“You didn’t!” Skye sounded horrified.

“Impressive,” Dana murmured. “What happened?”

“I was completely inexperienced.” Lexi shook her head at the double entendre. “I’d never even gotten a speeding ticket. I lost by a lot and he took my car.”

“That’s not very nice,” Skye muttered.

“It’s how he made his living,” Dana pointed out. “Lexi’s pretty, but not that pretty.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You know what I mean.”

Lexi did. Her car had been a new Mercedes, worth about sixty grand. What guy would give that up to win the girl?

“That night I saw him at a party. We started talking. I was humiliated about losing the car, so I asked for a rematch. He kissed me instead. That’s where it started.”

“You slept with him?” Skye stood and put her hands on her hips. “You slept with him after he took your car?”

“You keep surprising me,” Dana said. “Good for you.”

It had been better than good-until the next morning. Not that she was going to tell them that. “In the morning I got scared and ran,” she lied. “I knew it was a mistake.”

“And he came after you,” Skye said with a sigh.

Lexi didn’t know how her sister had gone through an arranged marriage, been widowed, raised a child on her own and still managed to be such a romantic.

“Something like that,” Lexi murmured, knowing the truth was very different.

The next morning, she’d awakened feeling all tingly and connected to Cruz. He’d looked panicked. She’d seen it in his eyes, in the way he’d scrambled out of bed as if terrified of being trapped by her.

She’d been hurt and furious in equal measure. Until then, she’d always been the prize.

It had taken every ounce of self-control and pride to stand there naked, offer a cool smile and words that she would never forget.

“Don’t worry, Cruz. Girls like me don’t date guys like you. We only screw them for fun.”

He’d been surprised and possibly hurt. It had been impossible to know. His expression had cleared and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. She’d dressed quickly and left, feeling hurt and humiliated.

Over the next few months she’d done her best to convince herself that Cruz didn’t matter. That she was lucky to have escaped-he wasn’t anyone she would want to be with. But she’d been unable to forget him.

“There’s always been something between us,” she said, knowing it was true, but not in the way her sister would take it. “Last week, at your party, we spent the whole night talking. We realized we’ve been in love with each other all this time.” When had she become such a good liar? she thought with a sigh.

“We got engaged. It was an impulse, but not one I regret. What I do regret is hurting you, Skye. I’d never do that willingly. I liked having the engagement as a delicious secret to think about all by myself, but I should have thought it through. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Would you have told me before?” Skye asked. “Does this have to do with Jed?”

Dana looked between them. “No switching topics,” she said calmly. “Fight about Cruz and nothing else.”

Until recently, Lexi and Skye hadn’t needed a referee, Lexi thought sadly. Damn Jed and his games.

“It’s not a power play,” she said quietly. “I swear.”

Skye stared at her, as if trying to decide if she was telling the truth. Finally she sighed. “I guess I understand. You fell in love. It’s pretty amazing, if you think about it.”

Lexi glanced to her left and saw Dana rolling her eyes.

Skye hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. I’m happy, too.”

“Wow. Engaged. I wondered when you’d let your guard down enough to fall for anyone. I thought you were too scared to love, especially after Andrew, but all this time you’d already given your heart to someone else. It’s amazing.”

Actually it was a crock, Lexi thought, wondering if her sister really thought of her as keeping up her guard. Lexi didn’t think that was true. She mostly didn’t connect with men because…because…Well, there were plenty of good reasons she couldn’t think of right now.

Skye squeezed her hand. “We need to celebrate. I want to throw you a big engagement party.”

Lexi pulled free. “Wait a minute. We don’t need a party. At least not right away. Let me get used to the idea of being engaged.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll do all the work. After all, that’s what I do, right? Throw parties. Throw parties and raise my daughter. It’s not like I have a real job.”

Lexi frowned. “What’s wrong? Why are you saying it like that.”

Skye grabbed her purse. “I’m not. Sorry. But this is good. All good. Congratulations. I can’t wait to meet him again and tell him he’d better plan to make you very happy. You deserve that, Lexi.”

The sincerity in her sister’s words made her feel crappy. “Skye-”

Her sister started for the door. “I need to get home before Erin gets off the bus. This is wonderful. I’m genuinely happy for you, Lexi. We’ll talk soon.”

And then Skye was gone.

Dana stretched her arms along the back of the sofa. “The weird thing is, she means it. She is happy for you. If not for the crap your dad’s putting all of you through, it would be great. Too bad everything you said is a lie.”

Lexi sank back on the couch and closed her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you do. Come on. Skye’s a dreamer. She’s sweet and giving and would almost never believe anything bad about you. I’m a whole lot more cynical and I’ve known you since we were both ten years old. You waited for a guy? All this time? I don’t think so. It’s not in your nature to pine. You go out and get what you want.”

This was the second assessment of her character in less than ten minutes and she was equally surprised by what Dana thought. Lexi tried to be strong and in control but always felt she fell way short.

“I believe you did sleep with him,” Dana continued. “And that you’re engaged, but the rest of it? No way.”

Lexi opened her eyes and looked at her friend. “You don’t want to know.”

“Is it illegal?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“A simple no would have been too difficult?” Dana grumbled.

Lexi smiled. “It’s not illegal.”

“Then what?”

“Then I’m not going to tell you. You’re my friend and I love you, but no. Not this time. Cruz and I are engaged. That’s enough.”

“It’s not even close to enough.” Dana leaned toward her. “Are you in trouble? Any kind of trouble?”

Lexi appreciated the support. “No. Not even a little.” Thanks to Cruz. “Danger maybe, but not trouble.”

