AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Using his thumb, Caden gave her clenched fist a gentle pry. “This is commitment. This also might ease your father’s mind when he sees me again. I understand he isn’t pleased.”
Probably not with Caden but more with Maggie, she thought. Her father most likely thought this was Maggie’s attempt to keep up with her former extravagant life. But the more she lived within her means, the more she felt confidence in herself. She liked earning her way. Maggie’s heart swelled with anxiety. “Don’t worry about him.”
“Sure, you’re not the one who is going to have to
explain.”
Maggie cocked a brow at him. “No one told you to tell the world we were engaged,” she reminded him. “That’s all on you.”
“I’m telling you this gives us an advantage with my mother. She likes us both. She likes us together even more.”
“What will she think when this fake engagement ends?” Maggie asked, chewing her bottom lip.
“My mother will never guess this is a sham. She’ll figure I screwed up somehow. I do have a reputation.” Cade gave her wink. “Besides, my brothers believing I’m in love,” Caden said with a smile, “priceless.”
Pretending to be in love. Maggie swallowed past the lump in her throat. That’s exactly what they were doing, and there was no reason why spending the night with Caden tonight should be difficult.
“But you never returned your dad’s call.” Caden scratched the back of his head. “Richard gave me the quick details in the parking lot.”
If only she could tell Caden the truth. That her father coldly took away her credit cards and lavish lifestyle simply because he didn’t like it. It was too humiliating. Shrugging, Maggie turned her bottom lip down. “I don’t see why I had to tell him anything.”
This wasn’t a real engagement, just a means to an end...or a job...and a job her father insisted she get.
“I thought you might want to say something to him ahead of time, oh, I don’t know, so he doesn’t kill me with one of the huntin’ rifles Richard told me about,” Caden joked.
“He won’t kill you with it, maybe maim you,” Maggie assured him. “Like you said, too many witnesses.”
“All right,” Caden sighed, “but I might use you as a shield if he comes after me.”
Pushing him on the shoulder, Maggie laughed. “He might use his rifle on me.”
“Well, then, I’ll protect you.” Caden reached for Maggie’s left hand. “Now let’s make this official.”
“Official would be you getting down on one knee,” Maggie pointed out.
Caden nodded. “I could, but with what you’re wearing, we might be very late for your aunt’s wedding.”
“Oh, yeah.” Maggie cleared her throat and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Maggie, will you do me the honor of being my fake fiancée?”
With a roll of her eyes, Maggie sighed. “Until the presidency of the pageant is settled do us part.”
The intense beating of her heart surely filled the room. A sizzle of electricity bounced between them as he slid the band down her finger. The fit was amazing. How did he know? They both stared at the rock for a few seconds. Maggie lifted her lashes and met Caden’s gaze. A part of her wished their towels would succumb to the laws of gravity so she could surrender to the desire building between them. Just because their friendship had grown did not mean the desire between them had settled.
Maggie moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue.
Caden dipped his head lower.
Was this about to happen? Shy of a week since she last tasted this beautiful man, and it was about to happen right here under the same roof as her family. Maggie’s body quivered. She rose on her bare tiptoes and closed her eyes.
And then an annoying knock came from the main door.
“Magnolia Swayne.” Her mother’s pinched voice penetrated through the door, reminding Maggie of all the reasons why she hated family events. “We need to talk.”
With an apologetic giggle, Maggie pressed her forehead against his chest and sighed. Maybe later.
* * *
