Fake Engagement, Nashville Style

by Jules Bennett

  Luke snorted and moved away. The woman didn’t have an innocent bone in her body. She lived to stir up trouble. She was like a walking soap opera and Luke would never forgive her for setting up Cash to get arrested for that DUI.

  She’d been jealous that Hannah had left her studio to team up with Cash at Will’s label. The DUI falsehood had been a petty move that no one could actually prove was Mags because she was too slick, but the Sutherland brothers knew exactly who had tried to destroy Cash’s reputation.

  “You’re frowning.”

  Luke blinked and realized Cass had come to stand in front of him. He’d been preoccupied with his own thoughts, but now he shoved Mags to the back of his mind.

  “Something wrong?” she asked.

  Luke shook his head. “What could be wrong on this day? My brother married the love of his life in a beautiful ceremony that people will be talking about for years.”

  A wide smile spread across her face. “That’s what I’m counting on,” she told him. “I only had one minor hiccup, but I don’t think anyone noticed but me.”

  He hadn’t noticed that anything had gone wrong. All he’d seen was Cass in that body-hugging green dress that was supposed to look polished and professional, but made him think about how damn amazing her curves looked. And he couldn’t wait to fulfill the promise he’d made to peel her out of it.

  “You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she murmured.

  Luke eased closer and snaked an arm around her waist. “What look is that? The one that says I want to kiss you or the one that says I want to tear this dress off you?”

  Cassandra’s eyes darted to his mouth. “Both.”

  “Soon,” he assured her.

  “We probably shouldn’t be so affectionate here,” she whispered. “This is your brother’s reception and I’m the wedding planner.”

  “And we’re still engaged,” he reminded her.

  “This is our last day for that.”

  Her statement might be true, and one he’d agreed to, but that didn’t mean he liked the situation. That didn’t mean he was ready to give her up, take that ring back, and have it again as only a reminder of all he’d lost.

  But was he ready to be vulnerable again? Was he ready to ask her to stay? Was that even fair of him? To ask her to uproot the life she’d made and move back here?

  “This is a nice-looking couple.”

  Luke turned to see his parents both beaming at him and Cass. Of course, they would love to see Luke and Cassandra back together, but Luke had made things perfectly clear...or at least he thought he had.

  “The wedding was absolutely gorgeous,” Dana said, beaming. “You really have a special talent.”

  Cassandra smiled and took a step away from Luke. “I love what I do, so I always hope that comes through.”

  “I imagine you are going to be one very busy lady after today,” his mom added.

  “I hope so.”

  Travis slapped Luke on the back and gave him a half hug. “Has my son convinced you to stay in Beaumont Bay yet?”

  Luke glanced to his dad and willed the man to be quiet.

  Cassandra’s eyes darted from Luke to Travis and back again. “Are you going to ask me to stay?”

  Luke shook his head. “Ignore them. They’re still living in the past.”

  A flash of something moved over Cassandra’s face, but he couldn’t identify it and it was gone before he could truly put a label on it.

  “Second chances don’t always come around,” his dad said. “Maybe you two should think before just parting ways.”

  Think? That’s all Luke had been doing since Cassandra had stepped into his office. He thought of the past, he thought of the present and now he was forced to think of the future. Did he want to allow himself to be vulnerable enough to admit he wanted to try again? Would she even want to? Would she trust him with her heart again? She’d never said as much and she’d insisted she wouldn’t keep the ring. Hell, she probably already had her bags packed.

  “We both have such different lives now,” Cassandra said. “Sometimes two people can get along perfectly, but are just not meant to be.”

  Luke watched as his parents exchanged a glance and he knew Cassandra was wasting her breath. Clearly, she meant what she was saying. She did not think they were meant to be anything more than what they were.

  At least Luke had his answer. He would keep his feelings to himself. Disappointment and loss settled deep. He was the one who hadn’t been able to commit before, so all of this pain and heartache and frustration rested on his shoulders.

  But they weren’t twenty-five anymore. They had set down roots and were growing each day in their journeys that took them away from each other.

  “Well, a mother can hope,” Dana added.

  “It looks like your brother has his sights set on someone, as well,” Travis added with a nod toward the corner of the rooftop.

  Luke glanced up and spotted Gavin and Hallie deep in what appeared to be a serious conversation. Then Hallie shook her head and Gavin laughed. Good grief, was his brother seriously hitting on Hannah’s twin? The woman looked like she’d rather be anywhere else than where she was.

  “I just want to see all my boys happy,” Dana said with a sigh. “And then I can start having grandbabies.”

  Travis chuckled. “Let’s give the boys some time to adjust to being in love before you throw babies into the mix.”

  “The only ones in love are Will and Cash,” Luke demanded. “Everyone needs to calm down.”

  Cassandra laughed. “Relax,” she told him with a pat on his arm. “Your mother is happy and who can blame her. Today was a wonderful day.”

  “Just as long as she doesn’t expect a wonderful day coming from me anytime soon,” Luke murmured.

