Starting Over

Marteeka Karland & Shara Azod

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Copyright ©2015 Marteeka Karland & Shara Azod

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Changeling Press LLC

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Martinsburg, WV 25404

www.ChangelingPress.com

Editor: Katriena Knights

Cover Artist: Marteeka Karland

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Table of Contents

Starting Over

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Marteeka Karland & Shara Azod

Starting Over

Marteeka Karland & Shara Azod

Scarlet is on the run. In fear for her life, she flees her boyfriend’s bookies and goes

into hiding. Fortunately, her best friend has given her a copy of a want ad. It seems
an elusive weapons designer -- one suspected of murder -- is in need of a
housekeeper. Throwing caution to the wind, Scarlet decides taking a chance at a new
job is better than being homeless and freezing to death, so she braves the lion inside

his lair. How intimidating could a science geek be, anyway?

Logan knows intimately what it’s like to want to escape his past. When his
colleagues died because of his weapons, he locked himself away more effectively

than if he’d been put in prison. Then Scarlet enters his life.

Both need to heal. Both need comfort. But can either find the courage they need to

start their lives over?

Chapter One

The snow fell in great globs of fluffy wetness all around Scarlet as she debated

whether or not to approach the great house in the distance. She’d debated it all day,

knowing she couldn’t stay outside another night. The Help Wanted ad had drawn her

there. The complete isolation of the property had lured her to stay. Unfortunately,

though she’d managed to camp at the very edge of the vast property for two nights, a

third wasn’t an option without her freezing to death. That in mind, she slowly trudged

her way to the door, but stood before it, hesitating before ringing the bell.

God knew she didn’t look like she was prepared to interview for a job, even one

as housekeeper as the ad had specified, but she was out of options. After camping out

for two days, working up her nerves, she probably looked like a snow-covered hobo.

The only thing that made her brave enough -- and made her swallow her pride long

enough -- to knock on that huge door was the fact that no other applicant had come

near the place. Not that she really blamed them. If she hadn’t been on the run, Scarlet

doubted she’d have had the courage to, either. But things were just bad enough to try

almost anything.

It wasn’t the house itself that freaked her out, though it was large and imposing

rather than elegant or refined. The reputation of the man within was enough to keep

people away, but his home seemed to reflect the man. Logan Reinhart, the elusive

gazillionaire, was said to have murdered ten people in his laboratory before leaving the

experimental arms business three years before. No one knew for certain if he’d done it

on purpose or if it was some horrible design flaw, but ten people had lost their lives.

Reinhart had never denied it was his fault, even when the threat of prosecution hung

over him like an oppressive shadow. Her guess was, no one wanted to take the chance.

He could probably invent a weapon to kill his enemies long distance.

Before she could change her mind, she pressed the doorbell. Several moments

later, the door opened. The man standing before her couldn’t possibly be the scientist

she’d hoped to work for. He was tall, towering over her five-foot, three-inch frame by

more than a foot. He wore jeans and a sweater, but the body his clothes hid was heavily

muscled. Definitely not like the photos she’d seen of him. It wasn’t like Logan Reinhart

had been a nobody. He’d been the country’s most eligible bachelor for years before the

accident. He’d been tall in the newspaper and magazine clippings, sure, but lanky at

best. Nearly skinny, like any lab nerd should be. Not this man. This was someone built

to -- to -- well, he was built.

No matter how intimidating his stature was, there was no help for it. She was

shivering, and the snow just wouldn’t let up, not to mention the wind was increasing.

No way she could survive outside in a winter storm all night.

“Can I help you?” His voice was gruff, husky, as if he didn’t use it much.

Instead of answering, she simply held out the clipping from the paper with

shivering hands. It wasn’t like she could speak without her teeth chattering anyway.

He looked down at it, then back at her. “I didn’t think anyone would answer it.”

Stepping back, he motioned her inside. “Come in before you freeze to death.”

The interior of the house was pleasantly warm. Immediately, her face, hands,

and toes started to tingle as heat rushed there. She’d been cold for so long, it seemed as

if the chill had seeped into her bones. Now she was thawing quite nicely. The foyer was

massive, with marble floors and columns rising to the ceiling at evenly spaced intervals.

Though she would be properly impressed later, she was sure, all she could think was

that the heating bill must cost a fortune.

* * *

When he’d opened the door to find the little waif standing on his doorstep,

Logan thought she was a child. One look into her haunted eyes had changed that

thought. She might not be very old, but she was definitely not a child. Springy dark

auburn curls surrounded her heart-shaped face. The woman had the most delicate bone

structure and the most beautiful, flawless chocolate skin he’d ever seen on a human

being. Her eyes were an even deeper shade of brown, looking up at him with a mixture

of fear, curiosity, and resignation. For the first time since before the accident, he felt…

something. Interest? Not in her as a woman, but in making that desperate look in her

eyes go away. No woman as innocently beautiful as this should have that look. It was

offensive to natural law.

“It’s a good thing you happened along when you did,” he said, ignoring her

obvious discomfort, giving her time to pull herself together. Being in the warmth of the

house would go a long way toward doing that. “Another hour or two, and the storm

would have hit. A remote place like this is not a place you want to camp out in the open

and exposed during a winter storm.” At her sharp look, he grinned. “Yes, I knew

someone was out there. I just didn’t know who. Since no one has come down that road

in months other than the mailman, it had to be you I saw on the monitors.”

“You knew I was out there and you let me stay on your property?” Her slim

body still trembled with cold, and he had to resist the urge to wrap her in a blanket.

That would come later. Right now, he needed to keep the situation as normal as

he could. Otherwise, he’d get too close, and emotional attachments weren’t something

he wanted. It never paid to become attached.

“But you didn’t run me off or send guards or something?” She sounded

completely baffled, as if she’d expected the worst. Most people usually did.

“Figured you’d move on. If not, I’d have ventured out before the storm. Can’t

have someone else dying on me.” He threw that out there deliberately, wanting to see

her reaction. Why, he had no idea. Perhaps because he’d been far too long without any

kind of companionship. Perhaps because she was a beautiful woman. Either way, he

watched her face carefully.

She shrugged, meeting his gaze almost boldly. “From what I understand, that

was three years ago. If it had been your fault, you would have been arrested by now.”

“So, you want to be my housekeeper.”

The change of subject made her blink several times as she looked away. “Yes.”

“Do you have any references?”

Logan smothered a grin when she scowled at him before schooling her features

once again. “No. I seem to have left my briefcase at the office.”

