DESCRIPTION
Billionaire LoganBennettwastes no time withgames he can’twin. And thatincludes hookingup withthe little sister ofhis bestfriend Correction ex-bestfriend
JinxD’Alessiohadalwaysbeenafirecracker,alittletroublemakerwhousedtoticklehisfunnybonewhenshewasakid. Buttonighther all-grown-upsirendanceis ticklingadifferentpartofhis anatomy.Finallygettinghis hands ontheoff-limits beautywouldbepokingthehornet’snestofthefeudhehaswithherbrother butitmightbesoworthit
Jinxhas beencrazyover her bigbrother’s bestfriend since she was a teen, butshe knew he would never touchher no matterhowmuchshewantedit Now,attwenty-nine,herhistorywithmenislikeabunchofbadridesatanamusementpark
AfterthetroublebetweenLoganandherbrothersheknew sheshouldn’tevenbetalkingtohim.ButJinxrefusestosettle for a boring,runofthe mill romance She wants a big,dramatic,passionate love witha manwhocanknockher offher feet withonelook.
ToobadtheonlymanwhocandothatisLoganBennett.Theoneshecanneverhave.
HesupposeditwasoneofthosetypicalJuneweddings.LoganBennetthatedweddings.Hehadskippedtheceremonyand managedtocomeupwithanexcuseformissingthedinnerandnotshowingupuntiltheywerewellpastservingoutthe cake.
Butshow uphedid.Hehadto.BeauBriggswasbothaclientandfriendandsomeoneheowedbigtimeforthecontacts he’dsentLogan’swayduringhisstruggletorebuildafailingbusiness Beau’slovingprideinhiswife,Hadley,whoranthe eventsatMaxwellPoint,meantLogancouldnotverywellrefuseherinvitationtothiscircusofaweddingshehadplannedfor awomanwhowasnotonlyaclientbutalsoafriend
So he had traipsed fromthe innatthe far end ofthe Maxwell PointEstate, alongthe walkways thatmeandered through landscaped gardens bursting with early summer blooms, to the sprawling white-columned mansion that was now the event center.
WhenLogansteppedintothehugeballroomdecoratedwithflowersandfilledwithmusicandpeopledancingor milling about,hescannedthetablesofftoonesideoftheroomwhereBeausaidhewouldbesitting Ahandwavedtohimfromatable rightontheedgeofthedancefloorandLogansawBeauandHadley.
“Sorrytobesolate,”LogansaidashetookaseatnexttoBeau “Gotaphonecallandhadtodosometroubleshooting”
“Hey, I’d be surprised if it were any other way,” Beau said, his comment referring to Logan’s reputation for working nonstop Ofcourse, the silentsmile he added referred to the commenthe’d made to himyesterdayaboutsomedayfindinga womanandslowingdownenoughtohaveareallife.
“Arethenewlywedsstillhere?”Logantossedout,toavoidthepossibilityofBeaustartinginonthatsubjectagain.
“Yep Theretheyare”Hadleypointedoutaplus-sizedAfricanAmericanwomanwearingalaceytieredweddinggown She was dancinginthe arms ofa blondlinebacker-sizedhulk.“Lexi owns a bridal anddesigner dress boutique andhas her ownlineofclothing Nate,thegroom,hadbeenlivinginDenverbutwaspairedwithLexiaspartofhissister’sbridalpartya coupleyearsago.Afterafewmonthsoftryingalong-distancerelationshiphemovedtotheNorthFork,andtherestishistory.” Loganjustnodded,unabletoshareinherenthusiasmbutgivingitatry.Hadleylovedweddings,andsheandBeauhadonly beenmarriedlessthanayear,sotheystillworethatnewlywedsheenthatLoganwassurewouldwearoffsoonenough.
BeauflaggeddownaserverandorderedLoganhisusualGlenlivet12,thensaid,“Didn’tyoutellmeyouknewthisarea? Thatyouusedspendsummerandholidaysherewithafriend’sfamily?”
“Yeah,acollegebuddy,”Logansaid,thepangofregretthatsurfacedasfreshasifitwereyesterday.
“HestillontheNorthFork?”
“Idon’tknow. We losttouch.” Yeah, Loganhad losta lotofthings whenVictor, the guywho’d beenhis bestfriend for years,histrustedally,hadturnedonhim.Logan’strustlevelforpeoplehadnotbeentoohighanyway,butafterthatitwasin the toilet. “So where is Kirk?” he asked. Kirk was one of Logan’s top-level employees he had brought along to assist in hashingoutthenewinvestmentdealhecameheretodiscusswithBeau.“Don’ttellmeheisouttheredancing?”
“Ifyoucallitthat”Beaupeeredsidewaysathiswifewhowasbusytalkingtoawomanatthenexttable,thenloweredhis voice.“Kirkisovertheretryingtoscorewiththatgorgeouslittlefirecrackerwhosedancefloormovesaremakingeveryman presentsuffergreatly”
Loganfollowedhisgazeand holyshit. Itcouldn’tbeher.
Butitwas Gianna“Jinx”D’Alessio.
LastwinterwhenBeauhadaskedLogantobeagroomsmanathiswedding,hehadbeggedoff,claimingtobeuptohisears inwork,wheninfact,itwasrevisitingthisneighborhoodhe’dwantedtoavoid.ThistimeheneededBeau’shelponaproject
andgavein,agreeingtomeetBeauonhisfriend’scurrenthometurfintheNorthFork.Sincehisarrival herethreedaysago, Logankeptwonderingifhewouldseeanyofthepeoplewho’doncebeensoimportanttohim.
Andthereshewas theonewho’dbeenmostimportantofall Victor’slittlesister.
Bythetimeshewasoutofdiapers,she’dprovenherselftobesuchahellionthathersiblingsstartedcallingherJinx and itstuck.
Andhereshewas,allgrownupandsexyashell
Andflauntingitliketherewasnotomorrow.Herblueskin-tightdressshowedeveryluscious,agony-inducingcurve.Shit, itpracticallyshowedthecrackinherperfectbuttasshewavedherhipsaround,armstothesky,hermopofthickbrownwaves flyingasshetossedherhead Snugalongthelineofhersmallwaist,thedress’slow-cuttopheldupbyskinnystring-likestraps didn’tcovermuchofheramplebreaststhatlookedliketheymightfalloutcompletelyanysecond.
Andthemensurroundingherwerejustwaitingforthattohappen,movinginclosetoswaynexttoher,oglingher,looking likebighornyoafsnexttothetinybeauty.IncludingtheverymarriedKirkTrench.
Logan’s fingers squeezedhis rockglass till his knuckles turnedwhiteanda low growl formedinhis chestas he triedto keephimselffromracingoverthereandyankingthosebastardsawayfromheranddeliveringalessonthatwouldputthemall inthehospital.
JinxD’Alessiohadalwaysbeenafirecracker,alittletroublemakerwhousedtoticklehisfunnybone Buttonighthersiren dance was ticklinga different part of his anatomy. She’d obviouslyhad too muchto drink. If her bigbrother, Victor, were aroundhewouldbedraggingheroutofhereandpoppinganyguywho’dgottentooclose WhichwasexactlywhatLoganwasdyingtodo.
THE SONG ENDED andthebeatthatwasdrivingJinxsubsidedtoaslowdance.Oneofthefourguyswho’dbeendancingwith herreachedforher,butshedodgedhim,saying,“I’vegottositdownandhaveadrink”
“Whatareyouhaving?”atallguyaskedher.
“AnotherrumandCoke,please.”
“Comingup”Andheranofftotheopenbar
WhenJinxgottohertablewhereherroommate,Anthia,wassitting,theotherthreemenfollowed. Anthiasnatchedherwristandsaid,“Backinaminute,boys Ladies’roomtime Andwhilewe’regonefeelfreetogodo somethingelseandnotcomeback.”
Laughing, Jinxlether friend pull her outofthe ballroomand downthe hall “Youknow, ifyouwere notso pricklyand condescendingtothemyoumightactuallyhavemorefun,”Jinxsaid.
“No,thankyou.Noneofthoseguysaremytype,”Anthiasaid,pushingopenthedooroftherestroom.
“YoushouldhavebroughtalongRexasyourguest”
“Iknow,buthe andIare notexclusive soIthoughtI’dcheckoutwhatother menare around.And,boy,is there one I’m dyingforyoutogetalookat”
“HowdidyouknowIhadtogo?”Jinxasked,hurryingintoastall.
“Ididn’t,” Anthia said, takingthe stall nextto her. “Ijustwanted to tell yousomethingimportantwithoutthose Leering Lennyshovering.”
“Oh,theyarejusthavingfun.Imighteventakeonehometonight.”
“Gee,thanks”
“Yourroomisclearacrosstotheothersideofthehouse.Youwon’tevenknowanyoneisthere.”
“Thereisonlyonekitchen”
“Comeon,Anthia,youknowIneverletanyguystayovernight.”
Bothwomencameoutofthestallsandheadedforthesinks.Anthiamadeatskingsound.“Don’taskmewhatyouseeinany of them. Especiallyyou, since youare always talkingabout your searchfor a manwho cangive youthat big-screen-level passionatelove.”
“IknownoneofthemcomeanywherenearwhatI’mlookingfor Theyareonlyafundiversion Believeme,thankstothe manywildgoosechasesI’vebeenon,foolingmyselfintoseeingsomethingthatisjustnotthere,Iknowhowrareitistofind thatkindofmagicandhowfewmenarecapableofit”
“Well,IbetMr.SexyEyesis.”
“Mr.SexyEyes?”Jinxasked,confused.
“Yes”Anthialetoutasmallsqueal “He’shere!ThatiswhatIwantedtotellyou” Her eyebrows shotup. “Youmeanthe guywho’s beenstayingatthe inn? The one youand all the other waitresses have beendroolingover?”AnthiaworkedonthewaitstaffattheinnthatwaspartoftheMaxwellPointEstate
“Yes!”Anthiasaidwithalittlehop.“Hewalkedinabouttenminutesagoandheissittingatthetablewithmybossandher husband.Ithinkheisdoingsomekindofbusinessdeal withBeauBriggs.I’mnotsure,butasidefrombeingmegawatthot,I knowheownssomekindofcompanyandhasshitloadsofmoney”
“Down,girl.”Jinxreallylikedhernewroommate,butshehadn’tknownherallthatlong.AnthiaansweredanadJinxhad listedforaroommatefivemonthsagoandalreadytheywereclose AndJinxneededafriendthesedays
Thepersonwho’dbeenherbestiesincehighschool,BaileyAbbott orratherBaileyHullnow wasbusywithahusband andanewbabythatherliferevolvedaround SoJinxhardlyeversawBaileyoutsideofthegiftshopthetwowomenstillran together.
Jinxalsofeltguiltyfortheironicjealousythatsometimessurfacedunbidden.Ironicbecauseforsomanyyearsithadbeen difficultto digup a date for Bailey, who was taller thanmostmenand super quiet Meanwhile, Jinxalways had more guys aroundthanshecouldhandle.YetnowBaileywashappilymarriedandJinxwasstilljust“havingfun”withahostofmediocre menwhileshesearchedforherelusivelarger-than-lifetruelovewhowouldknockheroffherfeetandshowherhowexciting lovecouldreallybe.
“Whenwegetbacktotheballroom,”Anthiasaidastheywalkedoutoftheladiesroom,“ifyoucouldholdoffyourhorde ofadmirerslongenough,IwillpointoutMr.SexyEyestoyou.”
“Areyougoingtointroduceyourself?”Jinxasked.
Anthiasmirked “WhyshouldI?WhatwouldIsay?‘Hi,rememberme?I’mthegirlwhoservedyouthatmushroomomelet thismorning.’That’ssuretowinhimover.”
“Idisagree Hemightbelookingforsomecompanytonight Whynottryit?” “Jinx,hedrivesaFerrari,forGod’ssake.” “Doesn’tmeanheisasnob.”
“Maybe not, but he is so out of my league, a god among men. I would get one night with himand he’d forget I exist tomorrow.”
“Imightratherhaveonenightwithagodthanyearswith ” “I’mnotlikeyou,Jinx.”
“Whatisthatsupposedtomean?”Handtoherhip,Jinxstoppedandfacedherfriend After anawkward moment, Anthia said, “Youaren’t afraid to go OTT evenifit means youget negative feedbackfrom somepeople.Iamnotcomfortablebeinglookedatandtalkedaboutorputtingmyselfontheline.I’mokaytojustdroolfrom afar.”
“Look, Iknow whatsome people sayaboutme, butyouknow what? This is mylife and I’mgoingto damnwell live it ratherthanhangingbackandwatchingfromthesidelines HaveIhadmudonmyface?Plenty ButIjustpickmyselfupaftera faceplantandstartoverregardlessofotherpeople’sopinions.”
“Jinx,Ididn’tmeantoimplythat ”
“Iknow.”Jinxreachedoutandgaveherahug.“I’msorryforpushingyou.Weallhavetodothingsourownway,right?”
“YouhavealreadyhelpedmegetajobandmaneuversomanyobstaclesthatI’mgratefultoyoufor,butwhenitcomesto men,consideringyourtrackrecord,IthinkI’mtheonewhoshouldbegivingtheadvice” Jinxthrew her head backand laughed. “Ihave a feelingIknow whatthatwould be. Stop hangingwiththe kind ofguys waitingformeintheballroom”
Anthia nodded. “The reason you end up just killing time with twerps like those guys is because you keep looking for someonewhoisgoingtomakefireworksgooffintheskywhenhekissesyou Aheroofromance-novel proportions You’re lookingforamanthatdoesnotexist.”
