Logan, noticing the brief lull in the conversation, looks away from his discussion with a few of his coworkers across the large room to the entrance of the ballroom. He sees that a few of the guests are watching a new arrival with interest. His gaze travels to the blond woman standing there looking around. She is wearing a stunning short deep violet dress; slightly off the shoulder plunging modestly in front but definitely figure hugging. Her hair is pulled back from her heart-shaped face and falls in curls from a decorative diamond clasp at the back of her head.
A smile breaks out over his famous features and he excuses himself to walk over to greet the newcomer. When he reaches the doorway, the petite blond notices him and smiles in recognition. He greets her loudly enough for the guests at the side of the ballroom closest to the door to hear, "Sugarpuss."
Frowning in annoyance at the nickname, the blond takes a few steps to meet the tall, dark-haired, handsome man. She lightly complains, "Logan, you know I don't like to be called…" The group watching sees the look of distaste that crosses her face as she speaks the word, "Sugarpuss."
His smile growing, Logan teases, "Oh, excuse me. Perhaps you would prefer, 'Babycakes?".
Obviously exasperated the blond answers immediately, "Ah, no!" Veronica knowing him well sees the twinkling in his eyes and knows that he is not done. Wisely she speaks before he can continue, "I thought we agreed on no nicknames,"
He smirks and says as if he is having a eureka moment, "Oh I know what name you love." Before he can finish she reaches up to cover his mouth. He pulls his mouth away and gets out, "Beautiful."
The crowd has to smile at his teasing. Many of them work with him and know he is irrepressible. He will do and say most anything without any trace of embarrassment. Speculation on what the woman who captured the rich, confirmed bachelor will be like is rampant at the office since Logan announced his engagement suddenly two weeks ago. Now tonight his fiancé is due back in California from a business trip and they are going to get to meet her.
They can tell the tiny blonde thought he was going to say something embarrassing and personal and they have to laugh at the half exasperated, half girly expression on her face as she deals with her problematic fiancé. As they watch she steps up and tucks her hand in his arm. She looks up at him and smiles, "That is more like it."
Logan's coworkers standing close by get their first view of the engagement ring. It is magnificent! On her small hand the center diamond looks huge and is showcased by the multiple diamonds around it and the intricate platinum setting. Rumors about the size of the diamonds and the cost of the ring have been rampant. Some stories have Logan using his mother's engagement ring and others have him spending a million dollars to have the stones in her ring brought in from South Africa. He puts his hand over hers on his arm and leans down to kiss her hello. He says as he stands back up, "I still like Sugarpuss."
She giggles a little and looks up at him shaking her head, "I'm sorry I am late. My plane was delayed."
Easily he tells her, "I'm just glad you are back home. " He pauses looking down at her adding, "I've missed you."
Shaking her head as if she can't believe it, she admits, "Surprisingly, I miss you when I am gone."
"Of course you do," he pronounces arrogantly causing his fiancé to laugh.
Gently he leads her over to a group of his coworkers and tells her, "I'll introduce you around and then I will buy you a drink."
Leaning into him a little as they walk, she squeezes his arm and answers, "Sounds good."
For the next few minutes Logan walks Veronica around the room introducing her to his coworkers and their significant others. It is a company party to celebrate the best summer sales the company has ever had. Logan invariably remembers everyone's name and something important about them. He is charming, funny and his coworkers are immediately aware of how happy Logan is with Veronica. He is more animated and his eyes sparkle with humor around her.
Logan's coworkers learn that Veronica works for the western branch office of a company none of them recognize the name. When asked about the company she merely states that she works in analyzing management structures. Only a few discerning people notice that she quickly and easily changes the subject from her work. They are a striking couple obviously comfortable with each other; obviously close. Most of them there know her history with Logan in Neptune and how they broke up in their freshman year in college and Veronica moved to Virginia and Logan moved to LA.
During discussions on how they got back together, Logan teasingly tells his coworkers that he saw Veronica again when visiting mutual friends. His close coworkers know that he went to a friend's graduation and met her again. Since that time they have dated and recently got engaged.
