The kiss is slow and sensual. I can tell whose lips are on mine as sparks erupt all around me, my body aching more for his touch. The feelings I had for him during our first night are still etched in my mind, and it’s so damn hard to shake them off, no matter how I try.
I know I shouldn’t encourage this, so I slowly open my eyes. I’m not mistaken. It’s Logan. My hand presses against his chest.
My hands are weak because of how he makes me feel, but I try, gently pushing him away.
“What’s wrong with you?” I whisper, but you can tell my voice is sharp, trying to hide how shaken I am by the inflow of emotions.
His eyes are dark and filled with lust as they roam my body in a way that makes me shudder under his gaze. I can tell that he knows the effect he has on me.
“This can’t happen.” Clutching my towel tightly, I back away, putting distance between us.
I take a deep breath, fighting the pull that wants to drag me back to him. No matter how strong the attraction, I can’t afford to lose control. “Why does he keep messing with my head?”
Logan says nothing, his silence only fueling my anger. I grit my teeth, wondering why he kissed me. “Get out of this room,” I snap, my shaky voice barely containing the rage coursing through me.
Still, he doesn’t leave. He steps closer, and with each step, his face remains unreadable. I retreat until my back hits the wall.
“What is he doing?” My heart races. His presence is overwhelming, tugging at my heart, and the tension between us rises as the heat of his body radiates toward me.
I’m trapped. Panic starts to bubble up within me. Then his voice breaks the silence, unyielding.
“Remember our contract,” he says, his eyes locking onto mine. “No getting involved with another man, especially not Daniel. I know you had something with him, but that’s over. Do you understand?”
I slowly close my eyes as anger surges through me. My hands ball into fists when I realize this is the reason he’s reacted this way. My frustration boils over. “Get away from me!” I shout, my voice tumbling out in fury.
“You’re nothing but a possessive, arrogant jerk. Is this what I’m stuck with for the next two years?” I grip my head, overwhelmed by the mess of emotions swirling inside me.
Why does this man have me so tied up in knots?
Logan steps back, caught off guard by my outburst. He knows my past, yet he still tied me into this contract. So why does he care now about something I’ll never give in to?
As he retreats, a surge of defiance rises within me. I won’t let him control my life.
But before I can voice it, his tone shifts.
“Get ready. We’re having dinner with the family in an hour.” He turns to leave but glances back at me, his eyes lingering on mine until the door closes behind him.
The moment he’s gone, the floodgates open. I bury my face in my hands, a sob escaping as tears stream down my cheeks. I’m drowning. My heart squeezes in my chest, overwhelmed by his demands and my confusion. I ask myself, “Can I survive this contract with him?”
I steady my breathing, wiping away the tears. I don’t know how long I cried, but as I feel myself dozing off, a jolt wakes me.
Almost an hour has passed-I need to get ready for dinner.
I hurry to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of my puffy eyes in the mirror. Can I make it through dinner without anyone noticing?
I take a deep breath and step into the shower again, letting the water wash away the remnants of my aching heart. It helps a bit, bringing a much-needed sense of calm, even if it’s only for a while.
When I step out, I wrap a towel around myself and face the mirror. Despite the redness around my eyes, I manage a small smile. I know I can do this.
I carefully apply my makeup, hiding the dark circles and opting for a soft nude look: simple and elegant. When I’m done, I feel a bit more composed, ready to face the night.
I slip into the lilac flare dress, its soft fabric fitting perfectly against my frame. Paired with silver sandals, I choose comfort over extravagance. After all, it’s just a family dinner.
Just as I finish, Logan walks in. My breath hit my throat, thinking about what just happened between us. But I take a sharp breath and look at him. His expression is cold, but I meet his gaze with calm resolve. I won’t let him get to me.
In the reflection, I catch him staring at me. His eyes are intense as he whispers, “You look beautiful.”
The compliment throws me off. I wasn’t expecting it. I turn to face him, but I avoid looking into his eyes. With a gentle touch, he tilts my chin up, forcing me to look at him.
Strangely, his touch seems to calm me.
Why does this keep happening whenever he touches me? I shouldn’t feel anything for this man, but I can’t help it.
“Nadine,” he says quietly, “my family must not see through our pretense. They’ll know if we’re faking it. Stick close to me, and let’s get through this.”
His words stung. Whatever hope I had of him trying to apologize flies out the window. Of course, it’s all about the contract. I nodded, resigned to playing the part. He turns me around and presses a kiss to my forehead, calming me briefly before we head out.
As we walk through the hallway, the grand staircase comes into view. The dining room is just ahead, but my nerves are still all over the place. I need to act like everything is fine, even if it’s far from it.
We descend the stairs, Logan’s words from earlier echoing in my mind. Entering the living room, I’m greeted by his family and the warm aroma of dinner, but the feeling of being an outsider is impossible to shake.
Logan’s hand rests on my arm, but it does little to settle the knot in my stomach. I force a smile, determined to play my role convincingly, despite the turmoil swirling inside me.
As we approach the table, all eyes turn to us. His father motions for Logan to sit beside him, but I see Logan’s jaw tighten as he realizes the only available seat for me is between Daniel and his sister.
My body tenses as he releases his hold on me. He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. “Remember what we talked about,” he whispers.
I nod, my heart pounding as he places a brief kiss on my lips. It sends a shiver through me, and with a deep breath, I take my seat. Daniel’s eyes are on me the entire time, his gaze burning into mine.
As I settle into my chair, dread washes over me. How am I going to survive this dinner with Daniel beside me and Logan watching my every move?