Chapter Two

A manda understood why Kasey suddenly became guarded at spotting Harper Hastings across the club. The woman had done the unthinkable.

As Harper marched across the dance floor, everyone at Tiny’s stopped what they were doing. Some simply stared and others had their phones out taking pictures or recording. Not only did Harper’s family own one of the most profitable real estate companies in America, she’d also been a model since the age of twelve and was now rightfully considered one of the most beautiful people in the world. She left the runway four years ago when she founded Harper Productions and created Hunter Kase .

And the word beautiful didn’t begin to do her justice. She was exquisite, with porcelain skin, violet-blue eyes surrounded by thick lashes, bouncy blonde hair, and a tall, voluptuous body. She wore blue capri pants, sparkly heels, and a pink shirt under a Burberry jacket.

Amanda knew the guys behind her were Kasey’s brothers, having seen pictures of them.

“We need to talk,” Harper said once Amanda and Kasey were close, but they continued past her. Confusion marred Harper’s perfect face. “Where are you going?”

“Kasey promised me a dance.” Amanda smiled sweetly, and they went to the center of the dance floor. Luckily, a slow song came on. “You should lead,” she conceded.

“Might be best.” He smirked as he took her into his arms.

A few bar-goers joined them and danced while others gawked at Harper, and still others at Kasey and Amanda. As they danced, she felt a difference in Kasey’s body, a stiffness that wasn’t there earlier. “Anything I can do?”

“Some things can’t be undone.” His eyes met hers. “How long ago did you get a divorce?”

“Three years.”

“Are you over it?” he questioned, an ache in his voice.

“I wanted the divorce. I still love him. I’ll always love him. I’m simply not in love with him anymore.”

“Sounds like you have a healthy attitude about it.”

“I’ve had three years,” she reminded him. “Your wound is fresh and bleeding. Poco a poco , Kasey.”

“Little by little?”

“Yeah, that’s how I got over my divorce. Hell, that’s how I get through every day.”

He grimaced, looking dejectedly sad.

Hoping to cheer him up, she said, “You know, thanks to you I’m no longer a virgin.”

His brows shot up, a hint of humor in his expression.

Good, she’d distracted him.

“Oh, shit. What did I miss? How much have I had to drink? Were my drinks laced with drugs? Did I blackout?” He slowed their bodies and shook his head. “No. No way I’d forget taking your virginity. I have a feeling you’d be unforgettable. Even if I were comatose.”

The compliment caused heat, and a delighted smile, to radiate from her heart to her lips. “Wrong virginity. What I meant by no longer being a virgin is that this is only my second country dance. Earlier was my first. I probably should have told you, except you’d informed me about your vow of celibacy, so I didn’t dare.”

He full-belly laughed as he gently guided her through the other dancers. “You’re a quick learner if this is truly your second time.”

“High achiever,” she boasted.

“I have no doubt.”

“You want to try to duck out?”

“Nah. This has to happen. Here’s as good as anywhere.” The music faded, and he let her go.

She immediately felt the loss of his body heat.

The overhead lights brightened. Kasey gestured with a nod. “Looks like happy birthday time.”

“Oh.” The table she’d been sitting at when Kasey came in had been transformed. The drinks were gone, and a plastic tablecloth with balloons printed on it covered the table and held enough cupcakes for everyone in the bar. One in the center had a lit candle.

She started across the floor, Kasey in step beside her. “Quinn’s not going to be happy Sadie brought cupcakes and will be even more upset when we sing. She doesn’t like attention on her.”

“Uh oh, you think she disliked the flowers?”

“She loved them. Women love flowers.”

“My mom taught me well.”

“A shame she didn’t teach your brother.”

“She taught him right from wrong. He chooses to ignore it.”

“Happy Birthday...” Sadie started singing. Everyone in the bar sang along.

Quinn’s face turned red, and her hands fisted by her sides. She glared at Dre who gave a shake of his head. The motion clearly said, don’t blame me . Quinn picked up the cupcake with the candle and blew it out.

Everyone cheered. The lights dimmed, and the music started. Amanda grabbed two cupcakes and handed one to Kasey.

“Thank you.” He peeled the paper back. “Thought I’d have a liquid diet tonight, so this is a treat.”

She couldn’t blame him for wanting to drown his sorrows, yet wished he didn’t feel the need to. She took a bite of her cupcake.

“What’s the other flavor besides coconut?” he asked.

She swallowed the tasty bite. “Pistachio, I think.”

“It’s delicious.” He finished off the cupcake.

