Look out, world. Strong and confident, Lucy felt ready to take on the world.
And then the door opened, and Logan walked in. Looking like a million bucks, dressed in a gray pinstriped suit that fit him as if custom-made, he took her breath away. Along with it flew the wind in her sails. The man was so damn sexy. He was also a powerhouse. His very presence made the room bristle with alertness. This company’s future revolved around him.
Suddenly, Lucy doubted her decisions. Not about the campaign. She knew she was right about what BG needed. But about Logan. He had a job to do and so did she. Sex fit nowhere in that equation. And Logan already had respect in the industry Lucy had yet to earn. Her mother hadn’t known this when she’d given her advice about Logan. Lucy knew she had to look out for the future.
Lucy let her gaze settle on Logan. With the entire room focused on Logan, she had the luxury of examining him closely. She swallowed. Why did her stomach flutter when she looked at him? And why did her heart ache when he was gone?
For a brief instant Logan’s eyes locked with hers, and she felt the heat of his gaze. Bound by decorum, his attention came and went in a flash, but the impact had warmed her from head to toe. No one could work like this.
The meeting started, and Lucy shoved away thoughts of her and Logan. This was her career. She had to focus and excel. Lucy listened to each team present their ideas, taking notes as she did, not impressed with any of the campaigns. When it came time for their presentation, Greg started talking as if she didn’t exist. Lucy cringed as Greg spoke. A quick glimpse at Logan, and she knew he didn’t like what was being presented. It was a vibe he put off, a sense she got.
When Greg finished talking, he simply stared at Logan for long moments. Then Logan let out a long, distressed sigh. “Is this all, team? Because, if it is, I have to say, it’s not good enough. I can’t take any of these ideas to BG.”
Lucy swallowed, and then delicately cleared her throat. “Actually,” she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze, and ignoring the shocked faces around the table. As the newbie, no one expected her to speak up. “I do have one other idea.”
Logan’s eyes met hers and then narrowed in a barely perceivable fashion. Lucy forced herself to hold his gaze. This part of their relationship was business and she wouldn’t do otherwise with another. Greg bristled beside her, his disgust almost palpable. Lucy wanted to kick him.
“Okay,” Logan said. “Let’s hear it.”
“Well,” Lucy said, feeling the pressure of all eyes on her. Adrenaline rushed through her veins. That Logan was the decision-maker made this harder. But, it also made it more critical she succeed. The respect of her peers felt more important than ever. It wasn’t only Logan’s approval she wanted. It was that of the others in the room.
“The statistics clearly show BG is already getting a key portion of the older professionals as buyers. What they need is an edgy campaign to draw in the younger group.”
Needing the reassurance, Lucy watched Logan’s face. Though he had a good poker face, she knew him better than most. The thought caused a moment of self-consciousness—born from a fear that the others might guess how well she knew him—which she quickly smashed. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw a flash of appreciation in Logan’s eyes. It felt good.
“So,” Lucy said. “That said, I think the campaign most certainly needs some of the things the public expects from BG. For instance, simple and classy. But, it also needs to be unique. Sensual. Sexy. Contemporary.”
She paused. Why, Lucy wasn’t sure. When no one said anything, she took a deep breath. “I picture an attractive female sitting on her desk, long, sexy legs crossed, skirt high up her thighs. She holds a pad of paper taking notes. An equally attractive man is sitting in the visitor chair in front of her staring at her legs. Then, flash to the front of a courthouse, an attractive woman walking down the front steps, several men turning to look at her. Finally, flash to an office. A professional yet sexy woman slipping out of a judge’s robe to exposure her BG suit.
The caption would read: “Professional never looked so good. The new face of BG Clothing.”
The room was silent. Lucy’s heart beat so hard against her chest it echoed in her ears. She nervously wet her lips, and her eyes locked with Logan’s unreadable ones. A slow smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Classy and sexy. Excellent work, Lucy.”