That sparked a chuckle from him. The first one in three years. If she had an

office, he’d eat his shoe. People with offices didn’t camp out on someone else’s property

for two days. “You’re hired,” he said before he could remind himself why it wasn’t a

good idea. “But first, you have to tell me what you’re running from. You can tell me all

about it while you eat something. You look like a stiff wind would blow you away.”

* * *

If he’d asked any question but that, Scarlet might have settled in to get

comfortable. Probably not, but there was a chance. As it was, she had no desire for him

to know why she was in this situation to begin with. Not only was it none of his

goddamned business, but it was embarrassing for a man who probably had never had

money troubles in his life to know she was running from an abusive boyfriend who had

basically taken over her life along with her finances.

She still hadn’t figured out how he’d talked her into half the shit he had. Now,

her credit was ruined and she had no money whatsoever. But she’d be damned if she

went back to the bastard, hat in hand begging him to take her back. It was all too

humiliating. So instead, she’d camped out on Logan’s property, trying to work up the

nerve to apply for a job as a glorified maid. Equally as humiliating, but at least she

wasn’t looking for sympathy.

When she didn’t answer, he raised his hands as if in surrender. “You know

what? It doesn’t matter. Come on. Let’s get some hot food into you.”

Not knowing what else to do, Scarlet followed him through several extremely

large, tastefully appointed rooms until they came to a spacious kitchen.

He looked her up and down as if assessing her condition then pulled several

things from the fridge. “Chicken soup it is.”

It was fascinating to watch such a large man chopping veggies, cutting up the

chicken, then stuffing everything into a cooker while adding a bunch of seasoning,

bringing everything to a boil. Soon, the scent of the best-smelling soup had her stomach

growling, hurting with want. It had been days since she’d eaten anything other than

cheese and crackers or peanut butter. The cold had helped her not feel as hungry as she

might’ve otherwise. Now, with the delicious aroma of a home-cooked meal teasing her

nostrils, her belly began to protest -- loudly.

“Please tell me that tastes as good as it smells,” she mumbled, unable to keep

from licking her lips.

“It will,” he promised. “I might be a bastard, but I can cook.”

“I never said you were a bastard,” she said, never taking her eyes from the

simmering pot. “How much longer?”

“Just waiting on the noodles to get tender.” He stirred the pot again, glancing

over his shoulder at her. “If you’re going to work in my home, I need to at least know

your name.”

A flame of embarrassment suffused her, making her remember the situation she

was in. She was completely at this man’s mercy, and she hadn’t even had the manners

to tell him her name. “Scarlet Black,” she said. “I’m sorry. I should have told you

before.”

“Colorful,” he said, smiling at her.

The effect was more than devastating. How come she’d never heard how

handsome Logan was? No, not Logan -- Mr. Reinhart. She had to remember to always

refer to him as Mr. Reinhart. She was his employee. He hadn’t given her permission to

call him by his first name. Besides, using his first name made him feel approachable.

Just like allowing him to cook for her.

But by the time he started to spoon the steaming liquid full of chunks of chicken

and vegetables, Scarlet forgot all about what she should call him or why. All she could

think about was food.

Chapter Two

Logan found he enjoyed watching Scarlet eat. Red -- what an interesting name

for such a vivacious woman. Being a virtual recluse, he’d been devoid of any company

for longer than he cared to think about, so he got good at reading people from a long

distance. This woman was running from something, yet not afraid to stand up and fight

for herself. Whatever it was, it had to be pretty bad to make her camp out on the

property of someone who, for all she knew, could have been a monster.

Since he’d decided a few months ago to look into working again, he needed

someone who would look after this massive, lonely home of his. When he was in the

lab, he tended to get lost in his work, no matter what he was doing. Though he

probably wouldn’t be working on the weapons that had made his fortune, but at

something. Anything.

After careful consideration, he’d finally taken a position at the local university

teaching physics. Hiring a housekeeper had seemed like the normal thing to do. And he

desperately wanted normal again. This woman was definitely not normal. But, God

almighty, she was tempting. Had he met her under any other circumstances, he’d be all

over her, seducing her into his bed and, possibly, his life.

But as she was applying to keep his home, he needed to keep a hands-off attitude

toward her.

Thinking about it made him want to snort out loud. Right, he was going to be

able to keep his hands off her like he was going to be able to get his reputation back

with the snap of his fingers. The way her dark auburn hair brushed against her cheek

whenever she leaned forward to eat her soup made his hands itch to push it back. To

caress her cheek as he did. He wanted to brush her hair back before lifting her head to

take his kiss.

Right -- there was no way he was not going to eventually end up in bed with her.

The question was, long or short term? He didn’t know, but he did know she had

already wormed her way under his skin. His cock was half hard just watching her.

As he watched her devour the soup, he poured her a glass of milk. She took it

without looking up, spooning up mouthful after mouthful of her meal. It must have

been days since she’d had anything decent to eat. There were dark circles under her

eyes and dirt under her fingernails. Woman probably hadn’t slept, either. Outside in the

cold wasn’t the ideal place for peaceful sleep.

When the contents of her bowl dwindled, he silently got her another, setting it

behind the bowl she was working on. She dug in without missing a beat. Logan smiled.

Even when he’d been in the game, dating and taking his pleasure from the women in

his life, he’d never been around a woman who really ate. Usually, they’d pick at a salad

or nibble on a small chicken breast. He found he liked that she dug into her food. Even

though, logically, he knew she’d probably been starving, he vowed then and there she’d

always eat like this. If he had to learn to be a gourmet cook, he’d do it if it worked.

Finishing the second bowl, she absently wiped her mouth on her grimy

shirtsleeve before pausing in the act. A horrified look crossed her face and she looked

down at her bowl, seeming unaware she’d finished off two bowls and a glass of milk.

Tears sparkling in her eyes, she looked up at him before glancing back down.

“Oh, no you don’t,” he said, compelled to ease her discomfort. “I love to see a

woman eat, especially one who needs it. Never be shy about that.” Logan reached for

her hand and squeezed it. “Come on. Let’s get you some clean clothes and a shower.”

She glanced away. “I should clean up the dishes.”

“Nope. You’ve not officially started yet. I’ve got a room that will be perfect for

you. You can get warm and comfortable and sleep for a couple days if you need to.” A

thought occurred to him as he led her up the back staircase. “Umm, do you have any

other clothes besides what’s packed in your bag?”

It wasn’t a bag, it was a backpack. A smallish one at that. There was no way she

could have much shoved into that thing.

“Uh, yeah. I… umm, I was just waiting to see if I actually got the job.” Despite

the darkness of her complexion, a blush was clearly evident on those high cheekbones.

Riiiiiiight. And he was the King of England.

