The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1) (19 page)

Mia stopped a couple paces from her. “The phone was on the floor in the living room. It rang, so I answered it.”

The phone must have fallen out of her purse when she’d tossed it onto the carpet.

“It’s okay. Thank you.” She snatched the phone from Mia’s grasp. Her sister’s brows furrowed in curiosity.

“It’s okay,” Cassie assured her. Cassie discreetly covered the microphone with a finger. “James is a client.”

“Clients call you late in the evening on your cell phone?” her mother demanded. She glanced to Sophia. “Does that make sense? No, Cassandra, what are you hiding?”

“Clients call day and night, and yes, they call my cell phone. I have to take this.” She started for the kitchen door.

“Where are you going?” her mother called.

“Outside. It’s loud in here.” Cassie needed to escape her mother’s radar range.

“Then use the study,” her mother said.

“That’s okay.” She didn’t wait for her mother to protest further, but hurried to the mudroom off the kitchen, then out the door into the backyard.

Once outside, she answered. “James, is everything all right?”

“Just fine,” he replied. “I just called to say hello.”

She released a breath, her heartbeat slowing. “Oh good.”

“It sounds as if I interrupted you.”

“You’re never an interruption. You can call me anytime. I’m just having dinner with my family.” Should she have said that? What else would she say? She wasn’t good at lying. It hadn’t occurred to her that James would call. She wasn’t even aware he had her number.

She sauntered across the yard to the swing set near the back fence. No doubt, someone from her family was watching at a window. She couldn’t chance them overhearing her conversation.

“How are you feeling?” She reached the swing set, lowered herself onto one of the swings and began rocking.

“I’m all right,” he replied. “Trent is away for the day. Brettonwood is too quiet without you both here. I admit, I got a wee bit lonely.”

Her heart squeezed. She wished she could have stayed because, dammit, she missed them both, too. She wanted to ask where Trent was, and who he was with. Was it a woman? She could add jealousy to her list of virtues.

“I should let you go,” he said. “I just wanted to see how you were doing. Let you know I miss you.”

“I’m sorry I had to leave.”

“You’ll be home soon.”

“Yes. On Saturday. I have a huge event that was my baby from the start and, well, you know how hard it is to turn a party over to someone else at the last minute. But my schedule is clear after this weekend. I just wish the timing was different. I want to be there with you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you apologize,” he said. “You have better things to do than entertain an old man. I’ll let you go.”

Anxiety twisted through her at the way he said ‘I’ll let you go.’ Almost as if…

“Never say that,” she said. “You can call me anytime, night or day.”

James laughed and Cassie’s heart tugged harder. Regardless of her mixed emotions over Trent, she’d fallen in love with his grandfather. Would he be all right until she got back?

“I wish I could meet your family,” he said, and she caught the wistful note in his voice. He would never meet them, and knew it.

“I would love that, too. They’re loud, opinionated, and would love you just as much as I do.” What the hell was she saying?

“You’re a good lass. Don’t work too hard, Cassie. Too much work and not enough time for what counts will catch up with you.”

She was fast coming to the same conclusion. She hadn’t given any consideration to starting a family of her own. After she bought into the business, she’d thrown herself into work with a bigger vengeance than usual.

She thought of her nieces and nephews. When would she have time to start a family? She was twenty-seven. How many years would she have to work before she could breathe? This deal with Trent had the potential to put her years ahead of schedule. But once she paid off her student loan and the money she owed Maryanne, she’d be a business owner. An event planner was at her client’s beck and call. She glanced at the house. With her work and building her business, even if she wanted, she didn’t have time to be a mother. A tremor rippled through her stomach and her chest tightened.

“You’re right,” she said, and forced herself to say no more.

Maybe one day she’d have children. She had no doubt that Trent would. Once their arrangement ended, he’d fall in love, marry for real, have children and live happily ever after. God, what if he hired her to plan his wedding? Remembering the photographs at Brettonwood, she could imagine Trent with a little boy of his own. His son would grow up with his dark hair, broad shoulders and determination. A girl—Cassie shook off the thought. This was ridiculous.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to your family.”

If she were anywhere but her mother’s house, Cassie would talk longer. He simply missed his family, and she was part of that family now.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked. “Annie is with you, isn’t she?”

“You can rest assured Nurse Ratchet is always too close.”

Cassie laughed. “Complain all you want, but Trent and I feel a lot better knowing she’s there with you.”.

