Chapter 25
Penelope
The two days following our night with Ida and the kids were full of grueling prep work for the charity event tonight.
I was shocked when Logan told me Silas wouldn’t be attending, but more delighted by his eagerness to have me by his side. We’ve spent countless hours poring over details, guest lists, and organizing with the local food bank to bring this fundraiser to life. Agán even agreed to perform a few dances with some old friends, and Ida decided to be his unofficial stagehand.
“It’s going to be perfect.” My hands smooth the gorgeous two-piece gown Logan bought for me to wear this evening.
The long, empire waist skirt has a short train and dramatic slit that starts high on my thigh and parts wide at my feet. Like the puff-sleeved top, it’s made of a soft, transparent material with a silk, silver underlay. And with hundreds of rhinestones cascading from top to bottom, I look as though I was plucked from the stars.
With my dark hair waving over my shoulder, and my toes wiggling in a pair of silver satin flats, I can’t help but notice Logan’s attention to leaving me free to move—not restricting my body with too tight material or treacherous high heels.
I follow a group of guests excitedly bustling through the doors of Logan’s office building. The fundraiser is being held in the ballroom on the first floor, and inside, the air is frigid, skating up my calves and thighs, and raising goosebumps along my arms.
The only communication we’ve had today was a handwritten note that read:
Javier will pick you up at six sharp.No panties.That’s an order.
I grow more nervous with each step I take. Will I talk too much? Say something I shouldn’t? Hell, one sneeze and I might flash someone the goods he insisted I leave uncovered.
When I reach the ballroom lobby, I’m greeted by a flawless depiction of the theme I designed for this event.
A tunnel, formed by mirror flooring, reflects the white-gold lights of the massive archway above it, guiding guests into the heart of the room. Through the exit, sparkling accents twinkle as far as my eyes can see, while cream and peach blooms overflow from massive centerpieces adorning the tables, illuminated by softly lit chandeliers.
It’s the epitome of grace and elegance, and I haven’t even seen it all.
“Job well done, I’d say.” Logan stands to the side of the tunnel with one hand in the pocket of his dark gray suit that compliments my gown and a pair of burning blue eyes trained on me.
For as proud as I am that we pulled it off, nothing is more breathtaking than him smirking around the edge of his crystal glass. He savors the sight of me a moment longer before taking a sip of the chilled liquor.
I’ve stopped in my tracks, letting the excited, murmuring crowd brush past me until there’s just us and a few stragglers in the open lobby.
He swaggers toward me—not hurried, but calculated, and there’s not a step he takes where his eyes aren’t traveling over some part of me. They touch my legs before pausing at the slit exposing them. My middle, where a smooth patch of skin plays peek-a-boo just above the high waist of my skirt. Then finally, my face, which tips up to his.
“Hi.” I nibble the corner of my smile, admiring his styled hair and neatly trimmed beard.
His face lights up when he says, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Those words hold an unexpected amount of weight as he lowers his hand and whispers his finger over the ring on mine. For as much as I yearn to touch him, I force myself to behave. It’s too risky in front of his father’s associates, and while Silas may be absent, the fact remains that here, I’m still Logan’s assistant.
As an added precaution, we’ve decided I’ll introduce myself with the name I gave George when we met at Adventure Park.
“Miss Wimbledon,” he teases, but then flatters me when he’s lost for words. “Honestly, I… You look…”
Unable to help myself, I casually reach for his tie, fixing the silk knot that’s come loose. “Incredible? Amazing? Unbelievably sexy?”
“Like my future,” he says finally.
My breath hitches and my fingers still. I’m lingering too long, I know. But this man is surely my greatest weakness.
“Could have sworn you were gonna say sexy,” I whisper.
“That, too.” He grins before switching his glass to his non-dominant hand. “And it’s going to be impossible to keep my hands off you tonight.”
To most everyone, Logan’s the son of a business tycoon who’s trying to fill his father’s shoes. But to me, he’s devastatingly handsome, genuine, and kind, with a heart big enough to change the world. And right now, he’s an undeniable force I’m powerless to resist.
“You’re a temptation not even God would deny Himself,” he murmurs, using his body to block me from the couples talking excitedly across the entrance hall.
My eyes widen and I inhale sharply when one finger gradually slips up the slit of my skirt. “What are you doing?”
“Shh,” he commands. “Don’t want them getting suspicious, now, do we?”
I hold my breath as the cool condensation on the tip of his finger trails up my inner thigh. “I’m just making sure you followed orders.”
The delicate touch climbs higher, forcing my heart into a galloping fit before he finally strokes the seam of my aching core. A low groan feathers across my cheek, increasing my burning desire, and I swallow hard when he swipes that finger through the slickness waiting for him.
He brings the tip to his lips, eyes closed and body shuddering as he licks it clean. “Delicious.”
