TheBillionairesPilot by Suzanne Graham Page A

afraid of giving something away. If that was the case, he was
grateful she was choosing the more conservative approach and remaining a silent
observer.
    Xavier was giving Evan a skeptical look,
and he knew he had to go the distance with this pretense. “In fact, we are
getting ready to announce our engagement.” He prayed Xavier couldn’t read
Cassie’s face as easily as Evan could.
    She sported a bright, fake smile and
seemed willing to follow along with his fabrication. But he already knew her
well enough to expect she’d try to take it out on his hide later in the privacy
of their suite, and he was perversely looking forward to the altercation. Why
did he enjoy tangling with her? He usually preferred his women to be submissive
both in and out of the bedroom, but Cassie didn’t appear to be either.
    Xavier looked at Cassie’s left hand where
it rested over the top of Evan’s. “No ring?”
    “Not until we make the announcement
public,” Evan smoothly lied. “We didn’t want the paparazzi scooping our big
moment.”
    Cassie’s grip on his hand tightened,
sending her manicured nails digging into his palm and forcing Evan to hide a
wince with his own bright, fake smile.
    “Congratulations, then.” Xavier shook
Evan’s hand and kissed Cassie’s cheek.
    “Thank you.” Cassie managed to sound
natural, and Evan gave her waist a small squeeze of gratitude.
    “Of course, Estrella is a company built
on traditional beliefs. We frown on divorce or even broken engagements.” Xavier
narrowed his eyes as if he was trying to see through Evan’s bluff.
    For a moment, Evan feared Xavier would
notice the dampness on Evan’s brow. Xavier’s intense scrutiny and Cassie’s
sweet body pressed against him were sending Evan’s internal temperature
spiking. He could really use a dip in the inviting pool behind Xavier.
    Xavier held out the tension-filled moment
a bit longer. Then his face broke into a wide grin. “But I can see that won’t
be a problem with you two. You are so very suited to each other. Such a lovely
couple.”
    Cassie’s nails in Evan’s palm dug deeper.
Was she reacting to Xavier’s not-so-subtle message that Evan better not be in a
sham engagement?
    Damn, he’d just made the situation worse
and could have really botched up this deal. As soon as he and Cassie returned
to New York and their regular lives, Xavier would find out there was no
engagement…unless Evan could convince Cassie to go along with this charade
beyond the weekend.
    He would need her cooperation at least
until Estrella had signed all the contracts and felt comfortable with Mitchell
Industries’ new role as their parent company. That could take a few weeks at
the minimum. He nearly grinned when he thought about how that negotiation was going to go with Cassie. He anticipated some feisty finagling
from her.
    “If all goes well tomorrow in our
discussion,” Xavier continued, “perhaps you’ll be announcing two new
partnerships to the press—our business relationship and your engagement.”
    “Yes, I look forward to discussing the
merger with you tomorrow.” Evan refrained from emphasizing the last word. He
would prefer to get through this evening without the additional strain of
talking about their forthcoming financial arrangement.
    “Do you have a ring picked out?” Esmé
asked Cassie. “If not, I can have my jeweler bring some to the house tomorrow
morning.”
    Cassie shook her head. “This decision was
quite sudden, and we haven’t had time to shop yet.”
    Thank you, sweet Cassie . Dan was right about her being capable
of pulling off any kind of charade. She was quick on her feet.
    “An engaged woman should never be
unadorned for too long,” Esmé said to Evan. “It gives the impression that she
is still available, and I’m sure Cassie is anxious to pick out her special
ring.”
    “Yes, I’m sure she is,” Evan replied.
Especially since she’d be able to cash it in as partial payment for her
services when