“I need you, Logan,” she says with shortened breath. “I lo-” I crash my lips to hers and move between her legs, intent on making everything up to her the best way I know how.
I give her all of me. Everything I have.
Even though I know it won’t be enough.
Chapter 31
Charlotte
Please give me the strength to get through this, I think to myself as I step out of the Parker-Moore building with Eva.
We’re on our way to a press meeting involving the quarterly report of Parker-Moore.
Unfortunately, I’ve been assigned to answer questions about the new direction of Parker-Moore sales department. Despite not wanting to go, I’m required to be there. It’s going to be awful, I just know it. My stomach has been fluttering with butterflies all morning.
Still, not all things have been bad. Yesterday was my first day back at work and no one said anything about the photos, thank God. But people kept coming up and talking to me, making small talk. I knew they were just trying to fish out how I was doing, so it didn’t bother me. It did get old after awhile, however.
I hope they’ll stop it there, I tell myself as Eva and I climb into the stretch limo that’s waiting for us. Because the constant hovering makes me feel uncomfortable.
“Are you alright?” Eva asks me as I settle down into the plush leather seats. She’s dressed sharper than usual today in a crisp black suit, her hair done up into a single braid down her back, and her makeup is flawless.
I nod my head and say, “Yes, why?”
“You’re scowling.”
I relax my face muscles. I hadn’t even realized that I was doing it. “I just don’t want to go to this press meeting. And I think you know why.”
Eva gives me a sympathetic look. “I do, but everything will be okay. You have me here. If anyone says anything to you about you-know-what, I’ll knock them out.”
I snort a laugh and she grins at the ridiculousness of what she’s said. Eva’s not gonna do shit. “Right.”
It’s silent on the drive over there. Logan’s there already. I pick at the hem of my skirt. I wish he was with me now. It’s different when he’s next to me. It’s when I’m alone that the dread and regret and anxiety start to consume me.
“How’s things with Logan?” she asks a moment later.
My heart does a flip at his name. I’m honestly kind of angry with him for wanting to take over the plot to destroy Patterson’s company. I’d rather confront the bastard myself and take matters into my own hands. But Logan isn’t having it. He wants me to trust him to handle everything. I’ve agreed... as long as I can stay in contact with the lawyer.
“Good,” I answer, letting out an easy breath. “Better than I thought it could be.”
Eva smiles and leans over to take my hand. “That’s good. I’m happy for you.”
And I know that she means it.
Walking into the press room, I’m a ball of nerves. I know people are watching me, judging me. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. Seriously, I’m about to hurl all over Eva’s high-dollar suit if I don’t get my anxiety under control.
Logan’s already on stage taking questions from reporters. I can’t get over how professional he looks in his business suit, his hair slicked back. For the first time, he actually looks like who he is. The Boss.
The CEO.
Before I can take my assigned seat on the platform behind the podium, a reporter, a man who looks like he’s in his mid-thirties in khaki pants and a plaid shirt, asks, “Mr. Parker, can you tell us how long the affair was with Miss Harrison?”
Anger grips my throat and it’s hard to keep a straight face. I knew questions like this would come up, but it’s still hard not to react. Eva grips my hand tighter and I walk straight ahead, not looking at the audience and slowly falling into my seat.
I watch as Logan clenches his jaw and I can tell he’s trying to keep from blowing a gasket. “I’m not going to answer that question,” he responds, his voice tight. “I keep my personal and business life separate, and this press conference is strictly for business.”
The man doesn’t give up. “But can’t you see that what you engaged in is alarming for your company and the stockholders? As head of your company, you should--”
“I said I’m not here to talk about personal matters,” Logan says and lowers his voice. “If you don’t like it, you can leave.” He scans his gaze over the reporters in the room and says, “I will only entertain questions that pertains to Parker-Moore’s business dealings.”
“But what happened has hurt your company’s image,” the reporter argues, ignoring Logan’s request. “You need to address this issue unless you want to create further damage to your brand.”