“Pointtaken,”Jinxsaid,butavoiceinsideremindedherofonemanthatwouldfitthebill.Toobadshewouldneversee himagain Andevenifshedid,therecouldneverbeanythingbetweenthem Jinxhookedher elbow aroundher girlfriend’sandstartedback.“All right.Show meMr.SexyEyes.Let’sgodrool from afartogetheratyourmagnificentunapproachablegodonearth”
Whentheyreturnedtotheirtable,threeofthemenwerestillthere,onewithanewrumandCokeforJinx.Shethankedhim andtookit,thenturnedandsteppedtowardthedancefloorwithAnthia
“Over there atthattable where Hadleyand BeauBriggs are sitting.” Anthia discreetlygestured to the table onthe other sideoftheroom.“Heisontheleft,”shewhispered,“wearingadarkcharcoalsuitthatlookslikeitcostamint.”
“Thosedancersareblockingmyview,”Jinxsaid
“Theywillmovewhenthissongstops.Rightnowhe’sleaningforwardwithhiselbowsonhisthighsandhisheaddown, anyway”AnthiapulledJinxalittlemoretotheside “Wecanseebetterfromhere Onlytroubleisoverherehecanalsogeta clearviewofusstaringathim.”
“Don’tworry.Ifheisasgoodasyousay,wearen’ttheonlywomenlooking,andheisprobablyusedtoit.”Jinxgotinto placeandzeroedinontheguy.
Justasshedid,itseemedhesensedsomeonewatchinghimandliftedhishead.
Andherworldstopped.
That face. She knew every chiseled angle of it. And when his sexy brown eyes met hers and darkened slightly with recognition,shecouldnotbreathe Frozeninplace,shenearlydroppedthedrinkfromherhand.
LoganBennett
Her heartwentintowarpspeed.Mr.SexyEyes was notjustAnthia’s godonearth hewas hers.Or hehadbeenatone time Aguy she had worshipped fromafar back when she was an innocent teen who fell hopelessly in love with her big brother’sbestfriend.
Allthroughhighschoolshehadkeptaphotoofhimandherbrotheronherbedroomnightstandjustsoshecouldgazeather secret crush every night before falling asleep She knew what his torso looked like under that suit he wore tonight, had memorizedeveryaspectofhislong,lean,muscularbodythatmovedwithperfectlion-likegrace.
Thirteen Jinx had been thirteen years old when Victor first brought his college roommate home with himto spend the holidayswithherfamily.Hisownfamilyashambles,Loganhadbecomearegularpartofhers,spendingholidaysandsummers yearafteryear Andwitheachyear,thebondbetweenthemhadonlygottenmoreintense EachtimeLogandefendedherwhen Victor treatedher likea paininthebutt.Or whenhetossedher an“Igotyour back”smile whenshe gotintroublewithher parents.He’dnoticedher,he’dseenherinawaynooneelseinthefamilyhad.
ButwhileJinxhadspentyearsfantasizingabouthim,shedoubtedLoganhadanyideahissmilesgaveherwetdreamsor thateverylookfromhissexyeyeswentstraighttoherclit.Andherheart.
Herheartthathebrokewhenhelefttownwithoutsomuchasagoodbyeorseeyaaround,kid Makingherhatehim.
“Isn’thegorgeous?”Anthiasaid,gigglingnexttoherandbringingherbacktothepresent. Jinxnodded,unabletospeak.Shouldshetellher?Whatwouldshesay?
EvenifJinxdecidedtotellAnthiahowwellsheknewherMr.SexyEyes,shecouldn’trightnow.Thewordswouldstick inherdrytensethroat AllshecoulddowasstandtherereturningLogan’spenetratingglare
Theireyeswerestilllocked,rivetedoneachother,hisdarkgazefilledwithanarrogantchallenge.Andanger.Andthesexy heatofdesire
Alookshehadwishedforsomanytimesinthepast.
Luckily, she was saved bya man’s arms comingaround her frombehind. It was the guynamed Kirk. Jinxleaned back againsthimandtheyswayedtothemusic.
AnthiarolledhereyesandleftasJinxproceededtoswivelandrocktotheslowbeatwiththistalldark-hairedhoney.Yeah, hewasgood-lookingenoughtobeherescapemovefromthesnareofLogan’seyesthatshecouldstillfeelonherbacknowthat shehadturnedaway.
Kirkstartednuzzlingherneckandmurmured,“Let’sgetoutofhere”
Exactlywhatsheneeded.Someno-strings-attachedsex.Shewenttothetableandgrabbedherpurse,thenheadedoutofthe ballroomwithKirk.
LOGAN WAS onhisfeetandracingtotheexitwithoutaglancebackatBeau,whose“Issomethingwrong?”questionwouldhave togounanswered.
Hemadeittothelobbyjustintimetoseethemoutsidethefrontentrance,Kirk’shandsalloverher,ignitingLogan’srage. Heboltedforward,readytoyanktheasshatawayfromJinxandpummelhim Butthenhislightningfastbrainkickedinwitha solutionthatwouldnotendupinalawsuit,nottomentionpossiblyupendingthedealhewasworkingonwithBeau.
He pulled outhis mobile and held itup “Hey, Kirk,” he said, stridingto the embracingcouple “Animportantmessage cameinfromyourwife.She’sbeentryingtoreachyou.Youbettergomakeacalltoyourwife,rightnow,man.”Loganmadea pointofemphasizingtheword“wife”andithadthedesiredeffect.
JinxpulledquicklyawayfromKirk,givinghimamurderouslook.“You’remarried?Getawayfromme,youlyingdirtbag.” Meanwhile,Kirkalsohada murderous lookonhis face,butitwas aimedatLogan.He strode pasthimbacktowardthe building, grumblingas he wentby, “Message fromMeryl, myass You’re justpullinga cockblock‘cause youwantthis hot littlenuggetforyourself.”
Logandidnotbothertodefendhimself,didn’tneedto,sincehepaidKirk’ssalary Allthatmatteredwasthathe’dstopped Jinxfromgettingusedbyamanlikehim.Yeah,thatsameoldneedtoprotectherwasstillthereinspades.
AssoonasKirkleft,LoganturnedtoJinxandthereitwasbetweenthemagain.Theintenseheatandsimmeringpassionthat hadgrownwitheveryvisithe’dmadetoherfamily’shome,makingeachstaythatmuchmoredifficultbut,oh,somuchsweeter Ofcourse,hehadnever touchedher,never lether seehow muchhewantedher.Asidefrombeingjailbait,shewasVictor’s babysister,andhehadswornapactwithVictortobeattheshitoutofanymanwhotriedtotakeadvantageofher
LikeKirk.ButyearshadgonebyandLoganhadchanged.Hefoughthisbattlesinboardroomsandconferencetablesnow, preferringmovesliketheonehe’djustpulledonKirktoensurehegotwhathewanted.
Speakingofsomethinghewanted Jinxstoodtherestaringdaggersathim,herD-cupbreastsjuttingoutjustbeggingtobe licked,herAvaGardnerfaceamixofsultryheatandfury.Wasthatanunderlyingsadnesshecoulddetect?
Logansteppedcloser “Whatthehelldoyouthinkyou’redoing,Jinx?” Hernostrilsflared.“How dareyoucomebargingintomylifeoutoftheblue.Ihavenotseenyouinsevenyearsandyou thinkyoucanshowupandstartplayingbigbrother?Idon’tneedyoutorescueme” “Apparentlyyoudo.” He jutted his chininthe directionofKirk’s retreatpath. “Ihaven’tforgottenyour tendencyto get yourselfintoajamnowandthen.”
“Well,I’mperfectlycapableofgettingmyselfoutofthemthesedays,thankyou Iamallgrownupnow,incaseyouhaven’t noticed.”
“Oh,I’venoticed”Andtimestoppedonceagain,thetenseheatbetweenthemalmostpalpable Jinxtossedherthickmaneofdarkhairoverhershoulderandthatmovesenthispulseracing.Hehadalwayswantedtodig hisfingersintoherhair,topullherinclose,anddevourhermouth Infact,foryearsithadbeenhisfavoritewaytobeginhis jerkingoffsessionsintheshower.
Untileverythingfellapart.
“Do youhave a ride home?” he asked, remindinghimselfofthe reasonhe was standingouthere to make sure she got homesafely.
“Noneofyourbusiness,dude”
“Youcan’tdrive.You’vehadtoomuchtodrink.”
“Oh,really?Well,IthoughtImightjusthitthisclubdowninRiverhead.”Sheforcedoutahigh-pitchedlaugh.
“Cutitout,”Logansaid.“You’veneverbeenagoodactress.Oragiggler.”
“Hey,Jinx,Ithoughtyouleftwith ”
Hearingagasp,Loganturnedtoseethewomanwho’dbeenhangingoutwithJinxearlier Hereyesgoingwide,shegaped athim,thenlookedfromJinxtoLoganandback.
“Ichangedmymind,”Jinxsaidtoherfriend Sheliftedahand,gesturingtoLogan “Anthia,thisisLoganBennett Um,an oldfriendofmybigbrother’s.Logan,thisismyfriendandroommate,AnthiaKing.”
Loganreachedoutandshookthewoman’shand.Seeinghownervousshewasandtheblushcomingtoherface,heoffereda warmsmileandsaid,“Hey,Anthia,Irecognizeyou.Didn’tyouservemeamushroomomeletattheinnthismorning?”
Anthia laughed and nodded. “Yeah, that was me. Iusuallydo breakfast and lunch, so ifyou’re at the inn’s diningroom tomorrowmorning,I’llbetheretoo”
“Well,Ilookforwardtoseeingyou.Inthemeantime,IwanttomakesureJinxgetshomeallright,sinceshe’shadabittoo muchtodrink”
AnthiasmirkedatJinx.“Mythoughtsexactly,andluckilywecameinmycar.”
“Thenyouwillgetherhome?”
“Absolutely”
Jinxpursedherdeliciouslips,liftedherchin,andstruttedoffwithherfriend.Withoutgivinghimanotherwordorsomuch asabackwardglance
Justashehaddonetohersevenyearsago.
Jinxlovedthe sunnyweather thatrevvedupthe resorttownofGreenportas the summer months came in.Since the North ForkwasonlyaskinnystripoflandwiththebaysononesideandLongIslandSoundontheother,bothleadingouttothe AtlanticOcean,boatingandwatersportsbroughttouriststothearea,includingthebigyachtsthatdockedatthemarinasin Greenport,whichhadbeenanoldwhalingportincenturiespast.Now itwasoneoftheprettiesttownsontheFork,andthe placewhereJinxandherfriendBaileyhaddecidedtoopentheirshoptwoandahalfyearsago ItsnamewasacombinationofBaileyandJinx Bajinx.
Eventhoughtheyhadanother full-time salespersonandhadhiredone more for the busysummer season,BaileyandJinx also worked inthe store todaybecause itwas one ofthose special Sundays whenGreenporthad events goingoninnearby MitchellParkaswellasatthreeofthemarinas Businesshadbeenbustlingallday,butbyfive,thingswereslowingdown It alsolookedlikeitwasgoingtorain,soJinxsentNeela,thenewhire,homefortheday.
“Doyouwanttoleavetoo,Bailey?”Jinxaskedher.“IknowyouwereworriedaboutlittleRosiebeingfussythismorning.” RosiewasBaileyandDevyn’sseven-month-oldbaby,whowasnamedafterBailey’slatemother
“Wouldyoumind,Jinx?Iknowweweregoingtostayopenuntilsevenand ”
“Hey, I respect what a dedicated momyouare” She gave Baileya hug “And youwere awayfromRosie for so long yesterdayatLexi’swedding.Whereyoumadeabeautifulmatronofhonor,bytheway.”
“Thanks,”Baileysaid,andclosedupthefileshehadbeenworkingonforoneofherlotionproducts “SpeakingofLexi’s wedding,whydidn’tyoutakepartwhenshetossedherbouquet?Imean,Lexicaughtmineatthelastweddingandlookwhat happened.”
Jinxshrugged “Whybother?I’mnevergoingtomarry It’snotinthecardsforme” Baileytsked.“Iusedtothinkthesamething,butlookhowwrongIwas.”
HandingBaileyhershoulderbag,Jinxsaid,“Notimetotalkaboutitnow Rosieiswaiting” Herfriendtookthebagandheadedforthedoor,saying,“Okay,butthisdiscussionisnotover.” “GiveRosieakissforme.”
Jinxturned and strolled across the polished woodenfloor ofthe shop, checkingthe displays and rearrangingsome. The storealwayssmelledgreatthankstoBailey’shandmadescentedsoapsandlotionsandcandles.Whenthetwowomenhadfirst decidedtomixBailey’shandcraftedproductswithJinx’sjewelryinthesamestore,theywerenotsureifitwouldwork But somehowithad.They’devenstartedtakingonsomeadditionalmerchandisecraftedbylocalartisans.
Alightsummerrainhadbegunandthepeoplestrollingthetownsidewalkstobrowsetheshopshadgonehomeorbackto theirdockedyachts,soitwasdefinitelyagoodtimetostartsettingupherlatestlineofnautical-inspiredjewelry.Perfectfor the summer boatingcrowd. Earrings, studs, rings, pins, bracelets, necklaces, and a couple tie tacks since theywere coming backinstyle.Somepieceshadanchors,somefish,somewereshapedlikesailboatsormotorboats.Onebroachwasawaterskier;anotherwasamoreabstractmixofwaves.Thesewereallcastinsilver,herfavoritemetal,somewithgems,someplain.
