Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Why had she suggested that?

Sitting at one of her favorite coffee shop tables, Missy asked herself that same question for the hundredth time that late afternoon. Three days had passed since Mrs. Newton and, for exactly three days and three nights, she remained locked in her apartment, without even approaching the agency again. Long enough for her to confess to Megan her failed attempt at sex with her ex-boyfriend and how it had affected her even before that whole humiliation session. Her sister-after having cursed every existing, and yet to come, generation of the Newton family-had scheduled her to begin therapy as soon as possible. Which was perhaps just as well, since as every second of every day seemed to drag by, and every word of that video played over and over again in her mind, the agony of seeing her own pitiful reflection in the mirror never seemed to leave her.

And even through it all, a big part of her couldn't stop thinking about Logan, too.

About her proposal, about her plan, about the prospect of actually getting Liam and Suzan to feel at least a drop of the immense suffering she'd been drowning in...

Missy had never even considered getting revenge on anything, or anyone, in her entire life, but now... it sounded so tempting...

And she couldn't stop thinking about him. His touches, his kisses... How he said he wanted her... The undeniable evidence of her desire that, for a few seconds, had been right in front of her, reaching out as if he wanted to reach her...

And there it was again. That almost electric rush that ran through her whenever Logan returned to her thoughts, igniting her body like she never thought possible. With Liam, things were always… racing, to say the least. Her kisses were usually quick, but even the long ones always felt too wet, almost gooey, as he carelessly thrust his tongue into her mouth. It had been awkward at first, but she'd gotten used to it. She had kissed two or three boys while she was in college, and each one of them had been in a different way, so she had just assumed that was her boyfriend's way, and had adapted to that feeling until she didn't care about her anymore.

So if someone had ever told her that she could feel with just one kiss everything Logan had made her feel, she probably wouldn't believe it. However, her body reactions left no room for doubt. Kissing Liam or any other man had never even come close to that explosion of sensation. It was as if, tasting his lips, something dormant inside her had awakened for the first time. And now she yearned all the time for something she didn't even know what it was.

But she knew it was there: the excitement, the need...

The desire.

The same desire Liam had told her so much she didn't have, when he'd accused her of being cold, dry, frigid… Now she could feel him inside her, burning for Logan. And, as completely insane as that was, - heavens, he was her brother-in-law's brother and, even in retirement, he was still a famous model; could it be that she had simply been delusional when he had said that he wanted her? – Missy couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she just ignored it all and let those feelings go away. Would they be awakened again, by another man? Or would she just go back to her old reality, desensitized to everything related to sex?

And it was all that set of anxieties, fears and doubts that had led her to send a message to Logan at dawn the night before, proposing a meeting there, in a totally impulsive and thoughtless act. However, just as she regretted it and was about to erase that fateful message, he replied immediately, happily confirming that she would come to meet him. And there she was.

Completely desperate.

She couldn't do it. She couldn't. Probably, as soon as she saw Liam and Suzan together at the agency, all those feelings she was trying to contain would come crashing down on her, leaving her in pieces. Besides, how could she even think that plan would work? It was so painfully obvious that Logan would never even look at her under normal circumstances - as things really used to be in the past - that of course people would notice something was wrong. Everyone would surely laugh when they saw them together, knowing that it must be nothing but a hoax. In the end, it would all turn into yet another huge humiliation, and worse, Logan would become a victim too.

She had to go! Even if she had previously decided to wait for him to get there to try to argue about how revenge would never work, now Missy had realized that the best thing was to simply go back to her apartment and shut up herself there again. However long it took, at some point in her life she would finish her software and no longer need an office or having to see these two people who she knew not only despised her but must also be laughing at her right now. She could send a new message to Logan, apologizing and explaining her reasons for not going through with that revenge plan. He would certainly be understanding, when she made him understand that there was no way any human being in the world could believe that Logan Knight had actually become boyfriend with...

- Missy?

Frozen, ready to rise from her chair and with her purse already in her hands, Missy turned slowly to face Logan, standing beside his desk, clearly fresh off work, impeccably dressed. Feeling her blood run cold with nervousness, Missy watched him smile gently and sit down in the chair right next to hers, bringing them incredibly close together. However, before he greeted her or said anything else, Logan's eyes landed on her clothes and he frowned in concern.

- Are you okay? – he questioned her, sounding genuinely troubled – Your clothes look so… different than usual. So... dark.

