Eclipse of the Heart

chapter 10

The wedding, Logan had told her, was being held at an estate in Westchester County. With Rosie's help, Amanda had found the perfect gown at a resale shop downtown. The bias cut and careful tailoring of the blue gown transformed her body into something both svelte and curvaceous. Rosie had decreed no jewelry other than earrings.

"The way that dress displays your tatas," Rosie said, "you don't want any other distractions."

Amanda clapped a hand to her chest. "It's not too revealing, is it?"

Rosie shook her head. "Suggestive, not revealing. If Logan doesn't want you for himself, he's gonna have to fight off other guys."

Amanda laughed. "You're good for my ego, anyway."

"You call me no matter what time you get home and spill all the details."

But as soon as Logan arrived to pick her up, Amanda had no time to think of anything but the magic of the unfolding evening. When Logan had buzzed her apartment, she hadn't let him in, instead telling him through the intercom that she'd be right down. She didn't want to give the impression that she thought this might be a date.

He was standing in the small lobby when the elevator opened, a slight frown between his brows. "I would have come up," he said.

"No problem." She breezed by him, though not before she saw the quick up and down glance he gave her. Her feet tingled in the high-heeled sandals she'd splurged on. She refused to think about her motivation for spending the money, because she was determined not to address the issue of why she wanted to look sexy for him.

He followed close behind, reaching around her to push open the front door.

"It's so pretty," she exclaimed. A light snow was falling, with an inch or two of white glitter softening the hard lines of the city.

"Those shoes will get ruined in the snow." Logan scooped her up and carried her through the door.

"Hey!" She was too surprised to do more than grab him and hang on. With a half dozen long strides, they'd reached the car door held open by Felipe. Logan leaned in and deposited her neatly in the middle of the back seat. When he climbed in and settled beside her, she realized that she should have moved aside. His broad shoulders nudged hers, and his left thigh was dangerously close to her right.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, cocooning them in darkness. She could smell him, hot and male. Something fluttered in her stomach.

"You look lovely," he said, his deep voice low and somehow intimate in the luxurious confines of the car. He raised his arm and placed it on the seat back behind her, not touching her, but shielding her within the frame of his body.

She couldn't move now. It would be too obvious and awkward. But she didn't lean back either. He was her boss, not her date. She had to remember that.

"Relax," he said.

They traveled through the brightly lit city and into the darker countryside. She managed to ask him about the bride and groom, how he knew them, and who she might expect to meet. He answered all of her frantic questions, the amused note in his calm voice the only sign that she wasn't fooling him about her nervousness.

Luckily, when they reached the mansion, an awning stretched out from the front door to the enormous sweep of the driveway. She was able to alight from the car with only the assistance of Logan's hand. But her fingers tingled, even through their gloves, when he drew her hand into his grasp.

He placed her hand on his bent arm. "Better hold on," he said. "Might be icy."

They walked up a short flight of broad, shallow steps lined with miniature fir trees twinkling with golden fairy lights. The grand entrance foyer sparkled with more lights from a huge Waterford chandelier, wall sconces and numerous, flickering white candles. Huge bouquets of colorful flowers decorated and perfumed the space. An unseen quartet played background music.

Logan was hailed on all sides by men whose black and white formality set off the colorful beauty of their perfectly polished women.

For just a moment, Amanda regretted her decision to come. She wouldn't know anyone and had no hope of fitting in with this sophisticated crowd.

But then Logan placed his warm hands on her shoulders, removed her coat and handed it to one of the staff. When she turned to face him, she sucked in a breath of wonder. She'd never seen him in a tuxedo, of course, but he wore the formal dress as if born to it. The jacket was perfectly tailored to his broad shoulders, and the snow white shirt contrasted elegantly with his dark good looks.

But the real ego booster was the warmth in his eyes when he looked at her. He slipped an arm around her waist, warming her in the hall, which was cooled by the constantly opening front door. He leaned closer to be heard over the high noise level. "You'll be meeting a large number of people. I'll let you know when it's someone I'd really like you to know." He squeezed her waist gently, but did not pull away, even when she nodded.

"Mmmm," he said, "you smell good."

"Thanks," she muttered. He shouldn't be making personal comments. But now he was threading them through the crowd, his firm arm around her making her feel secure in a totally inappropriate way.

Angry with her own response, more than with him, she issued a low-voiced warning. "You should remove your arm."

His fingers tightened a bit. "I don't want all these men to think you're available."

"I am available."

"Not tonight."

She couldn't respond since a beautiful couple was hailing Logan.