Veronica laughs when asked about how Logan proposed and merely states that no one can plan an evening like Logan.
He admits that Veronica loves to sail so took her out on his yacht. Veronica leans a little into Logan and shares, "When we got back to the marina, Logan had rented a room at the yacht club and our friends and family were there to celebrate with us."
When asked if he got down on one knee and proposed, she smiled up at Logan and says, "He did." She teases, "I remember him crying."
The group all laughs and Logan smirks at her and quips, "Watch out or I will insist on writing my own vows."
Veronica grimaces playfully and the group is amused at the thought of what Logan would write and certainly have no problems saying out loud. She immediately backs down and says dutifully, "Logan's proposal was more romantic than Romeo and Juliet." The group laughs at how Logan and Veronica tease each other.
Logan's only comment is, "Damn right."
Confidently and comfortably, Logan leads Veronica over to the bar and orders her a glass of wine and another scotch for himself. He looks down at her while they wait for the bartender to serve them. She looks up at him and he is very pleased to see the twinkle in her eyes. He can see she is enjoying this party and of course, messing with him.
Veronica came back to Neptune for Wallace's and Mac's graduation last year. Logan also attended and they decided to be friends. They talked at least once a week on the telephone and emailed often.
Not dating anyone herself Veronica agreed to go with Logan to Keith and Alicia's wedding six months ago. They got along great and an enterprising reporter took their picture together. There was some talk in the tabloids about them getting back together.
A few weeks ago Logan became aware of the opportunity in the company he worked for to buy in and become a partner. He called Veronica and talked to her about the opportunity. She was excited for him. He shared with her that the biggest stumbling block for the other partners was his playboy image and his history.
Of course Veronica pointed out that he could date more conventional women and improve his reputation. Logan had laughed and told her that at least the starlets were honest that they wanted him for his money and image. After a pause he says, "Besides I don't want any more Hannahs or Parkers. "
After a long, uncomfortable pause, Logan dryly told her that he hasn't really met anyone that even wanted to know the real Logan. He had pointed out that only two women ever really knew him; she and Lilly. They had a nice conversation about their past relationship when Logan pointed out that although they had many issues between them, money and honesty were not among them. Pensively he told her that he had come to realize that their relationship didn't really have a chance back then. Veronica had seen his point. She agreed that normally relationships had a break even chance of making it. With all that each of them had to deal with and all they had to deal with together, it had made their relationship impossible. They both felt more comfortable with each other after that conversation. They were ready to be friends.
He had mentioned that he needed to get a more stable home environment to impress his potential partners at least until he was offered a senior partnership. Puzzled Veronica questioned, "I thought you ruled out dating a nice girl."
Logan had laughed stating, "Ronnie I already know a girl I can trust and who my future partners will believe could tame me."
Catching on she said, "No Logan. I will not pretend to be your girlfriend."
He ignores her objections and adds, "Of course we would have to be engaged."
He smiles at her shriek of surprise. She says, "I am out of the paparazzi notice now. I am not going to jump back in by pretending to be your fiance.'
He continues on as if she hadn't spoken, "It would have to be for at least three months while negotiations were continuing." He adds pensively, "You would have to attend a few company parties and then go out with me when I am with my coworkers."
Veronica interrupts with what she feels is a deal breaker, "Logan, I don't even live in LA."
"You should move here,'' he tells her and then continues, "Your family and closest friends are here and the FBI has a LA office." He adds as he thinks aloud, "You can't tell me that the LA office wouldn't jump at the chance to have you."
Veronica reluctantly admits, "They have offered me a good package to transfer but I am happy here."
On a roll, Logan continues, "You could move in with me. I have lots of room."
It had been difficult to get her to agree but Logan had been persistent. He had offered to pay for her moving expenses, had thrown in a shopping spree, enlisted the help of Mac and Wallace and had finally flown out to see her in person. Veronica allowed herself to be persuaded because she did miss her dad, her friends and LA. After agreeing to the move, she had informed her temporary fiancé that she would have her shopping spree in New York before she came. Logan had encouraged her to get a new wardrobe reiterating he would happily pay because she needed more clothes for the time she posed as his fiance. She had smiled a little scarily and commented, "Oh, you'll pay."
