►Chapter Three◄
Looking around the gigantic living room, I was stunned. A floor length window displayed a breath-taking view of Manhattan. Lights of yellow and white twinkled like stars in the distance underneath a layer of autumn fog. It felt like a dream. A dream where I was a millionaire. Considering the location of this penthouse, the mortgage must be something I couldn't pay off even in a thousand years.
My gaze landed on the man a few feet away, preparing drinks at the mini-bar at the end of the room.
"Like what you see?" He smiled.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is freaking huge and sumptuous."
"Most people go for impressive and magnificent, but I'll accept that too."
"But-" I frowned. "Your profile said you're an online magazine editor."
"I am."
"Well, it must be hell of a magazine for you to afford this." I waved at the marble mantle above the fireplace.
He snickered and sauntered toward me with drinks in his hands. "It's a family thing."
Watching him place the glasses on the coffee table, I asked. "A family thing?"
"Uh huh." He sat down on the leather sofa and patted the seat beside him.
"Your family owns a magazine?" I sat down, my thighs a few inches from his. "Which one?"
He tilted his head, giving me the look I'd seen numerous times tonight.
"Logan Huntzberger…" I mumbled the name. The surname did sound familiar.
His lips twisted, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You're the Huntzberger?"
"Woah, don't idolize me." He held out his palms, suppressing a grin. "I'm just a really good-looking guy who also happens to be rich."
Whatever decent qualities I'd a glimpse of at dinner was gone, replaced by his full egotism. I scorned. "You're disgusting. I hope you know that."
In mock surprise, his head twitched back. "No. I don't believe I've heard that before, although I have been called variations of deities on certain occasions."
Speechless, I shook my head while reaching for a martini. First Dean. Now, this arrogant piece of work. I really had incredible luck with men.
"You don't look too happy."
In between sips, I turned to see his smirk. "Really? It shows?"
He chuckled, taking a gulp of his scotch. "I don't see why you're so worked up."
"It's just-" I frowned. "You're cocky."
"And you're rude." He stated. "Throwing these insults at me when we've only met for a couple hours."
"You objectify women and act like you're some kind of prize."
He nodded with a grin. "I guess it's safe to say that you don't like me."
"See, it's about you again."
Letting out a laugh, he leaned into my face. "You just won't admit that you're attracted to me."
The scent of his breath made my heart stop, but there was no way in hell I was letting it show. "Right." I nudged him away. "Because every woman in the world must be attracted to you."
"No, not everyone." He cocked an eyebrow. "But, you are."
"Ugh." I turned away, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. "You're impossible."
To my surprise, his hand grabbed mine. "Come on, lemme give you a tour." He stood up. "Maybe it'll change your opinion."
Trying hard to appear unaffected by the warmth of his skin on mine, I got up beside him.
►It's about time◄
Leading me across the room, we turned the corner, arriving at a black and white themed kitchen.
"This is where I'll make you breakfast in the morning." He winked at me. "See, I'm a gentleman."
"I'm just gonna ignore you." Letting go of his hand, I roamed around, observing the sparkling counters.
"Sure, we don't need to talk for what I've planned anyway."
God, I can't stand this guy. Yet, I was still here. Maybe just to prove to Dean that I could last through a date with another man. Gritting my teeth at the thought of him, I continued walking down the kitchen. I wasn't going to let him ruin my mood.
At the end of the counters, I stopped in front of a full-sized suit of armor.
"Huh…this is nice…" I tilted my head. "And kinda creepy."
"You don't like Henry?" I felt Logan come up behind me.
"Oh no, no. It's not that I don't like Henry. I mean, he's obviously…lovely." I gestured to his tin chest. "It's just that he's a…well, metal suit of armor with red shoulder pads standing by your refrigerator."
"I've had him since I was eighteen when I first moved out." He said. "Even towed him to London."
"He's well traveled." I turned around. My heart stirred when I saw he was so close.
With a curl of his lips, he nodded without a word.
My heartbeat quickened while I stared. I felt him grab my waist and pull me in. Before I knew it, my body was pressed to his chest, my face inches from his.
He whispered. "Did I tell you you're beautiful?"
"Do you use that on everyone?"
His lips spread further. "Nope." He shook his head.
Before I could retort, he leaned down and kissed me. Just like that. It was too easy.
Yet, my eyes closed and my lips moved without my consent. I kissed him back with a ball of fire forming in my stomach. His lips tasted like drops of mint and scotch, burning against mine. I might have enjoyed it. Just a tad.
Slowly breaking apart, I glanced at Henry before giving Logan a smirk of my own. "Does he always get VIP seating like this?"
A grin split his face. "Nope, first time."
My eyebrow rose. Yeah right, I was sure he had numerous play dates in this kitchen.
A soft, deep chuckle reached my ears. "I promise." His hand found mine once more. "Come on, there's another room I wanna show you."
Biting on my lip to contain my smile, I followed him down the hall.
Despite his huge ego, there was something about him that made me feel comfortable. Like we've known each other for years. This guy was really something.
But, it's cool, I told myself. I'm in control.
After thirty years, I was getting pretty good at lying to myself.
►It's about time◄
He opened the door, revealing the dimly lit master bedroom with a king-sized bed, sitting between dark bedside tables.
