Free Romance for Cynics by Nicola Marsh Page A

Funny is good.’ Raoul clapped his hands. ‘Right, we’re ready to roll.’ He held up a hand at the cameraman and counted down three, two, one with his fingers.
    The camera panned to Raoul and he flashed a dazzling smile. ‘Good evening. We’re live at the eighties disco tonight with the couple of the moment, Cash Burgess and Lucy Grant.’
    Raoul crooked a finger at the camera, as if he was inviting them into a private session where he’d reveal deep, dark secrets. As long as the secret wasn’t that their relationship was a big fat fake , Lucy thought.
    ‘So what would you like to know about this intriguing couple? Me? I’m all about the romance.’ Raoul swivelled towards Cash, and Lucy released the breath she’d been inadvertently holding. ‘Tell us, Cash. Was it love at first sight for you and Lucy?’
    Cash swallowed as Lucy broke out in a sweat. Hell, these questions were going to be sheer and utter torture.
    To his credit, Cash settled deeper into the sofa and draped an arm across the back of it, his fingertips skating along her shoulder, the epitome of relaxed when he had to be feeling as uptight as her.
    ‘While Lucy is incredibly gorgeous and could tempt any sane man to fall in love with her at first sight, I’d like to think it was her other qualities that intrigued me from the start.’
    Raoul blinked, as if surprised by Cash’s answer, as Lucy wished her stupid heart weren’t leaping all over the place at the apparent sincerity behind his words.
    None of this was real, she reminded herself. But for a fleeting moment, hearing Cash speak supposedly from the heart, she wished it were.
    Raoul turned to her. ‘What about you, Lucy? Love at first sight?’
    ‘More like insta-lust,’ she deadpanned, while pointedly staring Cash up and down.
    Raoul laughed as she’d hoped, while Cash pinned her with an all-too-fiery gaze that promised of payback later.
    ‘Your idea of the perfect Saturday night?’ Raoul pointed at Cash and the camera zoomed in.
    ‘Too easy.’ Cash dragged his gaze away from her to focus on the camera. ‘Taking Lucy to dinner at Melbourne’s finest restaurant, theatre or jazz club after, finishing with cocktails on the thirty-fifth floor of my favourite hotel.’
    Raoul looked suitably impressed. Maybe he should date Cash for the week.
    ‘Lucy, how about you?’
    Lucy linked her hands and rested them on her knees. ‘Cosy night in. A classic old black and white movie. Popcorn. Soda. Chocolate. Whipped cream. Cash...’
    Cash’s gaze snapped to hers again and she could’ve sworn the air between them sizzled.
    Okay, she wasn’t playing fair, trying to get him back for that kiss on the dance floor, but this was what he wanted, right? For the kissing couple to demonstrate how hot they were for each other?
    Raoul fanned his face. ‘Phew, we can see why this guy is smitten with you, Lucy.’ He swung back to Cash. ‘Favourite romantic song?’
    ‘Anything that gets Lucy to kiss me like she did on the dance floor.’
    Touché. Lucy should’ve expected Cash to fire back.
    Raoul smirked. ‘Lucy, what’s yours?’
    ‘Moves Like Jagger.’
    Expecting her to say more, Raoul frowned. ‘Why?’
    ‘Because Cash has the moves...and how.’ She winked at the camera, startled to discover she was actually enjoying hamming it up.
    Raoul wolf-whistled while Cash’s sexy smirk promised retribution. ‘I could keep asking questions all night but we have a few other couples to interview, so, to wind up, why don’t you both finish by telling me: what’s your idea of the perfect date?’
    Lucy gestured at Cash to go first, a dramatic arm sweep that had Cash grinning. ‘Flying interstate for a naughty weekend.’
    Raoul nodded his approval. ‘Anywhere in particular?’
    ‘Preferably somewhere scorching hot, so Lucy parades around in the skimpiest clothes imaginable,’ Cash said, sliding closer to her on the sofa and leaving her no option but to snuggle into his shoulder.
    She’d kill