"Sophie's a con artist. She'll rip everyone off. All she's after is money."
"If that's the case, how come she returned your wallet? And shouldn't you look inside to make sure all your money's there?"
He already knew it was, which was why he hadn't checked. "I have another meeting. I don't have time for this. I don't want Sophie at the ball."
Before Aidan could respond, Logan turned on his heel and stormed down the street, feeling more than a little ridiculous for causing this ruckus.
Jamming his fingers through his hair, he focused his gaze on the Rising Storm and quickened his step, muttering to himself along the way.
"Voodoo priestess, my ass. What a bunch of crap. Why the hell did I have to follow her? I need a goddamn vacation."
25
Jaci Burton
This entire debacle was Sophie's fault. He wished he'd never met her that night in the alley. And he sure as hell shouldn't have kissed her inside the shop.
Her taste still lingered on his lips. Both sweet and spicy, like the woman he couldn't seem to get out of his mind, no matter how hard he tried.
*
Sophie grinned and waved Lissa and Aidan off. After they left, she turned to find two sets of very curious eyes staring at her.
"What?"
Samantha grinned. "Nothing. Just...well, nothing." Sam turned away and headed into the storeroom, leaving her to deal with Josh. And she could already guess how that was going to go.
"Don't start with me, Joshua."
Josh shook his head, his dark brown hair slipping down over his forehead. "You're way out of your league, Soph."
She approached him and reached out, brushing his hair away from his face. Josh was like family. They'd known each other...forever. Since they were kids. He used to spend all his afternoons with Sophie and her aunt, making fun of their spells and magic.
She loved Josh. Always had. Just not in the way he wanted her to. That she couldn't help.
"I appreciate you looking out for me, mon ami. But I know what I'm doing."
"Famous last words," he said, shrugging. "I don't know why you always think there's something better out there for you. Why can't you..."
His words trailed off, but she knew what they were. "Josh. You know why."
His brown eyes turned nearly black, frustration evident in the way he clenched his fists at his side. He'd always held his anger in check around her, no matter what she 26
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said to him. But she felt it, simmering just near the surface of his emotions, ready to boil over.
Why couldn't he find a love of his own? Josh was so handsome. Tall, muscular and fit, with dark eyes that spoke of sensual depths that most women would swoon over.
But Sophie wasn't one of those women. She'd tried with Josh, but he had always felt like family to her. Or something. It just hadn't felt right, and she'd told him that as honestly and gently as she could. Josh had accepted it, reluctantly, but had continued to be her friend.
"I love you, Sophie."
"I know." She always hated this part of their conversations. They'd had the same one for years, and she always gave him the same answer. "I love you, too."
He arched a brow. "But."
Nodding, she grinned. "But not in that way. We're not destined, Josh."
"Destiny is bullshit. You make your own," he mumbled, moving off to open a new box of inventory.
Someday, maybe Josh would find his destiny with the right woman. But that woman could never be her. With a heavy sigh, Sophie stepped into the small room where she had told Logan's future.
Or at least part of his future. She inhaled and closed her eyes, feeling his presence, his unique scent, bits and pieces of his aura still clinging to the room.
Clinging to her.
He was part of her, whether he liked it or not.
It was only a matter of time until he saw what she saw, until he knew his destiny.
Even she didn't know all of it, just shadows and partial visions. Enough to know they were meant to be together.
Soon enough he'd figure that out.
27
Jaci Burton
Chapter Four
If the stars were aligned and today was Logan's lucky day, Sophie wouldn't show up at the ball tonight.
He paced his suite, stopping for the fifth time in front of the mirror to adjust his bowtie.
He hated tuxes. Hated dressing up, hated this part of his job.
But it was a necessity for goodwill and good business.
The door to his suite slipped open and Aidan walked in, dressed in the same type of monkey suit.
"I hate fucking tuxes," Aidan mumbled, jamming his hands into his pockets.
Logan grinned. "My thoughts exactly. Where's everyone else?"
"Lissa, Shannon and Kaitlyn are in the ballroom already, squealing over their respective dresses."
Logan rolled his eyes. Females and their idiosyncrasies were so foreign to him. He never tried to understand how their minds worked. And having two sisters hadn't helped one bit over the years. If anything, they only confused him more. "Where's Max?"
"Doing a little PR work in the office. He said he'd be late."
Max Devlin, Shannon's fiance, was as much a workaholic as Logan. Except when Shannon crooked her finger. Then he dropped everything and went after her like a dog scenting a bitch in heat.
Logan smirked. Not too far off the mark, actually, considering that Max was a werewolf.
28
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His future brother-in-law a werewolf. And he thought his family was unusual.
Would they ever have a normal life? Then again, the fact that Max was lupine didn't seem to bother Max at all. He was strong, capable, enjoyed his life and didn't let his unusual abilities affect the way he lived.
Why couldn't he do that, too? Why was it so fucking hard to accept who he was?
"Sophie's here."
Logan cast a sharp glare at Aidan. "I thought I made my wishes clear on that."
Aidan grinned. "We ignored you. Rather, the girls ignored you. Once Lissa told Shannon and Kaitlyn about her meeting with Sophie, there was no changing their minds. It's a done deal."
