Chapter 8

That night, not even a delicious prime-rib dinner could make the meal enjoyable for Cassandra. She sat next to Troy at her parents’ dining room table. Emily and Eric sat on the opposite side with her parents at each end. The newlyweds monopolized the conversation with their house-hunting woes in Palo Alto, but that didn’t keep the tension from ratcheting to unbearable levels. Cassandra couldn’t take it much longer.

Having Troy with her helped. She might tease him about being boring, but he was a calming influence when he wasn’t aggravating her. Yes, he could be annoying, especially when he wouldn’t let her have her way. She had to admit his reliance on plans was anal but cute. Too bad he wouldn’t be around much longer.

Not too bad.

She couldn’t come to rely on him.

Or anyone.

With her resolve firmly back in place, she glanced around the table. She seemed to be the only one uncomfortable tonight. Maybe that was because she was the only one who knew the truth about what really happened with her, Emily, and Eric.

Time to tell her parents the truth?

Possibly, because she couldn’t continue this way.

Seeing Emily and Eric together brought back the pain of finding them in Cassandra’s old apartment.

In her bed.

Naked.

Only to have to pretend that hadn’t happened when Eric claimed he’d broken up with her. Somehow, she’d managed to survive their engagement. She’d held her head high only to be knocked to the ground by having to be Emily’s maid of honor. Oh, Cassandra had put on a brave face. Still, watching her sister walk down the aisle and standing next to her at the altar were two of the hardest things Cassandra had ever done in her life.

Love equaled hurt. Whether romantic or family love, it didn’t matter. Cassandra would never allow herself to be hurt or feel that kind of pain again. Which was why controlling her emotions should be easy.

And it had been.

Until Troy.

Cassandra glanced his way.

So what if a day of golfing had tanned Troy’s face? The plaid of his Oxford shirt intensified his striking blue eyes. He looked more gorgeous than ever. She could imagine dating him for real.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

Troy was her pretend fiancé, her fake fiancé.

In less than twenty-four hours, this charade would be over. She would be free. Free of her parents, and free of Troy. No sense getting wrapped up in silly daydreams. They had a plan. She needed to do her part and be one-half of the perfect couple they’d created, one-half of a lie.

She plastered on a fake smile. Easy-peasy.

After dinner, Cassandra followed everyone into the living room to let their food digest and make room for dessert—devil’s food cake.

Her dad sat on one of the two chairs opposite the fireplace. “It’s so nice to have both my girls home.”

As she nodded, her mother’s gaze traveled from Emily to Cassandra. “We should do this more often.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Emily said.

Cassandra bit her tongue. No way would she agree. She sat on the farthest couch, and Troy joined her there. Her parents must have drunk too much wine. One big happy family did not describe their dinner at all. She really had to speak up about what had happened last year.

Especially when Emily and Eric feigned innocence and acted like betraying someone they claimed to care about was no big deal. The two sat on the other couch and cuddled together.

Cassandra wanted to throw up, but she tried to keep the emotions from showing on her face.

Knowing her sister was watching, Cassandra nestled against Troy. Emily’s hints and innuendos about their engagement had been less than subtle, but Emily would find only a happy, content-to-be-engaged couple tonight.

Troy draped his arm around her shoulder.

Cassandra’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded so loudly she glanced up at him to see if he’d noticed. He wasn’t looking at her. His breathing was steady. His heart rate hadn’t changed. His nearness wreaked havoc with her vital signs, and his calmness irritated her. Not fair. He should be as miserable as her.

Her father rose from his chair and then poured brandy into crystal snifters. “I heard you found a dress, Cassie?”

A wedding dress. Perfect, yes. But she didn’t need one. Come tomorrow night, she would no longer have a fiancé. “Not yet, Dad.”

“I heard the gown looked beautiful on you,” he added.

Troy kissed her cheek. “Cassie would look beautiful in a flour sack.”

The line was old and hackneyed, but Troy’s words made Cassandra’s cheeks warm. If only she didn’t care what he said, but she did. A little too much.

“There’s no comparison between the gown and a flour sack.” Her mother’s tone left no doubt about her opinion. “Do you want me to call Ginger and tell her to order your size?”