One warning squeeze and then Logan was introducing her to the tall, fair-haired man, who turned out to be his roommate from college. David and his equally fair wife, June, looked at Amanda with bright curiosity. "I'm so pleased to meet you," June said with a smile. "We never see Logan with a date."

"I'm not exactly—"

"June," Logan broke in. "Amanda is new to this group. Please help her feel comfortable."

"Of course." June drew her to the side as the men headed for one of the bars. "How do you know Logan?"

"We work together."

"You do?" June's blue eyes widened. "I never would have expected Logan to date someone who works for him."

"We're not dating." Amanda had to make it clear. Who knows, maybe she really could meet someone interesting here. But no one would approach her if they thought she was on a date.

"Okay." June didn't try to hide her skepticism. "But don't tell Logan that." She winked at Amanda as the two men approached with champagne for everyone.

Amanda took one of the delicate flutes, but resolved to sip very slowly. Even though the champagne was delicious, bright and sparkly, she couldn't afford to get tipsy. Luckily, they moved soon into the large reception room where the vows were being said. She was able to leave the champagne behind.

The ceremony was short, but beautiful. The auburn-haired bride wore a stunningly simple, cream gown, and the groom looked almost as handsome as Logan in his black tux. Amanda had to suppress a slight pang of envy toward a couple who seemed to have everything. But she was able to sincerely wish them well in the reception line, and then she and Logan, still in the company of David and June, moved into a grand ballroom lined with tables for dinner. A dozen musicians were playing there, and a large crowd was dancing and enjoying the fast rock beat and the smoky-voiced singer.

"We're at table two," David announced. "I'm sure you are as well."

Once they found their seats, David and June excused themselves. "Got to do my duty on the dance floor," David joked.

"Let's join them." Logan held out a hand.

"We really shouldn't dance. You're my boss."

"Not tonight." He swept her into his arms. "We're going to dance."

She wanted to argue. She knew she should argue. But she loved to dance, and his arms possessed a magic she was helpless to resist.

Within minutes, she knew that Logan was an excellent dancer. No matter what she did, even if she missed a step, he was there. Catching here, twirling her in dizzying circles, pulling her close when the movement allowed.

His expertise made them conspicuous, and people were watching. The band played all kinds of popular tunes, and the crowd jumped and gyrated, often in time to the music, often randomly. But Logan managed to find the beat in every song.

"Rumba?" he'd ask, smiling down at her and she'd move into his arms, each time with a little more comfort.

"Salsa?"

She could do the basics, courtesy of a ballroom dance class she'd taken in college to fulfill the gym requirement. But she wished she could stop and merely watch him. His hips mesmerized her, gyrating to the music while his upper body held a still frame perfectly, so that he didn't thrash about as so many men did when dancing.

"You like to dance?" he asked when the band stopped for a moment.

"Love it."

And never more so than tonight. She didn't know if she'd ever danced to such a good live band. Of course, she knew that was money talking, but she might as well enjoy it. She'd definitely never had such an accomplished partner.

"Where'd you learn to dance so well?" she asked. "Doesn't really go with the corporate image."

"I have a good sense of rhythm." He began to move as the band started a new song.

"Someone taught you the steps." His refusal to answer personal questions was so frustrating.

"Girlfriend," he said briefly, his tone discouraging further questions. "A long time ago."

"Of course." She stepped back from him. "Could we sit down for a minute? I need to catch my breath."

"Certainly." He followed her over to the table where June sat alone now, talking on her phone. But before they could sit down, a sexy brunette swished up to Logan and flung her arms around him.

"Dance with me," she invited, her tone sure, her eyes laughing. Her Christmas-red silk sheath identified her as one of the bridesmaids, a sophisticated, glamorous attendant, not the kind who had to dress in pale ruffles so as not to outshine the bride.

"Excuse me for just a moment." Logan held out a chair for Amanda. After pushing it in, he leaned over, his warm male scent washing over her. "I'll be back shortly," he said.

June clicked off her phone. "Babysitter," she said with a small grimace.

"Problems?"

"Nothing serious. My twins thought it would be fun to go sledding in the dark. They almost had the sitter convinced we do that all the time." Her dry tone was belied by her smile.

"How old are they?"

"Eight going on four." She laughed. "They're cute, but not half as much fun to watch as a grown man."

She nodded at Logan. "Look at those hips. Making me hot, and he's my husband's best friend."

"He's got some moves." Amanda tried to laugh, but it was painful to watch Logan and the brunette move together in perfect synchronicity.

