Page 33 of Sapphire Sunset

“Thank you…I think. But what I mean is there aren’t dozensof guys like you out there. There’s only one you, and that’s why I ignored mybest judgment and asked you to take me to the caves last night.”

Connor chewed briefly on his lower lip and nodded in a morerelaxed way. Signs Logan’s sincere proclamation had mended some of the damagedone by his careless words a moment before.

“Call me crazy,” Connor finally said, “but I figured when aguy responds to a text like the one I sent with a meeting time and place, it’snot because he’s going to shoot you down.” Then in a whisper, he added, “Iworked on that text for an hour, by the way.”

“It was a great text,” Logan said.

“Yeah, it worked out really well.”

“It’s the way it is.”

“So the way it isisthat you’reafraid I can’t be discreet, or that I might try to get you in trouble if thingsdon’t work out?”

The temptation to unload about his dad’s injury was stillthere.

No way. It wasn’t fair to his dad, and it still might comeoff as some attempt to secure special treatment at work, which, if it got out,might have an effect as damaging as sleeping with the owner’s grandson.

“You’re the grandson of the guy who owns the place where Iwork, and your uncle is my boss.” Maybe if Connor hadn’t rolled his eyes, hecould have stopped there, but Logan hated eye rolls. “Also, in all fairness,you probably have no idea what a guy like me has to do to get through a week.”

“And I’m never going to find out, apparently,” Connormuttered.

“I can’t do anything to mess up this job.”

“And you can’t trust me not to, I guess.”

“It’s not about trust,” Logan said.

“Okay. What’s it about?”

“Priorities.”

A coldness had taken over his voice, the coldness of a staffsergeant. The coldness of professionalism.

The chill of fear pretending to be strength.

When he saw the effect it had on Connor, a sudden weightpulled at his chest. The guy’s embarrassment was gone. His hurt, it seemed, wasalso gone. Replaced by a fixed, stony expression that seemed to suddenly matchthe icy tone Logan had struck.

“All right,” Connor said. “Makes sense, I guess. I mean, Ican’t expect to be one of your priorities after one kiss. That wouldn’t be fair,would it?” When Logan didn’t answer, Connor said, “So I guess I should go now.I wouldn’t want somebody to see us together and get you in trouble.”

Logan couldn’t bring himself to answer. He didn’t wantConnor to leave. He wanted to transition this into some friendly outing or evenawkward conversation that worked to put this moment behind them. But that wouldbe impossible with the gleaming Rolls-Royce sitting a few feet away, abeautiful reminder of the amazing evening Connor had apparently planned for themboth.

“No answer is an answer, I guess.” Connor got to his feetand started for the Rolls.

“Connor!”

At the door to the absurdly luxurious vehicle, Connor spun,eyes widening a little when he saw Logan was right behind him. “You don’t haveto be afraid, okay?” he said. “Your job is fine. Everything at Sapphire Covewill be fine. I’m not going to say anything to my uncle or my grandfather oranyone. I won’t even tell anyone you like dudes.”

“They know I’m gay. I’m not in the closet.”

“The point is, you’re safe, Logan. You don’t need to chaseafter me like I’m some terrible problem that’s going to screw up yourcomplicated life. And I’m sorry about whatever’s happening with your family. Iam. Truly. And I’m sorry you think I’d do anything to make it worse.”

“Connor.”

“What?”

“I need you to know something.”

“Okay.”

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