The BG account had to be earned.
Today had been part of that process, packed with a visit to the BG plant and several high-profile stores. Bret wanted Logan to see how the world perceived both BG and the competition. Now, more than ever, Logan knew their campaign had to pack a punch. Every store had BG hidden in the dark corners of conservative shopping. Young and fresh front store displays were dominated by other brands.
“I can see why you want more exposure,” Logan said and smiled. “We’ll make sure you get it.”
“We’ll see,” Bret said as he took a drink of his vodka. “We’ll see.”
Logan inclined his chin. “Yes, we will,” Logan said. “Of that I’m confident.”
Bret set his drink down. “Enough business. I have a couple models who want to hook up at a club across town. I say, let’s make them the night’s entertainment.”
For the first time in his life, Logan found the opportunity to share a night with a beautiful woman, no attachments required, completely unappealing. “Actually I have an early meeting and a flight home. I better pass.”
Bret’s eyes went wide. “Who are you?”
“Excuse me?” Logan said.
“What have you done with the real Logan Monroe?”
Logan laughed. “Is it so unbelievable I need rest?”
“Yes. Who is she and why don’t I know about her?” Bret asked.
“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Yes,” Bret said. “You do. I thought you and I were one-of-a-kind men. No ties. No ball and chain.” He reached for his glass. “How’d it happen man? Tell me how she hooked you so I know what to avoid.”
“Stop,” Logan said. “You’re overreacting.”
“So you’re telling me there isn’t a woman?”
“Not in the way you mean.” But deep down Logan knew he was fighting deep feelings for Lucy. How else could he explain how much her detachment upset him? The way she’d hid her home from him had become a sore spot. Things with Lucy were out of control. His emotions were getting way too involved.
When he’d pressed to find out what laid between them, he’d been certain it would result in nothing more than lust. He’d thought their little affair would work her out of his system. Instead, he longed to find a way to get beyond the sex. He wanted to know Lucy. Oh, he’d tricked her into lying in bed and talking. And he’d learned about her. Just not enough. She was very guarded about her life.
Bret leveled him in a stare. “So there is a woman.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. No. I told you,” Logan said. “I have an early morning. “
Bret laughed. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Logan’s heart kicked up a beat. No one, not even Bret, could know about Lucy. “There’s no one to meet.”
Bret smiled. “Right.” He lifted his glass. “Want to drink to that?”
Logan reached for his glass. “To you and your wild ideas,” he said.
Only they weren’t wild at all. Lucy was under his skin in a major way. Lucy. His employee. His father would have a heart attack. This wasn’t the kind of thing his family believed in. Business and personal were separate.
Starting this thing with Lucy had been crazy. The problem was, he didn’t want to end it either. So, where did that leave him? A closet relationship couldn’t go on forever. He took a deep breath. “Relationship.” The word danced in his head. There lay his problem. He wanted more with Lucy than a secret affair. This was a first for him.
The woman he wanted was the one he couldn’t have.
What a nasty game fate was playing with him.
* * * * *
The common sense Lucy had hoped to muster was nowhere to be found. It certainly wasn’t common sense that made her go to work Friday with a prim black suit over the pink and black panties, and thigh-high, lacy pantyhose. Nor was it the thing that made her heart pitter-patter as she walked to the conference room to present her campaign ideas.
It was the pure anticipation of seeing Logan for the first time in days. And a good dose of red-hot secrets. Not the show. Her dreams. She couldn’t get Logan out of her mind in her waking hours or her visions in her sleep.
She sat at the conference table with the same group of people she had on her first day of work. This time everyone had a partner by their side, ready to present their campaign ideas, all anxiously waiting for Logan to arrive.
Not as much as Lucy. Of that she was certain.
Since she was living dangerously in her love life, which was basically the same as doing so with her career, she had made a decision. When Greg was done presenting his ideas, she would present hers.
He would be angry, but she didn’t care.
She didn’t like his ideas, and wasn’t going to be made to look bad. Period, the end. Not happening. She was living on the edge all the way. No common sense, no nice girl, no good girl. Great sex, career risks, and her pink and black lingerie. That was what today all was about.