Their desire wasn’t supposed to be real…
With
millions willed to her in an incentive trust, Lissa can get the dough to start
her own country music label when she
meets one of the no-contest clauses. Namely, reach middle age in twenty years,
work in the hated family business for a decade, or marry someone not in the
music biz.
Marriage
it is, at least for a year to satisfy her greedy brother who wants the
inheritance.
Enter
Cass, a hot Texas rancher who dampens Lissa’s panties. With a pile of medical
bills from his brother’s accident, Cass agrees to wed Lissa. She’s sweet to
look at, surprisingly pleasant for an Atlanta debutante, and makes his jeans
feel tight as hell despite their no-sex contract.
Uh-huh.
The devil’s in the details. Longing gazes turn to tender intimacy and wild
nights with pretend feeling all too real.
Damn
shame it may be too late with her brother gunning for them both.
Excerpt:
Cass had expected to be somewhat jittery today, but his anger with
Willy was still fresh enough to have calmed his nerves, though not his
thoughts. As the Wedding March swept
through the gigantic space, Cass wondered if Willy would say or do something to
hurt Lissa.
I’ll pound you
into the ground if you try.
It’d be more entertainment for the six hundred or so guests.
They oohed, then ahhed at the ringbearer who tripped, the flower
girl who wet her panties halfway down the aisle, and a dozen bridesmaids
dressed in filmy lavender gowns who grinned as if their lives depended on it.
So much for having a small affair. Marvella and the rest of the bridesmaids had
walked slowly, each of them taking Cass in as if he were on the auction block.
Some of them eyed him so much they made this the longest damn wedding he’d ever
suffered through.
Patty must have thought the same. She hung on to one of the chairs
while her gaze whizzed around the room decorated with more flowers than a Texas
politician’s funeral.
Cass would have given a few years of his life for some fresh air
and a faster pace to these proceedings. After what seemed like hours, it was
time for the main event. A hush fell over the guests as Willy stepped into
view. Cass glared at the man, warning him to be nice or risk death.
Curling his upper lip, Willy held out his arm for Lissa.
A moment passed, then another, and still more with her nowhere in
sight. She couldn’t have changed her—
No, wait. There she was.
Cass lost every bit of air in his lungs. Dear Lord, her hair was
beyond glorious, curling this way and that, free and loose just as he’d wanted.
Thank you, sweetheart.
He couldn’t look at her dress enough. White as a cloud, it
sparkled each time she breathed.
Although Lissa’s veil hung over her face, he could see that her
gaze was down as Willy delivered her to his side…for safekeeping and a lifetime
of what should have been love. Cass took her hand gently in his, surprised at
how icy her fingers were.
Lissa lifted her face.
At that moment, Cass knew he wanted her completely, mindlessly,
passionately; hell, he might even be falling in love. This was a woman he ached
to share time with—all the good, even the bad—didn’t matter.
Her expression softened; it yearned as much as his.
Cass smiled.
Uncertainty, then something he couldn’t read passed over her face.
She turned away.
His stomach fell. He wanted to ask what had just happened, what
the problem might be, besides this nutty wedding. He needed to know if she’d
ever want him as her real husband or even for a couple dates, but couldn’t get
into that now. The minister had already started.
His words sounded cold, no different from the contract Cass and
Lissa had signed. How careful they’d been, spelling everything out, except what
they should do about a wayward heart.
Cass’ beat out of control, yet he said his vows in a surprisingly
strong voice and then eased his mother’s ring onto Lissa’s finger, warming her
hand with his own.
When it was her turn, she claimed that she’d love him for all
time, then slipped a gold band onto his finger. A warning to the world that he
belonged to her now.
As crazy as it was, Cass suddenly wanted that.
The ceremony continued, for days it seemed. He felt as if he’d
been doing this all of his life. Finally though, the minister shut up for a few
seconds, broke into a broad smile, and said, “You may now kiss your bride.”
What remarkable words those were, filled with such beauty and
promise. With great care, as if he was exposing Lissa’s soul, Cass eased the
veil from her face.
He saw her flash of desire, followed by more uncertainty, maybe
fear. Why? He’d never hurt her.
Cass cupped her beautiful face in his hands. His work-roughened
thumbs stroked her velvety cheeks as he lowered his mouth to hers. This time,
he kissed Lissa with tenderness, respect, and patience.
She was his wife and deserved the best.
Introducing Tina Donahue--in her own words:
I’m an award-winning, bestselling
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