“I’ll loan you my pajama tops anyway. Might as well be comfortable, seeing as

you don’t start until tomorrow.” Or the next day. Or never. Logan really didn’t care just

as long as she stayed. “If you want, I can show you where the washer and dryer are,

and you can wash anything you need to. Just toss them in after your bath, and we’ll dry

them tomorrow.”

Logan knew nothing about her. Being a man driven by logic, falling for a woman

he’d just met was completely out of character and illogical. Being meticulous had gotten

him a lot of money, and the total destruction of his career and his hard-earned

reputation. Perhaps it was time to throw logic and methodology to the wind and just go

with his gut. It wasn’t as if he had much to lose at this point. Scarlet Black wasn’t his to

keep. But if he had his way, she soon would be.

* * *

Mick paced the living room, agitated beyond belief that he couldn’t find Scarlet.

Where the hell was she? All her shit was still crammed into the tiny closet, but it had

been over a week since their last argument. According to the ditz she worked with,

Maggie, Scarlet hadn’t been to work in just about that same amount of time.

Mick gritted his teeth as he prowled back and forth in the tiny apartment. It

wasn’t like she could go anywhere. He had the keys to their only car and she didn’t

have an ATM card to access their bank account. Damn it, he had better things to do than

to sit around here all day. Scarlet worked at one of the swankier hotels downtown, one

with plenty of rich people who would never miss a trinket or two here and there. He

owed his bookie big time. He needed Scarlet to get her ass in gear and make some

money.

Grabbing the last of his beers out of the fridge, he frowned at the blank TV,

wondering where the hell his girlfriend could have gone. The fucking cable bill hadn’t

been paid; he needed to talk to Scarlet about that. How was he supposed to watch TV

without cable?

Maggie was her only friend, and she didn’t have any family. That was why he’d

picked her. Scarlet had been lonely, desperate for a little affection. As long as he was

good to her and kept his extra-curricular activities on the down-low, this had been a

sweet set up. They’d fought about his spending habits before, but she always came

back. What the hell was so different this time?

If he didn’t find Scarlet soon, he was fucked. But where did he start?

Maggie. He just needed to work on Scarlet’s friend. Sooner or later, Scarlet had to

contact her. All he had to do was convince her to talk Scarlet into coming home. Maybe

cry or some shit. Girls always fell for that. At least, Scarlet used to. Mick knew he wasn’t

a bad catch; Scarlet still loved him. She wouldn’t want anything to happen to him,

would she? Cause if he didn’t get some money, quick, he was a dead man.

* * *

This wasn’t exactly what Scarlet had in mind when she applied to be a

housekeeper. She’d imagined most of her time would be spent cleaning, organizing, or

even shopping. So far, the only shopping she’d done was sitting in front of a computer

with Logan Reinhart over her shoulder advising her what would look good on her

figure.

“You are now my representative, Miss Black,” he had informed her. “It’s

important for you to look as such.”

In a way, she was relieved. It meant she didn’t have to go back to the apartment

she shared with Mick the Dick. That was something she was hoping to avoid as long as

possible. There was no way she was paying rent for Mick to live expense free.

She couldn’t believe she’d done it for so long. She had no personal mementos in

the apartment that had been her home for the last three years. Just clothes and things

that could be easily replaced. With all the crap Mr. Reinhart was buying -- for

appearances -- she had no need to go back for anything.

Still, Scarlet wasn’t an idiot. She wasn’t staying in one of the downstairs rooms

where the servants usually stayed, and most people didn’t buy their housekeepers

wardrobes for appearances. Although he hadn’t touched her, had never done anything

that could be considered inappropriate, there was an intimacy about the way he treated

her. The man cooked breakfast for her, encouraged her to “rest.” But it had been a week

and she had yet to be informed of her duties.

So today, she decided to take it upon herself to start working. She couldn’t very

well lie around all day and do nothing or watch Mr. Reinhart study while Scarlet curled

up in a chair reading a book.

Scarlet shivered slightly as she made her way down the back stairs to start on

breakfast, reflecting back on recent days. It had been weirdly intimate to sit quietly in

his study while he wrote feverishly in a little notebook or was engrossed in some

textbook or another.

Every so often, he had looked over to where she sat as if making sure she was

still there. Thank goodness he hadn’t realized she’d been reading the same page over

and over again. Those light golden brown eyes had seared her where she sat, his

sensual lips parted slightly. It made her squirm with feelings she hadn’t felt in a very

long time.

He always seemed to know when she was hungry or bored, just by watching her.

It was damned unnerving. Who did things like anticipate some anonymous chick’s

needs? She’d camped out on his lawn, for crying out loud! Most normal people would

have called the cops.

Pulling out the things she needed to make pancakes, Scarlet tried to shake off

thoughts of Mr. Reinhart. After she made him breakfast, she’d move her stuff

downstairs to one of the rooms off the kitchen. All of them were unoccupied, so she

hadn’t worried about accidentally moving into someone’s living space. It was time to

place some boundaries on this, whatever the hell this was. She was here for a job, and

nothing else.

“What are you doing?”

Scarlet jumped at the sound of his voice so close behind her. Damn it, she hadn’t

heard him come down the stairs. Turning, she almost swallowed her tongue. Generally

Mr. Reinhart wore slacks and a button-down shirt of some sort. Now he was dressed

only in a pair of longish gym shorts, socks and shoes, and not a stitch else. Good lord,

she’d known he was built, but those washboard abs all glistening with sweat were

something to behold! His light brown hair was all pushed back, just barely touching his

shoulders, and was also damp with sweat. He looked downright edible, which was just

wrong.

“Scarlet? I asked you what you are doing.” The question was purred low, far too

sexy for a scientist.

“I… uh… I was making breakfast?” She hadn’t meant it to come out as a

question. This was when she was supposed to put her foot down, establish some

boundaries. Instead she sounded like she wasn’t really sure what she was doing or

why. Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself up, looking him square in the eye. “I am

your housekeeper. I should be doing all the cooking and cleaning, not you.”

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrow, but didn’t say anything more. Scarlet found

herself shifting from one foot to another, hoping he would say something else. But he

didn’t.

“You’ve been really great since I got here, but you haven’t really treated me like I

work for you,” she attempted to clarify. “I am trying to get my life back together here. I

really need to start moving forward.”

When he didn’t respond to that, Scarlet tried to turn back to the task at hand, but

he snagged her wrist in a lightning-quick move she didn’t see coming. The grip wasn’t

rough, but it was firm. All she could do was stand there and watch as he turned her

hand over, running his finger over her palm. The light touch made her tremble from the

top of her head to her toes. There was nothing overtly sexual about the touch, but her

pussy began to weep at the contact.

