by Lexy Timms
He’d wanted to get her out of town to avoid his mother’s meddling. If anything, getting away from work had only made that worse. He’d thought seeing Allyson in her element might be a distraction. But the only thing being close to her did was make him more infatuated with her.
He was clicking through TV channels when she came out of the shower in a short cocktail dress, her hair swept into an up-do, her heels dangerously high as always. She was mouthwatering, her red lips turned down in a sexy pout.
She said nothing to him as she whipped out her cell phone to start chatting to one of her relatives. Probably Holly, by the sound of it. He took that as his cue to get into the shower, and after he showered and changed he found her on the deck outside, gazing at the night sky.
“Ready?”
She turned to him, her sinful body in that tiny dress driving him crazy. “Yes.”
They said nothing more as he escorted her downstairs to meet her family. He sensed her turbulent emotions as she introduced him to the rest of her family, including James, the groom, and Holly’s family who were Greenville locals. The rehearsal dinner was laid-back, the two families very welcoming. After dinner, Holly invited him and Allyson up to her room.
Holly led the way to her room, Allyson’s mother and her sister Monica bringing up the rear. “I need some thoughts on the dress and the makeup I’m wearing tomorrow. Plus, I need Dane because I want an unbiased man’s opinion.”
“When are you two going to be getting married?” Allyson’s mother asked the moment they all stepped into Holly’s room.
Allyson flushed and he pulled her close, trying to give her some support. She didn’t stiffen this time but she looked downcast, as if the question distressed her. “Is there ever a day you won’t ask me when I’m going to get married?”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “Well, now that you finally have a boyfriend I thought it would be okay to ask.”
“That’s private. Besides, nothing I do is ever good enough anyway,” she said softly. Somehow, he felt that was meant for him. Not that he blamed her. She worked so hard at Prescott, and now her job was under threat because a jealous aristocrat couldn’t stand to be rejected.
“If you only applied yourself more,” her mother said. “Maybe go back to college and do something of use; then you’d have more to show for all the work you’ve done. Just look at Monica—”
“I’m not Monica,” Allyson replied in a small voice. “Can’t you just be happy for me, for once?”
“I think we should focus on Holly’s big day,” Dane cut in. “We’re here to help Holly.”
Allyson buried her head under his chin, holding on to him tightly. Underneath his touch he felt her trembling, as if being with her family was taking a toll on her. It made his blood boil. The way her mother spoke to her was so patronizing and condescending. That dig about her getting married was downright cruel, especially in front of company. It was almost like her mother liked putting her down in front of people.
Holly threw open the huge closet. “I had wanted to see how my gown would look in motion, but it’s so awkward to do that when I’m wearing it.”
“You could record yourself wearing it,” Allyson suggested.
“I don’t know. I can’t get out of my own head when I watch footage of myself.” Holly pulled the white gown from her closet.
“Why don’t you get Allyson to try it on? That way you can see how it moves,” Monica said, sounding a little too cheerful.
Allyson frowned. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Unless you don’t think you could fit into it.” Monica’s voice was still syrupy-sweet, but Dane detected a cruel glint in her eye.
Allyson’s shoulders sagged; Monica’s words clearly wearing her down. “Fine, I’ll do it.”
She headed into the bathroom with Holly and Monica, leaving Dane behind with her mother. He didn’t like how Mrs. Smith talked to Allyson in front of him, but he didn’t want to be rude, so he sat down to chat with her while they waited for Allyson to come back out.
When she did, Dane’s heart stopped.
The white gown fit Allyson perfectly, skimming over her curves. The dress was sleeveless, close-fitting, and covered in pearls and rhinestones. Underneath the glow of the bedroom light, Allyson shimmered. He’d never seen anyone look so beautiful, so dazzling.
His heart raced, and he had to remind himself that the gown wasn’t hers.
And she wasn’t his.
Chapter 5
He was looking at her like she was the only woman in the world. She felt like a princess under his intense gaze. His eyes swept up and down her body, and it was as intimate as a caress. It did a strange thing to her insides. Made her feel like she was glowing all over.
“Honestly, Allyson, you look like a dream,” Holly squealed behind her. “Why don’t you step out onto the balcony so we can get a photo?”
Holly, bless her, was totally oblivious to the tensions boiling over in the room. Monica was scowling, probably upset that her plan to humiliate her sister had backfired. Allyson knew what her sister was up to, reminding her of the fact that she wasn’t going to be the one walking down the aisle. That she was older than James but he was getting married before her. The dress was so tight it cut off her circulation, but Allyson wasn’t going to let on. It felt good to have Monica seething for a change.
Even Dane seemed dazed. “You look beautiful, Allyson.”
She smiled, and stepped out onto the balcony to pose while Holly snapped photos and filmed some footage with her phone. Then Holly raced back into the room to chat excitedly about wedding plans with Monica and her mother-in-law-to-be.
Dane joined her out on the balcony. “I think Holly’s really excited about this dress.”
