Straight from the Heart

Lately he’d been feeling a restlessness, a dissatisfaction with everything in his life, and he found himself questioning everything he’d ever done. He was displeased with both his personal and his professional life. He’d worked for Harris and Harris for the past fifteen years and he’d never had any complaints until now. Clive and George Harris were brothers, and now their sons were also attorneys who’d joined the firm. Lucas knew that in the near future he’d probably be working for them and he didn’t like that. He was the reason quite a few clients chose Harris and Harris, and everyone knew it. Lucas’s salary was raised every year in appreciation, but now he wanted more. He wanted his name on the door. He wanted everything that came with his years of experience and he wasn’t willing to settle for less.

Then again, he’d made enough money and invested it wisely. He could retire and move to Austin to be near Jacob and the family. Hell! He shook his head in frustration. He’d spent all his adult life practicing law and he had no intention of giving it up so easily. The restlessness was getting to him, that was all; so was losing this case. He should have never taken it in the first place. Clive and George had advised against it, but he couldn’t let Jim down. Jacob had taught him always to stand by your friends and he had, and he refused to have regrets about that. He just wished he’d felt more confident of Hector’s innocence. That restlessness again. Good thing he’d scheduled a vacation. He needed one to make some decisions about his life.

“Hey, Culver,” a voice called.

Lucas turned and saw Roger Collins, an old friend of his brother’s, coming toward him. Roger was in his forties, a police detective who’d worked a lot of cases during his career—some Lucas had been involved with.

They shook hands. “How you doing, Lucas?”

“Fine.” Lucas smiled.

“How’s Jacob?”

“In love and happy.”

“If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Jacob,” Roger said solemnly.

“I’ll second that.”

“How many kids does he have now?”

“Five,” Lucas said. “They had another girl a few months back.”

“That’s great…just great.”

“Yeah.”

Roger changed the subject. “Well, I heard Blair stuck it to you today.”

“I wouldn’t call it that,” Lucas responded mildly.

“You just hate to lose.”

“Yes, it’s one of those annoying flaws of mine.”

“I also heard Raye wasn’t pleased with the verdict.” Roger looked at him carefully.

“No, he wasn’t. He caused an ugly scene.”

“Is Blair okay?”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

“Evidently you haven’t heard what happened to her some years back.”

“I don’t guess I have.”

“It was sixteen years ago, so you were probably away at law school.” Roger went on to tell him about Blair and the attack by Todd Easton.

“You know, I vaguely remember reading something about that incident—mainly because it was Sam Logan’s daughter. Hell, I knew she was Sam’s daughter, but I never connected it to the attack.”

“She’s had a rough time. I hope this hasn’t upset her.”

Lucas grinned. “Sounds like you’re pretty fond of Blair.”

Roger grinned back. “You could say that, but Blair doesn’t let anyone get too close to her. I keep trying, though. Think I’ll check on her.” He glanced at his watch. “Damn, I have to be in court in five minutes. I’ll catch her later. I’ve got to run. Tell Jacob I said hi.” With that, he dashed into the courthouse.

Lucas stared after him with a puzzled expression. He now understood Blair Logan a little better. No wonder she was so cold and detached. He’d never dreamed she’d had this kind of trauma in her past and was a little surprised he hadn’t heard anything about it before. He hoped Raye hadn’t caused her any more stress. Still, it was none of his business, he told himself, walking resolutely toward his vehicle.

He threw his briefcase into his Ford Expedition and got into the driver’s seat. But he didn’t start the engine. He kept thinking about Blair. Maybe he should reassure her that Hector was just talk and she had nothing to worry about. No, he told himself again. She wouldn’t thank him for his concern.

Concern? Was he concerned for Blair? Yes, he was, he had to admit. He’d always thought Blair was strong enough to handle anything. Could he be wrong? Could her strength only be a facade to hide her fear and pain?

Without a second thought, he climbed out of the car and headed to the district attorney’s office. He had to tell her that Hector wasn’t a threat to her.

And Blair Logan was going to eat him alive.

