The melody begins, and the two of them sway slowly, gazing into each other’s eyes, dreamy smiles on their faces. A crowd forms at the edge of the dance floor to watch, and I scan the room for Piper.

  When I find her, she’s standing in the front row holding hands with Patricia and Gwen, and completely ignoring Owen and Ryan racing around the room like they’ve had ten sugary drinks each.

  They probably have.

  My eyes drift farther back, and I see Pinky holding Alex’s hands as she stands on his feet, stepping side to side and twisting her hips so her full skirt swishes around her legs.

  The sight makes my chest squeeze, and I want to linger and watch them. Instead, I take a step back… then another… and another…

  I’m doing my best to fade into the crowd while slowly, unobtrusively making my way to the kitchen. I’m right there, all ready to slip through the door, when the unwelcome voice stops me.

  “Here you are.” The sound of his voice ignites irritation in my blood. “You’re looking good.”

  It’s not a compliment, more like surprise, as if I would’ve spiraled into hideousness without him.

  Lifting my chin, I adopt the same tone of surprise. “You look well yourself.”

  Of course he does. Drake Redford comes from old Hilton Head family money. He’s even wearing a beige linen suit and beige tie. His cheeks are burnished like he’s been on his sailboat all day, and his longish, auburn-brown hair is stylishly messy around his collar.

  So much wasted potential. I don’t blame myself for falling for him, but I do blame myself for staying with him too long.

  “What’s new with you?” He tips his chin. “Or is it the same old thing?”

  My lips tighten, but I hold my temper in check. “Well, for starters, I planned this wedding.”

  “You’re in with the Stones?” He looks around, lifting an eyebrow. “Alex Stone is a bit of a wunderkind, taking his grandfather’s business and turning it into a world-class brand before he was thirty. At this rate it’ll be a billion-dollar label by the time he’s thirty-five.”

  “He works his ass off. I can attest to that.”

  “You’re together? Is it serious?” The arch in his eyebrow, the genuine astonishment in his voice, as if I could never appeal to someone like Alex Stone, fans an old anger in my chest.

  “It’s not really something we want to publicize. Tonight is all about the bride and groom.”

  “You and Alex Stone…” His eyes narrow, like he’s calling my bluff. “I get why you’d latch onto him, but what does he see in you?”

  “Everything he likes, I guess.” I laugh, waving my hand so cavalier, so easy, la-dee-dah. “He especially loves my cake—by the ocean, if you know what I mean.”

  His brow lowers. “Is that so?”

  I exhale a happy sigh. “He made saying yes so easy.”

  My brain is freaking out. What the hell am I talking about?

  Luckily, the DJ rescues me from my big mouth. “Can I get the bridesmaids and the groomsmen on the floor for the friends and family dance?”

  “Duty calls!” I smile, giving him a little wave. “Enjoy the party.”

  He watches me in a way that knots my stomach, but I fix my eyes on Alex, who’s waiting on the dance floor, smiling.

  He has no idea.

  CHAPTER 7

  ALEX

  Cass takes my breath away.

  I know this night is all about my brother and Britt, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I can’t keep my thoughts from running down a rabbit hole of the two of us together. I could take her back to my office, sit her on the edge of my desk, run my hands under her silky skirt… higher up her smooth thighs, until I reach her center…

  Even better, we could skip down to that little lagoon from years ago, strip off our clothes and slide our naked bodies together in the warm water.

  The tan dress she’s wearing hugs her curves in a way that ignites all my memories of her body like a centerfold, an image I’ve had the privilege of seeing twice. Her nipples pierce the thin fabric, and I instinctively swallow.

  I want to roll those tight little peaks between my fingers. I want to lift her breasts in my hands and bury my face in her soft skin.

  Getting through the ceremony without popping a boner was a challenge. I tried not to stare at her the entire time, but every time our eyes met, it was a charge of electricity. Her cheeks warmed as if she knew what I was thinking, and I wondered if she might be thinking the same.

