"I can explain." Prince Lucas said before bringing one foot forward. Charlotte didn't want to hear it but she didn't want to appear rude."Please." She said instead. She resisted the urge to cross her arms. He smiled gratefully."It was Esme. She asked me to see if I could get in touch with you." Charlotte nodded slowly, thinking through what he had just said to her.She wanted to focus on what he said but just his presence made it hard. Especially those eyes of his.But something didn't sound right."I didn't give her my address." She said plainly.Prince Lucas' smile was nervous."No, you didn't. But when she mentioned your name and I told her I ran into you the other day, she asked if I could bring you over to dinner later today."Charlotte would have asked more questions but Aunt Joan walked in with a glass of Beet tea."Would you like another glass of tea, young man?" She asked with the sweetest smile Charlotte had ever seen on her.Prince Lucas tried to put on a smile but Charlo
Charlotte took a moment to fully understand what he had just said. Her lips made an 'o' sound. Prince Lucas looked at her and laughed. She turned her face away, hiding her embarrassment. She licked her lips before looking back at him. He had an amused grin on his face."You can laugh if you want, you know." She said, trying to dispell the embarrassment she still felt.He sucked in air a bit sharply, making a very brief hissing sound."Nah. That'd be rude. Let's go in. Your aunt wouldn't be happy if I brought you back frozen cold." He joked.Charlotte appreciated it but couldn't bring herself to genuinely smile. She chuckled but it was dry. And he noticed."Did I say anything wrong?" He asked slowly. Charlotte shook her head and looked at him with a smile."No. You didn't. Now can we go in? Asecond more out here and I think I'll truly freeze." She tried to joke.It wasn't a good attempt but Prince Lucas laughed for the effort. She had her arm crossed in his as they walked into theres
Prince Lucas listened hard to the dial tone as he gazed out the car's window,.trying desperately to distract himself from the gripping anxiety he felt.The monotone sound came once. Twice.A third."Sorry, the number you dialed has not been answered. Please try again later." The feminine message said."Why?!" He exclaimed."Calm down." His friend and right-hand man Michael said to him."It's been hours and she hasn't replied to my texts or answered my calls." "Just hours?" Michael joked.Prince Lucas looked at him to see him on the verge of laughter. "It's not funny." He said seriously.He held the phone hard in his hands as his mind raced for reasons why Charlotte wasn't answering his call.He knew he probably got her upset the nightbefore but surely 11 missed calls would have her answering by now.And her phone was still on. So she was purposely not answering his calls. That hurt."Have you checked her home?" Michael asked."You think she'd be home?" Prince Lucas asked, worry etch
Prince Lucas held her face in his hands. His hands trembled with relief that he has found her. And she was alive."Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes searching for any injuries. Charlotte was sure he would find some and he did."I'm okay." She said anyway.Prince Lucas pulled her into another hug, squeezing her as tight as he could. He could only wonder what she had been through."I'm so sorry." He whispered."It's fine." She said.Charlotte noticed Michael standing awkwardly at a distance."You brought Michael." She stated. Prince Lucas turned back."Yeah..yeah I guess I did." He said with a chuckle.It was more of a relieved chuckle than it was a humorous one. He turned his attention to the couple who had answered her call.The young lady had her hair tied up in a high afro bun with what he assumed to be an African printed cloth over a pair of jeans. Her skin looked silky and smooth and she had adorned her ears with hooped earrings. She had a piercing on her nose. It wasn't something
"Thank you for bringing me home." Charlotte said to Prince Lucas.They had just arrived in her neighborhood and the driver had parked the car before her house. He smiled at her."It was my pleasure."He stretched out his hand for her palm to help her out of the car. Not that she needed any assistance.In a way she felt he did that to make her feel more at ease and a bit pampered."Take care of yourself." Michael said as he leaned against the care with his hands dug into his pockets."I will.""You promise?" Prince Lucas asked as they walked to her front door. She nodded."I'll still make sure though." He joked.She laughed. Before they reached the door, Aunt Joan opened it. The minute her eyes landed on the pair, a cry of relief escaped her lips."Charlotte oh Charlotte! My daughter, I thought I'd never see you again." She cried, running to her.Charlotte winced as she ran into her arms."I'm fine aunt. I just got a little lost." Charlotte said, hugging her aunt."I told you this man
Ryan's silence was the only answer Charlotte git because he ended the call without saying a word.She groaned, dropping the phone on the bed. She didn't have to be a fortune teller to know that his involvement with Veronica would end badly.Somehow, she wanted to call back but she didn't have the strength she thought she'd need for the conversation.Instead she pulled herself to her feet. She felt a bit better so she decided to get something to eat before dizziness kicked in again.She got out of her room. All the lights were out in the other rooms, including Aunt Joan's room. She decided to be as quiet as possible, so as to not wake her up even though she dragged her feet as she walked.She turned on the lights in the kitchen. It was as she had seen it earlier. And the delivered food was still on the counter as she had left it.Untouched.Charlotte ignored the fact that her aunt hadn't taken a serving. Maybe she wasn't hungry.Charlotte took a minced beef wrap and a pack of noodles.
