At Odds with the Heiress(63)
“If this is about your accusation that I don’t believe in you, that’s not true.”
Logan’s scowl made hope flare in Scarlett’s heart, but could she trust his declaration?
“I’m only speaking from what you’ve said and how you’ve behaved.”
“Including the night I showed up at your place demanding you stay in Las Vegas?”
“Yes.” She would forever cherish the memory of that night. “And how, less than twenty-four hours later, you were furious at me. And that the day before you couldn’t wait to find out when your life was going to get back to normal.”
Logan looked chastened by her words, but he continued to argue. “That’s when I thought you were leaving. I didn’t want you to go, but couldn’t bring myself to ask you to stay.”
“So you pushed me away?”
“It’s how I react when I’m feeling vulnerable. I did the same thing to Elle all those years ago. I wanted her to choose me, but I was too proud to ask her to. I was bullheaded and wrong, and I almost made the same mistake with you.”
“But you were in love with Elle.”
“I’m in love with you.”
For a second Scarlett gaped at him. “No wa—”
Logan silenced the flow of her words with a kiss. Startled by the abruptness of his lips against her, she nevertheless surrendered to the flood of heat and emotion his touch inspired. Any thoughts of dinner or a walk on the beach fled. She was flushed and dizzy by the time he lifted his lips from hers.
“Marry me.”
Fearing wishful thinking had made her mishear him, Scarlett didn’t answer. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought her chest would explode.
“I’m sorry,” she said at last. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
“I asked you to marry me.”
“Now I’m certain I’m not hearing you correctly.”
He scowled at her. “Stop turning this romantic moment into a comedy.”
“Well, excuse me if I’m caught a little off guard.” Despite her tone, she couldn’t stop grinning. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
“That’s great,” he told her, an edge of impatience to his voice. “Because I love you and I don’t think I can live without you.”
“You don’t think?” she prompted, nuzzling his neck and nipping at his earlobe. “Or you know you can’t?”
“I’m pretty damned sure that I am going to be very happy spending the rest of my life being aggravated by you in the best and worst possible way.”
“That’s my guy,” she murmured, kissing him with all the love in her heart and glorying in the love she got back. “I’m pretty smitten with you myself.”
“Smitten enough to test for the project Bobby came down to talk to you about?”
She pulled back far enough to scrutinize his expression. “I thought you understood that I’d decided to pass.”
“I understand that you love to act. And I understand that the part is perfect for you. What I don’t understand is why you decided to pass when Bobby was willing to bend over backwards to accommodate your schedule.”
How could she make him see what she couldn’t quite grasp herself? “I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
Where did she start? “Not being good enough. That if I don’t give my full attention to the hotel, something bad will happen.” And in a smaller voice, “Losing you.”
“You’ll be wonderful. You have the best-run hotel on the Strip.” He kissed her slow and deep. “As for losing me, that will never happen. You’re the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her throat tightened almost painfully. His faith bolstered her courage. Snug in his arms, Scarlett dared to consider whether she could have the two things in the world she loved most.
“I suppose I could call Bobby in the morning and see if we could meet with him to talk about schedules.” She framed Logan’s face with her hands and peered deep into his eyes. “As long as you understand that you’ll always be my first priority. I can live without acting. I can’t live without you.”
“That’s the one thing you don’t have to worry about,” he promised, espresso eyes soft and warm as they toured her face. “I’m never going to let you go.”