Page 115 of My Destiny

Logan gives me a sympathetic look before focusing his attention on John. “After dinner we can head into the office and discuss what we’re going to do about Kathleen.”

“Sure,” he replies as a look of sadness washes over him. When I see it, I feel sorry for him, which I hate. God, I need to get my emotions in check because I’m all over the place. The last thing he deserves is my compassion, but my traitorous psyche doesn’t seem to comprehend that notion.

Thankfully, the rest of the meal is eaten in silence.

“I’ll clean up here,” I say once everyone is done.

“Let me help,” Logan replies, standing.

“No, I’m fine. You two go and do whatever it is you need to do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He leans over the table and places a kiss on my forehead. “We won’t be long.”

“Take your time.” I’m hoping by then I’ll be in the safety of my bedroom.

As I collect the plates, Logan moves around to where John is sitting and helps him stand. Again, I’m filled with empathy for him. It’s like an internal battle raging inside me; I want to hate him, but a part of me won’t seem to allow it.

“Morning, beautiful,” Logan says, nuzzling his face into my neck.

“Morning, Hot Stuff.” He grilled me last night when he finally came up to bed, but I remained strong and tried my best to reassure him that I’m okay with John being here. It’s not like it’s permanent, and I’ll be working extra hours over the coming weeks, so that’s going to make things easier.

“Don’t make any plans for tonight,” he says, drawing his face back so he can see me.

“Why?”

“I’m taking you out?”

“Really? Where?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says, planting a soft kiss on my nose. “And you’ll finally be able to wear one of those dresses I bought you.”

“Oh, so we’re going somewhere fancy?” Excitement bubbles inside me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to dress up, and I’ve been dying to wear one of my new dresses. However, my enthusiasm dies the moment John enters my mind. Chances are, he’ll probably be going with us, and that definitely puts a damper on things.

“Yes, just the two of us,” he adds, like he read my mind. “I’ve organised for Jill to work late so my uncle won’t be alone.”

A huge smile breaks out onto my face, and my eagerness returns. “Are you at least going to give me a hint?”

“Nope,” he says, throwing back the covers and getting up. “Like I said, it’s a surprise.”

“But I don’t like surprises,” I retort, pouting my lips as he walks around the bed.

“You’ll like this one.”

I sit up the moment he disappears into the en-suite, then jump out of bed and dash towards the walk-in robe. I wish I had more of an idea where we were going. It would make my decision on which dress to wear a little easier.

Pulling the baby blue dress out first, I hold it in front of me in the mirror. “Wear the black one,” Logan says, startling me. Swinging around, I find him leaning up against the architrave at the entrance. My eyes travel down his bare chest, across his sculptured abdomen, and down to the delicious V protruding from his low riding silk pyjama pants.

“And you need to wear something that shows off this,” I reply, closing the distance between us to run my fingertip across his middle.

“Is that so?”

“Ah huh,” I say, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

“Keep looking at me like that,” he replies, pulling my body into his, “and I’m going to be late for work.”