I sway, blinking away the lust pounding through me as another rush of guests flow into the room.
“Bet you’re happy it’s dark in there,” I rasp, loving the satisfaction his body’s reaction gives me.
“I’ll be happy once we’re finished and I’m buried inside you.”
I lick my lips, and he chuckles, amused by my blatant staring. “Later, I promise. Right now, we’ve got work to do.”
“Right.” I shimmy, shaking off the residual tremors of desire.
With a smooth sweep of his arm, he gestures for the ballroom, and I walk beside him, careful not to let on that we’re anything more than associates.
It’s been some time since I’ve attended an event as high-class as this one. Probably not since years ago, when my father opened Triggerz International and flew us all to London to celebrate Carrie’s accomplishment in joining his team.
Mom made sure I wore some frilly, stuffy dress, and then promptly paraded me around, retelling all her friends the lies about my life.
And maybe I shouldn’t have snuck off during Dad’s congratulatory speech to chug champagne bongs with his senior app developer and his wife, but I’d been rebelling against the image they wanted me to portray, refusing to close the lid on the box they’d put me in.
I can’t deny the anxiety slithering up from those memories, warning me that tonight is just another way for someone to control me. That I’m here as Logan’s pretty arm ornament, expected to sit still and be quiet.
But he shuts my fears down with one hand carefully splayed across my lower back; a discreet gesture that offers much-needed solace to us both.
“People are staring,” I grit through a clenched smile I wish was as convincing as his.
The lights above illuminate his face, highlighting a flirtatious smirk. “Can you blame them?”
His words warm the center of my chest, spreading up my neck and cheeks as we exit the walkway.
Assuming his rigid business demeanor, Logan greets his father’s associates while a woman on stage gives an introductory speech for the evening.
I’m introduced as his assistant to everyone we meet, and my fake name rolls right off my tongue. Except, after a while, something starts nagging at me. It pings like an alarm in the back of my mind, demanding I acknowledge it.
You’ll never be a real couple. You’re only here because Silas isn’t.
I smooth a hand down my throat to calm myself. Maybe we can’t be public with our relationship, but that doesn’t mean we won’t ever be.
Right?
“There’s Ida,” Logan says, evaporating my doubts in a snap.
Behind the woman on stage, Ida and Agán poke their heads out from behind the curtain, scanning the crowd. We wave when they spot us, and Ida gives a thumbs up before they disappear altogether.
We walk the perimeter of the room, stopping before an elaborate canned goods display dedicated to the food bank we’re fundraising for.
“We’ve got an hour before the auction starts. What’s our plan?”
Logan swipes his lower lip thoughtfully. “We need support to make Seaside ours. Which means speaking with contractors, business owners, and media pros. Showing them what Summit Estates stands for and giving them a reason to join us in revamping the area.”
“All right.” I pound my fist into my palm, ready for action. “Where do we start?”
He tugs at his collar as if needing some air. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead, to be honest.”
“I don’t believe it… Are you nervous?”
My arched brow earns a pointed glare. “Cut me some slack. This is my dad’s thing, not mine.”
I purse my lips, surveying the room. “When Mom and Dad would drag me to these kinds of things, I would make a game out of spotting cliques to pass the time. Eventually, Dad caught on and started using my game to connect with people.”
“How?”
“Okay, so think of it like prom.” Pointing to the farthest corner of the room, I break it down. “Let’s start with the rich girls. They’re likely here because their daddies said no more yacht parties if they didn’t make an appearance. But they’ll have social media skills that are beyond our understanding.”
“You definitely just called us old, but carry on.”
I roll my eyes, grinning when I motion to the bar. “See those guys in their boots? Those are our blue-collar workers. They’re going to be contractors, painters, and pipe layers. We’ll wanna talk to them first because they’re less likely to want to discuss business once they’ve eaten.”
His watchful eyes scan each group, catching on quickly. “That leaves us with the suits.”
“Exactly. They’ll have the bankroll we need to make this whole thing happen, but big business folks are notoriously slippery. Which means we’ll have to charm their pants off, and fast.”
“And you say you aren’t good at this,” Logan says, grinning proudly.
My heartbeat quickens at his approval, and I preen beneath that stare. “It’s wildly unfair that I can’t kiss you right now.”
He winks. “Keep that energy, sunshine. You’re going to need it.”
When the woman on stage ends her speech, I turn and offer him my hand. “We’ll each start with one group, then switch to seal the deal.”
Clasping my palm, he gives it a secure shake. “Let’s do this.”
We split up, and I head straight for the bar while Logan swaggers toward the young ladies in the corner, instantly wooing them with a whole lot of charm.
I make small talk with the men, throwing a few jokes around before getting to know them better. It’s a fool-proof tactic that helps me when trying to figure out what I need from my target.
When we get ready to switch, we pass each other by the drink table, low-fiving with matching smirks.
