Your Captivating Love by Layla Hagen Read Free Book Online Page A

ear from behind.
    She draws in a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
    Her neck is bared to me, and I’m so tempted to kiss her there, and watch her reaction to it. No one can see us here, but hungry as I am for her, I don’t want to scare her off. So I step back and ask, “Did Alex behave?”
    “Oh, nothing more than a few kisses.” Swirling around to face me, Nadine laughs, tilting her head to one side. My wrath must register on my face, because she immediately adds, “I was joking, Logan.”
    “Not funny.”
    “That was very funny. You got all caveman for a second.”
    “You have no idea how much of a caveman I can be.” I step closer to her, leaning forward until our faces are inches apart. She licks her lips, avoiding my eyes. “Did you think about what I said last time?”
    “A little,” she answers.
    “Logan, Nadine, there you are,” Alice interrupts. “Come on, or Pippa’ll eat the entire tiramisu before you even get a chance to taste it.”
    “I’ve never been a fan of Tiramisu, sister,” I say, not looking away from Nadine. “Pippa and Nadine can have all of it.”
    Finally, I step away. Like the gentleman I am, I let Nadine walk in front of me. That way, I have a perfect view of her sinful curves and deliciously round ass.
    As we walk into the room, I drop my voice, so only Nadine can hear me. “You can do a lot more thinking over the tiramisu.”
    ***
Nadine
    L ogan offers to take me home after dinner is over. I shiver when we step out in the cool evening air. I grin as we walk to the car.
    Once inside the car, I tell Logan, “Your family is hilarious.”
    I loved spending time with them. It felt like I’ve known them forever. Their warmth and friendship are so much more than I’ve hoped for.
    “My family likes you,” Logan says. “I like you.”
    Though still maintaining a playful tone, Logan’s voice has dropped an octave. The way the words roll off his tongue makes my entire body sizzle. Get a grip on yourself, Nadine . I can’t lose my head. There’s one thing I must concentrate on: my shop. I have to make it work.
    Suddenly, I’m aware that we’re alone in this space. Resisting him in the restaurant was easy. All I had to do was remember people surrounded us. Inside his car, though, things have changed. Succumbing to his charms seems inevitable.
    I’m saved by the radio announcer saying it’s midnight, as we arrive at my place.
    “Oh, I can’t believe it’s this late. I have to wake up early tomorrow. You don’t have to walk me to the door,” I add when Logan exits the car too.
    “I’d ruin my gentleman reputation if I didn’t. Besides, this isn’t a nice neighborhood.”
    When we arrive at the building entrance, I fully intend to say good night, but Logan asks, “Are you meeting Alex again tomorrow?”
    “In the afternoon, yes. I want to hunt for some places by myself in the morning.”
    “Take care with him. Don’t trust him.”
    “You’re acting awfully territorial.”
    He snaps his gaze to mine, stepping closer to me. “I am.”
    “You’re not even bothering to deny it.”
    “You like that about me, don’t you? That I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not?”
    He lowers his head until our eyes are on the same level, our lips too.
    “I do,” I admit. “But you and I. . . It’s not a good idea, Logan.”
    He narrows his eyes as if considering his words. “Let’s be honest, okay?”
    I nod.
    “There is attraction between us.” His tone is firm, yet as he places his hands on my shoulder, the touch is gentle.
    I lick my lips, dropping my eyes to the ground. “Yeah.”
    “So we—”
    “Logan—”
    “Nadine.”
    “I need to concentrate on my business for a while. I won’t have much to offer to a man.” Before I lost my job, I remember Thomas’s constant complaints that I was working too much, and when I came home, I was too tired to be any fun. Of course, he didn’t seem to mind my hard work when he asked for my money. I can’t believe I stuck