Her mother cooked a delicious prime rib, but Cassandra had a difficult time enjoying the food. With Emily and Eric monopolizing the conversation with their house hunting woes, Cassandra had too much time to think and daydream about Troy.
She pictured him standing in front of a flower-filled church waiting for her to walk down the aisle. Except for the flowers and bare feet, everything was wrong with the picture. It wasn’t simply that Troy was wrong for her—he was—but so was the entire wedding picture.
She’d given up on love. She couldn’t afford to love. Seeing Emily and Eric brought back the pain of finding them together in her apartment.
In her bed.
That was all Cassandra needed to remember. Love equaled hurt. With that in mind, it was easy to control her emotions.
Until she looked at Troy. Then she swallowed hard and reminded herself she didn’t feel anything for him. Except…
The day of golfing in the sunshine had turned Troy’s face a golden tan. The plaid of his oxford shirt intensified the striking blue of his eyes. He got more gorgeous by the minute. And that bothered the hell out of her.
She couldn’t afford to think of Troy as anything other than her pretend fiancé, her fake fiancé. Anything more, she didn’t want to deal with, wouldn’t deal with. As soon as the weekend was over, she would be free. Free of her parents, free of Troy. But until then, she had to be one half of the perfect couple they’d created, one half of a lie.
After dinner, Cassandra followed everyone as they retreated into the living room to let their food digest and make room for dessert—devil’s food cake.
One big happy family. Emily and Eric sat on one couch. Cassandra and Troy sat on the other. Dixon and Vanessa sat on chairs in the middle, playing referee and ensuring fair play.
Show time. Mindful of her sister’s watchful eyes, Cassandra nestled against Troy. Leave it to Emily to decide something wasn’t right with the engagement. Her hints and innuendos had been less than subtle, but Emily would find only a happy, content engaged couple tonight.
As Troy draped his arm around her shoulder, Cassandra had trouble breathing. Her heart pounded so loudly; she glanced up at him to see if he’d noticed. She didn’t think he had. His breathing was steady, and she could barely feel his heart beating against her shoulder. The fact he remained so calm as he played havoc with her vital signs irritated her. She wished Troy could share in her misery.
Dixon poured brandy into crystal snifters. “So have you decided about the dress, Cassie?”
The dress. Perfect, yes. But she didn’t need another wedding gown. Come tomorrow night, she would no longer have a fiancé. “Not yet, Dad.”
“I heard it looks beautiful.”
Troy kissed her cheek. “A flour sack would look beautiful on Cassie.”
The line was old and hackneyed, but the way Troy said it made Cassandra’s cheeks grow warm. If only she didn’t care what he said, but she did.
“There’s no comparison between the gown and a flour sack. It’s perfect and you know it, Cassandra.” Vanessa left no doubt about her opinion. “Do you want me to call Ginger and tell her to order it?”
“I don’t know, Mom.” Cassandra’s gaze lingered on Troy’s smile. Those full lips…She would give up ice cream for a year for another taste of him. No matter how hard she tried to forget about his kiss, she couldn’t. And it bugged her, immensely. Remember, only twenty-four more hours to go. “The dress would be great for spring or summer, but not for a winter wedding.”
Vanessa smiled. “Do you have any idea when you’d like to get married?”
“June’s a good month,” Emily suggested.
Eric nodded his approval. “Very traditional, too. Though you’ll have to reserve a place right away. All of the best sites get booked early.”
Troy gave Cassandra a soft squeeze. “I’ve been busy at work so we haven’t had time to think about the wedding.”
And we wouldn’t have the time. Come Sunday night, this charade was over. She would wait a couple of weeks, then tell her parents the engagement was off. The reason could be anything from his long hours at work to a fight about where to live to the differences in their life-styles. A perfect plan. As long as she made it through tonight and tomorrow. “Once Troy’s job settles down, we’ll be able to set a date. We aren’t in a rush, are we, honey?” Cassandra emphasized the endearment.
“As long as I know you’ll marry me one of these days, pumpkin.”
“Honey and pumpkin.” Emily grimaced. “How sweet.”
