Fake Engagement, Nashville Style Read online

  Where family loyalties and passions collide.

  Harlequin Desire brings you Dynasties—delicious, dramatic miniseries that span generations, include an engaging cast of characters and sweep you into the world of the American elite. From luxury ranch retreats to the stages of Nashville, from the sagas of powerful families to the redeeming power of passion...don’t miss a single installment of Dynasties!

  Dynasties: Beaumont Bay

  What happens in Beaumont Bay stays in

  Beaumont Bay. This is the bedroom community

  where Nashville comes to play!

  Twin Games in Music City by Jules Bennett

  —available now

  Second Chance Love Song by Jessica Lemmon

  —available now

  Fake Engagement, Nashville Style by Jules Bennett

  —available June 2021

  Good Twin Gone Country by Jessica Lemmon

  —available July 2021

  Dynasties: The Carey Center

  The Carey family works hard and plays harder as they build a performance space to rival Carnegie Hall!

  From USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child

  Available September, October, November and December 2021

  Dynasties: The Ryders

  For this perfect all-American family,

  image is everything. Until a DNA ancestry test

  reveals secrets they’ve hidden for generations...

  From Joss Wood

  Available February, March, April and May 2022

  Dynasties: The Eddington Heirs

  In Point du Sable, this empire is under siege.

  Only family unity and the power of love can save it!

  From Zuri Day

  Available July, August, September and October 2022

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you are loving the Dynasties: Beaumont Bay series! Jessica and I had such a fun time bringing this town and these characters to life. Up next is Luke and Cassandra. Two Sutherland brothers down...two to go!

  Luke had his heart broken once, but he’d mended those pieces perfectly fine and had hardly a crack to show for it...until Cassandra steps into his bar and needs a favor. When one favor snowballs into a fake engagement, these two lovers pick right back up where they left off years ago.

  Reunion stories are one of my absolute favorites to write. I love that instant bond the hero and heroine already have and I love that instant attraction and chemistry. Throw in a misunderstanding and some obstacles...ah, yes. That is what gives me life in a reunion romance!

  I hope you all enjoy Luke and Cassandra’s story and continue along this journey in Beaumont Bay!

  Happy reading,

  Jules

  All thoughts vanished as Cassandra Taylor met his gaze.

  There was something new about her. But the curves, the dark hair falling over her shoulder, were all too familiar and brought memories rushing back...memories that should’ve been left in the past.

  “Cassandra.”

  The door to the bar slid closed behind her. “I appreciate you seeing me without notice.”

  She took a step in and then another until she stood just on the other side of his desk. He could reach out and touch her, could see those navy flecks in her deep blue eyes.

  He’d only had about a two-minute heads-up, but he certainly hadn’t expected this onslaught of emotions to come flooding to the forefront.

  “Luke.”

  Oh, hell. His name sliding through her lips had him recalling starry nights and heated moments. Agreeing to see Cassandra Taylor had been a huge mistake.

  * * *

  Fake Engagement, Nashville Style by Jules Bennett is part of the Dynasties: Beaumont Bay series.

  In remembrance of Mistie, who always had a love for writing and hoped to have her work published one day. Our book chats and your infectious laugh are truly missed.

  Jules Bennett

  Fake Engagement, Nashville Style

  USA TODAY bestselling author Jules Bennett has published over sixty books and never tires of writing happy endings. Writing strong heroines and alpha heroes is Jules’s favorite way to spend her workdays. Jules hosts weekly contests on her Facebook fan page and loves chatting with readers on Twitter, Facebook and via email through her website. Stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at julesbennett.com.

  Books by Jules Bennett

  Harlequin Desire

  The Rancher’s Heirs

  Twin Secrets

  Claimed by the Rancher

  Taming the Texan

  A Texan for Christmas

  Lockwood Lightning

  An Unexpected Scandal

  Scandalous Reunion

  Scandalous Engagement

  Dynasties: Beaumont Bay

  Twin Games in Music City

  Fake Engagement, Nashville Style

  Visit her Author Profile page at Harlequin.com,

  or julesbennett.com, for more titles.

  You can also find Jules Bennett on Facebook,

  along with other Harlequin Desire authors,

  at Facebook.com/harlequindesireauthors!

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Excerpt from A Nine-Month Temptation by Joanne Rock

  Excerpt from The Heartbreaker of Echo Pass by Maisey Yates

  One

  “You’ve got another visitor.”

  Luke glanced up from his computer at the desk where he’d been hiding for most of the evening. “Tell her I’m busy,” Luke told his bodyguard.

  Normally he loved being out with his customers at his rooftop bar, The Cheshire, but not since that damn magazine article had thrust him into the spotlight.

  Meet Luke Sutherland: Tennessee’s Most Eligible Bachelor

  That term, along with a photo of him in a pair of jeans with his dress shirt completely unbuttoned, had attracted every woman in the state—and some men, too—like some type of magnet.

