Chapter 16: Chapter 16

LAUREN

Lauren had spent the whole week avoiding her mind and heart. It was begging her to answer Logan’s messages, and she had been able to stay strong so far, focusing on work to get her through.

She wanted to give in, her willpower usually not tested so strongly, but it helped to have Shana in her face every day talking about her work. It reminded her that she needed to protect Shana’s career in addition to her own.

At night, however, when it was just her and her BOB, she had no shame in getting herself off to the fantasies that plagued her sleep, fantasies based on the memories of a sexy billionaire with the sex skills of a god.

Of course work always kept her busy too.

She had a fundraising event tonight, and the client was a big one, one her dad had given her. The event was a usual event for her—dinner, dancing, drinking—and with a bottomless budget, it was sure to be a good time.

But she wasn’t in the headspace for socializing, especially when she couldn’t socialize with the one man she wanted to. And not just because Shana had taken back their RSVP a few days ago so they could go out of town on business.

Lauren and Logan were supposed to fuck, orgasm, and move on. Their one night of sex wasn’t supposed to affect anyone’s career, but it was affecting hers. Event planning used to fill her with joy.

She loved the organizing before, the overseeing during, and the wrap-up celebrating after. Making and seeing people happy was her passion, but as she got ready, all she could think was that she’d been wrong about making her career a priority.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Lauren pulled on her champagne-colored silk dress with a V-neck, high slit, and spaghetti straps. It was sexy and elegant all in one with a wrap-style front. She put on her strappy stilettos then did her hair and makeup.

Getting ready slowly made her feel better, like putting on war paint so she could be ready to take on anything. With her hair in a curly bun at the back of her head, loose tendrils brushing her shoulders and framing her face, Lauren felt better about the evening.

She drove to the venue, grinning when she pulled up to the villa. It looked exactly how she’d imagined it from the start: a red carpet over the front steps and down to the pebbles of the drive, lights illuminating the front pillars, doormen, and all the guests dressed to the nines.

It was the classy formal look she’d wanted.

Lauren pulled around to the back and went through the service entrance, greeting all the same kitchen staff and caterers she hired for almost every event she managed.

“Hey, Reg. How’s the canapés coming?” she asked, looking over his shoulder, her height just above his in her heels.

He grinned and showed her the serving tray, one of many that held all the items she had put on the menu.

“Amazing,” she said, grinning, then patted him on the back and went to the tech team to make sure all the lights and projections were working as needed.

Fabulous entranceway, check. Stunning food, check. On-point lighting, check.

Lauren slowly made the rest of her way through her list, triple-checking everything, before grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the waiters. Then she headed over to her client to see how he liked the event so far.

The very large bald man was beaming, his stunning wife on his arm smiling as much as her plastic surgery allowed. Lauren caught his eye as she approached.

“And here she is!” he said, turning toward her and raising his glass. “The woman of the hour who made all this happen, Lauren Landon!”

She put on her best red-carpet smile and came into his circle, raising then sipping her champagne. “Thanks, Mr. Evans. I was just coming over to see how you were enjoying the evening.”

Mr. Evans said something to his guests, but Lauren stopped listening. Her ears couldn’t hear through the familiar suffocating scent that hit her. She felt Logan’s approach behind her, but she refused to spin to face him.

“Lauren,” Mr. Evans said, “these are some associates of mine. They have some events coming up that might need some planning.” He gestured with a hand toward the men. “Gordon, Patrick, and Logan.”

Despite her stuttering heart, she shook their hands.

As soon as Logan’s closed on hers and their eyes met, images of their night together played in her head, only the picture changed to reflect what he was wearing now. His tailored suit hid nothing of his muscled body underneath. He was sex on legs, and it devastated her.

Her pussy’s response was Pavlovian, and Lauren squeezed her legs together to halt its weeping. One look, one touch, and she needed a minute. How ridiculous.

“Nice to meet you, Lauren,” Logan said, his deep, gravelly voice sending warm vibrations all through her.

She stole her hand back and took a shaky sip of champagne. All she could manage was a nod in his direction before turning back to Mr. Evans.

“Well, I’m going to go mingle and check everything is running smoothly. Let me know if there’s anything you need, Mr. Evans,” she said then left the group as fast as her trembling legs could carry her.

After making her way toward the emptier back halls of the villa, she leaned against a wall, emptied her champagne, closed her eyes, and took deep breaths.

She had to get a grip; he was just a guy she had slept with.

As her breathing got under control, she found herself feeling happy he had come, swiftly scolding herself for that happiness. Then she found herself wanting to spend the entire party on his arm, her inner boss immediately reprimanding her for not prioritizing her job.

He was supposed to mean nothing to her, and yet he was becoming something.

Annoyed with herself even more, Lauren moved to go back inside for more champagne when a wall of a man blocked her path, his massive frame suffocating the space she had made for herself.

Her breath hitched, and the butterflies in her stomach took flight. She clutched her empty glass as his name danced across her lips.

“Logan.”