IT DIDN’T TAKE Lucas long to find Blair’s office. The door was open a crack. He pushed it a fraction to see if she was inside. He stared in disbelief. Blair, a Blair he’d never seen before, was dancing around the room singing under her breath. Her dark hair was loose around her shoulders, her eyes sparkled and her face was enraptured. God, she was beautiful. So feminine, so enticing…

She held her arms out and her hips swayed gracefully. She’d had ballet lessons, he decided. It showed in every seductive line of her body.

“It feels so-o-o-o good. Oh, oh, oh, yeah,” she sang. She whirled around and came to a complete stop when she saw Lucas.

“OhmyGod,” she murmured. She quickly gathered her hair and twisted it into a knot. She reached for a large clasp that lay on her desk and fastened it to her hair, but several strands lingered around her face.

She inhaled deeply and demanded, “What are you doing here?”

She’d immediately collected her wits, her cool businesswoman demeanor back in place, but Lucas didn’t seem to notice. His eyes were on the opening of her blouse. Several buttons had come undone and her lacy bra was showing. Blair wore lacy things. He’d never have figured that.

“Your blouse is open,” he told her, and her cheeks turned a delicate pink.

She nervously buttoned her blouse to the top.

She was mortified that he’d seen her doing a victory dance, and she was desperately striving for some measure of respectability. But she feared she’d lost every ounce of that. Oh God, how had she let this happen? And of all men…Lucas Culver.

“If you’re through leering,” she said coolly. “You can tell me why you’re here.”

Lucas realized he had a silly grin on his face, but for the life of him he couldn’t stop smiling. “You know,” he replied, “it went right out of my head.”

“Then you can leave.”

His grin broadened. “You really enjoyed beating me today, didn’t you?”

He had guessed why she was making a fool of herself. Of course he would! How did she get out of this?

“A victory is always a…pleasure,” she answered, and the words sounded phony even to her own ears.

Lucas stepped closer, although the desk was between them. “If I’d known it would make you so effervescent, I’d have let you beat me a long time ago.”

“You didn’t let me anything,” she flared. “I beat you fair and square.”

Lucas held up his hands. “Okay, I concede.”

They stared at each other and Blair felt his dark eyes touching her in a way she usually hated when other men did it. But Lucas was making her feel warm and bubbly…and angry.

“What do you want, Lucas?” she asked abruptly. “And stop staring at me like that. I don’t like it.”

“It’s hard not to,” he said wickedly. “Especially after seeing…so much.”

“Get out of my office,” she said, her confidence beginning to shred.

Her words had no effect on him. “Don’t be so rigid, Blair. I’m only teasing you.”

She decided to take another approach. “I’m not used to being teased, so can we just forget about this?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay,” she snapped. “Have your fun, but you’d better enjoy it because you’ll never, ever get another glimpse—”

“Of you being human,” he finished for her.

She bit her lip, not knowing what else to say, wishing he’d do the decent thing and leave.

He saw her nervousness and relented. “Okay, Blair, I’ll forget about it.”

“Fine,” she said ungraciously.

“I only came by to reassure you that you had nothing to worry about from Raye. He just has a big mouth.”

She glanced apprehensively at him. Surely he didn’t know. It had happened so long ago and ever since, her family and friends had been very protective of her feelings. The attack wasn’t a topic for idle conversation. She didn’t want anyone’s pity. “Why do you think I’d be worried?”

He watched her for a moment and he could see she didn’t want him to know about the past. So he gave in to her wishes. “He was my client and I feel responsible for his behavior.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. This she could handle. “You don’t have to be. I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can, but I had to make the effort.”

“Well, you wasted your time.” That came out wrong, but she couldn’t take it back.

His eyes gleamed. “Believe me, I didn’t waste my time.”

“You said you were going to forget it,” she reminded him.

“Forget was the wrong word,” he said with a devilish grin.

“You’re very good with words. So don’t tell me that.”

“I promise no one will hear about your secret passion from me, but I can’t wipe it from my memory. I have a feeling I’ll remember it late at night when—”

She cut him off. “Goodbye, Lucas, and next time you plan on coming into my office, would you please have the decency to knock?”

