Page 27 of Logan

I release a shaky breath, taking in his scent of mint and cinnamon. His eyes, intense and penetrating, hold mine captive, stirring something primal within me. Every nerve in my body is on high alert, craving his touch with a hunger I can barely contain.

In reality, broken men stay broken, and they will only break your heart.

The words of Emery echo in my head, reminding me of who I am. Who he is.

I take a step back, the hardest step I’ve ever taken in my life, creating a little space between us. A gap to draw in a breath, to reset.

He’s my damn boss, not a fleeting fling I’ll forget. So what if he embodies every fantasy from the pages of my books?

“Sorry for the noise,” I say, apologizing again.

“I hope he lets Piper come,” Logan remarks, his expression solemn. “Even if she hasn’t been a good girl.” With that, he retreats to his room, shutting the door behind him, and I let out a shaky breath.

Fuck.

I take advantage of the time difference to call Emery, and I don’t even bother waiting for a greeting before pouring out everything that happened the day before.

“Shit,” Emery exclaims. I hear a commotion on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of a door closing. “You were almost assaulted yesterday. Do you realize that? Oh my God.”

“Yes, but nothing happened, and Logan protected me.”

“A man attacked you, and you’re talking about your boss?”

“No one has ever stepped up for me like that before. It’s significant.”

“He’s putting on a nice show for you, and you’re buying it. Tomorrow he’ll be between your legs.”

“I wish.” I sigh. “I’m sure he knows his way around in bed, and it’s been ages since I’ve had good sex. You always tell me men like the ones in my books don’t exist in real life, but Logan could outmatch them any day.”

My cheeks heat as I recall his comment.I protect what’s mine.

“Are you on a first-name basis now?” Emery’s tone lacks approval. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. You’ve heard the rumors; he’s not a nice man. People quit after being confronted by him, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Even his brother is afraid of him. Logan Valeur is your boss, Sloane. You’re betting on your job and your future.”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything. I’m fully aware that Logan is my boss. Nothing will happen between us. And I don’t think he’s as scary as they make him out to be. He’s been nice to me so far.” I even cursed him, and he didn’t make a big deal out of it.

“After just a few days with him, you think you know him so well?”

“I never said that?—”

“We’re talking about Logan Valeur, Sloane. Not a cute kitten. Have you noticed no pictures of him with women show up anywhere? The last time he was seen with a woman in public was almost a year ago.” She takes a breath. “Perhaps he offs them in the end.”

I chuckle. “You went digging on him?”

“Yeah, because of you. I’m concerned about you and wanted to see what’s what. There’s barely any info on him except for some business articles. Oh, and he snagged spot number twenty-three on the list of the most cutthroat CEOs in the industry. If that doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will.”

“I still believe those rumors about him are just that—rumors. He’s got a heart and feelings like the rest of us.” And what happened yesterday proves it.

“Oh, Sloane, sometimes you’re too trusting.”

“I feel like it’s fate. He and I end up here in this apartment at the same time. What are the odds?”

“What are the odds? Really?” she mutters. “It’s his apartment, and you invited him to stay. Truly the hand of fate. Go for someone with no connections, someone you’ll never see again, with an amazing British accent, and pretend you’re a princess or something.”

“I tried that yesterday, and you know where that got me. Because of your flight fear, you’re not in London with me, and I almost got involved with a potential serial killer. Thanks but no thanks. Once is enough.”

“Promise me you won’t get tangled up with Logan Valeur. I don’t want you in over your head.”

“Don’t worry. Even if I wanted to he’s not interested. He hasn’t hinted or said anything like that. And he’s always so serious.”