Seven Day Fiance: A Love and Games Novel (Entangled Bliss) (5 page)

The flush rose on her pale cheeks, and Cane remembered the crush she’d had when she first moved here. His jaw clenched in irritation. “Who did you say was your fiancé, angel?”

Eyes wide at his growly snarl, she yanked her hand away. He sat back, folding his arms tight across his chest. Of course she’d said Jason’s name. Before he proposed to Colby, Angelle had followed him around like a lovesick puppy.
That’s
the reason Cane was suddenly the perfect candidate for this job. She was coming to him not because of the intense attraction between them or because she knew she could trust him to help. She came because Jason was already a fiancé. Cane shook his head. If Angelle thought he’d pretend to be another man on top of this stupid engagement shit, she had another thing coming. Cane was through with looking like a jackass.

Not that he was really considering this ridiculous
proposal
anyway.

“You,”
she whispered.

The word was so soft, so low, that Cane almost didn’t hear it through his inner tirade. When he did, his gaze shot to hers. “What did you say?”

Angelle cleared her throat. “At first, I
didn’t
give them a name. They didn’t ask—I think they were just too stunned—and I sure as heck wasn’t giving them one. I was still shocked myself. But I knew they’d call back, so I went to find the only guy I really knew in Magnolia Springs. A man I knew my parents would adore. Someone safe, dependable, and solid. It was that night at Grits and Stuff, do you remember?”

Jealous fire burned his veins but he nodded. “The night we met.”

“Right.” She wet her lips and looked back down. “I figured it was time I got out there again anyway, so I thought I’d kill two birds at once. Who knew, maybe it wouldn’t have to be a lie for long. I came home thinking I’d made real progress. But when Mama called back later that night…I didn’t give her Jason’s name.”

More surprising than what he now knew was coming was the sense of triumph it gave him. “You didn’t?” Cane prompted, needing to hear Angelle say the words. It shouldn’t matter to him, since he knew this couldn’t go anywhere past a hot night or two in bed, if he was lucky enough for even that. But for some reason, he needed to know that first meeting affected her as much as it had him.

Angelle shook her head. Her green eyes filled with vulnerability as she said, “I said
your
name
,
Cane. My parents think
you’re
my fiancé.”

The swinging door to the kitchen fell open. Two wide-eyed faces peered around as Angelle let out a muted squeal. Cane wasn’t surprised, though. His sisters eavesdropping had been a given; he was just shocked they hadn’t busted their asses at the
first
fiancé bomb.

Fiancé.

Damn, it was like a plot from one of Sherry’s soap operas. This kind of shit didn’t happen outside Hollywood or those red-covered books he’d cleaned out of his mom’s closet. Or, so he’d thought.

Cane couldn’t deny a part of him was ready to jump at this. He wanted her,
needed
to get her out of his head, and she’d all but admitted his
non-safe
reputation was the reason she was so skittish. What better way to get Angelle to relax and topple her monumental defenses than spending a week alone, pretending she was his?

But there was another part of him—the side that protected women like
her
from men like
him—
that knew this could be dangerous. He liked Angelle. He respected her. And the last thing he wanted was to see her hurt. A one-night stand or an extended no-strings-attached fling was one thing. But a week of faking real emotions? That was a whole other ball game.

The promise he’d made long ago burned brighter in his mind. Twelve years ago, he witnessed the devastation his mother went through and even though his parents eventually reconciled, Cane vowed he’d never let himself inflict that kind of misery.

He wasn’t his father.

Movement behind Angelle’s lowered head snagged his attention and Cane watched as his sisters exchanged a look. They turned to him with matching smirks, and he exhaled.

He knew that look. He was about to be ganged up on.

Sherry stepped forward, grinning widely. Ever the matchmaker, she was enjoying this and he knew it. “You already have a ring,” she mentioned, oh so helpfully. “Mom left you hers, and you know what a romantic she was. She’d
love
it if you used her engagement ring to help Angie.”

His more sensible sister hitched her hip on the neighboring table. Colby sent her friend an encouraging smile. “And we’ve got the restaurant covered. As much as my big brother likes to think otherwise, we’ll survive a week without him quadruple-checking every aspect of this place.” She grinned and blew him an air-kiss. “Love ya, bro. Besides, we’re closed Thanksgiving, and Devon and Kara can handle the bar this weekend.”

So much for practicality.
Everything lined up. They’d taken any feasible excuse he could’ve had and chucked it right out the damn window. All three women turned to him with expectant faces, and Cane knew he was done for. Especially when Angelle’s eyes softened with hope.