Pouringherselfacoffeeandsettingitonanearbycounter,Jinxplayedwithherdisplay,lookingatdifferentwaystodesign it,enjoyingeveryminute.EventhoughsheandBaileyalsosoldtheirinventoryonline,Jinxwasatactilepersonwhopreferred thephysicalworld,lovedholdingobjectsinherhandsand,evenbetter,creatingsomethingnewwithherhands,whichwasno doubtonereasonshehadbecomeajewelrymaker.
WhenJinxfinished the display, she wentbackto their POS area where she also kepta calendar for the pickup dates of commissions,herspecialpiecesofjewelrymadetoorder Thebellsovertheshopdoorjingledandshelookedup No.Nottwodaysinarow.
Lastnightwashardenough,withAnthiaaskingheramillionquestionsabouthimassoonastheygotinthecartogohome Jinxhad explained that Loganhad beenVictor’s college roommate and best friend, that he had a messed up familyand so
havinghimspendChristmas,springbreak,andevenmostofthesummerwithherfamilyhadbecomethenorm.Thelastcouple ofyears,whenVicandLoganwereontheirwaytogradschoolandaftertheirfirstyearofit,theyusedtorentanearbycottage forthesummer,butJinxstillsawthemplenty
Anthiahadbeenbesideherselfwithglee,butherexcitementwassomewhatdampenedwhenJinxtoldherthatLoganhad betrayed her brother ina waythatdestroyed their friendship And thathe had turned into a cold, ruthless businessmanwho disappearedonthem,totallyforgettingabouther family,as he tookrevenge onhis ownfather bygobblinguphis investment firm
“Butheseemedsoconcernedforyoulastnight,”Anthiahadsaid.“Soworriedaboutyougettinghomesafely.” Jinxhadjustshruggeditoff,notreallysurewhatthatwasabout.AndshesureashelldidnottellherroommatethatLogan hadalsorescuedherfromthehandsofamarriedmanwhowantedtogetsomefreesexontheside
Or thatshe’d always had a hard time believingLoganhad reallydone all those terrible things her brother had reported abouthim
Now, onthis otherwise peaceful June evening, LoganBennettwas standingjustinside the door ofBajinx. Whatwas he doinghere?Well,forone,hewasstudyingherwiththatsamesexy,stern,halfcurious,halfravenouslook Insteadofthehighfashionsuithe’dhadonlastnight,todayheworedarkjeansandasnug-fittingtee.
Somethingaboutthewayhewasstandinginthosejeanstookherbacktothedayswhenhewasallshedreamedabout,all she wanted It had begun as a crush, but eachtime he returned they got closer doingsimple things like fixing the toaster togetherormakingChristmastreedecorationsorhelpinghermotherrunagaragesaleorlaughingatthosecornyjokesherdad told over and over again Butthe besttimes were whenshe and Logansattogether, justthe two ofthem, and talked abouta bookthey’dbothreadoradrawingshe’ddoneortheirphilosophicalthoughtsabouttheworld.
BeingsixyearsyoungerthanhersisterandsevenyearsyoungerthanherbrothermeantJinxwasthebabywhowasnever includedintheiractivities.Andwhilesheknewhermotherandfatherlovedherwithalltheirheart,Jinxhadalwaysfeltthey did not understand her. Like theysaw the world ina different way. Like she was a chickthat had fallenout of the nest of anotherkindofbirdorsomething
Loganwastheonlypersonshe’devertoldthatto.Whenshewasfourteenshe’dgottenintoanargumentwithherfatherand she had run out of the house afterward to a place where she could hide and cry and not be ridiculed for it She was not surprised whenno one came after her because mostofthe time theydid notpayanyattentionto her “antics” as theycalled them. Her working class family had a “pick yourself up and get back to work” attitude that considered her sensitivity a weakness.ButLoganhadcomelookingforherthatdayandhadevenguessedexactlywhereshewouldbe.
Atthetimeshewas alreadyhalfinlovewithhim,sowhenhesatnexttoher andaskedher gentlywhatwas wrong,she openedupaboutfeelinglikeshewasanoddbirdthatdidnotbelonganywhere,eveninherownfamily
“That’sbecauseyou’reanartist,Jinx.Artistsareborn,notmade,andtheycanbebornintoanyfamily,richorpoor.Artists areoddcreatureswhousuallyseetheworlddifferentlyandsometimesseethingsotherpeopledonot Yourparents,yoursister andbrotheraregoodpeople,smartpeople,butnoneofthemareartists.Sotheywillmostlikelynotseetheworldaroundthem thesamewayyoudo.”
“Areyouanartist,Logan?”
“No,I’mnot,butmymotherwas,soIcanseeitinyou.”
Afterthat,Loganbecameapersonshecouldtalkto,thisbeingasecrettheyhadkeptbetweenthemoverthenextfewyears ItwashowshehadfoundBaileywhenshewasinhighschool,recognizinganotherpersonwhodidnotquitefitin.
JinxlookedatLogannow andtriedtosteadyherbeatingheartandtheheatthatrushedtohercoreatthesightofhim He hadalwaysbeenawalkingwetdream,butnowhissexualitywasmixedwithamanlypowerthatmadehimirresistible.
“CanIhelpyouwithsomething?”sheasked,hertoneasneutralasshecouldmanage.
Loganstrolledforwardandbegangazingaroundattheshelvesandpeeringintothedisplaycases “Isawyourwebsiteand thoughtwhile Iwas intownIwould checkoutthe store. Ilike the name Bajinx. Your partner, Bailey, is thatthe same tall quietblondethatwasyourfriendinhighschool?”
“Yes,” was all Jinxsaid,waryandreluctanttoletdownher guard,since she hadalsoheardabouthis take-no-prisoners styleofdoingbusinessandhadnointentionofgettinghurtagainbyhim However,shewassomewhatgratifiedtolearnhehad lookedheruponthenet.
He smiled at one of Bailey’s tri-colored soaps molded into the shape of three birds. “Lemon and rose and lavender. Interestingcombination”
“Baileyisendlesslycreative,”Jinxsaid,proudofherbestie.“SheandLexi,thebrideatyesterday’swedding,havealine of scented hats that are being sold by a major fashion house Lexi makes the hats and Bailey creates scented ribbons and appliquésforthem.”
“Clever.”Henodded,thenpeereddownatthejewelryinaglasscase.“Aretheseyours?”
“Yes.Theothercraftsintheshoparebylocalartisans,butallthejewelryismine.” Loganstoppedatthesecondcaseandpointedtoapiece.“MayIlookatthisone,please?”
Fromwhereshestoodshecouldnotseewhatheaspointingat.Jinxputonherbiggirlpantiesandwalkeduptohim,his eyesonherthewholetimesendingaquiverthroughherthatshemanagedtosuppress.“Whichpiecewasit?”sheasked,hoping hewouldstepbackabit,buthedidnot,insteadhoveringclosetoherasshereachedthecaseandopenedit “Theonewiththetwohorseschasinglightningbolts.”
Her head snapped up, her eyes meetinghis Too close, but her feet would not move Those piercingbrowneyes ofhis ensnaredherthewaytheyalwayshad.Thenhisgazeshiftedtoherlips.Sherememberedhowmanytimesthatusedtohappen hiseyesonherlips andshewouldliterallyprayhewouldkissher Butheneverhad Neverwouldcrossthatline Always turnedaway,leavingherwanting.
Well, now it was her chance to turn away. Jinx did and focused on the wide wrist cuff made of heavy silver with an engravingdepictingtwo horses leapingunder a skyfilled withlightning She did notthinkfor a momenthis choice was an accident.
Heknewverywellwhattheimageonthepiecemeanttoher Jinxcouldstillremembersittingnexttohiminherparents’backyardonenightafterapaintingshehadsubmittedtoalocal show gotrejected Actually,itwasworsethanthat Thejudgeshadcalledherworkobscenebecauseithadanakedmanand womanentwined inthe clouds and she was onlysixteen. She’d made sure the clouds covered certainbodyparts, for God’s sake,butherfatherhadstillbeenlividaboutit.
“Artistshavetobebrave,”Loganhadsaidtoher “Willingtotakerisks Putthemselvesontheline Bedaring”Hewas twenty-twoatthetimeandshehadlookeduptohim.
She’dshruggedwithashysmile,thrilledthathehadsaidthatabouther “Butwearehardlythesameasastuntpersonina moviewhodivesoffahighriseintoanairbagfourhundredfeetbelow.Orsomeoneservinginthemilitary.”
“Yesandno,”hesaid.“Youputyourfeelingsontheline.Andifitbecomesyourprofession,thenyouputyourcareeronthe linewithyouartisticvision.”
“Idon’tevenknowwhatmyvisionishalfthetime.Ifeellikesomewildhorsechasinglightningboltsinastormysky.”
“See that!” He gave her one of his dazzlingsmiles “Youjust proved mypoint That is a perfect metaphor and a great image.Ithinkyoushouldmakeapaintingbasedonthat.”
“ButIhatebeingallaloneoutthereontheplains”
“Somakeittwohorses.BecauseI’llalwayshaveyourback.”
Buthedidn’thaveherbackwhensheneededhim.Hehaddisappearedonher.
Yetherehewasnow,theonlypersonshewouldevertakethispieceoutofthecasefor,theonlypersonshewouldallowto ownit.Normally,whenanyoneaskedaboutit,shewouldalwayssayitwasnotforsalebutthatacommissionedpiecesimilar to itcould be ordered Jinxhad setitinthe displaycase withher higher priced workmore as anexample ofher skill than anythingelse.Andbecauseshelikedtolookatit.Shesupposedasuperstitiouspartofherhadbelievedkeepingittherewould bring her some kind of luck Tonight she had to wonder if Bailey had been right when she’d once joked about it being a talismanJinxkepttheretobringLoganback.
Now,asJinxpulledthewristcuffoutofthedisplayandhelditouttohim,shekeptherexpressionneutral.Sherefusedto acknowledge thatthe images onitmeantanythingspecial to her, despite the factthatthe air almostseemed threaded witha tensionbetweenthemthatwassothickandtautitseemedreadytosnap.Andwhatwouldthatlooklikeifitdid?Wouldshe kisshimpassionatelyandtearoffhisclothes?Orscreamathimandthrowhimoutoftheshop?
Usingabusinessliketone,sheexplained,“Thehorsesareembeddedwithstargarnet,theskyisturquoise,andthelightning isyellowcitrinehighlightedwithtinydiamonds”
“It’sexquisite,”hesaid,hisdeepvoicesoftandsultry,hiseyesthankfullyonthejewelrypieceinsteadofher,givinghera chance to breathe. He tookitfromher hands and their fingers brushed. Asparkranthroughher athis touch. Was his slight pauseareactiontothat?Orwasitjustherownimaginationgoingwildbecauseitwas Him.
Loganstoodsoclosetohershecouldfeeltheheatofhisbodyandsmellhissandalwoodaftershave “Whendidyoumake this?”heasked,settingitontheglasscounterandlookingather.
“Oh,afewyearsago,Iguess”Shehadtobevaguetoprotectherheart “Isitoneofakind?”
“Yes.Oneofakind.”
“I’lltakeit”
Jinxtriednottoask,butitcameburstingoutofher.“Isitforyourself?”And,okay,thetiltofherheadandthetoneofher voicemighthavebeenchallenging,almostaccusatory,becausehisanswerwoulddeterminewhethershewouldsellittohimor not.
Thecuffcouldbewornbyeitheramanorawoman.Sheknewhewasnotmarried,hadfoundoutthatmuchfromAnthia’s gossip,butheappearedwithplentyofwomenonGooglesearchesandmostoftenwithacertainbeautifulwomanwhomightbe theoneheloved.NowaywouldJinxallowhimtogivethiscufftoanotherwoman.Afteralltheseyearsitwouldstillhurt.So,
yeah,shemighthavetotellhimitwasnotforsalejustasshe’ddonetoeveryothercustomer.
“Yes.For me,”hesaid,andsheknew heunderstoodwhyshe’dasked.Thenhesmiled,makinghis unbearablyhandsome faceevenmoreso,andslippedthecuffonhiswrist
How he couldmake sucha simple gesture erotic,she hadnoidea,butitnearlydidher in.Unable tospeak,Jinxmerely nodded
“Jewelrylookslikeaperfectvehicleforyourtalents,”Logansaid,walkingtoanotherdisplay.“Yougotinterestedinitat theUniversityoftheArts,right?”
“Yes. They have a good jewelry and metal craft major.” Jinx struggled to keep her tone neutral. Her first year at the UniversityoftheArtsinPhiladelphiawaswhenLoganhadlefttown,whenhequitWhartonatUPennanddisappearedfrom herlife Theybothknewshehadchosenthatschoolsoshecouldbenearhim Theyhadeventalkedaboutthingstheywoulddo togetherwhentheywouldbelivinginthesamecity.
“Youdocommissions,”hesaid,noddingtohersignsayingexactlythat
“Yes,”wasallshereplied.Notherusualspielofinquirywithasalespitch.Thegreen-eyedmonsterreareditsheadagain atthe idea ofhimaskingher to make a piece ofjewelryfor a womanhe was seeing, or worse anengagementringfor his intended.
Butsheremindedherselfthismandidnotbelongtoherandneverwould.
“Anyhigh-profilecommissions?”heasked “Youmeanlike…”
“Celebrities”
“No,I’mnotthatwell-known.”Asifhissilentresponserequiredhertodefendherself,Jinxadded,“Ilikemylittleshop hereinthispeacefultown.Itworksjustfineforme.”
