Simply Scandalous (Simply Series Book 2) by Carly Phillips (good novels to read in english txt) 📕

he was serious before she allowed herself to get in any deeper.

Problem was that Catherine was in way over her head already.

*     *     *

“The Logan Montgomery? You slept with the Logan Montgomery?” Kayla’s voice seemed unnaturally loud in the small bedroom.

Catherine cringed. “Would you stop saying it like that? And what do you mean the Logan Montgomery?”

Her sister reached for her phone lying on a table beside the bed. She opened the screen and began to scroll through a news app. “It’s in here somewhere. On the front page of TMZ…”

“Hold on.” Her sister was beyond intelligent. She read fiction, literature, and medical journals, but…“You’re reading gossip columns? Stop the world, I want to get off.”

A red blush stained Kayla’s fair skin. “Ever since the doctor said bed rest, I feel trapped. I go through books like they were water. I’ll read anything, including online sites about celebrities,” she admitted.

Catherine sat on the edge of the bed and patted her sister’s hand. “What’s it like to live in the common world?” she teased. Kayla was smarter than any person had a right to be and she had an incredible memory. Although she had access to the Internet, she loved the library and could spend hours reading material of interest to no one else in the world.

“Very funny. Aha. Here it is. Take a look.”

Knowing she wouldn’t like what she saw, Catherine accepted the cell anyway and found herself face-to-face with a close-up shot of Logan, taken at yesterday’s Garden Gala. Even at a distance, his good looks were enough to take her breath away. But the memories of their intimate moments, the sound of his deep voice, his warm hands on her body, him inside her… They were enough to melt her heart.

“Read the article,” Kayla said.

Catherine shifted her attention again. “Favorite Hampshire son, Logan Montgomery, scion of Judge Edgar Montgomery and his wife, Annette, is rumored to be ready to announce his candidacy for mayor of Hampshire. Although the delectable bachelor firmly denied the story, Judge Montgomery told this reporter to stay tuned—as if any of us need an additional reason to keep an eye on this perfect specimen. Too bad for us single working girls, he’s destined to be snapped up by…”

Catherine tossed Kayla’s cell on the bed. “I can’t read any more of this.”

“Oh, my God! You’ve fallen in love with him. In one night?!” Kayla eyed her through narrowed eyes.

Catherine shook her head. No way she’d admit those feelings, not even to herself. She couldn’t leave herself that exposed, open, raw… “What am I going to do?” she wailed and tossed herself across the foot of Kayla’s bed.

“You could start by cleaning yourself up.”

Catherine rolled over and glared at her brother-in-law who stood in the doorway.

“Go away,” the sisters said at the same time.

“You know you only say that when she’s around,” Kane said to his wife.

Catherine grinned. “At least I make you suffer, too, McDermott.”

“Before you two get started, can I get a word in?” Kayla asked.

Catherine sighed. She’d met Kane right after he’d slept with and used her sister. At least that’s what Catherine had believed, and though Kane had proven himself since, the sparring and bickering from the early days remained a part of their relationship. Catherine held a grudging respect for the detective—stemming from his devotion to her sister—though she’d never admit it aloud.

“Go ahead,” Catherine said to her sister.

Kayla turned to her husband. “Cat needs a place to think…”

“I do?”

“And she’s going to be staying here until she settles some things.”

“She is?” Kane asked. From the narrowing of his eyes, the thought didn’t please him.

Catherine grinned. “I am,” she said and folded her arms across her chest. Until Kayla said the words, Catherine hadn’t realized how badly she needed her sister’s advice or how much she didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts.

She glanced at Kayla, tucked safely under the covers, her large stomach protruding through the sheet. She was due in a matter of weeks and there was no place else Catherine wanted to be when the baby came.

Kane walked over to his wife’s side. “Don’t you have work at home?” he asked Catherine.

“I can drive home, get my laptop and play catch up from here. No parties until next weekend. Our new manager is handling Saturday’s affair. I’ve got Sunday. So, it looks like I’m here to stay.”

“Swell,” he muttered, only to be greeted by Kayla’s narrowed gaze. “I mean, make yourself at home. But no redecorating while you’re here.”

“A man who doesn’t like animal prints has a fundamental problem relating to life,” Catherine told him. “They add warmth…”

“That’s what live pets are for,” Kane muttered.

“All my accessories are fake. I’m a strong believer in animal rights. But if it’s a pet you want, I can stop by the pound…”

“I’m leaving,” he said to both sisters.

Catherine grinned. “That was the plan. But seriously, Kane, thanks for the place to stay.”

“You’re welcome.” He graced Catherine with a genuine smile.

“I appreciate it. I could really use the company,” Kayla said. “And I love you.”

Catherine smiled. “Love you too, sis.”

“Stay as long as you want. Just keep out of my way,” Kane muttered.

“He doesn’t mean that,” Kayla assured her.

“Sure, I do, sweetheart… when I’m alone with you,” he said in a deeper tone, one a husband reserved for his wife.

To Catherine’s surprise, a pang of envy darted through her heart. She’d spent a lot of time with Kayla and Kane, happily married couple. Through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other assorted holidays, Catherine was thrilled her sister had found love, and acceptance despite Kane’s outwardly surly attitude.

But she’d never envied what Kayla and Kane shared. Never thought she wanted it for herself.

Until now.

Until Logan.

Hampshire’s favorite son.

The delectable bachelor destined to marry wealthy and within his class, she thought, recalling the final words of the article. The words she couldn’t bear to read aloud.

Chapter Eight

Lunchtime on Monday, Logan found a private spot in the courthouse and pulled his cell from his pocket. From the