“Not yet, Mom. The dress would be ideal for spring or summer. But not for a winter wedding.”

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. Maybe she just needed to get him and his kisses out of her system. A good thing there was only one more day to go.

Her mother was watching her. “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. Though you’ll have to reserve a place right away. All the best sites book early.”

Troy gave Cassandra a soft squeeze. “I’ve been busy at work, so we haven’t had time to think about a wedding date.”

There wouldn’t be time. She would wait a couple of weeks and then tell her parents the engagement was off. The reason could be anything from the long hours Troy worked to a fight about the differences in their lifestyles. All she had to do was survive tonight and tomorrow. Just like they planned to do at the ice-cream parlor.

“Once Troy’s workload lightens, we’ll set a date. We aren’t in a rush. Are we, honey?” Cassandra emphasized the endearment.

“No rush since 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.

Her father cleared his throat. “Sounds good. We need time to prepare a prenuptial agreement. I hope this won’t be a problem, Troy.”

“No problem at all.”

“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 to Eric.

Her dad sipped his brandy. “Cassie, sweetheart, a prenuptial agreement is something you need to consider given what you’ll inherit someday.”

“No.” Cassandra didn’t understand why everything had to revolve around money. She wanted only to be happy. Money couldn’t ensure happiness. “It’s a marriage, not a business deal.”

Her father finished his snifter of brandy. “Whatever you decide is fine, but at least consider one.”

“She will.” Troy’s words stopped her from saying any more.

“I’m so excited about your engagement and upcoming nuptials,” her mom admitted.

Her father nodded. “Me, too. I can’t wait to walk you down the aisle as I did with Emily.”

Hello. Who was this man Cassandra called Father?

She stared at him. “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’ve always said you wanted.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” her dad said. “I had my doubts at first, especially with someone you’d never mentioned before, but seeing you this weekend… You two belong together. The twinkle is back in your eyes, sweetheart. That has everything to do with Troy.”

Cassandra looked at her mother, who had always made a point of saying young people rushed into marriage without thinking. She would cite the latest divorce statistics and rest her case. Surely she would support her. “Mom—”

“I agree with your father,” her mother said. “No sense having a one or two-year engagement. You’re no longer a child or in your twenties. A prolonged engagement is nothing but a waste of time, in my opinion.”

Cassandra was running out of supporters. “What do you think, Emily?”

Her sister’s charming smile might look fake and plastic, but she couldn’t help being a snob. “Why wait? You’re 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.

“That works for us,” her father said. “This is a wonderful idea. There are several people I’d like Troy to meet.”

Her mother sighed. “Why don’t you see what Cassandra and Troy think about the idea first?”

Every muscle bunched. Cassandra didn’t know what to say. No doubt Emily had something up her sleeve. “That’s nice of you, but you’re both so busy house hunting. You don’t have time to host a party for us.”

“Think nothing of it. You’re my twin sister. I’ve hardly seen you since I got married.”

That’s what happens when you sleep with my fiancé and then marry him. Emily and Eric had no idea that Cassandra had seen them in bed together. She still couldn’t believe what she’d stumbled upon that fateful day. Nor had she told anyone. Her closest friend, Moe, had guessed, and she hadn’t denied what happened.

“Troy, what do you think?” Emily asked. “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. The smile vanished from his face. His hands balled.

Cassandra sat ramrod straight. She wanted to comfort Troy, but she wasn’t sure how. Instead, she waited for Emily to drop the bomb about the make-believe engagement.

Emily gave him a pointed look. “My sister might not be the epitome of class and style, but don’t tell me you’re ashamed of her.”

Reprieve. No bombshell, yet.

Cassandra released the breath she’d been holding.

“Emily,” their father warned.

Ignore her comment and say no. Cassandra crossed her fingers.

“Two weeks from tonight sounds great,” Troy said.

So much for her fiancé for the weekend. This gig had been extended by two more weeks. Not a problem. She’d kill her fiancé and then her sister. No jury would convict her. Not after they heard the evidence.

