Free Falling for the Princess by Sandra Hyatt Page B

infinitely tempting. But, she took a deep breath. Logan was watching her, testing her, seeing how far he could push her and she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of running away. She looked over her shoulder at him. “You’re certainly impossible to ignore.” Her comment could be interpreted as a compliment…or not.
    Her deliberately ambiguous response seemed to please him because he smiled. A smile that crinkled the skin around his eyes. She found herself smiling back and holding his gaze for the longest time, losing herself in the depths that were as tempting and sinful as chocolate. There was something so different, so…invigorating in the way he teased her, and the way he allowed and encouraged her to tease him back.
    Eduardo cleared his throat. “How are the leBlanc negotiations coming along?”
    Logan’s smile vanished and he swung his gaze to Eduardo. “I never discuss business when I’m on a date with a beautiful woman.”
    â€œOf course not,” Eduardo said, something smug and unattractive in his eyes. “And I’m interrupting.” With a small bow he excused himself.
    Logan dropped his hand from her back.
    Rebecca stepped a little away from him, needing more air, more space. “Shall we go back in? I don’t know that I’m ready for more performances like that.” She put her champagne flute on a passing waiter’s tray.
    â€œBut you’re a natural. If I didn’t know better I wouldhave thought there was real warmth, almost heat, in that gaze.”
    Rebecca lifted her chin. “Then it’s a good thing you do know better.” His laughter was quiet and deep as he offered her his arm and they began walking. Beneath her palm she felt the solid strength of a powerful forearm.
    â€œWhat’s Eduardo’s interest in leBlanc?”
    She lifted a shoulder. “Probably his new stepfather.”
    â€œWho is…?”
    They reached their seats and she slid her hand from his arm. “Theo Summerfield.”
    â€œDamn.”
    â€œThat’s a problem?”
    â€œNo. But I should have known. I hadn’t made the connection.” He stood while he waited for her to sit in one of the plush red seats then lowered himself beside her.
    â€œTheo is Eduardo’s mother’s fourth husband. And Eduardo is the son of her second. It’s not easy to keep track of.”
    â€œNo. But it’s the sort of thing I do like to keep track of.”
    â€œKnow your opposition?”
    â€œExactly. For instance, I did know that you and pretty boy—”
    â€œEduardo.”
    â€œThat you and Eduardo were once an item.”
    He knew her dating history? Not that it required extensive research or even a particularly good memory. In stark contrast to what she knew of him, her list of suitors was short. “Not an item. We went out. Twice.” She really should have learned after the first time. All Eduardo had wanted was the kudos for dating a princess. He still did. He had political aspirations. And from what she knew, his stepfather was currently in the process of seeking “ByRoyal Appointment” endorsement for his line of breakfast foods. He too wanted her to date Eduardo.
    â€œIt’s beginning to make sense,” Logan said.
    â€œWhat is?”
    â€œThe ‘once a day and for five seconds only’ rule you have.”
    She wanted to disagree with him but maybe he was right. The rules she’d tried to establish with Logan had been based on her previous—limited—experience. She’d only dated men who didn’t push boundaries, who respected—too much—her position, failing to see who she was inside. Men who neither tempted nor taunted her.
    But the thought that Logan had researched her was disconcerting on several levels. “Does this interest you appear to have in my social life mean you see me as the op position?”
    He leaned closer. “No.