I lower my voice. “Blue shirt wants more deets. Says he and his son are just starting out their steel business, but they have plenty of men to get the job done.”
Logan nods, keeping his stride, but before I’m out of earshot, he says, “They made me create a Pictsagram. I don’t know what it is, but you should know you’ll be in charge of it.”
I shake my head, smiling as I step over to the group of young women.
They’re surprisingly accepting, obsessed with my outfit, and four new numbers and a pedicure date later, we’re fast friends. Bonus, I’m going to see about hiring one of them as Summit Estates new social media coordinator.
Separately, Logan and I take turns speaking with local restaurant owners, a winemaker who’s upstarting a winery on the outskirts of Keerah, and an art gallery owner from New York who’s looking for exhibit space for the world-famous painter, Alexandre Bernard.
I huff an exhausted breath when we break to meet in front of an elaborate champagne display. “Okay, we’re almost at the hour mark, but I think we’ve done pretty well.”
Logan hands me a plate of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of water as we compare names and contact information for potential partnerships. “I haven’t been this social in… probably ever. It’s kind of nice.”
“You’re doing amazing,” I say after taking several bites and then setting the plate on the table. I grab the water and take a cool sip, washing down food I barely taste over the excitement to get back out there. “But dinner is about to be served, then they’ll do the live auction, followed by Agán’s show, and by then, our chances of getting in front of anyone else are slim.”
He takes the carrot I offer him and chews thoughtfully.
“There’s a woman here, Ellen Mays. She’s the CEO of a sustainable energy solutions company called SunGro Technologies. They provide businesses with alternatives, such as wind and solar power.”
I hand him another bite, and then make him take a sip of water. “You’re thinking we could use her for the build?”
“I’ve been trying to get Dad to reconsider our company resources for years, but he’s old-school and wants to rely on men like Nathan Reid. But… if Ellen was willing to fund the Seaside project with the agreement of promoting and incorporating her technology, then I think he’d be hard-pressed to deny me.”
Just hearing him speak about Silas makes my stomach clench.
“Got it.” I swipe a glass of champagne from the display behind us and promptly suck down half of it. “Can you describe what she looks like?”
“Tall, light brown complexion, and…”
“What?”
“Well, she’s known for having an impressive figure.”
I spot the woman he’s described across the room, perusing the artfully arranged display of cans and boxes donated for the event.
My jaw drops. “Oh, you mean she’s got an ass.”
Logan laughs adorably. “Yes, and if you could refrain from actually saying that to her, that’d be great.”
I jab him with an elbow before drinking the rest of my bubbles. “All right. Here’s what we’ll do. I’m gonna go charm the hell out of this chick, get her nice and loosened up, and then you’ll swagger on over, hop into the convo, flash a couple smiles… hook, line, and sinker.”
Logan sips his water, mulling this over. “I like it. But you should know, Mays can be a bit of a hardass. And she doesn’t exactly get along with my dad.”
“Great, we’ve already got one thing in common.” I set my empty glass on the table behind us and pick up two champagne flutes. “Give me ten. You know where to find me.”
“Pen,” he says, stopping me as if he’d grabbed my hand. When I glance back, he gives a curt nod. “Thank you.”
I’m going to remember this moment for as long as I live. Not because I feel prettier than I have in years, or that part of me is actually enjoying this. But because I’ve been holding on to who we used to be for so long that I haven’t accepted the truth of who we are now.
I offer him a soft smile. “Guess we do make a pretty great team.”
With that, I make my way across the floor, filling my lungs with a deep, cleansing breath.
Ellen’s stunning in a fitted crimson dress. Her jet-black hair is expertly tucked in a chignon bun, accented with rhinestones, which match the cascading diamond necklace, plunging toward her breasts.
God, it’s been so long since I’ve had to feign interest in the lives of the wealthy. My nerves try to get the best of me, but as I approach her, I reach inside my old bag of tricks, scouring her outfit and every patch of exposed skin for tattoos, scars, for anything that could make for a potential talking point.
“Ellen, hi!” I say a touch too excitedly before clearing my throat. “How are you?”
The woman turns, eyeing me suspiciously, and I’m hit with a wave of intimidation. “Hello.”
I gesture to her dress with both hands occupied by the flutes. “I mean, wow. Ten out of ten, girl.”
She cocks a stenciled brow, sizing me up. “Thank you.”
Jeez. Guess Logan wasn’t joking.
“Here you go.” Her bright red lips thin when I shove one of the flutes at her. “I got this for you if you’d like me—it. I meant it, not me, of course.”
Blood rushes to my face so quickly, I’m afraid I’ll pass out right at this woman’s feet.
