by JC Harroway
“You’re making pie? Is the fire department on call?”
“Very funny. Why don’t you and Summer come over?” At least with the two of them here, it might take Granddad’s focus off us and our wedding plans. “We’ll play a game. Make a night out of it.” Tate calls to Summer, and for a second his voice is muffled.
When he comes back he says, “We’ll be right there.”
I end the call as Luca leads Granddad to the sofa. “Looks like we’re having company,” I inform them.
“Fine by me,” Luca says.
“As long as I get the biggest slice of pie,” Granddad says, and Luca and I just shake our heads. “Now, where’s the brandy?”
By the time Tate and Summer show up, I’m taking the pie from the oven. “Just in time,” I say as Luca greets them at the door. It’s odd how this all feels, really. Like Luca and I are a real couple and having family over. It’s not a bad feeling. In fact I kind of like it. Could very well get used to it.
“Smells amazing,” Summer says. She joins me in the kitchen, setting a bottle of wine on the counter, along with a couple of bags of potato chips. Is everyone trying to fatten me up? She pulls a deck of cards from her purse and a few board games from her shoulder bag. “I wasn’t sure what you guys might want to play.” I look them over as she takes in the dirty dishes on the stove. “Did you cook?” she asks.
“No, Luca made me his mother’s famous, authentic carbonara.”
She grins at me. “Oh really. How nice of him.”
“He’s a great cook, and a great kiteboarder,” I say without thinking, my mind going back to earlier today.
“Tate said you were going there today. That must have been fun. I’ve never tried it myself. I’m too afraid of heights.”
I laugh at that. “It was fun once I got the hang of it. Luca stayed by my side and helped me out.”
“Sounds like you guys are really hitting it off.”
I glance past her shoulder, in time to see Luca help Granddad to the kitchen table. He pours him a glass of brandy, and then comes my way to get a couple of beers for him and Tate.
He stands behind me, his breath hot on my neck as he leans into me. “Would you ladies like wine?”
“Sounds good to me,” Summer says, her eyes narrowing in on us, like she can see right through me, see how much I like this guy. He pours us each a glass and heads back to the table. I can’t seem to tear my eyes from him as he goes.
“Look how happy Granddad is,” Summer says, lowering her voice for my ears only. She gives me a nudge. “I think the news of your engagement added years to his life.”
As I think about that, think about the sparkle in his eyes tonight, I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of me. Now that I’m engaged, has it put his worries to rest, given him new life? God, if so, how the hell am I ever going to tell him the truth? Worry gnaws at my gut. Worry for Granddad’s health. For the things I’m starting to feel for Luca.
“Yeah, I know. He’s full of life tonight, isn’t he?”
She takes a sip of wine and sighs. “You’re never going to be able to tell him the truth.”
My gaze flashes to hers, takes in her grin. “I have to tell him, Summer. This is all just pretend.”
Her gaze goes from me to Luca, who’s laughing with Tate and Granddad, and then back to me again. “Are you sure about that?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Luca
I’M NOT SURE what Brianna and Summer are talking about, but from the way my pretend fiancée is fiddling with the top button on her blouse, I’d guess it’s something unsettling, and probably something about this situation we’ve all found ourselves in. I’m a little troubled by it myself and I’m not sure how I can just walk away once the wedding is over. I care about this family, but I’ve been keeping secrets from them, too. How would they feel about me if they found out I was a duke, with an agenda laid out for me, one I must follow for my family’s sake?
“Fill me up,” Granddad says and sets his glass on the table with a thud. I exchange a look with Tate and he just shrugs. At this point in his life, the man’s blood is half brandy, so I guess a few more glasses won’t hurt him.
Pushing from the chair, I grab the brandy bottle and spill a bit into his glass. When I sit again, Brianna and Summer join us and set an old game of Snakes and Ladders on the table.
“Where did you ever find this?” I ask. The game takes me back to my childhood and the happy days I spent playing with my brother. I miss those times. I miss my family.
“At the lodge. They let us borrow a few for tonight,” Summer says.
“We used to play this all the time when we were young, Bri,” Tate says, and a smile comes over her. A warm, soft smile that curls around me, pinches my heart. I hate that her father left when she was young and her mother checked out. At least she had Tate and her granddad. But her time with them has been scarce with her long work hours, James hounding her about marriage—even though he only has her best interests at heart—and Tate spending more and more of his time with his soon-to-be wife.
Tate unpacks the game and hands out pieces. “The oldest goes first, I believe,” James says as he scoops up the dice and tosses them onto the board. He moves his piece and slides up a ladder. “I always did like this game.”
“Watch him. He cheats,” Tate says, and we all laugh.
Indignant, James lifts his head. “I do not. You’re just sore because you can never beat me.”
Soon enough we’re all laughing and playing, and I glance at Brianna, take in the smile on her face. She’s in her element here, surrounded by family. Just like I knew she would be. She might be cynical, but deep down this is what she wants, and this is what she should have. If only we could have it together.
I let my mind go for a second, envision sweet Brianna as my duchess. It’s a role where she could do the charity work she wants, become more involved in projects that interest her and benefit society. Then again does she even want more with me? She’s given me no indication.
