Page 26 of Off the Ice

Logan’s paddle was already in the air before the emcee could ask for the next bid. “Fifty thousand.”

The room fell silent for a beat, the emcee looking delighted as he glanced around. “Fifty thousand from Number 16! Do I hear fifty-five?”

The other bidder shook his head, lowering his paddle with a resigned shrug. The emcee’s gavel hit the podium with a sharp crack. “Sold! Number 16, Logan Bennett, for fifty thousand!”

The room burst into cheers, Logan’s teammates whooping and hollering from across the tables. He leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a satisfied grin as he gave a small wave of acknowledgment to the crowd.

I forced a tight smile, clapping along, but my chest felt like it was caving in. My thoughts spiraled uncontrollably. Did he buy it forus? Or was this for someone else—someone he’d rather be here with? Logan’s teammates kept cheering, their shouts of “Smooth move, Bennett!” and “Romantic weekend, huh?” cutting through the noise, but I couldn’t focus. The room felt too bright, too loud, and I needed air. I excused myself, mumbling something about needing to use the restroom, and slipped out into the foyer. The quiet was immediate, the cool air brushing against my skin like a balm. But it did nothing to stop the questions swirling in my head.

I paused near a staircase, my mind racing. What had I gotten myself into? The lines between fake feelings and real were starting to blur, and I wasn’t sure I knew where we stood anymore.

“Ava,” Logan’s voice called out, concerned but not loud.

I turned to see him striding toward me, his brows drawn together. He stopped a few feet away, his hands in his pockets.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… a lot,” I said, gesturing vaguely toward the ballroom. “The crowd, the money, the noise, the... everything.”

He frowned, studying me closely. “You’re not telling me the whole truth.”

Before I could respond, his gaze shifted past me, landing on a small alcove tucked into the side of the foyer. Without a word, he stepped forward, his hand gently wrapping around my wrist as he led me toward it.

“Logan,”

“Shh,” he murmured, pulling me into the shadowed nook and pressing me lightly against the wall.

The next thing I knew, his hands were on my waist, his body crowding mine in the best way. His lips felt like cloud soft pillows against mine, and I melted into him, the tension in my chest unraveling as I kissed him back with everything I had. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. I could feel the hard press of his body through his suit, the solid heat of him leaving no room for doubt about how he felt. When we finally broke apart, gasping for air, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm on my cheek.

“Next time you’re overwhelmed,” he said, his voice rough and low, “Tell me. Don’t run. Deal?”

I nodded, my fingers curling into the lapels of his jacket. “Deal.”

Logan’s forehead rested against mine, both of us catching our breath after the kiss that had turned my world upside down. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the heat radiating off him, his hands still resting firmly on my waist. He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest as he leaned back just enough to look at me. His brown eyes were warm, searching mine for something I wasn’t sure I was ready to give.

“You want to go back in? Stay for a few more auction items?”

I blinked at him, still trying to process everything. “You… want to go back?”

He grinned, that signature cocky smile making a reappearance. “I dropped fifty grand, Ava. I figure we might as well eat and drink, maybe stick around a little longer. Besides, I’m not ready to leave just yet.”

I hesitated, the rational part of me screaming that I should step away, put some distance between us. But the part of me still reeling from the kiss, the part that had felt the solid weight of his body against mine, won out. “Okay. A few more.”

He straightened, offering me his arm with a casual ease that made it impossible to say no.

“After that, we’ll head back to my place. Chinese takeout, some TV. Nothing fancy.”

I raised a brow, slipping my arm through his as we headed back toward the ballroom. “Takeout and TV? You really know how to treat a girl, Bennett.”

He smirked. “Trust me, baby I know you love it.”

I didn’t respond, but as we stepped back into the glittering chaos of the gala, I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d just agreed to—and why the thought of a night at Logan’s place didn’t feel as dangerous as it probably should.

Fifteen

Ava

Thecarridebackto Logan’s apartment was quiet but comfortable. The city lights blurred past the window as I leaned back against the plush leather seat, my thoughts still a little tangled from the night. Logan sat beside me, his tie loosened, the top button of his shirt undone, and his jacket draped casually over his lap. He looked ridiculously relaxed for someone who’d just spent fifty grand at an auction.

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