“I don’t drink,” she says apathetically. “And I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Oh, gosh. Where are my manners? Name’s Penelope. I’m Logan Anderson’s assistant.” My rambling mouth drops my real name before I can recover and sweat builds under my arms and across my forehead. “We’re so glad you could make it tonight. I hope you’ll stay for the show. We’ve got this whole belly dancing performance lined up that’s going to be ah-ma-zing.”
“I won’t be staying long,” she says dismissively.
“Why not?” I ask, jumping in front of her when she attempts to move around me.
Champagne sloshes to the floor between us, and I freeze before laughing nervously. I smear the drops around with the tip of my shoe. “Don’t worry, I’ll get that cleaned up.”
My stomach somersaults when she steps around the puddle of bubbles. “I’m here to make my donation and scope out my competitors. There’s no reason to dawdle.”
If Carrie were here, she’d shove my shoulder and encourage me to go after her. She’d remind me that businesswomen are direct and confident, and if I don’t nail this opportunity to make a connection, then someone else will.
I ditch the glasses on a nearby table and take off after her.
“Wait.” My voice holds as much authority as I can muster, and I’m shocked when she halts. Though she doesn’t fully turn around until I add, “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
After folding her arms, Ellen juts out a hip. “I’m listening.”
Be direct. Be confident. Be a damn Vance for once in your life.
“There’s a town not far from here, Anchorage Harbor. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”
“I’m familiar,” she drawls as if I’m boring her.
“Summit Estates is considering expanding to Seaside Avenue. We want you and SunGro Technologies to help us make it happen.”
I’m not sure if it’s my honesty that takes her by surprise, or something else entirely, but after an intense moment of silence, she asks, “Why?”
“Because we believe there’s nothing stronger than community, and that’s something Anchorage Harbor has in troves. Our goal is to make a difference with the properties and businesses we’ll bring to Seaside. We want to give back where we can with jobs and attractions that will help the harbor grow, and…”
She looks at me expectantly as I decide between silence or taking a leap of faith for my mission from the very beginning.
“I volunteer at a group home on the south end of Seaside Avenue, and those kids look up to me, Ellen. Businesses are drowning all around them, and it’s only a matter of time before the home goes down with them. So, maybe this is an expansion and a rescue attempt, but I refuse to sit back and watch them all sink.”
Her shoulders relax minimally, and just when I think she’s about to make our dreams come true, she utterly crushes them. “I’m sorry, Penelope. But I can’t do business with Silas Anderson. I won’t.”
“Ellen,” Logan says from behind me, raising the hair on the back of my neck. “So good to see you.”
Her nod is brief, poise unwavering. “Logan. I couldn’t help but notice your father’s absence this evening…”
“Yes. Unfortunately, he had pressing matters to attend elsewhere.”
“I see.” She motions at me. “Penelope mentioned you’re wanting to partner with me.”
His gaze slides to mine momentarily. “That’s correct.”
“And I’m sure you know the last time I attempted to do business with your father, he was quite firm in his opinion of my climate friendly approach.”
He slips both hands inside his pockets, relaxing his posture. “Fortunately for us, I dabble in rebellion from time to time.”
Her chin rises, eyes curious. “Is that so?”
“Being one of the few females in your line of work, you probably know how thrilling it can be to go against the status quo.”
Slowly, her stance relaxes to match his. I’m amazed, watching him disarm her, little by little.
“Look, Ellen. I have no control over how my father runs his business, but I assure you, mine is run differently. Choosing the food bank for this event wasn’t random, and it wasn’t for clout.” He pauses a beat before saying, “I know what it’s like to be hungry.”
Well, I’ll be damned.
He’s using my tactics, getting personal and creating a connection.
“You and I share a vision for a more sustainable future and defiance against old norms. Most importantly, I believe our companies can form an alliance that will breed the kind of difference both of us are after.”
Her face softens as she gazes between us, and my pulse thuds in my ears for several seconds before she caves completely.
“We’ll talk at my office first thing Monday morning.” I try to maintain my composure, but there’s a smile splitting my lips when she opens her clutch to grab her business card. “Oh, and make sure you bring your partner.”
I can practically feel the elation rolling off Logan when he shakes her hand. He thanks her profusely, and once she’s out of earshot, I squeal, “Holy. Shit!”
“Holy shit,” he agrees, and his laughter warms the entirety of my soul. “I couldn’t have done that without you, Pen.”
“This is true.” I poke his shoulder. “But it looks like I may have learned a little something from you, too.”
An older gentleman cuts his way across the room, waving at Logan with the obvious intent of speaking with him, and he steps back, putting a healthy amount of space between us.
“Reid,” he grits.
I sigh. “Looks like we’re back to business.”
“Not for long. You and I have some celebrating to do.” He raises two fingers at the man in a casual wave, but anticipation coils deep in my belly when he says, “Be in my office in fifteen minutes.”
Raw carnality burns in the depths of his stare as I slowly back away, and before Reid reaches his side, I whisper, “Don’t keep me waiting.”