Eric looked a little green. “Would you like to go, dear?”
“Be quiet,” Emily snapped.
Dixon cleared his throat. “At least we’ll have time to prepare a decent prenuptial agreement. I hope this won’t be a problem, Troy.”
“No problem at all.”
“Well, I have a problem with it.” Cassandra resisted the urge to stand and put her hands on her hips.
“I knew this was coming,” Emily said, not so subtly, to Eric.
Dixon took a sip of brandy. “Cassie, sweetheart, I think a prenuptial agreement is something you should consider.”
“Not on your life.” Cassandra didn’t understand why everything had to revolve around money. She only wanted to be happy. She knew firsthand money couldn’t ensure happiness. “It’s a marriage, not a business deal.”
Dixon finished his snifter of brandy. “Whatever you decide is fine, but at least consider it.”
“She will,” Troy said, stopping her from saying any more.
“I’m just so excited about your engagement,” Dixon admitted. “I only hope we don’t have to wait too long for the upcoming nuptials. I can’t wait to walk you down the aisle. As I did with your sister.”
Hello. Who was this man she called father? “Daddy, you’re the one who cautioned me about rushing into things. Troy’s work schedule is giving us a chance to get to know one another better. It’s what you wanted.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind,” Dixon said, surprising Cassandra even more. “I had my doubts at first, but it’s obvious you belong together. The twinkle is back in your eyes, sweetheart. I think it has something to do with Troy, and I’m sure you agree with me, too.”
Cassandra looked at Vanessa. Her mother made a point of saying young people always rushed into marriage without thinking. She would cite the latest divorce statistics and rest her case. Surely she would support her. “Mother—”
“I agree with your father, Cassandra,” Vanessa said. “No sense having a one- or two-year engagement. Nothing but a waste of time, in my opinion.”
Cassandra was running out of supporters. “Emily. What do you think?”
Emily smiled, a charming smile others might call fake and plastic, but Cassandra knew better. Her sister couldn’t help being a snob. “Why wait? I think you are one of the cutest couples I’ve ever seen. In fact, we want to throw an engagement party for you. Isn’t that right, Eric?”
His eyes widened. “Yes. We’d, uh, love to throw you an engagement party.”
“How does two weeks from tonight sound?” Emily asked.
“Sounds good to me,” Dixon said. “This is a wonderful idea. I know several people I’d like Troy to meet.”
Vanessa sighed. “Why don’t you see what Cassandra and Troy think about it first?”
Caught off guard by the offer, Cassandra didn’t know what to say. Part of her was touched. The other part wondered what Emily had up her sleeve. The wary side won out. “That’s sweet of you, but I know how busy you both are.”
“Think nothing of it, you’re my little sister. I’ve hardly seen you since I got married.”
Cassandra wanted to believe the sincerity in her sister’s voice, but this was Emily speaking. “I appreciate the offer—”
Emily wasn’t listening to her, as usual. “Troy, what do you think? Are you ready to show off your blushing bride-to-be? We were at a gallery opening last night and ran into a couple of your colleagues. None of them knew about your engagement.�
��
Troy tensed. So did Cassandra. She sat stunned, waiting for Emily to drop the bomb about the make-believe engagement.
“My sister might not be the epitome of class and style, but don’t tell me you’re ashamed of her, Troy.”
Reprieve. No bombshell, yet.
“Emily,” Dixon warned.
Ignore her comment and say no. Just say no. Cassandra crossed her fingers.
“Two weeks from tonight sounds great,” Troy said.
Damn. So much for her fiancé for the weekend. This gig had been extended. By two weeks. She’d kill him. She’d kill her fiancé, then her sister. No jury would convict her. Not after they heard the evidence.
Emily’s smile widened. “Believe me, the pleasure will be all mine. I can’t wait to show off my sister and her handsome V.C. fiancé. No one is going to believe it.”
“This is going to be so much fun. An engagement party, a bridal shower, a wedding. I can’t wait.” Vanessa stood. “I’ll go get the cake.”
Cassandra didn’t want a piece of cake, even if it was chocolate. She wanted to show her parents she and Troy did not belong together, that they mustn’t have an engagement party thrown in their honor.