  Damn it, he wanted out of this situation, but he couldn’t exactly be rude. Thankfully, the DJ announced it was time for the first dance for the bride and groom. Everyone’s attention turned to the center of the rooftop, where Will and Hannah stepped up and embraced each other with the happiest smiles Luke had ever seen.

  That pang of jealousy he hadn’t expected took him completely off guard. What were all of these emotions attacking him? He didn’t want to be jealous or confused. He didn’t want to second-guess every decision, past or present, where Cassandra was concerned.

  When he glanced to her, all of her focus was on the happy couple. Cass had the softest smile on her face with tears brimming in her eyes. There was that hopeless romantic he’d fallen in love with so long ago and she paid him absolutely no mind. She had moved on and, as soon as he got that ring back, he should, too.

  * * *

  Cassandra had never felt more conflicted in her entire life. This wedding couldn’t have gone any better. She had already received an email yesterday from a record producer in Nashville who wanted his daughter to meet with Cassandra and discuss her upcoming wedding in the spring.

  Once Presley went public with this exclusive story and the first photos were sent to the rest of the media, Cassandra hoped her inbox would be flooded with so many potential weddings that she had to hire even more staff than she first intended.

  Wouldn’t that be something? To have to hire several staff to keep moving forward with Be My Guest.

  On the other hand, as much as Cassandra was riding high now that the day was drawing to a close, she knew her time in Beaumont Bay was done. It had taken all her willpower to keep her true feelings to herself when Dana and Travis came over and were blatantly and boldly telling her to stay.

  Luke hadn’t mentioned her staying and he’d never acted like he wanted marriage any more now than he did before. He certainly hadn’t even pretended to be jealous of his brothers and their nuptials.

  As Cassandra helped work on cleaning up after the reception, she ran over every detail of the day and knew the events coul
dn’t have gone any better. She was damn proud of herself, though she was so ready to get back to her penthouse and relax.

  “Cassandra.”

  She turned to see Presley and smiled. “Hey. I thought you and Cash left by now.”

  “We wanted to help clean up,” she stated. “And I stuck around for a more selfish reason.”

  Cassandra motioned toward one of the sofas and led Presley around Luke’s employees, who were working hard on transforming the reception back into a bar.

  Once they were seated, Cassandra let out a sigh and leaned back against the cushions.

  “I bet you haven’t sat all day.” Presley laughed. “You outdid yourself with this wedding. It was beyond anything I had imagined.”

  “Thank you. And, yes, this is the first time I’ve sat, but that’s my job and I love it.”

  Presley’s bright smile widened. “That’s what I want to talk to you about. I was hoping I could get on your schedule before you get too busy.”

  Cassandra couldn’t help but return the smile. “I would never get too busy for you and Cash. Working on your wedding would be amazing. What date are you all thinking?”

  “Honestly, I’m just so thrilled to be getting married, we’re open. I don’t want cold weather and I’d love something outdoors if possible.”

  Cassandra’s mind started racing with the possibilities. No matter how tired she was now, she was always in the mood to get creative and plan a couple’s perfect day.

  “I’m sure we can come up with something amazing for the two of you,” she promised. “Why don’t you email me any ideas you have so far, whether it be colors or venue or even a dress style you like, just so I can get an idea of what you’re thinking. Also, feel free to tell me things you absolutely do not want.”

  Presley clapped her hands together. “I will. Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe this is really going to happen.”

  “Believe it. Cash is completely in love with you and he had one of the most romantic proposals I’ve ever seen.”

  Pulling Presley up on stage during one of his concerts and producing a ring from his guitar had blown up the internet and there wasn’t a woman in the world who hadn’t watched that clip over and over.

  “You might just be the next one to make a Sutherland brother give up his bachelor status,” Presley joked.

  Cassandra shook her head. “I doubt it. We were just pretending, you know.”

  “Oh, Cash filled me in on the arrangement you and Luke made,” Presley claimed. “But I’ve seen the way Luke looks at you and the way you look at him. I’m assuming you’re both stubborn.”

  Cassandra laughed.

  “Sorry,” Presley quickly added. “I just can’t help but say what I feel and it would be such a shame for the two of you to walk away from each other again when it’s so obvious to everyone around you that you’re meant to be together.”

  Why did everyone keep saying that? Of course, she and Luke were looking at each other in a certain way...likely because they were both still sexually attracted to each other and there was no hiding that. But there was no way to build a future, a lifetime, on sex or lustful glances. It didn’t work the first time and it simply wouldn’t work now...no matter how much she longed for Luke and that life they’d talked about. Dreams didn’t always come true and there always came a moment when one had to put aside a fantasy and focus on a new dream.

  “I think this whole family is so swept up in wedded bliss that they just want everyone to walk down the aisle,” Cassandra joked, hoping to deflect the attention off things that could never be.

  “Maybe so, but I still stand by my statement that you and Luke are too adorable together.”

  “Well, thanks, but we’re just friends.”

