My Destiny Read online

  No need to repay me, beautiful. It was a gift. I am looking forward to seeing you this afternoon. We can go out to dinner if you are feeling up to it. ;)

  Boy, I was really blushing now. I don’t know what it is about this man, but he made my insides turn to mush. I’ll have to be careful around him. It wouldn’t be hard to fall for someone like Logan but, unfortunately for me, that was out of the question. If only he wasn’t a lawyer.

  Once I finished my breakfast and rinsed the plate and cup, I put them in the dishwasher. I had nothing to do for the rest of the day so I called the restaurant to tell them I wouldn’t be able to come in for a few days. Then I texted my new number to everyone in my contact list before I decided to lay outside on the balcony and read a book.

  Logan told me to make myself comfortable so that’s exactly what I was going to do. I knew I wouldn’t be staying here for long so I was going to make the most of it. Being surrounded by all this luxury was something I probably wouldn’t ever experience again.

  Logan

  The day seemed to drag on forever. After my endless meetings and tying up some loose ends, I eventually headed home. Brooke was on my mind all day and I couldn’t wait to see her. It actually felt nice to have someone to go home to for a change.

  When the elevator doors opened into my penthouse, I could hear music. I walked into the main room and that is where I found Brooke playing the piano. My god! She was good! I just stood there for a few minutes, watching her. When the song was finished, she looked up and caught me watching her.

  “That was beautiful!” I said with a smile. “You really are very talented.” I was rewarded with a heart-melting smile from her. She got up from behind the piano and walked towards me.

  “I hope you don’t mind me playing,” she said. “I have never had the opportunity to play one as beautiful.”

  “I don’t mind at all. You are welcome to play it anytime. I don’t even know how to play. I bought it for my niece when she started taking lessons.”

  Brooke said, “You are sweet for buying something so grand for your niece. Tell me about your family”.

  “Well, I have a sister named Michelle and she has a daughter, Lara, who is seven. Both my parents are still alive. I love my mother. She’s a great lady and wonderful mother. I have never really gotten along with my father. None of us have. He is a workaholic and not the nicest person to be around sometimes. Growing up, he was never around much, which was probably a good thing. I was never really interested in law. My father made me study it so I could, eventually, take over the business when he retired.”

  “Are you happy running the family business?” she asked.

  “I am,” I replied. “It has grown on me over the years.” We both smiled at each other. I really did love what I did for a living.

  “My niece is turning eight next week,” I informed her. “Would you like to accompany me to her birthday party? I am sure my family would love to meet you.”

  She smiled. “That sounds nice, but I really don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  I turned and walked into the kitchen. Brooke followed. I got a bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?” If we were going to have this conversation, I needed a drink.

  “That would be nice. Thanks,” she replied.

  We sat down at the breakfast bar and just stared at each other. The attraction between us was strong and I could tell she felt it, too. Brooke ended up breaking our stare first, putting her head down. I watched her as she stared into her glass. I could tell that she was trying to fight what she felt for me.

  “Okay. Why do you think coming to my niece’s birthday isn’t a good idea?”

  “I am not looking for a relationship, Logan, especially with a lawyer.”

  That comment not only surprised me, but also pissed me off. “So you are saying you don’t want to be with me because of what I do for living?” I asked. “That’s a bit unfair, don’t you think?”

  She looked up from her glass. “I am sorry, Logan,” she said. “I really appreciate everything that you have done for me, but this thing between us, whatever it is, just won’t work.”

  “Why is that, Brooke?” I asked. “You haven’t even given us a chance. I am not Jake. If you just give me half a chance and get to know me, you would see that.”

  She got up from her chair and went to leave the room. I quickly stood up and blocked her path. This conversation was definitely not over, and I wasn’t letting her go until she gave me an explanation. She looked up into my eyes. “Please, Logan. I would rather not get into this right now,” she replied softly.

  “No, Brooke,” I pleaded. “Please don’t walk away from me. Just sit and talk to me. Tell me why you don’t want to give us a chance.”

  She sighed. “It’s not just Jake,” she replied. “My…um…my father was a lawyer, too. I think I’ve had my fair share of heartbreak from lawyers for one lifetime.”

  Well, now we were starting to get somewhere. In the hospital back in Melbourne, I remember her telling me that she had nothing to do with her father.

  “Tell me, Brooke.” I whispered as I reached out and gently rubbed my hand down her arm. “Tell me about your father. Tell me what he did to you and how he broke your heart. Help me understand. Come and sit back down. Please…talk to me.” She gave me a small forced smile, turned around, and sat back down with a sigh. I sat down next to her, reaching out to hold her hand. When she looked up at me, I could tell she was nervous. Seeing her like this was hard for me.

  Brooke

  I didn’t really want to tell Logan about my father. It’s something I have never talked about—ever! I hadn’t even discussed it with Jake when we were together. He never really asked, either. He was too wrapped up in himself, I suppose. I was touched that Logan even cared enough to ask. I suppose if I tell him, it might help him understand why we can’t be together.

  “Well, there really isn’t much to say,” I stated, then paused. I really didn’t feel comfortable talking about this. He just looked at me before raising one of his eyebrows. I knew that was his sign for me to continue.

