Having Dani in the house worked well for Kasper's goals, unless she locked the door to her bedroom. She ran hot and cold, but when she was hot, she was insatiable. His favorite part of the day was riding to work together. It was a nicer commute for her because she typically took the subway from her apartment. He enjoyed starting the day together. Waking up in the same bed was the cherry on top of the sundae.

Just as the car pulled up to the building he summoned the courage that had eluded him all week. "Will you go out to dinner with me? So we can establish our public relationship."

Her jaw hung, but she quickly recovered. "I haven't told Baxter the plan." She bit her lip. Another tell: uncertainty or nervousness.

Dani was becoming his favorite book, an easy read. "Sweetheart, I'll explain it to him. What have you told Tate?"

"Nothing. Only you know the truth about Beau."

He nodded and frowned. Being trusted should make him happy. "What bothers me the most is you only told me about one time. I know there were more that you had to endure."

Her lip quivered before stiffening. "Not now. We have work to do."

It was time to prepare for the next board meeting. Baxter charged them with the project. Kasper had more responsibility since the biggest agenda item was his project.

He slid out of the car first and extended his hand for Dani. When her smaller palm met his, he felt the power of the cross in his chest. The need to protect her and be near her overpowered him. No wonder Jimmy couldn't fight it.

He cleared his throat. "Let's get to work."

She looked at him sideways. "You don't hate it."

He smiled brightly. "How can I hate spending time with you? I would spend the day with you anywhere." He paused. "Except in that wretched building in Texas."

Her laughter filled him. "I'm trying to forget it."

Looking at her smiling face, he stopped himself from blurting out the three words he held in his heart, because she wasn't ready. Someday, but even confident Kasper couldn't be sure.

As usual, they arrived before Baxter, but Kasper had a better understanding of what his brother's mornings were like. Baxter balanced family and work unevenly, but it hadn't thunked like a seesaw with his family hitting the bottom. His brother had earned his pride and respect.

Kasper looked up from his presentation slides to see Dani in his doorway. "Baxter wants to see us at ten."

"I'm ready. My slides are done, but they could look more aesthetically pleasing." He capped off his statement with an oversized grin.

She chuckled. "I'll help, but not tonight. I have a dinner date."

His heart fluttered. "Good for you. Lucky guy."

She chuckled as she turned away. It was time to focus on the financials so he would be prepared for his meeting. Playing with the spreadsheet, he removed the properties he slated for sale. When he recalculated the occupancy rate, it was their best in four years. Kasper picked up his phone to call Brad in Legal for an update.

At two minutes to ten, he lingered outside of Baxter's office. Dani scoffed, "One brother is always early, and the other is notoriously late."

He shrugged. Honestly, being near Dani was worth it. "Who is he talking to?"

"Calhoun. We sent over a list of properties. Maybe we'll have an idea of the ones he's interested in."

Kasper shrugged. Calhoun would want someone to see them first. "It'll take time, but Brad has an offer from Huckabee."

"Is it any good?"

"It sucks, but at least it's something."

"Does Baxter know?"

Kasper shook his head. "Not yet. I researched it. We bought the building in 1942. The place was turning out leather used in boots for the war effort. It was a booming business back then."

"How did you find out?"

"In our archives."

"What archives?" She narrowed her gaze.

"The ones I spent a summer digitizing that no one cares about. They were very helpful."

"Where are these archives?"

Kasper walked over to her desk and stood directly behind her. Reaching around her, he took in her scent. He moved her mouse to a small icon at the bottom of the Kane Properties internal home page. With a click it opened up the searchable database. He typed in Fort Worth and a picture popped up of the building looking pristine with trucks at the loading docks.

"I bet it smelled."

Kasper laughed. "No doubt. You smell delicious."

A throat clearing caused both to look up and Kasper to step back. "What are you two doing?"

Dani said, "Working."

At the same moment Kasper said, "Practicing."

Baxter shook his head. "You are up to something."

Kasper followed his brother into his large office. "It's part of my plan to help Dani."

"What plan?"

Dani hadn't entered the office yet. "To get rid of her ex by pretending to date."

"What are you taking lessons from Jimmy?"

If only he knew.

"It's a good plan. The guy can't force her to go out with him if she has a boyfriend. A visual public one."

"If he wants to hurt her, he won't care."

"True, but we're keeping her safe."

Baxter looked around. "Where is she?"

"Hiding. She's embarrassed. You're her boss."

"I know it wasn't her fault. She's the victim."

"The last thing she wants to be is a victim."

Baxter eyed him before nodding. "You understand her."