  Jake stepped farther into the room. “Uh, sir. It’s Cassandra Taylor.”

  Cassandra Taylor?

  That was a name he hadn’t heard in years, but one he’d certainly thought of often enough.

  All of that long black hair that he used to glide through his fingers and over his body. Her sweet smile that turned him on before she could even say a word. And the way he’d confided in her... He’d loved her once—she’d been his best friend.

  Unfortunately, marriage hadn’t been in the cards for him, not even to his best friend. Their paths had been destined for different directions and he’d let her go.

  It had been the right choice.

  So what was she doing back now after all this time? Surely she hadn’t seen the article and now thought they had another chance at being together? That shot had been ruined when she’d left town nearly eight years ago with barely a goodbye. Oh, his brothers had blamed him at the time, and perhaps a portion of the blame did fall on his shoulders—he hadn’t gone after her. But she hadn’t stuck around to see if things could be worked ou
t, either.

  They’d both let go, and there was no going back after that.

  “Tell her I’m busy, then,” he repeated, almost wishing the uninvited guest had been a stranger.

  Jake, his bodyguard and a top bouncer who had been with Luke since the opening of his first bar, knew full well the impact Cassandra had had on Luke’s life. Luke continued to stare across his desk, but Jake didn’t move.

  “Is there a problem?” Luke asked.

  “Let her in. She came a long way after all this time.”

  Luke leaned back in his leather chair and rested his elbows on the chair’s arms. “When did you take her side?”

  Jake laughed. “Her side? Sir, it’s been years and I think you know where my loyalties lie, but you two have a history. She’s not like those other women who have seen the article and are vying for the role of Mrs. Luke Sutherland. I doubt Cassandra is looking for a ring on her finger from you.”

  Luke swallowed. Maybe she wasn’t, but he’d been prepared to put that ring on her finger when she left. Well, in theory. He’d had the ring, but somehow he’d never found the right moment to propose. And then she was gone. His brothers had ridiculed him—hell, he’d blasted himself on more than one occasion—but she hadn’t even given him a chance to tell his side or explain his motives. Obviously, a marriage between them would have been doomed from the start.

  If she’d been able to walk away so easily, then it was best he had never proposed. He’d been hurt, he’d been angry—maybe a part of him still was—but he wasn’t the same naive guy he’d once been. Now he was glad he hadn’t settled down. He loved the life he’d created and venturing back to his past wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  “Stop thinking so hard,” Jake growled. “You know if you turn her away you’re only going to be wracking your brain over what she might have wanted.”

  Damn it. Jake was right. That didn’t make the fact that she was back any easier to digest. Apparently, she could still get to him after all this time. Or, maybe if he saw her, perhaps she wouldn’t have any effect on him. She’d likely changed just as much as he had over such a long stretch of time.

  There was only one way to find out.

  Luke sat up and rested his arms on his desk. The decision volleyed back and forth in his mind. He had no clue what to expect. He hadn’t seen Cassandra in years, save for the time he’d looked her up on social media a couple of years ago. He’d found her still single and still just as sexy as ever.

  But his curiosity got the better of him.

  With a deep sigh and some serious concerns, Luke nodded. “Fine. Bring her in.”

  As Jake left the office, Luke wondered what the hell he’d just done. Why would he purposely agree to see her again? They’d parted ways and agreed that was it. Yet now she was back. He didn’t know why, but he had to assume her abrupt reappearance had to do with Country Beat’s article on him.

  He’d been doing just fine with his bars in Beaumont Bay and Nashville. He’d been contemplating expanding to other cities. Maybe Chicago or Atlanta. He wasn’t sure, but his life was always in forward motion. The only time he’d ever considered slowing down had been when he was with Cassandra, and look how that had turned out. Now, having any woman in his life would only hinder his career. He loved the country-music industry, loved the bar-and-restaurant lifestyle and loved combining the two. He didn’t want to change any of it, not for anyone.

  Luke got to his feet, then cursed himself. Should he be standing, as if he was anticipating her arrival? Or should he sit and try to appear relaxed? Sitting might be a jerk move, but he wanted her to know he wasn’t affected by this visit. He could be casual with her, just like he would be with any other visitor.

  Hell. She hadn’t even gotten through the door yet and he was already tied up in knots. How would he feel coming face-to-face with her? A chunk of time had settled between them and the weight of that firmly took root in his chest. There was a heaviness he couldn’t explain, but he didn’t have time to try to.

  All thoughts vanished as Cassandra Taylor stepped into the opening of his office and met his gaze. Luke realized he should’ve remained seated because she nearly knocked the breath out of him.

