Rachel.â
Rachel had met Logan a year and a half ago through their mutual friend Kate. Having just finished her report about a mother who killed her two kids and then stored their bodies in a freezer, Rachel hadnât been in the mood to socialize. But she hadnât wanted to disappoint Kate, so sheâd gone out anyway.
Rachel had heard only good things about Logan and was eager to meet him. But after Kate had introduced them, he ignored her most of the evening, acknowledging her only to argue with her on every little comment she made. After an hour of it, sheâd decided to keep her mouth shut, not wanting to ruin her friendâs night. Sheâd spent the rest of the evening observing the way Logan smiled at Kate . . . spoke to Kate . . . lit up for Kate.
That night, sheâd realized Logan was in love with Kate.
And that he didnât like her .
She stood and faced him, ready to try to play nice. She gestured to his hands. âStill playing with ropes I see.â
âStill pretending youâre not curious about them.â His expression didnât change, but she heard the smirk in his voice.
âIâm not curious. I got over playing cops and robbers when I turned seven.â She tossed her long hair over her shoulder. âAnd by the way, I always did the tying up.â
He chuckled. âOf course you did.â
âWhy would you say âof courseâ?â
He inched closer, the spicy musk of him reaching her nose. âBecause youâre a control freak.â
She crossed her arms and took a step toward him, so close she had to tilt her chin up to look into his copper-colored eyes. âIf the shoe fits . . . â
He tossed the rope onto the small end table beside Danielleâs chair and wrapped his hand around the top of Rachelâs arm, the heat of his fingers searing her skin. âNo, thereâs a difference between me and you.â He lowered his voice. âI find serenity in control while you wouldnât know serenity if it bit you on that finely shaped ass of yours.â
He let go of her and she stumbled back into the chair. If she wasnât mistaken, there was a compliment blended in with that insult. Reminded by his comment of how she kept her ass finely shaped, she turned from Logan and nudged Danielle on the shoulder. âI do too have a hobby. I do Pilates five days a week. So there, I do something other than work.â
Danielle rose from the chair. âIt doesnât count if youâre on your cell phone the whole time.â
âI bet I could teach you how to relax,â Logan said from behind her.
She twirled around, raising her eyebrow. âYou gonna let me tie you up and gag you? Because that would definitely put a smile on my face.â
Laughing, Danielle walked away, giving her a little wave. Traitor.
He chuckled, the sound of it low and deep, which for some reason created a warm, syrupy sensation throughout her body. âNot a chance. But an hour with me, your bones would turn to liquid and youâd have the best nightâs sleep of your life.â
âAll from a little rope?â
âNo,â he said, backing her up against the wall. He caged her in, his right hand resting above her head and the other stroking her hip. âFrom the heart-pumping, thigh-clenching, eye-rolling orgasms Iâd give you while you were bound and gagged.â
Her breath stalled in her chest as the image he suggested flashed before her eyes, threatening to steal the tightly reined control she kept on herself. Then she remembered most men were full of shit. Plenty of others had promised to rock her world in the bedroom and not one had ever succeeded. âPretty cocky, Soldier Boy. Too bad thereâs no way youâll ever get to deliver.â
He lowered his head, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers. âAfraid to try, Tiger?â
Afraid? Sheâd gone skydiving. Swum with sharks.