For the Night: Complete Box Set (38 page)

‘You’re on your own, Sir?’ he asked, a look of
astonishment on his face.

‘Yes,’ I responded curtly, as I jumped into the
back.

‘Am I taking you to the party or home?’

‘Neither,’ I replied, as I undid my bowtie and the
top button of my shirt and ran my finger around my collar. ‘Take me to Mayfair,
to the Anaya club,’ I ordered.

‘Certainly, Sir,’ he replied, as he shut the door.
I stared out of the window, trying to get the ball of anger in the pit of my
stomach to dissipate. ‘May I ask why the change of plans?’ James asked, as he
secured his seat belt and started the engine.

‘I have no idea, it was going really well, then
suddenly she changed her mind,’ I shrugged.

‘In my experience, a lady doesn’t “just” change
her mind. There’s normally good reason.’

‘Then she just sees me for what I am, James. A guy
who’s paid to fuck women for a living. Why the hell would she want me?’ I
laughed.

‘Maybe that’s all you let her see. That’s only a
small part of who you are, Sir. If you want her to see you as something else,
maybe you should show her the real man, let her get to know you for you, not
just as Logan Steele. Keep up the façade of the escort and that’s all she’ll
ever see you as. You’re obviously excellent at your job, but no woman in her
right mind would want to date you while you do it.’

‘Who said anything about dating?’

‘Have you ever approached another client after a
booking, asking to see them?’

‘No,’ I replied with a frown.

‘So you’re possessive and jealous, you don’t want
her to see any other men and you arranged to see her out of your working
environment tonight, which is a first. What else would you call it? What did
you tell her this evening was?’

‘I … I didn’t exactly,’ I sighed. ‘I’m not sure
even I know what this was. It was all going fine, until I suggested we head
back to The Dalton and she went all cold on me.’

‘O dear,’ uttered James. I looked up to see him
shaking his head.

‘O dear what?’ I demanded.

‘I really am amazed that a man as intelligent as
you can be so clueless, Sir,’ he sighed. ‘You’re trying to woo a woman who
already has reservations about your job, which any rational woman would, then
you suggest spending the night in the hotel where you take your clients?
Possibly in the same suite?’

‘I haven’t used that suite since her,’ I objected.

‘Does she know that?’

‘No,’ I replied with a groan, as I covered my
eyes.
Damn it
. How could I be so bloody stupid? I lurched to the side as
James suddenly did a handbrake turn, flinging me against the door as he turned
the car around. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ I snapped.

‘Taking you back to that party, where you’ll go
and apologise to her and ask her out, or I’ll have to put up with you in this
shitty mood for another ten or more months.’

‘And what if I’m not ready to ask her out?’ I bit
back. ‘I’m not exactly in a “dating” place at the moment.’

‘Then you can watch from the side-lines and
complain as she dates someone else. She won’t be lacking for offers for long.’

‘Say if I do, and I’m not saying I will, what the
hell would I say to convince her?’

‘Do I look like some sort of Romeo?’ James shot
back, with an incredulous look at me in the mirror. ‘If I was an expert in
affairs of the heart I’d be running a dating agency, not driving you around the
city at all hours of the night. You’re the one with all the charm and the
moves. I just suggest that you be yourself. If she’s going to want to date you,
it will be for you, not for Logan Steele.’

‘God damn it,’ I muttered, as he put his foot
down. What the hell
was
I going to say to her? More to the point, was I
ready for this? A normal life again?

Summer

I walked around the
enormous function room with my parents, introducing them to all the directors
and film crew, blushing at all the praise that was heaped on me. I didn’t feel
deserving, but it did make me smile to see how much my dad’s chest swelled with
pride. It took my mind off how badly things had ended with Logan.
Why
couldn’t I be honest with him?
Just tell him that I liked him,
really
liked
him, but couldn’t be one of many? I nodded and tucked my hair behind my ear, as
I half listened to someone droning on about minimum box office takings required
for the second film to be viable. I felt like I had a big hole in my chest, I
hurt, badly. Why the hell would I admit that I’d fallen for him though? I bet
every client of his did. I bet it made his head and ego even bigger to know
that he was so irresistible, he probably got off on it. I was better off
steering well clear of him. Except part of me, a very large part of me, didn’t
want to.