Emily’s smile widened as if she’d found her dream house in the right price range. “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.”

The tone of her voice suggested Emily didn’t.

This was going to be a problem. A big one.

“An engagement party, a bridal shower, a wedding. I can’t wait.” Her mother stood. “I’m going to bring out dessert.”

Forget dessert. Cassandra didn’t want cake. She wanted to show her parents that she and Troy did not belong together. That having an engagement party thrown in their honor was a mistake.

The nonstop clink of crystal interrupted her thoughts. What…

Emily tapped her glass against Eric’s. “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 in that know-it-all tone of his. “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.

Her father laughed. “None of us are going to protest.”

Troy gave her a peck on the cheek.

Good, now they could move on.

“You call that a kiss?” Her father drew his bushy brows together.

Emily and Eric continued making the irritating noise.

Troy shrugged, but the devilish gleam in his eyes told Cassandra his next kiss wasn’t going to be a simple peck.

Heaven help her. She grabbed the edge of the sofa for support.

His mouth came down on hers. His lips touched and then pressed. Hard.

Far from a peck.

This was a toe-curling kiss, smack dab on the lips. One that made her lean into him. One that left her breathless. One that made her want…more.

Once again, he backed away much too soon for Cassandra’s liking. Her lips tingled as they had this morning, and she fought the urge to touch them. Touch Troy.

She gulped.

“That’s better.” Her father smiled like a proud papa. “Who’s ready for some cake?”

♥ ♥ ♥

Upstairs in Cassie’s room, Troy took his time changing into shorts and brushing his teeth. He wanted to give Cassie time to cool down. The way her lips couldn’t decide between narrowing or pouting reminded him of his younger sisters. Cassie was far from happy about what happened downstairs, but he couldn’t stay in the bathroom all night.

Time to face her. He opened the door and walked out.

Something smashed down on his head. He stumbled. “What the—”

“You deserve it and more.”

Cassie stood next to him, armed with a pillow. Her unbraided blond hair fell past her shoulders in waves like a lion’s mane. She wore his too-short, too-transparent T-shirt. The outline of her breasts and her black panties were clear. She looked hot.

Not the way he should be thinking about his pretend fiancée. Especially when she looked like she wanted to take him out.

Eyes gleaming, she stalked him. No problem. He could handle this. Except he was so busy looking for peeks of those black panties of hers that he didn’t move quickly enough to avoid a feathered blow to his stomach.

Turning, she whacked him on the back. “How could you tell Emily she could throw us an engagement party?”

“How could I say no? She accused me of being ashamed of you. I couldn’t back down or I’d prove her correct.” Troy warily eyed Cassie’s pillow. Why couldn’t they just play peek-a-boo with the hem of the T-shirt? He doubted that suggestion would go over well. He’d try another tact. “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.”

One problem. He didn’t like the sound of forever. He liked spending time with her even when she was acting like this.

“I wanted you out of my life tomorrow.”

Liar.

The truth shone in her eyes and in the way she responded to his kiss. “You can’t always get everything you want.”

“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.

His gaze locked with hers. They faced each other—two duelers armed with a lust for vengeance. Her serious expression made him smile, but he wasn’t a jerk. Warning Cassie was only fair.

“Are you sure you want to do this? I must warn you. I can hold my own.” 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. A swing of her pillow 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.

“Ouch. No fair.” She ran to the other side of the room.

He’d given her a chance, an out, but she’d chosen not to take it. She knew he was bigger than she was. Still, her surprised expression told him he’d caught her off-guard. Good. Maybe that was what she needed.

“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 only landed a few hits.

“Are you ready to give up?” Troy asked.

She smiled, but defiance flickered in her eyes. “No.”

Troy liked seeing her like this. Cassie had so many different sides. He wanted to know each one.

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, aren’t you?” She didn’t sound pleased.

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?” he asked.

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 and stayed on her feet.

“Now?” he asked.

She crouched lower. Using her pillow as a shield, she peeked over the top. “Never.”

Troy laughed. This was more fun than he thought it would be. He’d give her another reason to surrender. “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 tossed it across the room.

Cassie glanced at her feathered weapon 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 the ruler of the universe.”

