Page 30 of Billionaire Bachelor
“You know…what I’m hearing is that my boobs are partially responsible for your fortune. Maybe I should consult an attorney about getting a cut of that.” I wink in jest.
Logan leans his trekking poles against a tree trunk and turns toward me. His big hands cup each side of my jaw as he says, “Rosie, you could ask for the fucking world, and I’d find a way to get it for you.”
God, this man.Could he be any swoonier?
It’s tricky wrapping my head around how we got here, with so much history between us, all these years later, but I know one thing for certain: Whatever this is, no matter the challenges we’re going to face, it’s worth exploring.
11
ROSALIE
The cabin feels impossiblyquiet as I pull on my coat and set my bag by the front door. It’s early; the sun is barely peeking over the snow-covered pines, lighting up the room in a soft glow. I sigh, feeling the weight of my impending departure. This weekend was everything I never expected—everything I never knew I needed—but now it’s over, and it’s time to jump back into reality. I rub at the ache over my sternum, not ready to say goodbye. Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a choice because my flight takes off in a few hours, and I need time to return my car to the rental agency.
Logan wanted to drive with me to the airport, insisting he could take an Uber back to the cabin, but I knew saying goodbye would be easier if we didn’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not like this is the end for us. Logan and I are both on the same page. We want to explore this new dynamic we’ve established, even if we have to keep it between us for now. I’m sure the next five days will fly by because I’ll be so busy at work. It reallyisn’ta big deal. So why am I being so damn emotional?
I close my eyelids and take a deep breath, tuning into my senses. The fireplace crackling softly, the smell of charred wood mixing withthe pine-scented air. God, it’s already starting to feel like a distant memory.
My misty eyes pop open when Logan’s footsteps pull me from my thoughts. He takes one look at me, and I know—I just know—he’s reading my mind right now.
He crosses the room in a few long strides, pulling me into a hug. “You’re killing me, Pip. Are you sure I can’t drive with you? It’ll give us an extra hour before we have to say goodbye.”
“I’m sure.” I squeeze him back, burying my face in his chest for just a moment longer. “I’ll be fine, Logan. I’ll see you as soon as you get back home.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he promises, crouching down to cup my face in both hands. Today his everchanging irises are more of a burnished bronze, barely a hint of green exists. “Don’t overthink it, Rosie. We’ll figure out how to make this work. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no other option. You hear me?”
I nod, holding back a sob as his lips meet mine in the sweetest kiss. I reluctantly pull away, already missing the comfort of being in his strong arms, but I need to hit the road if I’m going to make my flight. I straighten my shoulders and take a steadying breath. With one last look at Logan, I grab my bag and step outside into the cold morning air.
The snow crunches under my boots as I walk toward my rented SUV, the icy chill a stark contrast to the heat I felt in Logan’s arms moments before. I throw my bag into the back, slide into the driver’s seat, and start the engine. As I pull the car around, my eyes flicker to my rearview mirror. Logan is standing on the front porch, watching me drive away, a solemn look on his face. I raise my hand in a small wave, but I don’t trust myself not to go back if I linger too long, so I hit the gas and head for the main road.
I don’t bother turning any music on or even calling my cousin to make the miles go by faster. My mind is too preoccupied wandering back to the cabin, to the memory of Logan’s hands on my skin, simultaneously heating me up and sending chills down my spine. His lipstasting and teasing, yet bringing me the greatest relief I’d ever known. The way we moved together, so exhilarating, yet so comfortable, as if we’d been intimate a thousand times before. It’s all so confusing, but at the same time, it makes so much damn sense.
But right along the edges of those warm memories, reality tugs at me, persistent and impossible to ignore. No matter how effortless this weekend felt, the situation is complicated, and it’s bound to get messy at some point. Our jobs alone are demanding enough. Throwing my family, our shared history, and a secret relationship into the mix is just asking for trouble. But the thought of walking away? I can’t picture myself doing that.
A text notification dings from my phone, but a distracted driver I am not, so I let it go unanswered for now. Before I know it, I’m pulling into the rental car return and heading into the airport. I’m not checking a bag, so I decide to use my phone app to check in rather than waiting for a kiosk. When I retrieve my cell from my purse, I smile, my heart beating wildly as I see the incoming text from earlier.
Logan:Miss you already, Pip.
My grin widens as my thumbs fly across the screen.
Me:I miss you, too. Just got to the airport.
He replies almost instantly.
Logan:I’m counting the minutes until I get to kiss your pretty lips. BOTH sets. But in the meantime, if you’d like to send some sexy pics to tide me over, I wouldn’t complain.
A deranged snort-laugh flies out of me, so loudly it draws the attention of several people in the bustling terminal. I tuck my chin in embarrassment, shaking my head as I type out my reply.
Me:I’ll see what I can do when I get home.
Me: But for now, I need to get to my gate. They should be boarding any minute. I’ll text you as soon as I land.
Logan:Have a good flight, baby.
I’m grinning like a loon as I weave through the crowd toward security. Luckily, I have priority screening, so I’m through in under five minutes; no hour-long shuffle behind grumbling passengers required. Honestly, the eighty bucks I threw down for the Homeland Security background check was some of the best money I’ve ever spent. Five out of five stars, for sure.
By the time I reach my gate, they’ve just started boarding, so I don’t bother sitting down. Once I’m settled in my window seat, I take out my phone to send a quick message to Sylvie.
Me:On the plane, about to head home. Can you sneak away for brunch? We need to chat ASAP.
