She had to meet him.
* * * * *
One week later, Lucy sat at her desk with a calendar in front of her. She checked off every time she’d met Logan. Of course, she knew. Five out of five work days they’d met. The weekend in between had been long and confusing with no contact.
How had a one-night stand turned into this?
Each day at work started with a new poem. Each night ended in the same hotel room. The worst part of it all was Lucy’s complete inability to stop seeing Logan. And she should. Each visit, she became more attached to him.
This morning had been a true testament to how involved she’d allowed her heart to become. Logan had driven her home or rather to the coffee shop as he had each day. He always pressed to walk her home and she refused. This morning it had been a near argument.
When he’d driven away, she’d stood there, hugging herself…and then, out of nowhere, tears had formed. In that moment, she’d felt more alone than she had in all the years she’d gone without so much as a date.
The buzzer went off on her phone. Lucy jumped, realizing how deep she’d been in her thoughts. Stiffening, she punched the button. “Ready?” Greg asked.
“Yeah,” Lucy said. “I thought you were coming here. I’m waiting on you.”
“No, I told you my office.”
Lucy frowned at the phone, knowing full well that wasn’t the case. “Fine,” she said, pushing to her feet. “I’ll be there in five.”
Fifteen minutes later, Lucy sat at the conference table in Greg’s office, barely containing her frustration. “Greg—”
“This just isn’t going to work,” Greg said gruffly, pushing Lucy’s proposal for BG aside. “Your ideas are too bold for this client. They’re known for being conservative.”
Lucy disagreed. Greg’s ideas were overused, recycled campaigns done by too many, too often. Hers were fresh, new, and youthful—even sexy and she was proud of them. The stats she looked over about BG supported the need for a unique approach. BG already had the older buyers, but they didn’t have the younger workforce. She wanted to help them get to what they didn’t have.
By the time she ended the meeting with Greg, she was fuming. Silently brooding, she moved through the hall toward her office.
“Lucy!”
Lucy turned to find Celia rushing toward her, a huge smile on her face. “A delivery came for you. I left it in your chair.”
Lucy’s brows dipped. “A delivery?”
“With a big red bow on top.” Celia winked.
Lucy’s eyes widened. Logan. “Thanks.”
“Can I come see what it is?”
Lucy’s heart leaped to her throat. “No!” she exclaimed, making Celia’s eyes widen. “I’m sorry,” Lucy said softening her tone and reaching for the older woman’s arm. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. I just met with Greg and he has me on edge. And to be honest, I don’t like surprises. I’d rather bear the strange gift on my own.”
Celia squeezed Lucy’s hand. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“Too late,” Lucy whispered.
“He’s a jerk. Ignore him.”
Lucy blinked. Then, she almost laughed. Celia was talking about Greg. Lucy was thinking of Logan. “I’ll try.”
It took effort to contain her urgency as Lucy finished the walk to her office. The instant she shut her door, she raced to her chair. An envelope sat on the outside of the box. She picked it up and tore the card open.
I was called out of town unexpectedly. I’ll be thinking of you, wearing this, the next time I see you. Friday night, same place, same time, our little Fantasy World.
Until then, dream of me, as I will of you.
—Logan
She blew out a shaky breath. It was Wednesday. Friday night felt years away. Reaching for the box, Lucy slid the red ribbon from it, eager to see the contents. Pulling off the lid, she quickly put it aside and pushed the pink crepe paper away from the contents.
Inside sat a pink and black satin garter set complete with bra, panties, and black lace-top thigh-highs.
Just thinking about wearing it for Logan felt sexy, feminine, and incredibly…arousing. Even the thought of him picking it out made her feel all warm and ready. She squeezed her eyes shut. This was crazy. She should break it off with him. He would survive this without effort. For her, it would destroy her heart and her career.
Yet, she wanted him so badly. She opened her eyes. She had two days. Common sense was bound to take over by Friday night.
Chapter Fifteen
Logan sat in the bar of his Los Angeles hotel next to his client and friend, Bret Weaver from BG Clothing. Bret, mid-twenties, rich, successful, and good-looking. He had it all but always wanted more. Bret also worked and played like there was no tomorrow. He did everything big and at full force and Logan, both liked and respected him. And despite their relationship, Bret handed nothing over to Logan for free.