Logan had glossed over the darker meaning and said, "Snookums, I love how you dress but you will be invited to some dinners and parties and new dresses can be fun."
She had pinched his side and reminded him that there would be no nick names during their fake engagement. Logan had smiled innocently at her telling her that he wouldn't do anything to upset her while she was helping him out.
Not fooled she had closed her eyes, shaken her head and questioned, "What am I getting myself into?"
Laughing he encouraged her to just have fun with it. He felt it was a good situation for her to move to LA. She would enjoy the work in better weather and best of all she would be closer to her father and her friends. He would pay her moving expenses so she could save the money the FBI paid her to transfer and she would get a new wardrobe. As an added bonus she would live in his mansion, have her meals prepared, clothes cleaned and her room cleaned by his housekeeper while she saved her money for when she moved out after Christmas.
A couple of weeks later, Logan looked at the bill for her move and new wardrobe when his accountant sent him the monthly expense sheet. She had taken his encouragement to heart and it looks like she bought more than a few new dresses. There was a second large bill from a shoe store in New York. He tried not to think about the third bill from the lingerie shop.
Once on board with his plan, she had taken his advice of 'just have fun with it' to heart and she had been 100% for his plan. She had got a new wardrobe, transferred to the LA office and moved in with Logan in his new mansion. Since she moved back they had so much fun! Evenings when they were both home, they watched tv, movies, swam, played pool and darts and just generally enjoyed their time together. They were really becoming good friends.
The truth is Veronica is happy to be back in California and she is happy to help Logan get the promotion he has worked so hard for.
Now looking at her in the sexy new dress he was even more pleased that she took his invitation to get some new clothes to heart. She looked so put together and so hot!
He leans down and talks quietly in her ear stating, "You look so sexy in that dress."
Smiling up at him she says, "I am glad you approve."
"Mmm… I definitely approve," he leans in and nuzzles behind her ear and wraps his arm around her pulling her closer.
Veronica aware of how many people are watching plays her part. She closes her eyes and smiles a little and then when Logan continues it a little too long she giggles and playfully pushes him away from her neck. He smiles at her and how perfect she is playing his fiancé.
Two weeks ago he had taken her to dinner on his new yacht which he named, 'The Red Planet' and had given her 'the ring'. Reports of their romantic dinner , his proposal and the private party afterwards were endlessly discussed and replayed on the entertainment stations. The stories were accompanied by the first shots of her magnificent engagement ring which reportedly cost one million dollars.
Since that time speculation about their wedding along with stories of their colorful pasts together and apart were daily occurrences in the tabloids. Veronica and Logan seen often in public together just keep their sunglasses on and make no comments to the press.
At work Logan is obviously happy and excited that Veronica has moved back to LA and in with him. He privately tells his closest workmates that he would marry Veronica tomorrow if he could. The news travels around the office quickly.
The music starts while Logan and Veronica are standing in a group talking with one of the lead partners in the firm. A song by Rolling Stones comes on. Veronica excitedly squeals and turns to her handsome fiance, "I love this song, let's dance."
Logan looks at her in quick surprise but agreeably puts his hand out to go dance with her. George Freeman interrupts and suggests, "Perhaps I could have the pleasure of this dance."
Veronica immediately smiles at him and agrees, "That would be nice."
She leads him onto the dance floor and they dance. Veronica gets into the music and sings the words while she dances. She and George both obviously like the music and are really enjoying their dance. Logan watches a little bemused.
Veronica on the dance floor is talking about how she grew up on Rock music. He is impressed that someone so young knows the words to the songs. When the music changes from the fast paced Rock to a slower song, Veronica easily goes into his arms and they dance. George talks to her about seeing the Stones in concert when he was young. Veronica asks him about what the concert was like. George happy to discuss his favorite band, proceeds to describe the stage, atmosphere and tells her about getting arrested.