She had to get rid of him. The tension was so thick she had trouble breathing. It was sexual tension and Lucas was very good at creating it. She hated his easy flirting, which created a fear deep inside her. Over the years she had forced herself to date, to come to grips with her terror, but it hadn’t worked. Men in any kind of sexual context—the very thought of sex—stirred a revulsion in her that she couldn’t control. She was beginning to wonder if she ever would.

With his hand on the doorknob, he said, “You have a thing about intimacy, don’t you, Blair? I was only going to say late at night when I feel…” He stopped, then added, “Hell, you were right. I did have something risqué in mind.”

Lucas grinned all the way down the hall. Roger was the wrong man for Blair. She needed someone to unlock all those emotions she had hidden away. Someone with passion and ardor. He suddenly stopped walking. He was thinking about himself. No, he was already involved with Jennifer. He didn’t need…but he enjoyed sparring with Blair—maybe too much, maybe not enough. She made his blood rush, kept him on his toes. “No,” he muttered aloud. “No way.” It wouldn’t be the first time he’d fooled himself about a woman.

AS THE DOOR CLOSED on Lucas, Blair picked up a paperweight and threw it. It bounced off the wall and landed on the carpet with a thud. Arrogant bastard, she thought, and immediately checked the door to made sure it was locked. She leaned against it and sank to the floor, drawing her knees up to her chin. How was she going to live this down? Lucas had seen her in a state she’d never allowed any man to see. And the way he’d gazed at her—as though she was an attractive woman he liked looking at. She could still feel those dark eyes heating her skin, her blood. Oh, no. Don’t even think it.

She gulped in some air and did the only thing she could. She started to laugh. After a moment, she sobered, wiping tears from her eyes. Despite the turmoil of this day, she could still laugh. That was good. Maybe Lucas was good for her. No, no, no, she told herself. She wasn’t going to be like every other woman in the courthouse—bowled over by his charm. She intended to avoid Lucas Culver. Like the plague.

CHAPTER TWO

LUCAS DROVE to his office to check his messages and finalize his plans for a long vacation with Jacob and the family. He couldn’t believe how much he missed the kids and he couldn’t believe how much he enjoyed being an uncle. It would be nice to have his own kids, but he didn’t see that in his future.

As he let himself in the side door of his office, Blair’s face flashed into his mind. A Blair with her blue eyes dreamy and her dark hair mussed. He shook his head, smiling. He had a feeling that picture was going to haunt him for days.

He sat at his desk dealing with messages, when his secretary, Joan, stepped into the office. At sixty, Joan was a stoic, unflappable woman, an invaluable asset. Her hair was blond with streaks of gray that didn’t bother her. She had a husband, three kids and a grandchild, yet she managed to handle all his affairs with effortless ease. She was better than a wife, or so his friends told him. She kept his life organized but didn’t nag or complain. At the moment, though, she seemed flushed and out of breath.

He lifted an eyebrow. “What is it, Joan?”

She leaned over and whispered, “Sam Logan is here to see you.”

Lucas frowned, thinking he’d heard her wrong. “What did you say?”

“Sam Logan. He wants to see you,” she whispered again.

“Why are you whispering? He can’t hear us.”

“I know…but I’ve heard all these stories about him and I’ve never met him. He’s very impressive in person.”

Lucas had heard the stories, too. Logan was overpowering in a courtroom. In college Lucas had wanted to be like him—a winning lawyer with the respect of his peers. These days Lucas just wanted to be himself.

Why the hell was Sam Logan calling on him?

Had Blair told him what had happened in her office? No, she wasn’t that kind of woman.

“What should I tell him?” Joan asked.

“Have you cleared my schedule for a couple of weeks?”

Joan’s eyes widened in shock. “Of course, but…surely you’re going to see him.”

“He doesn’t have an appointment, does he?”

“No,” Joan said slowly. “But it’s Sam Logan.”

“So what?”

Joan planted her hands on her hips. “Lucas Culver, what are you trying to pull? You know you’re going to see him, so why are you giving me a hard time?”

“I’ve just never seen you so flustered before.” He smiled mischievously. “If it’ll make you happy, send the man in.”

“Really, Lucas, sometimes…” Her voice trailed away as she left the room.

Lucas got to his feet and fastened a button on his dark gray suit. What a day, he thought. Sam’s daughter had just beaten him in court and he’d seen that same daughter in a state of undress. What next?