  Friends? They hadn’t actually decided to stay in that zone once she was gone. Right now, they were lovers, but after tonight... Well, she really didn’t know what they would be. Likely a distant memory and the thought of never seeing him again hit her hard.

  The pang of intense loss had her throat burning and her eyes stinging. Cassandra got to her feet and forced a smile.

  “If you will excuse me, I have a few things to finish up here, but get me that email and we will get this wedding ball rolling.”

  Presley rose and looked like she wanted to say more as her eyebrows drew in. Cassandra was terrible at hiding her feelings, but she really didn’t want to go further into the topic of Luke.

  Ultimately, Presley nodded and Cassandra excused herself. After checking with the staff of the bar to make sure everything was under control, she made her way to the private elevator.

  Once she was in her penthouse she could fall apart. Now that everything was over and there was no more reason for her to stay, every emotion came crashing down around her.

  Cassandra stepped into her suite and stilled. Across the way, standing with his back to her as he glanced out at the starry night, was Luke. When he tossed a glance over his shoulder, Cassandra knew this was it. He was going to make good on that promise to peel her out of her dress and they were going to share their last night together before she left Beaumont Bay.

  Sixteen

  Too many emotions stirred within Luke, but he couldn’t concentrate on them. They all felt too damn vulnerable, as if he was losing control. He never lost control and he sure as hell couldn’t afford to now.

  Raw physical need was all he could manage because at least he could remain strong and dominate that familiar territory.

  The day had been long and he imagined Cassandra was exhausted. As he turned fully to face her, the weariness in her expression was apparent, but there was something else—something he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d wait for me,” she told him as she slipped out of her heels and padded barefoot toward him. “You must be tired.”

  “I was just thinking the same about you.” Luke met her halfway and reached for her. His hands rested on her shoulders and he gave a gentle squeeze. “Why don’t you let me take care of you now? You’ve done so much for everyone else.”

  She let out a groan as he continued to massage her. Her lids slowly lowered as her head tipped to the side. Luke touched his lips to her forehead before releasing her shoulders. Then he scooped her into his arms and headed toward the bedroom.

  “I can walk,” she laughed. “I’m not that tired.”

  “You can do many things, but right now I’m taking over.”

  She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. “I like the sound of that.”

  So did he...more than he thought. As Luke set her on her feet and moved to her back to unzip her dress, he realized he wanted to take care of her for more than just tonight. He wanted to be the one she leaned on after her stressful days. He wanted to be the one that she turned to for every aspect of her life.

  He’d been juggling her needs, this fake relationship, and his businesses just fine since she’d come into town. She knew exactly what he did and how much he put into his work, just as he knew how much she loved her own career. Why couldn’t they both have it all and enjoy each other? They could support each other and work through this life together, right?

  Right now, he just wanted to feel her. He wanted to show her, without words, that he had come to care for her again.

  Did that mean he loved her? He’d loved her when she’d been here before, but his feelings were quite different now and he had no clue what to do with them or how to label them. One thing was certain—these feelings were much more intense, much more overpowering.

  As promised, he peeled the fabric down her curvy body and left her in her black lacy bra and panties.

  “And I thought you looked sexy with the dress on,” he murmured, taking in the beautiful sight of her.

  Cass smiled and stared up at him. “I wore this set for you,” she confessed. “I was hoping you’d spend one las
t night with me.”

  One last night. That’s what she had in her head...that’s what he should have in his head. But, damn it, he didn’t know if he could let her go.

  That was a conversation for another time. Right now, he didn’t care about words, he only cared about making her feel and clearing her mind of anything else but him.

  Luke encircled her waist with his hands and lifted her. She let out a little gasp as he carefully settled her back onto the bed. She was lying there looking up at him with all of that dark hair around her. Those heavy lids had nothing to do with her being tired and everything to do with her arousal and passion.

  No woman had ever looked at him the way Cassandra did. No woman had the power to make him want to relinquish every bit of control the way she did, either.

  And that was new, different from when they were younger.

  That was also how he knew he was in a whole hell of a lot of trouble if she ended up leaving again.

  “How long are you going to stare?” she murmured.

  Luke pulled from his unwanted thoughts. They had no room here, not when he wanted to solely concentrate on Cassandra.

  He wasted no more time as he stripped out of the rest of his tuxedo. When she reached for him, he shook his head.

  “Not yet,” he told her. “Just lie back and relax.”

  Her hands fell to her sides as her eyes remained locked on him. Damn, he never tired of that look she gave him. This was the moment he wanted to keep locked in his mind forever...and maybe in his heart.

  Luke eased back just enough to take her delicate foot between his hands. The second his thumb raked up her arch, she let out another moan. Clearly, she liked this and he’d barely gotten started.

  Luke couldn’t take his eyes off her as he continued to massage first one foot and then the other. He worked his way up her calves, her thighs, and that’s when she began to get impatient. Her hips jerked and she whimpered.

  “You’re not relaxing,” he chuckled, reaching for the lace scraps across her hipbones. “You seem to be a little too on edge.”