  Now we’re being called to dance together while Aiden dances with Mom and Britt dances with Owen. It’s supposed to be very family-oriented and sweet, but the thoughts on my mind are as far from sweet as you can get.

  The DJ cranks up an old Frank Sinatra hit about flying to the moon, and I’m ready to take her there.

  She slips her slender hand in mine, and I pull her to my chest, speaking in her ear. “I can’t get over how amazing everything turned out.”

  Her other hand is on my shoulder, and she leans back to meet my eyes. “It really came together well, didn’t it?”

  The yellow lights cast a soft glow over her skin, and for a moment, I’m that fifteen-year-old boy, struck by her beauty and at a loss for words.

  “Only one thing is missing.” My eyes trace the line of her cheek. “You didn’t sing a song.”

  “Stop.” A laugh whispers past her lips, and she leans forward. “You’re embarrassing me.”

  “Why? You have a beautiful voice. I think it would’ve been the cherry on top.”

  “I think Britt has enough entertainment without me barging onto the stage.”

  “I don’t think it would’ve gone that way.”

  “It’s not happening.”

  Pressing my lips together, I trace a lock of hair behind her shoulder, and she shivers. It’s fucking hot, but everyone is watching us.

  “I only hope you can train someone to do half of what you’ve done here, and I can’t wait for that cake.”

  “It’s going to change your life.” She gives me a teasing grin, her blue eyes shining.

  “I believe it.”

  We’re swaying side to side, and she feels so good in my arms. She smells like warm jasmine, and I want to taste her. I imagine nibbling her lips, teasing her slowly, building the pressure. The last thing I want to do is hire her, but I’ve run out of options.

  I need help.

  Her brow furrows, almost like she can sense my internal conflict. The song is on its last chorus, and I’m out of time.

  “About that job I mentioned earlier, my mom is going to Italy for a month, and I have no one to help me with Penelope. I thought, since you like working with kids, you might consider being her nanny. Just until kindergarten starts in August?”

  She blinks faster with every word, and when I finish, her lips part. “You want me to be your daughter’s nanny?”

  “For about three weeks—until school starts. Longer if you like doing it, of course. I have a garage apartment where you can stay, and all your meals would be included. If you want them. I’ll pay you, of course.”

  Her eyes drift to where Pinky is standing on a chair in front of a baby in a carrier, arranging petals around its head, and her nose wrinkles with a smile. Not gonna lie, her reaction to my daughter is almost as captivating as the way she looked at me in Britt’s apartment.

  “Okay.” Her eyes flicker to mine again. “I’ll do it. When do you want me to start?”

  “Is Monday too soon?”

  The song ends, and an upbeat Bruno Mars tune brings the crowd onto the floor. I’m still holding Cass’s hand, and I lead her off to where we can get a few drinks and finish our talk.

  In my mind, I’m debating the ethics of being her employer while also wanting to sleep with her. It's completely unethical, which is why I’ll encourage her to stop when Mom returns. Then when kindergarten starts, Cass will no longer work for me, and I can move to Plan B—getting her naked again.

  The thought almost makes me chuckle, but a tall fellow I vaguely recognize steps in front of us, blocking our progress.

  “Alex.” He holds out a hand. “Drake Redford. It’s been a long time.”

  “Ah, Drake.” I shake his hand, and Cass stiffens at my side. “Good to see you again.”

  “I gotta say, you’ve impressed the hell out of me with this place.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’ve been tracking your success, and it’s damn remarkable.”

  “Thank you.”

  Cass releases my hand and takes a subtle step behind me, almost as if she’s trying to hide. Drake Redford is more Aiden’s acquaintance. I’ve always thought he was something of a blow-hard, and the way Cass is acting, as if she’s trying to hide from him, makes me like him even less.

  I’m about to make an excuse for us to leave when he continues. “What you’ve done here is a masterclass in brand development. You really should write a book. It would be a bestseller.”

