Free Some Like It Hopeless (A Temporary Engagement) by Megan Bryce Page A

“Look at me using the lingo and everything.”
    She pushed at him until he toppled backwards.
    Not the question Brady had been asking but he didn’t need to ask again. Shane didn’t need to be tested.
    Cassandra climbed on to the bed, climbed on to him, and said, “I didn’t send him in there.”
    “You could have stopped him.”
    “I don’t think you know Shane all that well yet.”
    He knew Cassandra. He said, “I think we all dance to your tune.”
    She smiled. “That’s nice. Now if only it was true.”
    She stretched out on top of him, folded her arms across his chest and rested her chin. She said, “Did you have a nice drive?”
    No. It hadn’t been nice. But it hadn’t been not nice, either.
    He’d wanted to get back here.
    He wanted what was next. He wanted to look in the mirror and see that same look in his eyes as he saw in theirs. The acceptance of what was, the hope of what could be.
    But he didn’t want to leave his family behind.
    He ignored her question. “What was Shane looking for in the bathroom?”
    Cassandra pushed herself up, her brows furrowed in confusion. Then she laughed. “Probably sex toys.”
    “Did you tell him we don’t need any?”
    “No. I told him you were one gigantic sex toy.”
    He should have guessed that. “No wonder he came in to get a peek.”
    “No wonder. You didn’t have to give him one.”
    He shrugged. “Seemed like the easiest way to assert my dominance. Because mine’s bigger.”
    She laughed, shaking her head. “Did he give you a peek, too? Then how do you know?”
    “Because mine’s bigger.”
    She patted his cheek, still laughing. “I don’t think it works that way with him.” She shrugged. “But okay, if you’re happy that it’s been resolved.”
    “It’s been resolved.”
    She looked confused again but he didn’t clarify. He and Shane had laid down a few lines. Had decided who would get what parts of Cassandra.
    All without coming right out and saying it. Because they were men.
    And since Brady did know Cassandra better than a few weeks would suggest, he didn’t tell her any of that.
    And since Brady did know Cassandra better than a few weeks would suggest, he wiggled beneath her until his towel came apart and she got distracted.
    Until she gave him the only part of her he wanted.

Five
    Brady went down with Cassandra early Monday morning to get the car. He’d told Rodrigo that she would be driving it.
    He just wasn’t sure either of them were actually going to let her do it.
    His little Z was waiting in front of the hotel, Cassandra next to him tired and cranky that she had to wake up even earlier than normal to get to work on time. Brady couldn’t decide what was worse, her driving his car tired or her driving his car pumped full of caffeine, so he’d ordered her coffee half decaf.
    She smiled when she slid into the driver’s side, and Brady briefly thought about Argentina. Briefly wondered if he’d see either one of them again, and then he remembered Shane. Shane and Christian.
    If that ever ended, Brady would have to take his car back from Cassandra.
    Rodrigo sidled up to stand next to Brady and said, “ Jefe .”
    And in that one word was all the disapproval one man could give another for letting a woman keep his balls in her pocket.
    You didn’t give a woman your car. You didn’t give a woman like Cassandra your Z.
    Brady nodded. “If she brings it back with dings or dents, just take care of it. I don’t want to know.”
    Rodrigo said, “You give her your little Z and you won’t even talk to me about a raise?”
    A smile played at Brady’s mouth until Cassandra pulled away from the curb, over-revving the engine.
    “Madre de dios.” Rodrigo clutched at his heart.
    Cassandra gave a little finger wave out the window, and Rodrigo and Brady watched until she was out of sight. Long gone, and they kept standing there.
    They sighed, heartfelt.
    And then Rodrigo thumped him on the back. “Better go make some money, Jefe .