“You’ve worked hard all your life, haven’t you, Scarlet?” he murmured as his

fingers ran over her skin. “Haven’t you?”

Scarlet nodded, unable to find her voice. When he looked up at her face, she

swore she could have melted right there on the spot. The gaze he gave her was so

intense, so hot it damn near burned her.

“I couldn’t hear that. What did you say?”

“I-uh, yeah. I’ve always been a hard worker.” Geez, she sounded all breathless

and horny. Okay, so she was horny, but did she have to sound that way? “Which is

why I think it’s time I started to show you hiring me wasn’t a mistake.”

There. That was affirmative. She’d stated her intentions, drawn a line in the sand

so to speak. Surely now he’d get the message and go do whatever it was he’d been

doing.

“I think we both know I didn’t exactly hire you to be my housekeeper, don’t we,

Scarlet?”

Okay, whoa. Sure, they had some crazy chemistry going on, but did he have to

go and say it like that?

“I wasn’t applying to be anything else,” she managed to croak out.

“But you need so much more, don’t you?” he retorted. “Go upstairs. I’ll make you

breakfast as soon as I shower. Then we’ll talk.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving her to stare after his broad, retreating back.

Shit. She was in trouble.

Chapter Three

Miss Black was quite the intriguing woman. Logan wasn’t really sure when he’d

finally reconciled himself to exactly what he needed from her until he’d seen her in the

kitchen. He’d hired her to be a housekeeper, but when she attempted to do exactly what

he had hired her to do, it just seemed… wrong. He didn’t want Scarlet as his

housekeeper; he wanted her to be his woman.

On some subconscious level, he had known this from the moment he’d opened

the front door. For the past week he’d been courting her in a way. Watching her do

housework was unacceptable to him. The need to provide for her in every way was

overwhelming, but he needed to hear her entire story. What was she running from? Or

who? Was she in some kind of trouble? He couldn’t make a move until he’d heard

everything.

After a quick shower, he whipped up a huge breakfast. Working out always

made him hungry, and Scarlet still ate as if she hadn’t had a decent meal in months.

Probably longer. So much about her brought out his protective instinct, the one he

hadn’t been aware he had. The need to take care of this woman was paramount. There

was no point in even trying to deny it.

Once they’d sat down to eat, she eyed the meal with obvious appreciation, just

checking herself before she started spooning food into her plate. When she did, she

glanced up at him, a mixture of embarrassment and longing in her eyes.

“Go on,” he urged with a grin. “Eat up while it’s hot.” He was rewarded by a

smile that lit up her face. For the first time in the week she’d been with him, she truly

smiled. Not a shy, hesitant curling of her lips, but an honest-to-God smile. The effect hit

Logan low in the gut, knocking the breath from him in a rush. For several moments, he

couldn’t breathe.

“I hate to say it, but I’m not much of a cook anyway,” she admitted with a grin.

“This is fantastic!”

Logan loved watching her eat. Once she settled down from the initial scramble to

get food into her stomach, it was like she had a sensual love affair with her meal. She

savored every bite. Her eyes would slide closed -- like they were doing now -- as she

chewed a bite of breakfast casserole he’d thrown together with sausage, flaky rolls,

eggs, and cream cheese. She had other stuff on her plate, but this seemed to be what she

liked most. He’d noticed it three days ago and had fixed it every day since.

“I was never charged in the laboratory accident because I wasn’t at fault. At least

not overtly.” He waited as she slowly stopped chewing, her eyes rising to stare at him

as he pushed his own food around on his plate. Not once had he ever talked about the

“incident” out loud, but if he expected her to open up to him, he was going to have to

make the first move.

“It was my assistant. A Harvard graduate who, unbeknownst to me, had

developed a somewhat unhealthy attraction to me. She was… unstable. I saw the signs

but ignored them. Just like I ignored everything else while in pursuit of the next big

thing, the next invention that would make me more money, garner more acclaim. The

next government contract that would ensure everything I made went straight to the

military and their money went straight into my pockets.”

Shit, it really was hard to admit these things out loud. Yet, as he spoke, the

weight he had been shouldering for so long lifted ever so slightly. “I turned a blind eye

to all her overtures. Increasingly, my assistant became more and more erratic. I just

moved her, demoted her. Sometimes even berated her in front of others, hoping that

would snap her out of it,” he went on, careful not to look directly at Scarlet. He couldn’t

bear to see what might be written all over her face. Disgust, maybe. God only knew, he

was disgusted with himself.

“One day I finally told her she was acting like a silly toddler. I told her we were

in the business of making weapons, and if she couldn’t handle that maybe she should

run back to academia and find a professor to seduce. That’s when she sabotaged the

weapons. The accident had been intended for me, but I was too busy wining and dining

important people. I assigned interns to take care of the testing. She purposely exposed

the radioactive cores at our facility in Nevada. They all died. Including her.”

Finally he fell silent, letting her absorb what a complete jackass he’d been.

“What was her name?” Scarlet surprised him by asking.

Jerking his head up, he found her staring at him, unblinking. She didn’t appear

disgusted, or even slightly repulsed. She looked pissed. At him? Lord knows he

deserved it.

“Alison.” There was no need to ask who she meant. He knew. There wasn’t a day

that went by that he didn’t think of the mousy woman at least once.

“Alison was an idiot.”

It was said with such conviction, Logan had to fight back emotional wetness in

his eyes. Not tears, surely. He wasn’t the type given to that kind of outward display.

“Maybe not only an idiot, but she probably had some mental issues. You are one

hell of guy not to scream that out to the world. She fucked you because she got her

panties in a wad.”

Logan was so shocked by the vehemence in Scarlet’s voice that for a few

moments, he said nothing. He couldn’t.

“It takes a special kind of man to shoulder all that suspicion for so long.” Scarlet

reached out and placed her small hand over his own. “Seriously, you got dealt a raw

deal. I’m so sorry.”

For just a little while, Logan closed his eyes and savored her touch. He had been

without any kind of meaningful human interaction for far too long. It felt… nice.

“Ahem. Now that I told you my secrets, how about you tell me who or what

you’re running from?” he finally said, grasping her hand so she couldn’t pull away. He

couldn’t bear to break the contact.

She tried for a glare at him, but her lips twitched. “You suckered me right into

that, didn’t you?”

Logan shrugged. “I do try. But, honestly, I need to know what had you camping

on my property in the dead of winter. You could have died, Scarlet.” The mere thought

had him tied in knots. Or maybe it was her touch that had him so nervous. He honestly

didn’t know. All that mattered, though, was figuring out exactly what he was dealing

with so he could figure out how to keep her with him. Forever. And not as a servant. He

wanted the fairy tale. Not exactly a masculine thought, but fuck, he’d had his fill of

being alone.

