MARCUS

The sound of a gunshot breaks through my thoughts.

I pause on my steps halfway down the stairs that led from the house to the back gardens by the pool. Looking toward the direction of the sound, I see four figures out on the field near the cliffs, three of them carrying shotguns.

I could understand why Armin decided to go trap shooting this afternoon. There was a break in the clouds and the previously overcast day was now a little sunnier. The winds were still moderately strong but my grandfather would only see it as a challenge.

"Marcus, over here!"

My cousin Cameron is on a lounge chair by the pool, waving at me. I smile and head toward her. Elijah and Cody are in the water, the former swimming laps. Sevel is also in swimming trunks but he seems content sitting on the edge of the pool with his feet in the water, a tray of drinks beside him. It's a little too early for cocktails, but I always suspected my brother-in-law had a slight drinking problem.

"I thought the sun would never come out," Cameron said as I sat on the chair beside her. She lifts her large smoky grey sunglasses to study my chinos and polo shirt. "Aren't you swimming?"

"Maybe later," I said. "Isn't Amber joining us?"

"Oh, you know my wife." Cameron dropped her sunglasses back over her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "She's with Bridget, probably discussing her spring collection. People in the fashion industry will never take a break, I swear to God. I had a hell of a time convincing her to take a vacation from work and come here with me. I mean, she didn't have to, but we already missed his birthday this year, so I thought it would be nice if we both came. What I didn't expect was Grandfather's midlife crisis. Did you know he had a girlfriend?"

"I don't think anyone did."

"My God, did you see how that ring looked on her? Poor girl obviously has never worn real jewelry in her life."

"What do you know about her?"

"Apart from the fact that she's a gold digger?" She sighs. "What else is there to know?"

Sevel walks over with a piña colada in his hand. "Considering Armin will probably put her in his will, I'd be interested to know more if I were you," he said. Then, as though the thought just occurred to him, he asks, "What about you, Marcus? Dig up anything interesting about the lovely Cara?"

I ignore his sly smile. "I didn't dig," I reply nonchalantly. "Besides, how far was I going to get with just a first name." Not a complete lie, but it's going to be tricky to explain myself if worse comes to worst and they discover ...

Well, everything.

***

CARA

Fourteen months earlier

"Marcus is getting married."

My brother-in-law said it casually, as though he were making a comment about the weather.

He's not serious, I know. Raul Marin liked to tease his best friend. Marcus, who was always serious, was never bothered by it. He just sat there, calmly sipping his beer. I gave Raul a questioning look.

"What?" Manang Katelin almost yelled in surprise. I couldn't blame her. As far as she knew, Marcus wasn't even dating anyone.

He wasn't. Not technically, at least.

"Idiot," Marcus muttered. At Kate's still shocked expression, he said, "He's kidding, Kate."

She glared at her husband, who just grinned in response.

I felt like an outsider at that moment.

Kate and I were always close, and I got along fine with Raul. Marcus— well, it was complicated, but we've hung out. Still, there were times, like now, when I'd be reminded that the three of them shared a years-long friendship. Theirs was a different world of glittering yacht parties and corporate boardrooms. While I always managed to act as though I fit in at every party and every overpriced restaurant dinner my sister dragged me to, that was all it was — acting.

"I don't know about you, but I need to get out of this dress," I told my sister as I rose from where I sat on the steps that led down from the back entrance of the mansion. There must have been a dozen rooms in this house, all probably furnished and decorated by the most expensive interior designer money could buy, and yet there the four of us were, sitting on the steps of the stairs. "And these shoes. Could I use your room, manang?"

My sister said she'd show me the way, but Marcus got to his feet and offered to do it.

"You two can stay here and watch the sun set or something," he said.

He and I left the couple and went back inside the house.

The hotel Raul had booked us at was the most expensive in Boston but it was nothing compared to the grandeur of this place. Walking on the marble floors of the hallway in my big fluffy bridesmaid dress made me feel like a princess coming home from a ball. I wanted to twirl around in circles and watch my skirts lift and swirl around me, but that would have been childish.

I looked up at the tall, blond man beside me and wished he had asked me to dance at the reception.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Anyone can look beautiful in this dress," I said.

"I wouldn't."

"With those lovely arm muscles? Of course, you would. Don't sell yourself short."

The corner of his mouth quirked upward in a reluctant grin. "Thank you, I'll try not to."

"Did any of your family members come to the wedding?"

"No, why would they?"

I shrugged. "You and Raul have been friends since college. I figured your families would have met at some point."

"They haven't, no."

"I just assumed rich folks liked hanging out with other rich folks."

"What makes you think my family is rich?"

I had to lift my skirt as we walked up the staircase to the second floor.

"I'm right, aren't I?" I said.

"Yes." He eyed me with narrowed eyes. "Have you been googling me?"

"I haven't, actually."

Should I have? I suspected I wouldn't find anything if I looked up his name on the internet. Marcus didn't strike me as the type to do social media. He was CFO of a large company run by his best friend, so he wouldn't even need LinkedIn. Marcus Ryan was also not a very unique name, I'd probably find lots of people named the same.

"Here it is," he said, leading me to a pair of heavy, ornately carved double doors.

"Thanks." I twisted the brass doorknob and pushed one door open.

"Do you need help?"

My heart skipped a beat. Trying to look cool and unflustered, I turned to look at him, my eyebrows raised.

He slipped his hands into his pockets. As Raul had worn a barong at the wedding, so had Marcus, as his best man. The silk, embroidered shirt had been discarded after the reception and Marcus now only wore the white undershirt — long-sleeved to allow for the cool weather — over his black trousers. It was not a tight shirt but I could see the outlines of his chest and arm muscles under the fabric. "I thought you might want me to unzip you."

He said it casually, as though he were offering to carry my bags or get me a coffee.

"Well," I replied, just as casually. "Since you're here..."

He followed me inside the room, shutting the door behind him.

I stood with my back to him, my hands on my hips. He tugged carefully at the small zipper down the back of my dress. I was very conscious I wasn't wearing a bra.

"Thank you," I said.

I expected him to leave but instead, he put his hands on my bare shoulders.

"Cara," he whispered.

My heart thudded wildly in my chest, anticipation making my knees tremble. I closed my eyes and waited for the kiss he dropped on the side of my neck. My body felt hot, the way it always did whenever his lips touched my skin.

"I hope you didn't forget this is the room my sister is spending her wedding night." If I were honest, I said it more to remind myself than him.

"I know." His breath on my neck sent delightful tingles racing up my spine. "I've just been desperate to kiss you all day."

Breath hitched, I turned around to face him. His lips found mine and I fell into his embrace, surrendering to his kiss. He slipped his fingers between the open gap in my dress to stroke my heated skit. I moaned and pushed my tongue between his lips, impatient to taste more of him.

All too soon, he pulled away, leaving me panting and breathless.

"Sorry," he said, his voice thick. "I got carried away."

I swallowed. "Yeah. It's fine."

He still had his arms around me and I felt no compelling need to go anywhere.

"Stay with me tonight," he said in a whisper. As though he were afraid the walls would hear of his plans for us and spill our secrets. "My place."

I hesitated. My parents were expecting me back at the hotel after dinner. But we did have a lot of relatives in town, most of them my parents hadn't seen in a while. So maybe if I snuck back to the hotel before breakfast, they wouldn't notice I was out all night.

"All right."

___________________________________________________

My Patreon supporters have early access to all chapter up to Chapter 7 of A Dangerous Engagement. Sign up here to support me and help me keep writing —

anselacorsino.com/ade