Emilio’s idea of an outfit “for tonight” turns out to be an entire new wardrobe.
He takes her to a private shopping lounge in an expensive department store, and several assistants run in and out with armloads of clothes. Emilio lounges in an armchair, watching her with hooded eyes as she stomps out angrily to show him each outfit.
Every piece they pick out is set to be delivered straight to his penthouse.
When Cassandra questions why he’s insisting on so many clothes and shoes, he simply shrugs. “You’ll need to look the part of Emiliano Rodriguez’s wife, which means standing out from the crowd…but I know that won’t be a problem for you.”
He brushes a hand through her hair, adding, “Your hair sets you apart. It’s striking. My wife will have only the best—I’ll make sure of it.”
For some reason, Cassandra gets the feeling he’s not just talking about the clothes. But what does it matter if he gives her the world? He has taken away her freedom of choice.
She hates him for it.
~Yes. She has to remember that she hates him for it~…
But it’s so damn hard to keep her hatred front and center when the mere sight of his chiseled face makes her legs go weak.
The day passes in a blur, but as they head back to the penthouse after picking up Alex, Emilio drops another surprise.
“The wedding will be in Spain in a week. It’ll be a small, private ceremony—just close friends and family. Is there anyone you want to invite?”
“Wait… One week? Are you insane?”
“I don’t see the point of hanging around. We’ve made a deal. What more is there to discuss?”
“But—it will cause a scandal. People don’t get married that fast.”
“People like me do things differently,” he says. “The press will love it. A secret wedding in Spain. They’ll eat it up. So—who do you want to invite?”
“Nobody.”
Cassandra has no family or friends, except for Gwen. And she doesn’t want even Gwen to be a witness to this sham of a wedding. If she has to sell her soul, she would rather do it in private.
“And why Spain?” she demands. “What’s wrong with New York?” She has never left the country before.
“My mother lives in Barcelona, and I grew up there… Didn’t your internet search tell you that?”
Cassandra blushes. But of course she googled him—just like he probably googled her.
Her search turned up countless pictures of Emilio with beautiful women on his arm. She doesn’t think there’s a single picture of herself online—she’s famous for exactly nothing, and she doesn’t do social media.
Despite being a very busy playboy, Emilio is an outstanding CEO, according to the internet. He inherited the bank at a young age, at the untimely death of his father, but instead of squandering his fortune, he has taken Rodriguez International from strength to strength.
“What about Alex?” she demands.
“What about him?”
“What will you say when people ask about him? There’ll definitely be questions about his birth.”
“We’ll release a full statement after the wedding. I’ll handle everything. You just focus on taking care of him.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing for the past six months,” Cassandra says, tilting her chin up at him. “Does your mother know the marriage is just for show?” And based on blackmail, she nearly adds.
“No. And I trust you won’t say anything,” he warns.
“So, we’re going to pretend to be a happy, in-love couple, over the moon about our son? Won’t she be shocked that you never even mentioned Alex to her?”
“Shocked? No. She’ll be thrilled to get her hands on him. And you will ~not~ discuss our personal matters with anyone, especially my mother. She doesn’t need any stress right now. Just act happy.”
So, his mother means a lot to him. He won’t take it lightly if anyone upsets her.
Emilio’s hard face softens when he looks at Alex. It’s clear that he loves him already. This sham of a marriage will, at least, be good for Alex. Emilio deserves to be in Alex’s life; it’s his right as a father. And Alex deserves to have Emilio’s love and protection.
Keeping Alex from his father would be a mistake. He would lose out on so much. She’s doing the right thing, not for herself—but for Alex. She’ll do anything for Alex: go anywhere, sacrifice her own happiness. There’s nothing she won’t do for him.
Later, as she’s preparing Alex’s bottle for the night, Emilio walks into the kitchen looking dashing in his casual black suit, white shirt, and black shoes. His jet black hair is neatly slicked back, and his jaw is clean shaven.
~He is yummy indeed.~
All of Cassandra’s senses are drawn to him, but she forces herself to focus and finish making the bottles before the sitter arrives in ten minutes. Then she needs to go and get dressed.
Emilio looks her over. “You’re not ready yet?”
“I will be,” she snaps back. “I’m just preparing Alex’s bottles for the night.”
“This will be our first public appearance together, you know.”
“Um—yes, I do.”
“I don’t like lateness.”