“Well, I guess it’s only fair.” She cleared her throat, wiping her mouth with a

napkin, taking her time before starting her story. “It’s not all that bad, really,” she began

with a shrug, but Logan could see that to her it was.

“My boyfriend -- well, ex boyfriend -- has a gambling problem. I worked for the

Grand as a housekeeper. Never made it past shift supervisor, but I actually enjoyed it,

and the money was good.” She gave him a wistful smile. “Most of the guests tried not

to notice us, but there were a few who were really nice.”

She looked away as she said that, setting her fork down as her expression closed

off completely. “The first time a man came to meet me outside the hotel after work, I

was so scared I nearly fainted. He told me Mick owed him twenty thousand dollars,

and that if he didn’t get his money in forty-eight hours, I was going to have myself an

accident.”

“Mick sent them to you.” Logan didn’t phrase it as a question. There was no

question. Men like that never hesitated to put pressure on the people who cared about

them in order to get what they needed. The need to punch this asshole in the face rode

him hard.

“Yes. Apparently, they saw my job as an opportunity to get the money fast.

Money Mick would never be able to pay back on his own.”

“So, Mick put you in a position where you felt you had to do anything you could

to keep yourself safe.” There was no way he was going to let her voice that she’d stolen

in order to pay off Mick’s debts. She hadn’t done it for Mick. She’d done it to save her

own life.

Scarlet shrugged. “I guess you could look at it that way. Stealing is still stealing.”

“Did you try to leave after that?”

Nodding, she said, “Yes. Unfortunately he’d planned for that. We had one car --

that was in his name. He’d talked me into moving in with him so the apartment was his

as well. When I moved in with him, he talked me into getting a joint checking account

with him. Only, when I closed mine and moved my money, he kept finding reasons to

not be able to go to the bank to add me to his account. Our checks were direct deposit,

so I was stuck.”

She stopped, taking a drink of her orange juice. He let gather herself for a few

moments. A fine tremor seemed to run through her body, a slight shaking he felt in her

fingers where they laced with his. “Go on,” he encouraged.

“So,” she said as if the rest should be obvious. “It happened over and over. I

even tried to get caught so I’d get fired, but my best friend, Maggie, covered for me. She

had no idea what was going on, only that I was constantly depressed and had resorted

to theft from our guests.” That little chin of hers shot up as she turned her gaze to his,

defiance written all over her face. She was embarrassed and ashamed of what she’d

done, but was silently daring him to call her out on it, to tell her what she should have

done instead.

“Sounds like we were both in explosive relationships.” He paused before asking

his next question. “Did Mick hit you?”

She snorted a little half laugh. “Oh, no. It would have made it easy to leave if he

had. He was all concerned, acting terrified for me, so afraid they’d hurt me. He

explained he’d never meant them to find out where I worked, but sported a black eye

and a split lip saying they beat it out of him. I thought I loved him,” she confessed,

looking down at their entwined fingers. “If I did, he certainly didn’t love me back.”

“I take it that was only the first time.”

“Yes. It happened two more times, the amounts growing higher with each take.

This last time he said he was in for fifty grand. I finally confessed everything to Maggie,

and she showed me your ad. Said she’d considered looking into it but thought I needed

it more.”

“She sounds like a true friend.”

“She is,” Scarlet said with conviction. “The best. And I need to let her know

where I am. She’s likely frantic.”

“Call her, then come meet me in my office,” Logan told her. “Then we can talk

about where to go from here.”

But he knew exactly where they were going; he just needed to get Scarlet to see

it. And he would. Today.

Chapter Four

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Scarlet had to smile at the concern in her friend’s voice. She didn’t know where

she’d be without Maggie.

“I’m good. I just…” How could she say it? She was crazy attracted to Logan

Reinhart, but terrified to mess up a chance at a new start. It was painfully obvious he

had no intention of her ever being his housekeeper. So why was he keeping her

around? “I just can’t believe my luck.” That sounded about right. Sure, Maggie was her

best friend in the whole world, but she wasn’t quite ready to share her bizarre

circumstances just yet.

“Okay, well, make sure you call me often,” Maggie warned her. “Let’s hook up

for lunch or something next week. I have Wednesday and Thursday off.”

“Sounds great.” Scarlet smiled into her phone, glad Maggie couldn’t see her now.

She would know something was up.

As soon as she hung up, she dragged her feet on the way to Logan’s office. She

was so not ready for this conversation. Yes, there was definitely heat between the two of

them. And more than a little physical attraction. Her nipples hardened every time she

was in the same room with him. His voice was enough to make her tingle in places

where she hadn’t tingled in a very long time. Sex with Mick had died out around the

time she noticed she was doing all the heavy lifting while he offered her nothing much

but empty platitudes.

By the time she entered the room where Logan waited, Scarlet was a bundle of

raw nerves. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he was seated on the small couch where

she’d spent so much time reading.

“Have a seat, Scarlet.”

Doing as she was told, Scarlet sat perched on the edge of the couch, her back

straight, as far away from him as she could.

That seemed to make him laugh. “Do you think I’m going to attack you?”

“No,” she muttered, frowning at his laughter. Truthfully, she didn’t trust herself.

“Mr. Reinhart, I think it’s best if I go ahead and move my stuff into one of the

downstairs rooms like I’d intended to do this morning. Those were meant to be for

household staff, right? That’s what I am. Staff. I am your housekeeper.”

“I think we both know that’s not going to work,” Logan murmured, scooting

closer to her. “And we both know I have no desire for you to be my housekeeper.” He

ran his fingers through his hair, making Scarlet’s hand itch to do the same. However, if

she started touching him, she might not ever want to stop. “Look, Scarlet, I’ve been in

self-isolation for a long time now. I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on all the things I

wish I had done differently, as well as all the things I am, what I want to be. I’m drawn

to you in a way that I don’t want to fight. And I know you feel it too.”

Yes, she did. Still, she had to be very careful and very clear. “I won’t be your paid

companion,” she stated emphatically. “I… I’m attracted to you. Who the hell wouldn’t

be? But I’m not some kind of gold digger.”

That made him laugh. A full belly laugh that made her feel warm all over. He

looked years younger when he laughed. She couldn’t help it; watching him made her

smile too.

“You are definitely going to be my companion, but not in the way you just put it.

Not as a domestic servant,” he finally managed to get out between chuckles. “All I’m

asking for is a chance to see where this thing takes us.”

It sounded straight forward enough. But why? “Even after I just admitted to

stealing? If I’m found out, it will likely mean jail time as well as paying back everyone I

stole from.”