Entertained, she teases him about having long hair and wearing a t-shirt with a huge tongue on it. George laughs at her and easily acknowledges his youthful fashion choices.
She questions knowingly, "You still have that shirt, don't you?"
He throws his head back in laughter and admits he still wears it sometimes.
Logan watching Veronica dance, sing and generally charm one of the partners inwardly smiles. He knows she is not a huge old Rock music fan. She has obviously researched his future partners.
Logan says as he watches George laugh at another quip from his fiancé, "I can't have my girl showing me up in the dancing department; she would never let me forget it."
He puts his hand out for George's wife to dance, "Shall we?"
There are only a few couples dancing so the impromptu dance contest becomes obvious and most of the room watches. George is an accomplished dancer and Veronica really enjoys dancing with him. Logan has natural rhythm and took many lessons when he was young. Now he adds his own flair to the moves and the contest is close causing a lot of amusement to all four dancers. George's wife is impressed with Logan's dancing skills and really enjoys his teasing of her and of course, of his fiancé. Veronica's verbal shots back amuse George and he easily sees how this tiny blonde has no trouble keeping the outgoing Logan in line.
When the music slows, Logan easily admits that perhaps he was out danced but gallantly calls it a tie between Veronica and George's wife, Elizabeth. They change partners and Elizabeth is happy to be with her husband. Veronica melts into Logan's arms and the crowd sees that they talk easily and intimately when they are alone.
Logan drops his mouth close to her ear and says, "I like to make love to old Rock music." He adds suggestively, "It has a pounding beat."
Veronica's eyes twinkle as she looks up at him and she smartly tells him that the band in question makes her think of her father who loves them. Smirking openly she adds, "Mom told me that their first time was to one of their hits."
Grimacing a little he says, "Wow, that's a visual I won't be able to get out of my mind."
Laughing she snuggles a little closer in his arms and says obviously totally unapologetic, "Oh, sorry."
Logan pulls her closer and relaxes into their dance. She is so much fun to talk to and she lives to keep him on his toes. He loves that about her.
Part way through the romantic ballad, Veronica looks up and her gaze meets Logan's. They don't talk; they just gaze at each other. The crowd can see their passion for each other. The women envy Veronica and the guys can see that although Veronica is not as outwardly stunning as some of the women Logan has dated, Logan has deep feelings for her. He doesn't make any attempt to hide them. He is an arrogant young man and he makes no apology for that.
The partners had Logan checked out. His history had been of some concern but they soon realized that he is a highly intelligent young man who has learned to control his money and not let it control him. He smartly surrounds himself with people who are loyal to him and he trusts them totally. He has made some very savvy investments and has more money now than when he became a multimillionaire at eighteen. The board decided to make him partner despite his long and storied history. The truth is Logan Echolls is a smart businessman and a natural at marketing. When they offered him the partnership, he immediately accepted but surprising the board, he asked for a few months to get married before he started his new role as a senior partner.
Of course his request to hold his partnership until the New Year and keep it secret was granted but the senior partners are very curious to meet his fiancé. Now that they have met her they can see that Logan is very serious about her. He had openly admitted in their meetings that he has been waiting a long time to marry Veronica Mars and it is the most important thing in his life.
They see that Veronica is going to be a good partner for Logan. She is a strong woman in her own right and she is completely loyal to him. Veronica is almost a complete blank after she graduated from college. She went to Virginia and was recruited to the FBI. She has not worked as an agent though and her exact job description is vague. Right now she works in an office building in LA that is non descript and has no access for the general public. Logan, if he knows exactly what she does, never talks about it only generally stating she is an analyst.
A little later Veronica is talking to the wife of another partner. She has asked her about the fundraiser for the local blood bank. Veronica leans in and admits that a coworker was recently injured and she says very quietly, "He needed a lot of blood."
The woman seeing Veronica's upset moved closer and put her hand on her arm. Veronica continues earnestly, "The surgeon told us he wouldn't have lived if he hadn't received all the blood." She adds, "We all donated but we want to do more."