Cassandra meets Emilio’s dark, intense eyes. “How could I forget when I almost lost my job over it?”
“Go and get ready, Cassie.”
Emiliano’s mother was overjoyed when he told her over the phone that her only son was getting married. She was thrilled that she would live to see it, and he won’t let anyone—especially not his angry bride—spoil the occasion for her. His mother’s wellbeing is more important to him than his own.
And that’s why he also needs to iron out this wrinkle at the bank, fast. If his mother should find out… His mind flicks to the top-secret file that Cassie foolishly took home to her apartment. He trusts she didn’t read it, at least. The file sits in the back of his mind constantly, like a bomb about to go off at any moment.
He closes down that line of thought and focuses on Alex and Cassie.
Finding out he has a son and heir was a blessing. He won’t have to make that list of prospective wives, after all. He can’t wait to see his lawyer’s face when he instructs him to change his will in favor of Alexander Miller Rodriguez.
Being attracted to Cassie is just the cherry on top.
Another mark in Cassie’s favor—being sexy as hell—is that she hasn’t used the credit card he gave her. Not even once.
Emiliano’s gaze lands on Alex sleeping peacefully next to him in the brand-new, top-of-the-line car seat that he bought for him. He fell asleep in the car on the way home from daycare, and they decided not to disturb him by taking him out.
Emiliano hasn’t told his mother about Alex yet. He wants to break the news in person. He can’t wait to see her face when she meets her grandson.
He reaches out and gently strokes the baby’s chubby cheek. This is his son…his blood…his heir, and he can’t wait to spend time alone with him.
Ten minutes later, Emilio looks up from his phone to find that Cassie has rejoined him in the living room. She’s made good use of all the makeup Emiliano bought for her, creating a classy bronze-gold smoky eye that highlights the green in her eyes. Cat-eye eyeliner and nude lipstick complete the look.
She’s wearing a wine-colored V-neck dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a side split, gold heels, and a matching evening purse.
Emiliano is taken aback.
He saw her in this dress at the store, but she was sulking then. Now, with her makeup done and her frown gone, she is breathtaking…
No, breathtaking doesn’t do her justice. He can’t tear his eyes away from her. Does she even realize how sexy she is? The men tonight won’t be able to keep their eyes off her.
Emiliano’s arousal stirs, a testament to the long night ahead. Not just for her, but for him too. ~God help me!~ She’s going to drive him insane. Her scent alone is enough to addle his brain.
Cassie’s dress clings to her breasts, revealing the absence of a bra. Emiliano’s hands ache to touch them, to feel their softness, to suck them until they harden into peaks.
He draws in a sharp breath and mutters a curse. He is so close to having her. But first they have to get through this evening. Does he really need to torment himself with images of her naked?
Cassie’s voice breaks through his lust-filled thoughts. “What’s wrong now?”
“Nothing,” Emiliano retorts.
Just then, José enters, trailed by a woman. He whispers something in Emiliano’s ear before exiting.
“Good evening,” the woman says.
“This is Anne-Marie,” Emiliano tells Cassie. “She’ll be taking care of Alex while we’re out.” He turns to Anne-Marie. “Call us immediately if anything goes wrong.”
Anne-Marie nods. “Immediately,” she says.
“Ready?” Emiliano asks Cassie, offering his hand.
Cassie hesitates, glances at the sitter, then places her hand in his. A spark of electricity shoots through Emiliano at the contact.
Once they’re in the car and on the road, Cassie says, “I’m not really comfortable leaving Alex with a stranger, you know.”
Emiliano gives her a sympathetic glance. He understands her worries, but his career and social standing will necessitate frequent outings, so she’ll need to adapt—no matter how difficult. “We’ll be attending a lot of social events, so start getting used to it.”
“I didn’t sign up for this, Emiliano.”
“What exactly did you think being my wife would involve? I can assure you, it’s not just staying at home and watching TV. You’ll be at my side whenever I need you, fulfilling your duties as a good wife should.”
Cassie laughs. “Oh, and I’m sure you’ll fulfill your duties as a good husband should.”
“Every single one of them.” He pauses, lowering his voice. “Including making you writhe beneath me, begging me to take you.”
Cassie’s face flushes and she shakes her head.
“Dream on,” she snaps. “We’re only getting married for Alex’s sake—that’s it.”
Emiliano reaches over and caresses her cheek. “Even you don’t believe that. I can see you want me too.”