Free A Passionate Business by Unknown Page B

Some compound of aftershave, soap and pure male.
    „Do you mind if I come in and wait for you?“ he asked politely, seeing that she was still standing there, staring at
    him.
    Hilary jumped, hastening to open the door further, „No, of course not. I just wasn’t expecting you so soon. You
    strike me as being the type who is always on time for appointments; never early or late,“ she added with a small grin.
    „I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I told you I couldn’t wait to start the evening?“ he asked, gray-green eyes
    gleaming down at her as he brushed past into the hall.
    „No,“ she agreed readily, shutting the door. „But it’s a good line. Will you fix yourself a drink while I finish
    dressing? Everything’s in the kitchen on the right-hand side. I won’t be long.“
    „Take your time. Now that I’m here, I’m not in any hurry,“ he told her easily, heading immediately for the kitchen.
    Hilary stared after him, perplexed, and then scurried into the bedroom.
    Sometime later she emerged to find Logan standing on the veranda, admiring the view in the darkening late spring
    light. He turned almost immediately as she came through the living room, a warm smile of approval shaping his mouth.
    „Very nice,“ he congratulated, hoisting his glass in mock salute as his eyes traveled leisurely over her figure. „All
    restrained elegance except for the wild, heathen necklace. I like that.“ He came forward slowly until he stood in front of
    Hilary. „You look good in green and gold, sweetheart,“ he added, referring to the deep emerald shade of her simple,
    close-fitting sheath dress and the dazzling ornateness of the gold necklace at her throat. He deliberately took a sip out
    of the glass he was holding and then held the crystal rim to her lips. „Have a drink,“ he ordered softly, leaving her little
    option unless she wanted to risk spilling the contents down the front of her dress.
    Her eyes locked with his, Hilary obediently sipped from the glass, her nose wrinkling at the harsh taste of the
    Scotch. The gesture of insisting that she drink from his glass seemed possessive in a way she couldn’t explain, but
    she couldn’t think how to make an issue of it.
    Her compliance seemed to satisfy Logan, however. He took the glass away from her lips and downed its contents
    before setting it on a nearby table.
    „Terrible stuff,“ Hilary murmured in an effort to lighten a situation which had suddenly become too charged.
    „The Scotch?“ Logan glanced idly at the glass and then back to her. „You shouldn’t keep it around, if you don’t
    like it,“ he smiled.
    „I keep it for the occasional visiting executive,“ she retorted dryly. „It’s either that or have to learn to mix martinis.
    Don’t you know those are the only sorts of drinks good businessmen appreciate?“
    „Judging by the fact that the Scotch bottle was only half full, I think you’re entertaining too many visiting
    executives,“ Logan said, his voice a soft growl. „We’ll have to put a stop to that. There’s only one visiting executive I
    want drinking from that bottle.“
    „Are you going to be difficult tonight, Logan?“ Hilary queried interestedly, her head tilted pertly to one side as she
    studied him. „Because if you are…“
    For an instant the gray-green eyes hardened and Hilary had to stifle an impulse to take a precautionary step
    backward. Then Logan smiled. A deliberate, persuasive smile.
    „I’ll make a deal with you,“ he said almost blandly.
    „A deal?“
    „Umm. You promise to make an effort to enjoy yourself tonight and I’ll…“ he paused and then concluded bluntly,
    „I’ll try very hard not to act as if I own you.“
    Hilary stared at him, wondering if he were serious. But he was! She could see the willpower he was exerting just to
    make his ridiculous promise. Unable to help herself, she burst into delighted laughter.
    „Oh, Logan,“ she managed, „You’re impossible!“
    „Does