“She’s got another dress,” Allyson informed him. “She was trying to decide because she planned on wearing one for the ceremony and another one for the reception.”
His eyes widened. “There’s another gown?”
“Yup,” Allyson said with a nod. “In the bathroom, she said she was sure she’d wear this one to the ceremony after seeing me in it, but I’ll have to try on the next one just to be sure.”
“She seems happy.” He turned back to the room where Holly was still happily chatting with her Mrs. Smith and Monica.
“She does,” Allyson said wistfully.
He put his hand on her bare shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll have your day someday.”
She sighed and stepped out of his hand’s touch. “The older I get, the less likely I think that is.” She was 29, fast approaching 30, and a chance at what Holly and James had still seemed so far out of reach. Allyson knew she wasn’t an achiever like her brother the hot-shot lawyer, or her sister the cardiologist. Her parents were professors. And here she was, stuck being an assistant to a man she could never have.
He gave her an incredulous look. “Allyson, I’m older than you and I’m not exactly over the hill.”
“Expectations are different for men.”
“Fair enough,” he said. “But a lot of people get married older.”
Silence fell. Talking about marriage with him made her feel strange. Made her giddy and apprehensive. Standing under the stars by his side, dressed in a wedding gown, overwhelmed her. It wasn’t real. None of it was. She was just playing dress-up. They were just playing pretend. But that didn’t stop her heart from fluttering. Didn’t stop the butterflies.
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Why didn’t you tell me your mother wasn’t happy with me?”
“I couldn’t,” he replied. “Our conversations were confidential. I couldn’t tell you until we had decided.”
“Decided if I should stay or go.”
“If it were up to me, your contract would be renewed in a heartbeat.”
She remembered what he had said. You know how I feel about you. Those words had filled her with such hope. Such foolish hope.
Made her think he was about to confess his feelings to her. But all his feelings were strictly professional, not romantic. The kiss was just that. A kiss. Maybe he was attracted to her, but it was likely only fleeting and not worth mentioning.
It was her own fault for catching feelings for a man way out of her league. Somehow, she would have to shake the feelings away. Dane was a playboy with a different heiress on his arm every few months, and a man like him would never entertain the idea of running around with an employee. Certainly not one as far down the food chain as an assistant.
“So, should I start looking for another job?”
He leaned on the balcony railing to look up at the stars. The moon’s glow lit up his profile, made that square jaw and aristocratic nose look like he was carved out of marble. He was the most magnificent man she had ever seen. “Leave that to me,” he said firmly. “I’ll fight tooth and nail for you. I’m going to get what I want. But if for some reason I don’t, I’ll line up another job for you. I won’t rest until you’re settled, no matter where you end up working.”
Warmth spread through her. It touched her that he cared so much about her wellbeing. He was the best boss she had ever had. She would be eternally grateful to him. Had no way of repaying him for his kindness.
The warmth of his words was suddenly replaced by agony, cold and sharp. If she had to leave Prescott, her time with Dane would be over. Never again would he greet her with a smile in the morning. Never again would she get him his coffee the way he liked it—black, no sugar. Never again would he drop her off at home if she stayed at work too late to take the subway.
Holly stepped back onto the balcony. “You guys look gorgeous together.”
Allyson smiled despite the heaviness in her heart, and followed her sister-in-law-to-be back to the bathroom to change into the other dress.
Half an hour later, Allyson and Dane headed back to their room for the night.
Dane grabbed a pillow off the bed. “I’ll take the couch tonight.”
She frowned. “Are you sure?”
“It’s not really up for discussion.” He leaned in to give her a kiss on the forehead. Her entire body tingled at the warmth of his lips. Dane jerked back, a shocked expression on his face, as if the kiss had taken him by surprise. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she breathed. She headed into the bathroom to change into her PJs—the least sexy things she owned—and slipped under the covers to catch up on some reading. Dane being in the same room while she was in bed distracted her. He was already asleep on the couch, and he looked so peaceful. It was strange seeing someone that formidable looking so vulnerable.
She turned back to her book with a sigh. They had gotten through today. Tomorrow was the wedding. Surely, they could survive that.
Chapter 6
Allyson woke early, snacked on a granola bar from her bag, showered, and did her hair. It took a while, but it was better than hiring someone to do it. She knew how she liked it. She slipped into her bridesmaid dress. The dress was a beautiful lilac sheath dress. She liked it, just wasn’t so keen that it showed off all her curves. Not that she could hide them.
She cautiously opened the bathroom door, and sighed inwardly with relief that Dane was still asleep. At least he wouldn’t know how long it took her to get ready, or that she was feeling suddenly shy for him to see her dressed up. He was her boss. That’s it. She quietly walked across the room and gently shook him awake.
He blinked, and stared at her with sleepy eyes. His hair was deliciously disheveled. She didn’t know how he did it, but he managed to look gorgeous even in the morning.
“I’ve got to go to Holly’s room and help her get ready,” she whispered.
He smiled against the pillow. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice hoarse from sleep.
