By the time Zane extricated himself from talking about all things Hollywood with the curious little boys, more than an hour had passed. He found Willow up on deck, leaning back on her elbows, her face angled toward the darkening sky. One leg was stretched out along the padded bench, her other knee was bent, and her dress was bunched up around her thighs. Playboy centerfolds had nothing on Willow Dalton. Even in clothes she was hotter than any woman he’d ever known. She radiated confidence and beauty. He breathed a little easier knowing Fred was fishing a few feet away. At least she wasn’t hanging all over the guy. Then again, he’d never known Willow to be a clingy, throw-herself-at-a-guy type of girl. She was too confident and smart for that, which was why seeing her flirt with Fred had thrown him off-kilter.
That’s what he told himself, but it was a big-ass lie. It had nothing to do with what she was usually like and little to do with wanting to protect her from a lecherous guy. The truth was, he’d been jealous because she’d chosen to flirt with Fred instead of him. He didn’t even know why it bothered him so much. He could have any woman he wanted, and he did. Often. But the whole time he was in the cabin, he’d been thinking about Willow, hoping she wasn’t up here leading Fred on as she had down below.
He glanced at Fred, who was talking with Cheryl’s husband, Jay, the bearded guy who had allowed them to board the boat. Jay had come down to the cabin to introduce himself shortly after Willow had gone back up.
Zane sat down next to Willow and stretched an arm across the back of the bench. “The sun’s going down,” he pointed out.
“Mm-hm. I don’t care.” She opened her eyes and blinked up at him, then closed them again. “Did you have fun with the kids?”
“They’re cute, and very curious, which was cool. Way to ditch me, by the way.”
“You have eyes,” she said in a low voice, looking at Fred. “They don’t make men like that in Sweetwater.”
Ouch. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Like you need to hear how hot you are? Please.” She pushed up and sat beside him, wrapping her arms around her knees. “It’s not just his looks. He’s nice. Did you know they’re brothers? Jay got sick last year. He couldn’t work for four months, and Fred took over his charter business so Jay’s family wouldn’t lose the income, and he stayed on afterward. I think that’s sexy, how much he loves his family.”
If she classified Fred as nice, what did she think he was? Oh, right, an asshat.
Well, that blows.
It was no secret that he’d never been close to his unambitious parents, who had never done anything to better their low socioeconomic position, and they hadn’t supported his desire to make something more for himself. Willow’s parents had stepped in and given him the confidence he’d needed. They had not only told Zane to follow his dreams and his heart, but they’d made it seem possible.
“Listen,” he said quietly. “If this is going to work, you can’t pull that kind of crap. We’re supposed to be a couple.”
“You realize what I’m giving up to do this, right? If I weren’t fake engaged, I could have a date tonight with a nice guy.” She eyed Fred again.
He paused to regain control as the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head again. “I get that. I appreciate what you’re doing for me, and I’ll make it up to you in a hundred different ways. But I think I need to give you acting lessons if we’re going to get through this.”
Her eyes went flat. “Seriously?”
“Is it that hard to act like you’re into me? I know I screwed up with the photographer, but you’ve got to understand, the focus group is demanding I clean up my act. That photographer is with TMZ. When I tip him off, he shows up. I gave him an exclusive on the story, but part of the deal was that he wouldn’t publish anything until I gave him the okay next week, after we’ve had a chance to break the news to your family.” Lack of privacy was just one of the many reasons he wanted to get out from in front of the camera.
She rested her cheek on her knees, watching him intently.
“And whose fault is it that you have to do this in the first place?” she asked sweetly, without judgment, as if she were asking what brand of cologne he wore.
He rested his elbows on his thighs, brought his eyes level with Willow’s, and whispered, “I get it. I don’t deny I’m the one who chose to live the way I have. I’m surrounded by beautiful women throwing themselves at me and expecting nothing in return but a few hours of hot sex. It’s not like I’m cheating on anyone. Of course I’m going to indulge.”
She lifted her head with a serious—and hurt?—expression. “You asked if it’s hard for me to act like I’m into you, and the honest answer is yes and no.”
He sat back and pushed his hand through his hair. He was used to women fawning over him, but Willow didn’t fawn over anyone, least of all him. She’d always called him on his shit, and she was the only woman on earth who had the power to slay him.
“Because of my history with women?” He braced himself for the kick in the teeth he was asking for.
She smiled and shook her head. “I don’t know. Because of all of it. Because I look at you and I remember things. Because I know the guy you were, and I can’t help but look for him in everything you do. And at the same time, you’re Zane Walker, the best-looking man and most talented action hero on the planet.”
“Wills. Did you just stroke my ego?” He reached out and put his hand on her forehead. “Are you sick?”
She laughed, brushing his hand away, but he laced their fingers together and held on tight. Confusion filled her beautiful eyes, mirroring his own emotions.
“Just when I expect you to give me a cocky answer, you go and do something cute like that.”
“Cute and the best-looking man on the planet?” Snarky answers were easier than trying to figure out why he was still holding her hand—and didn’t want to let go. “Hell, baby, let’s focus on those two things. That should make it easier for you to pretend to like me. And we’re still doing those acting lessons, because that rolling-your-eyes crap is a dead giveaway that you’re not totally, one hundred percent into me.”
She rolled her eyes again. “I’d have to be actress of the year to make that happen.”
“Then I’ll kick up my game and make it so you can’t help but fall for me.” As the words left his lips, he knew he meant them. No matter what it took.
Cheryl and the boys came up from the cabin. Tommy and Kenny ran over to Fred and Jay.
Tommy hung on Fred’s legs. “Can I fish, Uncle Fred?”
“Sure, buddy.” Fred crouched beside the boy and helped him gain control of the fishing line.
Cheryl sat on the adjoining bench and zipped up her hoodie. She tucked her legs beneath her. “It’s a nice evening, isn’t it?”
“Gorgeous,” Willow said.
“That’s a beautiful ring,” Cheryl said to Willow. “How long have you two been engaged?”
“We actually just got engaged earlier today.” Zane draped an arm around Willow, pulling her against his side. Damn, she felt good, and he noticed she wasn’t pulling away, which he liked even better.
“Really?” Cheryl said with a wide smile. “Congratulations. It seems like a lifetime ago for us. How did you propose?”