He smiled. "I do " Like a book. Unfortunately, understanding changed nothing. She didn't want a relationship, but Kasper knew who to blame. She would fake it, and he wouldn't need to.

Baxter looked at him as if he were a puzzle, but when Dani arrived, she drew his attention. "I brought you another cup."

Kasper wanted to complain, but he had two cups already. Baxter switched to business. "Ted is interested in some buildings, but not all."

A ping of disappointment ran through Kasper until Dani caught his eye. She understood. "Can't win them all," he conceded.

"We'll list them with a commercial broker. Other developers are converting old buildings."

Kasper nodded. "I ran the occupancy rates without the ones on my list. It's a lot better. Actually, not bad." He rattled off the number.

Baxter puffed out his chest. "With the board's approval of your plan we can improve it considerably. Jimmy and Ivy are officially members. We have their votes."

"I can't wait to see Mother's reaction."

"Dad is supposed to tell her. You can let it slip. She needs to know. You two can prepare the slides and I'll review them. Hopefully, none of us will work this weekend."

"It's your annual tree trimming." Dani had been quiet.

Kasper needed to shop for Christmas, including something special for Dani.

They worked together all day. She looked up at him at four in the afternoon. "Don't tell Baxter, but it's quicker with you. You are better with numbers."

"My brother knows about my freaky brain."

"Do you like it?"

He nodded. "Unless I have insomnia. The thoughts run through my head like watching a movie. I can't quiet them. As a kid, they entertained me. I didn't realize I was different back then."

"I'm happy the way I am. I don't need to see my past in images."

Anytime she let her guard down, he wanted to pull her into his arms. Instead, he nodded. "On that note, I am looking forward to my date tonight. Do you think she'll put out?"

Dani scoffed, "One-track mind."

"My mind has been on balance sheets all day. That was not a no."

He had secured a reservation at a restaurant with rave reviews. Anyone who had money to spend in Boston greased palms for a table. The others who waited months for a reservation went for the parade of who's who as much as the food. Kasper could afford to pay to be seen. Dani shook her head when the car stopped. "You didn't?"

"I have a reservation. Only the best for you."

Mac smiled in the front seat. "You deserve it Dani. I mean Miss."

Kasper laughed. "We're all friends."

"I remember when Jimmy took Ivy here. They went viral."

"Sweetheart, that's the point. We are stepping out for the world to see. Come on, before they give away our reservation."

Mac jumped out and came around to open the door. Kasper kept his hand on Dani's back as they entered the restaurant. He had grown accustomed to people recognizing him. A buzz went through the restaurant when they walked to their table. He heard the woman at the table next to them whisper to her date. Prettier than Juniper.

Dani heard too. "Sweetheart, you are much prettier than Juniper." The pink tint looked adorable. "Should I order a bottle? We deserve it. We'll be ready for the board meeting days early."

"You are good for something."

He laughed and reached for her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he looked into her soul. "I'll show you something else later." She blushed more as he lowered her hand, but continued to hold it. "I'll order the bottle." The sommelier attracted attention.

Kasper had seen phones out when they walked in, so he relaxed and enjoyed his date. Dani looked up from her menu. "It's all complicated."

"Should I order? We can share small plates."

"That's a good idea."

"You don't like mushrooms."

Her eyes widened. "You noticed?" He nodded, and under her breath, she said, "You know who ordered them on the pizza every time."

He felt his anger deep within. "Tell me a happy memory. Before you met him."

"Can't remember before. We were in kindergarten together."

"One not involving him, about your family."

She took her time. "Money was always tight, but we went for ice cream on the last day of school. The kick off to summer."

He smiled. "I'd love to see some pictures of you. I bet you loved school."

"I did."

"You mentioned your sister, just one?"

She nodded. "And a brother. How did you celebrate the last day of school?"

"Nothing traditional. Maybe a sail, or if my parents were out, we might have made pizzas in the kitchen."

"All of you?"

He nodded. "Make our own. It was fun. Doyle and I always had sleepovers. Way back before he turned serious, we sometimes had sleepovers in Baxter's room, all four of us."

"You were always close?"

He nodded. "I can complain about my mother, but she taught us to love each other. We always protected one another, but I failed Doyle."

"Because of the guy who..."

"No. Yes. I meant because of the partying and stuff she did. Gray saved her twice."

"I remember when I found out about them. It shocked me, him with a Kane."

"But."

"But they are good together. You've accepted him."

"He loves Doyle, that's enough."

Dani frowned. "You make it sound so easy."

"It is with the cross."

Kasper wanted to suck his words back. Luckily, the server arrived at their table.

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