In her office, Olivia tossed her notebook on the growing chaos of her desk. Melissa’s absence was already starting to show itself, wreaking havoc on her work and raising her anxiety level. Like it isn’t already high enough. She was afraid she was going to miss something critical, that some deadline would slip by unnoticed and her clients would suffer.

And Ryan’s behavior wasn’t making life any easier. She had worked beside him for years. Trusted him. Let him guide her. And now this. What the hell did he think he was doing?

Olivia turned and hurled her pen across the room, the sudden rush of fury leaving her breathless in its wake. Sighing heavily, she walked over and retrieved the pen from where it had bounced behind a chair. Everything was so... twisted around.

Ryan was using her. Of that she had no doubt. And she was reasonably sure his patience was running thin. She’d wondered, before, how women allowed themselves to become victims. To let themselves be used by men. And she’d always bought the lie that it was because they were weak. Or because they’d wanted it after all.

But now, in the midst of it all, with her career on the line, she understood them. Understood how a man in power could manipulate a woman into a situation like this. Now she understood what it was to be that woman.

She slumped into a chair, elbows on the desk, and dropped her head forward to rest on her hands. What am I going to do?

The ring of her phone pulled her out of her miserable thoughts. Olivia picked it up without checking the display, not sure she’d be able to force herself to answer if she knew it was Ryan on the other end. But it was Logan’s voice that greeted her, low and warm. She could hear the smile in it, under the lilt of his accent. One corner of her mouth lifted.

“I was wondering if you were ever going to get around to returning my call.”

He laughed. “Hey, now. I’m doing the best I can. What do you say I make it up to you?”

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“Dinner at 6:30? I’ll even let you eat this time.”

It was Olivia’s turn to laugh, a little of the tension easing out of her spine. “Good food covers a multitude of sins.” Her voice softened. “I’ll see you there.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

* * *

OLIVIA AND LOGAN MET at a restaurant near his hotel. When her cab pulled up, he was already there waiting for her, a small group of fans gathered around him. She watched for a moment as he patiently signed autographs and posed for pictures. He was in his element, relaxed and casual, taking the time to sign a girl’s arm. The girl had that ‘I’m never going to wash this arm again’ look on her face as she turned away, chattering eagerly with her friends. Watching the knot of people clamor for Logan’s attention, the camera phones held up for photo after photo, it struck Olivia suddenly that they were lucky no one had seen them together yet. One misplaced paparazzi could cause them both more trouble than they were ready to deal with.

Logan saw her, hesitating there on the sidewalk, and his face lit up. He excused himself from the rest of the group and offered her his arm. Olivia accepted with a nod, hoping the expression on her face was more professional than she felt, if anyone was still looking at them. She should have brought a file or two with her, just in case they needed an excuse. Next time; they were going to have to start being more careful.

Inside the restaurant, the maître d’ escorted them to a secluded table, leaving a wine list. Logan pushed it aside, taking Olivia’s hands and lifting them to brush his lips over her knuckles.

“You’ll make the fans jealous, if they see you holding my hand.”

“I suppose I will. But they’ll have to get over it. You’re my only girl now.”

The words settled warm and glowing in Olivia’s chest, and she smiled. “Was it hard to get used to that? Being recognized, I mean. And getting asked to sign body parts.”

Logan laughed, letting go of her hands to reach for the wine list. “Aye. At first it was a bit odd. I was always shocked that someone knew my name, especially after we left Scotland. It wasn’t so surprising there. We were a big hit at home well before anyone across the pond discovered our music. But the first time it happened somewhere else, I was completely thrown.

“Now, though, I’m fair used to it.” He shook his head. “Signing arms, though, that’s a new one on me. I asked her what would happen if she decided someday that she didn’t like my music. She said she’d always love me even so.”

Olivia grinned. “The price of fame: your name forever tattooed on a girl’s arm.”

“I’d rather have it etched on someone’s heart.”

A blush rose in Olivia’s cheeks, and she felt suddenly shy as she looked at Logan over her water glass. The waiter arrived, taking their order, returning with a bottle of wine. Olivia toyed with hers. For a few minutes it had been easy to let the events of the afternoon slide away, but in the moment of quiet they all came rushing back in.

“You seem distracted. Is something bothering you?” Logan was watching her closely, for once his eyes serious, no playful smile lurking at the corners of his mouth. He’s worried. About me? Or about us?

She kept her eyes down, debating just how much to reveal. “Just work. It’s been busy. And Melissa was let go. So that’s been... rough.”

Logan frowned. “I feel I’m letting you down somehow. You’re so focused on me, on the case. And I have no idea what’s going on with you.”

“You can’t think that way,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “I don’t think that at all. Please don’t feel that you’re neglecting me.”

She reached across the table for his hand. “You have to admit that this hasn’t been a very conventional relationship so far. Please, don’t for a minute think that you’re lacking in any way. You have so much to think about with the band, with Ashton. I’m fine, really.”

Logan’s lips curved up into their accustomed smile. “It’s just my manly pride that makes me think I should take care of you, in every way, all the time. And I should know how. But you’re right. This is anything but conventional.”

He squeezed her hand. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

They made small talk for the rest of dinner, Olivia artfully avoiding any further conversation about work. But on the short walk back to Logan’s hotel, he held her hand and she told him an abbreviated version of Melissa’s firing.

“It was just such a shock. I thought everything was going well. But I guess I have a lot to learn about managing stuff.”

“You’ll be fine. You’re good with people.” Logan’s thumb stroked the back of her hand. “Are you sure it was really Melissa and not something else? Something from higher up?”

