tted him. He stood off in the distance, but there was no denying that dark gaze was directly on her. There was also no denying that tingly feeling that started in her toes and crept all the way up, hitting all of her like an assault she’d never known.
A waiter came by and plucked the glass from her hand, but Jade’s gaze never wavered. What was this trance he’d put her in? Perhaps it was that whole clean-cut look he was going with. But the clean jaw, the groomed hair, still made him seem mysterious, sexy, alluring.
“You and I need to have a talk.” Her mother stepped in front of Jade, completely blocking the fascinating view.
Jade released her skirt and pulled in a deep breath, shifting her focus to her mother. “What is it?”
“That young man you brought is not a good match for you, Jade. If you’re trying to rebel or get back at me, you’re only hurting yourself.” Lana clasped her hands and tipped her head. “I only care about your future; I always have.”
Jade didn’t even bother to suppress the eye roll. The only thing her mother cared about was putting on the perfect front. Jade refused to apologize for Cash or for bringing him.
“Not everyone has to look or act a certain way to be a good person,” Jade stated. “Would you rather I date some stuffy, uptight CEO in a three-piece suit who treated me like shit or someone who actually cares for me?”
“Watch your mouth around me, young lady.”
A large, firm hand slid across the small of her back an instant before a strong, familiar body came to her side. “I believe I owe my girl a dance.”
Jade turned toward Cash. “Yes, you do. I’ve heard all about your moves from my nana. I’m jealous.”
He flashed that grin and stared down at her like he didn’t want to be anywhere else . . . which was utterly absurd for her to even think. Of course he wanted to be somewhere else. Hell, she wanted to be somewhere else.
“This discussion is not over,” her mother declared.
Jade tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Then you’ll be speaking alone because I’m done.”
She let Cash lead her away toward the live band and the other couples caught up in the romantic evening. She’d dated over the years, though nothing serious, and she never really had a romance. For now, there was nothing wrong with pretending. Why stop now?
Though she had to keep in mind, they were simply playing a part. A part that was entirely her fault because she hadn’t had to say he was her boyfriend; the words had just slipped out last night and now Cash was here, going above and beyond. As annoying as they were to each other, Cash was a good guy.
“I’m sorry.”
Cash wrapped his arm around her waist and took her hand in his, pulling her flush against his broad chest. “How did I know you would try to apologize for her?”
She rested her arm on his shoulder and stared up at him. “Because she’s never going to.”
A corner of Cash’s mouth kicked up in a sexy grin. “Red, I’ve dealt with worse people, and you don’t get to say sorry for something out of your control.”
His hips shifted against hers, and even through the layers of chiffon, she couldn’t ignore the way her body heated at brushing against his with each step.
“Okay, then. I’m sorry for pulling the boyfriend card.”
Now he did laugh as his firm hand dipped just a bit lower on her back. “You’re not the only woman to use me for her dirty little secret.”
“You’re not a dirty little secret.”
The defense came instantly, and she wondered who else had used him and why he seemed okay with it. Because nothing about this was okay. Not the lies, not the way her feelings were all jumbled, nothing.
Well, this friction between their bodies didn’t seem wrong. It was delicious, actually. Too bad nothing would come of this sudden physical attraction. Acting on temporary hormones was definitely not the way she should wrap up this nightmare of a weekend.
“You’re quick to defend people,” he stated as he spun her in a quick circle and pulled her back in.
The flash-dance move left her smiling and reaching for his shoulder once again. “I don’t appreciate my friends being treated like they aren’t worthy,” she replied.
Cash dipped his head and his mouth came within a whisper. “Are we friends, Red?”
His warm breath washed over her. His fingertips grazed the top of her backside through her dress and her entire body clenched, trying to hold in all the glorious euphoria spiraling through. There was nothing wrong with capturing all that arousal inside. She wasn’t going to admit it, not to him.
“Red?”