"What's he doing here?" Ryan asked, looking behind her.Prince Lucas sat quite comfortably on her seat, unaware of Ryan's attention to him."Don't think about that. We have to talk." Charlotte said, drawing his attention back to her. They stood at the entrance of the office."Yeah we do. You spent the night with him didn't you?" He said accusingly."What? Let's not get into that. It's Veronica we need to talk about." Charlotte said, not wanting to get off tangent even for a moment."Hey, if you can go sleeping around, so can I. What do you care?" Ryan walked past her but Charlotte reached out to him, making him stop."What are you talking about? You think I'm sleeping with him?" She asked, astounded. He shrugged."It's obvious. Why him Charlotte?""I should be asking you the same question. She messed you up and you still let her back in-" "And he beats you up yet you still defend him?"Charlotte's mouth dropped open. It was the first time he acknowledged how she looked since she met h
"We'd?" Prince Charlotte repeated, raising a brow.His eyes sparkled with interest and amusement. Charlotte looked like she was thinking about her answer carefully.That was something he had noticed about her. She was careful with her words. Strategic even."Forget it." She said finally. He licked his lips."Nothing will happen." He said before tearing his eyes away from hers.From the corner of his eye, he could see her cheeks turn a shade of pink. He loved to see her flustered.She looked hotter.Well she was in bandages but that did little to affect her beauty."So we're going to your office?" She asked after a while.He chucked. He turned to her."If you want." He said smoothly.She smiled gratefully."Thank you. Now I can finally see what you actually do." She said with a laugh.That took Prince Lucas off guard. He burst out laughing before he could stop himself."Is that why you want to go there so bad?" He said, his eyes thinking with amazement.She shrugged."Well I don't know
"Ouuuu! Okay, start from the top. What happened?!" Mia squealed. Charlotte rolled her eyes but she blushed at the memory."I already told you Mia." She said."I know but I want to hear it again! I can't believe it. Finally, you... You became a woman!" Mia exclaimed excitedly.Charlotte popped a nut in her mouth. It was the evening of the following day and Prince Lucas wanted them to have an indoor movie night with Charlotte picking out the movie."Well not exactly. I stopped him. Do you think he hates me for that?" She asked slowly."What? No! If anything he loves you that much to respect your boundaries.""You think so?""I know so darling. Either that, or he's playing his cards too right." Mia said with a laugh. "Now that's what I expected to hear." Charlotte said, laughing too."But I don't think that's the case with him. He's just a darling.""Yes, he is." Charlotte said dreamily."Oh girl, you're down bad. And I'm happy for you. Finally, right?" She joked."Enough, we get it. I'v
"Mmm, we could."Prince Lucas took a step closer to her, his eyes burning with intent and desire."We could." He whispered.She looked into his eyes and he could see she had not a single thought in them. She wanted him just as bad as he wanted him.She wrapped her hand around his neck and with a little lip bite, she said "Be gentle."And he would.Prince Lucas leaned in to kiss her but he didn't just yet. He hovered over her lips for a few seconds as she held her breath and looked at him with anticipationThen he went down on her, slow and gentle, exploring all that she let him. And she let him in everything.He pulled her even closer and grabbed her ass softly. She moaned.He tugged at her lower lip softly before pulling away from her. She was already flustered by the kiss."To the bed?" He suggested mischievously.She nodded but there was caution in her eyes."I'll be gentle." He promised.He lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck before going in for another
"Dear, I thought I would never hear from you." Esme said. Charlotte smiled shyly."I'm sorry it took so long. I had some complications." Charlotte said.It was her lunch break at work and Charlotte impulsively made the decision to call Esme to keep her updated.Updated on what exactly, Charlotte didn't know."You don't have to apologize dear. Lucas told me you had a terrible accident. I was terribly worried. I hope you're alright now.""Yes I am. Thank you for your concern."Charlotte looked around to see if anyone had their attention on her. She stood near the coffee machine. That wasn't a great place to remain invisible and a few of her coworkers stole glances at her."I'm glad. So, tell me. How's the project going? Have you found an answer to my question?""Yes. The center is for children from broken homes and orphans as well. It's going to be a warm and welcoming environment to help them navigate through the complicated feelings that a broken home brings as well as provide the lov
Charlotte watched as Prince Lucas opened his eyes groggily. She clipped on her earrings with a smile on her face."Charlotte..." He called out sleepily. She chuckled."Come back to bed..."She walked to him and gave him a short kiss him on his lips. Prince Lucas leaned in for a deeper kiss but she pulled away softly."I have work." She said sweetly."And I want to have you." He whined. Charlotte chuckled and gave him another kiss."I'll be back before you know it.""You smell so good by the way." He said, looking at her. She beamed."All thanks to your collection." She said mischievously."Since when did you become so sneaky?" He said, sitting upright."I had to. It smells so good." He laughed."You can have anything you want." She walked to him seductively."So I can have you?""I'm already yours."Prince Lucas grabbed her by her waist and pulled her on top of him."You'll ruin the dress." Charlotte squealed. "We'll think about that later."Prince Lucas kissed her. She pressed her c
