“We’re grown-ups here,” he said. “The end result is all that matters.”
“All the same, I’ll stay here.” Lucy motioned toward the door. “Shall we head toward the coffee? I work best after a full pot. I’m only halfway there.”
A few moments later, she managed to exit the small confines of her office but Greg continued to stay close. All of a sudden it felt like her life was full of complications that all came from the male population.
* * * * *
There would be no sex with Logan. She’d only come to talk. Only talk.
Lucy stood outside the hotel room door holding the key card in a shaking hand. After a day of thinking, distracted beyond belief, Lucy had come to a decision. She had to put an end to this craziness before it destroyed her future.
No way could she sleep with her boss. To hell with Zoe’s liberal ways. Her friend could just stick a sock in her mouth and cut the lectures. Sleeping with Logan represented a death sentence. For a massive industry, advertising sported a relatively small group of real players. She didn’t need to get a mark on her record.
She started to swipe the key card, and thought better. Instead, she knocked. Sending the right message was important. Using that key card seemed like acceptance of intimacy. Impatiently, with no response, she knocked again. Still, no answer. No answer?
Strange.
Maybe he changed his mind.
Her teeth found her bottom lip. Why did that bother her? She should be jumping for joy. Logan backing out would be a blessing. Yet…secretly, she needed to know he wanted her. Regardless of her refusal to act on their attraction, knowing he had pursued her felt good. She really liked Logan. Liked? She scolded herself for such an adolescent thought. What was wrong with her?
Shoving aside those thoughts, she focused on the present problem. What to do… Her eyes drifted to the key card in her hand. Expelling a long breath, she swiped it through the door. She had to know if Logan had shown up. Was there a note inside? It would drive her nuts wondering. Tonight was about putting closure to this. She needed to end the struggle this caused her emotionally. That way she could focus on her career.
Nervously, she pushed open the door. It was dark except for the flickering light of candles. She blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room. Lucy swallowed. Apparently, Logan hadn’t backed out. The soft, sweet scent of vanilla filled her nostrils, alluring and sensual. Shadows danced across the walls, while utter silence filled the air. And Lord help her, she felt the thrill of this planned seduction. Her skin tingled with warmth. Her nipples tightened and pressed against her bra.
And her heart…it raced. It ached. It desired.
The room was a large suite with a living room area and a bedroom. A large entertainment center divided the two sections and acted like a wall blocking her from seeing what might lie beyond. And she wanted to know. Was he here or had Logan left?
Surely not with the candles burning.
Tentatively, she stepped toward the bedroom area. As the king-sized bed came into full view she gulped. With a mixture of both anxiety and excitement, she took in the vision before her. There were at least fifteen candles scattered around the room. A single red rose lay in the center of the bed. Beneath the rose was an envelope much like the one she had found that morning.
This wasn’t going as planned. And yet, it was exactly how she would design a fantasy. Unable to resist, she tossed her purse in front of the television and walked to the bed. She had to know what was in the envelope. Hand shaking ever so slightly, she lifted the seal and pulled out the note inside. She read it twice.
This is our secret world. No one else enters. This world is yours and mine, where pleasure is first, and fantasy can always be reality.
Lucy could hear her own heart beating in her ears. She wanted this. She wanted Logan. But she shouldn’t. But how could she not?
Then, as if out of nowhere, his hands were on her shoulders, his mouth against her ear. “I want to make love to you, Lucy. I want to kiss every inch of your body so perfectly you never forget me or our little fantasy world.”
His words were an intended reminder. A reference to that first night in his apartment when he had spoken them before. The meaning didn’t escape Lucy. And she hadn’t forgotten. Not that night. Not Logan. She felt his hands slide down her arms with tantalizing results. Goose bumps formed a trail behind his caresses. His hands settled on her waist. Though her mind screamed for her to step away, to stop this now before it was too late…his touch seduced. Drawing her into a spell of sorts. She was lost… It felt so incredibly good to have him touch her again.