Page 17 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

Chapter 8: A Midnight Meal

For a moment, Lukeopened his mouth as if to say something.Surprisingly, an outburst of laughter lit up his face, creating a pattern of charming crinkles around his eyes.“There’s more to you than meets the eye, Miss Mathews.”

“I thought you’d be mad,” she said.“You’re not mad?”

“How could I be mad?It sounds like something I would do.”

“Of course, when my mama had such a good reaction to you, I couldn’t help but want to keep up the pretense.”

“You’re a very scheming young lady.”A hint of sauciness appeared in his blue eyes.Was he turned on by this?

“I’m not, usually,” she said, not knowing whether to feel defensive or proud.“I’m supposed to be the good girl.I went to college, I was never one to party all night or get into cars with strange boys, unlike Terry.”

“I think you’ve got everyone convinced you’re the good girl,” he countered, “You are quite the manipulator, something I know a little bit about.”

Hallie just rolled her eyes.Even if she was trying to manipulate her parents, it was only as a last resort.

“By the way,” he said, “how can I get a sandwich like this?”

Hallie could not believe his nerve.

“Didn’t you have lots of wonderful food at the mini golf place?”she asked sarcastically.

“Yeah, but that was a while ago.And I always find golfing works up an appetite.”

“If you want a sandwich, make it yourself,” Hallie said with a mouthful of her turkey sandwich, not caring if she looked unladylike.

“Challenge accepted,” he said, flashing that charming smile at her.Not that she was going to fall for it.There was nothing charming about working all through the afternoon and evening because he had stolen her employees.She knew she was dealing with a real devious piece of work, and no amount of good looks could make up for it.“You’re still mad, aren’t you?”

He came closer, trying to catch her eye, even though she was stubbornly looking away.His scent was like fresh grass with a hint of rum, and as Hallie looked up at him, he inclined his head to the side, giving her an earnest, apologetic gaze.

“Please don’t be mad.”His voice was like sumptuous velvet.“When you said this whole relationship was fake, I was shocked, and maybe I overreacted.Let me make it up to you.”

“Oh yeah?How are you going to do that?”

“You just go into the living room and relax, and I’ll make you an excellent sandwich.”

“Fine.”She was getting sick of looking at his ridiculously handsome, deceitful face anyway.

Hallie turned on the TV to watch Wipeout, and a few minutes later, Luke entered with two sandwiches on plates.

“Oh man, I’m starved,” he declared, and began eating at once as he sat down beside her.“Don’t you just love a filling meal after a night out?”

Hallie tried the sandwich he gave her.It was amazing!

“You have a talent for food,” she blurted out.She hadn’t actually meant to give him a compliment, but the perfect blend of sauces and sprigs of greenery in the sandwich were like nothing she had ever tasted.

“Yep, I know,” Luke said.

“Why didn’t you become a chef?”she asked.

He shrugged carelessly.“Even if I wanted to, my parents would never have allowed it.Mmm, I have outdone myself.”

He chewed his food with pure enjoyment, and Hallie couldn’t help smiling.As his jaw, dotted with dark stubble, moved sensuously, there was something alluring about the way he relished the simple physical pleasure of food.