Love's Only Deception

‘Do you?’ he chuckled.

‘You like teasing me!’

‘And you like teasing me.’

‘Yes…’

‘Well, fair’s fair. And I like your teasing, Callie. Although this time you’re wrong.’

‘Wrong?’ she frowned.

His hand came out to grasp hers. ‘You’ll be in my life a lot longer than two months.’

‘Will I?’ she said breathlessly.

‘You know you will.’

‘Maybe I need—convincing.’

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sp; ‘Maybe I intend—convincing,’ Logan said throatily. ‘Maybe that’s the reason I can’t wait to get to your home.’

Callie was flushed with excitement by the time Logan parked the car outside her home, although she let out a groan as she saw the ‘Out of Order’ sign still on the lift. ‘I should have realised, British workmen being what they are, that the lift won’t be mended until tomorrow.’

‘Lazybones,’ he mocked. ‘Think of the poor people who live above you.’

‘Goodness, yes. There are fifteen floors altogether,’ she realised as they trudged up the stairs.

To give Logan his due he wasn’t even breathing heavily by the time they had walked up the six flights, whereas she was puffing away like an old woman.

‘You’re out of condition,’ he taunted as he took her key from her hand, opening the door to switch on the light. ‘Mm, nice,’ he commented, appreciative of the uncluttered homeliness of her home.

‘Thanks,’ she moved to switch on the electric fire. ‘And I’m not out of condition, I happen to have walked up and down those stairs already once tonight.’

‘So you do,’ he smiled. ‘Come and rest, Callie,’ he pulled her down on the sofa beside him.

‘Maybe I can get you some coffee? Or a drink? Or—’

‘You?’ he asked throatily.

She swallowed hard. ‘No, not me. I told you, I always sleep alone.’

‘And I heard you.’ His voice hardened. ‘And I respect that. Going to bed with you wasn’t what I had in mind.’ He had moved away from her, both physically and mentally.

She put her hand out to him as he stood up. ‘Logan, I’m sorry—’

‘I know I have a reputation.’ He was prowling the room. ‘But I hadn’t met you then. Do you know that I didn’t even sleep last night after I walked out of here?’ he rasped.

‘Neither did I,’ she admitted softly.

‘And that I’ve thought of nothing but you since Saturday night?’

‘Neither have I.’

‘I’ve known you only four days, Callie.’ He pulled her up into his arms. ‘And yet I feel differently with you than with any other woman.’

‘Yes.’