Sam Logan entered the office. He was solidly built, about five foot ten and weighed maybe one hundred and eighty pounds, Lucas surmised. He had dark hair, almost black, that was beginning to turn gray, and blunt masculine features. Nothing out of the ordinary, but there was something about Sam Logan that drew one’s attention. An unmistakable aura of power and strength…

Lucas stayed behind his desk instead of joining him at the door. He felt as if he could now meet Sam Logan on equal ground.

Sam walked over, and they shook hands. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice,” he said, and sat in one of the leather wingback chairs. He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, a pinstriped shirt and navy tie—impeccable in dress and manner.

Lucas glanced at his watch as he took his seat. “I have a few minutes between appointments,” he answered. “What can I do for you?”

Sam placed his fingers together in a thoughtful gesture. “I know we’ve never met, but I’ve watched your career over the years. You’ve become a great lawyer and I admire your work.”

Praise was the last thing he’d expected from Sam Logan, and he had to resist the urge to shift uncomfortably in his chair. But Sam wasn’t going to make him feel like a bumbling lawyer without any experience. A smile touched his face. “I find that ironic since your daughter just beat me in court.”

Sam dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. “Any A.D.A. could have won that case.”

For some reason, Lucas didn’t like the way that sounded. Sam Logan made it seem as if he didn’t have any confidence in Blair. “Don’t underestimate your daughter,” he said more sharply than he’d intended.

Sam raised a dark eyebrow. “I don’t,” he answered. “Blair’s getting very good in a courtroom, but you and I both know that your heart wasn’t in the Raye case.”

Was that obvious to everyone? Lucas wondered. Was he losing his edge?

“However, I don’t want to talk about that case,” Sam said. “I want to talk about the future.”

That caught Lucas’s interest. What the hell did his future have to do with Sam Logan?

“You see, I’m thinking about retiring,” Sam went on, studying the end of his fingertips. “My associates, Derek Johnson, Frank Mann and Theo Barker, are also getting on in years. I have other attorneys, but they’re not measuring up. I need new blood, someone who can control a courtroom and maintain the prestige that is synonymous with my firm.” He raised his eyes to Lucas. “You’re the best I’ve seen in a long time. I’d like you to consider working for my company.”

“You’re offering me a job?” Lucas asked with deceptive calm; he knew there had to be more to this than a job offer. But what?

Sam nodded. “Yes, you can come in as a senior partner with a salary commensurate with that status.”

Few things in life shocked Lucas, but this one threw him right into orbit. Logan and Associates offering a senior partnership to a new attorney was unheard of. Like the old saying went—it had to be earned. Sam Logan had the best defense team in the state and no one entered that prized sanctum without paying some dues. So what was Sam Logan up to?

Lucas met his gaze. “How will your top guns feel about this?” It was well known that Sam called his best attorneys “top guns.”

Sam suppressed a smile. “You’ve heard about that?”

“Hasn’t everyone?” Lucas quipped. “And I’m not too eager to get involved with office politics.”

“I am head of Logan and Associates and I make all hiring decisions. Anyone who has a problem with that can leave.” Sam spoke quietly but with force, and Lucas didn’t miss the fire in his voice.

Before he could respond, Sam continued. “To be honest with you, my top guns, including me, have begun to lose some firepower. We need someone younger—someone like you.”

Lucas didn’t blink. There were more than forty attorneys in Sam’s office and some of them were very good. “I’m happy with my job at Harris and Harris.”

“I’ve checked into your job status,” Sam returned. “You’ve gone as far as you can go here. Even though you bring in most of the money, Clive and George are not going to promote you over their sons.”

“You seem to know a lot about me.”

Sam stood up. “I do my homework. You deserve prestige and everything that comes with it. Logan and Associates can give you that.”

Lucas also stood, thinking this day had turned pretty darn interesting. A job offer from Sam Logan… It didn’t make sense, and he still wasn’t buying a word out of Sam’s mouth. There was something else going on; Lucas knew it.

