Authors: Jez Strider
“That’s a relief. I heard there’s an observatory about thirty minutes away. Have you been there?” He asked, pouring his own glass before relaxing back once more and returning his arm over the back of the seat.
C
andice was sitting up straight and stiff, the complete opposite of Logan’s relaxed posture. “I went once on a field trip when I was a kid. Can’t remember it that well.” She took a slow sip of her beverage.
“
I figure it’s a good place for a first date. Nothing more romantic than the stars, right?”
She nodded slowly, not looking at Logan. His presence and power made her nervous, but more than that, the attraction to him scared her shitless. “You’re not how
I imagine most billionaires.”
He laughed. “Correction. My father is a billionaire. Though, I’m not hurting for money. What did you expect?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on. Sure you do.”
“Most rich people I’ve known have been conceited pricks.” She told him truthfully. “Most people in general are assholes, though. So maybe money doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
Logan studied her curiously. Her honesty was refreshing even if bitter. Most women only told him what he wanted to hear because he was
wealthy. “I get that. I’ve been pretty lucky. Sometimes I take it for granted.” He thought back on his intentions earlier in the day in regards to the homeless mall employee before he realized it was Candice. “I need to work on that.”
“Sorry. I speak my mind too much at times.”
“I’d rather you speak your mind and piss me off than keep your thoughts inside. It’s the only way I can get to know the real you.”
After taking another long drink, she leaned back in the seat and started to relax. Her head turned to the side to look at Logan. “I’d have to find her first. She’s missing.”
“I can help.” He leaned forward strangely unable to resist the urge to press his lips against her soft pink ones.
Just bef
ore their lips touched, the car started vibrating and veered to the side of the road. Candice let out a soft gasp and clung to Logan’s suit jacket. “Was that a flat tire or did we run over someone?”
“Felt like
a tire. I sure as hell hope we didn’t run over anyone.” Logan gripped the door handle and gave a push. Candice reluctantly let go of his jacket so they could climb out of the car. “Don’t worry. It’s just a flat.”
The driver walked back to meet
them. “I’ll have the tire fixed before you know it, Sir. The observatory is right up that hill there.” He pointed and they could see the outline of the building in the dark.
“Meet us up there later. I think we can walk.” Logan said. He took Candice’s hand and they headed toward the building. “Good thing you didn’t wear heels.”
She scoffed. “You saw me earlier. High heels are
not
a good idea.”
Logan gave the door a push when they reached the observatory and
it opened easily. He held it for Candice. “Ladies first.”
“Thank you.”
A table for two was set up in the middle of the planetarium room. Logan was leading the way down the stairs when Candice tripped. She fell right into his arms after giving a small scream. Her breathing grew faster as he held her close, their faces just inches apart.
“I told you I needed someone to catch.” He whispered.
“I’m starting to believe you.”
The room went completely dark for
a few seconds before the theater lit up with stars, planets, and galaxies above them. Logan set her down, making sure she was stable on her clumsy feet before leading her over to the dinner table. Glow from a single candle illuminated the space between them. A waiter served the first course and poured each a glass of wine.
“Do you do this for all your dates?” Candice asked, not sounding snarky, but impressed.
Carefully, she twirled her fork in the pile of spaghetti noodles.
“No.” He answered truthfully.
“You know, I wanted to be an astronomer when I was a kid. My dad was having none of that. I had to go into business. It was probably for the best.”
Candice stared up at the constellations formed by the stars above her. A memory of early days camping in the backyard of her parents old two-story came to mind. “I’m
glad you brought me here.”
“Tell me what you were thinking.”
She shook her head. How long had it been since anyone cared what she had to say? “I was remembering being a kid, roasting marshmallows, and watching for shooting stars.”
Logan felt something, a foreign tug at his heart. It was different than the ache when he
’d seen her crying in the floor, but deep and potent just the same. “We did that, too. On trips to the beach.”
“I guess most people have at some point. If only we knew how much those moments would mean to us later in life.” Candice took another long sip of her wine. She knew she needed to watch herself. It wasn’t often that she drank so it wouldn’t take much to get too tipsy.
“That’s why I try to live in the now. You never know when life will change or someone will be gone.”
She lifted her wine glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
Logan touched his glass against hers before bringing the drink to his lips, but never took his gaze off his date.
After dinner, Logan led Candice upstairs to the roof. The gate around the huge telescope was unlocked. Another example of what money coul
d buy.
Almost
anything
.
Candice stepped up first and leaned down to peer into the eyepiece. Her breath caught in her throat
and it wasn’t because she was looking at the wonders of space. Logan had moved closer and pressed against her from behind. She had gasped louder than she realized.
“Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Logan whispered, leaning down toward her ear. “The whole universe out there and as many stars to wish on as you want.”
“What do you wish for?” She asked, her voice a whisper as well.
Logan’s lips where still near her ear and he brushed his mouth over the lobe when he spoke. “If I
told you it would ruin the mystery. I’ll give you a hint. I think it came true today.”
That had her standing up straight and she turned to face her mind-boggling date. “Don’t bullshit me. If you’re saying all this to get into my pants… just tell me and we’ll have a great night either way. But don’t seduce me into falling for you if it’s not sincere. Just… don’t.”
To answer her question, Logan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. His family would never approve, he didn’t know what baggage Candice was carrying, but what he did know was that his heart responded to her more in one day than it had anyone else in an entire lifetime.
