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

I was saying… I want to erase that cynicism from those beautiful green eyes. I want to make your dreams come true.”

His words struck Catherine in her heart. Unfortunately, she still didn’t believe he saw her as more than an interesting diversion from the more cultured, more beautifully dressed women at the party. Women who would trip over themselves for a chance at landing one of the state’s most eligible bachelors.

“You want a good time,” she said.

He had the audacity to grin. “That, too.”

She wanted to give in to that handsome face and easy smile, which meant she had to get out of here, to her empty apartment where safety and reality would reassert themselves.

“Logan,” she said, not wanting to give him further reason to believe he affected her. “I think…”

A loud thud cut her off as the closet door slammed shut behind them. She jumped at the unexpected sound.

“Hold that thought.” He touched her lips with one finger. Heat traveled between her mouth and his skin.

A shiver took hold. Desire? Fear? Probably both. Though she liked to flirt, she’d never reacted to a man with such carnal, sensual awareness before.

Before she could think further, he strode to the door and jiggled the door handle. The muted sound of metal hitting the marble floor sounded from outside. He muttered a curse.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing as long as you aren’t claustrophobic.” He held the doorknob aloft in his hand. “Looks like the old lady has her own agenda. Not that I mind.”

An uncomfortable feeling arose in the pit of her stomach. “What are you saying?” She eyed the doorknob he held onto and shook her head.

He banged on the door with his fist. “Open up, Gran.”

“What’s your hurry?” Emma called out. “The company’s good, and the way things look, you’ve got plenty of time. I’ve got to find someone in this house who understands hardware. I think I did serious damage.” The click of heels on the floor sounded as she walked away.

“She didn’t,” Catherine said, glaring at the door through narrowed eyes. She wasn’t claustrophobic, but she disliked the feeling of being trapped. Especially with this man.

“She did.” Logan shrugged. “Sorry. She tends to get carried away.”

“She?”

“You wouldn’t be suggesting I set you up?” Disbelief and humor lit his gaze. “I’m interested, not desperate. I can get my woman without Gran’s help.”

“Your woman?” She swallowed a laugh. “That has a Neanderthal sound to it.”

He shrugged. “I kind of liked it.”

“You would. So, how about breaking down the door, Tarzan?”

“If I give it a shot, will you have that drink with me?”

“You wouldn’t stoop to using your grandmother but bribery is okay?”

“Is that a yes?”

She believed he had nothing to do with their current predicament. The eccentric older woman would definitely pull a stunt like this. The only question was why. Emma certainly couldn’t think Catherine was an acceptable choice for her grandson nor could she believe Logan incapable of getting his own dates.

Speaking of dates, she had a decision to make. The closet, which had seemed so large when she’d first entered, was shrinking by the minute. She couldn’t breathe without inhaling the scent of spice and man, an erotic combination that stole her breath and threatened to take her sanity next. One drink in a public place was much safer than hanging out alone with him now.

She glanced at his handsome face and forced a casual shrug. “One drink,” she agreed.

She hoped she didn’t live to regret those two little words.

Chapter Three

Relief at her acceptance warred with the steady beat of desire pounding inside him. “Should I be flattered that you accepted?” Logan asked. “Or insulted you want out of here so badly?”

“Neither. I accepted because I’m thirsty. Now, give it your best shot.”

He wouldn’t have an inflated ego as long as Catherine was around. Logan was honest enough to admit he wanted her by his side for awhile. Long enough to get to know the cautious woman with the sassy mouth.

He needed time, but time freely given, not under duress. He eyed the door and slugged it as hard as he could with his shoulder. His bad shoulder. Hell, after years of college baseball, both shoulders were bad, and this one rebelled against his attempted escape. It rolled in the socket and he groaned in pain.

Catherine was by his side in an instant. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault,” he muttered through gritted teeth. He counted to ten and waited for the pain to subside. Since it often popped out in his sleep, Logan was used to the routine. Slowly, the shoulder numbed as the pain eased.

Soft hands reached for his collar. Logan let her slip the jacket off his shoulders. If she wanted to play nurse, he’d let her. He wasn’t proud that he was taking advantage of her concern, but he doubted he’d have a better chance to catch her with her guard down.

She lowered herself to the floor, her back propped against the wall. “Sit.”

Logan lowered himself beside her.

She turned and began working the sore muscles in his arm with her fingertips. The pressure felt so good he groaned in relief. “That feels great. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now, tell me how we ended up like this. What made you think Emma was in here?” Catherine asked.

He leaned his head backward and focused on the rhythmic motion of her fingers pressing through his shirt and into his skin. “The cocktail server who said, ‘Your grandmother is waiting for you in the coat closet.’ Nothing unusual or sinister about that…” Her fingers pushed deep and eased off, caressed and massaged the sore muscle. “Unless you know my grandmother. Mmm. A little deeper.”

She complied. Those fingers worked magic and Logan found himself seduced… by her scent, her touch, by her.

“Better?” she asked.

“Much.” As close to perfect as he could get without lying naked beside her.

“Someone should come looking for us any minute,” she said.

“If you believe that, you don’t know my grandmother.”

“Maybe, but there’re plenty of people out there who can