“Icanseethat,”hesaid.“Butareyouopposedtodoingcommissionsfor famouspeoplethatwouldputyour workinthe spotlight?Youdeservethat.”
“Ofcoursenot”Sheshookherhead,embarrassedtobealittlenobodywhenheusedtolookatallthecreativethingsshe did whether it was a mural she’d painted in her bedroom, a ceramic pipe holder for her dad, the wild bead and feather earringsshe’dmadeinhighschool,oragoofymugshe’dhandpaintedforhimoneChristmas andtellherwhatasuccessshe wasgoingtobe.
Logandidnotcommentanyfurther,didnotsayhowdisappointedhewasorgivehersomebullshitlineaboutsuccessbeing relative.Hewouldknowalltoowellhowcompetitiveshewas andhowcompetitivetherealworldwas.Heoughtto,since hewasoneofthewinnersinit.Shewonderedhowmuchhehadchangedinordertobecomethat.
TheyearLoganhadtransferredoutofWhartonatUPenntoStanfordandwentbacktoCaliforniaforgood,shehadtriedto getherbrothertotellherwhathadhappenedbetweenthem.ButVictoronlysaidthatLoganhaddonesomethingtohimthatno real friendwoulddo Vicwouldnever discuss itanyfurther,notwithJinxor anyoneinthefamily AndwhenLogandidnot returntotheirhouseandchangedhisemailandphonewithoutevensayinggoodbye,Jinxhadnochoicebuttoacceptthefinal resolveofherfamilywhojustshooktheirheadsandsaid,“It’sashameaboutLogan.”
HepickedupafewsoapsofBailey’sandturnedtoher “HowmuchdoIoweyou?”
ThatwaswhenJinxrealizedhehadnotevenaskedthepriceofhersilvercuff.Onlyherlessexpensiveitemswerelabeled and more accessible to perusal Since she had never considered selling this one, she had never determined a price for it Quicklyrunningover her similar commissions and what she had charged for them, she said, “The silver cuff is thirty-five hundred”
He didn’tblink, onlyreminded her to add the soap, and he seemed so muchlike the Loganshe had once knownthatshe almostblurtedoutallthequestionsshe’dbeenharboringforyears.
Butshemanagedtostopherselffromdoingthat Hepaidherincash,thenturnedandquietlywalkedoutofthestore.
AndasJinxwatchedhimleave,ithither
Thatgreatpassionateloveshekeptlookingforwastheoneshe’dalwayshopedtohavewithLogan. Fromthemomentshehadfirstseenhim,everyothermalehadtobemeasuredagainsthim Andsofarnonehadmeasured up.
Andshedoubtedanyeverwould.
“BET SHE WAS DAMN GOOD. ”
Loganfelt a hand onhis shoulder and thensaw Kirkslide onto the barstool next to his later that night The bar inthe MaxwellPointInnwasasmallone,whichmeanthewouldhavebeenfoundnomatterwherehesat. TampingdownhisurgetoputafistinKirk’sface,Logansaid,“Ididnothavesexwithher”
Kirkletoutahighlaugh.“Youexpectmetobelievethat?Sorry,man,butyour reputationprecedesyou.Whyelsewould youresorttolyingaboutmywifecallingme,Mr.WinnerTakeAll?”
“Becauseshe is the little sister ofanoldfriend Ididn’twantyoutakingadvantage ofher Andyour wife deserves your loyalty.”Loganturnedbacktohisdrinkandswallowedthelastofit.
“Oh, you are just so pure and heroic” Kirk went into a fake cough and gag “Give me a break That is not why you humiliatedmeinfrontofthathotchick.Youjusthavetobetopmanwhereveryougo.”
“Noteverywhere,butsinceyouworkforme,inthiscaseithappenstobetrue”
Loganflagged downthe bartender and ordered Kirkhis usual JackDaniels and water. “I’mheadingbackto Manhattan tonight.I’llseeyouintheofficeforourusualThursdaymeeting.”
Withoutanotherword,Loganstoodandheadedbacktohisroom Hedidnotbotherwith“nohardfeelings”gestures Seven yearsago,whenhehadbegunhisstrategyforclimbingtothetopandtakingbackwhathefeltshouldbehis,hehadreplaced thosekindsofthingswithpowerplaysthatwereultimatelymoreeffective
ThetruthwasLogandidinfactwantJinx.Shehadalwaysbeenanadorablekid,andhehadwitnessedhergrowingmore andmorebeautifuleveryyear TheJinxhesawlastnightattheweddingwasawomanthatcouldbringanymantohisknees
WhichwaswhyLoganhadtossedinbedallnight,ahandonhisshaft,thinkingabouther,fantasizinghersoftfoldshugging hiscock,hishandsonhersweetbuttassherodehim,hisfacepressedbetweenhermelon-sizedbreasts.
ButhewouldnevertellKirkthat
Yeah,hewantedhersobadlyithurt.Notjustthephysicalacheofhisblueballs,buttheacheinhisheart.
Hisfingersbrushedthesilvercuffonhiswrist Jinxhadalwaysbeensospecialtohim Duringhiscollegeyearswhenhe stayedattheD’Alessiohouseseveral timesayear,hewouldneverhaveactedonhisdesireforhisbestfriend’slittlesister. HehadevenbeenVictor’sright-handmanwhenitcametowarningoffanyhornydudessniffingaroundher.
ButasecretpartofLoganhadhoped,maybeevenexpectedthosetermswouldchangewhenshebecameawoman.ThatVic andhisparentswouldbehappytoseethebabyofthefamilypairedupwithsomeonetheyknewandtrusted.
ToobadhisfriendshipwithVictorfellapartbeforethattimecame ToobadVictor’slastwordstohimwere,“Stayaway frommyfamily.AndifIeverfindyou’vebeennearmylittlesister,Iwillmakeyoupay.”
Yeah,hehadstayedaway,mostlyoutofangerforVictor’scrueljudgmentand hisowndecisiontojustridhislifeofanyD’Alessioandthehurttheynowrepresented.
ButseeingJinxagainbroughtbacknotonlythatundeniable heatbetweenthembutalsothe strange bondthe twoofthem alwayshad,makinghimwonderaboutthepossibilities.
ThenextmorningJinxandherdog,Teddy,ablack-and-whitemuttshehadrescued,wentwalkingalongthePeconicBay. Having never been a morning person, she loved these days when Bailey took the early shift and opened their shop Especiallyafteranightwhenshe’dtossedaroundmorethansheslept,thankstothevisitfromLoganBennett.
Hissex-on-a-stickbodyandthatmouththatshebetcoulddowonderstoawomanandthoseeyesthatseemedtobelooking notjustatherbutinsideher whew
Guilt surfaced over her loyaltyto her brother. She was not supposed to want Loganor care for himor believe inhim. Except,backwhenVictorhadhisfallingoutwithhimandconvincedherfamilyLoganwasnotthegoodguytheyhadbelieved hewas,Jinxhadahardtimebuyingit.
WasitbecausesheknewLoganbetterthanherbrotherdid?OrwasitbecauseLoganhadgottenunderherskinsodeepthat she did not care? At the time she had just turned eighteenand had never beenawayfromthe safe harbor of her home and family. Maybe it was her naiveté, but she’d wanted himso badlyshe would have takenLoganinanyway, shape, or form. Good,bad,oranythinginbetween
Ofcourse,shewasolderandwisernowandknewhowselfishandheartlesssomemencouldbe.Thatwasonereasonshe stucktosurfacehookupsthesedays,nolongerexpectingorevenlookingforanythingmorethanfun Truthwas,shehadalready blazedamessy,confusingtrailwithmen,often“fallinginlove”toofast,onlytorealizeitwasheroveractiveimaginationthat sawabigscreenfull-lengthblockbusterwhenwhatshereallyhadwasasadlittlethirty-minutesitcom
SohowcouldsheknowifthefeelingssurgingthroughherafterseeingLoganwererealornot?
“Teddy,”shecalledtoherpoochwhowashavingagreattimesplashingalongthewater’sedge.“Comeon,babe.”Witha lastlookatthesunlightonthebay,JinxclippedTeddy’sleashonandwalkedthetwoblocksbacktohercottage
Actuallyitwasnot“her”cottage.Itbelongedtoherbigsister,butNataliewasmarriednowandlivingafewmilesaway. So,whenBaileyhadalsogottenmarriedandmovedoutofthe house she andJinxusedtorenttogether,Jinxmovedintothe cottageandfoundaroommate hernewfriend,Anthia.
Once inside, Jinxpoured the lastcup ofcoffee she’d leftinthe coffeemaker and satatthe table witha piece ofpeanut buttertoast,Teddychewingonatreatatherfeet.Anthiawasatwork,sosheplayedsomeoldiesbyTheDrifters.
SheandAnthiadidnothavethesametasteinmusic.Justoneofthoseroommatethings.Jinxhadthoughtbythetimeshe wastwenty-nineshewouldbelivingwiththemanofherdreams,notaroommate Inaplacethatmatchedherpersonality,not thishomeycottagethathadhappyhomemakerNatalie’simprintalloverit.
Jinxlovedherbigsister Infact,NatalieandBaileywerethetwomostimportantpeopleintheworldtoher ButNatalie wasamaster baker andcouldcookanything,whileJinxcouldevenruinmakingboiledpasta.Nataliehadasuccessful diner andabakeryandnowalineofbakedgoodssoldacrossthecountry.AndshehadstarteditallinthisenormouskitchenthatJinx wouldturnintoametalshopworkspaceifthiswereherhouse.Instead,shehadtousethegarageforherjewelrywork,andthat gotsocoldinthewinternospaceheatercouldmakeitcomfortable.
Herphonebuzzedwithatextandwhenshelookedatitshesawtherewereafewmessages No,Jinxdidnottakethephone withheronherwalks thewholeideaofthewalkwastogetawayandrelax.
ShebeatdowntheirrationalthoughtthatoneofthemessageswouldbefromLogan Maybenotsoirrational,sincehertext andphonenumbertoinquireaboutcommissionswasontheBajinxwebsiteandanycallstothis“jewelrynumber”weresent directlytoherprivatephone.
Whenshesawamessagecomingfromthatline,shewenttoitimmediately,hopingitwasLoganbutknowingitwouldbe likewalkingintoaburningbuildingtogetinvolvedwithhim.Nottomentionhavingtokeepitsecretfromherfamilysincethey wouldseeitasabetrayalofherbrother,andhewouldalsoprobablywanttobeattheshitoutofLogan
Butthe message was notfromhim. Itwas fromsomeone named Erica LundbergaskingJinxto call her abouta possible
commission.Withasighthatwashalfdisappointment,halfrelief,JinxdownedtherestofhercoffeeandcalledErica,giving herusualpitchaboutreplyingtoherinquiryandhowhappyshewouldbetodiscussit.
“Actually,itisnotforme I’mPortiaTorrent’spersonalassistantandsheisreallyexcitedaboutyourwork”
“PortiaTorrent,therockmusician?”Jinxsaidaftershemanagedtoclosehermouththatwashangingopenatthethoughtof makingapieceofjewelryforaworldfamousstar
“Yes,that’sher,”Ericasaid.“Butshewouldliketomeetyoufirst.”Withaslightlyembarrassedchuckle,thewomanonthe phone added, “Since the necklace youcreate would be wornonher body, Portia needs to meetyouand feel your presence beforeshedecidesifshewillhireyou.”
Jinxwasnotsurewhethertobeinsultedorelated.Theideaoftheartist’senergybeingpartofthefinishedpiecewasnot foreigntoher Shewouldnevertellanyone,butshehadaspookysidetoherthatsecretlybelievedinthatstuff LikeyesterdaywhenLoganzeroedinonherhorsesandlightningcuff.Shecouldnothelpfeelinghewaswearingapieceof herheartnow
EricawastalkingandJinxrealizedhermindwaswandering.Notgoodwhenthisonecommissioncouldopenthedoortoa wholenewlevelofclientelewhocouldaffordtopayforthekindofhigh-endcreationsshewouldlovetomake “I’msorry,Erica,Imissedwhatyoujustsaid.”
“Portiawantsyoutocometoherpartytomorrownight.OnthesecondfloorofClubTherefore.Haveyoubeenthere?” No, she had not, but she wasn’t goingto admit that and sound like the small towngirl she was “Therefore,” she said, franticallysearchingforitonthetabletthatsatnexttohercoffee.“Oh,thatnewclubinChelsea,right?”
“Yeah”
“Greatplace,”Jinxsaid,lookingatthewebsite.“Isitaspecialoccasion?Portia’sbirthdayorsomething?”
“She just wrapped up some pain-in-the-butt on-location work and needs to wind down,” Erica said. “So, will you be there?”
“Yes,Iwill.”
Ericatoldhershewouldputherontheguestlistandgaveherafewmoredetails “Bytheway,”Jinxsaid,“howdidPortiacomeacrossmyjewelry?”
“LoganBennettshowedherhisnewcuffandsenthertoyourwebsite”
Oh no. She definitely did not want any favors from Logan. But she also did not want to turn down a Portia Torrent commission.Howcouldshenothaveguessedthis?Hehadaskedheraboutitonlyyesterday.WasPortiahisgirlfriend?Fingers onthe keyboard, Jinxstarted a fastsearch. Talkabouta nightmare makinga special piece for the womanwho gotthe man she’dalwayswanted.Nothappening.