Olivia tensed. Did Logan suspect there was more happening at work? Or was she that paranoid? There was no way she could explain what was happening with Ryan. Logan might not be the macho fighter type, but she had no doubt that if he found out what was going on he’d not hesitate to put a fist in Ryan’s face.

“No. Nothing else. I guess I got too dependent on her, and now I’m paying the price.”

They took the elevator to Logan’s room. There were several bouquets of fresh flowers scattered around the place, and Olivia bent to an arrangement, inhaling the sweet scent of the blooms.

“From adoring fans?”

Logan wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. It was almost strange, she thought, how different it felt like this, with Logan. Ryan’s body so close to hers made her want to flee the room. But with Logan she felt safe. Cared for. She felt like a human being, and not just some object he desired.

“No,” Logan said. “They’re for you. I wanted to send them to your office, but I didn’t think it would be exactly subtle. So they’re here, for you to enjoy.”

Olivia turned to Logan, lips parted to speak, but he caught her in a kiss. He held her gently, and she melted against him, her words forgotten, all thoughts of work and Ryan pushed from her mind.

Eventually, he broke the kiss, leading her into the bedroom. With gentle fingers he undressed her and carefully placed each item on a chair. He held her hands when she reached for the buttons on his shirt, gently walking her backwards until her legs brushed against the bed. She sat down, sliding back, pulling her legs up onto the mattress.

Silently, Logan climbed up beside her, lying next to her, his legs wrapped around hers. He brushed the hair back from her forehead, then traced a line down her cheek, her throat, down to the tops of her breasts.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen,” he said, his tone approaching something like reverence. “I’ve told you that, but it’s true. The first time I saw you I thought you were magical, even if you were arguing with the bartender like a drunk at last call.”

Olivia was startled into laughing. She swatted his shoulder with a hand. “Logan Graham. That is not how you compliment a woman.”

He grinned, irrepressible, and pulled her closer. “No,” he agreed. “But I wanted to hear you laugh.”

His eyes grew serious, though the smile still lingered on his mouth. “However it began, Olivia, you’re mine now. For just as long as you’ll have me.”

His lips were on hers again, firm and gentle at the same time. His tongue traced the curve of her mouth, and she let her lips part, the kiss deepening.

It was familiar, and yet somehow new. The giddy sense of excitement, of discovery, now came with the feeling of comfort and growing ease. She ran her hands over his body, not with the rushing eagerness she’d felt before, but with a slow purpose. With the pleasure of knowing she felt safe with Logan. Her fingers trailed lightly across warm skin, caressed curves of muscle she was starting to know by heart.

Logan leaned on one elbow, looking down at her, his fingers slowly drawing circles on the soft skin of her breast. “You’re different tonight. Softer. Relaxed, I think. I like it.” He kissed her forehead, her cheek.

“I’m happy.” The words slipped between her lips before she realized she’d spoken. But as soon as she heard them, she knew it was true. She smiled at Logan.

“I’m glad,” he said, amusement crossing his face. “It’d be a terrible shame if you weren’t. And I’d feel guilty, being the only one here who’s happy.”

He leaned over, claiming her breast with his mouth. Olivia ran her fingers through his hair, drew him closer. As he moved lower, kissing a wandering path down her body, she sighed, shifting as he moved between her legs, his hands resting beneath her, cupping her to him. It felt good to be handled so gently. To be taken care of like she was something precious.

His tongue stroked over the center of her and Olivia’s spine arched, her fingers curling tight in the sheets as it flicked across her clit. She bit back the cry that wanted to spill from her throat. Patrick had always had to be talked into doing this, but Logan seemed eager, groaning against her when she writhed in his hold. His hands gripped her hips a little tighter.

The rest of her body felt weightless as he went on, using his mouth and tongue to slowly drive her wild. Everything reduced down to the fire at her core, the tension of building pleasure. She’d stopped caring about the sounds she made. Stopped caring about anything but the way that Logan felt—the way he made her feel. The fire grew, surging up through her body, and white light exploded behind her eyes. 

He held her for a long time, his head resting on her hip, his breath soft across her stomach, as her breathing slowed, as her heart stopped thudding in her chest. She ran one hand through his hair, and he looked up at her, a slow smile spreading on his lips.

Without a word, he moved up her body, the weight of him slowly pinning her to the sheets, pressing her down as he settled between her legs. When he took her, it was slow and focused, each movement fanning the fire he’d started.

She was breathless as she watched him, his face close to hers, his eyes moving over her face, taking in every detail.

When Logan came, he buried his head against Olivia’s shoulder. No soft words this time. No murmurs against her skin. She felt his mouth open against her neck, an exhalation as he let go, and then a low groan, like the sound was dragged out of the core of him. He shook and trembled and she held him to her, the power and force of his release so evident in his body.

After a long time, he pulled away, rolling onto his back. Again, he searched for her hand, holding it fast in his, bringing it against his chest. When he spoke, his voice was far away. “You remind me of home,” he said, softly. “Of green hills and sudden storms that fall on the mountains, wild with thrashing wind, fading into soft gray skies touched with rainbows. And the sun comes out and it’s warm again.” He turned toward her. “I want to take you there. To walk in the heather and see the lochs. Just us, and no one else, and no worries. It would be grand.”

“I’d like that. Just us.” Olivia sighed. “Just us and no one else.” Curling against his shoulder, she let herself enjoy the fantasy of running away to Scotland with Logan.

It was much later, after they’d come together again, that she heard him murmur the Gaelic words he’d said before. She didn’t need to ask this time what they meant. They settled on her heart, etching themselves there.

She thought of the safety she felt in his arms, the way her whole world lit up when he was near. They’d known each other for almost no time at all, but already she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it. She smiled.

“I love you too.”

Reaching out in the dark, she found his hand and held it against her heart.