Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Desire she recognized, having seen that look on his face once before, which led to her final rule. “I know we have to do PDA, but we are not sleeping together again.”
An amused smile lifted his lips. “Unless you change your mind and give me permission.”
Arrogant man. And wasn’t that part of his appeal? “I won’t,” she insisted.
Ignoring him, she took the long spoon and dug into the decadent dessert, shoving a huge scoop into her mouth because she didn’t want to discuss this subject anymore.
Chapter Three
Normally once Dash was in Manhattan, he’d stay in his apartment instead of heading back to the Hamptons. It was a long trip to do twice in one day, especially with traffic, but Cassidy had rented a house near Xander and Sasha’s, and she had nowhere to stay in the city. She could sleep at his place in a guest room, but he already knew she’d refuse.
He hadn’t wanted to send her back to the beach alone, and since she was his assistant, at least for now, he asked her to call a car service to take them home. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with an Uber driver who might be a fan. The service the band used knew better than to bother their clients.
Since the waitress had been so good about giving him space, privacy, and anonymity, he’d left her an extra-large tip. He’d heard her mention to another server that her son loved the guitar and was a fan, so he’d asked her the kid’s name, signed a personal note, and left it along with the gratuity.
He’d noticed Cassidy’s soft expression, but he hadn’t done it to win points. He was grateful for them as he needed her to relax around him, but the truth was, he liked to show his appreciation to people who treated him like a regular human being and not a famous star they wanted something from.
They drove back to East Hampton in silence, and he sensed Cassidy was thinking about what she’d gotten herself into by agreeing to be his fake girlfriend. Hell, he was wondering the same thing. But there was something about this woman that affected him and had from the moment he’d seen her the first time. He wasn’t a romantic, not by a long shot, but one look at her porcelain skin, delicate nose, full lips, jade eyes he could get lost in, and he’d felt a connection. One he’d been smart enough to act on and stupid enough to not treat with care.
Dash asked the driver to stop at Cassidy’s first. She’d rented a pretty Cape Cod house, small by East Hampton standards, but the whole look of the place, from the colorful flowers out front to the rocking bench on the porch, suited her.
While the driver waited, Dash walked her to the door, pausing as she opened her bag and looked for her keys, which she fished out after a solid minute of rooting around.
“So are you sure you’re good with the plan?” he asked before she could unlock her door.
She nodded. “I’m sure.” As she was about to slide the key into the lock, he slipped an arm around her waist and turned her to face him.
She jerked at his touch and pulled back. “What are you doing?”
“Making a point.” And crowding her because he wanted to. “If we’re going to make people believe our relationship is real, you can’t flinch every time I get close.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “I know that and in public I’ll be fine.”
He placed his knuckle under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “What if a photographer is hiding and watching now?” He doubted it, but he wanted her to understand what them being in a relationship meant.
Her eyes opened wide at his question. He didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers, letting his mouth settle where it belonged. She stiffened in shock, but he kept up the connection, sliding his lips along hers, and in seconds she melted against him, accepting what he offered.
Touching her, mouths melding, Dash found the very thing that had scared him off the first time. Peace. But he’d learned his lesson and wasn’t about to run off again.
He had her. He could slip his tongue inside and up the heat factor. God knew he wanted to but he’d made his point. They still had chemistry, and she needed to accept his public displays of affection whenever he offered them if they were going to pull off the charade. He already knew, the minute he left her alone, she’d beat herself up and second-guess every second of this kiss. No need to push her harder. He had time for that.
He lifted his mouth and touched his forehead to hers, catching his breath and letting her come to her senses. “See? That’s the way to act around me.”