“I think that’s part of my charm. Now that all that is settled, do you want to stay here tonight or should I drive you back to your car?”
She shifted in her seat. “I really shouldn’t leave it at the bar overnight. What if they tow?”
“Good point.” I didn’t want to drive her back—the fear of her fleeing was overwhelming. I felt if I let her out of my sight, she’d change her number, move, and never go back to that bar ever again just to avoid me. Thankfully, a lightbulb went off quickly. “How about this, and I need you to bear with me here…”
Bowing her head, she murmured, “All right.”
“How about I set you up inside with a nice bubble bath in my clawfoot tub then I take your keys, Uber back to the bar, and bring your car here so you don’t have to worry and I don’t have to pick you up for our shopping date in the morning. Win-win for everyone.”
“Why do you want me to stay here so badly?” Her query was valid.
“Honestly? You’re a flight risk,” I admitted.
She laughed. “Fair enough.”
Ari
FollowingLogan into his sprawling mansion, I could barely pick my jaw up off the floor. The understated outside of the house didn’t do its majestic beauty justice in the slightest. From the wall-to-wall dark hardwood flooring and lavish furnishings all the way to the tasteful artwork throughout, I was exceedingly awestruck—and that was just in the formal living room.
“This is just a place for weekend getaways?” I questioned innocently.
Logan kicked off his loafers before getting down on the floor with Mazy as she greeted us. “Blame my mother. She always dreamed of a place like this, and what kind of son would I be if I didn’t invest in one for her?”
“Remind me to thank her when I meet her next weekend.” Standing in the foyer, I gawked at the bright oil painting of a woman swimming in the ocean.
“So you’re going to go with me?” he asked.
I knelt down next to him to scratch Mazy’s back. “It’s one of the rules, isn’t it?”
“Let me show you to your bath, madam.”
Logan helped me up before leading me to the master bedroom at the back of the house. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked a vast patio with a lighted infinity pool that looked like it was spilling out into the ocean only yards away.
“This is breathtaking,” I observed, taking in the splendor and serenity of it all.
“You’re breathtaking,” Logan whispered behind me as his hands gently ran down my arms.
“Do you think we’re crazy for trying this whole no-strings thing?” I queried, turning into him.
He kissed my forehead sweetly. “I don’t if you don’t. It’s better than not trying at all. You’re the one who didn’t want to give actual dating a whirl, so here we are.”
“Can we add a rule?”
“Sure.”
“No getting attached. Let’s keep this fun and light. When it stops being fun and light, we bail.”
“Deal.”
I followed Logan into the master bathroom where a decadent cast iron clawfoot tub rested next to gorgeous stone work on the walls and built-in shelving all around.
“As promised.” Logan gestured to the tub then turned on the hot water. After lighting a few candles on the dark stone counter, he poured in Epsom salts and bubbles that made the entire room smell like lilac and gooseberries.
“What? No rose petals?” I snickered.
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Now hand over those keys, get in there, and relax. I’ll be back soon.”
I dug my keys out from the bottom of my purse. “You can drive a stick, right?”