Chapter 13

Before Logan finishes thanking the staff, I excuse myself from the table, stating that I want to pack my things and enjoy what’s left of my time at the mansion. Bre stays behind and I get the feeling that whatever is going on between her and Collin isn’t quite resolved.

Of course, I’m not really worried about what time we have left. And I don’t really have all that much to pack. I just wanted to slip away so I would have enough time to take another quick shower and get myself cleaned up before seeing Logan again. It’s not just the sex I want to be ready for. I also need to figure out how I’m going to talk to him about everything else.

After the shower I pull on the only clean clothes I have left—a pair of tan frochickie shorts and a simple black top. I give myself a once-over in the mirror and am happy I brought the outfit. I look just sophisticated enough to be taken seriously while also getting to show off my legs.

Let’s do this.

I follow the directions on the card and soon find myself in front of a huge oak door that looks like it was commissioned from the same carpenter that did the doors to the study. The intricate carvings in the oak have a Spanish flare to them and make it obvious that a lot of dedication went into crafting the door. This door doesn’t lead to a study, however. It opens to a stone staircase that leads down into the wine cellar.

The temperature drops by at least fifteen degrees by the time I make it to bottom step. The wine cellar is a huge oval with row upon row of wine bottles stacked in their individual slots on top of one another. The sheer number of wine bottles in here is absolutely breathtaking—there must be thousands! At the far end of the oval is a simple wooden table with what looks like a variety of tools meant for handling the wine. Next to it is a rack of elegant wine glasses and a tiny sink. In the center of the room there are two expensive, leather sofas positioned around a long oak table with a couple smaller tables flanking them.

Sitting on the long table is a single bottle of wine with two glasses next to it along with a folded card that has my name on it. I pick it up and read it.

Aimee,

I left this out to breathe. Pour us a glass. I’ll see you soon.

L

The wine is a 2010 cabernet from some Italian vineyard that looks hard to pronounce. I pour two glasses, appreciating the deep red color, and sit to wait for Logan. It’s as though Logan knew that a glass of wine is exactly what I need right now to take the edge off. This whole weekend has turned out to be far more stressful than I had expected and a part of me is very happy it’s coming to an end.

But then, another part of me never wants to leave.

I sip at the wine, not intending to drink too much of it by myself. But before long I’m nearing the bottom of the glass. The subtle dullness that settles on me when I finish what’s left is appreciated. I’m reaching to pour a second glass when I hear the oak door creak open at the top of the staircase.

Logan skips down the stairs with an easiness about him. It’s almost as if he can float on air when he wants to. He’s wearing the same slacks and shirt from dinner but must have abandoned the jacket at some point. The heat from the wine burns a little hotter when his lips pull back into a playful grin.

Ugh.

This would be a lot easier if he wasn’t so damned hot.

“Looks like you got started without me,” he says, looking between me and my empty glass.

“That’s what happens when you keep a lady waiting.”

“I’ll try not to make a habit of it then.”

“You’d better not.”

He reaches a hand out.

“May I?”

I nod and hand him my glass. He refills it before giving it back to me and picking up his own. Logan drinks from it slowly, keeping his eyes locked on me the whole time. I take another long drink with him—longer than what I’d allowed myself before he was here.

“It’s good,” he says, taking the glass back from me and setting them both on the table. “But we both know we’re not here for the wine…”

Logan’s strong hands take me by the waist and pull me close. The powerful energy of his hard body washes over me and I immediately melt into his embrace. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a kiss. His hands slide down and cup my ass. He squeezes them as he pulls me closer. His cock gives a hard shift against my stomach as it comes to life.

The feel of his lips pressed against mine sends my heart racing. It’s nearly impossible to think straight with the taste of his tongue in my mouth. I want him to throw me on the couch, spread me wide, and fuck me with his gigantic dick right here and now.

But I can’t let him do that.

This isn’t what’s supposed to happen.

A tiny voice in the back of my head screams at me to stop. This is my one shot at talking to him before we leave—and before I have to make a very difficult decision.

“Wait!”

I somehow pull my lips away. The feat leaves me panting for breath. It takes Logan a moment to realize what I said, but when he does he looks concerned.

“What is it?”

I struggle to get the words out. All of my preparation escaped me in the heat of the moment. I take a deep breath to focus myself.

“I need to get some things out in the open,” I say, finally.

Logan’s brow furrows.

“You seem shaken up, is everything all right?”

I shake my head, dismissively.

“It’s nothing like that. It’s just… I want to know where you see this going. After this weekend, I mean.”

Logan’s grip on me tightens.

“Why are you so worried about the future? We should enjoy what little private time we have left right now. The worrying can wait for later.”

I struggle away from him again. It’s easier when he’s not kissing me.

“I need to know if I will be seeing you again or if this is just supposed to be a weekend fling…”

The playfulness on Logan’s face washes away. His arms loosen their grip around me as he takes a step back.

“I told you I feel a connection with you,” he says, firmly.

“I just don’t want you to feel trapped or obligated into something because of me.”

Logan shifts himself, the look on his face growing more concerned.

“Where is this coming from? Are you saying you want to leave this here?”

My chest tightens as my head tries to think a million miles a minute.

“It’s just… you’re busy closing this deal. And I know it’s important to you… I understand if you want this to be casual so you can focus on what matters…”

Logan studies me for a few moments longer before his whole body seems to relax. The concern in his face resolves itself. He nods his head, slowly.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right. Things are a little crazy.” He shrugs a shoulder. “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Or the next day. So if you’re looking for some kind of commitment…”

My stomach feels like it’s in a free-fall. It takes a long moment before I’m able to respond.

“You should focus on that,” I say. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

A long silence stretches between us. Logan watches me, motionless, like he’s waiting for something.

Why isn’t he saying anything? Why isn’t he trying to stop me?

This is it. This is the answer you were looking for.

“I need to finish getting my things together,” I say. “Just let me know when we’re heading back and I’ll be there.”

Logan nods.

“I will.”

It takes every ounce of my willpower to hold the tears back as I walk past him and climb the steps out of the wine cellar. I got exactly what I was looking for, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t crush me.