Her sad eyes met his. “Thank you.”
Why did those two little words sound so much like goodbye? He glanced at her parted lips and the need for one last taste zipped through him.
He reached for her, grabbed her forearms, and pulled her close. She didn’t draw back, but the playfulness was gone. So was the unguarded look. Instead of her heart in her eyes, she now had it firmly under lock and key.
A loud pounding sounded on the door. Logan lowered his head and brushed his mouth over her lips. She tasted sweet and a renewed desire to reclaim his life—and her—surged through him. She sighed and he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue inside. The knock came again, louder this time.
She jumped backward. He didn’t blame her but still held her tight. “I open the door, you slip by him and keep going. Got it?”
She nodded.
“This isn’t over, Cat. We aren’t over.”
“You’re too much of an idealist,” she murmured, touching his cheek.
He shook his head, reaching for the door at the same time. “I’m a realist, and when this is over, you’ll be part of my reality.” He turned the knob. “Now go.”
He opened the door, expecting her to duck past the judge without a word. Instead, she paused in front of him.
“Hello, Judge Montgomery.”
His father looked flustered for a moment as his gaze darted from Catherine to the waiting reporters. “Miss…”
“Luck. Catherine Luck.”
Logan wasn’t concerned that she’d given the judge her name. The media would print it anyway. But he grimaced in disgust at his father’s snobbery. She’d catered a party in his house, and the judge, master of working a room, couldn’t be bothered to remember her name. But now he would. Logan had a hunch after today Catherine Luck was a name Judge Edgar Montgomery would never forget.
She held out her hand, and after a brief hesitation, the judge accepted her greeting. “Do I know you?”
“I catered your party last week,” she reminded him.
Logan saw the curiosity in his father’s eyes turn into blatant disapproval. “Emma hired you,” he said. “But I recall having a conversation with you about fraternizing with the guests.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I don’t have to ask what you’re doing here now,” he said with scorn.
Logan was tempted to jump in and protect her, but he sensed if he violated her sense of confidence, she’d never forgive him. Hell, he was lucky if she’d talk to him again either way.
Her gaze never wavered from his father’s. To Catherine’s credit, considering she wore nothing but his oxford shirt, she held her own with the man who intimidated even those who knew him best.
“No, you don’t. But since I’m not on your payroll anymore, there’s really not much you can say. But I would like to tell you one thing before I go.”
“Catherine, you don’t have to put up with this in my house.”
“No, I don’t.” She smiled at him, but there was no joy in the gesture. “Just call this my parting gift.” She turned back to the judge. “The more you try to control the people you love, the farther away they’ll run.” Cat cleared her throat. “Sir.”
Before his father could register her words, she ducked past him. By the time he’d begun to react, Cat had hit the open button on the remote control and ducked safely inside the Jeep.
Pride along with regret swelled inside him as Logan watched the media frenzy that followed her departure. Controlling his anger at his father wasn’t easy and he took a minute to center himself.
“Luck,” the judge muttered. “I remember that name. Big news around every state courthouse. She’s got spunk and attitude. Not surprising given her roots, but admirable just the same.” He met Logan’s gaze. “Now, would you care to tell me what’s going on between the two of you? And how you intend to explain it to the media?”
Anger seethed beneath the surface, but Logan took his lead from Cat. He had to maintain control. Judge Montgomery never lost his cool. Determination and an air of authority would get Logan further than losing his temper, something he’d learned as a child. The best way to reach the man was to meet him on a level playing field. Humor and dry sarcasm weren’t going to cut it anymore. The plain, honest facts were.
On his own time, Logan turned to his father. “I have nothing to explain to the vultures out there. Or to you. I don’t know what it’s going to take to convince you that I call the shots in my life. And in my house.” He drew a deep breath. “And I resent like hell the way you spoke to the woman I love.”
The judge shook his head. “I don’t understand you, son. You’re young and I can see her appeal, much as I hate to admit it. But you don’t throw away your life for love. It doesn’t exist. An equal partnership does. And that’s what a political man needs. A woman capable of looking good and standing by her man. No scandals involved.”
Logan raised an eyebrow. “I’m not a political man. I never will be. Do you hear what I’m saying? You can’t keep circling the issue. I’m not running for mayor. And I’m not going to take a job at a high-powered firm, or move into a luxury building or, worse, back into the mansion.”
His father let out a long-suffering sigh. “You choose to live in this… shack. Your mother and I have accepted it. Obviously, we have no choice. But just because you live below your means doesn’t mean you have to consort with lower-class women, too.”
Now, he’d gone too far. Logan clenched his fists, unwilling to listen to his father insult a woman he didn’t know. His woman, Logan thought, and it was time the judge understood that.
“Listen
