Jennifer Probst - Heart of Steel

But Logan had.

He watched her with an odd expression, probably wondering why she looked like she stumbled upon some truth that was about to change her life.

“Chandler? What are you thinking?”

She opened her mouth to tell him she was madly in love with him; that she saw the future in his eyes; that she trusted him with her whole heart and soul. The sound of the doorbell cut off her response.

With a hint of annoyance, Logan rose from the sofa. “Why do I think this is going to be another one of your strays seeking comfort? I think it’s time I inform them your shelter is now full.” He grasped the knob and hurled it open.

Harry rushed through in his usual manner. “Hey, Logan, how are you? Chandler, guess what? I had a big legal dispute to handle at McKenzie & Tetenbaum, and when I walked into the conference room Rachael was waiting for me. So, naturally, I was excited to see her and decided to finally ask her out.”

“And?” Chandler asked.

“Then the most incredible thing happened. She asked me out for coffee. Do you believe it? Maybe she’s been interested all this time but was waiting for me to make the first move.”

She laughed in delight at Harry’s excitement. “I told you! I want to hear the whole story, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“Sure, I’ll—”

“Excuse me.” Logan tapped Harry’s shoulder. Harry turned. Pure masculine irritation bristled from Logan’s figure. “I think we have a problem.”

Immediately, Harry backed towards the door and grinned. “Oops, I knew I should have called first. Guess I’m still getting used to the idea that Chandler isn’t alone anymore, waiting for news about my life.” He ignored her protests and paused on the threshold. “Sorry about the inconvenience. Maybe we can all meet for a drink one night. Talk to you later.” Harry rushed out as fast as he had rushed in.

The room fell silent.

Chandler crossed her arms in front of her and glared at the man who leaned against the couch in a relaxed stance. He shrugged his massive shoulders and walked into the kitchen. “What are those heavenly smells coming out of the oven?” He breathed in deeply. “It doesn’t smell like tofu is in this recipe.”

“Logan, how could you?”

“Well, we still have some time left. I think I’ll get a refill on that cognac. Want one?”

Chandler followed in his footsteps as he made his way toward the liquor cabinet. “You can’t continue treating my friends like this. I thought you understood my relationship with Harry, yet you practically toss him out the door.”

“All I said is that we have a problem.” He refilled his glass calmly.

“It was the way you said it and the way you looked when you said it.”

“I refuse to give up an evening with you so I can listen to another man’s woes. From now on they can all look for another woman to nurture them.”

“You’re doing it again!” Frustration vibrated through her body. “You’re trying to order me around and give me rules to follow. Just because I’m sleeping with you doesn’t mean I’ll do everything you say.”

He took in her defiant stance and lowered his voice to a silky drawl. “You seemed to be pretty responsive to my instructions last night.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks at the mention of that wildly erotic evening in his arms. “I won’t let you bully me by using seduction.” Her chin lifted. “Why were you rude to Harry when he told you he’s interested in another woman? He specifically came over here to tell me he had date.”

“I knew the moment I set up the date he’d rush over to tell you, and I was right. Harry needs to learn I’m first in your life.”

“That’s ridiculous, he’s always in a rush to tell me things. And of course you’ll always be first in my life, I don’t think that’s even a—what did you say?” She broke off and glanced at him with suspicion. “Did you say you set up their date?”

Logan propped one hand against the side of the easy chair and crossed his ankles like a lazy jungle cat taking a break. “Yep.”

She stared at him with horror. “You’re the one who persuaded Rachael to ask him out?” Logan nodded in satisfaction. “How did you do it?”

“One of my employees does a lot of business with McKenzie & Tetenbaum. I had him make a few phone calls to track down this woman Rachael, and then I paid her a visit. I mentioned Harry did a little work for my company and he thought she was an interesting person. My job got easier from there because she immediately lit up and told me she thought he was one of the nicest men she’d ever met. After a brief discussion, I convinced her to ask him for coffee, and guaranteed he’d say yes. The rest is up to them.”

Chandler opened her mouth, then quickly shut it. She turned on her heel and marched into the kitchen, muttering under her breath as she went to check the pasta and broccoli casserole. Logan followed. After slamming the oven door closed, she threw the hot mitts on the table and faced him. “How could you manipulate poor Harry like that?” she demanded. “If he had any idea you did this he’d be humiliated.”

“If I didn’t step in those two would never get together. I did them a favor.”

“You did this so you could get Harry out of the way.” She glared at him. “You used a person’s weakness to get what you want.”

“Don’t push it, lady. This was the right thing for everyone. Harry has to stop depending on you.”

She threw up her hands. “You make me crazy, Logan Grant! I am usually a calm, focused person. I practice yoga and meditation so I can get in touch with my feelings and approach life with total peace. You are wrecking my concentration! You’re jealous and demanding and stubborn and—don’t even think about it.” She put her hands out in front to ward him off as he started moving toward her. “We will not solve this problem with sex.”

He didn’t listen. She backed away and circled around the sofa to put an object safely between them.

“Come here,” he commanded softly. “When you get into these emotional outbursts there’s only one way to reason with you.”

“Don’t come near me.” She stumbled over the coffee table in a hasty retreat. “You can’t control me like you do your employees.”

“If you were one of my employees you’d be fired for disobeying a direct order. I’m not trying to control you, Chandler, I’m trying to show all your strays that you won’t have the time to nurture them on a full time basis anymore. Now stop moving away from me and come here.”

With one swift lunge he tackled her down on the sofa and pinned his body over hers. He grasped both her wrists and held them above her head with one hand. Her chest heaved and she let out a sigh. She glared at him as his gaze roamed over her flushed features.

“I won’t let you seduce me,” she said stubbornly. “You manipulated Harry, you’re bullying me, and I have to think about what effect this will have on our relationship.”

“Dammit woman, if I didn’t love you so much I’d put you over my knee instead of doing this!” His mouth took hers in a frustrated assault of emotion, hot and demanding. She melted helplessly beneath him, her lips opening to the thrusting motion of his tongue against hers. His hand released her wrists to peel open her blouse, his palms cupping and squeezing the weight of her breasts, teasing the hard crests. Heat exploded through her as she arched upwards. His mouth moved down her neck, and the words he had spoken suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Logan, what did you just say?”

“Forget anything I said.” His teeth bit at the sensitive curve behind her ear and a shudder ripped through her. “Actions speak louder than words. I’m taking you to bed.”