Page 26 of The Bad Boy Prince in Love

“What about our talk earlier?”she whispered, trying not to attract too much attention.“Do you have short-term memory loss or something?”

“You did say you were going to kick me out for flirting,” Luke said nonchalantly, “but I don’t believe you.”

He was calling her bluff.She had to admit, having Luke around was a good thing as far as her relationship with her parents.If she kicked him out, she would have to start looking for a new fake boyfriend, and who knew when she would find someone her parents liked this much?

“I think it’s more than just this façade,” he said, coming closer to her.“I think you’re attracted to me.”

Hallie gasped in outrage.“Maybe women in Sarkadia are oblivious to what a jerk you are, but not here.”

This only brought out another amused smiled from him.

“I’m not only popular with the ladies in Sarkadia,” Luke said with his usual arrogance, “Even when I go abroad, they flock to me.Name any European country, and I’ll name a woman who has greatly enjoyed my company.”

“Is there a European country called Get Your Head from out Your Ass?”

He only smiled in a disarming way.“You Texans have a unique sense of humor.I like it.”

Suddenly, he turned away from her to look at Eloise, who was sitting in a cozy nook talking with her friends.As always, Eloise dressed demurely with a high neck line, but that didn’t seem to stop Luke from being interested in her.

“You’re right, we should dance,” Hallie said, grabbing his arm before he could get away.

He slowly brought his body around towards her again, his eyes focusing only on her, as if trying to read her.“Are you sure?”

Chapter 12: Distracted

“It’s only a dance,”Hallie said, sliding her hand up to his shoulder.She couldn’t believe she was doing this, but these were desperate times.

“Okay.”Luke seemed suddenly very serious, and she wondered if he was reading way too much into this.But as long as it distracted him from chasing other women, she was willing to take the risk.

The strains of a romantic country ballad filled the barn, and Luke took her hand, moving toward her into a slow dancing position.

He held her waist gently, and she could feel his whole body swaying to the music with an irresistible, slow rhythm.

The song spoke of devoted love, the kind of love that someone might die for without hesitation, the kind of love she had never felt before.At least, not when someone reciprocated.There had been that one guy in college who only toyed with her feelings, but she would have given the world to have him by her side.

“Are you okay?”Luke asked, a subtle crease forming between his eyebrows.