Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
And a red carpet to walk with interviews as they made their way backstage. Dash blew out a breath, telling himself Cassidy could handle herself in front of a live audience. Their first time in public as a couple.
Talk about throwing her into the deep end. He consoled himself with the fact that he’d be by her side, there to catch her if she stumbled. But the more he got to know her, the more he realized Cassidy would fake it before letting the world know there was a soft core inside. One that was capable of being hurt, something he’d done to her once already, and he had no plans to do it to her again.
Chapter Four
Dash sat with Xander in his brother’s family room, waiting for the women, who were busy with their glam squad in the master bedroom, getting ready for tonight’s event. Sasha had scored an invite as a presenter at the VMAs and that let Dash hang with his brother. Even better, it gave Cass a friend to keep her calm.
She hadn’t said a word, but he’d noticed how uptight she’d been throughout the week as they eased into public life, and a lot of that was his fault because he’d insinuated himself into her life. On purpose.
He’d started taking her out, small trips into town for coffee, wearing their most casual clothing, sunglasses, walking hand in hand. Dash was known as a local, and though many people gave him privacy, tourists were more likely to take photos and post his whereabouts.
On the surface, that was exactly what he wanted. A slow lead-in to tonight’s red carpet walk that would make them an official couple in the eyes of the world. Dash was hoping for a burst of excitement that would quickly die down, leaving him out of the spotlight.
But that didn’t account for his behavior when they’d been alone. His hand around her waist. A peck on the cheek just because, and long, lingering good-night or goodbye kisses that could easily have escalated if not for him deliberately saving his best for tonight, after the performance, when they were alone.
“You’re quiet,” Xander said into the silence.
Dash shrugged. “Just thinking.”
“About?” Xander adjusted his black-rimmed glasses.
“Headache?” Dash asked.
Xander usually wore his glasses when his eyes and head acted up as a result of a concussion in an IED blast during his time as a Marine. Not easy for a man who was a writer.
“I was up late working. Vision’s a little blurry. Don’t change the subject,” his brother said with a scowl.
Though Dash would rather ask Xander how he’d deal with tonight’s crowds and flashing lights, his brother wouldn’t let him avoid the conversation.
Besides, Dash knew the occasional red carpet as a couple was one of the concessions Xander had made in order to have a relationship with a famous actress. Sasha had moved across the country to New York to be with him, and they were starting a new production company, ending her country hopping for multiple movies a year. They loved each other and made things work.
Dash turned his thoughts back to Cassidy. He glanced toward the part of the house where the bedrooms were located.
“I’m just hoping I didn’t push her into something she’s not ready for to suit my selfish needs.” Dash rose to his feet and shoved his hands into his front pants pockets.
Xander tipped his head to the side and studied him. “Sasha said Cassidy is fine with the fake relationship. Are you the one with the nerves?”
Dash shrugged. “I’m just concerned about putting her under the microscope that is my life.”
Xander nodded. “Considering I’m the non-famous one in my relationship with Sasha, I can relate. I can also tell you Cassidy wouldn’t put herself in this position if she couldn’t handle it.” He leaned forward. “I want you to know that I appreciate that you’re looking out for her during this charade.”
Xander’s words got under Dash’s skin. “It’s not a damned charade!” he all but exploded.
“What are you saying?” Xander asked. “You already used Cassidy once. Are you telling me–”
“Whoa.” Dash held up one hand. “First of all, I didn’t use her. She scared the crap out of me,” he said, disliking the admission as it came out of his mouth.
His brother’s eyes opened wide.
“And second, believe it or not, that baby scare taught me a lesson. Watching you and Sasha, Linc and Jordan, and Chloe and Beck has been eye-opening.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. You have real feelings for Cassidy.”
Xander’s shock was palpable. His brother didn’t think he was capable of deep emotion, and Dash knew it was because he’d never given anyone a reason to think he took the women in his life seriously.
“I do.” His chest squeezed tight at the truth. “I don’t think Cassidy will buy a word I say, but I’m trying to take it slow and be a better guy.”