Corinne and I are finally alone. Silence falls, except some soft, piped-in music. I recognize “Hawaiian Paradise,” an island classic. I lean in, trying not to undress her with my stare. Business first, then… Well, the evening is young. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Just to talk. I’m not agreeing to anything yet, but I thought about what you said.” She exhales and seemingly gathers her words. “You’re right. When Parker hijacked my career, he didn’t care about my feelings. I doubt he even considered them. He’s so convinced I’m making a huge mistake I’ll come to regret.”

  “The same way he felt about Hadley.”

  Corinne frowns. “He was right about her.”

  I nod. “And I should have seen it coming. But it wasn’t his responsibility to save me from my own decisions. Now he’s pulling the same overbearing bullshit on you. You might be his sister, but you’re an adult, capable of making your own choices.”

  “Exactly.” She glances up at me through thick black lashes. “Tell me how you see this scheme working if I say yes. How would it play out?”

  “First off, I have no doubt people in the dining room have already posted photos of us on social media.”

  “The public doesn’t know my face the way they know yours. Parker, for all his faults, has done a good job of keeping me removed from the spotlight.”

  Most likely for reasons that stroked his ego far more than protected Corinne. “It won’t take internet sleuths long to identify you. The gossip might be good for your business, too.”

  She flashes me a sly half smile. “While I don’t need more, I won’t turn it down.”

  “Then brace yourself.”

  The online gossip will bug the shit out of Parker and send him scrambling to make calls. He’ll dial Corinne first, demanding to know what she’s doing with me. If she doesn’t want to answer, we’ll let his call go to voicemail. He can rage there. If she wants to talk to him, fine. But if he tries to bully her again? He’ll have to come through me.

  Slowly, she nods, seeming to turn the possibilities over in her head. “What happens next?”

  “We leave here with your hand wrapped around my arm and my ring on your finger—one you weren’t wearing when you walked in—giving the other diners lots of PDA. Social media will start buzzing with speculation. Those images won’t take long to reach gossip rags. Or your brother.”

  “Oh, my gosh. He’s going to lose his mind.”

  I grin. “It will be good for him. Builds character.”

  “You’re a smart-ass.”

  “Just one of my many charming qualities.”

  “Along with your humility?”

  I shrug, my grin becoming a laugh. “We’ll give Parker twenty-four hours to stew. Tomorrow, we’ll make a statement officially announcing our engagement. Afterward, my brother and sister-in-law, Maxon and Keeley, will throw us an engagement party at their bed-and-breakfast.”

  “Tomorrow? That’s fast.”

  “Why wait? We’ll invite enough of the island’s movers and shakers to make it look legit. Since my sister Harlow is married to Noah Weston—”

  “Wait. The Noah Weston? Five-time Pro-Bowler and one of the best all-time passing quarterbacks? That Noah Weston?”

  “That one.”

  She gasps. “I’ve seen Harlow’s picture. She’s incredibly beautiful. I didn’t realize she’s your sister.”

  “Don’t feel bad; I didn’t realize it, either, until well after they were married. And I’m impressed you know football.”

  Corinne grins. “At first it was one of those things I learned because Parker hated it so much. He thought me liking sports, except gymnastics and figure skating, was unladylike. Information about football wasn’t super easy to get when I was in boarding school and I hate that I missed watching Weston’s final Super Bowl, but I loved seeing him play.”

  “You and my brother Evan’s wife, Nia, can fawn together over his on-field moves. Harlow will roll her eyes and poke fun at you both.” Before she teases her husband about the many ways she’ll have to deflate his ego…among other things. “We’ll have brunch with the family on Sunday so you can get to know everyone when it’s more relaxed.”

  Corinne bites her lip. “Do you plan to involve your family? Will they know we’re not really engaged?”

  Maxon, Keeley, and Griff already know. The rest? “I hate to deceive them…but they’ll help convince the rest of the world that we’re completely in love and intend to get married if they believe it’s real, too.”

