Page 16 of Logan (The Valeur Billionaires #1)

Chapter Fourteen

SLOANE

D amn, that was hot.

Fuck, now I understand why everyone gets so excited about the doorframe scene.

The way his arm muscles stretched and flexed... In my book, it didn’t sound that sexy to me, but in reality... I wanted to go over there and lick those arms. I’m so going to use my new vibrator while holding onto that mental image of him.

I can’t believe he agreed to do that just so I’d come with him tomorrow. This meeting must be really important to him.

I let myself fall back onto the bed with a sigh.

You’ve reached a new low, Sloane. Fantasizing about your boss, a hard, scowling man who wants nothing to do with you and even told you as much.

You up?

Emery

Didn’t we agree not to text like that? Yeah, I was just getting into bed.

With someone?

Emery

I wish. Alone.

I dial her number.

“What’s up?” she asks.

“Logan wanted to give me his credit card so I could buy myself something,” I blurt out.

“Why?” she asks, curiosity lacing her voice.

“Because he wanted to apologize.”

“What did you do?”

“I gave the card back. What do you think I did?”

“I would have blown 50k if given the chance.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” I flop onto my back, staring at the ceiling.

“Hell, yeah, I would. Why not? He offered, and he’s rich as fuck. Actually, make that 100k.”

“Now I get why he thinks all women just want his money.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

“So, what did he do that requires your forgiveness? Not that it surprises me. That guy just has to breathe in your direction, and he needs to apologize.”

“We were sitting at this restaurant, and I guess I had something on my face because he wiped something from my mouth, but then...he kept going, and his thumb was in my mouth for a moment.”

“Say that again? I think the line cut out or something because I heard a nonsensical sentence.”

“I said he put his thumb?—"

“What the fuck?” Emery screams.

“It just happened. He was cleaning my face, and before I knew what was happening, his thumb was in my mouth. Maybe I did it and not him? I’m not sure. Damn it, Emery, it was a crazy hot moment. Erotic.”

“Erotic? You’ve completely lost it. You realize that all he’s thinking about now when he looks at you is how you’d suck his dick. Or is that actually what you want him to think?”

“Maybe... I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, anyway. After it happened, he said he wasn’t interested in me. Then he got up and left, and now he’s apologizing.”

“Good. Because you want nothing to do with him. You just started at Valeur a year ago. Do you really want to get tangled up again? To need to quit again? Actually, you’re already tangled up.

What do you think they’ll say at the office when they find out you were with him?

That you’re sleeping together in his apartment? ”

“I didn’t know he would be here. He didn’t know I’d be here either. It’s just a coincidence. And we’re not sleeping together. There are two bedrooms.”

“No one will care about the number of rooms, Sloane. You should have gone to a hotel like he suggested. Do you think anyone here will believe you won Employee of the Year because of your hard work once they think you’re fucking the boss?”

“But I’m not fucking him,” I mutter, even though I know she’s right. I was forced to leave my last job because everyone wouldn’t stop talking about how Johnny fucked Kelly behind my back, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

And I really like my new job. Do I really want to throw it all away again over rumors?

“Keep your distance from him, Sloane. It’s bad enough you’re in the same apartment, at least make sure you keep your distance. Now go tell him you changed your mind.”

“About what?” I sit up, frowning.

“About the card, dummy. Go splurge. You don’t get an opportunity like that every day. He probably has a black card, right? I could get off just holding it.”

“You’re awful, Emery.”

I debate telling her about the fake dating scheme planned for tomorrow, then decide against it. She wouldn’t understand, and I’ve had enough lectures and humiliation for one day.

Even I don’t fully understand why I agreed to this arrangement, but it intrigues me, and I guess my nosy nature trumps my concerns.

“Can you send me everything you found on Logan?” I request, changing the subject.

“What?”

“You said you looked into him. Can you send me everything you found?”

“Sure. There’s not much. He doesn’t appear in public often. I suspect he’s a vampire.”