Embarrassed, Missy glanced down at her dark gray sweater and black slacks and flats. In fact, there were no prints, details, characters, phrases or the delicate, pastel tones that she loved. They were some of the few sober clothes she had in her wardrobe. However, what really disturbed her was the fact that he seemed to realize that a detail as small as her changing clothes really meant something. Why, in fact, since Mrs. Newton, looking at her cute and themed clothes, even passively hanging in her wardrobe, gave her a horrible feeling. It seemed that each one of them was a little proof that Liam was right about everything he had said. How many times must people have seen her wearing those things and thought the same as he did? That she was ridiculous? An idiot? A joke?

Knowing that was so unbearable that she just hadn't been able to wear any of them again. As much as they were clothes that she loved, now they no longer gave her a good, comfortable feeling. Now, they seemed attested to that feeling of inferiority that haunted her all the time, without mercy. Even her favorite pajamas had been relegated to a hidden place inside her wardrobe where she couldn't easily see them. She was left with only monochrome and simple clothes, but she never imagined anyone would notice, especially Logan.

"Uh, I..." Missy stammered, not knowing how to respond. Surely, if she was honest with him, Logan would laugh at such nonsense. It was just clothes, after all. Nothing major – N-it was nothing. I just grabbed the first clothes I saw in the closet. – Eager to change the subject, she said the first thing that came to her mind – You… You arrived early. – she stated foolishly, knowing that she had left the house at a time when it would still take him more than half an hour to finish his shift… But there he was, extremely early, smiling at her.

- I think we're both a little early. – he laughed softly, still looking a little worried, giving a charming wink that made her blush – But I must say that I was very happy when I read your message. I was afraid you'd be angry or hurt with me... After everything that happened in my kitchen. – Although his face was a little worried, there was a strangely warm glow in her eyes – I'm sorry if I scared or offended you by being so... Bold.

Staring at his beautifully charming expression, Missy almost found herself wishing he had never stopped being the aloof and aloof person she had known him to be. It would be so much easier to say “no, that's crazy!”, if he was still that man with the stern expression and icy demeanor... If he weren't being so sweet and kind, acting as if her invitation had been the best part of your day...

If he hadn't given her the best kiss of her life...

But she had to tell him she wouldn't accept his proposal. Was necessary. It was inevitable! There was no way...

- You called me here to say that you think the plan will not work, right? – Logan interrupted her frantic thoughts, which made her stare at him in shock. He had his arms crossed over his chest, but he still looked pretty relaxed – And let me guess: you think that because you believe Newton and Foster aren't capable of being jealous of you. Or worse: you think people won't believe I fell in love with you and asked you to go out with me. Am I right?

Oh God. Was he telepathic too?

- Am I that predictable? - Missy gasped, amazed that he seems to have read her mind.

- No, you're just too truthful. Your face just isn't able to hide what you're thinking. – His deep voice sounded like a consolation, although he had an affectionate and amused smile on his face, which quickly disappeared when he spoke again – It's quite clear how you're always thinking the worst about yourself, since that night. Do you really believe that I couldn't be attracted to you? I thought that morning at my house had made that very clear. The smile came back, now smaller and malicious.

Swallowing hard, Missy remained completely petrified. After all, she herself still hadn't understood what had happened in Logan's kitchen that day. It still didn't make sense that he was actually…attracted to her. I mean, she had a boyfriend. She knew it wasn't exactly difficult for men to get… aroused, even with a woman who wasn't very attractive. What really surprised her was why Logan had bothered to look at her long enough for her to feel that way. Maybe it was a purely male thing that she would never really understand.

Although, him wanting to be publicly with her, pretending to be her boyfriend, also left her very confused. Of course, Missy had noticed that he was normally a very kind person – at least when he was around someone she didn't despise, or at least no longer despised. Surely that revenge plan was his way of showing solidarity with what had happened to her and trying to help her... Still, she was confused if that wouldn't harm him in some way - becoming known as her boyfriend for an indefinite amount of time... Wouldn't he mind having to stop dating other people during that time...?

That's when it hit her: he probably wouldn't stop. Realistically, he certainly wouldn't stop.

And, inexplicably, that made her feel even worse.

Logan wasn't a womanizer, as far as she knew. In two years of living together, she had never seen him with anyone or heard the Knights mention that he had a girlfriend. But he was a young man, extremely handsome and successful. The kind of male profile that generally didn't want serious commitments, but also did the opposite of refusing female company. She had a hard time imagining Logan, always so serious and intent, as one of the bon vivants or the many libertines that existed in the pages of her books. However, she certainly wasn't a good judge of character. If someone had accused Liam of not only having an affair with a co-worker, but also recording a video saying terrible things about her and then posting it among dozens of people, would she have believed it?