  “He didn’t exactly break my heart, but he broke my mother’s. It hurt me deeply to see how sad she was whenever she talked about my father,” I explained with a sigh. “She loved him deeply, but he ruined her in so many ways. I don’t think she ever truly got over it.

  “I remember she always put on a brave face when she talked about him. I was very close with my mum because we were all each other had. As much as she tried to hide how she was really feeling, I could always see straight through her.”

  Logan was still watching me. He obviously knew there was more to the story, and I could tell he wasn’t going to be satisfied until I told him the whole thing.

  “See, it’s like this,” I said. “When my mother was nineteen, she was studying to become a lawyer. She was also working part-time at a law firm to help pay for her rent and food. That’s how she met my father, who was her boss. My mum fell in love with him and became pregnant with me. When she told him she was pregnant, he finally decided to tell her he was married to someone else. He also wanted her to have an abortion.”

  There was no point in sugar-coating it. It was what it was. “She refused to end the pregnancy and he threatened to fire her if she didn’t. She was forced to give up her dreams and she struggled for the rest of her life. My mum worked herself into an early grave,” I said, angrily. “She was only thirty-eight when she died.”

  Talking about this was hard for me. Whenever I thought of my mum and what she had gone through and everything she was forced to give up for me, it broke my heart. I could feel the tears forming in the back of my eyes so I put my head down. I didn’t want Logan to see them.

  Logan

  Now I was starting to understand why she didn’t trust lawyers. Her father abandoned her before she was born, and her husband cheated on her before trying to kill her. My heart was breaking. Why do some people think it is okay to treat others like that? I ne
eded her to understand that I was nothing like them. I was prepared to do whatever it took to make her see it.

  I’m a patient man and I knew it would take some time, but I finally found someone who I knew I could spend the rest of my life with. I wasn’t letting go of her so easily. I know that sounds crazy because I haven’t known her very long, but my heart was telling me to grab hold of her and never let go. There was something truly special about her. No one had ever made me feel the things Brooke made me feel.

  I put my hand under her chin and gently raised her face to meet mine. There were tears pooling in her big beautiful chocolate eyes and, again, it broke my heart. When she blinked, a few tears escaped. I put both my hands on either side of her face and brushed them away with my thumbs.

  Time seemed to stand still as we looked deeply into each other’s eyes. I couldn’t help myself. I leaned forward and softly brushed my lips against hers. When I pulled back to look at her again, I could see the wanting in her eyes so I kissed her again. Brooke surprised me when she lifted her arms and wrapped them around my neck. I deepened our kiss as I leaned forward and pulled her onto my lap. My god, her lips were soft and she tasted sweet, just like I knew she would.

  Brooke

  I couldn’t believe Logan was kissing me! More importantly, I couldn’t believe that I was kissing him back. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him.

  Holy crap!

  I knew I should be pulling away from him, but I couldn’t. His arousal was pressing against me and, god, it felt good. I could feel that familiar ache pooling between my legs. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this feeling. His hand slowly moved up my stomach, and he cupped one of my breasts in his hand. I heard a growl come from the back of his throat and I, in turn, couldn’t stop the small moan that escaped my mouth as my body shamelessly began to grind against his. I hadn’t been with a man since I left Jake. Physical contact was something I hadn’t realised I missed until now.

  I have never been this turned on before. God, I wanted him so bad. I can’t remember ever wanting someone so much in my life. Unfortunately, I knew it was wrong to let this go any further. I didn’t want to give Logan the wrong idea, and that is exactly what I was doing. He had made it quite clear that he was interested in taking this further, but a future with him just wasn’t possible, so I did the only thing I could. I pulled myself back into reality and broke the kiss. I quickly got off his lap.

  “I’m sorry, Logan, but I can’t do this,” I said softly. I then did what I do best…I ran out of the room.

  Logan

  Kissing Brooke was better than I ever could have imagined. It felt so right—she felt so right! It just confirmed everything I’ve been feeling about her. We were meant for each other. I was sure of it. As soon as my lips touched hers, I knew I was a goner. When she broke our kiss and fled the room, I let her go. She wasn’t sure about us and just needed some time to see that I was different from her husband and father. I would never hurt her the way she’d been hurt in the past. Whatever it took, I would prove it to her. I finished my wine and went to my room to have a shower…a cold shower.

  When I walked past her bedroom, I could hear her crying. That sound tore me up inside. I knocked on her bedroom door. “Brooke, are you okay? I am sorry.” I stood there for a few minutes and waited. When she didn’t answer, I decided to let her be and went into my bedroom. After I showered and changed, I went back downstairs.

  As I walked back into the main room, I was surprised to find her sitting on the lounge. Her suitcase was next to her. “Brooke, what’s going on?” I whispered.

  “I want to go back home, Logan.” I was shocked. I didn’t know what to say to her, but I definitely knew I didn’t want her to go.

  I knelt down beside her. “Please, don’t do this,” I pleaded. “It’s not safe for you to go back to your house yet. You are safe with me, Brooke. Nobody can hurt you here.”

