CASSANDRA
A bit later, Emilio throws a question her way. “Ever have any boyfriends?” His lips, thin and attractive, curve into a teasing smile. Cassandra takes a sip of her champagne. “Nope. I think our first time together pretty much says it all.”
“You were the first virgin I’ve ever been with,” Emilio admits, surprising her. “And the last,” he adds.
“Why do guys prefer women with experience?” she asks, genuinely curious.
“They know the rules right off the bat: no strings, no promises, no commitment, and most importantly, no ring. I like things simple.” “But you’re getting married.”
A flicker of something crosses his dark eyes just as the waiter approaches, asking, “Ready to order?”
Soon, they’re digging into the first course of the evening. Midway through the meal, Cassandra ventures, “What was your childhood like?”
Emilio carefully sets down his utensils, giving her a curious look. “What do you want to know?
“Did you have a good childhood?“”
**Yeah. I’m an only child; my parents couldn’t have more kids after me. They were good, loving parents. I have no complaints.”
“You grew up with money.”
Emilio grimaces and takes a sip of his drink. “Why do you say that?”
“I saw online that your dad was wealthy, and you opened your first bank when you were twenty. Then, when your dad passed away, you merged your business with his, creating Rodriguez International. It’s been very successful since.”
“You’ve done your homework, I see. Using office hours to research the boss has clearly paid off.”
Cassandra blushes, remembering the day he caught her looking him up. The memory still embarrasses her.
“I didn’t know anything about you then,” she defends.
“You’re right. I never lacked anything during my childhood or teen years.”
“I can imagine.” Cassandra murmurs, mostly to herself.
Emilio gives her an amused look. “Meaning?”
“You probably got a lot of attention, that’s all.”
“You’re talking about girls.”
As their second course arrives, Cassandra asks, “How many girlfriends have
ou sure you want to know?”
“Are you
No, she isn’t. “Go ahead.”
.
“Let’s not ruin your night, but there were a few.”
you had?
Cassandra stays silent for the rest of the meal. The thought of Emilio with other women bothers her, and she doesn’t know why. It’s not like he’s hers, like she has any claim on him. What they’re doing now is for their son; if it weren’t for him, they wouldn’t be here. He probably wouldn’t have even given her a second glance.
That thought stings more than it should.
When dessert arrives, Cassandra is delighted to see it’s tiramisu, her favorite. She savors every last bite and then looks up to find Emilio watching her.
“What?” she asks, wiping her mouth.
“I can see why you have all those delicious curves.”
1:00 PM
Heat rushes up her spine. “My weakness. Put tiramisu in front of me, and I’ll do anything you want.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
120
Emilio pushes back his chair, stands, and comes over to her. Taking her hand in his, he gently pulls, and Cassandra willingly follows. He leads her to the dance floor and pulls her close, his touch making her blush and his body heat spreading warmth throughout her.
Cassandra lets Emilio lead and lets the music move her. With each step, she’s amazed by how their bodies move together, how perfectly they fit. When the music ends, they remain standing, looking into each other’s eyes without saying a word.
Cassandra is lost, enchanted. She never wants this night to end because for the first time ever, she feels like she belongs somewhere…in his arms. She feels like she’s finally found home. Like he is her safe place, her protector, her shield.
for
And most of all…the man she’s starting
ng to fall f
Cassandra steps away from him. No! Not she scolds herself. She can’t possibly only lead to heartbreak for her.
fall in love with Emilio, it would be a disaster. It would
Their eyes meet, and Cassandra can see the confusion in his. She swears he’ll never find out about her true feelings; he’s made their agreement clear, and if he finds out, he won’t be pleased.
How could she do something so foolish as fall for the one man who’s off–limits? The one man who is a womanizer, who could leave at any moment and break her heart?
There’s no way she can go through with this wedding. Being married will make it too hard to hide her feelings from him.
“Cassie? Are you okay?“”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she lies. “Some fresh air would be nice. It’s a beautiful night, after all.”
Without waiting for him, she rushes outside.
A few moments later, as she slowly exhales the breath that’s been suffocating her, Cassandra feels Emilio’s hand on her shoulder and nearly jumps out of her skin.
“You don’t seem like y
yourself. Are you sure nothing’s wrong?” he asks.
Everything is wrong, she screams inside. I’ve done the most ridiculous thing ever and fallen in love with you.
“I guess the reality of getting married is sinking in. Do we really have to get married this Saturday? I mean, we could always postpone until your mom is strong enough.”
“No, everything is set and ready–why delay? We talked about this and agreed to it. I need to release a press statement about Alex, and I’ll do that after we return from our honeymoon. I want everything to be done and over with.”
“Honeymoon?” Cassandra asks.
“Of course. What do couples do after they get married? They go on a honeymoon.”
Emilio draws her close, his arousal pressing against her. “I can’t wait for our honeymoon. I got you a present.”
He teases the tender skin of her neck with his teeth, and she shivers in response, her body melting into his.
“Emilio…?
“Mmmm,” he murmurs against her heated skin.
“I don’t think this is the right time or place for this.” Emilio raises his head, their gazes locking. “We were still talking, weren’t we?”
He looks puzzled. “I thought we’d finished talking?”
“You didn’t say anything about a honeymoon–do we really have to go? She steps back slightly; his scent is messing with her head. “I can’t stand the thought of being away from Alex.”
“I’m starting to think you don’t want this wedding to happen. Every time it comes up, you find a new reason why it shouldn’t. I’m running out of patience; if you don’t want to get married, say it now so I can call the whole thing off.
“But I’m warning you, I won’t stand by and let you raise my son. I’ll fight for full custody, and I won’t lose.”
Chander 18 AESA Chance 10
running out of patience, a pus savu
“But I’m warning you, I won’t stand by and let you raise my son. I’ll fight for full custody, and I won’t lose.”
His icy tone sends a shiver down her spine. She believes every word he says.
Emilio heads back to the car, leaving Cassandra to hurry after him.
The ride home is silent, the tension between them palpable. Cassandra regrets letting her words turn a beautiful evening into a disaster.
When Emilio drops her off at his family’s mansion and drives away, a part of her wants to call him back, but what would she say? How can she marry him when she’s already fallen for him?
Cassandra doesn’t sleep that night.
P
