Simply Scandalous (Simply Series Book 2) Carly Phillips (new books to read .txt) 📖

and a different desire kicked in this time. The need to have this music, their music, filling her ears at the same time he filled her body. A shot of desire rocked her hard, and she wrapped her arms around her stomach to stop the trembling.

“Cat? Cat? Are you okay?”

“What?” Her sister came into focus. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”

“Where did you disappear to?”

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to think. These gifts are…”

“Sweet? Thoughtful? Stop trying to put a word on it and go with what you feel.”

Catherine laughed. “I remember telling you to do just that before your first date with Kane.”

Kayla grinned. “And look where it got me.” She spread her hands across her large stomach.

“If you’re trying to scare me, you’re doing a good job.” But Catherine couldn’t deny the thought of being Logan’s wife, having his babies, held a strange appeal considering the short time in which they’d known each other.

She shouldn’t rush things. He wanted another night. Never had the long-term future been mentioned.

“Oh, come on,” her sister said. “Tell me you don’t want this.” She spread her arms out in a broad sweep. “The husband, the love, the security… the house, the kids…”

“The dog and the white picket fence? Get real, Kayla. This is me we’re talking about, not you. I don’t inspire a man to thoughts of permanence.” Of course, she’d never considered a future with any of the men she’d met, either. Until now.

“Oh, and you think I did? Before Kane, what did I ever get out of a guy except it’s been fun, see you around sometime? Why don’t you believe that one person exists who was meant for you? That you deserve it all?” Kayla asked, pure frustration in her voice.

“Because I’m not an incurable romantic like you. And even if I was, we’re talking about Logan Montgomery here. You didn’t see that house. I’m sorry, that mansion. The coat closet was bigger than our room growing up.”

“So? You said his house was your dream cottage. And before you start in, I have an answer for every argument you can throw out.”

“Except this one. Can you see me as the mayor’s wife?” Catherine stood and gestured to her outfit, the clothes she’d picked up from her apartment the other day. With a white T-shirt, black jeans, and leopard-print sandals on her feet, she wasn’t exactly the demure type.

“I can see you as the mayor’s unique wife, yes. I can also see you adapting. But as I recall, Logan denied the rumors. Instead, he’s pursuing you. He’s obviously not concerned about these things. Why are you? The past is behind us. You’re more than worthy of him… unless you’re looking for an excuse to steer clear,” Kayla guessed with dead-on accuracy.

“Would you please have this baby already so you’ll have something else to worry about besides me?” Catherine muttered.

“I could have ten kids and I’d still worry about you.”

“I know.” Tears filled her eyes. Without Kayla, she’d have no one.

She told herself she wasn’t foolish enough to believe Logan was in it for the long haul. She glanced at his thoughtful, sentimental gifts. No matter how much her heart disagreed.

Chapter Nine

Catherine didn’t have to wonder what she wanted from Logan. He’d made certain of that.

She wanted him.

Every gift, with every note, had led her to that conclusion. When all her thoughts were consumed with him, what else could she possibly desire? She shook the globe and watched the snow shimmer and fall on the summertime scene.

And after listening to the low strains of jazz all afternoon, her heart throbbed in time to its beat, and her body yearned for his touch. She was beginning to believe he was right and that they had a chance.

He hadn’t called. No doubt that, too, was calculated to heighten her sense of anticipation. It worked. By the time the doorbell rang, Catherine didn’t care about backgrounds, class, money… or anything except being with him again. Because not only had he seduced her, but he’d also chipped away at the wall she’d erected to keep him at arm’s length. He’d reached her heart—from a distance, at that. Heaven help her now that he was here.

Kane beat her to the door. His and Logan’s greetings bought her time to calm her raging nerves. By the time she made her way downstairs, the two men were deep in conversation. They’d probably discovered they had the law in common, even if Logan did work to spring the men Kane put behind bars. Good thing they worked in separate jurisdictions, Catherine thought wryly.

She caught sight of him the second her feet hit the floor of the small entryway. She took in his dark denim jeans, an olive green shirt pulled taut over his broad shoulders, day-old razor stubble, and nearly lost it right then. His penetrating gaze met hers, deep and knowing. He looked at her as if he could read minds, as if he knew her most secret desire.

He held her gaze and winked. Catherine drew a deep, shuddering breath. Because she saw it in his eyes. His feelings mirrored her own.

Although he continued to talk to Kane, Logan held one hand out toward her. No sooner had she come within touching distance than he snagged her hand and linked their arms together, drawing her close. His skin was warm, his touch possessive and welcoming. She thought she’d calmed the flutters in her stomach, but they returned full force.

She’d never had a father to greet her dates and she felt twice as ridiculous now at the thought of making small talk with Logan and Kane. She cleared her throat. “So. I see you two have met.”

Kane nodded. Logan opened his mouth to speak.

“But we haven’t.” Kayla’s voice sounded from the top of the stairs and cut him off.

“You’re supposed to be in bed,” Kane growled, but Catherine heard the affection laced with concern in his tone.

“And I suppose one of you was going to bring Mr.