  There was something so familiar about her, and yet so new. That confidence, with the straight shoulders, the tipped chin and the determined eye contact, was certainly new. But the curves, the dark hair falling over her shoulders and the slight smirk on her lips brought memories rushing back.

  Despite her familiar beauty and new confidence, she was still the one who’d walked away and Luke had no desire to revisit the past. So he shoved away those emotions and memories. He’d gotten this far by living in the moment and taking control of his own destiny. Nobody and nothing would ever change that again.

  “Cassandra.”

  The door to the bar slid shut behind her and she jerked around to see that she’d been closed in.

  “An automatic door. That’s fancy,” she muttered as she turned back to face him. “I appreciate you seeing me without notice.”

  She took a step inside and then another until she stood just on the other side of his desk. He could reach out and touch her. He could see those navy flecks in her deep blue eyes.

  He’d only had a two-minute heads-up, but he certainly hadn’t expected this onslaught of emotions to come flooding to the forefront of his mind...and his body.

  “Luke.”

  Oh, damn. His name sliding through her lips had him recalling starry nights and heated moments. No matter why she was here, he’d get her in and out. No way could he get caught up in her like he had in the past. He was perfectly fine remaining single... Wait. Was that why she was here? She’d seen that article and now she wanted to come back and secure her original role as his woman?

  No way. That was a hard no.

  Agreeing to see Cassandra Taylor had been a mistake. Somehow, he knew this moment would no doubt change his life forever.

  * * *

  Nerves curled into spirals in Cassandra’s belly. She’d given herself a pep talk the entire drive here—all three hours. Luke was just a man and she was just a woman. There was no reason she couldn’t approach him about her critical need. They were different people now.

  When she’d left their relationship years ago, she’d done so because she’d had to guard her heart. Staying would only have caused more pain. Luke had been so set on moving ahead in his career and seemed perfectly content keeping her tucked in a corner, always assuming she’d be content to stay there. While she’d been proud of all he’d accomplished, she’d also wanted to be by his side. She’d wanted them to grow together...and she’d learned too late that they’d had two different visions of what they’d wanted out of life.

  So she’d walked away, made a successful career for herself and absolutely loved the life she’d created in Lexington, Kentucky.

  So why the hell was she so shaky now that she was back?

  When Luke’s intense stare became too much, Cassandra pulled together all her courage and forced herself not to turn and walk out. She stood her ground.

  Clearly, he wasn’t going to say anything, even though she’d called him by name to snap him out of whatever trance that had overtaken him. Although, he was likely waiting on her to explain why she’d shown up, out of the blue, after not a word in eight years.

  “Your bar is amazing and Jake seems...intimidating,” she began, not wanting to jump right into the real topic. “You’ve done really well for yourself.”

  “Jake does his job skillfully.” Luke shifted his stance and rested his hands on his narrow hips. “But did you come all the way here to tell me what I already know?”

  Okay, well, obviously his ego was still intact and he wasn’t in the mood for the small talk she had rehearsed to lead up to her real reason for coming back.

  Pulling in a deep breath, Cassandra jumped right in.


  “No,” she replied. “I came here to tell you I need a favor.”

  Luke stared another moment before that rich, familiar laugh filled the spacious office. Unable to stand still, Cassandra moved around and glanced at the black-and-white images on the walls. Pictures of Luke and his brothers. The Sutherland men were all handsome and powerful, and she had loved each of them like family...but none like Luke. Gavin, Cash, and Will had all been like her own brothers. She’d missed them when she’d left town without looking back.

  But Luke... He’d left her bitter and angry. He’d strung her along, allowing her to think they’d spend their lives together, when he only cared about the next bar he could open or how quickly he could book the next big star so he could have bragging rights.

  So she’d left.

  Cassandra had gathered up the pieces of her shattered heart and continued on with her own dreams. She’d gotten along just fine in her career as a wedding coordinator, despite being jealous with each “I do” she helped create. And now that she’d branched out and opened her own company, she needed something amazing to make her stand out in a saturated industry. She needed a celebrity wedding.

  And that’s where the favor she was after came in. That’s why she’d set aside her pride, and her carefully repaired heart, and driven the three hours to Beaumont Bay to put herself in front of Luke.

  “I know Will is getting married.” Cassandra turned from the images to face Luke once again. He still hadn’t moved, but those eyes remained on her. “That’s what I’m here about.”

  “Sorry, darlin’, but he’s already got a bride.”

  Cassandra sighed. “Obviously. I’m aware his bride is Hannah Banks. I want to be their wedding coordinator and you’re going to get that job for me.”

  Silence settled between them and her heart pounded so loud, she could hear the rhythmic thump in her ears.

  “You came all the way here to make that demand?” Luke circled the desk to stand right in front of her. “You could have called.”

  Oh, mercy. He smelled too damn good and seemed broader, stronger, sexier than ever. Maybe a phone call would have been better.