Jordan looked at Logan and nodded.
“I’m going to have my eye on you while I’m in town.” Logan reached down and picked up a bucket and scrub brush, handing them to Jordan. “I don’t want to hear about any trouble involving you. Got it?”
The kid took the bucket and brush and nodded again.
“Good. You can start with the spray paint in the back room. After the wall is repainted, I need a few things from the hardware store. I’ll give you cash with the list.”
Olivia saw Jordan’s eyes widen. “You trust me with money?”
“Until you give me a reason not to,” Logan answered. “You’re a good kid, Jordan. Don’t let your anger make you forget that.” He pointed toward the back of the building. “Now get going on that wall. If you want something, there’s soda in the cooler by the wall and chips next to it.”
“Thanks,” Jordan mumbled in response, but he looked relaxed as he disappeared out the door to the hallway.
“I’m sorry.” Logan turned to Olivia. “I should have told you about Jordan. I caught him decorating the wall this morning before school. Not the most flattering language.”
“Begins with a B, rhymes with witch?” she guessed.
He flashed her a smile. “You don’t want to say the word.”
She shrugged in response. “I was never much for cursing. But I’ve heard that particular word enough to recognize it. What happened when you found Jordan?”
“I scared the hell out of him,” Logan said with an answering shrug. “Then told him he was going to work here after school and in exchange I wouldn’t call the cops. If you don’t want him here, I’ll make other arrangements.”
“I don’t mind. This whole situation is probably hardest on Jordan.” She studied him for a moment then smiled. “Is he your crew?”
Logan nodded. “Until I need more.”
“You’re a nice guy.”
His mouth dropped open. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her smile widened. “Just what I said. You’re nice. You want to do the right thing. Most people wouldn’t have given that kid the time of day, let alone a second chance. Nice is underrated. It’s a compliment, Logan. Say thank you.”
“No.”
His big shoulders shifted as if his shirt was suddenly too tight. She watched his fingers flex and knew she’d made him uncomfortable. The thought made her giggle a bit, since she’d been feeling slightly off balance all day. Misery loved company.
“Are you laughing at me?” A muscle in his jaw ticked.
“Near you,” she corrected. Her skin felt delightfully warm all of sudden. Her whole body went tingly at the same time as a weight seemed to lift away from her heart.
She’d told Logan she trusted him and that was true. Her first instinct had been that he was someone she could count on. Watching him with Jordan had confirmed her belief. Despite his gruffness and clear intention to scare the kid straight, Logan wanted to help Jordan. Just like he’d agreed to help her.
She’d keep her attraction to him secret. He was still too young and too handsome to look at her as anything but a friend. But what Olivia needed more than anything in her life was a true friend. The knowledge that Logan could be one made her almost giddy.
She was jolted from her musings as his hands wrapped around her upper arms. She hadn’t even realized he’d moved. But now he was holding her, almost lifting her off her feet the way he had Jordan. His voice held a sharp edge as he spoke. “Don’t trust me and don’t depend on me. I’ll only hurt and disappoint you.”
She met his fiery gaze with a measure of steel she hadn’t realized she possessed. “Everyone I’ve ever cared about has hurt and disappointed me,” she answered softly. “I’m not sure I’d know how to function any other way.”
He sucked in a breath at her admission. She was shocked that she’d said the words out loud. He drew her so close that his lips almost grazed hers.
He wanted to kiss her.
She could see it in his eyes, feel the electricity in the air between them. Heaven help her, she wanted to be kissed by this man. No matter how wrong it was. Despite the differences in their ages, their lives. Every part of her wanted to feel his lips against hers.
She knew that kissing Logan would change her. She was a woman who was ready for that change.
Nothing could have prepared her for this moment but she reveled in the unknown, leaning in ever so slightly.
Logan took a step back, wrenching himself away from Olivia. He had to force his hands to release her.
She stumbled forward before righting herself. Her fingers—those long, elegant fingers—pressed against her lips the way his mouth almost had a moment earlier. Her eyes were hazy with confusion and something else he couldn’t name. The truth was he didn’t want to understand it, because it might demolish his razor-thin willpower.
“Don’t trust me,” he said again, his tone unsteady. There was an undeniable tremor in his voice, but he was damn sure he’d remain in control of this situation. “Go.” He pointed to the door. “You have to go now, Olivia.” Yelling wasn’t necessary. She understood how serious he was because she left without another word, grabbing her purse from the table and practically running for the front of the building.
He wanted Olivia Wilder but he couldn’t have her. Didn’t deserve her. Of that he had no doubt.
Wanting things beyond his reach was familiar territory for Logan. He had no issues with lowering his expectations of what he could have, what was his rightful due.
He had a life, despite the fact that for several years after his sister died he’d tried to squander it away. He’d been convinced he didn’t deserve to live without Beth, couldn’t stand the pain of her loss. But that had changed, and if he was destined to be part of this world, he’d long ago decided to earn his place in it.
That was the only reason he was here with Olivia, he reminded himself.
She was nothing like his sister. Somehow he still saw in her the woman Beth could have become if their father’s abuse hadn’t broken her spirit. He felt the overwhelming pull of potential that never came to pass being back in Crimson. He knew he was no one’s hero, but Logan couldn’t resist trying to help Olivia.
The only way he could truly help was by resisting his own immense need for her.
He concentrated on the renovation plans once more. When Jordan had finished repainting the wall, Logan sent him to the hardware store and then began nailing sheets of drywall to studs in the main room. Most of the electrical work and plumbing already had been completed, which meant Logan would only have to deal with a few additional subcontractors.
There were a couple people he could call for help who would put him in touch with the guys he needed to finish the job. He’d try to keep the subs working on the project to a minimum, both to save costs and to maintain a low profile. Of course, there was more to this project than he could handle on his own or with the help of a preteen boy in the afternoons. But he wasn’t sure of the reception he’d receive from people in town. Many of the companies in Crimson were family-run operations. Thanks to the reputation he wasn’t sure he’d ever live down, almost everyone would remember him.
Just as well he didn’t dredge up the past. Despite his brother’s recommendation, he couldn’t imagine anyone else in Crimson would be too pleased to have him working