Shaking my head, I turned to him. "This is the room you wanted to show me?" I snatched my hand away. "Real subtle."
He shrugged with a grin. "I try."
Putting his hands on my shoulders, he gently pushed me toward the bed.
"You'd think you could come up with better tricks than this."
"Nah." He nudged my shoulders so I sat down on the edge. Flopping down beside me, his expression feigned innocence. "I swear I don't usually do this."
I snorted. "Yeah, and I'm actually Batman."
"I mean, I usually just wait here for them to change into something footsie." He eyed my dress, the shadows from his smirk on display.
"Well-" I spread my arms. "This is it from me."
His lips curved as he leaned in. "I like it."
Smiling, my eyes closed and my lips tasted his. He kissed me softly, his fingers brushing into the back of my hair and cradling my neck. Chills went through me like never before. I thought back to my first kiss with Dean. It was nothing like this. My nerve-endings exploded into tiny sparks, sizzling in my brain. Compared to this, my kisses with Dean could have been leisure strolls in the park.
Determined to push the thoughts of my cheating ex aside, my hands went to his arms, and traveled up to his shoulders, eventually wrapping my arms around his neck. Under my touch, our kiss deepened until we were devouring each other. His hands moved to my waist, grazing the thin fabric of my dress, and then up to the rim of my bra.
Oh god, what was happening? The sensible side of my brain suddenly woke, pulling the alarms in my head. What the heck was I doing? I didn't even know him. Panic rose in my throat, just as Logan pulled my body closer.
"Logan..?" I croaked against his mouth.
"Hm?" He kissed me hard as his chest pressed down, making me fall back against his arms.
My head landed on the soft bedding. Despite the alarms in my head, my lips were creatures of their own, enveloping his in urgency. But, the thoughts swerving in my brain didn't leave me alone. "Um-" I fumbled in between our kisses. "What- are we- doing?"
"Mm… kissing."
As our bodies grinded against each other, the hem of my dress rose to my thighs.
"I know- that-" My fingers gripped his biceps, feeling the muscles flex underneath. "I just-"
"Just what?" His mouth found my neck.
"I don't know-" I panted. "-about this." His wet tongue traveled along my skin, sending shivers through me.
"Mmm." He breathed in my scent, his hand feeling my thighs.
Suppressing a groan, I mumbled. "Should we- really do this?"
His head rose and hovered above mine. Gently, he whispered. "Do you want me to stop?"
Seeing his eyes, dark with lust, my stomach twitched. Before I could think, I grabbed the sides of his face and gave him a deep, long kiss.
"Mmm…" The throaty sound cradled my ears. "I'll take that as a no."
His deep voice consumed me once more. With our bodies close together, we scooted up the bed until my toes felt the quilt. My dress lifted further, exposing my waist, and his hand slipped in.
Gasping for air against his mouth, I rambled. "I just-" His palm was warm. "-have never done anything like this befor-."
"Mmmhm." He swallowed my words, his tongue twirling around mine.
Overloaded with sensations that conflicted severely with my thoughts, my head was spinning. Gripping onto his shirt, I yearned to feel his skin, and slid my palms underneath the fabric against his abs. His body twitched at the move as his teeth tucked at my bottom lip.
He groaned softly, trailing kisses along my jaw line.
"I mean, I've done this." I breathed. "Just not with someone I've met for three hours-"
"There's always a first."
"But, I don't want to seem like a harlot."
He gave a chuckle, releasing a huff of air on my neck. "I don't think you're a harlot."
"I'm sure you don't. But, other people might."
His mouth took a break as he sighed. My heart sank, already missing his breaths.
A heave came out as he pushed himself up. With ragged breaths, he flipped onto the space beside me, onto his back.
Panting, my insides loosened at the absence of his touch. "I'm sorry…" I said. "I didn't mean to annoy you."
"Don't worry." He turned to me, his voice gentle. "Hot girls don't annoy me easily."
Holding his gaze, a blush stained my cheeks. I didn't know if it was possible, but he looked even more gorgeous in the shade, with the faint light from the lamp behind him.
With his head in his hand, he propped his elbow on the bed. "So, a harlot, huh?"
Cringing, I covered my face. "Oh god."
I heard Logan laugh and felt his finger touch the tip of my nose. The small gesture made my heart flip. I could have sworn it felt affectionate. Somehow.
►It's about time◄
That night, we ended up chatting for hours, lying side by side, staring at the ceiling. We told each other stories. About our past, our childhood, and our experiences. We didn't agree on much, and ended up bickering about the smallest details. We were so different. Yet, we listened intently, consumed by the other's presence.
When the first light of dawn broke through the blinds, we drifted off to sleep with my arm on his chest, and his head next to mine. Though our night was far from what we both expected, in a way, it was even more intimate.
Plus, he proved to be right about one thing. He made me breakfast in the morning. A piping hot cup of coffee that I watched him make, while giving instructions along the way so that it met my incredibly high standards. And some sausages and pancakes with eggs, sunny side up. Just how I told him I liked it.
Thanks for reading!
I love writing this story. It's so light and different from LoF. And the good news is, I finished planning the chapters, so I can focus on this after I finish LoF.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think!