“Well, I’m not going to say that.”

No, she wasn’t. He wouldn’t be that cruel. “You can say I’m the perfect fiancé.”

“Perfectly insane fiancé.” She stepped toward him. Mischief filled her gaze.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Another step. Her hands came up and she…

Tickled him.

He squirmed. Tickling was his weakness. “Stop.”

“Haha. I’ve found a weakness.” Cassie sounded 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 he couldn’t because she kept wiggling away. She continued tickling him. He tickled her back. She wouldn’t stop, but neither would he. If he was going to suffer, so was she.

Cassie giggled like a child, her face mere inches from his.

So close. Too close.

The tickling stopped.

Her warm breath was on his lips. Chocolatey.

He gazed into Cassie’s eyes, and 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 her taste. Warm, wet, sweet. Her kisses were addictive.

She tilted her head 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 and her soft skin.

Cassie moaned.

The sound 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.

Leaning over, she showered kisses from his lips along his jawline to his earlobe.

His breath caught in his throat. “We have to stop.”

“I want to kiss you.”

The feelings pulsing through him suggested this was more than kissing. He couldn’t take much more. The things she was doing with her mouth, with her hands, were such a turn-on.

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.

He couldn’t think. He didn’t want to think. But he had to for both their sakes. “Stop.”

“Do you want to stop?” she whispered and then ran her tongue along the edge of his ear to the lobe.

Don’t stop. She was doing the things he’d imagined at the ice-cream parlor and more.

“I…” His breathing was ragged.

“I don’t want to stop.” She smiled. “I don’t think you want to stop, either.”

Gain control. He wanted to keep going, but… “This will complicate things.”

“I don’t”—she paused to nibble on his ear—“care.”

Naturally, she didn’t care. Cassie never worried about the consequences. She followed her heart—acted in the moment.

But he wasn’t like that.

Troy gritted his teeth. He was in Dixon’s house, fooling around with his daughter.

Not worth the risk.

Troy moved away. “We can’t.”

She glanced at the floor, but that didn’t hide the disappointment on her face. She took a deep breath.

“Cassie.” Troy lifted her chin so she had to look at him. He’d done the right thing. She’d told him she wasn’t interested in dating. She probably wasn’t interested in a fling, either. “We’re in the middle of a charade. We have to be careful.”

Her lips were swollen from his kisses. Her eyes were wide with desire. She nodded.

“You are an incredibly beautiful and sexy woman.” He caressed her smooth cheek. “You’re driving me crazy.”

“I want—”

“Shh. We can’t think about what we want. We have to be smart about this.” He placed his fingertip on her mouth. Talking would make matters worse. “It’s late. Let’s get some sleep, or at least try to.”

Troy was on her bed, but he wasn’t going to sleep tonight. Too many things had happened—too many things hadn’t. Holding Cassie would be pure torture, but not holding her would be more painful. “Do you mind if I sleep here tonight?”

Cassie jumped off the bed. “No.”

“Where are you going?”

Glancing at the other bed, she bit her lip.

Troy wanted to say something, to tell her how she made him feel, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell her the thought of her sent his hormones into overdrive. He couldn’t tell her he wanted to kiss and touch her all over. He couldn’t tell her the truth. He rolled onto his side.

“I was hoping you would sleep here, too,” Troy said, unable to find any explanation for his need to sleep next to her. Maybe he was the perfectly insane fiancé. “Crawl in.”

Looking pensive, she did and then turned so her back was against his chest.

Neither spoke. Spooning her, Troy tried to keep his hands and body under control.

Slowly, the tension faded from her body. The gentle, even sound of her breathing told him she must be asleep, but he was afraid to look. He didn’t want to wake her.

His hands wanted to stray and caress the softness of her moonlit skin. His lips hungered for another taste of her. His body ached for fulfillment, but it wasn’t going to happen.

Not tonight.

He would remain in control, even if he had to stay awake to do so.

Staring at the ceiling, he refused to wish upon another falling star. Look where that had gotten him.

Troy released a slow breath. It would be another long, sleepless night. And an even longer two weeks.