  “I can’t stay here, Logan. I’m sorry, but I need to get back to my house, back to my life,” she stated. She wouldn’t even look at me and kept her head bowed. I could tell she was nervous because she was twisting her fingers together.

  “Please, Brooke,” I pleaded. “I couldn’t stand it if you went back to your place on your own. If something happened to you, I would never forgive myself. If it’s me you’re running from, I will leave. I’ll go and stay in a hotel. Please, just stay. I need to know you are safe. At least stay until we hear back from the police.”

  I was practically begging and I can’t remember ever begging anyone before, but I needed her to hear what I was saying. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

  “I’m sorry, Logan. I can’t,” she replied. Her head was still down.

  Fuck, she is stubborn!

  The fact that she couldn’t even look at me was tearing me apart. She stood up and picked up her suitcase. “Goodbye, Logan,” she said softly. “I will never forget the kindness you have shown me.” She gave me a small smile as she walked towards the elevator doors.

  I let her walk out of my life once and her husband tried to kill her. There is no way I was letting it happen again.

  “Wait, Brooke,” I said. “Let me take you home, at least. You are not going back there on your own. Let me come so I can check your house. I need to make sure everything is okay. If it is safe, I will let you stay there.”

  Brooke

  Excuse me?! Did he just say he would let me stay there? Who in the hell did he think he was?

  “You’re not my father, Logan! You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do,” I snapped.

  “Please, Brooke. I didn’t mean it like that,” he replied, exasperated. I could tell I was pissing him off, but I really didn’t care.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I think I will just take the bus!” I barked sarcastically. I took a deep breath to try and calm myself down because I really didn’t want things to end like this. He had shown me nothing but kindness, and he didn’t deserve my attitude.

  “I just wanted to say goodbye to you, Logan, and thank you for everything,” I said in a much calmer voice. “I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused you.” He stood in front of me and blocked the elevator.

  God, he is frustrating sometimes!

  “Please, Logan!” I pleaded. “Don’t do this. I’m not looking for a fight. I just want to go home.” I finally looked at him. God, his eyes were beautiful. He looked sad and it made me feel bad, but I really meant what I was saying. I couldn’t be here with him.

  “Brooke, please, you haven’t been any trouble. I just want to make sure you are safe, so I’m not letting you leave here until you agree to let me take you home,” he stated. He rubbed his hand gently down my arm and intertwined his fingers in mine. I shivered. He could probably tell that he was having an effect on me because the bastard gave me a cocky, but sexy as hell, smile.

  “Fine, you can give me a lift home,” I snapped as I pulled my hand out of his. He was a hard person to say “no” to. “But that’s as far as it goes. I was just starting to get my life in order and I don’t need any complications.”

  Logan

  Finally, she agreed to let me take her home. Even though I told her I would just drop her off, there was no way I was leaving her there on her own. I didn’t have time to think of a plan. I was just grateful that she was letting me take her. If I had to sleep in the car out in the front of her house, I would. I wasn’t leaving her alone.

  Brooke was as stubborn as hell and was going to get herself hurt if she wasn’t careful. Whomever was after her was unstable, and I wish she could see that. I quickly texted Chris as we got into the elevator.

  When we got down to the lobby, we walked outside. Chris was already waiting for us so I put her bag in the trunk of the limousine before climbing in beside her. She didn’t say a word on the drive back to her house and I was fine with that. I was pissed at her for being so stupid and acting so careless. I knew she was doing it just to get away from
me and, frankly, I didn’t like it. It was crazy.

  We pulled up outside her house and she reached for the door to get out. I gently grabbed her arm. “Would you please let me go inside with you? I will check that everything is okay and then I will leave.”

  “If you feel like you need to,” she said with a sigh. She really wasn’t making this easy for me.

  After I grabbed her bag out of the trunk, I followed her to the front door. As she put her key into the lock, I stood there in silence. When Brooke opened the door, we both stepped inside as she turned on the light. I got the shock of my life when I looked around at the damage before me.

  Most of the furniture had been overturned and things were smashed. The biggest shock of all, though, was to the see the words “BITCH” and “SLUT” spray painted in big red letters all over the walls. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back outside. The colour had drained out of her face and her body was trembling.

  We were just standing on her front porch in silence. I still couldn’t believe that someone had done this. When Brooke looked up at me with her big brown sad eyes, I pulled her into my arms. That’s when she started to cry. I rested my chin on the top of her head, stroking her hair. We just stood there for a few minutes without saying a word.

  Once she had calmed down, I guided her down the path and towards the limo. I helped her into the back, then called the police.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Brooke

  I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. Why would somebody do something like this? Not only was I confused and frightened, but also extremely anxious because I didn’t know what I was going to do. There was nowhere else for me to go. I knew one thing for sure, though. I couldn’t stay here. But I didn’t want to go back to Logan’s place, either. God, my head was spinning as I tried to think of a way out of my predicament.

  In silence, we were sitting in the back of the limousine waiting for the police to arrive. Logan still had me in his arms and it felt so good! I was glad he insisted on driving me home because, honestly, I don’t know what I would have done if I came home and had to face all this on my own.