“I’ll give you the ring back, of course…” she said, her voice breaking off into a whisper. “You know, when we come home.” Her teeth sank back into that plump lower lip as she shifted in her seat. “I just need to get past this holiday, let them see I’ve moved on. After that, I’ll start dropping hints about problems, and then be single again before Christmas.”

Cane scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. She’d done him a solid with Becca. Now it was his turn to help her. It wouldn’t be completely altruistic; he fully intended to return with his curiosity satisfied and his obsession with the auburn-haired vixen sated. He’d just have to find a way to keep Angelle at a safe distance while doing it.

Even with the sense of dread roiling in his gut, an unmistakable surge of excitement rushed through his chest. He’d wanted to make her his for a short time. He’d just never thought it would happen quite like this. Taking her hand again, Cane linked their fingers together. They may as well get comfortable with the PDAs if they had a chance in hell of pulling this off. “So, when do we leave?”

Chapter Four

“Uncle Cane, you’re getting
married
?”

Choking on his swig of Dr. Pepper, Cane bit back a curse not meant for a young girl’s ears. This day just kept getting more bizarre. It had begun quietly, alone in the big house his parents had left him, with the same old monotony stretched before him, and somehow ended with him engaged. Not for real, of course, but evidently, that detail was insignificant. Tossing another pair of faded jeans on the stack of books in his open bag, Cane turned his head and feigned innocence. “What, sweetheart?”

“I overheard Dad and Colby talking downstairs,” Emma explained, waltzing through the door and heading straight for his guitar. Colby split her time equally between their childhood home and Jason’s, and her soon-to-be stepdaughter always followed in her wake. It was sweet how much she idolized Colby, how excited she was that they would all soon
officially
be a family. But as much as he loved spending time with his godchild, she could be exhausting. And rather nosy. “Personally, I think it’s awesome. Angelle rocks. She’s
so
much better than those hoochies you normally date.”

There was so much wrong with that sentence Cane didn’t know where to begin. Emma knowing about the other women, the word
hoochies
being a part of her vocabulary, her learning about this crazy scheme…any way he sliced it, the onslaught of horror was overwhelming. But unfortunately, she wasn’t all that wrong about the other women.

“Bug, I think you heard wrong.” Cane scratched the side of his stubbled jaw as Emma turned from strumming his guitar, lips tugging in a confused frown. Strangely enough—considering he’d agreed to this farce—he hated lying. He despised liars. But the whole truth was too ridiculous even for a twelve-year-old. So he said, “Angelle just needs help with a…situation. And I’m tagging along to do it. As friends. That’s all.”

His godchild’s smile didn’t dim in the least. In fact, it grew.

And that made Cane nervous.

The entire Robicheaux/Landry family was infected with wedding fever. Bridal magazines were in the bathroom, diagrams of seating arrangements littered the dining table, and discussions about the growing RSVP list for Colby and Jason’s wedding played on repeat—and now Cane was contributing to the insanity. The fact that this was all an absurd hoax didn’t seem to faze either of his sisters. They’d begun planning the pretend event anyway.

Which was why he’d barricaded himself in his room, packing for the stupid trip. Normally, Cane didn’t give two shits about what he wore. Or what people thought of it. As long as they weren’t getting close, he was fine with whatever impression they got of him. But Angelle had his head all twisted. Was he supposed to be himself or dress to impress her folks? How far did this scam go?

Angelle had said they knew everything about him, that he managed Robicheaux’s, tended bar on the weekend, rode a motorcycle, and played in a band. Other than leaving out his tats and highly coveted King of Abs title, she pretty much summed up his stats.

The ones he let the world know, that is.

Very few people knew about his OCD-like quirks, love for calculus and physics, addiction to Sudoku, or fascination with the Discovery channel. Or how at the age of twenty-one, the plans for his future altered. And the possibility of him getting married for real vanished.

It was rare someone got close enough to learn any of those things. Or for Cane to
want
anyone close enough so he or she could. As always, Angelle defied his normal logic. He already felt more physically drawn to her than any anyone he’d ever met, and he was attracted to the woman she let his friends and family know so well. From her comments earlier and general wariness around him, it was obvious she’d made assumptions based on what he let the world see. It was probably better for both of them if he let her keep them.

