Sleeping with Beauty (34 page)

Jason looked at her like she’d sprouted two heads. “Excuse me?”

“No need. I know it’s hard to comprehend that I can actually think and speak for myself. In full sentences, too.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m tired of being nothing more than an arm piece in carefully selected evening wear.”

“I’ve taken you to some of the most sought-after functions in Washington!”

“Sought after by an entertainment lawyer trying to fatten his client list, maybe, but what was in those evenings for me?”

Jason didn’t have an immediate retort for that. In fact, he seemed stunned speechless that anyone would expect or need to have anything other than his sterling presence to have a wonderful time. But the lawyer in him snapped out of it. “I don’t know, I suppose I thought that someone like you would like seeing how the other half lives.”

“Someone . . . like . . . me?” Lucy’s slow boil went full tilt. She carefully folded her arms. “Exactly what is that supposed to mean?”

Jason huffed, even while saying, “Don’t get all huffy, you know what I meant. You’d never mingle in those circles if it wasn’t for me.”

“And what makes you think those ‘circles’ are so fascinating? I’ve never been more bored in my life.”

Now his cheeks flushed. “Then why in the hell did you keep accepting my invitations?”

“Because, silly me, I thought maybe you and I were, at some point, going to develop a relationship.”

He looked momentarily stunned. “But . . . we are.”

Lucy laughed. “No, Jason, we’re not. You tell me what to wear and where to go, and I’m expected to show up, smile pretty, then shut up and let you be the center of attention.”

He gaped. “I was just doing my job. And it wasn’t like you knew anyone there or—”

“Had anything of interest to offer to such an obviously elite group of sterling individuals?”

“Now you’re putting words in my mouth. I’m just saying that they run in different circles and it was doubtful you’d have anything in common. I thought I was being a gentleman and saving you from—”

“What?” she said, no longer keeping her voice down. “Embarrassing myself? Or embarrassing you? Oh, wait a minute, that’s right, arm candy isn’t supposed to want anything more than to see and be seen.” She snapped her fingers. “Gee, I guess I haven’t gotten the hang of that quite yet. But then, this whole arm-candy thing is new to me, you see.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let me ask you something . . . in the past month, have you been seeing anyone else?”

Caught off guard, he looked instantly wary. Question answered.

“I—we, uh, we didn’t make any claims on exclusivity.”

“Riiight. So, have you taken any of these other dates to bed?”

He gaped once again, then snapped his mouth shut. “I—I don’t think I have to answer that.”

“No, no you don’t. There’s no court stenographer here.”

“Now wait a minute. I’ve been nothing but a complete gentleman with you. I never once pushed you for—”

“Anything. I know. You’re right.” Lucy sighed. “And I didn’t push for anything, either. Because I think I knew all along it was never going to be there, so I tried to make myself believe I would be satisfied with whatever attention you decided to shower upon my poor little schoolteacher shoulders.” She laughed hollowly. “My mistake.”

“Again, you’re putting words in my mouth. I thought we had something good going here.”

Jason was never one to allow himself to be made to look bad, so Lucy supposed it was inevitable that he’d end up spinning this so that he was the good guy.

“Yeah, I was always available when you needed a date and you knew I wouldn’t push for more. I’d say that was a better than good thing.”

“You got to attend some really big and powerful events.”

“I know. Yay, me.”

Jason shook his head in that way men did to make it clear to anyone who might be paying attention that it was clear the woman in question was being a typical crazy female who had no idea what she wanted.

“I don’t get it,” he said, diving more deeply into the role. “I thought I was being a nice guy.”

“Yes, helping poor little Lucy experience the high life she could never hope to discover on her own. God, you are so condescending and you don’t even realize it.”

Now his gaze narrowed. “Now, now, no need to get ugly.”

Lucy burst out laughing. “Oh, if you only knew.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Then he raised his hand. “You know what? Never mind. It’s obvious we’re through here. And I’m going to be late. I have a car waiting.”

He turned to go, then Grady spoke up. “Not until you offer her an apology.”

Jason turned slowly, his gaze shifting to Grady, who had risen from the couch and come to stand a few feet behind Lucy. “I beg your pardon? I don’t believe this conversation involves you.”

“She’s a close friend. And when someone insults a friend of mine, I tend to take it personally.”

