OBSESSION

SEVEN

Bethany stirred in bed, her eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the window. She rolled over, reaching out, only to find the other side of the bed empty. The sheets were cool, Logan's warmth long faded. Confused, she propped herself up, glancing around the room.

Had he left?

Flashes of the previous night came rushing back to her: the way they'd kissed passionately, unable to keep their hands off each other, followed by the unexpected softness of their late-night conversation.

Logan had opened up about his dreams for his own real estate firm, his hopes to succeed on his own terms and step out from his father's shadow. In return, she'd shared her dreams of proving herself as a designer, of building a life where she didn't have to rely on anyone else. They'd talked until they'd drifted off, her head on his chest and his arm wrapped protectively around her.

Bethany sat up, rubbing her eyes. The disappointment she felt at his absence took her by surprise. She slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Splashing cool water on her face and brushing her teeth, she tried to shake off the mix of emotions that lingered. Had he really just left after last night? Without so much as a goodbye?

Steeling herself, Bethany padded down the stairs, bracing herself to find an empty house. But as she entered the living room, she spotted him through the window, coming up her walkway with a bag in one hand and a tray of coffee cups in the other.

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. He hadn't left. Logan opened the door, a little out of breath as he grinned at her.

"Good morning," he greeted, holding up the coffee cups as if they were an offering. "I made a quick coffee run, as promised."

Bethany folded her arms, leaning against the wall with a teasing smirk. "You know, for a minute, I thought you'd just snuck out. I was about to write you off as another charming guy who disappears before dawn."

Logan chuckled, setting the coffee cups and bag on the kitchen counter. "Is that right? Well, I may have my faults, but I keep my promises," he said, handing her one of the coffees. "Besides, I figured you might need a little pick-me-up after our late-night... brainstorming session."

She took the coffee, feeling the warmth seep through the cup and into her fingers. "Brainstorming session? That's a nice way to put it."

Logan laughed, his eyes crinkling in that way that made her heart race. "It was productive, wasn't it?" he asked, opening the bag to reveal a couple of breakfast pastries.

"You're still in work mode," Bethany teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "Do you ever relax, Logan?"

"Rarely," he admitted, though there was a softness in his gaze as he looked at her. "But you make it a little easier to forget about everything else."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they took bites of their pastries, Bethany savoring the warmth of the coffee and Logan's presence.

"Can you stay?" she asked, almost tentatively. It was still so new, the thought of wanting him here, of enjoying his company beyond the office and the whirlwind they'd shared last night.

Logan's face softened, though he shook his head, regret in his eyes. "I wish I could. But I have a meeting later this afternoon. Important one. And unfortunately, they don't really honor weekends in my line of work."

She tried to hide her disappointment with a lighthearted smile. "Of course, you have a packed Sunday schedule."

"Not usually," he said, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. "But I'll see you tomorrow morning at our meeting. First thing."

Bethany nodded, holding his gaze. "Alright. And I'll have all the presentation materials ready. Don't think you're getting any special treatment just because... well, you know."

"Because I snuck out and brought you coffee?" he joked, leaning closer until their faces were just inches apart.

"Exactly," she whispered, her eyes drifting to his lips.

"Noted," he murmured, and then his lips brushed against hers, soft at first, then deeper as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. The kiss was slow, savoring, as if neither of them wanted it to end.

When he finally pulled back, Logan's gaze was warm, his hand still resting on her hip. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Scott."

"Tomorrow, Mr. Chase," she replied, her voice soft as he released her.

He gave her one last smile before stepping back, grabbing his keys from the counter. With one final glance, he turned and left, the door closing quietly behind him.

Bethany stood there for a long moment, still feeling the warmth of his kiss, her heart fluttering in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. She took a sip of her coffee, a small smile tugging at her lips.

~*~

The following morning, Bethany sat in the conference room, her fingers nervously smoothing the fabric of her skirt. She had chosen a sleek, navy-blue pencil skirt paired with a soft white blouse that hugged her figure just enough to look professional while hinting at the confidence she was trying to embody.

A pair of nude heels completed the look, her legs crossed elegantly as she sat waiting for everyone to arrive.

She'd spent the better part of the weekend perfecting this presentation, hoping to impress not only Marcus and Ryan but also the man who, despite his current professional detachment, had spent the weekend with his head between her legs. The memory alone sent a thrill up her spine, but she forced herself to focus. Now was not the time.

Just then, the door opened, and Logan walked in, his face a mask of professionalism. He looked every bit the stoic client, not even the slightest flicker of familiarity passing over his expression. Dressed in a tailored dark gray suit, his expression was all business, and for a brief, amusing second, Bethany wondered if he was truly as unaffected as he looked.

"Good morning, everyone," Logan said, his voice calm and commanding. "Before we dive into the presentation, I wanted to go over the budget with you. Given the scope of this project, it's crucial we stay on track, and I'll be reviewing any requests for additional expenses personally."

Marcus and Ryan nodded in agreement, exchanging glances before settling in.

Once Logan finished outlining the budget constraints, he turned his gaze to Bethany. His eyes were unreadable, but she sensed the intensity beneath his calm exterior. "Ms. Scott, you're up," he said, his voice cool and collected. "Please present your ideas to the team."

Bethany stood, her nerves electrified but her confidence boosted by the way he addressed her with respect in front of everyone. With a deep breath, she launched into her presentation, her voice steady as she outlined the design concepts, materials, and color schemes she'd chosen to elevate the project while keeping within the historic theme Logan had requested.

As she went through each slide, she could see the approving nods from Marcus and Ryan, and she allowed herself a moment to relax. Every detail was precise, and she felt the energy in the room shift as her vision for the project came to life. Finally, she wrapped up, her heart racing but feeling victorious.

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Well done, Bethany. You've given us a clear direction that aligns with both the client's needs and the brand image."

"Agreed," Ryan added with a smile. "This is exactly the level of professionalism we were hoping for when we brought you on board."

Sierra, sitting a few chairs away, crossed her arms and shot Bethany a glare that could cut glass. But Bethany simply gave a small, polite smile in response, refusing to let Sierra's obvious displeasure dampen her victory.

The meeting wrapped up, and Bethany was gathering her notes when she felt Logan approach. He waited until everyone else was filing out, his expression still cool, before leaning in just close enough to speak softly so only she could hear.

"Bethany," he murmured, his eyes glinting with something just a touch warmer than professionalism. "Dinner tonight. Seven o'clock. My treat."

She glanced around quickly, seeing no one paying them attention. "I think I can manage that."

Logan's lips twitched into the slightest hint of a smile before he gave a subtle nod, straightening and heading for the door. He had just left the room when Bethany heard a voice from the doorway.

"So," Teagan said, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Dinner plans with Mr. Chase?"

Bethany's cheeks flushed, and she immediately ushered Teagan into her office, shutting the door behind them. "Teagan, keep your voice down!"

Teagan chuckled, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. "I knew there was something between you two. You can tell me, girl. I won't breathe a word to anyone."

Bethany sighed, debating how much to share, but ultimately trusting Teagan. "Alright, yes. There's... something between us. But it's new, and we're keeping it discreet. So please—don't let this get around."

Teagan grinned, holding up her hands in surrender. "My lips are sealed. But... you might have bigger things to worry about than me," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Sierra overheard your little conversation with Logan, too."

Bethany's heart dropped, panic flickering across her face. "Are you sure?"

Teagan nodded, her expression serious. "I saw her. She's been looking for a reason to get under your skin. Be careful with her."

Bethany exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm. "Thanks, Teagan. I'll handle it."