“I’m aware of that. I’m also willing to bet you felt so guilty for it -- even given the

fact that you felt you were in mortal danger -- that you know exactly how much you

took and who it belongs to. If it makes you feel better, once we settle this between us,

we can settle everything with everyone else.”

“That sounds like you’re trying to buy me.” That really wasn’t fair, but it was all

she could come up with. It made no sense that this man would want her. Maybe he was

just really lonely.

To her relief, he just grinned, reaching to gently cup her face. “If I make you

happy, I won’t have to buy you. This is just about an honest attraction, me and you.

Nothing else. Now quit stalling and kiss me, Scarlet.”

All of her limited sexual experience couldn’t have prepared her for the touch of

Logan Reinhart’s lips on hers. At once tender but masterful, Logan feathered his closed

mouth over hers twice before licking the seam of her lips with his tongue. When she

parted her lips to lick at him, Logan swept inside and simply took over. Not that she

minded. The intimate contact felt good. Better than good -- it made her feel wanted in a

way that went far beyond simple lust. It had been so long since she’d really enjoyed sex

that she wasn’t really sure what to expect.

Logan was so gentle with her, yet his kiss was demanding, roughening with

every second. However, in a way it was still a tender caress of lips. If there were any

doubt as to his intentions toward her, they were quelled. No man could kiss a woman

with such a mixture of hunger and temperance unless he was genuine. It was obvious

he wanted more and wanted it now, but he was restraining himself for her benefit and

comfort.

With a move so swift it took her breath, Logan pulled her into his lap, urging her

to straddle him. His big, rough hands slid beneath her modest dress to grip her thighs.

He didn’t try to push them apart or touch her any higher, just gripped her legs as if he

could barely restrain himself from demanding more.

His tongue teased hers, coaxing her to greater and greater frenzied heights.

Scarlet’s head spun, and she couldn’t seem to get enough air. Clinging to his shirt, she

moaned, settling herself over him in surrender. There was no way she was denying him

anything he wanted, no matter if his intentions were honorable or not. She needed this

worse than she could ever remember needing anything in her life. What happened

afterward? Well. She’d deal. But for now, she was taking what Logan offered with that

heated kiss, taking the pleasure she’d only ever read about and enjoying every precious

second of it.

* * *

Logan recognized the exact moment Scarlet let go. She sighed and just melted.

Her legs fell open so that she settled over him, her heated sex pressing against his

throbbing cock through his slacks and her panties. Even with the layers he still felt her

heat. Craved it. He wanted to demand she surrender to him, to take her right there. But

it mattered to him that he know for certain that she needed it just as fiercely. With a

little cry, she pulled his shirt from the waistband of his pants and yanked it over his

head. The longing and need in her gaze was his undoing. Logan simply couldn’t

prevent himself from taking her any longer.

In a swift movement, he stood, urging her to wrap those long legs around his

waist. Her dress now rode up around her hips, and his hands unerringly found the

rounded globes of her ass, his fingers itching to sink into them, to force her to ride him

even though they were fully clothed. Instead, he wrapped one arm around her waist as

he hurried through the house up the stairs to his bedroom, Scarlet wrapped tightly in

his arms.

Once there, he set her on her feet, walking her backward to the bed even as he

pulled her dress over her head. The lacy bra and panties hugged her luscious figure like

a lover, like he longed to do.

Stepping out of his pants, Logan never took his eyes from her. Her gaze seemed

to devour him, and for the first time since the accident he was actually grateful for the

solitude he’d endured over the last three years. He’d used his gym to punish himself at

first, working out until he was so exhausted he simply collapsed. In time he’d come to

rely on the activity to keep him from going crazy.

Now he relished what it had done to his body, transforming him from a skinny

nerd to a finely sculpted athlete. Scarlet seemed to most definitely appreciate what she

saw. Her eyes roamed his frame hungrily, like she wanted to eat him alive. Lord knew

he was eager to see more of her. She reached behind her, unclasping the lacy bra. It slid

down her arms to puddle at her feet. Her underwear soon followed, and before him

stood a goddess.

“I don’t know how I’ve kept my hands off you this week, Scarlet,” he managed.

“Had I known you had such a lush little body under your clothes, I might not have.”

She gave him that shy grin that sometimes graced her mouth. The one that made

his stomach flip every time it did. “I’ve been itching to get more than my hands on

you,” she admitted. “The first time you walked out of the gym shirtless and sweating, it

was all I could do not to lick off every single bead of moisture.” She giggled, betraying

her nervousness. “Oh, God, Logan. I need you so much!”

* * *

As much as Logan wanted Scarlet, he couldn’t rush it. It was important that he

show her just how badly he wanted her, the woman, not just sex. Climbing on the bed

with her, he ran his mouth all over the soft silky skin that had tempted him for far too

long. Starting at her throat, he worked his way down her body, caressing as well as

kissing. God, he loved the way her fingers slid through his hair. Thankfully he’d

stopped having his hair cut short after the accident. It seemed like a waste of effort at

the time. Now, it was his indication he was doing something right. Whenever he

reached a sensitive spot on her body, she tugged, letting out the sweetest, softest little

moans. Fuck, that was sexy!

Slowly he worked his way down to her thighs, where he took his time softly

licking, nipping, and kissing the insides of her thighs. Scarlet gasped, bolting up as she

tried to push his head away.

“No, no… you don’t have to… to do that.”

Logan looked up, but he didn’t move from his position. “Why is that,

sweetheart?” Most women loved what he was about to do. Scarlet seemed panicked for

some reason.

“I, uh, don’t like that.” She blushed furiously, looking away.

“Look at me, Scarlet.” He waited a half a heartbeat, until she complied, before

slowly running his finger down the lips of her pussy. Her lips opened, her breathing

coming in soft pants. “Do you like that?” he asked, already knowing the answer. At her

nod, he moved his finger back up then took her clit in between his thumb and

forefinger, pressing firmly, but not too hard.

“How about that?” A soft, mewing moan was her only response. Her legs

opened more, giving him complete access, her eyes drifting closed. “Open your eyes,

sweetheart. Watch me.” As soon as her eyes opened, he dipped his head down before

she could protest and curled his tongue around her clit.

“Oh!” Her hands returned to his hair, only she was no longer trying to push him

away.

Logan took full advantage, delving his tongue deep inside her channel. God, she

tasted so damn sweet! Although she had stated she didn’t like it, soon her legs locked

around his neck, her hips riding his face. He feasted until she was screaming, her body

trembling all around him. Only then did he slide up her body, the tip of his cock teasing

the opening.

“How was that, sweetheart?” The smirk he gave her was a tad self-satisfied, but

he loved the fact he had been able to turn her into a quivering mass. The fact she had

thought she didn’t like being eaten out only made it sweeter.