“Tell Angelle my signature colors are green and blue,” Emma declared, snapping Cane’s attention back to the present. He lifted his head to see her listing the rainbow on her fingers. “But I guess I can work with yellow or purple, too. Oh, it could be like an LSU wedding!” She jumped up and clapped her hands happily, then grew serious just as quickly. “But no taffeta bows on the butt, please. That mess doesn’t work on anyone.”

She rolled her eyes and then with a mischievous giggle, spun on her heel and skipped away.

Cane blinked. “Taffeta?” What in the hell was that, some kind of snack? Raising his voice he asked, “Colors?”

“Duh,” answered her amused, disembodied voice from the hall. “For the bridesmaid dresses.” Her tinkling laugh clearly said she was enjoying his distress. And that he could add one more wedding planner to the mix.

Great
. Just what he needed—his highly impressionable, preteen niece playing Cupid.

Emma’s matchmaking with Jason and Colby was already family legend. Between her and Sherry, his closed-off best friend and stubborn-as-hell sister hadn’t stood a chance. But Angelle wasn’t Colby. And Cane sure as hell wasn’t Jason. The two of them weren’t headed for a happily ever after. They were simply two highly attracted people, agreeing to
pretend
for the hometown busybodies, and then “breaking up” the moment they returned to town.

With Angelle officially cleansed from his system.

Cane’s gaze drifted to the bed, imagining red hair splayed across his pillow. Getting the uptight woman to give in to their attraction wasn’t going to be easy. But there was no doubt in his mind that Angelle would be worth the effort.

Grinning, he zipped up his bag.

…

Angelle was gonna puke. Her hands were so clammy her perfume bottle slipped from her grasp, and a swarm of horseflies was dancing the jitterbug in her tummy. Ever since she’d left Robicheaux’s she’d been one big bundle of anxiety, and her completely addicted to love,
highly
enthusiastic roomie wasn’t helping with that one bit.

“You realize at this moment we’re practically sisters,” Sherry said, riffling through Angie’s dresser. What the woman was looking for was anyone’s guess, but Angelle was certain it would end up being embarrassing. “Fake engagement or not, the chemistry between you and my big brother is explosive. You know y’all are gonna have to act all lovey-dovey to sell this thing, and I predict some
serious
fireworks occurring.” She bumped the drawer closed with her hip and frowned. “I’m just pissed I won’t be there to see it.”

Ah, crap.
Sherry was right. Pulling this off would require a lot of acting, and Angelle had the theatrical skills of a turnip. She and Cane had chemistry, all right—
crazy
chemistry—so the feigning starry-eyed passion in public didn’t worry her. It was pretending she
wasn’t
crazy about the sinfully sexy man when they were in private that would be the problem.

An image of Cane wrapping her up in his big, strong arms and plundering her mouth flashed in her mind, and Angie’s tummy flipped again.

“And I predict it’ll be a freaking miracle if anyone buys the charade,” she said, sinking onto her bed in a defeated plop. “Sherry, what have I gotten myself into? Seriously, Cane and me as a couple? It’s laughable. The two of us couldn’t be more opposite.”

“Exactly,” Sherry declared with a smirk. “And opposites make for some yummy sparks.” She wiggled her eyebrows and did a shoulder shimmy, then said, “Now you hang tight for a sec; there’s something I want you to borrow for the trip.”

As Sherry scooted out the door, Angelle pulled her knees up to her chest. Guilt and hopelessness made her head spin and with a sigh, she laid her cheek against soft, well-worn denim.

What she was asking of Cane was huge—but what she was asking of herself was even bigger. Her gaze flicked to her wrist, the word
Chance
taunting her. So far, her new life mission had a 30 percent success rate. In other words, she wasn’t doing so hot. Cane represented the exact kind of guy she
should
be going after. Passion personified. Adventurous. A man totally different from her ex.

And yet, so similar to the man her sister had been dating when she died.

Angelle’s wrist throbbed as pain and regret sliced through her. She wanted to be like Amber, to take risks and live life to the fullest. But was she following
too
closely in her sister’s footsteps? Air hissed between her teeth as she imagined her daddy’s reaction to Cane’s ink. She’d left that detail out for a reason, wanting to delay the fallout.

Her forehead thunked against her knees. Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she imagined. Cane was a business owner, after all. He was strong and handsome and, despite his womanizing ways, obviously a good man. He worked hard and his sisters doted on him, as did Emma.

Which meant her heart was in serious jeopardy. She frowned.

Maybe she
should
call things off now, before it was too late.