‘So, this friend of yours tonight. Is he the same
friend you went out on a date with months ago and spent the night with?’ Mum
whispered in my ear.

‘Mum,’ I moaned.

‘I thought we didn’t have secrets?’ she asked, as
she looked at me and raised her eyebrows. We never had until that night with
Logan and I’d hated keeping the best night of my life from her, but she’d
sensed a change in me the minute I’d got home that day.

‘Yes,’ I replied as I rolled my eyes. ‘It’s him.’

‘The same one you cried about and you’ve mooned
over for months?’

‘I haven’t “mooned,”’ I protested.

‘Hmmm, we’ll agree to disagree on that. Did he
treat you respectfully that night? Like a lady?’

‘Yes, he was the perfect gentlemen, Mum.’

‘Why won’t you just admit that you like him?
Really
like him?’

‘Fine, I
really
like him, ok? But it’s not
like that for him, he doesn’t feel the same about me, however much I’d love him
to,’ I sighed, as I knocked back another free Kir Royale, feeling more than a
little squiffy by now.

‘Are you sure about that? Because it seems he
ditched his “other plans” to come back for you,’ she replied, as she nodded
behind me.

‘What?’ I exclaimed, as I looked around. I gulped
as my heart started beating wildly in my chest. Logan was standing by the
entrance, with his hands on his hips, scanning the room. His bowtie was hanging
around his neck, the sexy hollow of his throat showing where he’d undone some
buttons of his smart white shirt and his sexy dark hair was all ruffled, as if
he’d run his hands through it a number of times. He slowly turned his head and
our eyes met across the crowds separating us. I felt my chest rising and
falling rapidly as the temperature in this vast room rose. He flicked his head,
indicating for me to come to him. I considered ignoring his request, but when
faced with the prospect of him coming over and having to formally introduce him
to my parents, combined with the fact that I really wanted to know why he’d
come back, I didn’t really have a choice.

‘Go. Enjoy yourself, just send me a message if
you’re not coming home tomorrow night too,’ Mum ordered, as she took my glass
out of my hand.

‘Are you sure?’ I replied, as I tore my eyes off
Logan and looked back at her.

‘Sweetheart, tonight has been the first time I’ve
seen some sparkle back in your eyes. Just don’t let yourself get hurt, promise
me?’

‘I promise,’ I nodded. Nothing was going to happen
with him anyway, not until he explained himself to my satisfaction. Why did I
have a feeling that Logan might make me forget that statement? ‘You promise
you’ll stay and have fun? The driver will wait for you until you’re ready.’

‘I promise, go. Your father’s in deep discussion
about the best film of all time. He won’t have it that it’s not Star Wars, so
we could be here all weekend,’ she replied with a smile and shake of her head.
‘I’ll make some excuse for you.’

‘Love you,’ I replied, as I kissed her on the
cheek.

‘Love you too, we’re so proud of you.’

‘Thanks,’ I grinned and quickly started to weave
my way through the crowd. I passed Mark, the organiser of the event and put my
hand on his shoulder. ‘Sorry to interrupt, thanks so much for sending the car
for my parents, it was totally unexpected.’

‘What car?’ he asked, looking at me puzzled.

‘Mr. and Mrs. Beresford? The limo you sent,’ I
reminded him.

‘Summer I’m sorry, but it wasn’t us. The budget
didn’t cover family.’

