This was going to be a disaster. No two ways about it.

Cassandra knew this was going to happen. She’d told the producer that nothing good would come of keeping it a secret from Brett or the others. Knowing had kept her up at nights. In the end, she recognized she couldn’t do it to Brett. Over the past two weeks, he’d followed her every instruction. There hadn’t been one picture of him on a social media site. He’d kept his name out of the headlines. Had kept away from the nightclubs he normally frequented. The surprising thing about it all was, it seemed easy for Brett to do. It was like he didn’t miss the limelight at all. Which couldn’t possibly be true when his reputation seemed to indicate he always chased the headlines, and put himself into situations where trouble soon followed.

There was only one time when he’d refused to appear at a charity golf tournament. The event was to be held on a Sunday and Brett told her he didn’t do anything on that particular day. Sundays was his private day and he wasn’t changing that for anything or anyone. Curiosity almost had her asking what he did, but he’d given her a look, and she’d let the matter drop. Besides, she reasoned, even bad boys had to have a day off.

As she looked at him, anger shining in his aquamarine eyes, she wanted nothing more than to pull him close and kiss the hurt away. Which was totally absurd. She was his image consultant, not his girlfriend, even though the one searing kiss they’d shared had never been far from her thoughts. Now, standing so near to him, the urge to relive the magic nearly overwhelmed her.

Cassandra dug deep within her well of professionalism and pushed thoughts of kisses to the far recesses of her mind. “What I’ve got you into is what I told you all about that day in the office. A worthwhile project that will not only help disadvantaged kids, but will also show the world a different side to you.” She lowered her voice and placed a hand on his arm, ignoring the sudden heat flaring between them. “I know there’s more to you than what you want everyone to see.”

He pulled away and ran a hand through his short hair. His eyes turned cold like a pool on a winter’s day. “You don’t know anything about me. If the producers want drama, then that’s what I’ll give them.”

A ball of dread grew to boulder-sized proportions in her stomach. This had disaster written all over it. There had to be a way she could calm him down, turn the situation around so he didn’t do something stupid and wreck the good start he’d made in turning his image around.

“Brett, don’t do anything rash. I know you’re angry, but, plea—”

“Stop, Cassandra. Just stop. Don’t pull any of that marketing, image bullshit on me.” His shoulders slumped, as the anger appeared to drain out of him. “Just don’t,” he finished quietly.

Damn being professional, Cassandra closed the small distance between them and put her arms around him. It was like hugging a tree, stiff and unrelenting. “You can do this. I know you can.” Her words whispered around them. “I believe in you, Brett.”

He relaxed as his arms closed around hers. An inappropriate shiver of desire swept through her. They were standing in his trailer on a piece of land miles from the nearest town. Anyone could walk in, but at that moment, Cassandra didn’t care. Brett needed to have someone on his side, and that someone was her.

After a few moments, she leaned back and looked up at him. Their gazes met and held. The words she’d been about to say stuck in her throat. Emotions swirled through the air between them.

Desire.

Confusion.

Hurt.

Desire.

Cassandra had no idea who moved first, but in the next instant, their lips were fused together. Her soft body flush against his hard one. This kiss was more intense than the one they’d shared in the office. Her mouth opened up beneath his, allowing his tongue inside. A moan escaped her when his hands trailed down her back to cup her ass. This shouldn’t be happening between them. It crossed every boundary, professional and personal, she shrouded herself in.

Brett was a client.

Brett was a professional athlete.

Brett was younger than her.

But with his lips and hands on her, she didn’t care. For the first time in too many years to count…she felt alive. Hell, she practically vibrated with it.

Slowly, she pulled her mouth away letting her hands drop from around his neck. “We shouldn’t be doing this. It’s wrong on so many levels.”

Just saying those words felt like a betrayal of what they’d just shared.

“Right.”

Awkwardness closed around them. “I’ll see you on set. I’m sure they’ll send someone to come and get you.”

“Fine.”

Great, one word responses. This day was going to be a disaster.

Without another word, Cassandra let herself out of the Brett’s trailer and hoped to God, she hadn’t made the biggest mistake of her career by signing Brett to this show.

---

Cassandra took a walk around the lot in attempt to force her thoughts off Brett. She had no idea why the producers wanted to film the beginning of the show in the middle of nowhere, California. It wasn’t anywhere near the Colorado schools the kids who were participating attended. Production had decided on Colorado seeing as three participants worked and lived in the state. Perhaps they chose this particular site for the beginning of the show for ambiance, creating the right image. Although it seemed unlikely, seeing as the landscape didn’t even really match Colorado’s. But it was what she did for a living, create images that appealed to the general public. Never before had she felt more disillusioned with her job than she did right now.

Normally, she loved the challenge of helping people re-brand themselves. Of course, in those circumstances they usually sought out Star Image’s expertise. This time, it was different. Brett hadn’t sought them out. His agent had. And only because Brett’s previous publicity firm had dropped him like a hot potato.

“I understand our mystery athlete has turned up.” The voice belonged to Ted, the show’s producer, and the main instigator in keeping Brett and the others in the dark.

Cassandra turned and faced the tall, thickset man. “Yes, did you have some doubts?”

“Well this is Brett Hunter we’re talking about. Anything is possible with him, even turning up drunk.”

Irrational anger boiled up inside of her, threatening to bubble over at the assumptions Ted was making. She supposed, given Brett’s track record, Ted had a right to make the comments, but the fact he had kept his nose clean for the last couple of weeks had to show he was changing. It became even more imperative for Brett to be his true self, not the one she was beginning to suspect he’d adopted.

“I can assure you he isn’t drunk. He’s here and ready to give his all to the kids to ensure his team wins.”

“I guess time will tell. The big reveal happens in about fifteen minutes. Here’s hoping for some good television. See you on set.” With a wave, he headed back toward the crewmembers who were checking cameras and sound equipment.

As much as she wanted to march back to his trailer and tell him about Ted’s expectations, she held back. She’d done enough damage by calling him and informing him about Mitch’s and Drake’s involvement.

For her sake, and definitely for Brett’s, she hoped he would decide to prove everyone wrong. But to be sure, she crossed her fingers and murmured a silent prayer.