What the hell am I saying?
I can’t have more with her. If I don’t follow through with my father’s stipulations, my family could lose everything. I could never do that to my mother. I work to block out those disheartening thoughts, and when my turn comes up, I roll the dice and hit a ladder. I climb it and land on the same square as James.
“Oh, it’s on,” I say to him, and he waves a gnarled hand at me, as if to shoo me away.
“Beginner’s luck,” he says. “Nothing more.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve played,” I tell him.
“First time you’ve played with me.”
As I look at James, my thoughts stray to Uncle Gio. He told me once that arranged marriages weren’t so bad, it was done all the time in the past and that my bride would serve me well. I want to take my place, live up to my responsibilities, I just can’t do it with a woman I don’t love by my side. If only I could get the stipulation removed. If only there was a way around it. Maybe Uncle Gio could help me find some grounds to contest it. A seed of hope blooms inside of me, and I draw in a deep breath.
Brianna rolls the dice and her groan pulls my focus back to the game at hand when she hits a snake and slides down.
“I don’t think I like this game anymore,” she says, and I stand to refill her wine. Without thinking, I lean down and press my lips to her cheek, and when I stand again, all sets of eyes are on me.
“What? Can’t a guy kiss his fiancée?”
“You can kiss her all you like, once I see that ring on her finger,” James says, and Brianna’s body tightens.
She worries her top button again as I pull the wine from the fridge. I fill Brianna’s glass and then Summer’s. “Beer?” I ask Tate.
“Sure, I’m not driving.”
I hand Tate a beer and pour myself a soda. “I’
ll be driving James home, so I’m switching.”
“I don’t need you driving me,” James says with a snarl. “I can walk.”
“I’m driving you,” I say, and give him a hard look that lets him know this isn’t up for debate. When I turn back to Brianna, she’s smiling at me. So warm, soft and appreciative, it’s like a shot of adrenaline to the heart.
“Fine then,” James says. “If you like driving so much, tomorrow I’ll let you drive the golf cart. Tee off is at eleven. Don’t be late.”
“You’re going golfing?” Brianna asks.
I open my mouth to tell her no, but James pipes in. “Of course he is. I want all of my sons on the course with me.”
James considers me his son.
A knot clogs my throat and my heart wobbles a little. I haven’t been anyone’s son in a long time, and dammit I like the sound of that.
“If the guys are golfing, why don’t we plan a girls’ day?” Summer says. “I’ll text Cara and Amber. They went to the spa last time we were here and they loved it.” She pulls her phone from her back pocket and shoots a text off to her friends.
Brianna looks at me, and while I want to spend all my time with her, I hold my hands up in surrender, pretty sure I’m not getting out of golfing with James, and that an interrogation as to our wedding plans might be on his agenda.
We continue to play the game, until James wins. As he gloats a little, Brianna yawns. It’s been a long day, and I promised her a good night’s sleep tonight.
Reading the room, Summer stretches. “We should probably get going, Tate. I’m getting sleepy.” She turns to Brianna. “Don’t forget all the girls are staying together at Raydolins tomorrow night after the rooftop cocktail party. We have four adjoining suites booked for us, so we can hang out and then get ready together in the morning. It will be fun to spend the day together, then watch some chick flicks at night.” She grins at Tate. “With no one complaining.”
“That’s right,” Brianna says. “The groom can’t see the bride before the wedding.”
Tate finishes his beer and stands. “All right. Come on, Granddad. I’ll help you into the car.”
James grumbles under his breath, finishes his brandy and stands. Summer packs the game back up and puts it in her bag as Brianna clears the glasses and takes them to the sink.
“Luca, I forgot. I have your suit jacket,” Summer says. “You left it at the restaurant after our bridal party dinner. It’s back at our place. I keep forgetting to give it to you.”
“Right. I forgot about that. I’ll get it from you later.” I step up to Brianna, run my hands along her arms. “Leave the dishes. I’ll do them tomorrow.”
She turns to me and smiles. “Thanks for driving Granddad. It’s a long way for him to walk.”
“Why don’t you crawl into bed. I’ll be back soon,” I say, torn about leaving her when I’d like to undress her and put her between the sheets myself.
“Okay,” she says.
“You don’t need to drive me,” James grumbles again.
“Yeah, I do,” I say. Not just for him, but for myself, too. Selfish bastard that I am, I love the way Brianna looks at me when I help her grandfather out. “I’ll make sure he gets to his room.” I grab the keys and lock up behind me as Tate helps James into the passenger seat of my rental.
“We’re going to walk to the lodge to return the game,” he says as he closes the door and captures Summer’s hand. As they stroll off, I jump into the driver’s seat and back out of the driveway.
“Brianna seems very happy,” he says to me. “You seem to make her happy.”
I nod and consider the changes that have come over her since first arriving in the Alpine town. “She needed this vacation.”
“She works too hard,” he grumps.
“I agree.”
He nods like he’s happy we concur on that. “Once you two are married and have a dozen kids, she’ll want to cut her hours.”
