Your Captivating Love
could hear that woman laugh all day long. In fact, I want to be the reason she laughs. She deserves to be happy, especially after having so much bad luck.
    She doesn’t trust me, though; I saw that yesterday. I have no idea if it’s just me, or men in general, but I’m going to earn that trust.
    My phone rings as I enter my office—Pippa’s calling.
    “Hello, sister.”
    “What are you doing tonight? I thought we could meet up at Alice’s restaurant after work. She has a new chef. I hear the tiramisu is to die for.”
    “I can’t tonight. I’m meeting the senator.”
    “Oh. That made you sound very important.”
    “News flash, Pippa: I am a very important person.”
    “You’re also my brother,” she states, as if that somehow nullifies what I said. No matter what I do, my siblings still treat me as just their brother. To be honest, that’s great. I wouldn’t want it any other way. There are plenty of people kissing my ass as long as it fits their agenda, but when I’m with my family, I can be myself. They’re honest, and we stick together.
    “What about tomorrow?”
    “Free.”
    “Great. I’ll move this to tomorrow.”
    “Sure. Will Nadine be there?”
    The thought of seeing her again makes me smile. Her fierce determination stirs something powerful in me. I’d love to listen to her talk about anything, all day long, which is saying something, since I’ve never been this interested in a simple conversation with a woman before. There’s something about Nadine’s excitement—it’s contagious.
    “Of course. Now, before you go all ‘I can find a woman on my own’ on me, this isn’t about you.”
    I couldn’t be happier that Nadine will be there, but I’m not about to share that with my sister, and give her the satisfaction of knowing that her little matchmaking game is working. I’d never hear the end of it. Besides, it’s good to be the one with the inside information for once.
    “She’s all alone here,” Pippa continues. “We’ll make her an adopted Bennett if you don’t want to date her.”
    Adopted Bennett my ass. “Adopted Bennett” is a term my family uses to refer to close friends. Platonic friends. I have other plans for Nadine. Her mix of vulnerability and strength makes me want to hold her in my arms, and not let her go. Her mouth begs to be kissed, and hell, I’d kiss that sinful mouth of hers into oblivion. I wonder if she tastes as sweet as I imagine, how her full breasts would fit in my hand. Asking her out on a date felt right, even though we clearly both have doubts. Repeating to myself all the reasons why dating her isn’t a good idea obviously wasn’t working, so I had to do something about the attraction between us.
    “See you at dinner, Pippa.”
    This gives me the perfect occasion to show Nadine I don’t give up.
    ***
    T he next night, I arrive at Alice’s half an hour too late. My family’s not in the main section of the restaurant, but that’s not a surprise; there’s a smaller section adjacent to this one, and Alice closes it when we have a family dinner. As I give my jacket to the coat check attendant, Nadine arrives, flushed and panting.
    “Hello, stranger,” I tell her.
    “Logan.” She smiles brightly. “Long time no see. Space hunting with Alex took forever.”
    I stiffen. I’d forgotten all about Alex. “How did it go?”
    Her smile falters. “Not too great. I have appointments to see locations the entire week, so fingers crossed.”
    I help her take her coat off and damn . She’s wearing a black strapless dress. I run my fingers over her shoulders and down her arms as I remove the jacket. Goosebumps form on her skin under my hands, and I linger with my fingers a beat longer than necessary, enjoying her softness. The second the attendant hangs our coats, I gesture for him to leave. He’s gone the next second. I’ll give him a fat tip later. Nadine’s back is still turned to me.
    “You look great tonight, Nadine,” I whisper in her

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