Naughty, Naughty Prince Charming (Charming 1)

His dark eyes studied her for long moments. “Let me be clear. You’re interested but not at the risk of damaging your career?”

She saw no reason to deny the truth because the final answer was the same. There could be nothing between them. “Exactly. You have nothing to lose. I, on the other hand, have everything.“

Logan didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I’ll walk you back to the office.”

“No!” Lucy felt the rise of panic. “People might think…”

“That we happened to bump into each other?” he asked, a hint of tightness to his voice.

“I’ll walk back on my own.” With that said, Lucy stepped around him and started for the door.

And as she stepped outside, her chest was tight, and her stomach in knots. It felt as if she’d just walked away from something much bigger than a chance meeting. Something about Logan really felt right. She liked him.

But it didn’t matter.

There was no hope for them.

* * * * *

Logan turned and watched Lucy walk from the restaurant. She did things to him. Made him feel alive. Made him smile and laugh. He couldn’t let her be hurt because of their shared attraction. She was right. The industry would punish her reputation if the wrong things evolved out of this. But what was he supposed to do when his gut said Lucy may just be “the one”? He’d always heard, when you met that person, you just knew but he hadn’t believed it. Now, he wasn’t so sure. Lucy felt special. Somehow, he had to come up with a way to protect her, and still find out what lie between them.

And then it hit him. A slow smile slid onto his mouth as an idea formed.

Chapter Eleven

Lucy knocked on Zoe’s door. In her hands, she held the light blue outfit she’d borrowed a year ago, fresh from the dry cleaners. She’d taken it that morning. Why she’d hung on to it for so long, she really didn’t know. The sooner she ridded herself of evidence of that night with Logan the better.

Zoe opened the door and looked surprised. She was wearing a black velvet sweat suit and holding a piece of pizza. “Could you smell it clear across town?”

“No,” Lucy said, “but yes I’d love a couple slices.” It didn’t matter she’d had it for lunch. She’d hardly tasted it. Logan had been too distracting.

Suddenly, a man appeared behind Zoe. A very attractive one. Tall with blond hair that was below the collar. This wasn’t a man who fit into Zoe’s father’s world. That meant he was exactly what Zoe wanted. She always did exactly the opposite of what her father expected.

“Hey,” the blond guy said. “You must be Lucy.”

Lucy’s brows dipped. “Why must I be Lucy?” she asked, wondering who had been in Zoe’s life long enough to make a statement like that. And, why didn’t she already know about him?

“Come inside,” Zoe said and took another bite of pizza. She backed away from the entrance. “This is Chris,” she said, indicating the sexy guy by pointing her pizza at him. “He’s an artist. We met last night at the West Side Gallery showing. “

This was strange. Chris had been around less than twenty-four hours and already he knew her name. What the heck had Zoe been telling a complete stranger about her?

“I won’t stay long,” Lucy said, figuring three was a crowd. Lucy indicated the outfit in her hand. “I just wanted to return this.”

Entering the apartment, Lucy felt a renewed awareness for the glossy hardwoods and expensive décor. It reminded her of Logan and how different his world was from her own. He belonged with someone like Zoe. Comfortable at her best friend’s place despite the pricey surroundings, Lucy walked to the bedroom and toward the closet.

Zoe followed. “A year ago,” she said from behind. “You borrowed it a year ago.“

Lucy deposited the outfit on the rack and turned to see Zoe hand her pizza to Chris. “Why the rush to get it to me now?” Zoe said, planting her hands in her hips.

“No rush,” Lucy said, eyeing Chris. No way was she talking with some Chris around. He might be hot but he was still a total stranger of the male sex. Not exactly girl-talk material. So, that left Lucy no option. She lied. “The dry cleaners called. They were ready to throw it out if I didn’t pick it up.”

“Whatever,” Zoe said and walked to the bed, and sat down. She patted the area beside her. “Come talk.”

Lucy stood there. Had her best friend gone insane? She wasn’t talking in front of the blond guy. Zoe’s eyes narrowed and then went to Chris. “Get lost, will you?”

Chris stood in the doorway watching, shoulder leaning against the frame. A slow smile turned up the corner of his lips. “Ah,” he said. “You want to talk about me.” He winked and turned away.