When We Met

CH 36 Rosaline

Slipping back into Logan's quarters, the damp chill of the underground cellar still clung to my skin. I had missed my brothers' company desperately these past months posed as Logan's servant, but our covert reunion stoked the flames of determination burning within. Soon, they would infiltrate Logan's clan as sleeper agents, playing the long game until we could strike. Regaining control of our cartel grew nearer with every careful step of this intricate dance with Logans plan. Though the path remained shrouded in shadows, our goal gleamed ahead like a solitary beacon freedom from the shackles, by any means necessary.

The shadows clung thick and inscrutable as I slipped back into Logan's wing of the estate. My covert rendezvous with Mateo and Alejandro had proven most illuminating regarding the next crucial phase. Still, a small thrill ran through me at having to be so clandestine - sneaking about in pursuit of our grand objectives held a delicious sort of forbidden excitement.

As I approached Logan's chamber doors, a soft flickering glow emanated from the space beneath. How peculiar...I extended my senses but could not detect any obvious cause for alarm. Steeling myself, I eased one of the heavy doors open.

My steps slowed as I processed the unexpected sight before me. The room was awash in a warm, intimate candlelight from a dozen scattered tapers. In the center, Logan sat at a small dining table laid out with an elegant place setting, an ornate silver domecover concealing what I presumed to be our meal. He cut an exceptionally striking figure in his tailored evening suit, though his expression remained impassive, almost cool.

"You're late," he remarked mildly, one hand toying with the stem of a crystal wineglass as I faltered in the doorway. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd gotten yourself into trouble out there."

Snapping out of my daze, I stepped fully inside and closed the door behind me. "I...wasn't aware we had dinner plans this evening," I replied carefully, still uncertain of his motives for such an elaborate setup.

One side of Logan's mouth quirked upwards in a small smile that somehow failed to reach his eyes. "Indeed, my dear, we did not have any official plans. However..." He rose fluidly from his seat and strode toward me. "I find myself increasingly in want of your company as things continue accelerating toward their inevitable conclusion."

My breath hitched as he drew nearerEnough that I could detect the woodsy notes of his cologne, could see intricate depths in his emerald eyes in the intimate lighting. He truly did cut an undeniably attractive figure tonight - perhaps too attractive, I cautioned myself. This was Logan, my friend, my compatriot in our great undertaking. Nothing more, no matter how my baser impulses might occasionally flare.

"Ah, well, I am flattered you thought to arrange this." I managed a small smile of my own as he took my hand and raised it gallantly to his lips in a courtly kiss. "Though I must insist you not go to such troubles on my account."

Logan's smile widened by a fraction as his thumb caressed my knuckles. "It's no trouble at all, I assure you. Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss regarding our next moves."

Reluctantly pulling my hand free, I made my way to the empty chair opposite his as he returned to his own seat. As I sat, he lifted the domed cover to reveal a mouth-watering spread - succulent roasted pheasant, herbed potatoes, buttered asparagus, and a crisp salad awaited my rumbling stomach.

"You've outdone yourself," I remarked, allowing genuine appreciation to shade my tone. "Though I do hope this wasn't merely a ploy to ply me with finery before bending my ear all evening onward proceedings."

Logan's low chuckle rolled through the room as he took up a fork. "You know me too well, my dear Roalsine. While a scintillating discussion is indeed on the agenda..." He speared a bite of pheasant and regarded me with dancing eyes. "I'd hoped we could also indulge in some more...intimate conversation topics as well this evening."

I felt my cheeks warm slightly at his purring insinuation, telegraphed clearly through the smoky timbre of his voice and the lascivious glint in his gaze. I really must keep a tighter rein on this damnable infatuation, I chastised myself. But then, where was the harm in indulging in a few innocuous flirtations over the course of a pleasant meal?

Stabbing a crisp asparagus spear perhaps a touch more forcefully than intended, I matched Logan's heated look with one of my own. "Is that so? And what salacious topics did you have in mind?"

The corner of his mouth curved upward as our eyes locked in a silent, charged challenge. "Well now...I was hoping you might suggest a few directions in which to take our...conversation."

The words hung sultrily between us, ripe and dripping with the delicious promise of traversing into decidedly murky, forbidden territory this night. Despite my stern internal warnings, I could already feel the first tendrils of heady anticipation unfurling low in my belly.

After all, indulging in a few tantalising diversions amid all the high stakes intrigue couldn't hurt...could it? Logan's gaze held something electric, hypnotic even, daring me to go there with him into the deliciously dark unknown.

My fork toyed idly with a bite of salad as I regarded him through my lashes. "In that case...perhaps you might enlighten me on what first drew you to walk our...unorthodox path? I can't help wondering what could possibly compel a man to such perilous heights."

Our gazes locked once more, twin wildfire flames dancing in the shimmering candlelight between us. A deliciously wicked smirk slowly spread across Logan's lips.

"Why, my dearest Roalsine..." He leaned in, so close I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. "Wouldn't you like to know..."

Logan's teasing murmur left me utterly unmoored, desire coiling low in my belly like a smoldering ember threatening to flare into an inferno. Our faces were a mere hairsbreadth apart now, the air thick and charged between us. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell the woodsy spice of his cologne enveloping me in its intoxicating haze.

"Always speaking in riddles..." I managed in a breathy whisper. "Why must you insist on being so maddeningly enigmatic?"

His razor-sharp grin widened by a fraction. "And ruin the delicious anticipation?" One fingertip trailed tantalising patterns along the swell of my chest, raising goosebumps. "Where would be the fun in that, my dear Roalsine?"

A trembling breath escaped my lips as Logan's finger continued its torturously slow exploration southward. I could feel the rapid staccato of my heartbeat pounding in my ears, taste the electric tension sparking between us. This was skirting into dangerous, forbidden territory - one step over the line and there would be no going back.

And yet, some reckless part of me hungered to cross that line tonight. To finally indulge the long-simmering want and curiosity I'd fought to keep reined in around this maddening, charismatic man.

Slowly, with intent burning in my gaze, I closed the infinitesimal gap separating our lips until they hovered a mere whisper apart. "Then allow me to put an end to the anticipation, Logan..." My fingers boldly gripped the lapels of his jacket, holding him in place. "And show you precisely how I feel about your games."

A heartbeat of tense silence stretched between us, the only sounds our mingled breaths intermingling in the scant space remaining. Logan's eyes had gone hooded, pupils swallowing the emerald as his gaze dropped briefly to my parted lips. When he spoke again, his deep timbre had taken on a smoky rasp.

"Is that so?" His thumb traced the swell of my lower lip, the calloused pad sending sparks dancing across my skin. "Then by all means...indulge me, Roalsine. I'm all yours this evening."

That was the only invitation I needed. Surging upwards, I captured Logan's mouth in a searing, needful kiss...