“Oh, my God, I never knew it could be like that!” Scarlet panted, staring up at

him with wide-eyed wonder.

What kind of selfish bastard had she been with? Well, that was going to change

now.

“I want to taste you,” Scarlet surprised him by saying. The statement was

punctuated by her tongue swiping her lower lip.

Logan damn near lost it right then. The thought of those delectable lips around

his dick was almost too much. Before he could stop himself, he thrust long and hard

into her cunt. “Later,” he managed to grunt, bringing his hips back, then thrusting

inside again.

“Logan!” Scarlet screamed, clutching his shoulders as he powered inside her.

Damn it, he couldn’t stop. She was so tight, so very wet. The walls of her pussy

gripped him perfectly. There was no way he could control himself. Scarlet’s responses,

the way she canted her hips for him, rolling her pelvis as he drove inside her, just egged

him on. They came together as if made for one another.

“I’m going to come,” Scarlet moaned, her own movements becoming

increasingly insistent as well as erratic.

“Let go, baby,” Logan encouraged. “Come for me.”

Although he’d encouraged it, he hadn’t been prepared for the way her cunt

clamped down on his cock. The grip was too tight, the pulsations of her walls too much.

With a roar, Logan thrust wildly, his own orgasm overtaking him like a tidal wave. He

came with her, flooding her womb.

But it still wasn’t enough. Logan knew then it would never be enough.

Chapter Five

Mick waited outside the hotel until Maggie came out all bundled up against the

harsh cold. He had to jog to catch up with her. The wind carried his calls away so she

couldn’t hear him.

“Maggie! Hey, Maggie, hold up!”

The little bundle of wool stopped, turning to face him. And she wasn’t all that

happy to see him. What had Scarlet told her? Fuck, this was supposed to have been

easy.

“What do you want, Mick?” Even though the only part of her face that was

visible was her eyes, the narrowing of those deep brown, cat-shaped orbs, showed him

he was not a welcome sight.

“Scarlet. I know you know where she is. I need to see her.” Remembering the

role he was supposed to be playing, Mick did his damnedest to look the part of the

concerned boyfriend. “I miss her something awful. I know I made some mistakes, but I

really need to work things out.”

He needed a score. A couple rooms on the top floors, and he would be straight.

But he needed cash right now.

“She doesn’t want to see you.” Maggie sniffed, raising her nose at him like she

was better than he was. The little bitch.

“I know she doesn’t. But I really need to talk to her. Explain things.” He’d been

told his blue eyes were his best feature, so he made sure Maggie got the full sad-puppy-

eye gaze. Girls ate that shit up like candy. Maggie was a loner -- no man, no prospects.

Mick had always believed she never liked him much because she wasn’t getting any

herself. So he reached out to move her scarf to the side a little so he could rub her cheek.

“I got a job now. I can take care of her like a good man should.” That was a load of bull,

but Maggie couldn’t possibly know that.

“I don’t know.” Maggie looked away, biting at her bottom lip. It was working.

He just needed to push a little more.

“Come on, Maggie.” Mick didn’t need to fake the tears that leaked from his eyes.

They were all too real. “I need to just talk to Scarlet. She’s not answering any of my

phone calls. I -- I just want a chance to explain.”

Shit was getting desperate. He had tried to win back the money he owed, but

instead, he had only managed to add up more debt. If Scarlet didn’t help him out, he

was a dead man.

“She took a job at Logan Reinhart’s estate,” Maggie finally admitted. “Look,

Mick, just give her time to sort stuff out in her head. Show her you’re a changed man.

Pay the rent for once. Take on some of the bills. Then try calling her.”

Mick had to resist the urge to slap the little bitch across her face. Who the hell did

she think she was, telling him what to do? And where the hell did Scarlet get off telling

her friends their personal business? If he didn’t need her…

Wait. Logan Reinhart? The dude was loaded! All Scarlet had to do was lift

enough stuff that wouldn’t be noticed, and he was home free!

“Yeah, maybe I’ll do that.” Mick nodded, already making plans in his head.

“Thanks, Maggie.”

Perfect. All he needed to do was to pay his wayward girlfriend a little visit at her

new place of business. The Reinhart place was huge. If she was staying there, chances

were good she could sneak him in at night too. They could live like freaking kings!

Things were starting to look up. All he had to do was convince Scarlet this would be the

last time, that he loved her. It was easy to do. Scarlet ate up the lovey-dovey shit like an

eager little kitten. He could make her love him again. No sweat.

* * *

“You don’t need to cook for me, Scarlet.” Logan had woken up to an empty bed.

For a second he’d panicked, afraid the past two weeks had been a dream.

Then he’d smelled it. Something sweet had drifted all the way from the kitchen,

up the stairs. He had managed to throw on a pair of shorts before going down to see

what Scarlet was up to. She turned, gracing him with the most beatific smile he’d ever

seen. My woman…

“It’s just peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.” She laughed. “One of my few

specialties.”

They did smell delicious, but she smelled even better. And she looked edible

wearing nothing but his shirt. The tails came only to the tops of her thighs, giving him

tantalizing glimpses of creamy chocolate legs. His cock sprang to attention despite their

having spent the entire afternoon playing around in bed.

“You don’t have to cook, but anything that smells like that, I’ll eat,” he teased,

coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle. Her hair was piled up on

her head in a riot of auburn curls, leaving her neck bare. Naturally he had to kiss it.

She was placing her cookies on a cooling rack, lifting them carefully with a

spatula. When the last one was out, he turned her around to place a gentle kiss on her

mouth. God, he could get lost in her kisses so easily. As his arms came around her --

one of them going straight to her ass -- he groaned to find she wasn’t wearing any

panties. He’d made love to her for hours, and still he wanted her again.

“Well, I should be able to do something domestic from time to time.”

“Just as long as you know you don’t have to, baby.”

She sent him a mind-scrambling smile. “I know. But I wanted to.”

Logan kissed her again just because he could. “If they’re done, we could always

eat them in bed.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. No doubt that would be Mick, that dick of an ex-

boyfriend of hers. No one ever came to his door for any reason, except Scarlet. Logan

wasn’t surprised. He’d been prepared for this since she’d told him why she was here in

the first place.

Scarlet stiffened in his embrace, obviously coming to the same conclusion. She

found his gaze with hers, eyes wide but resigned. Did she think he would let her go that

easily? Well, he would just have to show her differently.