The woman seeing Veronica is serious talks to her about her job on the fundraising committee. She talks about the auction and dance. Veronica listens and asks questions from time to time. Finally she asks, "Are you still accepting donations for the auction?" The woman tells Veronica that they have to have the items finalized in two weeks. Veronica smiles and asks, "Could we meet for lunch next week? I have someone you should meet."
Logan smiles at Veronica's statement. He knows that she is going to secure items from his 09er friends for the auction. They exchange numbers and agree on a date to meet. He guesses Veronica is going to bring the man who got shot to meet her. It is typical Veronica that she would let the woman see who she has helped with her fundraising. Logan can see the woman is very impressed with Veronica and of course her husband is happy that someone is making his wife happy by listening to her about her pet project.
Logan is no slouch at knowing his coworkers. While they are taking a break from dancing, he parries a question about their marriage by saying, "You know we don't really even know where to start. Both of our mothers are not around and my sister lives in England." He gently pushes Veronica's hair back from her shoulder adding, "Ronnie's busy at work and I only know I want to be married, I don't have a clue what kind of wedding we would want."
A woman sitting at their table speaks up and says, "You need a wedding planner."
As Logan imagined, Veronica frowns and says, "I am not sure I want to work with a stranger on our wedding." She looks at Logan and says, "We would have to discuss it."
The woman easily says, "I am an event planner. I meet with the clients, give them some options and then once they know what they want, I make it happen for them."
Logan looks at her appraisingly and points out, "Our wedding will be a logistic nightmare with the paparazzi's interest in getting the story and Veronica's high government clearance to contend with."
The people at the table listen with interest. Most of them had not thought about how difficult it might be to plan their wedding. Veronica adds seriously, "Plus dealing with Logan and his friends can be ….. challenging."
The group at the table laughs but surprisingly Logan seems to agree. He nods and continues, "I have a security team that will want to know every detail and a lot of guests that will be invited to the wedding will have security teams that will need to know exactly what is going on."
"It is going to be crazy difficult to plan," Veronica bemoans. She adds, "I think we might just elope."
The table laughs at her way but inwardly they are surprised at how much work this wedding is going to be. The woman pulls out her business card and says, "We should talk. I can handle your wedding."
Logan looks interested and Veronica accepts the card, opens her purse, pulls out her phone and scans the card to someone. Logan just smirks at the reactions of the group at the table. Many of them have the scanning function on their phone but it is obvious that Veronica uses it frequently. He takes the card from Veronica and tells the anxious applicant, "We will call you once your company has received clearance from our security team." He meets her gaze and adds firmly, "We will give you first shot at our wedding."
The woman is thrilled as being the wedding planner for the wedding of the year in LA would be a huge boost for her business and career. She assures the couple, "I'll pass a security check."
Logan looks at her card and returns her smile. He drawls in a passable Humphrey Bogart, "This might be the start of a beautiful relationship." The table laughs. Logan puts the card in his wallet and puts his wallet away.
Logan's coworker watches as his girlfriend might have landed the most sought after wedding in the city. He smiles. She has worked so hard to get her own company off the ground and now, through his contacts, she might be on her way. He knows this might be the hardest she will ever work but he can see her excitement at the opportunity. He looks at Logan and Veronica and sees that they are really overwhelmed at planning the wedding. He can't imagine trying to plan your life with the press following you around.
Veronica is a little put out as she had not banked on having to actually plan the wedding. If they are going to break it off after Logan gets partnership, it will be best if it is not complicated with wedding planners and partly planned nuptials.
Perceptive, Logan sees Veronica is concerned about planning the wedding. He knows she is worried that their breakup will be more complicated if they are in the midst of planning the wedding. Inwardly he smirks because while she is planning on helping him for three months, he actually plans for them to get married.
He stands up beside her and then puts out his hand as he says, "Sugarpuss, let's head home." She looks up at him in surprise but easily takes his hand and allows him to pull her up to stand beside him. She grasps her small purse as she stands. The LoVe couple say their goodbyes and Logan walks with her towards the partner table. The group behind hears her say, "Sugarpuss Logan, really?"