  “Seems like you’ve thought this through.”

  “Most of last night.” And I’ve thought of everything…except what to do about my friends. Echo and Hayes will want to come for my engagement party, even if it’s last-minute. They’ll be hurt if I don’t include them. I’d rather not lie to them, but if I come clean, they’d have to keep my secret. Untruths make Echo uncomfortable. And the more people in on our scheme, the less likely it is to stay hidden.

  “It shows. But you know Parker; he’s stubborn. It will take more than an engagement announcement and a party to convince him we’re serious.”

  “Since we know how he thinks, we’ll devise some logical countermeasures so we’re ready once he punches back. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you get your money before your business is negatively impacted. But until your brother gives in, I’ll make sure you get help.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “So you’re on board?”

  She shakes her head. “Hang on. I have another question.”

  Before Corinne can ask, Ailani returns with our drinks. “Appetizers should be out soon. Would you like to order dinner?”

  We do. I’m impatient to fill in the blanks so Corinne will stop hesitating and say yes, but I merely smile while she asks our waitress about the menu. Finally, she chooses the ahi steak. I order a filet and a baked potato.

  When we’re alone again, I turn all my attention back to her. “Tell me your question. I have an answer.”

  “What’s your end game? What does a satisfying revenge look like to you?”

  I’ve been so fixated on that sweet, sweet moment Parker realizes his sister is choosing me over him that I didn’t think about the end of our “romance.” What I really want—for people to know the truth about Hadley and my past with Parker—won’t happen. Public perception is set, and anything I say now looks like damage control and whining. “Good point. If I call off the wedding and seem to break your heart, that reinforces everything negative about me.”

  “But it would infuriate my brother. You know how siblings are. We can insult one another horribly, but the moment anyone else does, watch out.”

  Actually, I don’t know since I grew up an only child. I have siblings now, but the Reeds are a different breed. Since they’re competitive through and through, they haven’t always been there for one another. For years, Barclay turned them against each other, taught them to think of their own brothers and sisters as competition to be crushed. Thankfully, they’re tight these days. “What are you suggesting?”

  “If I break things off, people will assume I finally saw your ‘true colors.’ At the very least, Parker looks justified for the things he said. But if you break things off because you found someone else, that doesn’t make you look like a bully, just a manwhore.”

  “Good point.” Since my reputation for debauchery is set, that’s probably our best out. I would have realized that sooner if being this close to Corinne wasn’t jacking up my libido and clouding my brain. “I’ll break your heart, then.”

  “I had a semester of drama in college. I can act appropriately devastated.”

  “For the record, I won’t relish even pretending to hurt you.”

  Her dark eyes chide me. “You have to get into the role to be believable.”

  She’s right. “I’ll work on an exit strategy. Unfortunately, we don’t know how long it will take your brother to concede defeat and give you your inheritance. It could be weeks or months…”

  “Parker is nothing if not stubborn.”

  “Are you saying yes to being my fake fiancée now?”

  “There’s a lot of ground we haven’t covered yet, and I still have concerns.”

  Ailani appears again with our appetizers and sets them between us. “Be careful. These are hot.”

  “Thank you. Would you also bring us a hula pie with two spoons after dinner?”

  “Of course.” She nods.

  “Dessert, again?” Corinne groans as soon as our waitperson leaves the room. “You’re killing my diet.”

  “You don’t need one, trust me. But you have to have hula pie,” I assure her. “Macadamia nut ice cream on chocolate cookie crust, topped with hot fudge, toasted nuts, and whipped cream.”

  She sighs like she’s in love. “If you thought I moaned like I was nearing orgasm the last time you watched me eat, just wait.”

  “Why do you think I ordered it?” I quip.

