Naughty, Naughty Prince Charming (Charming 1)

She sighed in resignation. It wasn’t like she had an option. Lucy walked toward Logan, aware both men watched her approach. The GQ-looking man held out his hand. “Hi Lucy, I’m Bret Weaver from BG Clothing. I hear you’re the brains behind Carlson’s new campaign.”

Lucy’s cheeks warmed with surprise. “Oh, well, I had an idea that the team has run with, yes.”

“Don’t be so shy about it. Logan says it was all you.”

Lucy eyed Logan. He winked at her. She quickly diverted her gaze. “It was all Lucy,” Logan said. “She has a great mind for advertising.”

“Obviously.” Bret smiled. “I’m opening an office here in New York. I might have to try and steal you away from Logan. I need someone to coordinate our marketing efforts between both locations.”

Lucy liked that idea. And she liked Bret. Working with him might solve some issues. “Make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

Bret chuckled and elbowed Logan. “We’ll talk later.”

Lucy didn’t look at Logan, but she could feel his eyes on her.

Bret touched her arm. “Dance with me. It’s my birthday so I should get your first dance of the night.”

Lucy smiled as she glanced at the already full dance floor. “Okay.” She let Bret lead her through the crowd, depositing her champagne on a nearby table. He held her in a gentlemanly fashion, his moves graceful and practiced. “Did you know Logan and I have known each other for quite a number of years?”

“No,” Lucy said sincerely surprised. “I mean, well, I assumed you knew each other before now from things I’ve heard.”

“Did you know we’re friends outside of work?” He let that linger in the air a few moments.

Lucy had a bad feeling Bret knew things he shouldn’t. “No. I didn’t.”

He tilted his head and gave her a curious look. “How long have you been seeing him?”

Lucy stiffened. “What?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell. And no, he didn’t tell me. In all the years I’ve known Logan, I have never seen him look at a woman like he looks at you.” He smiled down at her. “And you look at him the same way.”

Lucy swallowed. “It’s that obvious?”

He nodded. “That’s why I offered you that job, which I am serious about, by the way. If working together is a problem, which I get the feeling it is, then that solves that. Logan raves about you, and he’s not one to do so just because he likes how you look.” Lucy started to object to that comment but Bret held up a hand to stop her. “I love your work. It’s a perfect fix.”

She could hardly believe her ears. Bret seemed to get how stunned she felt. He continued to talk, offering details about his New York plans, and giving her time to absorb and process. After a few more minutes, and a little probing on Bret’s part, Lucy found herself confiding in him. For some strange reason, he felt safe and familiar.

“You’re so close to Logan. Working with you might be a problem. I don’t know if—” Her words were lost when a hand settled on her back. Logan’s. No doubt about it. The sizzle that ran across her skin said so.

“May I cut in?”

Lucy turned to look at him, silently asking him if he was crazy. What would the staff think? “I want to dance with you.” His voice was low but insistent.

Bret released her, drawing her gaze. “Think about what I said,” he told her and then turned to walk away.

Logan pulled her into his arms. Too close. “Bret’s a ladies’ man.”

Lucy frowned. “He’s a nice guy, and you know it. You’re friends.”

Logan laughed. “One that runs his mouth too much. If I left you with him much longer no telling what skeletons he’d expose.”

“You have skeletons?” she asked, frowning.

He grinned and nodded. “I have, admittedly, had some wild bachelor days.” Bending close to her ear, he whispered, “I’m much tamer now.”

The warmth of his breath tickled her neck and formed goosebumps on her arms. She should push him away. They were way too close. Yet…she couldn’t. “I would hardly call you tame,” she found herself saying instead.

Had they somehow gotten closer, because their thighs were rubbing, his muscles flexing deliciously against her own? “Logan—”

“I can’t wait to see that red bra,” he said, giving her a daring look.

What was he thinking? What if someone heard them? “Behave, damn it,” she said through clenched teeth.

“I can’t,” he said spreading his fingers on her back. “You’re in my arms.”

Why didn’t she just walk away? “Logan, please, stop.”

“It’s crowded. No one can see or hear.” His hands moved up and down her sides. “I reserved our room.”

She shut her eyes. “You did?”

“Yes.” A pause. “Does that make you happy?”

She nodded, but she stopped dancing and fixed him in a warning stare. “Behave until later.”