Love by Design

Logan was sure that darn body-sizzling thing was back again. He took a step toward her, but she immediately retreated.

“I really should get back.”

Logan tried to keep his disappointment concealed. “Yeah, sure.” He retreated to a lust-safe distance. “So how’s work going? Have you hammered out the outstanding contracts you mentioned last week?”

“I did, and they’ve all been signed.”

He nodded. “I’ve got an idea. Can you take off for a while and get some lunch?”

She glanced at her watch. “Can we do dinner instead? If it’s supposed to rain later, I’d like to wrap up a few outdoor projects the crews are working on.”

“Fair enough. I’ve got to get unpacked, anyway. See you at six?”

“Sounds great.”

Logan walked down the steps and along the path to his villa. He was not 100 percent sure, but his instincts told him that Dakota was still in the same spot looking at him. His ego grew at the prospect, but he did not test his theory. If Dakota did not care about him other than platonically, she would have to prove it. That was when he decided, enough of Adrian and Norma Jean’s plans. Logan had just formulated one of his own, and it was time to put it into action.

* * *

The annual restaurant week in Ocho Rios had begun, and it was the perfect venue for dinner. There were over seventy-five choices for restaurants that participated in the event. Logan offered a few recommendations, but left the choice up to Dakota. She picked June Plum, a restaurant at the Mystic Ridge Resort, a tropical paradise that offered a breathtaking vantage point of the town and bay of Ocho Rios.

While they were supposed to be looking over the menu, Dakota found herself distracted by the view, and the man seated across from her. It was way too much visual stimulation for her peace of mind. Logan was wearing a pair of jeans and a short-sleeve white shirt open at the collar. Out of nowhere she suddenly became very aware of him, more so than usual. He looked like a breath of fresh air. Incredibly hot, attractive and delectable fresh air.

“So hot,” she breathed.

“What is?”

Dakota’s head snapped up. “Oh, uh…the view. It’s hot. Well, I guess a view can’t be hot, but it looks hot.” She cringed at how ridiculous that sounded. Just stop talking.

The waitress came by to take their drink orders, which negated further conversation. It was just as well because Dakota was mortified. She ordered a Jamaican Breeze before burying her head back in her menu. She tried to concentrate on what to eat, but it was difficult.

After they ordered, Logan gave her his full attention. Lord, that was dangerous. Logan had never gazed at her this intently before. Something was going on, but she would not be the one to name this strange electricity hovering over her like a lightning bug.

“So, are you enjoying yourself?”

“Let’s see…I’m doing what I love, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Yes, I’d say I’m pretty content.”

“Who’d have known two months ago that you would end up here, huh?”

“Uh, you would have,” she countered.

Logan chuckled. “That’s true. What I didn’t know was if you’d take me up on my offer.”

“You came along at the right time. I was looking for the next client, and there you were.”

His smile wavered before he said, “May I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Is that how you view me? As a friendly client?”

“No. You’re more than that to me.”

He leaned forward in his chair. “How much more?”

Her heartbeat raced as the scent of his cologne tantalized her nose. Her hand came up to her chest without her even noticing. “I don’t know what you’re asking me.”

“Yes, you do.”

She waited for him to elaborate, but when he remained silent, she continued eating. The moment passed.

When they were done, Logan paid the bill and then escorted her out with his hand at the small of her back. There was an unusual silence on the way home. Dakota wondered about it, but sensed that he was not up for talking.

By the time they reached the resort, it was raining. Logan parked the car and took the umbrella out of the back seat. He opened the door for Dakota, but she sidestepped the umbrella.

“I don’t need it. I feel like walking in the rain.” She grinned. “I haven’t done that since—”

“The afternoon you dragged me to see The Lion King at the Cadillac Palace. When we got out, it was raining like cats and dogs, but you didn’t want to catch the cab or subway. You wanted to walk for a while and started humming ‘Singing in the Rain.’”