  “Spoken like a true manwhore…which brings me to my hesitation. How will we handle your sex life during our ‘engagement?’ You’ll have to be discreet or word will get out before we’re ready and—”

  “It won’t.” We’re getting to the terms and conditions Corinne will object to. “But thanks to your brother, my profile is too high to walk into a bar and pick up a woman without half the internet knowing inside an hour.”

  She nibbles that pouty lip like she knows I’m right and it’s a problem. “So what’s the plan? Will you just do without until my stubborn brother lets up?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t understand how you’re going to manage this.” She presses her lips into a thin, white line. “Since your decision affects me, I have a right to know. But I guess you have women you can call—flings, friends with benefits, casual hookups…”

  Is it my imagination or is Corinne less than pleased with the prospect of me in bed with someone else? Her expression says so. It’s perverse, but the fact she seemingly cares about who and what I do thrills me.

  “Impossible. The second I touch any of them, they could run to the press, who will pay big bucks for the raunchy inside scoop of how I cheated on you. And our whole plan will be down the toilet.”

  That’s the truth…but not the whole truth. I don’t want Emma, my last fling. Maxie, my usual friend with benefits, can’t keep her mouth shut. She already sold the story of our on-again, off-again sex life to a tabloid a few months back. And my last casual hookup, Jacinda, is leaving the island in a handful of hours.

  But the biggest reason I’m pushing back? I want Corinne. I desire her in my bed, under me, calling my name, taking me deep, available to me day and night, scratching her nails into my back as she screams out in ecstasy. I can’t deny I’ll get the satisfaction of knowing Parker will picture all of that—and it will kill him. But actually taking this woman to bed and having her completely mine? That pleasure is all for me.

  “What are you saying?” she asks with wide eyes.

  But she knows; her trembling tells me.

  “The only sex I’ll be having is with you.”

  She blinks and sits back in her chair. “But it’s a fake engagement.”

  “With benefits.” I smile. “Our relationship can’t seem fake or no one will believe us. Besides, the way I want you, princess, is very real.”

  Corinne is probably thinking that I’m coercing her into bed. But I’ll treat her better than Riley Stephens ever did. I’ll heap the kind of bliss on her she’s only imagined. I’ll make damn sure she doesn’t regret a minute with me.

  It’s my problem that I wish she’d sought me out because she wants more from me than help with her brother. But I’m not worried. When our passion heats up and I melt her into the mattress, she’ll get on board. I’ll just have to remember that she isn’t with me because she gives a shit. She only cares about what I can do for her.

  “Why?” she breathes. “You barely know me.”

  I know enough to know she’s smarter than Maxie. She’s hotter than Emma. And she’s both sexier and wittier than Jacinda. If I ever compiled a list of qualities in my perfect woman, Corinne would fit the bill.

  She’s still blinking at me, waiting for an answer.

  I shrug. “There’s something between us—”

  “Yeah, deception and revenge.”

  “Chemistry and lust. Ours is undeniable. Even if I can’t explain it, I feel it. But if sex is a deal-breaker for you, say so. We’ll forget the whole scheme.”

  Corinne gapes at me. “You’d really give up a chance for revenge because I won’t go to bed with you?”

  “Our ploy won’t work if I’m fucking anyone else.” I lean across the small table and plant myself inches from her. “Are you really that eager for me to crawl between someone else’s thighs when I know you want me, too?”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Yes, it is. I know a woman’s body.”

  “I don’t sleep around.”

  “Good. While we’re ‘engaged,’ you’re mine.”

  “I’m not explaining this well.” She sighs. “I’m not having sex with any man until he puts a ring on my finger.”

  “I plan to, remember?”

  “I mean for real.”

  Is that an excuse…or is she saying what I think she’s saying? “Are you a virgin?”

  Corinne shifts in her seat, then nods. “I’m sure you think that’s ridiculous or fairy tale—”

  “I don’t.” But it’s unexpected. She never went to bed with Riley? Not once in almost a year?

  “The thing is, I doubt I can connect on that level with someone I barely know. And I want my first time to be special.”