Seeing Harper and Kasey’s brothers approaching again, Amanda quickly reached out to squeeze his arm, unsure if she was trying to give him sympathy or courage. She just knew she needed to touch him. “Here she comes.”

He breathed a deep sigh that she somehow felt.

Once Harper and his brothers stepped close, he said, “You want to go outside, Harper?”

She led the way.

Amanda watched them go. Even though this was only the second time she’d met Kasey, she wished for a way to protect him from Harper and the havoc she’d wreaked in his life.

~

T he humid-spring air felt cool and refreshing. Kasey always enjoyed being outside. He followed Harper as she walked to the side of the building. He looked around to see if anyone was close, not wishing to be overheard. Of course, that didn’t mean anything. The last time he’d been with her and wanted privacy, he hadn’t seen the cameras or detected the wire she’d been wearing.

They stopped at the corner. The Tiny’s sign drenched everything with a sickening red glow every few seconds.

“Why did you leave?” she demanded. “We were ready for taping this morning, but you never showed.”

“After what happened yesterday, is it so hard to imagine I needed to get away?”

“You signed an agreement, Kasey. You can’t break our contract.”

He closed his eyes and inhaled. “That was before you blindsided me.”

“I told you I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“How can you say that? You found out I planned to propose. Hamlin told me he let it slip. So, you thought when I did, it would be a great time to break up with me. You called Star Breeze so they could document everything.”

She let out a frustrated grunt. “I did it for Hunter Kase . Once the news airs tomorrow, our ratings will be through the roof when the new season releases.”

They’d already taped the season that would start airing next week. Now they were filming next year’s episodes.

“Hunter Kase is all you’ve ever cared about, isn’t it? For two years you let me believe you cared for me. I feel like a fool.”

“I do care about you. Always have.”

“Right. It’s evident in the way you made certain the world would see you dumping me for my brother.”

“For some reason, I thought you’d understand.”

Dumbstruck, he stared at her.

“Our ratings were the weakest they’ve ever been last season. I had to find a way to boost them.”

He humorlessly laughed.

“I need to know you’ll honor your contract.”

“Why don’t you get Ethan to do the rest of the episodes? He replaced me easily enough in your life.”

“This thing with Ethan just happened.”

“Sure, it did.” He rolled his eyes. “Harper, I understand you’re my boss, but right now I need space and time to pull the knife from my back.”

She began crying.

He glanced at the glowing half-moon. The moon phase tonight was the same as it’d been two years ago while shooting in Siberia when he’d gone for a thirty-second dip in the icy waters of Lake Baikal. He shivered at the memory.

She finally sniffed. “You’re in breach of your contract.”

“Sue me. I’m good with that.”

“You have to come back by Monday. The schedule for the next two weeks is already set up. Too many people rely on you for their paychecks, and we both know you won’t let them down.”

She was right. This wasn’t just about him. “I’ll be back in time for filming, but I really do need to schedule some time off.”

“Thank you.” She used her fingers to dry her cheeks. “I’ll work in time off for you. I promise.”

“And when I’m off, I’m completely off. No media, no promotion, no contact from you or the network.”

He knew she’d bite the inside of her lip before she did so. They’d been working together four years and dating two of those. He knew her well, or at least he thought he did. Yesterday, she’d proved he didn’t.

“Okay, I’ll make it happen,” she replied.

“I saw you come in with my brothers. Where’s Ethan?”

“At your parents’ house. Evidently, you haven’t told them what happened.”

“Hadn’t even told them I would be in town. I thought I’d go by once my flight landed, but my layover was delayed so I came straight here.”

“Well, when Ethan and I showed up together your parents began asking questions. He thought it best to explain everything without me. He sent me here with Bennet, and Darcy met us here.”

Good, one less thing for him to worry about. “Where’s your limo?” he asked. She always employed one.

She motioned toward a black Escalade. A uniformed driver stood beside the passenger door.

“See you Monday.” She walked to the car and slid inside.

His brothers were waiting at the entrance when he returned. “What’s going on?” Darcy still wore his police uniform.

“Ethan’s telling the story at Mom and Dad’s. Why don’t you go find out?”

“We’d rather hear it from you,” Bennet returned.

Kasey squeezed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Harper and Ethan are together.” He pushed by them and walked into the club.

Bennet shouted, “Wait!”

They could follow him if they wanted, but right now, he needed a shot of something to numb him. Likely, the first of many over the next few days, especially after Star Breeze aired tomorrow.

“Happiness rarely keeps company with an empty stomach.” ~ Japanese Proverb