‘Then who would …’ I stopped as I looked over at
the doors, where Logan stood leaning up against the wall watching me.
Logan.
It had to be. This man was so confusing. I walked towards him and he grabbed my
elbow, steering me out of the door before I had a chance to say anything. He
marched me into the stairwell, locked the door behind him and spun around to
face me, with his hands on his hips. I caught my breath as he looked at me,
fire burning in his eyes as his chest heaved. I took a step back as he moved
forward, before I knew it I was pinned against the wall, his hands either side
of my shoulders. ‘What are you doing here? You said you wouldn’t come back, Mr.
Steele.’

‘Enough with the “Mr.
bloody
Steele.”
Enough with playing games, Summer. I came for you. You drive me fucking crazy.
When I said you’re all I can think about, I meant it. Every bloody day,
constantly, you fill my damn head. Every time I get a bloody erection it’s you
that’s on my mind. I need to know if you feel the same, tell me that I’m not
imagining it?’ he demanded, as he lowered his forehead to mine, the heat of his
breath mingling with my own.

‘You’re not imagining it,’ I whispered. ‘But …’

‘No but’s, no talking each other out of this.
Let’s just have one perfect night and we can talk about what it means tomorrow.
I was stupid to suggest The Dalton, though I promise I’ve not been able to face
taking anyone back there since that night with you.’

‘You haven’t?’ I exclaimed, searching his eyes to
see if he was lying to me.

‘I haven’t. I didn’t want to ruin the memory of
what I had there with you. You’re under my skin, Summer Beresford. I’m falling
for you. So damn hard I don’t even know which way is up anymore.’

‘Logan,’ I sighed, as my eyes filled up again, he
seemed so sincere.

‘Just kiss me,’ he ordered, his voice hoarse with
emotion. I dropped my treasured clutch bag onto the floor as I reached up and
weaved my fingers behind his neck, stood on my tiptoes and let my lips brush
softly against his, shivering at the sparks that crackled between them and the
groan he let out. In a split second his tongue was in my mouth, plundering and
taking me forcefully as he pressed up against me, trapping me between his hard
body and the wall behind me as he clasped my face. I whimpered as I felt his
large erection grinding against my stomach. He could have anyone he wanted,
paid or unpaid, yet he’d come back for me.
Me.
He was right, we could
discuss what that meant in the morning, right now I just wanted him. Months of
dreaming about him, fantasising about him coming back to my house for me,
romanticising him carrying me off into the sunset in his arms, and here he was.
‘Summer, I need you,’ he whispered, as he finally broke away panting. ‘But not
here, not in a stairwell.’

‘Where?’

‘Your hotel?’ he questioned, as he bent down to
grab my bag and I quickly tried to smooth my ruffled hair back into place.

‘No,’ I uttered. ‘Some of the cast are there and
there may be journalists waiting too, I don’t need the extra attention, not
when I’ve already been pictured with you and said you’re just a friend.’

‘Follow me then,’ he ordered, as he handed me my
bag, unlocked the door and grabbed my hand. I followed him back into the
corridor, it was deserted, the party was in full swing and the noise of the
music could be heard drifting down towards us. He called for the lift, pulled
me inside and pressed a button for the basement as he dug his phone out of his
trouser pocket. ‘James, can you meet me at the service entrance? We want to
avoid photographers.’

I looked up at him as he spoke and felt my stomach
flutter. “I’m falling for you.” He’d really said that to me? This sinfully
handsome man wanted
me.
I thought of all the trouble he’d gone to
tonight, to make my evening even better. My flowers, dress, probably the
knickers as he seemed to like me in that blue judging by the dress he purchased
for me on my original booking. He’d also arranged the loan of this beautiful
jewellery and the car to make my parents feel special. He hadn’t had to do
that, no one was paying him this time. He smiled down at me as he nodded.

‘Yes, we,’ he said into his phone with a grin and
a wink. I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his waist as I
nuzzled against his chest. All the cocktails were making me brave. ‘I guess …
mine,’ I heard him say as his free arm snaked around me, holding me tightly to
him. ‘No need to make a big deal out of it, James … whatever, see you in a
minute.’

