowing you’re na**d beneath that dress. I love every part of you.”
Now he was standing in front of me and I felt like we were the only two people in the room.
“Emily,” Logan looped his arm around my waist as he leaned in and whispered in my ear “You make me breathless.”
“Thank you for the necklace.”
“Did you do as I requested?”
I wanted to laugh at him using the word “requested.” Logan rarely requested; he spoke, and it was done, and that wasn’t only with me. I nodded, and he swore and groaned then kissed me. “Good girl.”
Then we were pulled apart by a voice. “Now I understand what kept you away from my office this week.”
Logan squeezed me in tight. It was possessive and was saying something to the guy. “Emily, this is our new manager Daryl. Daryl, Emily.”
I shook his hand and instantly felt the warmth emanating from him. He wore a suit and tie that fit his lean, tall form, and his hair was kept short and styled close. There was no rock star look in him. He was controlled, yet he had this casual air that made me feel relaxed.
We chatted for several minutes until the crowds started to arrive, and I was swept up into the fray as Logan introduced me to people I recognized from Avalanche, but mostly the guests were strangers. I caught a glimpse of Deck at one point, but he was in work mode, prowling the grounds and making certain the security was tight.
“Emily!” Georgie called as she pushed aside the throes of guests and came toward me.
She looked me up and down. “Damn, you look like you’re ready to be f**ked or were just f**ked.” She shrugged. “Whatever, it’s smacking hot. Logan, what the hell? You tying this girl up all week or what? Haven’t heard a peep from her.”
I felt my cheeks heat up at the mention of being tied up, and typical Georgie didn’t let it pass.
“Ha, well strap me down.” She grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me in to whisper, “Rock star fighter who likes a little extracurricular activity in bed? Damn, he is one hell of a cupcake. Wonder if he likes spanking?”
Matt and Kat arrived, Kat looking stunning with her little black dress and blonde hair falling down over her slim shoulders. She was nearly as tall as Matt since she was wearing her spikey black heels, and she towered over me.
Logan leaned in and squeezed my ass. “Stay close to Matt. He knows what’s going on. You’re safer in a crowd, so don’t leave the party. I mean it, Eme. Not for a second.” I knew he was concerned about Alfonzo even though Deck and his men had the place covered. “You need to go the bathroom or freshen up, call Deck. He will have his phone on. No one else.”