“I know, lass. I’ll see you when you return home.”

Guilt surfaced. Family should be with him, not a hired nurse. Damn, when had she decided she was family? “Blood pudding, right?” Just saying the words made her a little queasy. “One day I’ll make you my mama’s marinara and meatballs.”

“I’d love that.”

Cassie heard the pleasure in his voice and relaxed a little. “If you need anything, anything at all, you call me. Okay?”

“What could I possibly need? I have everything here at my fingertips.”

Except your family, Cassie thought.

“Good night, Grandfather.”

“Good night, Cassie.”

The line went silent. Cassie lowered the phone onto her lap and continued to swing. When they booked the Bello wedding event last year, she and Maryanne had been thrilled about the money they would make, not to mention the potential for expanding their client base. A-listers and the super wealthy. Who would’ve thought then that she’d be in this predicament? She had a responsibility to her business, but her heart wanted to return to Colorado.

James’s greatest wish was to have family around him.
He isn’t alone
, she reminded herself. He has Annie, Doris and the rest of the staff. They love him, too.

At least now she knew Trent wasn’t having issues with her absence. He was busy doing whatever it was he did during the day. So whatever or whoever he was busy with….

“Cassie?”

Cassie snapped her head up. Sophia stood in the doorway.

“Come on, Cassie. Everyone is having dessert.”

Cassie jumped to her feet and stuffed her phone into her back pocket as she hurried across the yard.

“Everything all right?” Sophia asked as Cassie entered the mudroom. They entered the kitchen.

“Yes,” Cassie said. “Just business.”

“The business you have coming up this weekend?” Sophia asked.

Cassie shot her a sidelong glance. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re nosy?”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve told me. But it doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

“You know I’m part owner of Daley Enterprises now. I’m never
not
going to be busy.”

They reached the dining room. Cassie took her place at the table. Antonio jumped to his feet and held her chair for her. Cassie was sure she heard muffled laughter from Sophia and even Mia. Cassie nodded thanks to Antonio as he sat down, then she picked up her spook and dug into the zabaglione that had been sat at her place on the table. She closed her eyes and savored the smooth richness.

“No one makes zabaglione like you, Maria,” Sophia’s fiancé Brandon said.

“It really is the best, Ma,” Danny said.

“Very good,” Antonio said.

Cassie took another bite, then jumped when her phone rang. The table quieted and everyone looked in her direction.

“Cassandra, you just sat down. Turn off your phone,” her mother ordered.

“I have clients.” She pulled the phone from her back pocket.

“James again?” Mia took a bite of her dessert.

No, not James. This time it was Trent’s number.

“Who is this James?” Danny asked.

“He sounded older, and he had a sexy accent.” Mia smiled around her spoon as she took another bite.

“He’s from Scotland and he does have an accent,” Cassie said. “He’s also seventy-four years old. I told you, he’s a client.” Her phone rang a third time.

How could she excuse herself a second time without raising suspicion? Normally she really would go into the bedroom or study, but she just couldn’t chance anyone overhearing a conversation with Trent.

What if something was wrong? She’d just spoken with James.

The phone rang again.

“Answer it for God’s sake,” Bobby said.

“I’ll talk in the other room.” Cassie stood and hurried from the dining room. She tapped the screen, then pressed the phone to her ear as she continued through the living room and into the study.

“Hello,” she said as she closed the study door.

“It’s Trent. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

“Not at all. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t get back with you yesterday. Up here in the mountains, I occasionally don’t get reception on the cell. I saw I missed your call. If there’s ever an emergency and you can’t get me, call the main house or even call Meg. Someone will always know how to get in touch with me. Is everything all right with you? How’s the big party going?”

She sank onto the divan. “Good. Very good. I just spoke with your grandfather a few minutes ago.”

“Granddad called you?” He chuckled. “I didn’t know he had your number. I hope that was okay.”

“Of course, he can call anytime.”

Trent released an audible sigh. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”

He acted as if she were doing him a favor instead of paying her to perform her duties as wife and granddaughter-in-law. Making James happy in his final days was a good thing, but somehow the way they were going about it suddenly felt wrong. Maybe she would need Father Victor, after all. With her lustful thoughts, lies and deceptions, she had plenty to confess.

Trent’s low laugh came over the phone. “All he’s done is talk about you. I don’t want you to be caught off guard, but we talked about kids. He figures we’ll have a whole passel in the next few years. I had to promise that we’ll name at least one of the boys after him.”