- And now your mind is creating even more arguments to believe that nothing will work. – Logan sighed heavily, bringing his attention back to him – Please, Missy, explain to me: why are you so sure we shouldn't do this?

- Well... - Missy stammered, suddenly unsure of all the arguments that seemed so solid and irrefutable in her head before - Well, first, look at the two of us. Do you really think anyone is going to believe that out of all the women in the world, you chose me? I mean... You? Logan Knight?

-I hate the way she talks about herself. But, we'll have enough time to talk about that later. - Logan muttered, clearly dissatisfied - And, believe me, Missy, you just don't see yourself clearly. – he opened a seductive smile – Nobody will be surprised to see me in the palm of their hands. You'll just wonder why it took me so long to surrender. - His voice was so sweet it sounded like a purr, but even so there was a touch of melancholy that she didn't understand where it came from.

- No need to be kind, Logan. – Missy sighed, her head down – I know I'm not… The type of woman that men like you would look up to. – she murmured, shifting uncomfortably – And, to be honest with you, my mother has already tried to change my way of being several times… And I know very well that I am not capable of becoming more refined, more beautiful or anything like that. type...

- Change? – Logan interrupted her, slightly indignant – Missy, what are you talking about? I would never suggest that you change anything in the way you are. – Placing one of his hands on her face, he gently caressed her cheek with an affectionate smile – Why would I do that, if you are perfect exactly as you are?

- Uh... You... - Missy gasped, totally disconcerted, especially since he had leaned towards her a lot - You really don't need to be kind. I know I'm not exactly attractive.

- I'm not being kind. Just sincere. – She shuddered when he suddenly closed the distance between them and placed a soft kiss on the base of her neck, forcing her to bite down her bottom lip so you don't moan - And if you'll give me the chance, I promise to help you realize how wrong you are when you say you're not attractive. But first, I have to prove that the rest of your arguments are just insecurities. I think I already managed to knock this one down, correct? Her huge, dazzling smile was undeniably smug and satisfied.

Suppressing a nervous smile, Missy lowered her gaze, knowing he was right, even though she didn't want to say it to him aloud. That was precisely why she wanted to be gone before he arrived and explained himself only through a message. For the last few years, Logan had been a publicity agent, after all. Convincing thousands of companies and brands that their models, actors and influencers were the right people for projects worth millions. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was argue. And persuade.

And heaven only knew how persuaded she already felt at that moment.

- Then? – he encouraged her to speak, clearly enjoying her dismayed expression – Can we move on to the next argument?

- You still haven't told me what we're going to do. That is, if people doubt it. – She hastened to add, seeing his smile turn malicious, but, to her surprise, it remained so.

- Oh, Missy… – he laughed, a deep sound that made her heart race – Trust me, they will. I can be very... convincing. He said each word with an emphasis that made her face burn.

- W-well… – she gasped, closing her hands into fists on the table, to try to control her reactions – What if… What if Liam and Suzan aren't affected? That's what revenge is about, isn't it?

- Oh, they will, don't worry. – although her posture as a whole remained unchanged, she could see that dangerous and infuriated gleam in the green eyes – After so many years in this industry, I met many people like them. When they consider someone inferior, they simply cannot bear to see them succeed in any way. Foster and Newton believe they have destroyed it. That whenever you see them you'll feel like you're nothing. But let's show them otherwise.

- So... I'll have to pretend I'm fine, is that it? – she tried to warn him, in case he hadn't noticed the obvious: that she wasn't well.

- No, my dear. – he smiled sweetly at her, before putting their foreheads together – I know that maybe you might not believe it now, but you're really going to be fine. It's only a matter of time. – He opened one of his breathtaking smiles – Of time and support. And me, your sister, and our entire family will be here to help you every step of the way, no matter how difficult it may be. I promise. – the solemn expression, full of truth, suddenly became also lewd – And, in the midst of all that, I believe that you can also end up… Having a lot of fun. – her hands slid slowly down his back until they reached his waist, as they had been that morning, in his kitchen – And, if you allow me, I can prove to you, too, how terribly wrong I was about not being good with... Intimacy.

"I-I…" She chewed on her lower lip, torn between continuing to maintain eye contact with him or trying to remember how she breathed. However, the truth was that her brain seemed to have stopped working, making it impossible for her to give any minimally coherent answer. That is until Logan's eyes strayed for a quick second to the mirrored wall behind them, before he looked back at her with a mixture of amusement and determination.

- Would you like me to prove to you that what I'm saying is true?

And then he kissed her.