The nonstop clink of crystal interrupted her worrying. Emily tapped her glass against Eric’s. “Go on and kiss.”
“Excuse me?” Cassandra asked, wondering if her sister had finally gone over the deep end.
“When people tap their glasses, you’re supposed to kiss,” Eric said. “Don’t you remember at our wedding? After a few times, you get used to the attention and can enjoy the kisses.”
“That’s only at weddings,” Troy countered much to Cassandra’s delight.
Dixon laughed. “I don’t think any of us are going to protest.”
Troy gave her a peck on the cheek.
“You call that a kiss?” Dixon drew his bushy brows together. Emily and Eric continued making the irritating noise.
Troy gave Cassandra a sheepish grin. The devilish gleam in his eyes told her this wasn’t going to be a simple peck.
No way. This wasn’t going to happen. This wasn’t real. Cassandra grabbed the edge of the sofa for support.
Troy gave her another kiss—a kiss smack dab on the lips that curled her toes and left her breathless.
How dare he? She clenched her teeth. First the engagement party, now the kiss. She would get even, make him pay.
“Now.” Dixon smiled like a proud papa. “Who’s ready for some cake?”
6
Cassie was angry with him. With three younger sisters, Troy knew the look—narrowed eyes and lips that couldn’t decide between tightening and pouting. So he took his time changing into his shorts, brushing his teeth and screwing the cap on the toothpaste. But he couldn’t stay in the bathroom all night.
No sense putting this off any longer. Opening the door, he took three steps into the room. From out of nowhere, something soft smashed down on his head. “What the—”
Cassie stood next him, armed with a pillow. Her unbraided blond hair fell past her shoulders in waves, reminding him of a lion’s mane. She wore his too short, too transparent T-shirt. Underneath he could see the outline of her full breasts and her black panties. “That’s for kissing me.”
And what a kiss. Thinking about her sweet taste sent his body temperature up, way up. “That wasn’t my fault. Blame your father. And Emily and Eric, too.”
“How could you kiss me like that?” Eyes gleaming, she stalked him. Troy was so busy looking for peeks of those black panties of hers, he didn’t move quickly enough to avoid a feathered blow to his stomach.
“We were supposed to act like the perfect couple. Can I help it if my little peck didn’t do the trick? Dixon wanted a real kiss.”
“Real kiss, my foot.” Turning, she whacked him on the back. “That was for telling Emily she could throw us an engagement party. How could you?”
“How could I say no? She accused me of being ashamed of you. I couldn’t back down.” He eyed Cassie’s pillow warily. “Don’t forget, I’m your McKnight in shining armor.”
“Do I look like a damsel in distress?” She faked him out and thwacked him in the stomach. “We had an agreement. You’re supposed to be my fiancé for the weekend.”
“So I’m your fiancé for two more weeks. It’s not that bad.”
“What do you know about bad?”
“Two weeks, Cassie.” Troy tried hard not to stare at her long legs. “Then I’m out of your life forever.” He didn’t like the sound of forever. Not at all.
“I wanted you out of my life tomorrow.”
Liar. He could see it in her eyes. He knew it from the way she responded to his kiss. “You can’t always get everything you want, Cassie.”
“Wanna bet?” She tried hitting him again, but Troy ducked out of the way, leaving her to swish the air. He grabbed his pillow off the bed. She wanted to play rough, did she?
Two could play at this game. Troy’s gaze locked with hers. They stood facing each other, two duelers armed with pillows and a lust for vengeance. He had to smile at the serious expression on her face.
“Are you sure you want to do this? I must warn you—I can hold my own.” Troy felt it was only fair to warn her. The oldest of six children, he’d earned his stripes as the pillow-fighting champion of the McKnight clan. “I’m ready to let it drop if you are.”
She met his peace offer with a smug smile and a swing of her pillow that hit him solidly on his arm. She had declared war.
“You asked for it.” Tightening his grip on the pillow, Troy swung and smacked Cassie on her stomach.
“No fair.” She ran to the other side of the room.
