the lure, but she was nervous enough to snap the line and take off if he pushed too hard.
He had no doubt that she possessed a great deal of strength and determination. It would take twice as long to win her back if she bolted once.
When Amanda opened the door, pleasure zapped him again. Her simple dress, unlike the frumpy suits she wore at work, hugged her curves in a delightful way. Mentally, he saluted Rosie.
"You didn't need to come up," she said, pulling her coat around her.
Logan's hands moved automatically to smooth the coat over her shoulders. When she lifted her hair out of the collar, her scent teased him. He had to grab hold of his control to prevent himself from leaning over and pressing his lips to the back of her neck.
She turned her key in the lock, and he touched the back of her waist to guide her to the elevator. Even through the thick wool of her coat, the touch inflamed him.
Outside the lobby, Felipe waited by the car to open the door. Logan followed her in, sliding too close to her. What had happened to his resolve to maintain a cool distance? He forced his hands to relax, and to remain in his lap.
She crossed her long legs, slanting them to one side. Did she know that drove him crazy? He glanced at her face, but she was staring out the window at the traffic rushing by. As far as he could tell, she barely knew he was sitting beside her.
The evening only deteriorated from there.
The museum buzzed with a large crowd, and Logan saw many acquaintances. These people were colleagues, more than friends. So it wasn't surprising that, as soon as he checked their coats, he saw the other men checking out Amanda. He wasn't the only one impressed with her appearance, and that presented him with an unexpected problem.
Although no one, least of all, him, discussed the nature of the companions he brought to business events, the men in his business circle were savvy guys. They all knew, at a glance, the type of woman each of them had on his arm.
His paid escorts were women who appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared without a trace when he was done with them.
They weren't somebody's college classmate, or sister, or ex-wife.
So now, these men thought Amanda was another in a long line of his hired escorts. He saw their eyes slide over her too boldly, as if she, being paid for her presence, didn't have the right to full respect. They wouldn't look at another man's wife that way. Oh, they'd check her out. But subtly. Not in the blatant manner in which they were ogling Amanda.
Logan found himself, when introducing her, emphasizing her position at his company, as if he could pound home the fact that she was a professional businesswoman. He didn't want anyone to make the wrong assumption about her.
Partly because she didn't deserve it. Partly because he knew that after he'd bedded her, and it was time to move on, she would need these contacts that she could make through him. The contacts would be worthless if his business associates thought she was his paid escort.
Although he wouldn't fire her when their association ended, he thought Amanda would not want to stick around his company when their affair had played itself out. She had too much pride.
Therefore, she would need to find another job. He was determined to help her when that time arrived.
With that in mind, he introduced her to Steve Watkins, a venture capitalist with a young firm. The kind of guy who could use someone like Amanda when she needed a job.
Watkins shook her hand, holding on a little too long. He dropped one heavy eyelid in Logan's direction. "Not quite your usual style, is she?" he said with a hearty guffaw.
Amanda stepped back like she'd been scalded.
"You're mistaken, Watkins," Logan said firmly. "Ms. Thompson is a valued employee, with a degree from the Wharton School, and several years of excellent experience."
"Sure, sure." Watkins dropped another wink. "I can be discreet. Hey, if you're done with that hot little chick you had last time I saw you, I think I'll look her up. Trixie, right?"
Logan bit back a harsh retort. Could the man be any clumsier? But a confrontation would only make the situation worse.
"Like I said, you're mistaken. And I happen to know that Trixie is only interested in intelligent men." Touching Amanda's arm, Logan