“I bet you did.” Santino gave a grim little laugh. “Roxanne’s ready to pack her bags and come stay with you to make sure you’re all right.”
“I know,” Logan said softly, watching Jupiter’s car pull into the garage. “I told her not to worry. I’m in good hands.”
“I have no doubt.” Santino’s voice warmed. “I told that young lady she’s good for you. Always has been.”
“She is,” Logan agreed with a quiet smile. “She’s one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
The night before playoffs started, Logan went to see Hunter. Jupiter was attending a community outreach forum, so she would be home late.
Hunter lived in Cherry Hills Village, one of the most affluent cities in Colorado. His sprawling Mediterranean-style mansion sat on ten acres with stunning mountain views.
Logan passed through the security gate and drove up the long winding driveway to the detached ten-car garage. Hunter was a car aficionado with an extensive collection of cars that he stashed here and at his homes in Canada and Italy.
Logan parked in a guest spot and made his way up the walk to the double front doors.
Hunter’s pretty little housekeeper answered the door. Her cheeks were flushed and her dark hair was slightly mussed. She’d either been scrubbing toilets or getting busy with the boss. The latter seemed unlikely since Hunter swore he’d never touched her.
She was the youngest daughter of his parents’ closest friends. When she couldn’t find work in Quebec, Hunter had offered her a generous six-figure salary to relocate to Denver and manage his household. She totally idolized him. Family friend or not, she probably wouldn’t object too strongly if he ever invited her into his private harem.
She smiled, smoothing loose strands of hair back into her bun. “Bonsoir, Logan.”
“Bonsoir, Juliette. Comment ça va?”
“Ça va bien, merci.” She beamed at him. “You speak French so well.”
“I took it in high school.” He smiled. “Is your boss around?”
“Oui. He’s home.” She opened the door wider. “Come in.”
Logan stepped into the massive foyer and toed off his boots. He did the same thing whenever he entered Viggo’s home. Sandström was Swedish, so removing shoes at the door was customary. With Hunter it was part nod to Japanese tradition, part OCD.
As Logan carefully lined up his boots by the door, he saw Juliette watching him. He winked at her.
She blushed and smiled shyly. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Not at the moment. Thanks.” He glanced toward the double staircase that wound up to the second level before branching off into two separate wings. “So what’s he up to? Trying to solve the mysteries of the universe?”
“Did that last week.” Hunter had materialized as silently as a ninja. His chest was bare above the low-slung waist of black drawstring pants.
Logan gave him a lopsided grin. “Bro, I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”
Hunter’s eyes glinted. “I was just about to meditate. Why don’t you join me?”
“Ah, no, that’s okay. I’ll just—”
Hunter had already turned and walked off, leaving Logan no choice but to follow.
The twelve-thousand-square-foot house had ten bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The place was humongous, and some of the hallways felt like a maze as they turned in on themselves, making it easy to get lost if you didn’t know where the hell you were going.
Hunter did a lot of entertaining. It seemed that every other week he was hosting a dinner party, fundraiser, masquerade ball or gala art opening. So the size of the house perfectly suited his needs.
“So, listen,” Logan said to Hunter’s broad back, “I was wondering if you could show me how to make one of those fancy dishes of yours.”
Hunter chuckled. “You came here for a cooking lesson?”
“Uh, yeah.” Logan felt uncharacteristically sheepish. “Jupiter’s staying with me until we hit the road for game three. I want to make a special dinner for her on Saturday night. You know, to show my gratitude and appreciation for the way she was there for me on Tuesday. I mean, both of you were. But she’s my girl, you know? So I just...” He heard himself rambling and paused, biting his lip uncertainly. “What do you think? About the special dinner?”
Hunter sent a smile over his shoulder. “I think that’s a superb idea.”