I snort. He’s probably not a vampire, but the fact there’s not much public info on him fits with what I’ve observed so far. The corner booth at the restaurant and cooking for himself. He avoids people. I wonder why.

“Send me whatever you have. ”

“Sloane, please be careful. I don’t know what you’re planning, but you don’t know him, and he’s your boss. If something goes wrong, the consequences will be disastrous.”

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

“Good morning.” I emerge from my bedroom, ready for the day, and find Logan in the kitchen, drinking coffee, wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Who wears tailored clothes on the weekend? Except for the one time I surprised him at night, I’ve never seen him out of a suit.

Although I have to say, he looks pretty damn good in those amazing suits, the slim-fitting button-downs that look custom-made for his measurements and probably are, highlighting his trim waist and muscular arms.

I lick my lips.

“Good morning. Why are you looking at me like that?”

I blink the fantasy away. “I’m, uh, taking you up on your shopping offer,” I say, ignoring his question and plopping onto the chair across from him.

His forehead wrinkles.

“If the offer still stands, that is.”

“Yes,” he answers, his face expressionless but his cool voice conveying displeasure. “It still stands.”

I imagine icicles forming from his breath. I don’t think it’s possible to say yes in a more detached way. But he offered. Why is he regretting it now ?

“Great. Because I want to buy a book.”

“A book?” He arches an eyebrow. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I’m serious. I don’t take my reading habits lightly.” I rest my elbows on the table.

“How much does a book cost? Twenty dollars?”

“Here it’s pounds, but yes, something like that. Unless it’s a special edition, those can be expensive and go up to maybe a hundred dollars.” I shrug.

“A hundred dollars?”

“Possibly. So, are you willing to buy me a book?”

“That’s what you want? A book?”

“That’s what I said, and you said you’d let me buy anything.”

“Out of all the things you could buy, a book?”

“Are you going to make me repeat myself?” I turn his own words back on him.

He opens his mouth, then closes it without saying anything.

“But I have a condition,” I say.

“Of course, you have a condition,” he mutters. “Does it have to be a diamond-encrusted book?”

“No. The condition is that you have to come to the bookstore with me.” I bite my lip, waiting for his resistance.

“Okay.”

“You know, just because—” I fall silent. “Wait, did you say okay?”

“Yes. But can we at least take my driver this time instead of riding the bus?”

I’d prepared an entire speech convincing him to come with me so I’d agree to spend a hellish evening of business with him, but he didn’t even object .

I grin. “Yes. Great. I’m going to get ready.”

I stand in front of the store entrance.

Daunt Books London, the sign reads in green.

“Wow.” I grip Logan’s arm. “Look at this beautiful store. Even the windows look antique. It’s like I’ve gone back to the last century or something.” I hurry inside.

Rows upon rows of books, as far as the eye can see. Up, down, everywhere. And all arranged on dark wooden shelves.

Heaven.

“It’s so beautiful here like I’ve stepped into a movie set.” I twirl around. “And there are more floors.” I glance at Logan. “It’s bigger than the store near me at home.”

His face is expressionless as usual, but he doesn’t look angry.

“Why did you want me to come here with you?” he asks.

“Because I didn’t want to come alone,” I answer.

Because until he insulted me at the restaurant, I was having the most fun I’ve had all week.

Because I’m tired of feeling lonely and alone all the time.

Because even his scowling face is better than constantly talking to myself in my head. Of course, I don’t say all that.

And then I spot the gorgeous man standing in the self-help section. All muscles and beauty.

Handsome and loves books. Perfect.

I gasp. “He could be a book boyfriend.”

“You think so? ”

I spin around to face Logan, my mouth gaping.

Shit. I said that out loud.

“Wait, how do you know what a book boyfriend is?”

“It’s pretty self-explanatory. Besides, Cora, my sister, also likes to read those romance books.”

“Really?” I jump up and clap my hands. “What tropes does she like? Maybe she can recommend some books to me. Does she read digital or print? Or maybe even audio? Although I connect less with audio, they get embarrassing at exactly the wrong moment in front of the boss,” I say with a grin.