‘A big deal out of what?’ I mumbled against his
jacket.

‘Nothing,’ he replied, as he kissed the top of my
head and tucked his phone in his pocket. He stayed holding me until the lift
trembled as it reached its destination, then he grabbed my hand again and
looked left and right. He stopped to check a fire escape map on the wall, then
hurried me down a maze of corridors. He stopped just short of some exit doors
and undid his jacket and shrugged it off. ‘Turn around, arms out,’ he ordered
as he held it up. ‘It’s gone cold out and you have bare arms.’

‘What about you?’

‘I’ll be fine, I’m worried about you, do as you’re
told please.’

‘Yes, Sir,’ I grinned and saw his nostrils flare
as his eyes narrowed. I turned around and let him help me pull it on. I wrapped
it tightly around me and tried to sniff it without him noticing, blushing as I
heard him chuckle.

‘I take it I smell good?’

‘It’s nothing to do with you,’ I retorted,
embarrassed. ‘Didn’t your in depth research on me tell you I was a tuxedo
sniffing freak?’

‘Funnily enough, no,’ he laughed, as he spun me
around and tilted my head back to examine my face before sighing. ‘I mean it,
Summer. This isn’t Logan Steele the escort speaking. This is me. You affect me
… so deeply.’

‘If it’s not Logan Steele, then who am I with
now?’ I asked, as I looked into his sincere grey eyes.

‘Summer, I’m …’

‘Hey, what are you doing down here? It’s
restricted access,’ yelled a voice behind us.

‘Shit. Security. Unless you fancy being locked up
for the night, can you run in those heels?’ he grinned.

‘I can give it a damn good try.’ I giggled as he
grabbed my hand and slammed down the bar to open the alarmed exit doors. I
hitched up my dress with my other hand and we started running up the ramped
exit, with the guard yelling behind us.

‘Start the engine, James,’ shouted Logan as we
approached the limo, like we were running from a jewellery heist. James moved
with impressive speed around to the driver’s side and the engine was purring
before we even made it to the car. Logan shoved me through the open door and I
landed sprawled on the seat laughing my head off as he crashed down beside me,
slammed the door shut behind him and I heard the screech of tyres as James sped
away. I struggled upright and turned to face Logan who was laughing as well,
but we both stopped as we locked eyes. Seconds later I was straddling his lap,
hands in his hair as our mouths melded in an inferno of blistering heat. He
shoved his jacket off my shoulders and reached for the zip at the back of my
dress. I could barely breathe, I was on the point of hyperventilation. Every
part of my body was screaming for him to touch it, nothing compared to having
his lips or hands on me.

‘Ahhh,’ I whimpered, as I felt his fingers move
down my spine in time with the zip. My skin felt parched, starved of a sensual
touch. Sure Daron “grasped” at me during filming, but nothing about it felt
like it was for my pleasure. I knew Logan couldn’t be totally selfless, that he
must get something out of it, but even so, his fingers were so delicate.
Had
it really been ten months since he last touched me?
He groaned as he pulled
the dress away from my chest and my bare breasts came into view. I felt my
cheeks flush as he stared at them, licking then biting his lower lip before his
eyes moved slowly up to meet mine. I gasped at the look in them, pure
unadulterated lust, but something else was there deep in the recesses,
something that terrified but excited me at the same time. I couldn’t let myself
imagine what that look was.

‘Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?’ he
murmured softly, as he reached up with his hand and brushed my cheek with his
fingers. I leaned into them and closed my eyes, he constantly surprised me. I’d
expected him to go at me frantically, yet he was still being all tender and
gentle. I gasped and my eyes flew open as his tongue circled one of my
sensitive nipples, making it pucker as his fingers gently pulled on the other
one. I pushed my shoulder back and let out a cry. ‘Summer,’ he sighed as he
enveloped it in his mouth, nibbling, sucking, licking. I raked at his hair with
my short finger nails as tears of utter bliss streamed down my face.