Naughty, Naughty Prince Charming (Charming 1)

Her heart melted right then and there. In truth, it had melted a million times over during their lovemaking. He was so gentle, yet wild and sexual. And so many times the word “love” had slipped into her mind. All the more reason why this had to be her last time with him. Zoe had said a hot fling. Love wasn’t that. It was much more. It was risky and career-ending.

And painful.

Besides, she hardly knew Logan. She’d been without a man so long she was clearly just hungry for affection. Something she didn’t recognize before and she wished she still didn’t. And Logan was her boss. She couldn’t forget that lethal fact.

“Lucy?”

“Um?”

“What are you thinking about so hard?” He gently shuffled and urged her onto her back. Propping his body up on an elbow, he stared down at her with far too probing eyes.

She tried to smile. It didn’t work. He looked so damn yummy all she could think about was either kissing him or getting the hell away from him. “Who says I’m thinking and not sleeping?”

“Lucy.”

The way he said her name hit her in a strange way. It was almost like a plea, yet she knew better.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Four.”

“Four!” she exclaimed, and tried to sit up, but he stilled her by, once again, shackling her leg with his bigger, stronger one.

He wrapped his arm across her body, his mouth nuzzling her temple. “Sleep,” he said. “I’ll wake you in an hour. That’s plenty of time to go home and change for work.”

“But…”

“You might as well not argue. I’m not letting you up.” His voice held stubborn, sensual authority, because he was using it to keep her in bed with him. How could a girl get upset about that?

“Has anyone ever told you how bossy you are?” He answered by leaning close and brushing his lips over hers. “Logan,” Lucy sighed against his lips.

He answered by kissing her, long and deep. Tenderly. A quite effective way of convincing her to stay. Her resistance was gone. Zilch. A moment later, she found herself turned so her back fitted against his front. Then, he wrapped her snugly in his arms. It felt so good that Lucy couldn’t remember why she had even wanted to leave.

But in the back of her mind, she knew, she was in trouble. For Logan, this was probably standard bed play. For her, it was much more.

* * * * *

The last thing Lucy needed or wanted was for Logan to see where she lived…poor. No fancy cars. No doorman. No mahogany elevator. Sitting beside him in his Sports car, their differences screamed for attention. There really was only one option. “Pull over right here.”

Logan did as she said, and pulled the car into a spot in front of Kenney’s Coffee, her favorite little twenty-four spot. “I don’t see any apartments.”

“I’m only a few blocks away. I thought I’d grab a cup of coffee and then walk home.”

He killed the engine and reached for the door. Lucy grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”

“It’s still dark. I’m coming with you.”

Panic flared. “No,” Lucy said. “I’m fine. By the time I order my coffee the sun will be up.”

“I’d like some coffee myself.” His voice held just a hint of challenge.

This was not going how she planned. “Okay.” She forced herself to let go of his arm.

A few minutes later, they stood at the counter and ordered their drinks. Logan paid. Not a surprise. He was a macho kind of guy. Even if he wasn’t rich she didn’t think he’d have acted differently. Still, it felt awkward. Money seemed like a divider between them. Like him being her boss wasn’t enough of a barrier.

Lucy accepted her mocha from Logan. “Thanks.” A long sip later, “Hmm. Next to pizza, a good mocha tops my list.”

He smiled and indicated his drink. “Seems we share a lot of loves.”

His words hit her like a charge, electric and hot. Looking away, afraid he would see her reaction, she glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. “I need to get home and change for work.” Besides, it was best this whole incident be put behind them. Forcing her gaze back to his, she said, “Thanks for…everything.”

His eyes smoldered and for long moments they simply stared at one another. “I’ll walk you home,” he said.

“The sun is up,” she said so quickly it was almost abrupt. “I’m fine.”

“I insist,” he said.

She really needed space. “No.”

He looked like he would argue, but then said, “Fine. I guess I’ll say goodbye.”

Relief should have followed. Instead, a dash of disappointment jolted her emotions. Somehow, she managed a smile. “Goodbye then.”

For several more seconds, he simply stared at her. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Lucy watched as he climbed into his car, wishing he’d look in her direction.