Your Captivating Love (The Bennett Family 2)

I’m waiting for the punch line before I realize he means it. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I meant that we can take things slowly, no pressure, no expectations.”

“Just fun?” I ask.

“Just fun. We’ve already established that I’m the Chief Fun Officer. Is that a yes?”

Oh, what the hell. One date won’t be the end of the world. At any rate, if I keep pretending Logan and I can be platonic friends, I might explode and kiss him squarely on the mouth next time I see him, which will probably be another family gathering. I bet Pippa’d be thrilled.

Here goes nothing. “Yes.”

Logan nods. “When?”

“You’re fast.” I half expect him to pull up the calendar on his phone and schedule me in.

“Don’t want to give you the opportunity to change your mind.”

“I might,” I confess.

“How does tomorrow sound?”

“Okay.”

Logan pulls away. “I’ll pick you up at seven. I’m leaving you for tonight.”

I stand in front of the door to the building, watching him stride to his car.

Before climbing in, he looks at me over the hood and says, “You know what’s more annoying than having siblings who think they’re always right?”

“What?”

“Siblings who’re actually right. You and I. . .” He gestures with his finger between him and me, leaving the sentence hanging.

“Will have a good time together?”

“Good doesn’t cover it. It’ll be something along the lines of fun and hot. Explosive.”

He disappears in the car and takes off, leaving me with a smile the size of Texas.

Chapter Six

Nadine

The next day is very productive. I have so much energy; I’m genuinely concerned my head will explode. It might have to do with the fact that I drank four coffees, or that I’m going on a date with a very handsome man tonight. My money (or lack of) is on the latter. In any case, I shortlist three locations for the shop by lunchtime. They’re all in terrible shape, but rent will be cheap, and that will offset the renovation costs. The spaces Alex shows me in the afternoon aren’t interesting, so I politely inform him I’ll be fine on my own. If I can find a space by myself, I don’t have to pay him a commission.

I’m giddy the entire time I prepare for my date, putting more effort in my appearance than I have in a long time. The thought of Logan completely consumes me; everything about him makes me burn and yearn for more. I’m practically counting down the minutes until he’ll pick me up. I lay out several dresses on my bed and open my lingerie drawer. Without thinking, I pick the sexiest underwear I own. Right, why did I do that?

He’s not going to see your underwear tonight, Nadine. Well, who knows what might happen. The wind can put me in a Marilyn Monroe situation, or... something. After all, the man already saw my boobs. That doesn’t mean he has to see anything more. I argue with myself some more and, eventually, decide to wear the sexy lingerie anyway, if only because I need to feel sexy. No harm can come from that. I hope.

When I open the apartment door one hour later, my heart somersaults in my chest. Logan is his normal attractive and flirty self, only now he makes even more of an effort than usual to seduce me. His gaze travels appreciatively up and down my body. Licking my lips, I swallow hard. Barely three seconds of our date have passed and already my pulse is ratcheting up. I’ll be dancing on a fine line tonight.

“You look sexy as hell, Nadine.” His husky tone sends ripples of heat all the way to my center.

“Hello to you, too.” Smiling, I wink at him. Then I sashay back inside the room to grab my purse.

“Promise me something,” Logan says when I return to him. “You won’t worry about anything tonight: the shop, or anything else.”

His molten gaze holds mine with determination, and I detect something else beyond heat in his eyes: concern for me, and the promise of fun. I need a pause from my brain, and all the worries it tortures me with. I’m not sure if the fact that he understands exactly what I need scares or reassures me. A little bit of both, I guess.