Dana’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

“Have you ever seen Cruz Rodriguez?”

“No.”

“He’s the walking, breathing definition of temptation.”

“Which shouldn’t be a problem if you’re engaged.”

Good point. “Let’s just say I don’t want him to know that he has that much control. Can I borrow your truck? I’ll need it to move my stuff into Cruz’s place.”

“You’re going to be living with him?”

Lexi believed the exact words had been something like, “In my house and in my bed.” Which made her want to fan herself. “Uh-huh,” she said.

“That doesn’t sound like you. Besides, won’t your shiny new fiancé be helping?”

She had no idea. “He’s, uh, going to be out of town. I want to surprise him.”

“You’re not a good liar. What will you be moving?”

“Just clothes and personal stuff.”

“No furniture?”

“Not right away.” Actually she had no idea what to take, but clothes seemed like a good place to start. “He can help with any big pieces I decide to keep,” she said, knowing it wasn’t an issue. She would hold on to her condo so she would have a place to go when the six months were over.

Dana looked as if she wanted to argue but instead she said, “I’ll help you move and I’ll be the one driving my truck.”

“Because you don’t trust me with your baby?”

“Damned straight.”

“But it’s just a truck.”

Dana winced. “That’s why you can use it but you can’t borrow it.”

WHEN DANA LEFT, Lexi hurried to her purse, where she dug out Cruz’s business card. He’d scrawled his cell number on the back. She punched it in and waited impatiently until he answered.

“Rodriguez.”

“What were you thinking? That’s some stunt you pulled. It’s bad enough that you did it, but you didn’t even warn me. I hadn’t told my sisters yet. You hurt Skye. I can forgive a lot of things, but not that.” Izzy wouldn’t care one way or the other, but Skye was sensitive.

“What if I hadn’t told my father?” she continued, her voice rising slightly. “Trust me, you don’t want to deal with Jed Titan when he’s at the business end of a gun.”

“You about finished?” Cruz asked.

“I’m just getting started.”

“Good. I’ll be there in ten minutes. You can yell at me in person.”

He disconnected the call before she could tell him that didn’t work for her.

She slammed down the phone, then marched to her private bathroom where she ran cold water on her wrists and double-checked her makeup. She hated that she cared about how she looked to him and called herself names as she put on more lip gloss.

Why her? Why had he picked her? She didn’t have Skye’s gorgeous curves and feminine features or Izzy’s zest for life and adventure. She was a classic, cool blond. Or as Andrew had so eloquently put it, an ice queen. Cruz was all fire and passion. So why her?

Did it matter? She’d gotten what she’d wanted-a bail-out. She still had a shot at winning Titan World and her father’s affections. In six months, she would be free of Cruz. Until then, she would endure. She was good at that.

Her assistant buzzed that he’d arrived. Lexi ignored the sudden clenching of her stomach, the weakness that invaded her knees, and made her way to the front of her spa.

As always, just walking through her place of business made her happy. The high ceilings and dark wood moldings gave the space an elegant air. She greeted staff members as she passed them in the hall. Jeannie, on her way to give a facial, seemed ready to collapse under the weight of a couple dozen towels.

“You all right?” Lexi asked, grabbing an armful.

Jeannie straightened. “Thanks. Mrs. Miller is coming in and she has this thing about wanting extra towels in the room. She doesn’t use them-she just wants them where she can see them.”

Mrs. Miller was a regular. Weekly manicures, bi-weekly pedicures and facials, massages. Fake tan in the summer.

“Better extra towels than a yappy dog that pees everywhere,” Lexi told her with a grin.

“Oh, but then at least the towels would get used.” Jeannie laughed then ducked into one of the treatment rooms.

Lexi continued toward the main entrance, passing through the relaxation room. Three sofas and several overstuffed chairs filled the area. Women in thick robes sat with mugs of herbal tea as they either waited for their treatments or enjoyed a little quiet time after they were done. Soothing music played in the background while a junior staff member offered magazines and cut fruit.

Lexi paused to glance back at the long corridor. Nearly all the treatment room doors were closed, with discreet “occupied” signs hanging next to them. It was midweek and they were nearly at capacity. If nothing else, at least her business life was going well.

Cruz stood by the check-in desk. He should have looked out of place. Instead he lounged by a glass case filled with cosmetics and appeared completely comfortable, in a sexy, masculine way. Every female eyed him with a curiosity that did more than undress him. It served him up for breakfast and demanded they do it again.

Lexi found herself feeling oddly possessive, which was crazy. She should only want to yell at him for what he’d done with the announcement.

He looked up and saw her, then smiled with such pleasure that her entire nervous system tingled.

“Lexi,” he said as he approached, taking both her hands in his and lightly kissing her. He pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “If you keep looking at me like you want to see me as roadkill, no one is going to believe we’re engaged.”

“Well then, they really won’t believe it after I take you to the woodshed and beat some sense into you,” she said back, keeping her voice low.

He straightened and grinned. “I look forward to you trying.” He released one hand and tugged on the other. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

She allowed him to lead her outside.

The sun was bright and high in the big, blue sky. She had to shade her eyes to see the parking lot. At first she didn’t notice anything different. There were the usual assortment of guest cars, most of which were expensive imports that…

Her gaze settled on a silver-blue Mercedes. She recognized the car and the color because both had been special-ordered for her birthday, and her father had been very unhappy when she’d explained the vehicle had been lost. In truth, Jed had been more angry that she hadn’t won the race than that she’d virtually given away an expensive car. He’d reminded her that if she was going to be stupid, she needed to learn to be tough.