if it indicates
what I think it indicates.“
A split second later Hilary found herself swept against him in a crushing embrace.
Chapter Three
Hilary’s initial reaction to the unexpected shock of Logan’s kiss was astonishment. Astonishment at the sheer power
and force of it and astonishment at the very idea that a man would even try such a passionately aggressive tactic with
her of all women! Certainly none of Crawford’s other candidates had taken this approach!
But even as such thoughts raced through her startled brain, Logan was moving to consolidate his position. One
large hand traced the contour of her back until it came to rest possessively at the end of her spine. With a determined
pressure he arched her against him.
„Logan!“ she managed once before his mouth covered hers, taking ruthless advantage of the parted lips to
investigate the warmth of her.
„Stop struggling,“ he ordered in a harsh whisper as his other hand held her head still. She felt his strong fingers at
the back of her neck and knew, instinctively, that although he wasn’t hurting her, she would be unable to break free.
„Can’t you see that I want you?“ he demanded gratingly, his mouth moving along the line of her jaw to the tip of
her earlobe.
„What you want hardly matters,“ she gulped, her hands pushing uselessly against the muscles of his chest, a
fluttering in her pulse making her feel weak. What was this man doing to her? „Logan, let me go!“
„Not yet, little queen,“ he growled, his teeth closing with a tiny, almost stinging nip around her earlobe. „Not until
you understand me a little better!“
„Understand you!“ she echoed, confused by both his words and what she was terribly afraid were the beginnings
of her own response. The heat of his passion seemed dangerously contagious. Of their own volition, her hands moved
from his chest to settle first on his shoulders and then, as he responded with an even more possessive hold, her arms
circled his neck.
„That’s right, honey,“ he told her as strong fingers curved along her hip, seeming to enjoy the shape of her. „I
want to make certain you understand that I want you. I’ve wanted you since the day you walked into my office,
announcing yourself as my future wife! So regal and yet so sweet…“
„You mean you want my father’s restaurants,“ she snapped, trying to resume her struggles and finding herself too
thoroughly trapped.
„Damn the restaurants!“ he muttered.
„I… I don’t believe you,“ Hilary wailed. „You’re as greedy as all the others. Ouch!“ she added as he tightened his
arms around her until she could barely breathe.
„If you want to think I’m marrying you for the restaurants,“ he snarled, lifting his head slightly to glare down into
her bemused eyes, „go ahead. It won’t change anything in the end. It will only prolong matters!“
„Prolong them to the point where you’ll decide the game isn’t worth the effort?“ she shot back, goaded.
„You won’t succeed in managing that, honey,“ he told her, a hint of a ruthless smile touching the corner of his
mouth. „Do you know,“ he went on almost musingly, „I really didn’t come here tonight with the intention of making
love to you…“
„Good!“ she interrupted fiercely, „Because you aren’t going to be allowed to do so…“
„I had planned to restrain myself,“ he went on as if she hadn’t spoken. „I wasn’t even going to kiss you quite yet. I
knew you’d be somewhat resistant to the idea. But then you had to go and make it clear you thought yourself content
with your artist friend. It suddenly made me very determined to let you know just how much I want you. I know there is
a lot of passion in you. All I have to do is tap it. Make it respond only to me….“ His mouth came back down on hers
with a fierceness that was startling. She was overwhelmed.
The next time he lifted his head, Hilary found herself