***
Later that afternoon, I headed back to Pine, more than ready to get Logan naked. I called her.
Again, her breathy voice answered. “Max, I’m so sorry. I’m not home; I’m at the store. Kate had an emergency. Pierre thrashed her place. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Dammit, Logan, I don’t care about Kate. You just got out of the hospital—”
“I’m not doing anything, I promise. I’m delegating work to a girl who sometimes assists me.”
Biting back my irritation, I said, “I’ll pick you up. What time?”
“Hmm, five would be safer.”
“Okay. And Logan, I want you on your knees for this prolonged torture. My balls are turning blue.”
A husky laugh escaped her. “My mouth will make it all better for you, Mr. Meade-Sinclair.”
A half hour later, I park outside the apartment. As I got out of the SUV, a sports car with tinted windows idling on the opposite side of the street snagged my attention. Hell, this was a busy street with cars hanging about at times. But an itch bore down my back. All my senses tingled, and not in a good way. No, not reporters. Those bastards would be clamoring around me by now. About to cross over and find out who the hell was watching me or the apartment, Ray ran down the steps.
“Hey, Maximus,” she called out, and the BMW opposite sped off. “Wow, you got a haircut, cool. All set for the big day, huh?”
Dammit, these sisters talked. I had to remember that. Logan had told me about the Kama Sutra book Ray threatened to get me to satisfy Logan.
“Yeah, but I’m only the lowly assistant to my cousin,” I murmured, my attention on the disappearing Z4.
“Hardly lowly.” I heard the grin in her voice. “You’ll knock ‘em on their asses—people will fear crossing you when you have that whole dangerous look going for you. Now, I’ve gotta run, or I’ll be late for my shift.”
I glanced back at Ray. “I’ll give you a ride.”
She waved it aside. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Wait. You know anyone with a gray BMW Z4?”
Frowning, she shook her head. “No…wait, Devyn’s family has one.” She hastily scanned the street and looked back at me. “Was he here?”
“I’m not sure.” But a slow anger started to ignite within me. If that bastard was back, he would regret it.
“I wouldn’t worry about him.” Ray hiked her backpack on her shoulder. “He’ll probably shit his pants if he crosses your path again. God, I’m so glad Ila found you. See you later.” With a little wave, she sprinted for the bus that had stopped a building away.
Irritation still searing me, I glanced back at the apartment I had thought to crash at for a night. Instead, I’d ended up staying because of a pair of pretty amber eyes.
Though there was still an hour to go, I couldn’t wait for five. Kate could go hang. I needed Logan. And with that damn douche ex on the loose, I had to make sure she was all right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ila
“Bye, Gail, thanks for the hand,” I called out to my sometimes helper, a girl with shocking pink hair and piercings marching down both her ears.
“No probs,” she said, her tongue playing with her lip piercing. “I love doing this, but I don’t have a degree, which seems to be a requirement when working for Kate. Poor Pierre. He should find a woman who likes him for more than for his beautiful face and body. Hell, I’d go for him myself if I was straight.”
Laughing, I walked out of the storeroom and found Kate and Pierre at the front, arguing.
I felt for the guy, fighting to be with a difficult woman. I was so grateful Max had pulled me out of my hermit life and shown me how to love again. Just thinking of him had a smile curving my mouth. He wanted me on my knees, did he? I couldn’t wait. I’d show that cocky Mr. Meade-Sinclair exactly howIcould control him.
“Kate, I’m leaving.”
The woman gave me a terse nod, her attention fixed on Pierre’s tight features.