“That’s okay. It’s only natural he would be thinking about us having children.” Cassie closed her eyes and swallowed. Hadn’t that been exactly what she’d been thinking about earlier?

A knock sounded on the door and Cassie shot to her feet. The door opened and Sophia stuck her head inside the room. “You better make it quick if you want to pretend you’re on a business call. The oral arguments have started and it’s not going to take the jury long to convict. Your mom says she’s going to ground you if you’ve met a man and haven’t brought him home.”

Cassie shifted the phone away from her mouth and whispered, “I’ll be right there.”

Sophia started to pull the door shut, but stopped when Antonio stepped up behind her.

He flashed a smile. “Forgive me. Maria, she, eh, wants you.”

“I’ve complicated your life,” Trent said into her ear. “I’m sorry about this.”

Cassie frantically motioned for Sophia to take Antonio and go. Sophia turned toward Antonio, pulling the door shut.

“I’m just having dinner with the family,” Cassie said to Trent. “I’m not usually one for phone calls when I’m here and I’ve had two tonight. Big family. Is it any wonder no one can keep a secret?”

“We will,” he promised.

“I better go.”

“I wouldn’t want to be responsible for getting you grounded,” he said with obvious amusement.

“It may sound funny, but there is nothing more intimidating than my mother when she’s on a mission.”

“I’d like to meet your family.”

Her heart pounded and a shiver of fear sizzled along her spine. Meet her family? That would be a colossal mistake. “I’ll call you back later,” she said.

“Call if you need anything, Cassie.”

“Thanks,” she said. “It was nice talking to you.  I’ll see you Saturday.” Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call.

Friday morning, Cassie checked the flower arrangements that had been placed on the tables in the Castillo del Paraíso ballroom. This was one of a thousand last minute details on her mind—not the least of which was Trent. She’d never been this distracted during an event. She really had to concentrate on work.

“Miss Cassandra! Miss Cassandra!” Eterio Bello rushed into the ballroom and hurried to her “No, no, no.” He was shaking his head and wringing his hands.

She caught his hands in hers. The man had been a ball of nerves the last two days. His only daughter was getting married, and Cassie suspected he hadn’t quite come to terms with losing his little girl.

“What happened?” she asked.

“The hotel. They say they have no more rooms. Adolfo and Lola say they have no reservation. Adolfo, he…he…”

“I know. He’s important.” She didn’t know professional baseball players, but Eterio had made it clear his nephew was going to attend the wedding. The Bello family had connections. There would be a state senator and a top Latina recording artist attending, as well. Those were reservations she had verified twice. They had VIP suites.

Cassie exhaled. No doubt the problem was a miscommunication with the hotel reception. She was more concerned with the incoming weather. Tropical storm Lamont churned in the Atlantic. Thus far, the storm was tracking north, but the wedding toast on the beach would be windy. She only hoped the beaches wouldn’t be closed as the tide came in.

“I’ll take care of Adolfo and Lola,” she said. “Are they here?”

“Ah, no they will be here soon.”

“Okay.” She smiled. “Just concentrate on being the father of the bride. I’ll worry about the details.”

Cassie checked in with registration, made sure food preparations were underway, and verified that the champagne toast would still be allowed to take place on the beach.

Guests arrived and checked into the hotel. Now, if only the weather would cooperate. About an hour before the event, Cassie slipped away to her room and changed into a red, form fitting dress with a side slit that reached nearly to her panty line. Not her normal style, but her job was to blend. The Bello wedding was more of a fiesta than an elegant wedding. Checking the mirror, she touched up her red lipstick, then smoothed a few hairs along the side of her head to the tight bun at the nape of her neck. Cultured rubies dangled from her ears and draped her neck, giving her cleavage more attention than she’d typically show. She slipped her feet into strappy heels knowing her feet would ache by the end of the night. Anything for the client.

In the ballroom, everything was perfect. Food preparations were on time, and the flower arrangements centered on every table made the room look incredible. Cassie was surprised the bride and groom had decided on a DJ rather than a live band.

As the evening progressed, Cassie breathed a sigh of relief. Guests utilized the open bar liberally. The laugher and hum of voices were music to her ears. The colors, the music, the food. The event went beyond successful. The bridal party sat near the dance floor at the front of the ballroom. Two dozen servers in plumed shirts of different bright colors and black slacks or skirts cleared the salad plates and served the entrees.

