Love's Only Deception

Her eyes widened. ‘You don’t intend getting married?’

He sighed, completely serious now. ‘I suppose one day I’ll have to.’

‘Have to?’

‘Mm. There’s the family business. I’ll need someone to take that over. It certainly isn’t going to fall into my cousin’s clutches,’ he added darkly.

‘You don’t like him?’

‘He’s an idiot.’

‘Logan!’ she laughed her surprise at this cruelty.

‘Well, he is,’ he dismissed. ‘He’s been dominated by his parents all his life.’

Rather like Donald. ‘I know what you mean,’ Callie nodded her understanding.

Logan’s brows rose. ‘You?’

‘No,’ she smiled, ‘just a—a friend. I had a very happy childhood, my parents were wonderful.’

‘Were?’

‘They’re both dead now.’

‘That’s tough,’ he commented.

‘Yes. You mentioned you were in business—what business is that?’

He looked sceptical. ‘You mean you don’t know?’

‘Of course not. I—Carrington…? Carrington Cosmetics?’ she groaned.

‘Right first time,’ he drawled.

Callie didn’t like the way he said that, almost as if she had been pretending not to know he owned the famous cosmetic company. Goodness, she probably wouldn’t have spoken to him if she had known. He was the Logan Carrington, the playboy owner of Carrington Cosmetics. No wonder Danielle had seemed vaguely familiar—she was the girl on posters and television who advertised the newest Carrington perfume, Passion, the perfume Callie had given Marilyn for her last anniversary!

Goodness, this evening of baby-sitting and eating take-out Chinese food was even more out of character for Logan than she had realised. She struggled out of his arms and moved to the other side of the room.

Logan watched her, dark and dominating, his appearance less immaculate than when he had arrived, although no less disturbing. ‘You didn’t know, did you?’ he said quietly.

Callie sighed. ‘This may be a blow to your ego, but no, I didn’t know.’

‘Hell, I’m sorry, Callie. I thought—’

‘You thought I was attracted to the owner of Carrington Cosmetics and not Logan Carrington the man,’ she said wearily.

He stood up. ‘I can see I was wrong—’

‘You were!’ She was angry now. ‘I had a friend who told me that possessions don’t make the man.’

Logan looked abashed. ‘She was very astute—’

‘He,’ Callie corrected abruptly. ‘My friend was male. And I think that tonight I’ve finally understood what he meant.’ And she also understood how Jeff had known that. He could have been another Logan Carrington, could have used his power and influence many times to make life easier. But Jeff hadn’t needed the trappings of money and position to make him the most wonderful man she had ever known. She didn’t know how she could ever have remotely likened Logan Carrington to Jeff! ‘I think you’d better leave,’ she said distantly.

‘Callie—’

‘Please,’ she shook her head. ‘The same friend also said that money warps people, and after tonight I’m inclined to agree with that too.’