Sensing Lucas’s hesitation, Sam reached inside his jacket and pulled out a card and gold pen. “My wife’s giving a dinner party tonight for our son, who’s home from London. Some of my business associates will be there. Why don’t you come and meet them? Maybe it’ll put your mind at rest.” He scribbled something on the back of the card. “This is my address. Dinner’s at eight.”

Lucas took the card and stared at the prestigious River Oaks address. A dinner party? Oh yeah, this was more than interesting. It was getting bizarre. He wondered if Blair would be there and how she’d react to him sitting down to dinner with her family. She’d probably throw knives and forks at him. Oh yes, this was bizarre.

“I know you’re having doubts,” Sam said. “But I don’t make offers lightly. Give this some serious thought. It could only help your career.”

Lucas’s dark eyes caught his. “Why are you so concerned about my career?”

“I’m not,” Sam admitted frankly. “I’m concerned about my firm and its future. The bottom line is numbers, and I believe you have the talent to bring in big numbers.”

Now they were getting somewhere. It all came down to money. Was that what all this was about? Lucas didn’t think so, but for the moment he had to go with what Sam was telling him.

“Think about it,” Sam added. “Come to the party, meet the team and then make your decision.”

Lucas fingered the card. “I have other plans.”

“Break them.”

“It isn’t that easy.”

“Yes, it is, Lucas,” Sam said. “If you want to play with my team, you’d better straighten out your priorities.”

“I don’t like being pressured,” Lucas said tersely.

Sam ignored the warning. “If you want to play in the big leagues, get used to the pressure.”

Lucas was about to tell him what he could do with his job offer, when Sam walked to the door.

“Think about it, that’s all I ask,” Sam said. “Dinner’s at eight.”

FROWNING, Lucas sat staring into space. Sam Logan was manipulating him—but why? Why would a man he’d admired for years suddenly turn up at his office, offering him the job of a lifetime? All he knew was that Sam’s offer had made him very curious. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything else until he figured out what was behind this generous deal.

Could it have something to do with Blair? No, he didn’t think so.

Joan walked in with a piece of paper in her hand. “Well, well, well,” she said smugly. “A job offer from Sam Logan. Are you feeling very pleased with yourself?”

Lucas glanced up. “Are you psychic? Or were you listening at the door?”

She smiled. “A little of both.”

“There’s some ulterior motive here, and I’m going to find out what.”

“Has it occurred to you that maybe this is just what it seems to be—a great offer for a great attorney?”

“If I was naive, I’d believe that,” he said. “But I haven’t been naive since I was fifteen years old.”

“What are you going to do?” Joan asked.

Lucas picked up the card on his desk. “I don’t know, but I’m thinking of showing up at the Logan house for dinner.”

“Oh,” Joan said quickly, handing him the piece of paper. “Jennifer called and said she has to work late. She said to meet her at her apartment at eight-thirty, and she wants you to pick up some wine from that little shop she likes. I wrote the address down and the type of wine.”

He took the paper with an exasperated sigh. Jennifer was giving him orders. Why did that upset him? Because he didn’t like bossy women who wanted to control him. Oh hell, was he having a bad day or what? He wasn’t usually this touchy. Jennifer was trying to take their relationship to another level and he could feel himself backing off—as always.

“Thanks, Joan,” he said offhandedly.

“Lucas…”

He stopped her. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

She bit her lip, then murmured, “You know, Lucas, I never thought I’d have to stroke your ego, but you’re an exceptional attorney. I’m sure Sam Logan recognizes that. So don’t do anything stupid.”

Lucas grinned. “Have I ever done anything stupid?”

Before she could answer, Lucas held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. I’d probably have to take the fifth.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I’d better get home. I’ve got a family waiting.”

After Joan left, he sat thinking about this strange turn of events. He had to make a decision. Did he go to River Oaks or did he spend the evening with a beautiful woman—even if she was just a bit controlling? Blair flashed into his mind again, not the Blair in the courtroom but the seductive, dancing Blair. What was she like in her home, with her family?

He ran both hands through his dark hair. Why couldn’t he get her out of his head? She was just another woman, he told himself, but he had a hard time believing that.

Dammit, Blair, what are you doing to me?

He crumpled Sam’s card and threw it into the trash. He wasn’t going to get mixed up with the Logan family. He had enough problems of his own.