“Hi.” Maryanne sidled up beside her at the bar.

“Hey.” Cassie smiled. “Incredible, isn’t it?”

“My god, Cassie, this is fabulous. You really outdid yourself with this party.”

“If not for Lamont crashing our party, things would be perfect.” The storm was coming in with the tide. To avoid having guests swept out to sea, they’d moved the champagne toast inside.

The outside bar, sheltered from the rain, could stay open as long as the wind didn’t become an issue.

“I’m going to find a single Latino to dance the mambo with me.” Maryann shimmied her hips. “We have to keep the clients happy.” She sashayed her way toward the dancers.

Cassie laughed as Maryanne stopped at a table where two good looking young men sat. She touched one on the shoulder and he rose, took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Thank god, Maryanne liked to schmooze. Cassie preferred the behind–the-scenes action.

Cassie bustled about, greeting a few important guests, making sure champagne circulated and the entrees were served on time.

Finally, the entrees were cleared and Eterio made his way to the microphone at the corner of the dance floor. The wait staff circled the room, filling champagne glasses. Maryanne rejoined Cassie near the kitchen door. Two champagne flutes were brought to them as Eterio spoke. 

“It is never easy for a father to lose a daughter,” he began, “but when he gains a son like Vicente, it is a little easier. I know you will take good care of my little girl, Vicente. We welcome you into our family. I will now call you son.” The two men embraced and the guests erupted in applause.

Unexpected emotion tightened Cassie’s throat. Only a week ago, she’d experienced the same celebratory toast when Trent’s friends and grandfather welcomed her to their family. She didn’t wait for Eterio to finish, but upended her champagne flute and emptied her glass.

The bride and groom cut the wedding cake while the photographer, Isaac Becker, one of the best in the city, meandered among the guests taking pictures. As the cake was served, guests took their turn at the microphone to wish the newlyweds a wonderful life, and Cassie wandered back to the bar and ordered a seltzer water.

“You look amazing,” said a familiar male voice behind her.

Cassie whirled. Trent stood before her dressed in a dark suit, looking more handsome than she’d remembered. “What are you doing here?” her words came out as a breathless whisper.

“I missed my wife.”

Her heart jumped into a wild tattoo. She stepped close and whispered, “You can’t say that here—and I don’t believe you, anyway. What are you really doing here?”

“I told you I had an office here in Miami. I took care of some business, and thought I’d stay overnight, then fly you back with me tomorrow.”

“You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble,” she said.

He chuckled. “One of the perks to owning a jet. Flying a beautiful woman around is never any trouble.” He lifted a finger signaling one of the servers carrying a tray of champagne and took two glasses when the waiter stopped. Trent handed one to her and said, “Plus, with all you’ve told me about this wedding, I wanted to see how it all came together. You really are amazing.”

“Thank you. But should you have left James alone?” she asked.

“He threatened to come to Miami for you if I didn’t.”

“James knows I’m coming home tomorrow.”
Home
. She’d called Brettonwood home. Damn, she was falling into this role far too easily.

Trent nodded. “I know, but he told me that my new bride shouldn’t be forced to travel in coach.”

Cassie narrowed her eyes. “Now I know you’re lying.”

He laughed. “Well, not totally. He said that it was time I took care of my business in Miami. He had to mean you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re both nuts.”

“I’m serious.” He shrugged, eyes alight with mischief. “Those are his words. And he suggested we fly back home together tomorrow.”

Cassie shook her head.

“Truth is, Cassie, I suspect he wants to be sure our jobs aren’t keeping us apart.”

“Oh,” she said.

“I promised him I’d bring you home.” He sipped his champagne. His gaze lingered on her face then dipped lower.

Cassie warmed as he focused on the cultured rubies between her breasts. “They aren’t real.”

His gaze snapped to her eyes.

Open mouth, insert foot.
“I mean the rubies aren’t real, the rest of me is.” Heat rushed into her cheeks. God, she was an idiot. Cassie tipped the champagne flute to her lips and took a big gulp.

“Two glasses of champagne in ten minutes. Watch it or you’ll get our girl buzzed.” Cassie groaned inwardly when Maryanne stepped between her and Trent. “Hi, I’m Maryanne.”

“Trent Weston.” He shook the hand she extended.