“Insult
her
? I think you have that backward, my friend. Now, if you don’t mind—”

It was Lucy’s turn to gape when Grady moved swiftly past her and took hold of Jason’s arm. Jason—who was a good several inches taller and easily out-muscled him by thirty pounds or more.

“Grady!” Lucy said, panicking and grabbing at his arm.

“I’m not your friend,” Grady said, jaw clenched. “And I believe I said you owe the lady an apology.”

“Come on,” Lucy pleaded. “Jason, just go.
Grady.
” She turned a look on him that clearly signaled “What in the hell is wrong with you?”

But he wasn’t looking at her.

Jason shrugged off Grady’s hand. All traces of the charmer fled. He was still smiling broadly, but there was nothing endearing about it. In fact, it made the hairs on Lucy’s arms stand up. She remembered that exact smile. She’d seen it once before. Ten years ago, to be exact.

“I’m the one being stood up here,” Jason explained with exaggerated patience. “For a three-thousand-dollar date. If anyone owes an apology, I believe it’s her.”

Her.
She didn’t even warrant a name anymore. “I already apologized for not attending tonight,” she said between gritted teeth, but she was pretty sure the testosterone twins weren’t listening to her.

“You have no idea what you had,” Grady told him, his tone calm, but Lucy saw that clamped jaw and knew he was furious. “She’s witty, funny as hell, far more charming than you’ll ever be. Unlike you, having to tell stories and work so hard at being the life of the party, she lights up a room without even trying. She’ll debate you into the ground on such a wide variety of topics you’ll find yourself reading more newspapers and watching the late show just to keep up with her. In fact, I’ve never met a woman as fascinating and interesting as Lucy Harper. All you saw was the perfect hair and hot body.”

Now Lucy was seriously gaping at Grady.

“Your loss, Prescott. You were blind ten years ago, and you’re still blind now.”

“‘Ten years ago’?”

Lucy’s expression swiftly turned to one of horror.

“Prom night of our senior year, to be exact.”

“
Our
senior year?” Jason squinted. “Do I know you?”

Grady’s smile could cut diamonds. “Hardly. Thank God. I didn’t run with your crowd. I chose instead to cultivate real friendships, not potential future business contacts.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Do you still keep in touch with anyone from our class?”

Jason stuttered. “I went away to school, and—I’m not going to defend myself to you! I don’t even know who the hell you are.”

“I’m the guy who should have done this ten years ago.” And with that, Grady pulled back his right hand.

Lucy realized in an instant what Grady’s intentions were and threw herself at him before his punch could connect. “Grady!”

Grady swore as he stumbled off balance.

Jason laughed. “Right. See, that’s the difference between us. I never needed a girl to fight my battles for me.” He looked at Lucy. “My only mistake was not realizing who I was dealing with here from the start.” He shook his head and muttered, “Losers then, losers now.” Still chuckling, he turned to the door.

And Lucy saw red. “You’re right,” she said. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.” And out of nowhere came this insatiable urge to finish what Grady had started. Before she could think it through, she yanked him around and swung as hard as she could.

Her fist connected with his nose and made a sickening, if somewhat satisfying, crunching noise. Jason screamed and so did Lucy.

Cradling her hand—who knew faces could be so hard?—she bent over and swore a long stream of foul words she didn’t even know she knew.

Jason started swearing, too. “You bitch! You broke my nose!”

She looked up to see blood running over his lips and down his chin.

Cupping his face with one hand, he took one step toward her.

Her heart still pounding, Lucy took a step backward.
Shit, shit, shit!

But Grady stepped in between them and shoved Jason through the open doorway. “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. She also has freakish arm strength for a girl. Her aim is usually really lousy.” He grinned. “I guess she just got lucky.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed in rage. “I’m suing you both for assault.”

“And you’ll lose,” Grady said. “I’ll be the eyewitness from hell and she’ll back me up.”

“You try it.” He pushed off the wall and stumbled toward the elevator. “I’ll see you in court.”

“Yeah. I’m off to call the media. I’m sure they’re going to love hearing how hotshot entertainment attorney Jason Prescott got punched out by his date after being an insulting asshole. What else was the poor, defenseless little schoolteacher to do? Your firm’s clients will love reading over that with their morning cappuccino.”