“That’s up to her,” I say and drive the narrow road until I’m in front of Raydolins. I park, and James doesn’t make a move to leave the vehicle.
He turns to me, his cloudy blue eyes serious. “You won’t hurt her, will you, Luca?” he asks, his voice low, troubled as he zeroes in on me.
For a minute I’m sure the man can see into my soul, see our lie. Does he know we’re pretending? If so, wouldn’t he call us out on that, or is he hoping something more will develop between us?
“I’d never purposely hurt her,” I say truthfully, and James nods his head and reaches for the door handle. I jump from the car and circle it to help him get inside. The front door of the hotel opens and the cool air-conditioning falls over us. I slow my pace to match his as we go to the elevator and take it to his suite.
He uses his key card to open the door and waves me away. “I’ll see you on the golf course tomorrow,” he says. “Don’t be late.”
I wait until he closes his door, and then I hurry back to my car. I drive the vehicle to the rental shop to return it, and then I jog back to the chalet. I let myself in, lock the door behind me, kick off my shoes and then quietly pad down the hall, not wanting to wake Brianna if she’s already fast asleep.
The light over the sink is on, giving me enough light to walk past the sofa and find her curled up in the bed. I peel my shirt off, kick off my pants and then lift the sheets to slide in next to her. A soft moan crawls out of her throat as I settle in behind her and wrap one arm around her to hold her to me. Being with her like this is definitely something I could get used to. While I’d like nothing more than to make love to her tonight, we both need sleep. I let my lids fall shut and when I open them again, Brianna’s side of the bed is empty.
I jackknife up and rub the blur from my eyes as I glance around. “Brianna?” I call out, my gaze going to the open bathroom door. I listen for a moment but the place is silent. What the hell? I kick the sheets off and that’s when I see her note.
Gone shopping with the girls before we hit the spa. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. Enjoy golfing with Granddad.
The note brings a smile to my face, but I still wish she had woken me up so I could at least have given her a good-morning kiss—and hopefully a little more—before she left. As I think about having her in my arms again, just holding her next to me, my heart beats a little faster.
I am in so much trouble here.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and work to get my shit together. I take a couple of fueling breaths and check the time. After hurrying to the bathroom, I take a fast shower, pull on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, grab an apple from the fridge and then head outside. The warm morning sun beats down on me as I walk through the Alpine town and make my way to the golf course. I finish the apple by the time I get there, and find Tate and James loading their clubs into a cart.
“I need coffee,” I say. “Got up later than I meant to.”
Tate gives me a knowing look, but there is concern in his eyes. “Come on, let’s go get you some clubs, and we’ll grab a coffee in the lodge.”
I shove my hands into my pockets and we make our way inside. He keeps casting fast glances my way, like he’s got something on his mind.
“What?” I finally ask when we reach the rental counter.
“Have you talked to Bri? Told her you’re going back to Italy?”
“No.” Would it matter? Would she even care? She’s not talked about extending this pretend engagement past this week, and even if she wanted to, no way can I go back to New York and turn my back on my family and obligations. Torn between love and duty, I nod to the man behind the counter.
Wait!
Love?
I love Brianna?
“Clubs?” the man behind the rental counter asks.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah, thanks,” I say and sign my name and ro
om number on the sheet of paper he slides my way.
He comes around the counter and gives me a bag full of clubs, which I hike over my shoulder. As we leave and head to the restaurant inside the lodge, unease takes up residency in my gut.
“You’re falling for her,” Tate says, taking me by surprise.
“Look,” I begin. “I’m doing her a favor, and she isn’t looking for anything more. Even if she was...”
Tate puts his hand on my shoulder. “I think you two need to have a long talk.”
I nod, but what would I say to her? Oh yeah, did I forget to mention I’m a duke and I have to go back home to marry? If she did want more with me, that would be a deal breaker and I’d be lucky to leave here with my nuts intact.
We grab three coffees to go, and I turn the subject back to Tate as we walk back to James. “Big day tomorrow,” I say.
The smile that comes over his face squeezes my heart. “I’ve only known Summer for six months, but when you know, you know, right?”
I nod. I’ve known Brianna a lot longer. Well, I didn’t know her know her. I’d seen her around on campus numerous times. It wasn’t until now that I’d gotten a glimpse into the girl who I was always drawn to. But that does take my thoughts back to our initial meeting during dinner, when she pretended not to know me. I’ve been waiting for her to come clean on that, but she hasn’t yet. I can’t quite figure out why. I mean, there’s a possibility that she really doesn’t remember me, but everything in my gut tells me different. There was a flash of familiarity in her eyes when they first met mine, before she quickly blinked it away.
We reach James, and Tate hands over his grandfather’s coffee. “You driving?” he asks, and I nod and climb behind the wheel. For the next few hours we play, and I’m grateful that James hasn’t brought up Brianna or our wedding plans.
After eighteen holes, which took forever under the scorching sun, we grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. Once done I make my way back to the chalet, hoping to find Brianna. I unlock the door and push it open, listening for sounds of movement.