“Stupid woman,” I said without thinking. But really, why would any female need another man when she had Trace Walker. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you were faithful to her.”
He grinned at me, and my heart melted. He nodded and said, “I was. I wasn’t ready to make a big commitment, but we had dated long enough that she finally talked me into a monogamous relationship. Too bad she meant only on my side.”
“You still love her?” My palms were sweaty and my heart started to hammer. I wasn’t quite sure I wanted his answer.
“I never said I loved her. I just said we were supposed to be exclusive. I don’t love, Eva. I satisfy a physical need with the women I see.”
It was pretty obvious that he did much more than that. Oh, he might not have ever been in love, but the way he cared about his brother told me he was capable. “So you need me as a decoy?”
“I need you to keep her away from me. Dane would be devastated if he knew all that Britney wanted were the things his money can buy her, and she’s getting back at me.”
“Maybe she really does care now. Maybe things have changed,” I said, hopeful that Britney may have had an epiphany. How could any woman be so heartless to use brother against brother, especially one who had suffered like Dane?
“She called me just a few weeks ago, telling me that she was hoping to win me back at Christmas. She hasn’t changed.” His voice was flat and hopeless. “I want Dane to dump her. She’s a viper. But not because she was making moves on me. I don’t want him to resent me, or to know that I fucked her first.”
I hated that thought, the idea that Trace had done the horizontal mambo with any female. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure he’d done a lot of bedroom dancing.
“I’ll do my best,” I promised him. “But you’re going to have to help me. Pretend that you care.”
“I won’t have to pretend, Eva. If I didn’t want you to have a better life, I wouldn’t have chosen you. I could have found someone else, but you were just too damn perfect. You’re very beautiful.”
He was wrong. I was a loser in a gorgeous dress. “I feel like Cinderella,” I mumbled before I could stop myself. The room was silent for a minute before I added, “What are we doing here together if they aren’t coming until Christmas? Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.”
“I’m well aware of that. I thought I’d take you out for dinner. The time won’t be wasted. I can get you through our pre-employment process and fill you in on details.”
“I’ll cook. I want to,” I said eagerly. It had been years since I’d participated in a Thanksgiving dinner.
His eyes stared at me, penetrating me with an intense gaze. “You actually want to cook?”
“Your kitchen is amazing. And yes, I love to cook. I just haven’t had a chance in a very long time.” I’d never had the money. Lately, I hadn’t had a scrap of food in my apartment. “Do you have the supplies?”
He frowned. “Probably not. And I gave my staff time off now until next Monday. But I can call my assistant here.”
I held up a hand. “No. Don’t you have a car?”
He smirked. “Several of them.”
“You can drive me. I’m not driving one of those fancy, expensive vehicles of yours.” Knowing my luck, I’d crash.
“To a grocery store?” He looked appalled.
“Really? You act like you never get groceries.”
He shrugged. “I don’t. I have employees for that.”
“Then it will be an adventure, right?” I couldn’t fathom somebody who had his shopping done for him, but all I needed was a ride. “I know what to get. I’ll check out your kitchen to see what you already have.”
I scooted off the bed, ready to get out of the fancy dress I was wearing. It made me feel pretty, but also like someone that wasn’t really…me.
Trace stood up. “You don’t have to do this, Eva. I don’t mind shoving something in the microwave or going out.”
“It’s Thanksgiving. You can’t eat a frozen dinner.” If it hadn’t been for Trace, I wouldn’t be eating at all. I wanted to do this for him. “Just give me a few minutes to change.” I nudged him toward the door.
“Can I watch?” he asked mischievously.
His molten green gaze caressed me, and I swear I could feel his stare all the way down to my toes. My core clenched painfully as I caught his scent.
“Leave, pervert,” I insisted.
He turned toward me, stopping as he said, “I’ll be downstairs.”
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes. I just need to get out of this dress.”