“Aretheystilldating?”Jinxasked,herchesttightasshelookedatapictureofLoganwithPortia,theheadline:“Portia’s Latest?”
“Neverwere,”Ericasaid “Thatwasarumor Justbusinessandfriends”
Okay,sohisinvestmentfirmmusthandlehermoney.ItworriedJinxhowrelievedshewastohearthat.Thiswasdangerous territory.
Ericawenton “ButyouknowhowitiswhenotherwomenseeyouwithamanlikeLoganBennett Thefirstthingtheythink ofisjumpinghisbonesandwithhisreptheyassumethatiswhat’sgoingon.”
“Guessso,”Jinxmanagedtosay Hisrep?Aswhat?Awomanizer?Agreatlover?Herheadwasspinning “AndLoganissuchagreatguy,butI’msureyouknowthat.”Erica’svoicetookonadreamytone.Yeah,Logantendedto havethateffectonwomen
“Suredo,”Jinxsaid,afakelightnessinhervoice.
“Well,he’llbeatthepartytomorrownight.Moreincentivetomakeitthere,right?”
TheyendedthecallandJinxtriedtofigureouthernextstep
Washetryingtobuyhiswayintoherpanties?Washetryingtomakeupforwhathedidtoherbrother?Orwashetrying playbigbrotherhimself,whichwasjustasobnoxious
Itwashardtofigureoutbecause,accordingtoherbrother,JinxdidnotknowtherealLoganBennett.
JinxspentsometimesearchingthenetforeverythingshecouldfindonLogan,butasfaraswomenwent,itwasmostlythat sameoneheseemedtobecoupledwith.Ablondbeautywhosenamewasnotlistedinthefew photosofher.Butwhetheror notshewasLogan’swomanwasbesidethepoint.AcouplearticlesthatJinxhadseenbeforepaintedhimasadynamoinhis field,andoneasaruthlessoperator
Onimpulseshedecidedtocallhimathisofficeandtellhimshedidnotwanthimplayingbigbrotherandseehowitwent. Shehadbookmarkedhis companyonher tabletandnow wenttothewebsite His maincompanywas inBeverlyHills,with branchesinNewYork,Atlanta,Chicago,Boston,London,andZurich.Geez.
Anthiahadtoldherhe’dsaidhewasgoingbacktoManhattanwhenshewaitedonhimattheinnyesterday.
“All right, let’s see…investment banking, institutional investment management, private wealth management, sales and trading…”JinxtriedtofindsomekindoflistingforLoganonthewebsite.
Was he the headofone ofthese departments? No,heownedthe company.So,wouldhe be the president? The CEO? Or someothertitleshe’dneverheardof?Howcouldshepossiblyknowwhenallthisstuffwaslikeaforeignlanguagetoher?
FinallyshegaveupanddialedthemainnumberoftheManhattanlocation “BennettMeyers,”awomansaid.“HowmayIhelpyou?”
“IwouldliketospeakwithLoganBennettplease” Apause,thenthewomansaid,“Whoiscalling?”
“Jin uh,GiannaD’Alessio”
“Inreferenceto?”
Thisfeltlikeoneofthosetrickquestions,sosheplayeditcoy,saying,“Acommission.” “Areyouanemployeeof ”
“No.Afriend.”
Silence
Jinxspokeup.“Justgivehimmyname,please.He’llknowme.”
Moresilence Uh-oh ThereceptionistprobablythoughtJinxwassomewomanLoganhadsleptwithwhowasafterhim No doubthe gotmore thana few calls like that. “I’manold friend,” she added, ina lame attemptto offsetthe one-night-stand callerpossibility.
“Well,Ms D’Alessio,Mr Bennettisnotin” “Oh,really?Thenwhydidyouaskmeallthosequestions?”
“Becausethatismyjob”
Okay,nowshefeltlikeanidiot.Ofcoursesomeonewouldscreenhiscalls.
Shewasabouttogiveher phonenumber andaskthathecall her,butthensherealizedhehadthenumber onthewebsite sincehe’dgivenittoPortia,butwoulditseemmoreurgentifshegaveherpersonalmobilenumber…
Thereceptionistinterruptedherthoughts,saying,“Iwillgivethemessagetohisassistant.Ifyouareanoldfriend,asyou say,Isuggestyoucontacthimonhisprivateline”Andshehungup
Frustrated, Jinxalmostcalled her bigsister for advice butstopped herself. Natalie was firmlyinVictor’s camp whenit came to Logan, so Jinx did not want her or anyone in her family to know she’d seen him Natalie had not been at Lexi’s weddingand no one except Anthia saw what happened outside the event center after the Kirkincident, whichmeant Jinx’s secretwassafesofar.
Butwhatsecretwhatshethinkingof?
Sheknewverywellandhadtoadmitwhatitwas thefactthatJinxfeltlikeatraitortoherbrotherbecauseshewantedso badlytoseeLogan Shehadalways felttherewas somethingthatdidnotringtruewithVictor’s storyandwhether itcaused troubleornot,shewasdeterminedtofindouteverythingshecouldaboutLoganandwhateverhappenedbackthen.
The nextdayJinxleftthe shop atnoonand drove into the cityearlyso she could chill outand restatJenna Richardson Flynn’sUpperWestSideapartment Otherwise,shewouldlooklikeawreckifshebombedintoPortia’sbigpartyright aftermakingthetwo-hourdrivefrompeacefulPeconicBendontheNorthForktothecongestedstreetsofManhattan.
JennawasaNorthForknativewho’dbecomeaballerinawithAmericanBalletTheaterandlivedinNewYorkCitywith herhusbandwhowasathrillerauthor Jenna’soldersister,Casey,hadbeenNatalie’sbestfriendsincechildhood,soJennafelt somewhatlikefamily.ThetwowomenwentouttolunchwhenJinxarrivedandthenchilledwhileJennagaveher adviceon whattoweartoPortia’spartyatClubTherefore
Yeah,she hadbroughtaboutfour differentoutfits,andJenna helpedher choose darkskinnyjeans withkiller heels anda silkybluelow-cutblouse Shepiledher hair ontopofher head,pullingsometendrils downalongthesideofher face And thenshe added a pair ofher bestdangle earrings thatmixed a designofsilver and gold spirals withanamethyststud atthe lobe.Thechokersheworehadasilverspiralpatternwithasmallpendantatthethroatofanowlwithamethysteyes.
JinxtookacabtoClubThereforeandgavehernameattheentrance,halfexpectingtobeturnedaway Oneofthehotguys atthedoorsaid,“Holdon,”andsteppedafewfeetawaytomakeaphonecall. Whenhereturned,hesaid,“Followme”
Jinxfollowedhimdownashorthallthatopenedupintoahugedarkballroomwithglowingpurpleandroselights,music blaring,retromirrorballshangingoverthedancefloor,andsofaswithlowtablesallaroundtheperimeter
Therewasacathedralceilingwithabalconythatcircledthespaceandapparentlyhadsecond-storyloungeareas.Heled JinxupashortflightofstairstoaloungeareawherePortiawasholdingcourtwithanentourageofmaybesixteenpeople.The lounge was furnished in puffy metallic gold club chairs decked with shiny silver pillows, some of which must have been inflatedwithhelium,astheyfloatedintheairaroundthem.
“Heresheis,”thedoorguyannounced,thenturnedonhisheelandleft AlleyesturnedtoJinx,someclearlyquestioningwhoshewasandwhyshewasallowedintothisrarifiedcompany. “Lookatyou.”Portiaburstoutwithalaugh.“OhmyGod,lookatyou.”
Jinxfroze,wonderingifshehadmadesomekindoffauxpas,liketherewasadresscodeshewasnotawareoformaybe shehadgooonherface.Summoningallhercourage,sheremainedstillandsilent,tryingforaposethatexudedconfidence. “Jinxistheabsoluteperfectnameforyou,”Portiacooedasshecametowardher “Sotiny Aren’tyoujustthecutestlittle thing.”
EveryoneintheD’Alessiofamilywasshort EvenVictor,whowasbuiltlikeabullandpackedwithmuscle,wasshortfor amanatfiveten.Atfivefootone,Jinxhadalwaysbeenself-consciousaboutherheight,butshetoldherselfnottoletthisodd greetinggettoher,thatthis was merelyPortia’s Southernstyle comingout,thatshe didnotmeanitas aninsult.She triedto believethat,asthetall,rangystarwhowasfamousforherbrightblueeyessaunteredtowardher,laughing.Ather?
Jinxcouldbarelygetoutthewords,“Thanksforinvitingme,”beforeshewascrushedinabearhugthatnodoubtsmeared someofherlipstickonPortia’sshirt
WhenPortia released her, she said, “And lookatthose earrings. Ooh. I’ve gotto have themnow. Give themto me right now”
Okay,awkwardmoment.Thesewerefour-hundred-dollarearrings.AlthoughPortiaprobablyspentthatmuchgoingoutto luncheveryday,forJinxitrepresentedamajorsalethatwouldhelppaytheconsiderableoverheadatBajinx.
WitheveryonewatchingandPortiadoingthe“gimme”dance,Jinxwentaheadandpulledtheearringsfromherearlobes, thenstepped up to Portia, who was removingthe ones she wore. The star dumped hers ona small round table nextto some drinksandfingerfood,andexcitedlygrabbedJinx’soffering,hookingtheminherearlobesandturningtoheraudiencewitha widegrin.
Ofcourse,everyoneoohedandahhhed,Jinxalongwiththem,whileinhermindshedecidedtoaddthefourhundreddollars ontohercommissionpriceifPortianeverofferedtopayforthese.
Ifshegotthecommission
“Now,comesitoverhere,”Portiasaid,takingherhand.“Whatareyoudrinking?” “RumandCoke?”
“David,getthisdark-eyedTinkerBellarumandcoke.”
Havinggrownupasthecutebabyofthefamilywhowasnotoftentakenseriously,herbrotherusuallyseeingherasajoke andmakingupallkindsofnamestocallher likeJinx shehadtodosomeinternalwrestlingtokeepherheadonstraightand notletPortia’snicknamegetherhacklesup.Washerinvitationhereabigjoke?Entertainmentforthestarandherposse?
Amomentlater,herdrinkcameandJinx’sworriesturnedouttobeunfounded Portiastartedrightin,tellingJinxhowmuch sheadoredthesilvercuffLoganhadbought,adding,“Ofcoursethatgorgeousmancouldweararubberbandonhisarmand makeitlooksexy”
Jinxwanted to askifhe was here tonight, since Erica had mentioned he would be, butdecided itwas bestnotto divert Portia’sattention Shepulledoutherphoneandopenedupaportfolioofhermoreelaboratenecklaces EricahadsaidPortia wantedsomethingspectacularforhernextshow.
Thetwoofthemspentthenexthalfhour lookingthroughthephotos: agoldbibnecklacewithsapphires,achunkysilver choker,adelicateprincessstylewithonyxandadiamond,adanglingmatineewithstampedmedallionsandturquoise,operastylegoldbeads,andacomplicatedslightlygarishEgyptian-stylebreastplate.
Portiatookhertimeoneach,tellingherwhatshedidanddidnotlike Jinxexpectedtobeinterruptedalot,butasidefroma few grabs at a trayof chocolate truffles, Portia’s focus was impressive. Finally, Jinxwas typingnotes into her phone and agreedtoemailPortiasomesketchesinacoupledays.
TheydidnotdiscusspricingandPortiadidnotoffertogiveJinxherearringsback.Jinxsilencedtheanxiousquestionsin herheadandkeptupapositiveandprofessionalattitude.
“Okay, tiny Jinx,” Portia said, giving her a kiss on the cheek, “now you go enjoy the party There is plenty of food downstairs.”
Understanding she was being dismissed, Jinx had mixed feelings and almost wanted to leave and head home But she remindedherselfofherothermission,theonethathadhermoreonedge talkingtoLogan.
She wentdownstairs tothe mainfloor anddiscreetlyscannedthe room.Havinga slightlydramatic nature,Jinxnormally likedattentionandoftenfoundherselfeasilyabletoperforminthecenterofacrowd.Buttonightasshewanderedthrougha roomfilledwith“beautifulpeople”shelongedforherquietworkshopandthesteadytactilefeelofherhammersandsawsor herfavoritewaxcarvingscalpels
Walkingthroughtheshadowyperimeterofthebigroom,sheagaingottheurgetoduckoutthedoorandgohomewhenshe realizedthegoalinherheadofconfrontingLoganwasbasedontheassumptionthatshewouldseehimbeforemeetingPortia Whichwouldhavegivenherachancetoturnaroundandleave,tellinghimtokeephisfavor.ButnowJinxhadalreadybitten intothecarrothe’ddangled,thankstothesurpriseofbeingtakendirectlytoPortiaassoonasshe’dgivenhernameatthedoor. Nowallshecoulddowasofferathankyoufromalowlyartisantothesexyrichbigshot
Thatwaswhenshefelthiseyesonher.Yeah,itwasweird,butshehadalwaysbeenabletofeel Logan’spresence.And whenhisattentionwasdirectedather,shefeltaburnthatpermeatedherwholebeing Shewonderedifitwentbothways,if theyhadsomekindofsubliminalcommunicationsystem.Neitherofthemhadeverspokenofitoradmittedtoit.Somaybeit wasjustherownobsessionwithhimthatmadehersensesacutelyawareofhimbeingnearorlookingather Jinxturnedherheadandsaw Loganstandingafew yardsawaywithagroupofmenandwomen,all dressedtotheteeth, oneatelevisionactresssherecognized,anotherababewhohadherhandonhisarm.Loganworetrouserswithadressshirt thatwas openatthe collar Atthe sightofhimher heartrate shotup to the top ofthe charts His eyes boringinto her sent shiversandheatthroughherwholebodyanddowntohercore.
