Page 140 of Sin Bin

The throb of raw fury in his voice chilled Meadow to the bone. But she certainly couldn’t blame him for being so angry. His father was a steaming pile of human garbage, and that was being kind.

“After some time, his secretary told me he would be right with me.” Logan swallowed hard, his fists balling and releasing at his sides. “I couldn’t go through with seeing him. I honestly didn’t trust myself not to do him serious bodily harm. So I got up and left before he came out. Fortunately I was drafted into the NHL shortly afterward, so I didn’t have to live in the same city as him much longer.”

Meadow’s heart clutched as she stared at Logan’s hardened profile. “I’m so sorry that your father didn’t do right by you and your mom. I don’t care how much charity work he does. You’re a far better man than he could ever hope to be.”

Logan’s lips twisted sardonically. “Somehow I doubt he’s losing any sleep over that.”

“Of course not. Because he has no soul.” Meadow swigged down the last of her whiskey, coughing at the burn.

“Whoa, easy there.” Logan took her empty glass and set it down next to his. Then he framed her face with his hands and leaned down until their foreheads were touching and their lips were a hairsbreadth away.

“Thank you for coming this week,” he said with quiet intensity. “It means everything to have you here.”

Her heart got all melty. “Not coming wasn’t an option. Well, maybe for a hot second,” she amended wryly. “You really threw me for a loop with that money.”

“I know.” His eyes glinted. “You made your feelings pretty clear.”

She sighed. “I didn’t mean to yell at you—”

“Yes, you did.”

She giggled. “Okay, yeah, I meant every word. But I was just so shocked. I wasn’t expecting anything like that. I pride myself on being self-sufficient, and I don’t ever want you to think I’m that kind of girl.”

His eyes narrowed. “What kind of girl?”

“You know. A gold digger.”

He looked deadly serious. “I would never think that about you, Meadow. You’re so far from that it’s not even up for discussion.”

She bit her lip, staring into his fierce dark eyes. “I’m not used to any of this. You. Us. This friendship of ours. It’s uncharted territory for me.”

“I know exactly how you feel,” Logan murmured, his thumbs caressing her cheekbones. “If it’s any consolation, I’m just as scared as you are.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into him. “I don’t like being scared.”

“You and me both.” He rubbed his nose against hers, making her insides go all fluttery.

She sighed. “I transferred half of the money to my bank account, but I haven’t touched it yet. I’ll probably withdraw some cash tomorrow and share it with some homeless people along the Strip. It’s heartbreaking and disturbing to see tourists practically stepping over the bodies of their fellow human beings as they rush to the nearest casino to blow wads of cash on slot machines.”

“Agreed,” Logan murmured. “Just be safe.”

“I will.” She bit her lip. “If you don’t mind, I’d also like to spend some of the money on Diego and Zari—the kids I told you about during my drive to Denver. Diego could use more art supplies, and Zari has a birthday coming up so I want to get something really nice for her.”

Logan nuzzled his cheek against her forehead. “God, you’re sweet.”

She smiled sheepishly, toying with a button on his shirt. “And, um, I think I will use some of the money to tide myself over until I receive my first paycheck. At this point, I’m not too proud to admit that my bank account could use a little resuscitation.”

“Whatever you want, babe. The money’s yours. If you need more—”

“Don’t even think about it,” she warned.

He chuckled, his eyes taking on an almost sleepy expression as they lowered to her lips. “I said I wouldn’t kiss you,” he whispered huskily. “It’s taking everything I have to keep my word.”

She shivered at the way his mouth hovered over hers, as if he were drawing sustenance from her breath. Not that she had any left in her lungs at the moment.

His arms went around her, holding her close as she rested her cheek against his chest. The powerful connection they shared throbbed between them with every breath, every beat of their hearts.

She closed her eyes as he nuzzled his face in her hair, tenderly brushing the strands off her forehead. When his fingers grazed her temple and paused, she tensed in his arms.

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