  On paper, taking my enemy’s little sister’s innocence should be sufficiently sinister and satisfying. But looking into Corinne’s solemn eyes, knowing I’d be the very first man to touch her, to claim her, does something to me—beyond making my dick hard. That kick to my gut urging me to seduce her as soon as possible and make her mine? That’s not coming strictly from my libido.

  Fuck, this game could get dangerous. Still, that’s not stopping me.

  If I was noble, I would leave her untouched.

  But I’m not.

  Instead, I take her hand. “I’ll give you a special night. I’ll make you feel like the most desirable, well-pleasured woman in the world. All you have to do is agree to my plan, let me slide this ring on your finger, and come home with me.”

  “Now?” She looks stunned.

  “Why wait?

  “Because the sex won’t mean anything to you. Neither will I.”

  “You’re wrong.” But trying to explain the feelings I don’t even understand would be stupid.

  “I’m sure it makes sense to you. Taking me to bed is a great revenge. Since you’re a manwhore, you’re…equipped to make the sex good, but—”

  “The way you moan over dessert is polite compared to the way I’ll make you scream.”

  Corinne cracks a smile. “There’s that humility of yours again…”

  “What can I say?” I shrug like I don’t have a care in the world. “You bring out the best in me.”

  Ailani makes her way through the door with a professional smile. “Dinner should be in ten minutes. Or would you rather wait a bit longer?”

  The conversation is just getting good. “Make it thirty.”

  When our server nods and slips out, I knock back a long swallow of scotch. “You didn’t come to me for my humility. You came to me because you needed someone on your side who will stand up to your brother’s bullshit. I’m not forcing you to do anything, just giving you my terms.”

  “Even if they’re horrible?”

  “You’re not going to shame me out of this.”

  Corinne frowns and picks at the plate of coconut shrimp. “A fake engagement solves my problem, and I know you’d never cave to Parker. Honestly, I came here prepared to say yes. But I need some time before we…”

  “Fuck?” I try to shutter my impatience. That long-ago Christmas aside, she’s known me less than forty-eight hours. Not many girls give up their V-card to a guy they barely know. “I can give you a few days, but you have to let me touch you. You have to look used to my hands and my lips on you or we won’t pass public muster.”

  “I know.” She sounds rattled.

  I soften against my will. “It will be fine. I really will make it good.”

  She doesn’t reply, merely nibbles on a shrimp, then closes her eyes with a groaning little sigh that makes my cock twitch. “Hmm, how did you find this place?”

  “Like I have everything else on this island, through my siblings and their spouses.”

  “It must have been so odd to go from having no family to having a ton of it.”

  “Very.” I pop a tasty shrimp in my mouth, too, letting her change of subject slide. “It’s crazy that I’m now an uncle to more than a dozen little ankle biters, with more on the way.”

  Corinne tsks. “Ankle biters? That’s horrible. You don’t like kids?”

  “Actually, I love them. Family gatherings are insane, and I thought I’d hate having to deal with all the diapers and crying and whatever…but the more time I spend with the kids, the more I enjoy them. By the way, I wouldn’t tell just any woman that. It would devastate my manwhore reputation.”

  “My lips are sealed.” She smiles. “Do you want your own kids someday?”

  “Yeah. It’s a little terrifying since I didn’t have a dad. What do I know about parenting? But I’ve watched all my brothers and brothers-in-law man up and really be there for their children. They tell me there’s nothing more satisfying.”

  “But they have wives, too.”

  I shrug like it’s obvious, but I can’t deny they’re all neck-deep in parenting with their soul mate, the person who understands them, will never leave them, and will forever want them for them.

  Every woman I meet only wants me for my money, my influence, or my cock.

  “There’s no rush. I’m still a few years from thirty. I have time before my biological clock starts ticking.”

  She laughs, her tension melting away. I like this carefree Corinne. I like making her smile even more.

  “What about you?” I ask. “Kids?”