Whatshouldshedo?Hewassooutofherleague Wouldhislittlegroupsnubherifsheapproachedhimtotalk?Hehadnot returnedherphonecallandshewasn’tsureifthatwasbecausehisassistantdeemedhertoounimportanttorelayit,orifhegot itandthoughtthatverythinghimself Eitherway,itmadeherfeellousy
Thentherewasthewomannexttohimwholookedlikeshewasreadytodroptoherkneesandgivehimablowjob.Was shehisdate?
ButwhyhadhegoneoutofhiswaytovisitBajinx?AndtogetheracommissionwithPortia?Wasitguilt?Guiltforwhat he’ddonetoVictorandforabandoningherwhentheyhadmadesomanyplansforherfirstyearawayfromhome?
Itwasalltoomuch Jinxdecidedtojustgivehimacurtnodandkeepwalking Partlybecauseshedidnotwanttogivehim the satisfactionofseeingher shuffle up to himlike a thankful urchin, and partlybecause the tall womannextto himwould toweroverherinbothsizeandbeauty.She’dalreadyhadenoughTinkerBellhumorforonenight,thankyouverymuch. AsJinxambledtowardtheexit,shediscoveredshewasnotalone.Therewassomeonewalkingalongsideher.Aguyshe recognizedfromoneofthebigfootballteamsherdadliked.
“Whomadeyousoangry?“hesaid.“Wantmetobeatonhim?”
Jinxpausedinherstride.“What?Whatareyoutalkingabout?Beatonwho?”
“Theguywhoputthatfrownonyourface”HesmiledandJinxhadtoadmithewasalooker,evenifsquarelybuiltbrawny guysweren’thertype.Shesmiledbackandhesaid,“ThebartenderovertheremakesthebestManhattansandyoulooklikeyou needone”
“Youmayberight…”
“Russ,”hesupplied,andputahandonthesmallofherback,turningherinthedirectionofthebar “What’syourname?”
“Jinx,”shesaid.
Hiseyebrowsknit.“Thatcan’tbeyourrealname.”
“Well,mybirthnameisGianna,butmysiblingsstartedcallingmeJinxwhenIwasakid,anditstuck”
“Butdoesn’titmeanbadluckorsomething?”
“Yeah,butIliketothinkI’vetransformedthemeaningofit”
Helookedather like he wasn’tsure whatshe meant,andJinxcouldtell hewas one ofthose guys whowouldnever get whatmadehertick Andthatwasokaybecauseshehadnointentionofgoinganyfurtherthanadrinkandsomebantertosave herslightlydentedprideinfrontofLogan.
Yes,shewasplayingagame,butsheknewafootballhunklikeRusswouldhavenotroublereplacingher,sowhatwasthe harminit?Besides,shecouldn’tstopherselfatthispoint
Theyarrivedata blue Plexiglas bar withcoloredlights behindit,andRuss pulledupone ofthe highbar chairs for her, takingtheonenexttoher
WhentheManhattansweresetonthebar infrontofthem,Russclinkedglasseswithher andthestrongbitter tasteofthe whiskeyseemedliketheperfecttonicrightnow.Thewayithitherstomachwasnotgreatsinceshehadbeentoonervoustoeat anythingexcepta bite ofapple before she leftJenna’s apartmentand the server workingfor Portia had refilled her rumand Cokeatleastthreetimeswhiletheyweretalkingaboutherjewelry.
ShefocusedonRuss,tryingtolethisplayfulbantertakehermindoffLogan,butshewasfailingmiserablyonthatscore Andthereitwas thetingleofLogan’seyesonherback.Jinxdidnotdareturnherheadtoconfirmit,butshedidn’tneed to Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhowouldbetthehouseonherfeelings Yeah,maybeshe’dbeenwrongafewtimes,but Oh.Aha.Betconfirmed.Loganappearedinherperipheralvisionnow,steppinguptothebaronherrightside.Shekepther focusonRuss,lettingherfingerstouchhisforearmthatrestedonthebar.
“Hey,Russ,”Logansaid,hisvoicesmoothanddeep,thesensualityofitvibratingrightthroughher.
“Hey, Logan,” her new friend said. Jinxwasn’tsurprised theyknew eachother. Theyobviouslyraninthe same circles. AndlongbeforeLoganbecameahugesuccessheusedtomakefriendswitheveryonehemet
Shestaredintoherdrink,hisscentsurroundingher,thatsamesandalwoodsheusedtosmellonhimwhenshewasateen.If shelookedathim,her gamewouldbeup Hewouldseehow muchshewantedhim,how muchpower hehadover her inso manyways.
“Jinx…”
“What?”shegroundoutbetweenclenchedteeth Russletoutarumblingchuckle.“Soyou’retheonewhogotherallpissedoff,huh?Youtendtodothattowomen.” “Guessso,”Logansaid “Listen,willyouexcuseusforaminute?”
“Sure, man.” Russ gotup. “No harm, no foul, right?” he said, obviouslyworried he’d moved inona womanwho might belongtoLogan
Ashewalkedaway,Logansaid,“Howmanydrinkshaveyouhadtonight?”
Herheadsnappedaroundandsheglaredathim.Buthewassoclosethatitthrewheroff,shakingherup.Goodthingshe wassittingonthebarchairorshemighthavebuckled Italsomeantshewasface-to-facewithhimratherthanstaringintohis broadchestasshewouldbeifshewerestanding,notthatshecouldn’tfeeltheoverpoweringforceofhisgloriouslymasculine physiquenexttoher Buthisface Logan’ssculptedcheekbonesanddarkpenetratingeyesandsumptuouslipsthatshewanted sobadlyonhers…
Shestoppedherwildthoughtsandshotback,“Noneofyourbusiness”Sheturnedaway,herfingerswrappingaroundthe stemofthecocktailglass.Shewantedtotakeasipindefianceofhim,butwithhimwatchinghersocloselyshewasafraidher nerveswouldmakeherhandwobbly.
ThesteadycalmandconfidenceshehadfoughttomaintainearlierwithPortiahadcompletelydissolvedatthesightofhim Suddenlyshewasthatawkwardteenagain,thegirl whospiedonhimandherbrotherwhenevershecould,everyglimpseof Loganatreasuredimagetostoreawayinhersecretvault
Ofcourse,therewasthetimeatacommunitypicnicwhenshesawhiminthewoodskissingagirl,hishandsalloverher.It had bothexcited her and upsether. Atnightinbed she would move her ownhands over her bodypretendingitwas Logan, imagininghimkissingher,cravingherwiththehungershefeltforhim.
Hishandreachedoutandpulledherglassaway.Heglancedatthebartender,saying,“She’sflagged.”
Thatdidit.“Stopplayingbigbrother.Idon’tneedanyonewatchingovermeandIdon’tneedyourfavors.” “So,howcomeyoushoweduptonight?”
“Iactuallycameheretotellyouthatverything,butwhenIgottothedoortheysentmedirectlytoPortia” “Great.Betshelovedyourwork.”
“Maybe,”shesaidwithashrug “Shehasn’tmadeadefinitecommitment” “Shewill.Andyoushouldchargeherfor ”
“Idonotneedyouradviceorguidance”Jinxslidoffthehighbarchairintendingtowalkaway,butsheslippedandnearly toppled.Logancaughther,onearmaroundherwaist,theotherunderherbreasts.Andtherewasthatburnagain. Shefoughtagainstthesensationandgentlypushedoutofhishold,steadyingherselfonherfeet. “Thenwhydidyoucallmyoffice?”heasked “Whydidn’tyoucallmeback?” “Idid”
“Y-youdid?”Jinxpulledherphoneoutofherpurseandthereitwas.AvoicemailmessagefromLoganBennett. Sheplayedit: Guess your call was about Portia She loved my wrist cuff If you want to talk about how to handle her or want me to send my limo to the North Fork to pick you up, reply on this number. Jinxblewoutasigh.“Look,IknowIshouldbethankingyouinsteadofactinglikealittlesnit,butit’sallsoconfusing.All thatstuffwithmybrother ”
“Lies.”Eyeslockedoneachother,theystoodsilent,hermindracingwithallkindsofthoughts,pastandpresent,whileher bodyjustwantedtomeltagainsthis “Youweretheonlyonewhobelievedmebackthen,”hemurmured.
Sheclosedhereyes,thenslowlynodded,whispering,“Istilldo.”
His hand reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, giving her shivers. “How come you didn’t wear any earringstonight,toshowoffoneofyourdesigns?”
Shesmirked “Idid Iworeafour-hundred-dollarpairthatPortiajusthadtohaveimmediately Whethershewilleverpay meforthem…”
“Shewill Portia’snotabitchoraconniver”
“Didyoutwohaveafling?”Jinxcouldhardlybelievesheaskedit,butatthispointshewasreadytolayitallonthetable. “No,”hesaid.“She’saclientandfriend.”
“Areyoumarriednow?Havekids?”
“Neither.”
Jinxwasonarollaskinghimthesethings,leavingherselfopen,revealingjusthowmuchshecared Butwhatdidshehave tolose?ForallsheknewshewouldneverseeLoganagainfortherestofherlife.“Whataboutthatblondebeautythat’satyour sideinmostthephotosofyouonline?”
Hisgaveherahalfsmile.“So,you’vebeenstalkingmeonline.” Jinxpursedherlips.“Imighthavedoneasearchortwo.”
“Deenahasahusbandandthreekids Sheismybestfriend,theclosestthingtoasisterIhave” “You’vegotanawfullotoffemalefriends.”Jinxshookherhead.“Idon’tknowwhyI’maskingallthis.” “Becauseyouwantme”
Shelookeddownatthefloor,knowinghewasright,butLogan’sfingercameunderherchinandliftedit,makinghermeet hiseyes
“Youusedtohaveacrushonme,”hesaid.
“Bigsurprise.Likeyoudidn’tknowthatallthoseyears.”
“Comespendthenightwithme”
Sheheldbackagasp.Thenrecoveredandsaid,“Ifmybrothereverfoundout…” “Ithoughtyoudidn’twantabigbrothercontrollingyou”
Jinxgazed athim, tryingto decide whatto do, notwantingto miss whatcould be her one chance to satisfyher biggest fantasy,thatdreamofdreamsshe’dhadforsolong Butstill,shedidn’twanttobejustanotherfemaleonwhatwasnodoubta longlist.
“Onenight,Jinx.Thatis all Iask.I’mdueinLAinanother day,soit’s notlikewewill be abletoturnitintomore.It’s somethingyouandIhavebothwantedforsomanyyears”
Herheartsoaredhearinghimsaythat.Shehadseensignsovertheyears likehimgazingatherwhenhethoughtshedidn’t know butshehadneverletherselffullybelieveit,fearingshemightbewrong “YoukeepanapartmentinNewYork?” “Yeah.You’llliketheview.Rememberthatsummernightweclimbedontheroof?Justthetwoofus?” Shenodded,thenbitherlip,stillhesitant.
“Look,Idon’twanttochallengeyourloyaltytoyourbrother,butifwemakeitaone-night-onlyagreement,thenIdon’tsee howourspendingthenighttogethercanhurthim.”
“Especiallyifhedoesn’tknow.Andwehavetomakesureheneverfindsout.” “Isthatayes?”
JinxreachedforhishandandLogantookhers,thenstartedwalkingtotheexit And,boy,ifmerelyholdinghishandwasdoingthesewildthingstoher,shecouldn’timaginewhatspendingawholenight withhimmightbring
Jinxwasin“tabooheaven”assherodeinthebackofaprivatelimowithLogan.Hesaidheusedadriverratherthanhis Ferrariwheninthecitysinceparkingwasalwaysanissue Althoughhesatnexttoherreadingmessagesonhisphone,the airbetweenthemseemedtocracklewithanticipation.
Orwasshetheonlyonefeelingit?Loganhadsuchacooldemeanoritwashardtoreadhim.Hehadalwaysbeenthatway. Meanwhile,thearousalfactorofhavingsexwiththisoutrageouslyhandsomemanwasheightenedtenfoldbythetabooof himbeingofflimitstoherforsomanyyears firstshewastooyoung,hewasherbrother’sbestfriend,thenshewassupposed toshunhimbecauseofthebreakwithherbrotherandthereforewithherwholefamily
Yeah,Jinxcouldbeanexcitementaddictattimes,andherinnervoicecalledoutafewwarningstohertonight,reminding herofallthetimesshehadjumpedintoaromanticliaisonwithoutathought,onlytohavetobacktrackoutofamessysituation down the road. Each time, she justified it as her search for the passionate larger-than-life love she swore she would find someday.Yeah,NatalieandBaileybothcalledherimpulsiveandevenreckless,but
“Areyouinvolvedwithanyonerightnow?”Loganasked,yankingheroutofherthoughts “Youmeanlikeaboyfriend?No.”
“Iassumedtherewasn’tone,consideringyouwereabouttosleepwithKirktheothernightand ” “Iwasnot.”
“Well,thenwhywereyouleavingwithhim?”
“Idon’thavetoanswerthat.”
