Tiredness sweeps through my body, and I leave behind my work and curl up on top of the bed. I set my alarm for two hours, which will still have me up before noon. The minute my eyes shut, I’m back on that cavern mattress, naked with Adrian’s mouth on my body. But then the images shift and I’m back in time, back to a moment when I was still engaged to Logan.
Suddenly, I’m drifting back to the last holiday party for my father’s firm that I attended as a member of the staff, inside a private mansion rental. The mansion is decorated with at least a half dozen trees, while fancy lights seem to flicker in unison with the nearby violin player. The crowd is large, mingling here on the lower level, as well on a wraparound porch and outdoor area, complete with a dance floor. The guests, who’ve traveled in from all over the country, are dressed in fancy gowns and tuxedos. As for me, Logan did the whole Pretty Woman routine and had my gown delivered to my house, a far too expensive, emerald green floor-length gown, with a tasteful slit and a square bodice.
“What’s going on with Logan?” my mother asks, catching up with me on the porch, on my way to the outdoor area. She looks seasonally lovely in a red dress with just a hint of sparkle. I wonder if Dad chose it. That’s the thing about the men in our world. No matter how strong we might be, they like their hands in everything, even our attire.
Tonight, it’s stifling. Often lately it’s stifling.
My brows dip. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“He and your father were off to the side of the house, and I do believe I heard shouting.”
“The golden boy and Dad? Really?”
She nods. “And tonight, of all nights. They both avoid scandal like the plague.”
“Can you try to find out what’s going on?” I ask.
“Of course, I’ll try, but I think you might have a better shot with Logan.”
I snort. “They’re two of a kind, Mom. I’m not sure why either of us put up with it.”
She tilts her head. “Oh no. What’s that about?”
I wave her off. “Nothing for tonight. Where is he now?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’ll go get him a glass of that expensive whiskey he likes and hunt him down. Never fear, Mother, I’ll try to get the answers we both know we’ll never know.”
“You’re not yourself tonight.”
At just the right moment, one of my mother’s girlfriends appears by her side. I embrace the opportunity to escape inside. I head to the second level of the mansion where a VIP bar is set up. At present no one is in line, and the guests are mingling around expensive leather furniture. I’m about to order Logan’s whiskey, when he’s suddenly by my side, catching my hand.
“Come with me.”
He’s already walking, tugging me along with him, and I’m grimacing. The man is proving my point about being controlling. He heads down a hallway and enters a doorway. To my disbelief, I’m pulled inside a tiny bathroom, so small there is no tub. He shuts the door and locks it, and then I’m against the wall and his hands are all over me.
“What are you doing, Logan?” I shove on his chest. “We aren’t—”
He kisses me and I bite his lip. He growls. “What the fuck, Pri? How about being here for me?”
“I’m not doing this now. You know I don’t like small spaces. I’m suffocating.”
“Once I’m inside you, you won’t be thinking about small fucking places.”
He turns me to the sink and yanks up my skirt. “Stop it, Logan.” I try to move but his legs are holding my legs, and I think I’m starting to feel that trigger I get. I’m panicking. “Stop.”
“Your father pissed me off, baby. If I don’t let off the energy, I’m going to end up fired.” He rips away my panties and then he’s inside me. The room is hot and I’m struggling to catch a full breath. He’s pounding at me, grunting, thrusting. It just won’t end. The room spins and I barely know when he shudders and groans.
His cellphone rings, and he pulls out, dampness clinging to my thighs. I don’t turn around. I draw in a deep breath and force myself to calm down. I will not hit him. I will not scream at him. Not here.
“What the fuck is going on?” he demands into his phone, skipping the hello, or I’ve just missed it.
Logan laughs. “You really are a devil. Fuck yeah, you are. I love it. Right. I won’t forget this.” He must end the call because he physically moves me out of the way of the door. “I figured out how to calm your father down. Gotta run, baby.” He turns away from me and exits the bathroom.