Naughty, Naughty Prince Charming (Charming 1)

He laughed. “Until later? Later I can misbehave?”

She made a face. “Yes.” Then she flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned away, eager to get some distance from him. To her distaste, she bumped smack into Greg. His hands closed down on her shoulders. “Come dance with me, Lucy.”

“No, Greg.”

“Why? You danced with Logan. Mighty friendly there, I might add. You were right, by the way. Someone could hear. I heard. I was dancing right by you. What room, Lucy?”

Lucy’s stomach lurched as she took a step backward and out of his reach. This couldn’t be happening. “Go away, Greg.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” He moved closer again and he took her arm in his hand. “But why don’t we go check out that room together?”

“You asshole,” she said jerking her arm free as discreetly as possible but he held on tight. Then Bret was there, his eyes locking with Greg’s. “Let her go.”

Greg’s hand dropped away and Lucy couldn’t have been more thankful. Tears burned the back of her eyes, and she knew she had to get away from the crowd before she made a fool of herself. She sidestepped Greg and made her way past the others dancing. She managed to get to the hallway and half ran toward the lobby. She heard Logan’s voice behind her, calling her name, but she kept walking. Tears were coming and she needed to be alone.

* * * * *

Logan had seen Greg grab hold of Lucy, and known from the look on her face that she was upset. But before he could get to her, Bret had. From what Logan had seen, he owed his friend a thank you for his helping hand. He hadn’t taken the time to find out what had happened. Getting to Lucy had been the most important thing.

He managed to catch up to her and reach for her arm just as she was about to exit through the hotel doors, not even bothering to get her coat. She whirled around to face him, tears in her eyes. “Stop, Logan. People will see. I told you that before. Lori saw us and gossiped. Greg heard us on the dance floor. I can’t take this anymore. Just stop!”

Logan didn’t bother to tell her that raising her voice was only bringing more attention to them. He really didn’t care. He’d tipped the hotel staff well many times over in the past few weeks. No one was going to give them trouble.

“Come upstairs and talk to me,” he said softly.

She glared at him. “Oh great! Announce that to the world, why don’t you?” Then, her face crumpled and she burst into tears.

He pulled her close and she didn’t resist. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry.”

She buried her face in his shoulder. “I…I can’t work for you anymore. I’m sure half the staff is watching us.”

He ran his hand down the back of her hair. “Ask me if I care?”

“I…” she sniffed, “care. I’ve ruined my future in advertising.”

“No, you haven’t.”

She pulled back to look at him, new agitation in her features. “I have to! You know as well as I do how word travels in this industry. I’m dead meat.”

“Dead meat?” he asked trying not to laugh at her choice of words.

She punched him in the shoulder and tried to get free. “You’re laughing at me. You have a job and a career. I don’t.”

He held her tightly, careful not to hurt her. “Stop. Please.” She squirmed. Logan waved off a doorman who had started toward them.

Then he dropped to one knee.

She stared at him, suddenly very still. “What are you doing?”

He held her hands in his. “This is not how I planned this, but Lucy, I love you. All the success in the world doesn’t mean anything without you. Will you marry me?” Logan kissed one of her knuckles and then the other.

A flash of panic skirted across her face. Then, as usual, Lucy surprised him. She dropped down to her knees to face him, swiping at her damp cheek with one hand. “What?”

He gave her a somber look. “You asked me what I talked about with your mother. I told her I was going to marry you. I love you, Lucy. Marry me.”

Lucy’s hands were shaking as she clenched his shirt. “I don’t know what to say.”