Loganlaughed and gazed ather withsuchaffection, itbroughtanother issue to mind. One she was notaboutto mention. Seeingthegenuinecarefor her inhis look,Jinxrealizedthis littleadventurecouldbedangerous toher heart Whenshehad gotteninthe limoshe hadonlybeenthinkingaboutthe greatsexshe was hopingfor,butsittinghere now withLoganfeltso cozyandwarmthatitmadeherrealizeshewouldhavetoguardherselfagainstwantingmorethanthisonenight His boundaries were clear. Didn’t he sayhe was goingbackto LAina dayor so? Logandid not suggest theytest the watersandseeiftheywouldmakeagreatcouple.(WhichJinxbettheywould.)Hisinvitationwasforonenightonly.Soshe hadbettergetherhead andheart onstraightforthis.
Theyarrived ata highrise inthe LincolnCenter neighborhood and wentinto a doormanbuildingwitha marble-floored lobby HesidesteppedtheelevatorsandJinxfiguredmaybeLoganwasoneofthosefitness-obsessedmenwhoalwaystookthe stairs.And,ofcourse,shehadwornstilettoheels.Butthenhestoppedatadifferentelevatorandusedakey.Oh.
“Youhaveapenthouse?”sheasked
“Yep.Fifty-fifthfloor.”
“Wow.”Andthatwasthewordthatwantedtoburstoutofhermouthwhentheygottohisfour-bedroompenthouse.Trying not to sound too provincial, Jinx tempered her expressions of awe at the broad open-plan living room and dining room, followed by another sitting area with overstuffed sofas, and a modern kitchen with lots of stainless steel. But the most spectacularthingwastheview floor-to-ceilingwindowsthatlookedoutoverthecity
“IjustneedtoletthepersonIwasgoingtostaywithknowIwon’tbebacktoherapartmenttonight.”Shepulledherphone out,settingherpurseonasidetable,andwhippedoutafasttexttoJennatellinghershewouldbespendingthenightwithan “oldfriend”shemetattheparty.
“AnybodyIwouldknow?”heasked.
“DoyourememberCasey,Natalie’sbestfriend?” “Sure.Thosetwowereinseparable.”
“ThisisCasey’ssister,Jenna” “Theballerina.”
“Yep.” She sent the text to Jenna, and then put her phone down on the coffee table and could not help rushing to the windows. “Looking out fromthis height makes me feel like I’mflying. I love the city lights against the dark night. It’s so beautiful”
Logan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders his chin resting gently on the top of her head. “That’swhyItookthisplace Idon’treallyneedthespace,sinceIhavenofamily AlthoughIdouseitsometimesforbusiness associatesfromoutoftown.”
Ithither then whatLoganmighthave feltwhenhe losther family She hadbeensocaughtupinher ownsadness over losinghimwhenheandVictorhadtheirfallingoutthatsheneverfullyrealizedwhatthatlossmusthavemeantforLogan.
Hehadnooneexcepthisfatherwhotreatedhimsocruelly.ThatwaswhyVictorhadbegunbringinghimtotheD’Alessio homeforChristmas,springbreak,andsummerbreak Duringtheirfourundergraduateyearsandoneyearofgradschool,Logan hadbecomeamemberofherfamily’shousehold,andhadevengottentoknowpeopleinthecommunitybecausehe’dworked summerjobsthere
“WhodoyouspendChristmaswith?”sheaskedhim.
His eyebrows shot up and he backed off slightly, Jinx feeling the loss of his warm strong arms that she’d wanted so desperatelyaroundher.“Youhavealwaysbeenabletosurpriseme,”hesaid,“andbelieveme,thereisnotanotherpersonin thisworldwhocandothat.”
Sheshrugged,noticinghedidnotanswer her question,andtheystoodtherestaringateachother Themoodshifted,their eyeslockedonceagain.Shedidnotknowwhichoneofthemmovedfirst,butallofsuddenshewasinhisarmsagain,Logan pullingherclose,herhandsmovingalonghisbackashislipspressedintohers,histonguedivingintohermouth
Jinxcouldhardlybelieveit.ThiswasLogantouchingher,Logankissingher,Loganholdingher.Hishandwentintoherhair andhetuggedagainstthebarrettethathelditontopofherhead,tossingitasideandthreadingthefingersofbothhandsthrough herthickwaves.
“I’vewantedtodothatforsolong,”hemurmured,hislipsagainsthertemple.Thenheheldherheadstillandkissedhertill shewasbreathless
Jinxbeganunbuttoninghisshirtandhefinallysteppedback,pulleditoffandtosseditaside.Herhandswentimmediately tothetautridgesofmuscleonhistorso,asLoganworkedonherblouseandthenquicklydisposedofherbra Stillkissingher, hepinnedheragainsttheglasswindow,hishardcockgrindingintoherandsettingheronfire.
He played withher breasts, thenlowered himself for a taste, his nibblingand suckingmakingher whimper. Her hands strokedthroughhis hair anddowntohis shoulders as he unzipped her jeans, thenhelped her outofthemas she toed offher shoeswhilefranticallygrabbingforhistrousers.
“Inahurry?”hesaidinateasingtone
“Idon’twantalotofforeplay,”shesaid,herbreathraw.“Iwanttofuckyourightnow,Logan.Ihavewaitedsomanyyears forthis Ican’twaitanylonger”
Thosecharcoalbrowneyesmethersandheliftedherinhisarms,cradlingheragainsthischest,andcarriedherdownthe hall tohisbedroom.Evenheretheflickeringlightsofthecityatnightwereondisplaythroughthefloor-to-ceilingwindows. Theroomwaswhite-walledwithpalegraybedding,aloveseattooneside,andtwolight-coloreddressers,plusnightstands flankingtheking-sizedbed.
Stillinhistrousers,Logansethergentlyonthebedandthensteppedbackandtookoffhispantsandboxerbriefs Watching himmadehersexacheforhimevenmore.Hiscockwasbig,andeventhoughJinxwasshort,shehadadeeppelvisandknew shecouldtakeallofhim
She sat up and grabbed his shaft, making himgasp. He looked so hot and smelled like heaven. She could not decide whethertolickhiscockoraskforacondom.Shewantedbothsobadly.
Logandecidedit,touchingher wrist,saying,“Wait Wehaveall night IwantthefirsttimeIcometobeinsideyou Isn’t thatwhatyoujustsaidyouwanted?”
“Yes Ijustgotdistracted YoulooksexyashellandIwantitall”
“Ialwayslovedtheenormousappetiteyouhaveforlife,”Logansaid,grinningatherandrollingonacondom.Hecrawled overheronthebed,hislipsgoingtoherear,thentravelingdownherneck
“Enough,”shegrumbled,herarmsandlegswrappingaroundhimandpullinghimin.“Timetoshowyourstuff,bigguy.”
Withonethrust,Loganburiedhimselfinsideherall theway,fillinghercompletely,andthenbegandrivingintoheragain andagain
Jinxmethiseverymoveastheypantedandmoaned,clutchingandthrusting,andwhenherolledtohisback,pullingheron topofhimshegavehimasgoodasshegot
“You are the most beautiful creature every born,” he whispered to her as she rode him. Then his expression changed, almostasifLoganwasshockedthathe’dsaidthat.
HerolledtothesideandturnedJinxontoher knees,thenrammedintoher frombehind.Itfeltgreat,butnowaywasshe goingtoletLoganBennettfinishtheirfirstclimax andforallsheknewitcouldbetheironlyone unlesstheywerelooking
intoeachother’seyes.
Jinx crouched and flipped to her back again, one hand pulling his cock to her opening, the other armpulling his torso againsther Hiselbowsbyherears,supportinghisweight,hischeeknexttohers,hewentintotheirdance,poundingintoher, buildingfasterandharder,hisslickbareskinagainsthers,andwhenshewasreadytocome,Jinxgrabbedhisheadandlooked intohiseyes,thenpulledhisforeheadtohersasshescreamedoutherorgasmthatseemedtogoonforever,andhisdeepshouts joinedwithhers.
Logancollapsedontopofherandshestrokedhisback,breathinghardandlovingthefeelofhissix-foot-somethingbody onhers.Herolledtohisbackandpulledherwithhim,hisarmaroundherwaist.Thenhislipsbrushedhercheek,herforehead.
Jinxhad no idea whatto say, and apparentlyhe didn’teither. Buttheycommunicated withlooks and touches and kisses. Ironically,itseemedtoJinxlikeanextensionofthewaytheyhadalwaysbeenabletosilentlycommunicate,oftenwithother peoplearound.
JinxandLoganspenttherestoftheir onenightfeastingoneachother Sheindulgedher desiretotastehis cock,bringing himtohiskneeswithherministrations.Hereturnedthefavor,givingheradoubleorgasmwithhistalentedmouth.
Theymadeloveagainandagain,intheshowerandonhisloveseat,butmostlyinhisbigcomfybed,whereshelaynow watchingtheglowofdawngraduallyreplacethesparklinglightsofthenight.
Theywerestillbarelyspeaking,onlyamurmurhere,amoanthere,andJinxwasgladofthat,becauseshedidnotwantthe outside worldintruding Whether itwas Logan’s business or her familyor her hardheadedbrother or Portia or anymundane thingthatmightpiercehercloudofblissorinterferewiththewonderofhavingLoganinherarms.
WHEN JINX WOKE upshelookedoutatthebrightbuildingsfromher view highabovethecity.Shehadfallenasleepatdawn withLoganlyingnexttoheronhisstomach,histhightouchinghers,hisarmacrossherwaist Yummy
Butthebedwasemptynow.Thewholepenthousequiet.
Shewasnotsurprised Sheknew Logan’sbusinesscamefirst,thatheworkedlonghoursandseldomtookadayoff Yes, theyhadagreedononlyonenight,butthatdidnotmeanshecouldn’twishtowakeupinhisarmsanddoalittlerepeatoflast nightandmaybeevensharebreakfast.
Oops Thatwouldbelunch Theclockonhisdresserread12:23 GoodthingshehadarrangedwithBaileyandElena,one oftheirsalesstaff,tocoverforheratBajinxforthewholeday.Sheshuffledtotheensuitebathroomandfoundcleantowels laidout,presumablyforher
Logan’sbathroomwastodiefor spaciouswithtracklightingandcounterspacegalore,plusasquaretubthatlookedlike it had a Jacuzzi function She stepped into the brown-and-tantiled walk-inshower withfour showerheads Perfect wayto soothehermusclesthathadgottenanonstopworkoutlastnight.
Jinxsmiledtoherself,her hands movingthe soaplather over her breasts anddownher torso,as she recalledthe feel of Logan’shands,theweightandstrengthofhishardmuscledbody,theexcitementofhishungrymouthalloverher
Afterdryingherselfoffandgettingherwildhairtoobey,shenoticedheroutfitfromlastnightwasdrapedontheloveseat inthebedroom SosweetofLogantodothatsoshedidnothavetowandertothelivingroomwheretheyhadtornthemofflast night.ThechangeofclothesshehadbroughtfromhomewassittinginhertravelbaginJenna’sapartment.Ohwell.
Sheglancedaroundtoseeifhehadbroughtherpursetothebedroom,butitwasn’tthere.SoJinxstrolledouttowardthe mainarea,peekinginroomsalongthehallasshewent.Sparebedroomsandanoffice,aTVroomandaworkoutroom,eachso neatandimpeccablyfurnished.
The livingroomdiningroomarea and the kitchenwere flooded withsunlight and so airyshe spread out her arms and turnedaroundherselfsingingthatoldsongfromSouth Pacific whereNelliestartstowonderwhatitwouldbeliketolivein thisman’sworld
“Stopit,”shesaidaloud,scoldingherself.ThiswasonenightandwhoknewhowLoganfeltaboutitthismorning?Orhow theywouldmanageherbrotheriftheydecidedtocontinueseeingeachother.Anddidn’tLogansayhewasdueinLAanyway?
Timetogetbacktoearth.Shegrabbedher phoneoffthecoffeetableandcheckedfor messages everythingseemedfine backonthehomefront.ThenshetextedJennaaboutcomingbyforherthings.ShedecidedratherthaninvadeLogan’skitchen, shewouldgrabcoffeeandasandwichonherwaythere
Butwherewasherpurse?Couldshehaveleftitattheclub?No.Shewouldnothaveherphonehereifthatwerethecase. WouldLoganhaveputitsomewheresafe?Jinxwentbacktothebedroomtocheckforit,butitwasnotthere Shestarted combingtherestofthepenthouse,thenrememberedshehadleftitonasidetableinthelivingarealastnight.
Hertoo-creativeimaginationgoingtotown,shebegantowonderifLoganinvitingherherewasmerelyatrapofsomekind to getbackatVictor who’d warned himto stayawayfromher And the purse could be used to prove it And she had gone willinglyintotheenemy’sarms.
ButthatwouldmeanLoganwastrulyasunderhandedanduntrustworthyasherbrotherhadinsisted
Confused and not sure what else to do, she found Logan’s private number in her phone from when he’d called her yesterday.Shetypedoutanannoyedtextsayingnothingmorethan, WHERE IS MYPURSE? Andhitsend.
Thatwaswhenshewanderedintothekitchenandsawthehandwrittennoteonthecounter Jinx
Make yourself at home Coffee on the side counter I had some groceries delivered this morning thinking you might be hungry when you wake up. Do you still like granola with nuts? Thank you for agreeing to our “ one night” of forgetting about the rest of the world and letting ourselves pretend things could have been different Don’t worry Victor will never know. Our paths will likely never cross again. I wish you much success and hope that you someday find a man good enough to deserve you, although I’m not sure one exists
Logan
JINX DID NOT BOTHER TRYING toholdbackthetearsthatformedinhereyes.Shesanktothefloor,holdingthenoteinherhand, andletherselfhaveagoodcry
Shehadknownitforyearsbutwastooafraidtoadmitit.Toowaryofallowingeventhepossibilitythatitmightbetrue. JinxknewLoganwasit Hell,she’dknownitsinceVictorhadfirstbroughthimhomewhenshewasateen Loganwaswhatshehadbeensearchingfor.