Why wasn’t it fair? He’d given her a chance, but she’d chosen not to take it. She knew he was bigger than she was. Still the surprised expression on her face told him he’d caught her off guard. “We’ll see what’s fair.” He staged a full-frontal assault.
She swung her pillow back and forth. Like a welterweight boxer trying to fight the heavyweight world champion, she landed few hits. If she knew what was good for her, she would take his advice and give up. But as far as he could tell, Cassie never did what she was told. Nor did she ever admit she was wrong. Dixon had warned him about that.
“Are you ready to give up?” Troy asked.
She smiled, but defiance flickered in her eyes. “No.”
Stepping toward her, he raised his eyebrows. “It’s your choice.”
With a yelp, Cassie flailed wildly with her pillow. He easily blocked her efforts. “Always the gentleman, Troy, aren’t you?”
Smiling wickedly, he swung the pillow down on her head. “Of course.”
“I’ll get you for that.”
“I don’t think so.” Troy laughed. Cassie was like a Chihuahua trying to take on a rottweiler. She didn’t stand a chance. As she climbed on her bed, Troy cornered her against the wall. “Do you give up, now?”
She swung her pillow, but he ducked. The pillow swooshed over his head. “No.”
His pillow hit her legs, nearly knocking her over. She held her arms out to balance herself. Somehow she managed to stay on her feet. “Now?” he asked.
She crouched lower. Using her pillow as a shield, she peeked over it. “Never.”
Troy laughed. He’d give her another reason. “I’m bigger than you.”
“I’m smarter than you.”
She made a final swing.
Enough was enough. Troy grabbed her pillow in midair and threw it across the room.
Cassie glanced at the pillow lying on the floor. Her mouth gaped open. Narrowing her eyes, she stared at him. “You—”
He aimed his pillow at her and she stopped talking. “Can’t think of anything to say, Cassie? If you were one of my brothers or sisters, I’d make you say I was ruler of the universe.”
“Well, I’m not going to say it.”
No, she wasn’t. He wouldn’t be that cruel. “You can say I’m the perfect fiancé.”
&nbs
p; “Perfectly insane fiancé.” She attacked him, tickling him.
“Stop it.”
“So, I’ve found a weakness,” Cassie said, sounding triumphant. “Give me my pillow.”
He backed away, but she followed. “No.”
“Then suffer, insane fiancé of mine.”
She attacked him, tickling his sides until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He tried to pin her arms, but couldn’t because she kept squirming away. She continued tickling him. He tickled her back. She wouldn’t stop; neither would he. Cassie giggled like a child, her face mere inches from his.
The tickling stopped.
One look into Cassie’s eyes was all it took. His heart rate accelerated. The desire to kiss her overwhelmed him.
Her slightly parted lips were the only invitation Troy needed. He lowered his mouth to hers. She opened her mouth further. This wasn’t a pretend kiss to please her parents; this one wasn’t for show. No one was watching them; no one else cared.
But Troy did.
Feeling as if he would never be able to get enough of her, he savored the taste of her. Warm, wet, sweet. Addictive, her kisses were definitely addictive.
She leaned her head back so he could kiss her neck. “Oh, Troy.”
So sweet. No expensive perfume could compete against the simplicity of her scent. She smelled like fresh cut flowers on a spring day.
Her T-shirt inched up. Her bare stomach touched his, igniting a fire within him. He ran his hand along her flat belly, her soft skin, until he cupped one of her breasts.
She was perfect.
Cassie moaned. The sound drove him crazy, nearly pushed him over the edge. He wanted her; he’d never wanted anything more in his life. “Cassie.”
She felt so soft, so right.
She rolled over and straddled him. Leaning over, she showered kisses from his lips to his chest, then kissed one of his nipples.
His breath caught in his throat. His erection pressed against her belly. “Cassie, we have to stop.”
She rubbed her hand along the length of him. “No.”
He couldn’t take much more. The things she was doing with her mouth, with her hands were driving him crazy. Closing his eyes, he tried imagining an icy winter scene. Instead he pictured a beach on a hot Caribbean day. The beating sun, sweat-drenched skin, the taste of salt.
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