The night air had chilled her skin, but when his hand ran across her shoulder and pulled the strap of her dress down, nothing but heat radiated from every spot he touched.
She lifted her eyes modestly and he met her gaze, touching her cheek with his hand. He could see the fear, but also the mirrored desire. Maybe it was the alcohol affecting them both.
“I… don’t understand feeling so strongly for someone in the span of a day. I swear to you, it’s real.” He promised.
It was Candice’s turn. She slipped her arms over his shoulders and around his neck, standing on the tiptoes of her flats to kiss him again. Logan held her to him with an ass cheek in each hand, guiding her up against the fencing. He’d freed his erection from his pants at some point and before either of them had the chance to question their actions further, he took her. He ravaged her as he had no other woman before. This time, for the first time, he thought he was in love.
As she was urged to climax, Candice opened her
eyes briefly before they rolled back in her head. She caught a glimpse of Orion watching the new lovers from the starlit sky above.
Candice was a jumbled batch of emotions as they walked hand and hand downstairs from the roof. What was new? She was determined not to cry after the best fuck of her life. That was all she was calling it… a fuck. Anything more she wasn’t ready to face. Not even for a charming, eligible heir to billions.
“Are you okay?” He asked when they had made their way to the limo which was now repaired and parked outside. His genuine look of concern made her heart melt.
“Yes. Thank you for such a wonderful date. I certainly didn’t expect my day to end up like this when I got out of bed this morning.” She leaned back against the limo.
Logan rested
one hand beside her on the car and grew very serious. “About that. I’m renting a big house while I’m in town. Stay with me.”
“Stay with you?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not sure we should be moving in together after one date.” Candice tried to hide the temptation she was feeling. The back seat of her car didn’t make a great substitution for a bed. Eons
seemed to have passed since she’d slept soundly.
“I am not taking no for an answer.”
“You’re freaking me out now. I’ll just walk home.” Candice had taken a few steps away before Logan called out to her and made her freeze in her tracks.
“I know you live in your car.”
“You don’t know anything.”
He ran up and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “It’s okay. Don’t shut me out.”
Candice shrugged out of his embrace. She fought the embarrassment with anger. “Don’t touch me.” Facing him, her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t need your charity or your pity sex.”
“It’s not charity or pity. I… I think I
like you.” He stumbled over the words as he’d expected. The right ones wouldn’t spill from his mouth.
“You
. Don’t. Know. Me!” She said each word as if it were a sentence of its own. “Okay, let’s get it all out and see how you feel since you’re so keen on spying.” Candice’s arms moved with angry animation as she spoke. “After my parents died, I dropped out of college and married a man who ended up being a major dick. I lost what little I had except for my car. Then, I moved in with the only family I have left… my pill popper sister. She was arrested and I was out on my ass. That is why I live in my car.”
Logan took a step toward her again. “The past doesn’t matter. Just stay with me. I can’t stand to see you live in a car.”
Candice had her hands on her hips and she was fuming. It wasn’t even so much at her date, but at her horrible luck and choices. “Did you tell anyone else?”
“Of course not, but I was told by someone.”
“This is humiliating.”
Since she didn’t back away when he stepped closer, Logan hugged her to him. Her tears fell and she buried her face against his chest. “I’m not expecting anything in return for this. I promise.”
She lifted her head and he wiped away her tears carefully. “I’ll clean your house or something. I’m not a bum.” She told him.
A long sigh
of relief escaped Logan at the words of concession. “Whatever you want.” He guided her back to the limo and opened the door for her. “We will get your things in the morning.”
Candice nodded. She stared out the opposing window as the
y drove away. Her pride wouldn’t let her look at him again. He didn’t force her or say anything during the ride, but he pulled her close to him and held her tightly. A tender kiss on the top of her head was the only assurance he knew how to give.
Maxwell L. Harworth was the head of a vast empire of riches. His carefully crafted image painted him the romantic head of a loving household. Of course, it was all a fabricated lie. Years had passed since he’d slept in the same room as his wife and his son seemed to have little intentions of shedding his playboy attitude.
At least I keep my own antics private
. He thought to himself before picking up his phone. Max dragged his finger across the screen, intent on calling upon one of the ladies in his digital black book. Instead, he chose the number for his assistant. The late hour was of no concern to him.
“Hello, sir.” A groggy, mousy male voice came through.
“James. I want you to find my son a woman he will fall in love with. Make sure she knows the right things to say and that she will do anything. It’s time for him to grow up. I am not getting any younger.”
The assistant rubbed his face in frustration, but sounded enthusiastic when he spoke. “I will get on it first thing in the morning, Mr. Harworth.”
“Tonight, James.”
“Right, tonight.”
Maxwell ended the call without another word. There had to be a sexy socialite that would tame Logan. He just knew it. Satisfied with himself, he made the call he’d intended in the first place. A sultry voice filled the line accepting the invitation. He leaned back in his pricey leather chair and closed his eyes while he waited for one of his favorite whores.
With a gentle shake, Logan roused Candice from her slumber. She had fallen asleep at some point during the drive. He’d watched her silently, trying to figure out what was so special about the woman. Her instability should have pushed him away, but it did the opposite. He wanted to make it better. Do something to get rid of all that pain.