Page 23 of Flirting With Disaster

Anger and desperation flooded Elle. She blinked hard, shoving the tears to the background. “There’s information on those other files. Information we need.”

He pulled her into his arms and gently rocked. “I’m sorry. This one is a total loss.” She buried her face in his chest. “But don’t give up on me yet.”

Elle rested against him for a few seconds, drawing strength. Through the open drapes, a blanket of white weighted down the tree limbs. The branches had bowed under the pressure but hadn’t broken. Neither would she. “I’ll never give up.”

“I still have one more method to try.” He placed a call to his tech friend, explaining what had happened. Then he emailed the files to her. “If anyone can disarm the self-destruct, she can.”

“That would be great. So now we wait?” Elle tried to sound as if she weren’t worried. Inside, fear that she would let her grandmother down flourished.

“We do ground work.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Go downstairs, hit the gift shop. Pretend you don’t have a care in the world.”

“Why? What are you going to be doing?”

“Nicki had something on her mind when she asked me to call. I’m inviting her for a drink.” He leaned down for a kiss. “Maybe I can use her to get to Brandon.”

“It might work. She’s certainly interested in you.”

“Nicki and Brandon don’t know about the contest. Maybe it’s time I share that tidbit with her.”

Elle ignored the pang of jealousy circling around her heart. She returned to the couch and her book, covertly listening while Logan spoke with Nicki over the phone.

“She’s going to meet me in the bar.” Logan walked to her. He waited until she lifted her gaze and met his. “You understand this is strictly business?” His eyebrows lifted in question.

“Sure, I do.” Elle returned to her reading, refusing to fall for the bait.

She watched over the top of her book while he logged off both laptops and took his to his bedroom. Elle’s curiosity stirred or maybe it was jealousy. Either way, she didn’t like him meeting Nicki in the bar or anywhere else. Logan didn’t help matters by strolling out of his bedroom looking as if he’d stepped off the cover of GQ.

“Come on,” he said. “It would help if you’re seen out alone. Shop. Try to forget about the lost file for a couple of hours.”

Elle stood and straightened his shirt collar. She dusted imaginary lint off his shirt. She didn’t want him to go. After all these years of him holding her at arm’s length, she wanted to take advantage of this time together.

“Do I pass inspection?”

>

“Stop fishing for a compliment,” she joked. “You’re fully aware of the effect you have on the opposite sex.”

“I only care about the reaction of one individual of the opposite sex.” Logan threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her deeply. When he released her, she struggled to wipe the smile off her face.

“I gotta go.”

She took his hand and walked him to the door. “Careful she doesn’t wind up using you.”

His laugh echoed in the hall. Quick and hearty. She loved the sound. It made his eyes dance and her knees weak as hell.

Reluctantly, she slipped on one of her new outfits, piled her hair on top of her head, and went shopping. Her first stop was the gift shop, where she purchased a pair of crescent-shaped earrings. Tiny faux diamond chips surrounded the curved blue stones. They sparkled when she moved her head and made her feel more cheerful.

Next stop was the ski shop. She spent time chatting with the ski instructor, Ryan. Tall and twenty, he had a free hour, so he suited her up and they went outside. Bundled up with nothing more than her face exposed, the cold still sent tiny prickles across her cheeks. Ryan took her through the basics and over the small manmade terrain for students.

“You don’t need a lesson,” Ryan said. “Too many skiers think they can hang with the more advanced, and they wind up hurt. I suggest you try the beginner slope first. If you’re comfortable at the bottom, then try the more demanding slope tomorrow.”

“Good advice.”

After they’d gone inside, she thanked Ryan and then returned to her room, having fulfilled Logan’s request. She hadn’t spoken with Nan since arriving, and now would be a good time to call.

Elle kicked off her shoes, removed her bra, and piled the pillows high on her bed. With her cell in hand and her book back on the nightstand, she made herself comfortable. A call to her grandmother always made her feel better. They chatted about everything including why Elle was at Castle Alainn. She finally confided that Logan had been sent to keep her out of trouble.

“Not surprising. Eric has tried to be your dad for years. Want me to tell him to back off?”

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