Thepassionatehigh,thatlarger-than-lifeecstasyshe’dexperiencedwhenshewasmakinglovewithhimlastnightwasthe verythingshehadwantedforsolongbuthadbeenunabletofind
Well,shehadfinallyfoundit.
Toobadtheonlymanwhocouldgivethattoherwastheoneshecouldneverhave
Logansatathisdesk,noddingathisassistantwhowastellinghimsomething.Buthewasnotlistening.“Uh,Risa,Ineeda minutetoreaditover”
“Oh.”Shestopped,obviouslynotusedtoLogannotbeingontopofthings.Troublewas,allhewantedtobeontopof rightnowwasMs.GiannaD’Alessio.
“Justsenditalltomeasarevisedfile I’vegotacouplecallstomake,soitwillhavetowait” “Butyesterdayyousaid ”
“Thatwasyesterday,”hesaid,histone,hislookmakingitclearhisorderswerenottobechallenged Morelikehisusual self.
AndthatseemedtocalmRisa,thefamiliarityofit Shesaidsomethingelsehemissedandlefthisoffice
At whichpoint Loganswiveled his plushleather chair around and gazed out the tall twenty-third-floor windows of his cornerofficeandindulgedinrecallingtheimageofJinxsquirmingbeneathhim,ofherexpressionwhenshecame,ofhermouth onhiscock,ofherbeautifulfaceonthepillownexttohis
He could not remember ever beingthat excited, ever havingsexthat good. And he’d had plentywithsome of the most beautifulwomenintheworld
Butitwasdangerous,this.Amanneededfocusedconcentrationtorunabusiness,andLogan’smindwasouttolunchtoday. WasthiswhathappenedtohisfatherwhenhegotsoobsessedwithMirandahelethertakehimforaride?Letherruinhim? Shecouldlietohimandcheatonhimandhestilltookherbackeverytime.
Loganstoodup,fuming.No.NowaywasJinxanythinglikethatconnivingbitch.Jinxhadalovingheart.
He beganpacingbackand forthacross his large office, grumbling And Loganwas nothinglike his father, nor would he everbe.IfLoganhadason,hewouldlovehimandtreathimasapreciousgift.Notapaininthebuttwhowasinhisway.
AndJinxwouldnevertrytotakeadvantageofanyone Ever Shedidnothaveonceounceofevilinher Mischief,yeah He grinnedatthethoughtofhownaughtyshecouldbe.
Butwhenitcametoherheartandsoul,hermoralcharacter,thebigimportantstuff Jinxwaspuregold.
Whichwaswhyhecouldnotdragherintoaconflictthatwouldmakeherhavetochoosebetweenhimandherfamily.He knew how muchtheyall meanttoher.AndwhatkindoflifewouldsomeonelikeJinxhavewithaguylikehimanyway?He traveledacrossthecountryandtobranchesinEuropeallthetime Workedallthetime Partiedforthepurposeofnetworking orasafavortoaclient.Awifewouldonlybe
Hefrozeinplace “Wife?WhatinhellamIthinking?Howdidmymindgothere?”
He satbackathis desk, determined to getsome workdone, butthenhe noticed a few texts had come inonhis private phone,andonewasfromJinx.Theyhadagreedtomakethisa“onenightonly”thing,andhehadworriedthatshemightwant more.Now,herehewashopingshedid.
Hepickeduphisphone,andwentrighttohermessage.
WHERE IS MYPURSE?
Ohshit.He’dhadtoleavebeforethegrocerydeliverywouldarrive,andhedidnottrusthisdoormantowatchthedelivery personcarefully Her small beaded purse would be aneasythingto pickup and leave with, so he had stuckitina kitchen drawer,meaningtoaddthattohernote.Buthe’dforgottentodothat.
Loganclosedupa few things,thenhurriedpastRisa’s desk,tellingher he hadtobe outofthe office the restofthe day. Yeah,heoftenstayeduntiltenatnightunlesshewasmeetingaclientfordinner,anditwasonlyfourthirty Heracedthesixblockstohisapartmentbuilding,completelyturnedonatthethoughtthatJinxmightstillbethereifshehad nomoneyorIDoranything,thankstohisdumbmove
Sure,hecouldjustcallherandtellherwherethepursewas,buthehadtoadmithewantedtoseeheragain.Hecursedat
thevoiceinhisheadthattoldhimwhatawusshewasactinglike.Thatthiswomanhadhimbytheballs.
Butno,hejustneededonemoretasteofherandhewouldbebacktonormalagainandtheycouldgotheirseparatewaysas theyhadplanned
Whenhegottohispenthouseanditwasempty,hesankontothesofafeelinglikeafool.Notonlyforthewayhe’drushed overhere,butalsofornotevencheckingwhattimehertextmessagehadcomein Wherewashismind?
Up your ass, man.
Actually,itwasonherass Hepulledoutthephoneandsawshehadsentthemessagearoundnoon Overfourhoursago Hetypedin, Where are you?
Withinacoupleminuteshisphonebuzzed. My question came first Wiseguy I put it in a drawer so the deliveryman would not be tempted to take it
Areplycame: Your deliveryman likes beaded purses?
Helaughedandsentback: You know I have trust issues Now answer my question Home. Not great driving the length of LI with no license in the car. You should have stayed here
No.Hedefinitelyshouldnothavesentthatmessage.Butsomehowhisthumbshadjuststartedmovingbeforehe’dthoughtit through.
Loganheldhisbreath,waitingforareply
Butaftertenminuteswhennonecame,hegrabbedthebeadedpurse,grabbedthekeystohisFerrari,andracedofftothe garage
Thedrivewasagony,thankstorushhour traffic,hisfootonthepedal heavyunlesshesaw cops,hisear listeningfor the buzzofhisphoneincaseJinxreplied.Sure,itwasillegaltoanswerwhilehewasdriving,buthecouldpullovertoseewhat hermessagesaid.Hejusthopeditwouldnotbeanythingthatmadehimturnaroundandgobacktohislonelypenthouse.
ItwasjustaftersevenwhenLoganparkedonthestreetinfrontoftheaddresshe’dseenonherlicense.Hewalkeduptothe doorofatwo-storyclapboardcottagethatwasacoupleblocksfromthebayandheardadogbarkinginside Heclimbedthe frontstepstoawide,roofedporchthatremindedhimoftheoneatherparents’house.
Ashestoodthere,memorieshehadstuffedawaysurfaced,memoriesofsummershehadspentouthereontheNorthFork with Vic, the cherished friend he had considered a brother. With Victor’s warmand generous parents and his two sisters. Natalie,thecloneoftheirmom,andJinx,thebabythathehadalwaysadoredinbrotherlyways andinnot-so-brotherlyways hecouldneverlethimselfacknowledge. Untilnow.
Hesawherstandingatthescreendoorwatchinghim,adogbyherknees
“Wereyouevergoingtoringthedoorbell?”sheasked.
Withaquietlaugh,hesaid,“Iwasjustthinkingthisporchcoulduseaglider”
Thatbroughtasmiletoherprettyface.Anditwasn’tonlyhisdickswellingatthesightofit itwashisheart. Jinxopenedthedoorandherdogcameoutandsniffedhim.
“Howcomeyourdogisn’tbarkingatme?Ortryingtotakemyarmoff”Loganreacheddownandscrubbedbehindtheears ofthesmallblack-and-whitemuttwhosebreedhecouldnotguess.
“Teddycantellgoodguysfrombadones,”Jinxsaid
ThathitLogandeeperthanhethought,andherealizedbeingherewithJinxwasdangerousterritoryinmorewaysthanone. Itmadehimvulnerableinawayhehadnotallowedhimselftobeforthelastsevenyears
Unsureofwhattosay,hepulledherpursefromtheinsidepocketofhissuitjacketandhandedittoher.Shelookedgreatin blackcapris and sneakers. Her hair was pulled into a braid thathungdownher back. Her yellow fitted tee showed offher breasts Theywerereallybigfor someonesoshort,buttheywereperkylikeher Thememoryoftheir sweetnessthathehad savoredlastnighttormentedhim.
“Oh, thankyou,” she said, takingthe purse “Did youcome straightfromyour office? Isee youare still inyoubusiness duds.”
“Yeah,withapitstophometograbthebagandcarkeys”Nowaywouldhetellherhehadgonehomehopingshewould stillbethere.
“Doyouhavetimetovisit?”sheasked.
“Sure”Asifseeingherwasnotthereasonhe’ddrivenlikeamadmantogethere,afterleavingworkatanhourthatwas unheardofforhim.
Sheheldthedooropenforhim “IrememberedyousaidsomethingaboutaflighttoLA That’swhywhenIdidn’thearfrom youIfreakedoutthinkingyouwereonyour wayacrossthecountryalready,soIjustgotinmycar andprayednopoliceman stoppedme.”
“Thatmeetinggotputoff.”Yeah,he’dcancelledtheLAmeetingandrearrangedhisschedule anotherthinghehadnever donebefore.Andcertainlynotforawoman.
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It is delightful to witness the care which the swallow manifests towards her brood. When able to leave the nest, she leads them to the ridge of the barn, where, settled in a row, and as yet unable to fly, she feeds them with great assiduity. In a day or two they become capable of flight, and then they follow their parents in all their evolutions, and are fed by them while on the wing. In a short time they commence an independent career, and set up for themselves.
The notes of the swallow, though hurried and twittering, are very pleasing; and the more so as they are associated in our minds with ideas of spring, and calm serenity, and rural pleasures. The time in which the bird pours forth its melody is chiefly at sunrise, when, in “token of a goodly day,” his rays are bright and warm.
“The breezy call of incense-breathing morn, The swallow, twittering from the straw-built shed,” unite alike to call man from his couch of rest, and to praise “the God of seasons as they roll.”
After the work of rearing the young, ere autumn sears the leaf, the swallow prepares to depart. Multitudes, from various quarters, now congregate together, and perch at night in clusters on barns or the branches of trees, but especially among the reeds of marshes and fens, round which they may be observed wheeling and sinking and rising again, all the time twittering vociferously, before they finally settle. It was from this circumstance that some of the older naturalists supposed the swallow to become torpid and remain submerged beneath the water during winter, and to issue forth from its liquid tenement on the return of spring; a theory utterly incompatible with reason and facts, and now universally discarded. The great body of these birds depart about the end of September.
The Holy Scriptures make frequent allusions to this interesting bird. Jeremiah, reproaching the Jews for their turning away from God, alludes to the swallow as obeying His laws, while they who have seen his glory rebelled: “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.” viii. 7.
The Psalmist notices the partiality of this bird for the temple of worship, the sanctuary of God: “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” Psalm lxxxiv. 3. Hezekiah, king of Judah, wrote of himself, “Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter.” Is. xxxviii. 14. In these casual notices we at least trace out that the habits, migration, and song of the swallow, were known to the inspired writers; a circumstance of no little value, since a false assertion that the facts of natural history are not correctly stated in the Bible, has long been among the weak engines used by the infidel against the validity of that book, “which maketh wise unto salvation.”
The Sand Martin, or Bank Swallow, is a most curious bird of this family. It is the least of the tribe, and the first to arrive, appearing a week or two before the swallow, and often while the weather is severe. Its flight is vacillating, but it is equally fond of skimming over the surface of the water. This bird, unlike its race, mines deep holes in sand or chalk cliffs, to the depth of two feet, or even more, at the extremity of which it constructs a loose nest of fine grass and feathers, artificially put together, in which it rears its brood.
The sand martin is of a social disposition; hence flocks of them unite to colonize a favorite locality, such as a precipitous bank or rock, which they crowd with their burrows. Professor Pallas says, that on the high banks of the Irtish, their nests are in some places so numerous, that, when disturbed, the inmates come out in vast flocks and fill the air like flies; and, according to Wilson, they swarm in immense multitudes along the banks of the Ohio and Kentucky.
What, it may be asked, are the instruments by which this little creature is able to bore into the solid rock, and excavate such a chamber? Its beak is its only instrument. This is a sharp little awl, peculiarly hard, and tapering suddenly to a point from a broad base; with this tool the bird proceeds to work, picking away from the centre to the circumference of the aperture, which is nearly circular; thus it works round and round as it proceeds, the gallery being more or less curved in its course, and having a narrow funnel-shaped termination. The author of “The Architecture of Birds” informs us that he has
watched one of these swallows “cling with its sharp claws to the face of a sandbank, and peg in its bill, as a miner would do his pickaxe, till it had loosened a considerable portion of the sand, and then tumbled it down amongst the rubbish below.”
The Human Frame likened to a House.
Man’s body’s like a house: his greater bones Are the main timbers; and the lesser ones Are smaller joists; his limbs are laths daubed o’er, Plastered with flesh and blood; his mouth’s the door; His throat’s the narrow entry; and his heart Is the great chamber, full of curious art. His stomach is the kitchen, where the meat Is often put, half sod, for want of heat. His spleen’s a vessel nature does allot To take the scum that rises from the pot; His lungs are like the bellows, that respire In every office, quickening every fire; His nose the chimney is, whereby are vented Such fumes as with the bellows are augmented; His eyes are crystal windows, clear and bright, Let in the object, and let out the sight; And as the timber is, or great or small, Or strong or weak, ’tis apt to stand or fall.