“Thank you,” she said automatically, and blushed. “Meet me in Holly’s room when you’re ready, okay? There’s snacks in my handbag if you’re hungry.” She was tempted to lean over and kiss his forehead, but stopped herself just as she leaned forward. Straightening quickly, she turned and headed out of their room to meet Holly.
Her mom, Monica, and Holly’s mother were already in the room to help Holly prep.
“How’s that gorgeous, rich boyfriend of yours?” her mother asked as she let Allyson in.
Her stomach tightened, and she gritted her teeth to bite back a sharp reply. She’d have loved if her mother said she looked beautiful, or that Holly was so excited, or anything else about the wedding. No, that was all her mother cared about. Appearances. Wealth. She hadn’t even once asked Allyson how she felt about Dane. Hadn’t once asked if Dane was a good man. Because none of that mattered to her family. It dawned on her that they probably didn’t care that Holly was a sweet, wonderful person who James adored. All that mattered was that she was a neurosurgeon and looked good on James’ arm.
She suddenly wished Dane was here. He made her feel brave enough to stand being around her mother and her sister. “He’ll be here soon,” she said finally. Thankfully, Holly called her over and asked her to help.
Dane appeared half an hour later, and volunteered to drive Allyson down to the Rose Bloom Barn so she could oversee the wedding prep.
By late morning, the flowers were arranged and the lights set up.
“This place looks terrific,” Dane said as climbed down the stepladder.
She smiled. “See? Not bad for a barn.”
He returned her smile. “I was a fool to doubt you.”
By early afternoon the barn started to fill with family members, and Dane took his seat on her family’s side of the aisle. With a wave to him, she headed outside to find Holly pulling up in the rented limo. Allyson smiled when she saw Holly had chosen the gown with the mermaid silhouette. It might have looked good on her last night, but Holly was positively breathtaking in it.
The ceremony itself was a blur. All she remembered was that she cried when James read his vows to Holly, and she kept turning to Dane in the crowd. Every time their eyes met he smiled at her, making her heart melt. She knew this was just a weekend deal, and on Monday they would go back to being employee and boss. However, she couldn’t stop herself from wishing it was more. It would never be, but Dane was sexy, hot, and tender. Did that even make sense? Sweet and steamy. Was that even possible? She wondered if he’d be the same way in bed. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining.
At the reception outside, on the expansive lawn of the Greenville Lodge, Allyson slipped into her seat between her father and Dane. Photos were done, she’d survived her sister and mother, and now she could relax beside her handsome, fake boyfriend.
“Beautiful ceremony, don’t you think?” her father said.
“Yes,” she replied.
Her father winked. “Pretty soon it’ll be your turn, eh?”
All she could do was nod. Sitting beside her father next to her pretend boyfriend made her feel like a fraud.
The reception was lovely, and the wine fantastic. Probably because some of it was Dane’s seven-thousand-dollar gift that James had insisted on opening.
The string quartet started playing something slow and romantic. The first number was for the bride and groom, the next was for the wedding party.
“Would you like to dance?” Dane held his hand out to her.
She placed her hand in his and got to her feet. “I’d love to.”
They walked over to the makeshift dancefloor and he wrapped his strong arm around her waist, bringing her close. “I think we’ve managed to pull this off,” he said against her ear, the deep baritone of his voice sending shivers down her spine.
Before she could respond her sister Monica appeared, arms crossed, a smirk on her face.
Allyson frowned. “What’s going on?”
“Care to explain this?” Monica held up a document that Allyson instantly recognized.
What the…? Her heart sank. She swallowed hard, nausea rising. “Where’d you get that?”
Monica smirked. �
��Your handbag. I got hungry and Dane told me you had snacks in there.”
Dane reached for the paper but Monica stepped to the side, drawing attention to those around them. “That’s none of your business,” he hissed, his voice all business.
“Really?” Monica sneered. “I think our family has the right to know what a fake you are, Dane.”
Allyson tried to snatch the contract out of Monica’s hand, but her sister quickly pulled the paper away. Everyone had turned their attention to them, and Allyson fought back the tears. This was going incredibly wrong.
James and Holly stepped through the crowd, followed by Allyson’s parents.
“What’s going on?” her mother demanded. She glared at Allyson. “What are you doing? This is James’ day. You have to make this all about you, again?”
“Read this,” Monica shoved the papers into her mother’s hands. “It’s obvious someone like him would never be interested in someone like her.”
A wave of horror poured over Allyson.
Her mother’s eyes widened as she read the contract. “I should have known!” Her voice rose. “Dane isn’t really your boyfriend at all! This whole thing has been a lie. You couldn’t help yourself, could you? You had to make your brother’s day about you.”
Tears stung the back of Allyson’s eyes. “No! I wasn’t doing that. I swear.”
“So why lie?” her father demanded. “Why pretend to have a boyfriend?”
“Because she wants all the attention.” Monica snorted. “Always has to act like she’s better than us.”
“Everyone calm down,” James said. “Look, Allyson, I know weddings are stressful but why did you have to make up something like this?”