Page 90 of Logan

He removes his foot, and I shut the door, sagging backagainst it and closing my eyes. What the hell am I doing? I can’t seriously be considering going out with him again, not after everything he put me through.

But then again, isn’t that exactly what I did with Logan? Fell into bed with him despite knowing better, despite all the warning signs and red flags?

Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. A magnet for emotionally unavailable men who will never truly be mine.

I push off the door and drop my bags on the kitchen counter, feeling bone-weary. All I want is a hot shower and my bed, to fall into a dreamless sleep and forget this day ever happened.

Chapter Twenty-Five

SLOANE

Icrack open one eye, trying to ignore the wave of dizziness that washes over me as I fumble for my phone on the nightstand without sitting up. I squint at the screen.

Work. Shit.

I emailed the office earlier, letting them know I’m sick and won’t be coming in today. What could they want?

“Yes?” I croak into the phone, my voice rough with sleep and sickness.

“Sloane, this is Emily, Logan Valeur’s secretary. I’ve been asked to remind you about the meeting at ten this morning where you’re scheduled to present to the executives. You need to be in the conference room by nine-thirty.”

I suppress a groan. “I already notified everyone that I’m not feeling well. I don’t intend to come in today.”

“Mr. Valeur said there are no exceptions. He expects everyone to be here.” Her tone is apologetic but firm.

“Then please inform him I’m ill and unable to attend.” I cut off the call, tossing the phone onto the bed beside me.

The audacity of him, demanding I show up when I’ve already called in sick. Is that even legal? God, my entire body aches. I think even my hair hurts.

I close my eyes and press a hand to my throbbing forehead. Pretty sure I’m running a fever. I should drink something hot, like tea, but I don’t even have the energy to get up and make a cup.

The phone rings again. I reach out blindly, jabbing at the screen without looking.

“Tell your asshole boss that when someone is sick, they don’t come to work. I’m not coming in today, and he can go fuck himself and his precious presentation.”

“Your asshole boss is demanding your presence at the meeting today,” Logan’s deep voice crackles through the speaker, cold and unyielding. “It concerns the productyoudeveloped, and I need you to come in and give the presentation I asked you to prepare. You understand the technical side better than anyone, and my department heads have questions.”

Fuck. Of course, it’s him.

“I—”

“You were perfectly fine last night. And even now, I can hear that sharp tongue of yours has no problem working. So if you think you can skip out on this meeting because you had a hot date and partied all night, you’re mistaken.”

If I didn’t feel like death warmed over, I might laugh. He almost sounds...jealous? I guess those condoms I grabbedlast night really got under his skin. I wanted to rile him up, and it seems I succeeded. Too bad the plan blew up in my face.

“I prepared everything. The presentation is ready, I can email it to you. I really don’t feel well, Logan.”

“Mr. Valeur,” he corrects, and I wince. “And if you want to keep your job, I expect to see you here at ten.” The line goes dead.

Fucking asshole.

I was warned he was a hardass, but I honestly thought it was just vicious gossip from people making assumptions based on his appearance.

He seems tough at first glance, sure, but I actually enjoyed his company in London. He was the furthest thing from a tyrant then. But just like he said, the moment we returned to the office, we went back to being strangers.

Still, does he really expect me to drag myself in when I’m this sick?

Well, I suppose he doesn’t understand the concept of taking a sick day. The man wouldn’t know the meaning of the word “rest” if it bit him on the ass.