Cassie glimpsed the recognition that flickered in Maryanne’s eyes. “Mr. Trent Weston?” Her gaze shifted between Trent and Cassie. “You’re in Miami. You were so thrilled with the job Cassie did that you came here to thank her in person?”

“No, actually, I’m here on business.” His gaze shifted to Cassie. “If you have some time, I would like to discuss our current project.”

Maryanne’s brow pinched. “You didn’t mention another project.”

“It’s not what you think,” Cassie said, quick to assure her that she wasn’t planning her own projects outside of Daley. “It’s more of a personal project.”

Maryanne’s lips formed an O. “Then I’ll leave you to discuss whatever it is you need to discuss.” She winked at Cassie. “Besides, I know the bartender. Hope he’s still single.” She fluffed her red hair with her fingers. “He worked for me about a year ago.”

“What about mixing business with pleasure?” Cassie said.

Maryanne shrugged. “He doesn’t work for me anymore. Besides, this is your event, not mine.” She sauntered toward the bar.

“Maryanne Daley isn’t what I expected,” Trent said.

“She can be overwhelming.” And completely the opposite of Cassie. Maryanne wore more eyeliner and makeup than a drag queen. Eccentric might be too mild a word, but she was damn good at what she did. Cassie turned her attention to Trent. “We need to talk.” She headed to an empty table near the wall and away from the crowds. Trent followed. Nervous energy coiled in her gut. They reached the table and he held the chair out for her.

She sat and met Trent’s gaze. “I have some concerns.”

He lowered himself into the chair to her left. “About?”

“You shouldn’t be here.” He was doing too much for her, going out of his way to try and please her, which kept him in her thoughts. And she was thinking about him, wondering what he was doing, but more importantly, what she would do if she fell in love. She wasn’t sure she wasn’t already half in love with him. “We both know what’s going on between us, and it’s a mistake.”

He pulled his chair close to hers. “What do you think is going on between us?”

He stared hard into her eyes. For a moment she couldn’t think, could barely breathe. Oh yeah, she was in trouble. Mistake or not, she was attracted to him. During the day, she thought about him and at night she dreamed about him. Graphic, erotic, curl her toes dreams that left her frustrated when she woke.

“You’re blurring the lines between business and personal,” she said.

“You mean like this?” Trent curled his fingers around her neck and pulled her closer until their mouths touched. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. His tongue slipped into her mouth, deepening the kiss.

They parted. Her heart had jumped to a gallop. “We both know how this is going to end,” she said.

He traced a finger along her cheek. “I don’t want to worry about tomorrow. For the first time in my life, tomorrow has too many uncertainties. Right now, I want to be with you.”

Her heart thundered louder. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

“Dance with me?” He stood and extended a hand.

She frowned. “Dance?”

He grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet, then strode toward the dance floor. She nearly ran to keep up. A dozen couples on the dance floor twisted and turned to the salsa beat.

“You want to dance to this?” she asked as Trent pulled her in beside another couple.

“Absolutely.” He spun her.

Black lights and strobes flickered, the seductive pulse pounded, and she followed Trent’s lead. Simple moves had her turning into his arms. His hands splayed wide on her back as he dipped her low, then slowly brought her up and pressed her tightly to his chest. They shifted, grinding their hips together as they swiveled low.

More couples crowded onto the dance floor. The room grew warmer, or maybe it was just her, reveling in the intoxicating rush of Trent’s body. Her heart raced when his thigh sliced between hers through the slit in her dress.

He pulled her tighter, crushing her close, and slanted his mouth over hers. The warmth of lips sparked a desire deep in her core. Hot, wet, demanding. He took possession of her mouth. His right hand drifted lower onto her ass, lifting her against his hardened cock. A low moan rolled from her chest. Her head fell back and he trailed kisses along the flesh of her neck.

The song came to an end. Cassie clung to Trent’s neck. Her head spun. 

He nuzzled her ear. “How about a drink?”

Sweat dampened the loose tendrils of her hair and her pulse raced. She nodded and he kept an arm around her as they made their way to the bar. Maryanne laughed with the bartender, but the smile she directed at Cassie let Cassie know she’d seen the dance—and the kisses.

“A mojito, please,” Cassie said to the bartender.

Trent held up two fingers.

Maryanne mouthed,
Very nice
.

Cassie narrowed her eyes and gave a slight shake to her head, hoping Maryanne received the message that the topic of Trent was not open for discussion.