  “I think I’ll stick to making bourbon for now. Having a superior product is the real secret.”

  Sure, I bust my ass to get our single barrel in front of the people who matter, but Pop’s original recipe is the true magic. I won’t let him be left out of the equation.

  “And I see you landed this pretty lady.” He tips his head towards Cass, and her fingers tighten on my arm. “I’d be salty about it, but I guess you’re the best man.”

  It’s like he launched into speaking Russian. I don’t understand a word he’s saying. “I’m sorry, what? Aiden didn’t actually have a best man…”

  He steps forward, putting his arm over my shoulder and looking around like we’re sharing a secret. “Cass told me you’re keeping your engagement on the DL because of the wedding, but let me be the first to congratulate you.”

  A little yipping noise comes from behind me, and the skin on the back of my neck tightens. I step out of his embrace, glancing at Cass, whose face is tight. She told Drake Redford we’re engaged?

  I mean, naturally, I’m flattered. I like the idea of her thinking of me if she’s in need of a romantic partner. On the other hand, What the fuck?

  “I…” Hesitating, I study her pleading eyes and decide to play along for now. “I didn’t realize you two were so close. Honey, you told him?”

  “I’m sorry.” Cass’s voice is a little too high, her laugh a little too giggly. “But you know Drake. He just weaseled it out of me. He’s such a rat.”

  “Yeah.” I look from her to him and back again. “I can tell that about him.”

  “I’m trying not to get my feelings hurt by all these compliments.” Drake laughs, pressing his palm to his chest. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t believe her at first. Speaking in the vernacular, I don’t see no ring.”

  “It’s being sized,” I answer quickly, moving her hand into mine and lacing our fingers. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. We were just on our way to my office.”

  “Slipping out for a tête-à-tête?” He gives me a smarmy grin. “I won’t tell a soul.”

  He looks like he’s on the verge of messaging Deux Moi the second we’re gone, but I don’t break character. “Thanks for not ruining our surprise.”

  He makes a comment as we leave about secrets being safe with him, but I’m still trying to get my head around the idea that Cass told him we’re engaged. Why would she do that?

  Instead of going to the bar as I’d originally intended, I take a detour through the tasting room all the way back to my office. Her hand is still clasped in mine, and her heels click on the wood floors as she trots to keep up with me.

  When we reach our destination, I release her, flicking on the light and shutting the heavy wooden door. I press my back to it, and she walks to the opposite side of the room, turning her back to the bookshelves and facing me with wide eyes. Her chest moves up and down quickly with her breathing, and her nipples continue teasing me through the thin fabric of her dress.

  My office is a large, elegant space with bookshelves and two leather armchairs across from a dark mahogany desk. A green banker’s lamp is on the corner, but the center is wide open with only a leather blotting pad covering the shiny wood.

  My fantasy of bringing her here earlier presses against my temples, and her breathless voice only fuels the fire. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I don’t know how he got the idea we’re engaged.”

  “You didn’t tell him?” I slide my jacket off my shoulders, draping it over the arm of a leather chair. Next, I reach up and loosen my tie, lifting it over my head and unbuttoning my top two buttons.

  “He came up to me before our dance, and he was being such an arrogant asshole to me—like always.” She shakes her head, and my dislike of Drake Redford intensifies.

  “In what way was he being an asshole to you?” I’m ready to find his ass again and make him apologize.

  “He’s just… I don’t know.” She shoves her hair behind her ears. “When we broke up, he said I’d regret it. He said I’d never be anything but an out-of-work hippie, then when he showed up and started asking me questions, I couldn’t let him be right.”

  “So you told him we were together?”

  “Sort of.” Her eyes drop to the floor again. “He was going on and on about the distillery and your brand, and I said I could vouch for how hard you work. Then he asked if we were involved, and I didn’t exactly say no… but I didn’t say we were engaged.”

  “But you didn’t correct him.”

  “No.” Her tone is guilty.