Figured they'd ignore him. After all, Logan was only the CEO. No one needed to listen to his directives, right?
"Might as well get down there, then." At least he could keep an eye on her, make sure she didn't slip her slender hand into a number of New Orleans' richest pockets, all of whom would be in attendance tonight.
The ballroom was packed. This was one of Mardi Gras' biggest parties, part of the grand celebrations of Carnival.
Logan spent a few minutes greeting the guests, then wandered around to find his sisters.
Kaitlyn was, as usual, fretting over minute details of decor and food. She hugged him when he came up to her.
"Have you tried the hors d'oeuvres yet? I'm not sure I selected the right ones."
He shook his head as he watched her wring her hands. "Would you relax?
Everything is perfect."
"Marcel is an idiot."
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Jaci Burton
He laughed. She was always fighting with the head chef. They had never seen eye to eye on menu selection and preparation. If Kaitlyn had her way, she'd cook every meal for every guest at the hotel herself. "Yes, he's an idiot. What did he do this time?"
"Substituted one of my recipes and decided to change the main course. I swear if I had another chef, I'd fire his ass on the spot."
Logan kissed Kaitlyn on the forehead. "That's your area, cher. You do whatever you think is right. But you're not going into the kitchens yourself."
She pursed her lips into a pout. "I'll figure something out." Shaking off whatever bugged her, she grinned. "You look very handsome tonight. And Sophie is a charm, Logan. Wherever did you find her?"
His smile died at the mention of Sophie's name. "I didn't find her. I don't even want her here."
"For heaven's sa
ke, why not?"
Shannon sidled next to Kaitlyn. "Sophie's delightful. I don't understand."
It was a conspiracy of estrogen. He couldn't win. "Never mind. How's everything going?"
The light shimmered against Shannon's red, sparkling gown. "Great, of course. The casino's filled to capacity, we sold out of tickets for the ball, and Sophie is already dealing with a long line of patrons wanting their fortunes told. She's going to make us a ton of money for the charity. And she's still refusing to let us pay her for her time tonight. Which means everything we make from her fortune-telling will go to the charity."
She probably had an ulterior motive for giving up her fee. "I'm going to go talk to the mayor. I'll catch you later." He turned away, irritated that every conversation lately seemed to include Sophie.
She was set up alongside the wall in a booth decorated in vibrant silk drapes of purple, green and gold, a canopy and curtains to keep it private and intimate.
30
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Sophie was the center of attention, dressed in a shimmering top of gold that draped off her shoulders, revealing cleavage that any man would want to slip his hand inside.
Her full skirt matched the colors of carnival and glimmered against the soft lights of the ballroom. Long hoop earrings brushed against her jawline, and bracelets with bells jingled at her wrists.
The dark tinge of her skin highlighted her vivid violet eyes. Her full lips were made to suck a man's cock. Logan's dick took notice of that instantly, twitching to life at a most inopportune moment.
Adjusting his tightening pants, he approached, winding his way through the throng of people who should definitely know better than to buy into the bullshit of magic.
He peered through the side slit of the canopy. At least he'd managed to find the mayor, who was currently sitting across from Sophie while she thoroughly examined his hands.
No doubt checking his fingers for diamonds and his wrist for a Rolex.
Logan moved his way up front, just in time for Sophie to stand and step outside the curtains with the mayor. She looked up at him, offering a half smile.
A jolt hit him hard and he connected with her, exactly the same way it had been that night in the alley and that day in her shop. He tried to tear his gaze away, but found himself unable to.
His thoughts drifted to satin sheets, naked bodies writhing together, and a full, soft mouth closing over his rock-hard shaft.
She blinked and her eyes widened. When she flicked her tongue over her upper lip and swallowed, he knew then that she was aware of what he was thinking.
"Logan! How are you?"
He shook off the connection and smiled at the mayor, engaging the excited man in conversation.
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"Sophie is a delight! What a coup to have her here tonight. She's brilliant, Logan.
And genuine, too."
The mayor patted him on the back and moved away, leaving him standing across from Sophie.
"Would you like me to tell your fortune?" she asked, her gravelly voice making him itch to take her mouth in ways he had no business thinking of right now.
Or ever.
"I think you've already told me all I need to know."
She shook her head, her dark hair falling over her shoulder, one slender strand dipping into the generous cleavage between her luscious breasts.
He wanted to reach for that strand and caress the plump flesh that contained it.
"I haven't even begun to tell you what you need to know."
"Oh, and what does Logan need to know?"
Logan whipped around at the sound of his mother's voice.
"Hello, Mother," he said, kissing her on the cheek.
She smiled at Logan. "Bon soir, mon fils." Turning to Sophie, she said, "This must be the Sophie Breaux my daughters have been telling me about."
Sophie rose and hurried over to his mother, enthusiastically shaking her hand. "Bon soir, Madame Storm. Comment allez vous?"
"Je suis tres bien, Sophie, merci. S'il vous plait, appelez-moi Angelina."
"Merci, Angelina," Sophie replied.
His mother glanced over at him. "Leave us for a few moments, Logan." She practically pushed him out of the draped room, then shut the curtains.
