“It’s wonderful! I mean, I knew you were working on a house as an investment property, but this…this is stunning. But why decorate it and fill it with all this if you’re just renting it out?”
“Because it’s more than an investment. I bought it for you.”
“What!?” she shrieked, bouncing up and down, her hands clasped.
“That is, as long as you finish school—and for if you decide to stay in Harmony and come work for me at the newspaper when you’re ready. If you choose to move back to the city after graduation, you can sell it and use the money for your next place.”
I smiled. Julia was lucky to have Logan as a brother. I was lucky to have him, too.
“Logan!” She ran at him, embracing him in an enormous hug. “You’re the best! Oh, I can’t wait to show it off. And I can have roommates. And Luke…oh, he’s going to love it!”
Logan’s body tightened; I could see it from across the room. His eyes darkened, lips pulling into a stern line. “I take it you two are no longer just friends?”
The sneer she threw his way rivaled his own. “That’s right.” She placed her hands on her hips. “And nothing you do will change that. I like him and he likes me, so if you’re even thinking about running him off, you can take this place and shove it up your—”
“He’s a good guy,” Logan interrupted, actually looking amused.
Julia swayed, looking somewhat lost before recovering quickly. “Yes, he is.”
“I don’t want him spending the night here.”
“Fine, we can have sex at his place. Then I’ll drive home all alone on icy roads in the middle of the night. Sure gets dark out there.”
My hand shot to my mouth to stifle my bubbling laughter. She was good.
“Fine,” Logan blew out. “But he’s not moving in. Got it?”
Her bouncing, shrieking self was back. “Thank you!” She was twirling around, doing a ridiculously silly happy dance that even Logan seemed to enjoy, when she spotted me lurking.
“Cassandra! You helped with this?” She ran at me.
I laughed, nodding.
“Thank you! I love it!” She drew me in for an embrace, and I caught the smile on Logan’s face as he watched. She pulled back, swung her head from me to do a once-over of the room, then squealed again. “I have to make some calls and finish checking this place out. Oh my God!” she squeaked, then rushed out of the room, bounding up the stairs.
But after one step, she stopped abruptly and craned her neck back toward us. Her gaze darted slowly between Logan and me.
“Please tell me you were not in here christening my house!”
I swallowed, dropping my ashamed gaze to the exquisite marble floor. I felt Logan walk up behind me and slip his arms around my waist.
“I believe Jax has the number of a good cleaning company that specializes in sterilization.”
I bit my lip to refrain from laughing, peeking up for her response.
She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Ewww!” She threw her hands in the air. “I’m going to pretend I never heard that, because I am way too excited about this house and hearing that you’re not going to prison.” Her smile returned as she added, “It’s also nice to see you two happy.”
He must’ve told her about his name being cleared. I sneaked my hand into his as Julia pointed her finger at us, her eyes narrowed into slits.
“But the next time you come over, keep your damn clothes on!”
It was Logan who broke first, his snicker sweet music to my ears.
Once she was out of sight, Logan turned me around in his arms.
“Do you have my panties?” I whispered, earning me a roguish laugh.
“Perhaps.”
“Logan…” I threatened.
“Let’s go. You won the bet, and I’m ready to be at your beck and call for the weekend.” He leaned in and nipped my earlobe with his teeth, then murmured, “Anything you desire, I will make it possible.”
“Anything?” I leaned back, grinning.
“Anything.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Progress
When Logan showed up at my door Saturday morning, my cheeks ached from the broad grin I couldn’t avoid, my eyes taking in every inch of him. My tongue darted out, running across my lips. It was the finest sight I’d ever beheld—delicious in every sense of the word.
“You gonna devour me on the spot or invite me in first?” Logan’s brow cocked in a challenge. “I’m good with either.”
I stepped aside, sliding my hand across his granite ass as he entered, his body pressing against mine despite the extra room surrounding us. Logan slipped out of his coat to reveal the wardrobe I’d ordered for his weekend as my lapdog.
“I have to admit, Cassandra…when I said ‘anything’, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” His fingers threaded through his hair, head dipping as he chuckled.
“You don’t say.” I fought to control my giggle, remaining as passive as I could and attempting to force my eyes to remain on his face.
It wasn’t possible. He was bare-chested, and wearing faded jeans that hung low on his hips. I tugged on their belt loops to bring him closer, and his brow shot up.
“On second thought, maybe this is what I had in mind.” His voice grew rough, breath nipping at my neck.
My shoulder shot up, pushing him away. “Not exactly. Come here—let me show you what you’ll be doing for me the next two days, slave,” I said in a seductive purr.
I took his hand and led him to the hallway, where the attic ladder was pulled down.
Oliver was with Julia for the day and Natasha was mysteriously MIA, which gave us some much-needed time alone. I didn’t ask where she was; I was too happy to care. Jax’s week to devise a plan to battle her craziness was about up, and he’d been sure to steer clear of me.
The week had also surprisingly passed with no drama, and although the sheriff had yet to release the names of any new suspects, Logan was officially cleared.
“Climb, stud!” I ordered, biting my lip to hold back my giggle.
He raised his brows, amusement painting his expression. “Stud, huh?”
My entire body shook with laughter. “You gonna complain or move that ass?”
A giggle broke through, short and awkward. Heat seared my cheeks. The mere thought of me as anything resembling a dominatrix was ludicrous. I’d never come close—and from the humor dancing across Logan’s face, I guessed he probably agreed.
“Ladies first.”
I knew what that meant: He’d be treated to a face full of my behind, and then we’d get no work done.
I shook my head. “No, you first.”
He caught the look on my face and chuckled to himself. “As you wish.”
Once he was climbing into the hole of my attic, I followed.
“And now?” he asked, looking around.
I picked up a broom and smiled, holding it out to him. “And now you clean. I expect this place to be spotless, with a fresh coat of paint on the walls by Sunday evening. And then maybe I’ll treat you to a little reward.”
“Hm, I like the sound of that.” He stepped closer.
“Work first,” I said, fighting to keep my façade of control.