"Lucky you." June gave an exaggerated look around. "You don't see my husband anywhere, do you? He must be hiding. Terrified he might have to dance again."

Yeah, Amanda thought, but he loves you. He makes babies with you. He plans to spend the rest of his life with you. Dance moves don't hold a candle to all that.

But of course, she couldn't say any of that. She cast about for a different topic and landed on the one thing she didn't want to say.

"Who's that woman he's dancing with?" As much as the sight of them together tortured her, Amanda didn't seem able to stop watching, nor to leave the words unsaid.

"You don't know?" June tore her eyes away from the dance floor to glance at her.

Amanda shook her head. "I barely know Logan."

"Uh…" June fiddled with her phone, refusing to meet Amanda's eyes. "That's the woman he learned to dance with. Stacy Johnson."

Bingo. She should have known. They moved together like water flowing down steps. Each body part fluidly followed the other.

Amanda knew she had to speak. Her silence made too big a deal out of the fact.

But she couldn't think of a thing to say. She didn't belong here, was not part of this world, and could never compete with a woman like that. Not that she wanted to compete, she reminded herself sadly. She was Logan's employee, nothing more.

June patted her hand. "Don't worry about her. They were a couple back when we were all in college together, and Logan never abandons anyone."

"Logan?" Amanda's brows shot up. "Are you talking about Logan Winter? A man who hires women for companionship so he doesn't have to form a relationship?"

She snapped her mouth shut, horrified that she'd let that out. She shouldn't be divulging such information about anyone, let alone the person who was her boss.

"No." June shook her head emphatically. "That's his…his armor. Not his natural character."

"His armor? Why does a man like him need armor? Has the world been so terrible to him?"

June bit her lip, as if afraid of the words that might emerge. "Everyone has problems, Amanda. Even Logan."

Yeah. Problems dealing with people.

Amanda watched as they swung by, the woman as sexy as Logan.

"Look at him." June gestured toward the couple. "So controlled. He's dancing beautifully with Stacy but he looks at her like she's a robot."

Amanda shrugged. She'd already made too big a deal out of the whole thing.

"That's not the way he was looking at you," June said into the silence.

Amanda's heart skipped a beat, but she knew the subject had to be changed.

"Tell me about the bride and groom," she said brightly.

June immediately launched into a funny tale, and when Logan and Stacy returned, Amanda was able to look up coolly.

"Come on." Logan held out a hand. "We haven't had a chance to waltz."

Amanda hesitated a moment too long. She knew better than to waltz with him, but she couldn't embarrass him in front of his friends.

"Lovely," she said, a shade too heartily.

She moved into his arms, feeling his strength as he gently pulled her into the embrace of the dance. His warm hand wrapped securely around hers. They began moving, perfectly attuned, though she had to hold her head up stiffly to avoid resting it on his chest.

The music curled around them, lifting them, moving them over the floor in time to its sensuous beat. She found herself drawn ever more closely into his arms.

Until they were pressed together from knees to shoulders, and she became aware of something even harder than his arm pressing into her.

She tried to pull away subtly. He loosened his arms a fraction.

"It was inevitable," he murmured. "Good thing it's dark in here."

She refused to look at him. Dark as it was, he'd see how much this was affecting her. Every time he brushed against her, she melted a little bit more. Soon she'd be a puddle on the floor.

"I don't think this is decent," she muttered, glancing around. "We should sit down."

"You don't think I'm the first man in the world who's had an erection on the dance floor, do you?"

Mute, she shook her head.

"It wasn't my intention to embarrass you," he said, his voice low and dark in her ear. "But you feel good in my arms, and that means the problem is not going to go away."

"Should I step on your toe?"

He chuckled. "I think I'm destined to suffer until I get you home tonight."

A thrill of fear zapped her. What did that mean? Surely he wouldn't make a move on her. She'd been adamant that she wouldn't have sex with him, and he was not a stupid man.

Their two nights in Philadelphia sprang into her mind. He hadn't done more than give her a chaste kiss. Despite the fact they were staying in the same hotel suite. But if she had been a little disappointed, she wasn't going to admit it to anyone, least of all herself. The fact remained that, although he'd been warm and attentive at the symphony, he had not tried to make a pass at her any time during the trip.

So she shouldn't read too much into his actions tonight. They were at a wedding. It was only natural that they'd dance. If she refused any more slow dances, that would solve her problem. Also, she had to stop drinking. Though she'd only had a couple glasses of champagne, she didn't have a head for liquor.

Logan Winter was entirely too attractive. There was no telling what foolish thing she might do if she got drunk.