What the hell was that all about? He didn't believe for one second that his mother didn't know who Sophie was. Maybe she'd finally seen through Sophie's charade and was going to lecture her privately. Or throw her out of the place completely.
He should be so lucky.
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Too curious to walk away, he lingered, talking to the people in line. Important people. Rich people. People prominent in their community.
All of them lining up to hear their fortunes told by a two-bit phony.
He shook his head, unable to fathom the attraction to magical bullshit.
After about five minutes, his mother pulled the curtain aside and motioned the next person in line to go in, then linked her arm within Logan's and walked with him through the crowds.
"I need a drink," she whispered.
He turned his head and regarded her. Angelina Storm was a beautiful woman. No matter how old she got, Logan would forever see her as youthful, exuberant and vibrating with joie de vivre.
But right now her normally dark complexion had gone pale.
"What's wrong?"
She feigned a smile he knew wasn't sincere. "Nothing's wrong. I'm thirsty."
"Is it something Sophie said?" He stopped and glanced toward the tent. "I can ask her to leave if she upset you."
His mother patted his arm. "She did no such thing. Now quit worrying and go get me that drink."
Deciding not to press her right now, Logan led her to the bar and handed her a glass of champagne. She downed it in a few gulps while he stood by, shocked speechless and desperately wanting to know what happened when his mother had spoken to Sophie.
When she finished, she set the glass down on the bar, kissed him and said, "Bring Sophie to the house for dinner on Sunday."
"Huh?"
"Oh look. There's Maria Dupree'. I really need to speak with her. Five o'clock Sunday, Logan. Don't be late. Ta-ta."
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Jaci Burton
Ta-ta? That was it? Bring Sophie to dinner, and she leaves?
Was he fucking dreaming the past week of his life? What the hell was the matter with everyone? Was he the only one to see through Sophie to the fraud she was?
"Vous etes ainsi baise, mon frere." Aidan stepped around him to the bar, grabbed two glasses of champagne and winked. "See you and Sophie at dinner Sunday."
Yeah, he was screwed all right. Aidan's laughter echoed in Logan's ears long after his brother had sauntered away.
*
Logan didn't look happy.
Did the man walk around with a perpetual frown? Sophie watched his determined approach with a mix of trepidation and intense, feminine interest. She even sighed appreciatively.
How could she not? He was beautiful, walking toward her with a stealth-like grace that caused her heart to tumble and her pulse to skitter.
She looked around, expecting to find at least the clean-up crew taking down the tables. There was no one left in the ballroom but her and a man who didn't look one bit happy.
"Stay away from my family," he said as soon as he stopped in front of her table.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but you're not going to play it with my family, or with my business associates."
"I was invited here tonight by Lissa."
"I don't care. I don't want you around my family."
"You don't want me around you, is what you really mean." She turned to finish packing the boxes containing the tools of her trade. "Really, Logan, you might as well 34
Winter Ice
get used to the fact that I'm in your life now. As I mentioned before, we're destined to be toget
her, and there really isn't anything you can do about that."
Too afraid to look up and see his angry reaction, she kept her head focused on the box, waiting for him to fire back a retort.
But he didn't. For awhile, she wondered if he'd turned heel and left the ballroom. If it wasn't for the fact she was so in tune to him, she'd think he'd done that very thing.
But he hadn't. She heard his breathing, smelled his unique scent, felt the vibrations of mixed emotions emanating from him.
"Get out of my life, Sophie, and stay out."
With a sigh, she folded the flaps of the box closed and turned to him. "I can't. You need me."
He jerked the table away so quickly she barely saw it. In an instant he had pulled her forcefully against him, his fingers biting into her upper arms.
"Get this straight, Sophie. I don't need you. I didn't before I met you, and I don't now. I will never need you or the brand of magic--and I use the term loosely--that you bring. You're nothing but a fake."
His anger should have frightened her. His insults should have angered her. His hands grasping her upper arms should have, too. Instead, they had the opposite effect, because she knew he'd never hurt her. Her body heated, her skin flushing, her panties moistening with a quick flash of desire for the man who was trying to freeze her out of his life.
"I understand this is difficult for you, Logan. After all, you don't really know me that well, and yet I know you better than you know yourself."
"You don't know a goddamn thing about me."
She took in his breath as it wafted across her face, delighting in the smell of cinnamon and fine brandy.
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Jaci Burton
"Why are you fighting what's between us? Don't you feel it?" She reached up and covered his hands with hers, knowing that as soon as she did the jolt would hit them both.
He felt it, too. She knew he did. She could tell by the way his eyes quickly widened, then narrowed and darkened. "Stop that."
"I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did." He dropped his hands from her arms, but she refused to let him walk away. She held tight to them, feeling the energy increase.
"I'm much stronger than you, petite fille. Don't fuck with me."
"Perhaps it's you who wants to fuck with me, but you're afraid to lose some of that careful control you possess."
His eyes narrowed, his voice deepening. "You couldn't handle me if I really let go."
She sucked in her lower lip to keep from blurting out that she wanted him.
Desperately wanted him, in a way even she didn't understand.