I woke up the next day, disoriented, not sure how I ended up in my room. Memories of last night’s dinner with Logan flood my mind, and I recall lying down on the couch.
But I was alone in the house with him, which means Logan must have carried me to my room!
A smile broadly knowing, I must have been a deep sleeper! Beneath his tough exterior, Logan has a kind heart. Just then, a soft knock on the door breaks the silence, and Logan enters, his presence filling the room.
“Good morning, Nadine. Did you sleep well?” he asked in a deep husky voice that made my core clench. Damn, these hormones.
“Good morning, Logan. Thanks, I did,” I reply, intentionally leaving out any details about our previous night’s interactions.
I take a moment to gaze at him, my mind racing. How can someone be so sinfully hot? Logan seems like a species that needs to be studied, I silently muse, feeling his magnetic presence.
Yet, I’m determined to uphold my part of the bargain: not falling in love. There’s always an undercurrent of tension between us, and I know he can sense it.
To diffuse the atmosphere, Logan clears his throat. “You need to get ready. We’re going to an auction.” He adjusts his tie, and I’m tempted to help him, but yesterday’s words echo in my mind, and I refrain, not wanting him to misinterpret my intentions.
I nod and turn to get ready, heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
After brushing my teeth and taking a quick bath, I catch a final glance at my reflection before joining Logan outside, ready to face whatever lies ahead.
He smiles approvingly, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
“You look stunning,” he says, with a low and smooth voice.
He looks impeccable in his tailored suit, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
“Ready?” he asks, his gaze holding mine.
I nod, feeling a flutter in my chest. “Ready.”
Logan takes my hand, and a tingle shoots through me. “Let’s go,” he says, with sparkling eyes.
We drive to the auction in silence, the tension palpable. I can’t help but wonder about Logan’s motives and what he’s hiding behind that charming smile.
As we arrive at the auction house, Logan briefs me on the event’s importance. He explains it’s an exclusive gathering of collectors and connoisseurs, and we’re there to acquire a rare and valuable item. I smile, glad he keeps me informed about his plans.
After his briefing, Logan steps outside to take a call, leaving me to mentally prepare for the auction. I take a deep breath, smoothing out my dress.
Once he returns, Logan and I walk hand in hand, our pretend marriage on full display for the auction crowd. But none can see through our lies.
I scan the room and see familiar faces in the distance-Jake and Nathalie. They stand together, intimately, their gazes locked in deep affection. And I feel a pang tug at my heart; they look truly in love, their bond obvious even from afar.
The auctioneer’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I turn my attention to the stage, ready to play my part in this high-stakes game.
“Silence, please,” the auctioneer commands, hitting the gavel against the wooden frame. The auction begins, and bids start coming in for the island.
But I notice all eyes are on Logan, waiting for him to make a move.
“Everyone is scared of you; they’re surprised you haven’t bid yet,” I whisper in Logan’s ear.
A smile creeps at the corner of his lips. “They should be scared. I plan to use this island as my revenge against Jake.
His family owns it, but his father gambled it away. But many other families are after it, though anyone who has ownership is in for some trouble I want to watch him bid for it, thinking he can get it back,” Logan says with a devious smirk.
Call me petty, but I can’t wait to see the look on Jake’s face when the island is ripped away from him just as he thinks he’s on the verge of getting it back.
“Two hundred million dollars,” the auctioneer calls. I turn to see a man in his mid-fifties with a pot belly holding up his paddle.
“Five hundred million dollars,” comes a familiar voice. I whip my head around and see Jake, his eyes burning with determination.
Anger surges through me as I watch him. “It’s time,” Logan whispers in my ear. I nod in agreement.
“Five hundred million dollars, going once, going twice…” the auctioneer’s voice rings out.
I raise the paddle, my voice slicing through the tense atmosphere. “One billion dollars.”
Everyone’s heads swing in my direction. My eyes lock with Jake’s for a few intense seconds before he shifts his gaze to Logan sitting beside me. I can see fear in his eyes as the realization sets in.
The auctioneer pauses, looking in my direction. “What is your name?” he asks.
I cross my legs, my eyes fixed on Jake before darting back to the auctioneer. “My name is Nadine Witte West.”
Jake freezes in his seat, and my lips curl into a smile. Shock ripples through the room as everyone stares at me-and more importantly, at Logan beside me.
I hear Nathalie gasp from a distance, her eyes wide as saucers. To be honest, I don’t give a damn; this is just the beginning of their misery.
The auctioneer declares the island mine. I stand up, and Logan follows. With people murmurings and gasps ripple through the room.
No one dares to say anything to him or even meet his gaze. After all, he is the ruthless billionaire feared by many in New York, and his fame has spread like wildfire across the globe.
He turns to me, with some emotions in his eyes. Bringing his mouth close to my ear, he murmurs, “You did well, Nadine. I’m proud of you.”
Amid the tension, I hear people start to murmur. “Wait, isn’t that Nadine? She was supposed to marry Jake. Now what’s she doing with Logan?”
“She looks even more beautiful. Jake could have married her. I wonder why he cheated on her with her sister.”
“If Nadine and Logan are together, that spells doom for both Jake and Nathalie,” another voice comments. I try my best to shut them out of my mind.
The auctioneer’s voice fades into the background as I focus on the man beside me. Logan’s approval means more to me than I care to admit, and the satisfaction of seeing Jake’s defeat fills me with a grim sense of victory.
“Shall we?” Logan asks, taking my hand. We walk hand in hand outside. Our chauffeur is about to open the door when I hear someone call my name.
“Nadine!”
I turn around, my heart pounding. What in the actual fuck?