Your Captivating Love (The Bennett Family 2)

“Well,” Sebastian says. “These three went to drink and plot how to best corner Terence.”

“We did,” Logan admits.

Blake points at Sebastian. “Then he came and played the big brother card.”

“We’re getting off topic,” Sebastian says. “I wanted to drive everyone back home safely, but they corrupted me to drink too.”

Blake squeezes his shoulder. “That’s what little brothers are for, Sebastian.”

“Cab for everyone?” Daniel asks. “This was my pickup line in college,” he informs me. “I’d offer to share a cab with whatever girl was the prettiest, and gave her a night to remember. Pity I was too drunk to remember.”

He all but pats himself on the back with that remark. Turning serious, he looks at me and adds, “I also didn’t say a proper good-bye tonight. I’ll leave in three days to visit a friend in Thailand, and I’ll be gone for some time. I hope to see you again when I return. I’ll kick my brother’s ass otherwise.”

It takes me a second to understand what he means. He’s unsure if I’ll still be dating Logan. Wow, way to sober me up completely.

I smile. “I’ll be Ava’s maid of honor anyway.”

Soon, the cabs arrive. Ava, Sebastian, and Pippa take the first one, while Alice, Summer, and the twins grab the second. Logan and I walk to his apartment.

***

Logan’s quiet the entire walk, and I wonder what’s on his mind. Maybe he just needs to sleep. Except he doesn’t seem tired, and he’s not that drunk. When we enter his apartment, he squeezes my hand gently. I stop in my tracks in the center of the living room. It’s pitch dark since neither of us bothered to turn on the light.

“Sorry for the drama tonight,” he says in my ear from behind me. My back is turned to him. “And thank you for putting up with my crazy family.”

He flattens his chest against my back, reminding me of the moment of passion we shared before we left. He intertwines his fingers with mine, and this simple act feels even more intimate than making love to him did.

“Your family is great, Logan, and I love every single one of them. Exuberant Pippa, spoiled Summer, crazy Blake and Daniel. I have to come up with an adjective for Alice. I even adore Sebastian for making my best friend so happy. I love your parents too.”

I search out his warmth, taking his arms and draping them around me. Logan puts his lips to my ear. “Not mad at me for being overbearing?”

“You mean flat-out threatening Terence? No.” Fearing I’m setting a bad precedent, I add, “I mean I’d be fuming if you had no reason, but you had a good one.”

“I thought you’d be mad at me by default.”

I laugh, swirling around. “Why would I do that?”

“No idea. I thought there was something about girls sticking together.”

“I got everyone on Team Logan way before you guys arrived.”

“You’re perfect.”

I lick my lips. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.” Kissing one eye then the other, he adds, “You’re more than perfect.”

“Your sisters want to wear my dresses to Summer’s gallery show,” I tell him.

“That’s great. Let’s celebrate your first sales.”

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he lifts me off the floor. I catch a glimpse of his expression in the moonlight—he’s grinning. Logan is genuinely happy for me. My first impulse is to tell him that I still have a lot of work ahead of me before I can celebrate, but I remember what he said about celebrating each step. Right now, that feels exactly right, especially when I can do so with Logan.

“Agreed, but no more alcohol, please.”

Logan puts me down. “Fine by me. That’s not exactly what I had in mind anyway.” He presses his forehead to mine, cupping my cheeks. “I already told you you’re perfect, right?”

“Are you trying to charm the pants off me?”