“Well, you’ve gone too far for me. I don’t know what tropes are. And don’t you read anything else besides that stuff? What about some thrillers? Drama?”

“God forbid. I have enough of those in real life.”

“And you don’t have enough sex in real life?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Romance. I’m lacking romance. Well, maybe the sex, too.” I laugh.

“I wouldn’t expect someone who looks like you to be lacking romance. Or sex.”

“Did you just give me a compliment, Logan Valeur?” I stand with my hands on my hips and tilt my head.

The corner of his mouth twitches in a hint of a smile. “Maybe. So that’s why you like reading romance novels? Because you’re lacking romance?”

“Because I want my happily ever after,” I blurt out.

“Because if an author writes about a man who cheats, they’ll throw tomatoes at her.

When I read those books, I know what to expect.

I can, just for a brief time, believe that such a man exists for me.

The man who will never cheat on me, who will love me, who will see who I really am. ”

“Someone cheated on you?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.” I divert my gaze and bite my lower lip. Damn, the hurt still stings.

“Okay.”

That’s it? He’s not going to insist? Doesn’t he want to hear how I was humiliated and had to leave my job? But he stays silent.

I gaze into his clear eyes. “I want one more thing from you. I want you to choose the book for me.”

“I’m not familiar with romance novels.”

“I know. I want you to pick a book you would like.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to get to know you.”

He squints, probably wondering if I’ve completely lost it. “Why?”

“Why what?” I return his question.

“Why do you want to get to know me?”

“Because you intrigue me. You look the way you do,” I say, waving a hand and gesturing at his muscular body wrapped in a well-fitted suit, “and could get any woman you want, but you don’t even seem interested in women at all. Maybe you’re gay or asexual? An enigma.”

I peeked at the links Emery sent this morning. A few publicity photos, a few pictures with one woman from about a year ago, who, if I may say, looks like a total bitch, and that’s about it.

“How do I look?”

I swallow hard. “Umm...you know.”

“I don’t know.”

“You look…good,” I mutter, trying to climb out of the hole I’ve dug myself into. What can I say to him? That he’s hot? That my panties get wet every time he looks at me like he does?

“Good?” His pupils dilate, but that’s the only physical reaction he shows to my words.

I look straight into his clear eyes as I say slowly, emphasizing each letter. “Yes, gooood.”

And then he walks away.

I follow him with my eyes as he browses the store, looking for a book while I remain in my spot, curious to see what he’ll bring me. Then he returns, carrying a business book.

I exhale loudly. Seriously? “No, no, no.” I shake my head. “You’re not getting off that easy. Fiction. Now. And not something obvious, like Harry Potter .”

“I like Harry Potter .”

“Who doesn’t? But seriously, a book you love.”

“I admit, I haven’t read any non-business books lately.”

“I didn’t say it had to be a new book. I’m sure there’s a book you loved at some point in your life. When you were a child, maybe? Anything.”

He nods and sets off again.

The fiction category sprawls across most of the store. Instead of searching, Logan walks straight up to one employee and speaks to him. I just follow them with my eyes and wait, wondering what he’ll choose. He returns a few minutes later, holding a book.

“ Jane Eyre ?” I stare at the title. “In a special edition?”

“Not a good choice? ”

“An excellent choice. I just didn’t expect that’s what you’d pick.”

“What did you expect?”

“Horror, thriller. A current bestseller. Why this book in particular?”

He’s quiet for a moment. “It was one of my mother’s favorite books. In the period after her accident, I would sit by her side and read it to her in the hospital.”

I bite my lip and place a hand on his arm. “Your mother was in an accident? What happened?” There was no article about any accident in what Emery sent. I read she passed away, but it didn’t say what caused her passing.

Logan looks away, his jaw tightening. “Car accident. She died not long after. I’d rather not talk about it.”

I suppose that’s fair. Just like I didn’t want to talk about Johnny. I’ll have to search later to see if they wrote anything about the accident. Maybe something will turn up.