“Come on,” he growled, taking her hand firmly in his. Before he opened the door

he paused, hesitant as to what he should say. “Tell me now. Do you want to go with

him?” It wasn’t like he would actually let her go back to the bastard, but he wanted to at

least give her the illusion she had a choice. If she chose poorly, he’d take her back to bed

and prove to her why she’d chosen poorly.

“No.” She shook her head emphatically. “Not at all.” Then she looked away.

“Unless you don’t want me to stay.” The last part was a whisper, but he’d heard it clear

enough.

He rolled his eyes, making a rude noise when he did. “Don’t be absurd,” he

snapped before giving her an apologetic look. “Sorry. I’m still a little territorial, and the

man behind that door plans to take you away from me.”

To his relief, she giggled. “I don’t think anyone has ever been willing to fight

over me before.”

“Fight. Kill.” He shrugged. “Whatever it takes.” Logan pulled her in for a hard

kiss just as he opened the door.

Outside stood a pleasant enough looking younger man. Dark hair was neatly

groomed and short, though a glossy curl fell over his forehead. Logan supposed women

fell for his rakish good looks, but if everything he’d learned about Scarlet and her life

up until a mere couple of weeks ago was any indication, he was nothing more than a

hustler.

“Can we help you?” Logan asked the question with deceptive politeness. Inside

he was burning to bitch-slap the little punk.

The man -- Mick -- blinked a couple of times before letting out what was

probably supposed to be a relieved breath. “Scarlet! I was so worried about you!” When

he took a step forward, reaching for Scarlet, she stiffened. Instinctively, Logan stepped

forward, keeping himself between Scarlet and Mick.

“Well, as you can see, I’m fine,” came Scarlet’s cool reply. She was dressed in

Logan’s shirt and nothing else. Nothing screamed she’d moved on more than that fact.

But, as if putting a fine point on the matter, she curled into Logan’s body, her little

fingers digging into the skin of his bare chest.

Mick’s gaze flickered over Scarlet, obviously noticing her state of dress -- or

undress. Fury crossed his features before he schooled them, once again donning an

expression of sincere concern. “Look,” Mick said, holding his hand out to her in a

pleading gesture, “I know the last time we saw each other we fought, but we’ve been

together for three years. It’s inevitable we argue from time to time. That doesn’t mean I

love you any less.”

“How about turning those thugs on me? Does that mean you love me?”

“They beat it out of me, baby! I’d never have said anything about you if they

hadn’t nearly killed me.”

“You had a black eye and a split lip! That’s hardly a near-death beating!” Scarlet

actually yelled at him that time. Logan knew the situation was about to deteriorate.

Men like this Mick didn’t like being challenged, especially in front of another man.

For an instant, Logan thought Mick would let loose. His eyes flashed with anger,

but he took a couple of deep breaths and managed a smile. “Why don’t you come with

me and we can talk. Just… put some clothes on and come away from here. With me.”

Mick’s eyes went wide in silent command, his mouth hardening even as he held out his

hand for Scarlet.

“You’re out of your mind,” she answered, sidling closer to Logan, her free hand

going around his waist from behind to clutch him to her harder. “This man has treated

me better in the past two weeks than you did our entire relationship.”

“But, Scarlet --”

“No buts, Mick! You need to leave.”

Instant rage washed over Mick’s features. “You little slut. I bet you just couldn’t

wait to spread your legs for the first rich asshole you found. Too bad you had to settle

for a murderer. Probably because someone as frigid as you couldn’t -- UMPFT!”

Hearing about all he could take, Logan pushed Scarlet behind him, then punched

the jackass on his front porch in his insolent mouth. Not quite satisfied, Logan let his

left fist fly to connect with the side of the boy’s face. “You will get the hell off my

property before I lose my patience and stop being polite,” he ground out, wanting

nothing more than to beat the living shit out of this guy. He really hoped Mick would

be stupid enough to challenge him. The boy really needed to be taught a lesson.

“You see the kind of man this guy is?” As Logan had hoped, Mick just didn’t

seem to understand he had lost here. “What are you going to do? Kill me in front of

her?”

Logan smiled before giving Mick an open-handed slap. It was meant to be an

insult, but he doubted Mick would understand that. “If you don’t stay the fuck away

from Scarlet, yeah, I just might kill you,” he promised, before slapping him again for

emphasis.

“Just go, Mick,” Scarlet said behind them, her voice sounding strong, confident.

Logan was proud of her for that.

“If I go, they’ll kill me.” Mick began to cry. Logan was so disgusted he took a

step back. “Please, Scar, don’t you care anything about me? Do you want me to die?”

Logan opened his mouth to respond, but was stopped by Scarlet’s hand on his

shoulder.

“I didn’t do this to you, Mick,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around

Logan’s waist once more. “You’re going to have to find your own way out this time.

Goodbye.”

Logan couldn’t resist kissing the top of her head and squeezing her to him. He

got the feeling this was the first time in a long time she’d stood up for herself. He

couldn’t be more pleased.

“You have two minutes to get out of here, then I’m calling the cops,” Logan

warned before closing the door in Mick’s face. Spinning Scarlet to face him, he kissed

her with all the passion and desire he felt inside. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” he

praised. “Let’s go get some cookies and celebrate your fierceness in bed.”

Scarlet giggled, giving him a bear hug before reaching up to cup his face. “Deal.

But tomorrow we’re going out, and you can start taking your life back, too.”

“I already have, baby,” he said, meaning every word, feeling it with everything

in him. “The second you chose me, you handed it to me on a silver platter.”

She smiled up at him. “Then we’re even. Because I would never have stood up to

Mick if you hadn’t been right here beside me.”

“Then we’ll do it together,” he said. “Always. Together.”

Marteeka Karland & Shara Azod

Erotic romance author by night, emergency room tech/clerk by day, Marteeka

Karland works really hard to drive everyone in her life completely and totally nuts. She

has been creating stories from her warped imagination since she was in the third grade.

Her love of writing blossomed throughout her teenage years until it developed into the

totally unorthodox and irreverent style her English teachers tried hard to rid her of.

Want to see what’s up with Marteeka? Check out her website at

www.marteekakarland.com

or join her Yahoo! group at

marteekakarland-

[e-mail]

. Marteeka always welcomes e-mail from her readers. You

can reach her at

[e-mail]

. Visit

changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=39

for more titles by Marteeka.

Shara Azod is the first one to admit she is a little off. Her favorite movies are Steel

Magnolias and Apocalypse Now, with a little Godfather and Animal House thrown in for

fun. When not planning to take over the world, she can usually be found having deep

and meaningful conversations with her kids about the meaning of life or trying to talk

her husband into buying her weapons -- just in case of Armageddon.

Read more at Shara’s website:

www.sharaazod.com

. Visit

changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=131

for more titles by Shara.