Chapter 7 Chapter 7

'Screw you! I never agreed to your ridiculous proposal,' Alessia retorted, lifting her chin defiantly. 'I don't need you to find me a job. I already have one.'

Logan's brow furrowed deeper. 'If you didn't agree, why did you say yes?'

'I never said yes! Get your filthy hands off me!' Alessia forcefully shook off Logan's grip, her anger fuelling her determination. 'I'm deleting all your photos, all right?'

She held up her camera for him to see the screen, then deleted all the photos taken in the lounge. 'There, happy? Can I go now?'

'Can we talk for a moment?' Logan backed up a little to give her space.

'No,' Alessia responded coldly. 'I don't have time for that.'

'There's been a misunderstanding.'

'There's no misunderstanding,' Alessia scoffed. 'I've seen plenty of men like you. You thought I was poor and desperate for money, and believed you could buy me on the cheap, didn't you?'

Logan attempted to defend himself. 'I didn't mean-'

'I don't care!' Alessia snorted. 'There are plenty of other choices out there, ready for you to fulfil your perverted desires. Why don't you try Sunny Meadows Ranch?'

'Sunny Meadows Ranch?' Logan gave her a quizzical look. 'It's a pig farm.'

'Exactly!' Alessia smirked. 'It's the perfect place for you to find your ideal match. After all, you are all members of the same species.'

Struck dumb, Logan had no idea how to respond to that.

He had been called names before, mostly by business rivals.

But he'd never been insulted by a woman in this 'creative' fashion, and right to his face.

Strangely, he couldn't bring himself to be mad at her.

Stowing her camera into her shoulder bag, Alessia asked, 'Can I leave now?'

Logan, unwilling to let her go, reached out and grabbed her wrist again, his touch searing against her skin.

'Don't touch me!' Alessia screamed instinctively, her reflexes kicking in. 'What else do you want from me?'

'I need your help,' Logan said.

Alessia glowered at him. 'This is how you ask someone for help?'

'I was afraid you'd leave without letting me finish.'

Taking a deep breath, Alessia reminded herself to calm down.

This was an enemy she could neither overpower nor outrun.

The only choice was to play along.

'Fine. What help do you need?'

'Just.stay still for a moment.'

Logan stood close to Alessia, their bodies almost touching, as he took in a deep breath, intoxicated by her scent.

It was a tantalizing mixture of cheap shampoo and something uniquely her.

The fragrance hung in the air, enveloping him and igniting a fiery desire within him that he struggled to suppress.

With every beat of his heart, the flames burned brighter.

Feeling the intensity of the moment, Logan knew he had to regain control.

He abruptly pulled back, tilting his body sideways to hide the undeniable evidence of his arousal.

His domineering nature recoiled at the vulnerability that Alessia's presence invoked within him.

He couldn't let her get too close, for fear of losing himself in her.

Alessia, growing impatient with the lack of response from Logan, was about to speak up when the door to the lounge swung open.

The newcomer flipped on the light switch. 'Logan, I was hoping we could talk-'

Her sentence died in her throat as the lounge was flooded with light and her eyes fell upon Logan and Alessia standing face to face near the French window.

The two of them seemed locked in an intimate dance, poised on the precipice of something forbidden.

Olivia's eyes widened, a mix of shock, hurt, and jealousy coursing through her veins.

The realisation of what she had interrupted struck her like a blow.

Tears welled in Olivia's eyes as she turned to face Logan, her voice quivering with a mix of hurt and accusation. 'Is she...is she your woman, Logan?'

Alessia, sensing the weight of Olivia's emotions, rushed to explain, desperation lacing her words. 'No, Miss Anderson! It's a misunderstanding. I am in no way involved with Mr Wilde. We were just-'

But before Alessia could finish speaking, Logan's restraining arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

The sudden closeness sent a shiver down Alessia's spine.

A flush of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she realised the physical evidence of Logan's desire pressing against her backside.

They stood together, facing Olivia, their bodies almost melding into one.

Logan shot a cold look at Olivia. 'Have you seen enough?'

Olivia pursed her lips. 'Well, aren't you touchy? Fine, I won't disturb you any longer. Carry on. Although, I suggest you take this party to a hotel room. Too many prying eyes here.'

Olivia shot Alessia one last look of jealousy before she turned and walked away.

The door closed once again.

'Ugh!' Alessia fumed, her anger mounting.

She elbowed Logan in the ribs.

The man let out a muted groan.

Finally breaking free from his grasp, Alessia swiftly took a step back, unable to hold back her frustration. 'You jerk! Are you done taking advantage of me?'

Her face was flushed crimson from both anger and embarrassment.

The veins on Logan's forehead pulsed with pain.

He stared at the woman, whose face was illuminated by the light, taking in every detail.

He saw her delicate features, so lively and unadorned.

What struck him the most was her natural beauty.

Few women, if any, attended dinner parties without makeup, at least to his knowledge.

But this woman was the exception.

Alessia gathered her belongings, aware that the man hadn't said a word.

She raised her head, glaring at Logan.

Under the bright light, she could see his face clearly.

Alessia gasped.

The man before her bore a striking resemblance to her five-year-old son, with his strong jawline, sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, impossibly long eyelashes, straight nose, and even lips of the same shape.

Most important was the man's eye colour, a unique blend of stormy grey and vibrant blue, just like her son's.

Alessia knew that on a sunny day, there'd be flecks of silver dancing within the azure hues.

Milo was like a miniature version of this man.

A wave of guilt and confusion washed over Alessia.