“Now hold on.” Jason turned. Considered. “Maybe I was a tad hasty.” It sounded like he was talking with a bad head cold.

“Right. Because it’s all about image with you, Prescott. Never anything important, like substance. Now who is the loser?” And with that, Grady nudged Lucy back into the apartment and closed the door. As an afterthought, he locked it and threw the dead bolt. He turned to Lucy and smiled. “I may be hotheaded, but I’m not completely stupid.”

Lucy’s hand was throbbing like a mofo (another word she’d never used before, but was thinking about using again real soon), but she could only stand there and stare at Grady. “My hero,” she said, somehow finding the dry smile to match her tone.

Grady grinned and nodded to her hand. “I wasn’t the one who decked the guy.”

“Only because I stopped you. I was afraid he would have slaughtered you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Come on. Words have always been your weapon of choice. And I must say, you wielded them quite effectively there.” She grinned. “What a team, eh?” She tried to shake the numbing pain from her fingers, which only made her yelp.

Grady put his arm around her and herded her immediately toward the kitchen. “God, Luce, what did you do?”

She shot him a sideways grin. “What you’ve been wanting to do since senior year.” She winced when he held her hand under running cold water. “Damn. It’s not fair. It shouldn’t hurt the puncher, only the punchee.”

He quickly made an ice pack and wrapped it in a damp towel. “Here.” He took her hand and gently dried it, then wrapped it in ice and terry cloth. “Do you think we should go to the emergency room?”

She tested flexing her fingers, swearing only a little. Okay, more than a little. “Everything works. I don’t think I broke anything.” She couldn’t help it, a giggle slipped out. “Except Jason’s nose.” Another sputter of laughter. “God, I shouldn’t laugh. Really. I’m a bad person.” She glanced up at Grady, and they both busted out laughing.

“Did you see the expression on his face?” Grady asked between snorts of laughter. “He was just so shocked that something like that could happen to him.”

“As much as this hurts now, and as much as I don’t advocate violence . . . I have to admit it felt good to smack that smarmy smile off his face.”

“‘Smarmy’?” Grady snickered.

“Smug, smarmy, condescending, whatever.” Her laughter finally faded. “I owe you an apology. And Jana, too. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you guys.” She gave him a dry smile. “I bet you’re dying to call Jana and tell her.”

Grady smiled, too. “Nah.” He paused a beat. “I can wait until later.”

Lucy mock punched him in the shoulder with her good hand. “I really am sorry. For everything.”

“Ah, Lucy.” Grady sighed. He pulled her into a loose hug, careful of her wrapped hand. “I’m sorry for being such an ass. It was just hard watching you with him.”

“I know,” she said, her face muffled against his shirt. It felt surprisingly good being held by Grady. Out of nowhere, Vivian’s comments about him popped into her head. She’d been completely mistaken, of course. At the moment, as revved up on adrenaline as they both were, it was only natural to feel good at being held. After everything that had happened, she was just glad they’d finally gotten back on track.

“I should have done something sooner, ended it sooner. I just wanted . . .” She trailed off, shook her head. In some ways, she felt clearer about things than ever before. And in other ways, she was even more confused.

“You were just trying to figure yourself out,” he said. Then he tipped her chin up so she looked at him. “I should have been more understanding about that. More supportive. It’s just . . .”

His gaze was so steady, so reaching. Lucy felt so warm, and good, and, well, safe. Right here, with the one person who truly cared about her for who she was, inside and out. Vivian was right about that much.

Which got her to thinking entirely inappropriate thoughts. Like, had Grady’s body always fit with hers so perfectly? And why hadn’t she ever felt the little
zing
she was very definitely feeling right now, at the way he was looking at her? It was all just the power of suggestion. Grady would be horrified if he knew she was even thinking about what he was like as a kisser. She should be horrified. Only she was too busy looking at his mouth.

“You’ve always been there for me,” she said softly, forcing those renegade thoughts from her mind. Except she couldn’t help but realize just how true her words were. “I never meant to turn my back on that. No one knows me better than you, but there was a part of me that I didn’t know, that I wanted to find out about. I just wish I’d found a way to do it without making you feel like I was pushing you away.”
Why had she ever pushed him away?