Waiting For You (Beautiful Surrender #1)(4)
Author: Ava Claire

He raked a hand through his slicked back chestnut hair and strode forward. I didn’t know him from Adam. He could have been some intruder, but I couldn’t make my legs move. And if I was being honest, I didn’t want to.

The smile in his eyes traveled to his lips and he extended his hand.

“You must be Melissa. I’m Logan Mason, the owner of the property.”

Chapter Three

“Don’t you have a shower in your house? I mean, I don’t know why…I’m supposed to check in…why are you showering outside my studio?!” My words tumbled over each other. I felt like I should apologize, but indignation made my words sound accusatory. I kept my eyes locked on his face even after he’d wrapped his mouthwatering bottom half in a towel as red as my cheeks.

“Let me grab that for you.” Before I could answer, he hooked the handle of my suitcase and rolled it in the direction of the studio. Tall, devastatingly handsome, and chivalrous. Well, mostly chivalrous, since he didn’t address my questions.

“Be still, my beating heart,” I muttered sarcastically, trailing behind him.

“What was that?” He raised an eyebrow over his shoulder.

“Nothing.” I said quickly. Nothing at all. Pay me no mind as I contemplate all the ways I want to break my ‘no men rule’. All the ways I want to be touched. To be fu –

I gave myself a mental shake. I didn’t know anything about this man other than his name, the fact that he owned a really amazing house and studio, and that he was the best kind of trouble. He oozed sexuality and power. He could have been in a two-piece suit or na**d as the day was long, and you couldn’t help but take notice of him either way. He took all the air from the room. And when he opened the sliding door and flashed me a playful wink, I nearly dropped my panties on the spot. I wasn’t used to guys looking at me like they had to have me; I was used to batting my eyelashes and plying them with attention in exchange for sex and affection. I’d only met Logan a few minutes ago and he made me feel wanted. It was a beautiful feeling.

And terrifying.

“I’d sweep you up and carry you over the threshold, but that’s not included in the vacation package.”

And there went my heart, pounding right out of my chest. Was this what it was supposed to feel like? Easy and consuming?

Slow down, Melissa, he’s not proposing marriage. It was fairly transparent what he was proposing. He hadn’t even batted an eye when he noticed that I’d been watching him. Logan knew the effect he had on women. His eyes made promises that I knew he could deliver. I imagined he could easily offer cover clutching, nail-raking, multiple cl**ax escapes. He wouldn’t need a map or bullet point instructions. He was a man who knew what he wanted and how to get it.

I wrung my hands, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. I’d never done the one-night stand thing. My cheeks darkened when I realized I was already off to a good start since my body was screaming at me, ordering me to go to him, drop to my knees, and let the lust take over.

His gaze shifted, studying me intently. “I’ll get out of your way. If you need anything–”

“Wait,” I interrupted, panic reminding me that I knew how to put one word after the other and hold a conversation. “I don’t…I mean…I do–” I stopped, inhaling and exhaling, gathering my wits about me. I took a step toward him, my eyes flickering down to the knot that secured the towel slung low on his hips. His toned pelvic cut teased and my core throbbed, no, ached, to see it again. When I met his gaze and noticed his raised eyebrow, obviously taken aback by my blatant ogling, I apologized.

“I’m sorry! I swear I don’t do this.” I pulled at my hair, twisting the golden locks over one shoulder. Usually that action relaxed me, but it was no use.

He was deadly silent, still evaluating me with – interest? Annoyance? He was probably deciding that whatever unspoken romp he had been hinting at earlier was a bad idea. Hurt exploded in my chest, remembering Jason’s excuses. Every rejection, every chaste kiss, every disgusted look when I asked him for more, harder…that pain was still fresh. I wouldn’t wait for this guy to reject me.

“Maybe you should go.” I said bitterly.

I expected confusion, maybe a little anger, but I found neither. He smiled and in his eyes, I saw challenge. Like he was impressed by me somehow. He didn’t make a move toward the door. He took a single step toward me.

“You don’t want me to leave.”

I didn’t, but how did he know that? “W-what? Look, I’m flattered, but I … I’m not sleeping with you.”

His lips quirked into a dangerous smile. “I didn’t say anything about sleeping together, Melissa. Though men like me and women like you were made for each other, I’m a patient man. But I will say this. I will make you a single promise: before day three of your vacation, you will beg me for it.” He wet his kissable lips. “You will beg me to take you.”

Indignation curled my lips into a snarl, combatting the heat his words elicited. “Beg you for it?” His cockiness was already getting on my nerves. “I’m not sure what arrangements you have with your other renters, but you don’t know me. I don’t beg anyone for anything.”

Not exactly true. My dad raised me as a single parent, but work kept him from doing much parenting. Running Kaleidoscope was his life, making it successful his top priority. I begged him for time and affection, but he barely took notice of me until I majored in Marketing and Communication in college.

I begged Jason for more. More passion, more aggressiveness, just…more. And after spending most of our lives fighting our chemistry before finally giving into it, he fell for someone else.

But this trip was about new beginnings. A new, improved Melissa. And as tempting as it was to surrender to Logan, I deserved more than to be a notch on his bed post.

I put a hand on my hip and rose to every inch of my 5’7 frame. “Are you refusing to leave? Because per our rental agreement–”

He held up a hand to silence me. “I’m fully aware of the terms of our agreement, just as I am fully aware that you will be mine.”

That should have been appalling. That ‘Me Tarzan, You Jane’ caveman mentality usually drove me crazy, but want simmered to a boil inside me. He was so deliciously alpha. All man. All confidence.

And all trouble, if you wanted to keep your fragile heart in one piece.

“Logan…” Words failed me as he split the remaining distance between us. He wound an arm around my waist and crushed his mouth against mine. He tasted like pure sex. No flowery caresses and soft strokes. His tongue thrust into my mouth, tasting me with a moan that I involuntary echoed.