  I study her, wondering what to do with this information. She used me to protect her from her asshole ex. She told him we were together, and she made enough of a case that he got the idea I asked her to marry me.

  My eyes narrow, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. I’d like to build on this foundation.

  Closing the space between us, I reach out to lift her chin gently with my finger. “It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

  “You’re not?” Wide blue eyes meet mine, and damn, the truth hits me right in the chest.

  Aiden was fucking right. I’ve been pining for this woman since I was a teenager, and I’ve never wanted to admit it. I’ve done other things, pursued other interests, went away for years…

  And now I’m back.

  And I’m not a boy anymore.

  “Drake Redford’s a prick. If it helps you save face with him, I can play along for a night.”

  “Oh my god, are you serious? You’d do that for me?”

  “I can’t see how it would hurt anything. Provided he does keep it a secret.”

  She skips forward, throwing her arms around my neck before stepping back quickly and holding out her hands. “Just til he leaves, and I’m so sorry again for dragging you into my mess.”

  “Stuff happens.” I smile, leaning closer and speaking conspiratorially. “We’ll lay it on thick. Make him sorry he… broke up with you?”

  “Lord no, I broke up with him the night he proposed.”

  “Ouch!” I almost laugh. “He proposed, and you said no?”

  “I should’ve done it long before then.” Her annoyance starts to rise. “He was so lazy. It’s like he didn’t care if I was happy or satisfied. He just figured all his money would make up for it.”

  “I take it all his money did not make up for it?”

  “It did not.”

  I’m glad to hear it. I’m glad she didn’t settle for a big bank account instead of something more. I’ve got a bigger bank account, and I can give her a hell of a lot more.

  “Live and learn.” I hold out my hand. “Shall we return to the party? I think we’ve been back here long enough for his imagination to fill in the blanks.”

  She bypasses my hand, hugging my arm against her chest and rising up to kiss my cheek. “Thank you for this. You really are a good friend.”

  My insides recoil at her trying to friend-zone me, but I swallow back my impulse to shut it down. Instead, I have a better idea.

  “Before we go, we need to do something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Do you trust me?”

  She nods in a sweet, obedient way that makes my dick hard and gives me all sorts of dirty thoughts. Setting my eyes on hers, I take her by the waist and pull her firmly against my chest. She inhales sharply, but I’m moving with purpose.

  I cup the side of her cheek with one hand, threading my fingers in her silky, dark hair and giving it a gentle pull.

  Before she can say another word, I cover her mouth with mine.

  CHAPTER 8

  CASS

  My head spins, my panties ignite, and the earth disappears from beneath my feet.

  Alex Stone is kissing me.

  No, he’s not just kissing me, he’s making love to my mouth.

  His lips slide across mine, then he nips my upper one lightly with his teeth before tracing my bottom one with his tongue. He’s tasting me, sampling me, and my pussy squeezes with need.

  He smells like soap and spice and warm woods, and he feels like strength and domination and ownership. My eyes close, and my fingers curl against his hard biceps.

  His arm circles my waist, and our mouths open. Tongues curl, and he tastes like fine bourbon and cinnamon. He tastes like all my desires.

  I exhale a broken whimper. I’m hot and slick, and my hands move higher to his broad shoulders, holding tight so I don’t melt to the ground. I press my body against his, and he growls low in response. My nipples tighten, and I want more.

  I want him to slide his hands down to my ass. I want him to gather my skirt in his fingers and rip my thong away. I want him to spin me around and bend me over his desk. I want him to take out his thick cock and drive it deep and hard, over and over.

  It’s pressing against my stomach, and I’ve been dreaming of him fucking me since the day I saw him nude in Britt’s apartment. I’m not thinking about humiliating Drake anymore. I’m not thinking about our conversation on the dance floor.

  The only thing on my mind is Alex Stone standing in front of me naked, water running down the lines of his muscles, hazel eyes focused on mine like a predator, cock hardening and lifting with need for my body.