Not at all put out by her annoyance he says, "Mmm.. we can discuss pet names at home."
His coworkers laugh as he is a handful to work with and they can only imagine how much he embarrasses Veronica. In the car Logan tells Veronica that they've been apart for two weeks and his co workers will expect him to leave early. He adds, "Plus not sucking up to the partners only make them want me more."
Veronica smiles in understanding. She tells him, "I had fun!"
Logan hugs her and keeps her close to his side. He says admiringly, "Me too. You were perfect in there."
Veronica smiles and shares, "Surprisingly you are not too hard to pretend to love."
Logan smirks and leans in nuzzling her neck. He puts his hand up behind her head holding her head in place and adds teasingly, "You love me."
Giggling she tries to push him away but he kisses her neck and then up behind her ear. Her eyes close and her protest dies. Encouraged, he kisses her.
A part of Veronica just sighs into the kiss. No one can kiss like Logan and he knows what she likes. Another part that she is not listening to right now is warning her that in three months she is leaving and she shouldn't be kissing him.
Feeling her response, Logan deepens the kiss transporting them both to their own little world. He wraps his arms around her pulling her into his body and feels her arms wrap around his neck.
Needing air and feeling slightly dizzy with all the emotions he is feeling, Logan breaks the kiss and puts his forehead to hers. They breathe the same air as they both try and control their accelerated heart and breathing rates.
He exclaims quietly, "Wow Veronica! I just love to kiss you."
A little surprised she looks at him and sees he is sincere. He continues, "Kissing someone says a lot. Sex is just the release but kissing is the true communication."
Veronica, in Logan's arms, pulls back a few inches and looks at Logan. She can see he truly believes what he is telling her. She has to admit that she has always loved kissing him. She loves his playful, fun kisses; his happy kisses; his passionate kisses and especially his 'I love you" kisses. He was really able to communicate his feelings when he kisses.
Logan seeing she is thinking about what he said points out, "When you are just having sex, kissing is not really important. The goal is for both of you to physically enjoy yourself not express any real emotions."
Gently caressing her cheek he tells her, "I felt more with you and I guess Lilly. I haven't felt real emotions with the others." Musing he says, "I like all your kisses." He adds, "I really do but I also like your touches. I like when you hold my hand and caress it when you are talking or listening to me. I like how you gently rub my abdomen or chest as you snuggle next to me and watch a movie or TV. I like how you rub my back when I am upset."
Pausing he thinks and then adds openly, "I guess I never had the loving touches." He knows Veronica understands his relationship with his parents. He continues, "Lilly didn't really like the touches." He knows Veronica understands his relationship with Lilly as well.
Pulling her into his arms he waits while she wraps her arms around him and then puts her head on his chest. He admits, "I loved making love with you Veronica. The sex was so much more because of the kisses and the touches." He sighs a little and finishes, "Our relationship was so much more because of the closeness physically and emotionally."
Veronica remains in his arms and says, "Logan I felt that too."
Logan just holds her. No matter how much he wants to tell her that he still loves her and wants to marry her for real, now is not the time to admit that he already got the partnership at work; without her. He has only told her he needs her to get the opportunity to be with her. He needs to let her see that he has changed. He is not that insecure teenager anymore. He doesn't take unnecessary chances and he is a productive member of society.
He needs to use the next few weeks to get her to understand that they can be together. He also needs the time to see if she can open up and let him totally in. He loves her but there is no point in having a relationship if she is still closed off to him.
In the meantime he is going to show her what being in a relationship with him would be like. So far he is thrilled and excited about how close they are becoming and how well they get along. Tonight they had a lot of fun and he was able to talk to her about how much more their physical relationship was than having sex; it was making love. He can see she understands what he is telling her. He also knows that she will think about what he said. That is enough for now.
A/N: I couldn't resist writing a Christmas story. There are two more chapters to this short story. They will both be posted by Christmas. I hope you enjoy them.