"You can touch me."Prince Lucas was taken by surprise when Charlotte pressed her lips on his but he let her in, deepening the kiss immediately.Prince Lucas pulled her closer to him as his tongue explored every inch of her. Her fiery passion pleased him- almost took much.She ran her fingers through his hair and began pressing her hips harder and harder on his.Her hands snaked under his shirt, clinging to him and pulling him in. As if she couldn't get enough of him."Touch me." She whispered in his ear.That was all he needed to hear to get his hands under the thin shirt she wore.Her gasp when his hands touched her skin excited him even more. She threw her head back, arching her back and exposing her neck. Prince Lucas took his chance.He planted passionate kisses on her neck, sucking on her skin as he did. He could feel her tremble in his arms as she moaned.It was then he knew she was really new to this. But her body knew the right parts to touch. It was his turn to gasp when he
"Girl, where have you been?" Mia exclaimed the minute she answered the call. Charlotte sighed. She played with her fingers whilst her phone was on the bed on speaker."It's a long story." Charlotte said dreamily. Mia paused."Okay. Okay, I know that voice. What happened? And start from the beginning. Because last time I heard from you, we were not okay with Prince Lucas."Charlotte could literally feel Mia’s energy tangibly through the phone. She smiled to herself. "Okay calm down.""Not a chance darling. Not when the tea is piping hot."Charlotte laughed."Okay um... So my aunt kicked me out."There was a moment of silence before Mia sighed heavily."Charlotte, Charlotte my darling. You know that's not what I want to hear." Mia said, laughing."You said I should start from the beginning." Charlotte defended, also laughing."I'm like so sure that's not the beginning but fine. Let's hear it. Why did your aunt kick you out again."It was Charlotte's turn to sigh. "Guess.""Is that possi
"I mean at least, you could have just said thank you." Michael said. Michael took another curve."You could have at least let me know that you were taking her there." Prince Lucas argued.He looked out the window, checking to make sure Michael was on the right route to Charlotte's workplace."And you could have told me she didn't have her phone. That would have saved us so much hustle."Prince Lucas rolled his eyes.In a bag beside him was Charlotte's phone and a new one. He has bought her a new one before wondering whether she'd prefer hers instead.So he fixed hers just in case."Plus, I don't think you should be worrying so much about her. She's a grown woman. She can find her way around.""I'll wait for this to happen to Rowena and I'll tell you the exact same thing." "Good point. Wait, you've fallen that hard?""Keep your eyes on the road."Michael burst out laughing."Oh finally! Finally, someone has claimed the heart of Prince Lucas. I never thought this day would come.""You'r
Prince Lucas wondered if he had said the right thing.It was night and Charlotte hadn't said a word after what he said in the car. Now she laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling.Prince Lucas furrowed his brows as he watched her from the bedroom. He took a deep breath.She was definitely upset.Who wouldn't be?Aside from his words being hurtful, Prince Lucas felt they were true. He didn't know what had happened to her parents but her aunt for sure didn't love her.Or maybe she had a strange way of showing her affection. He didn't think that was the problem.He glanced at Charlotte. She didn't look like she had moved an inch since he last checked up on her.He sighed. He had to do something to knock her out of it."Okay, that's enough." He said, clapping his hands to gain her attention.She looked at him. It saddened him how down she looked."Look I'm sorry about what I said earlier." He apologized, walking to her. "It was a bit hurtful." She said before laying down."I'm sorry. Le
"Doesn't that sound like the start of a splendid love story?""If we were dating, yes." Charlotte said with a laugh. Prince Lucas rolled his eyes."Don't move Cinderella, I'll clean up the glass." "Cinderella?""Just go with it." Prince Lucas said, a bit embarrassed.Charlotte laughed."I can handle myself, Prince Charming." She said with her hands crossed.Prince Lucas walked to where she stood. He held her eyes in his as a flirty smile crossed his lips."I know, but I want to pamper you."Charlotte couldn't ignore the butterflies that erupted in her stomach.She would like that a lot. She would like to be pampered by his strong hands.A part of her remembered how he held her, how he touched her the previous night.Like she was his.Her breaths were shallow now as her mind raced for the endless possibilities they could explore with themselves.He took a small step forward, causing her breath to hitch. "You'd get cut..." She managed to say."Right."Even after he spoke, Prince Lucas d