Your Captivating Love (The Bennett Family 2)

“I want you.” His low voice does dangerous and delicious things to my body. He dips his hand in his back pocket, retrieving a condom, and placing it right between my breasts. Desperate for him, I unzip his jeans, pushing them past his ass. I slip my hand in the waistband of his jeans, palming his hot and hard length.

Logan’s breath comes out in short, fast bursts as I move my hand with urgency. He makes quick work of pushing my pants down, and there’s just our underwear between us. He kicks off his boxers, and I roll the condom over his erection. He doesn’t bother removing my thong; instead, he pushes the fabric to one side, entering me in one swift move.

We both groan at the connection. As Logan moves in and out of me, my senses are overwhelmed by him. I hitch my legs around his waist, giving him better access. The contrast of the cold hood of the car against my ass, and his hot body over mine becomes almost too much. His thumb circles my clit, driving me crazy. Anticipation builds inside me with a vengeance, and I become insatiable.

My nails dig in his ass as my hips move in sync with him. He fills me utterly and completely until my orgasm hits hard. I ride the wave of my climax alongside him, pulsing around him, crying out against his mouth. As he captures my pleasure, he gives me his release, wild and sweet at the same time.

***

The day of the show is surreal. I wake up at five o’clock and am in a frenzy the entire day in my shop. I would’ve preferred to be at the show location, even though there’s nothing for me to do there. Pippa messaged me during breakfast, letting me know she has everything under control, and I don’t have to worry about anything. I can’t help it, though. Every time something good happened to me, it was followed up by something bad that completely obscured my happiness. The show is one of the best things ever to happen to me, and my experience has taught me that good things come at a price.

The afternoon is unusually quiet, with only a few customers. Struggling to keep my mind from imagining scenarios of my doom, I answer my emails when the store’s empty. I leave a certain email from Archer until the very end. I was supposed to give him my answer two days ago, but it completely slipped my mind, what with the show preparations and everything. I type up a long reply, and then delete it. No, it’s best if I call him. He doesn’t pick up. Weird. He used to answer my calls after the first ring. Maybe he’s upset I haven’t called him before, but I had my reasons. I insist, and he picks up after the third try.

“Hello, Archer. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Make it quick.” His tone is brisk and cold, very different from his usual friendly demeanor. He is upset I didn’t call him in the time frame he gave me. Well, he’s making this easier.

“I know I was supposed to call you and tell you my decision, but I—”

“Your boyfriend made your decision clear.”

“What are you talking about?” I rub the back of my neck. The skin there prickles as my stomach constricts with foreboding.

“He made the message pretty clear when he gave me a black eye.”

“I don’t...” My words falter as I remember Logan’s split lip. No, that must be a coincidence. Logan told me he hurt his lip on a glass. He wouldn’t lie to me. Would he? “What are you talking about?”

“Logan attacked me yesterday. He told me to stay away from you. You can consider my offer for cooperation invalid. Don’t call me again.”

I clutch my phone, stunned. What is going on? Archer must be lying. This can’t be happening. Logan would never lie to me.

***

I arrive at the Bennett show with my heart in my throat, an hour before it’s set to begin. Pippa leads me to hair and makeup, instructing the personnel to turn me into “a star.” I’ll be wearing one of my dresses, of course, a red bandage one. When the prep team is done working their magic on me, I resemble the models who’ll be wearing my designs.

Pippa whistles when she sees me. “Logan’ll have a heart attack when you come onto the runway with me at the end.”

“Where is he now? I need to talk to him.”

“No can do. The girls will start walking on the runway in five minutes.” Pippa’s exuberant smile falters. My apprehension must be visible on my face because she adds, “Is everything all right with you and Logan?”

“No idea,” I say in a small voice.

“Right. You can tell me all about it after the show, and I’ll help you kick my brother’s ass, but right now—”

“How do you know I’m not the one who should have her ass kicked?” As usual, being around Pippa makes me smile.

She puts her hands on her hips. “Call it sixth sense. Also, I know Logan. He has this excellent talent for making me want to strangle and hug him at the same time. I have a hunch you just discovered that.” Stopping one of the servers, she says, “Bring Nadine a cupcake from the buffet outside, please.” After he takes off, she winks at me. “When men mess up, cupcakes make everything better.”

While munching on my cupcake a few minutes later, I have to admit there is some truth to Pippa’s words. She waits for me to finish, puts my plate away, an

d takes me by the shoulders.

“This is your night. Enjoy it. You can deal with my brother later.”

Smiling, I nod.

Pippa and I remain backstage during the show, doing the last checks on each girl. At the end of the show, Pippa always walks out on the runway. Whenever a new designer provides the clothes for the show, he or she walks with Pippa at the end. This year, I’ll be joining her. My palms sweat just thinking about it.