Less abrasive was definitely better. 'You can join us later for dinner.”
“If I’m supposed to dress for dinner, you’ll have to send me to the kitchen. I brought only this one suitcase.'
'Are you nuts? You know I don’t live like that. I change a couple of times a day only because it’s so hot here.'
'You never know. You’re running in fast company these days.”
“Logan isn’t fast company. Well, not here on the island. We live as casually as I did in Atlanta.'
'Very smart of Logan.'
'He works hard too. He does as much here as he did when he was in the States. He likes to relax when he gets the chance.' She stopped at the front door. 'Why have you come, Joe? Are you on vacation?'
'No, not exactly.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, the department does owe me a few weeks. I’ve worked a lot of overtime while you’ve been here basking in tropical bliss.'
'Then why do you say you’re not ‘exactly’ here on vacation? Why did you come, Joe?'
'To see you.”
“No, why now?'
He smiled. 'To bring you home, Eve.'
turned away from the window as she came into the study. 'Where is he?'
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'I showed him to his room. You’ll see him at dinner.' She wrinkled her nose. 'I know you can hardly wait.'
'Bastard.'
She sighed. Having to strike a balance between these two men she cared about was irritating. 'I could have met him in Tahiti. You promised you’d be nice to him.'
'As nice as he is to me.' Logan held out his hand to her. 'Come here, I need to touch you.'
She moved across the room and took his hand. 'Why?'
He didn’t answer. 'We both know why he’s here. Has he talked to you yet?”
“He said only that he came to bring me home.'
He cursed. 'And what did you answer?”
“I didn’t.'
'You can’t go, dammit. You’ll just fall back into that dark hole where I found you.'
'It wasn’t so dark. I had work. I had purpose. You never understood that, Logan.”
“I understand that I’m going to lose you.' His hand tightened on hers. 'You’ve been happy here, haven’t you? Happy with me?'
'Yes.'
'Then don’t let it happen. Don’t listen to that damn Pied Piper.' She stared at him helplessly.
Dear heaven, she didn’t want to hurt him. Tough, smart, charismatic John Logan, corporate giant and businessman extraordinaire. She’d never dreamed he’d be this vulnerable. 'My staying here was not supposed to be a permanent arrangement.'
'I want it permanent. I never intended anything else.”
“You never told me.'
'Because I had to walk on eggshells or you’d have run away. I’m telling you now.'
She wished he hadn’t. It made her decision more difficult. 'We’ll talk about it later.'
'You’ve already made up your mind.'
'No.' She had grown accustomed to this lovely, tranquil place. She had grown used to Logan.
These had been days of tenderness, affection, and peace. If she also felt restlessness, wouldn’t it eventually go away? 'I’m not sure.'
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'He’s going to try to make you sure.'
'I make my own decisions. He won’t pressure me.'
'No, he’s too smart. He knows you too well. That doesn’t mean he won’t use everything he can to make you go back. Don’t listen to him.'
