Page 72 of Dark Surrender

One they had paid for.

That was brought up a lot.

But it was the jokes and comments, the shaking of heads at family events, that wore her down.

“Write a book and sell a million copies, then come back to me,” she’d once said to her mother.

“Honey, I did that ten years ago,” her response had been.

“Firstly, you didn’t sell a million copies. Second, a ghostwriter for your biography? Not the same. Just forget it.” Emma had thrown her arms in the air and walked away.

Very few people could understand the multitude of skills and the level of creativity involved in what Emma did. Because it was smut.

So, she just gritted her teeth and put up with it. Or skipped family weekends, like she’d done this one.

Her mom had been disappointed when Emma had messaged but hadn’t complained too much.

She knew why.

Her mom would be quietly hoping she’d met someone. A man in New York. He was sure to be a winner.

Nope.

Logan was an emotionally unavailable billionaire who was going to fly home in a few days, and they’d likely never see each other again.

Sorry, Mom.

“It’s a little harder when it’s your parents. It’s mostly Mom.” Emma shrugged and gave him a smile. “So, I guess I’m a classic rebellious kid refusing to conform and marry a suit.”

“What if you fell in love with a doctor?” Logan teased.

She wouldn’t.

Ever.

The idea revolted her.

“Excuse me, Mr. Marriage Sucks.” Emma laughed. “What’s your real story? I know you’re divorced, but was it really that bad?”

His face clouded over again.

“It was. I won’t allow myself to be that vulnerable and foolish again.” Logan tossed back his drink and turned to face her. “I like the time I’ve been spending with you. You’re a sexy woman, Emma Edwards. You almost make me wish I was a different man.”

Woah.

Her heart almost skipped a beat.

Why his words affected her like that, she didn’t know, but they had.

Did she wish things were different for them both? Logan was a gorgeous man. Successful, charming, and he made her laugh.

And made her come so damn hard she almost lost consciousness.

“Don’t look so scared. I’m not about to drop to one knee.” Logan’s dark, rich eyes seemed to laugh at her as he held out his hand. “But I would like to dance with you.”

Emma glanced around.

“Nobody cares. This is a wedding.” Logan led her onto the dance floor, where they spent the next few hours having one of the most fun nights of Emma’s life.