But then her thoughts turned to her mom and she sighed. Angelle had left her alone to deal with the town reaction to from her breakup, and it hadn’t been pretty. Mama was so eager to show off her engaged daughter, excited she could finally put a positive spin on the story of her runaway bride–like daughter. Knowing her, she’d invited half the town to welcome them home, and Angie only needed one guess as to who’d be sitting front and center.

Groaning, Angelle closed her eyes. Brady would be there, all right, if for no other reason than to show he’d moved on. Since their very public breakup, they hadn’t spoken. Not directly, at least. Mama made sure to fill Angie in on all things Brady during their daily conversations, and Angelle was sure her mom did the same with him. But now that she was home, there would be no avoiding him. Their families were old friends, and the town was small. And that, more than any other reason, was why she needed Cane by her side. Yeah, the man inspired forbidden fantasies that would make even wanton women like Sherry blush, but he was strong. When the wolves descended, and they definitely would, she could lean on him to get her through it. Maybe even tap into that well of cool, calm confidence he naturally exuded and take a little for herself.

She’d just have to be extra vigilant that in doing so, she didn’t let herself believe the lie.

Strictly professional
.

“All right, chica, I got ya a few options.”

Angelle looked up to see Sherry reenter her bedroom, arms laden with a multitude of lace, silk, leather… Her eyes widened in shock.

“Sorry to tell you this, sweets, but your negligee selection is pitiful,” Sherry declared with a shake of her head. “And that mess simply won’t be tolerated as long as you share my apartment and have me as a friend. You’re way too sexy to hide under cotton and flannel. When you get back we’re totes hitting up Victoria’s Secret, but for now, these will do.”

An explosion of colorful unmentionables hit her bed, and blood rushed to Angelle’s cheeks. She and Sherry were so not on the same page. Picking one up, she noticed two significantly placed cutouts on the bodice and dropped the garment as if it would bite her. “Ah, wow. Thanks for the offer, Sher. It’s very…generous of you. But, um, this stuff
really
isn’t me.”

“That’s kind of the point.” Smiling, she sat down and shook Angie’s knee. “Listen, I’m not trying to pimp out my brother. But the two of you are going away together for a week. I’d be failing in my job as your friend and sex-obsessed cheerleader if I didn’t make sure you were prepared. Besides, can you honestly look me in the eyes and say you’re not attracted to him?”

Angelle held her gaze for a nanosecond and then looked away, unable to lie.
See, zero acting skills.
Sherry plucked up another option from the pile, a green one with lace, and draped it over her knees. “This one looks amazing with your coloring.”

Angelle banged her head twice on the soft fabric. Nine months living here, five of them spent as an honorary Robicheaux, and all her secrets were tumbling out in one twenty-four-hour period.

“Sherry, I honestly don’t think I’ll be needing any of this stuff.” She traced the scalloped lace trim with her fingertips, too self-conscious to look up as she admitted, “And the reason I
know
I won’t be needing any of it—” She swallowed and buried her face in the silky fabric. “Is because I’m a virgin.”

Silence.

Complete and utter silence.

I’ve actually shocked Sherry mute.

Up to this point, Angie hadn’t thought that was possible.

When the waiting became unbearable, she lifted her head and found Sherry studying her in confusion. Forehead wrinkled, she said, “But you had a boyfriend.” She tilted her head in wonder and gazed as if Angelle were the eighth wonder of the world…or something equally mind-blowing. “He proposed.”

“Girls with boyfriends and even almost fiancés can be virgins, you know,” Angie muttered, trying super hard not to feel offended or annoyed. Living with Sherry, conversations sprang up all the time where she could’ve volunteered this information and didn’t, so this had to come as a shock. But the expression on her friend’s face was exactly why she hadn’t said anything before. “Look, at first I waited because I wanted to be in love. Then, even when I believed I was, it still never felt right. Brady assumed I wanted to be married first, but I don’t think that was it.”

Sherry nodded, her lips pursed slightly as if in thought. “I respect that. So, what, do you think you were just never really in love with your ex?”

Angelle shrugged. “I know I loved him as a person. I still do. He’s a good guy and was a great friend to me. But honestly? No, I don’t think I was
in
love with him. I think we became more like two friends who hung out and occasionally made out than a couple destined for an epic romance. There was no excitement, no passion. And I think that’s what was missing. If I had those things, it wouldn’t matter if I were married or not. I’m not sure it would even matter if I were in love. If it feels
right,
then I’ll gladly join the ranks of the hymenally relieved, but until then, I refuse to settle for anything less than what I deserve, either.”