How to Resist Prince Charming(10)

Her head flew up.

Oh shit.

Before her, Braxton Farris doubled over and clutched his groin.

Covering her mouth with both hands, Lenna gasped. “Oh, my God!” Sweet Lord, she’d just racked Prince Charming. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

He was too busy cradling the offended area to glance her way. Lenna had a sudden frantic thought; if she ran now, she could escape, and he’d never know it’d been her who’d caught him right in the—

She paused when he blew out a breath and straightened. That’s when she realized he wasn’t holding the family jewels but rather a spot about four inches to the left.

Oh, thank God. She’d only nicked him in the thigh.

“It’s okay,” he assured before adding, “Lenna.”

Her eyes widened. She jerked her face up.

Great. He was looking at her and—double great—he’d caught her staring at his junk. Her face turned twenty-three shades of red.

She bit her lip and shrank a step back. “I am so sorry, Mr. Farris. I didn’t—”

“Whoa.” He lifted his hand. “Please don’t ever call me mister again. It’s just Braxton. And I’m fine. Really.”

Horrified, Lenna wanted to keep groveling. But he’d already forgiven her. It would be tacky to apologize again. So, she opened her mouth to say something, except she had no idea what. It seemed prudent to make some kind of comment.

Finding it suddenly hard to breathe, her gaze latched onto his, and she found herself looking at an interested man. He truly and honestly looked mesmerized by her. The mere way he stared caused a hundred butterflies to set up house in her stomach. It made her blush. She tucked a stray piece of honey blonde hair escaping her ponytail behind her ear.

Guess she hadn’t totally imagined his attraction after all. The realization was flattering. She started to think maybe—

But wait. Her father couldn’t stand this man.

And from listening to Braxton at the party, she knew he returned the sentiment wholeheartedly.

Lenna didn’t think she could ever date anyone who couldn’t even try to get along with her dad. So, she decided right then and there. The first step to resisting Prince Charming was to avoid eye contact at all cost.

Demurely lowering her gaze, she quietly said, “Excuse me,” and started around him to enter the building.

But Braxton Farris turned as she passed, openly following her with his gaze. He scanned her body and took in the outfit she wore. It was obvious she was set for the gym. She had her hair pulled up, her tight sport shirt sponsored a famous shoe brand, and her yoga pants were perfect for a nice, hard game of basketball.

Braxton cocked his head quizzically to the side as he studied her. “I don’t recall ever seeing a gym here before.”

Since he owned the entire building of the Farris Industries Executive Offices, he would know.

The corner of Lenna’s mouth hitched at his joke.

She glanced down at her gym bag. “I’m just here to pick up my dad. We play a game of basketball at lunch every second Tuesday of the month.” She patted the bag and added, “This is his change of clothes.”

“Really?” Braxton rubbed his thigh. “What does he wear to the gym? Chain mail?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh!” She unzipped her bag. “I think there might be a basketball in here.”

Looking inside, she dug around. God, she must’ve hit him hard. “Hmm. I guess it’s not...” Then she exclaimed, “Aha!” and yanked out a pair of men’s worn running shoes.

“Ah,” Braxton replied and motioned toward them. “Yep. It must’ve been the shoes.”

Lenna grinned. Her heart slammed against her ribcage when he returned the smile.

Step Two, she decided: Never, ever, smile at Prince Charming.

It really was too bad he was her father’s boss. Not only was he prime eye-candy, but some of his mannerisms were boyishly adorable. She just wanted to pull him into a big hug and cuddle. And laugh. She had a strange sense they’d laugh a lot together, among other much naughtier things.

She ducked her face from his love-struck stare and stepped into the building. Lenna shattered the first step of her whole “resist and evade” theory by meeting his gaze.

He didn’t look like he could take his attention off her, and she blushed all over again.

The door began to fall closed between them; Lenna continued to break her rule as she held his stare.

But at the last moment before they were separated, his eyes widened. “Wait!” He jumped toward the closing portal and stuck his hand out to stop it from shutting only to catch his fingers in the latch.

As he cursed, Lenna yanked the door open. “Are you okay?”

Clutching his smashed digits with his good hand, he nodded. “I forgot. Tom moved his office yesterday. I didn’t know if you were aware.”

Lenna frowned and pulled back. “He did?”

Braxton nodded again and took a moment to catch his breath. “He’s on the third floor, uh...” He paused and lifted his head as if to think. “In the southeast corner.”

Lenna’s eyebrows shot up. “Ooh, a corner office, huh?”

Braxton gave her a slight smile. “Do you want me to follow you up and show you where it is?”

Yikes! Step three. Never agree to anything Prince Charming suggests.