Overlooked(1)(145)

My days as a hairdresser tend to come in handy for times like this, when I need to look good in a pinch, or at short notice. Long days have left me feeling pretty tired, but I made a promise to come out tonight and I fully intend to keep it. Besides, the food is great and I am slowly getting used to the company.

Cade smiles at me, looking me over. Again, the sense that he can see all the way into me is burning through my mind and my clothes. I want to cover up, to hide from his gaze. Instead, I meet his gaze head on.

“What’s the matter, babe?” I ask.

The emphasis on the last word is not lost on him and he smirks, a slow, predatory smile.

“You seem distracted, sweetheart. Am I boring you?” He smirks again, staring me in the eyes until I feel a shiver beneath across my skin and down my spine.

I shrug and a small smile tugs at my lips, “Only a little.”

He chuckles at this and I find that I love the sound. I want to hear it again. I suddenly realize that I have never seen him laugh, really laugh, in all the times he has come into the salon. I don’t know that much about this man – not really.

I know how he likes his hair styled. I know that he likes it when I massage the shampoo into his hair. I know he is stylish and wealthy and that he likes it when I do his hair, seeing as I know how he likes it done.

I know that he is a bit of a flirt. In fact, he is a lot of a flirt. He’s never mentioned a relationship to me. Then again, maybe he doesn’t do relationships. He hadn’t seemed to have an interest in settling down until now. But he is charming and sexy and I know that I cannot keep my eyes off him when he walks into a room, and he knows it. He knows that he has ladies eating out of the palm of his hand and he is not afraid to use that to his advantage.

“Well, I’ll have to see if I can change that, hmm?” He’s still smiling and for some reason, I feel like my heart is stopping, like it has been caught in my chest and cannot be released. I take a breath, a deep breath, but when he stands up in the middle of the restaurant, it all rushes out of my lungs.

His meal is half eaten. He moves to one knee. I have never seen anyone look so graceful. He lifts his hands, and in them, I see a ring box, black velvet and perfectly designed. Even though I knew this was going to happen, I can’t help the way my heart catches in my throat, the way my hands fly to my mouth in surprise.

And for one beautiful moment, I am taken away. I am left breathless and in awe. He smiles and it seems so genuine. He flips up the lid and reveals the most perfect ring that I have ever laid eyes on. It is stunning, sparkling even under the low lights. It’s beautifully made and I can tell from one glance that it will fit me just right. I can also tell that it was expensive, very expensive.

I am suddenly touched by the effort, the thoughtfulness, the way that he is doing this, when he didn’t have to make it such a big deal.

“Ellen Cassidy…” His voice is low and warm, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

The tears that well up in my eyes are not scripted. “Yes.” I manage to say, “Yes, of course!”

He stands and takes my hand, lifting it to his lips and presses them against my skin in a kiss. Then he slips the ring on my finger and, just like I suspected, it fits like it was made just for me. It fits like an engagement ring should and it sparkles.

And for a moment, I am perfectly, blissfully happy, because this is just how I imagined it. What I had never planned for was this being nothing more than a business transaction, a fake date and a fake relationship.

Cade is playing his part well, but it’s still a part. I stare at the ring, and Cade strokes my cheek and lifts my chin. Before I know what is happening, I feel his lips on mine and electricity jolts through my body. His lips feel incredible, his kiss warm, the feel of him more perfect than I ever dared to dream about. Perfect. He’s perfect.

For just a moment, everything is perfect.





CHAPTER TWO





CADE HARLOW





I’m standing in the middle of a restaurant, slipping a ring on a beautiful lady’s finger. My lips are on hers and I never expected her to taste so sweet, or so good under my tongue. Things are going smoothly, just like I planned. The date, the restaurant, the lights.

The way the ring fit her like a glove. Ellen gasps just right, her hands flying to her mouth when I pop the question. I feel a surge of satisfaction at her reaction, a surge of something like happiness, but not quite.

I have planned for every eventuality, for every change in mood, for the wine, the food and the ring. It’s perfect – as perfect as any woman could ever want. I pride myself in doing things right, in knowing what a woman wants and needs, and providing it to her, without hesitation.