Naughty, Naughty Prince Charming (Charming 1)

“No, hate them. You?”

“Hate them,” Lucy agreed.

They went back and forth for fifteen minutes, laughing and teasing each other, and learning about one another. With each question, Logan watched Lucy relax a bit more. “Favorite vacation spot,” he asked.

Lucy’s expression clouded and she stiffened. “I don’t have one.”

Logan gave her a probing stare. “So maybe one day I can take you to mine. Want to know where that would be?”

“No.” She laughed but not with humor. “I’ll stay in my grounded, not-so-fancy world, and leave fancy vacations to you.”

Clearly, he’d touched a sore spot. Most women would jump on a chance for a free trip. Lucy seemed offended. He reached out and took her hand. “As hard as you work, you will be choosing your own vacation spot very soon.” He stared into her eyes, making sure she saw the admiration he felt for her. “Because you earned it.”

She swallowed and then nodded. “Thank you,” Lucy said softly.

“Do me a favor. Dare to dream. What you can imagine you can make real. Close your eyes and let me describe my favorite spot.”

He smiled when she did as he said. For long minutes, he told her about St. Thomas, a tropical getaway of pure relaxation he longed to revisit. When he finished and refilled their wine glasses, he answered all kinds of questions she had about traveling. It seemed once she allowed herself to dream she went all the way. He liked seeing her relax. Even sensed how much she needed to ease up on herself and live a little.

Not that many didn’t say that about him, but he at least enjoyed some of life’s luxuries. Lucy hadn’t. A part of him longed to give those things to her. It was a crazy thought, but one that rolled around inside him and grew more powerful.

Lucy started to get up. “I need to use the bathroom,” she explained.

“Do you remember where it’s at?”

And just like that, she stiffened, withdrawing again. “You know I do.”

Before he could ask why that was a bad thing, she stood and walked away. Damn. All that progress and now she’d completely clammed up again. He considered his actions for all of two seconds. Then, Logan was on his feet. A man had to do what he had to do. It appeared he needed to make love to her until she finally gave herself to him. Mind and body. Because, after tonight, he knew…he wanted it all.

Chapter Nineteen

Lucy shut the door of the bathroom. If only she could do the same with her emotions. Her back pressed against the wood, thankful for her temporary escape. She didn’t want to keep talking to Logan. Damn him for doing this to her. She didn’t want to know him any more than she already did.

Every second spent, every word spoken, made her feel more.

When this stopped being about sex, she became lost. Without control. And falling in— Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Falling in love. Her chest tightened painfully. She’d thought about this before. About loving Logan. What it would be like if things weren’t as they were. Him being her boss. Her being his employee. The facts were clear. No matter how hard she fell for Logan, they could never have a future. She knew it and so did he. So why was he even trying to get to know her? It made no sense.

This had to be kept in perspective and all about sex. Her mind raced. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. There had to be a way to get things back on track. Which left her where?

An idea formed, rolling around in her mind until a slow smile turned up the corners of her lips. She hadn’t even shown appreciation for her gift. A gorgeous, sexy lingerie set lay beneath her clothes. Lucy pushed off the door and started stripping. With her movements came excitement and relief. Now, she could enjoy this evening. Getting back to the core of their relationship—sex—would allow her to enjoy the evening.

No more worries about the future. No more thoughts about love.

She stood facing the mirror. Being with Logan had become a confidence builder. He had a way of making her feel sexy. Why that was she didn’t know. The pink silk of her bra was a bright color but sheer. The tops of her breasts were exposed with only the darkness of her nipples covered by the thin fabric. She had been blessed with generous but not too large breasts that were high and firm. She hadn’t realized what a blessing that was until this moment. Maybe she just never gave herself any credit.

Lucy smiled. Feeling sexy came to her like a gift. One Logan seemed to deliver. She refused to analyze why that might be. Instead, she thrilled at the way she filled out the bra. And the panties…a tiny, barely-there triangle meant to entice. Touching her leg, she eyed the pink stitching on the black thigh-highs, wishing for her heels, now in the living room.