On the afternoon of the cruise, Chase pulled out his cell to let Grace know they were just around the corner. She’d texted him the night before, asking a few last minute questions about when and where they’d met in case someone asked about those details. Chase told her to feel free to come up with the story and fill him in before they set out on the cruise. Once upon a time, he’d been more of a romantic, but after what his ex had done to him, he lost all interest in things like anniversaries and first dates.

The story she came up with was simple enough and close to the truth. He met her after a play she’d starred in at the theater she owned. She started to go into the details, but he stopped her, knowing the only one who would ask was his mom, and she’d pry those little facts from Grace, not him. “Girl talk” was what she called it.

The limo came to a stop a few minutes later, and Chase frowned, staring up at the decrepit apartment building. “This is where she lives?” he asked Dexter.

“Yes, sir,” Dexter said, just as concerned as he was. “Thought the same thing yesterday when I dropped her off. The dad in me almost refused to let her go in there alone, but she said her roommate looked after her well enough.”

“I’m sure,” Chase said, but he hated the thought of Grace living in a place that looked like it housed drug dealers and worse. He stepped out, telling Dexter he could wait, and a minute later, Grace rushed out the front door.

She was done up in what he assumed were some of the clothes she’d bought, and Chase swore he was looking at a completely different woman. Her hair was piled on top of her head, the wild curls contained for the moment. Long, silver earrings dangled from her lobes, matching the studs in her ears and the necklace gracing her neck. The dress clinging to her hips was knee length with a low neck, and the deep blue brought out the amber in her eyes.

“Does this work?” she asked as he took her small suitcase. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want me to wear for our first night.”

Chase struggled to find words and nodded, tucking her suitcase in the trunk. His suit was tailored black. He was used to dressing like this. It was his life, but to see Grace in such fine clothes brought out another side to her he hadn’t seen yet.

“Good, I was worried it wasn’t fancy enough.”

“No, it’s perfect,” he insisted, grinning as he opened the limo door for her. “You remember everything?”

“I think I can manage,” she assured him. “Like I told you, no different from memorizing lines. I’m just playing the part of the future Grace Valentine.”

As she slid inside, Chase frowned, a weird feeling tugging in his stomach before he followed her inside and told Dexter they were ready to go. He filled her in more concerning the yacht and how the weekend would go with the catering and band. When she asked how big the yacht was, he laughed and told her big enough.

“Oh, and you’ll need one more thing.” He dug around in his pants pocket. The ring he revealed was the one that had belonged to his ex. Thankfully, he’d snatched it back before she took off with the family heirloom. He asked for Grace’s hand and slipped the ring onto it. “Might look suspicious if you’re not wearing this.”

Lips parted in awe, Grace stared at her hand, and Chase fought the weird tingling again. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Diamonds?”

Chase nodded. There were three in total, a larger one set between two smaller on a white gold band. He worried for a moment the ring would be too big, but as Grace moved her hand around, the ring fit perfectly.

Almost like it was made for her. The thought passed quickly through his mind, and he stiffened in his seat. No, it wasn’t going to happen. He might try to get her into his bed, but that was as far as it would go. At the end of the weekend, he’d get the ring back and never see her again.

The rest of the drive to the docks was quiet, Chase watching Grace closely while she stole glances at her hand every few minutes. He assumed by the glimmer in her eyes she’d never seen real diamonds up close before, just like she’d never been in a limo. He wondered what her life was really like if she lived in the dump he saw. From what he’d heard, she was a great actress and had potential, but something held her back.

“We’re here, sir,” Dexter announced as he opened the door for them to exit the limo.

Chase stretched out his tall frame and held out his hand to help Grace from the limo. “Are you ready for this?” he asked as they meandered down the dock.

“That’s your dad’s yacht?” she shot back instead. “Jesus Christ, it’s huge!”

He chuckled. “I wasn’t kidding. One hundred and twenty feet with three floors of living quarters. It’s my dad’s baby, next to his company,” he shrugged. “He loves that boat.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said in awe, shaking her head.

Chase slipped his hand easily into hers, and she glanced down at them. He waited for her to pull free, but she only tightened her grip on his. Together, they walked down the dock to where the rest of the guests for the weekend gathered before they stepped onto the yacht. Chase spied his parents and told Grace to brace herself as he guided her to them, waving as he grew near.

“Mom, Dad, happy anniversary!” he exclaimed. He leaned in to hug his mom, letting go of Grace’s hand. Margot Valentine—her hair white, which only made her look wiser—embraced her son tightly.

“Chase! We were worried you wouldn’t make it,” she said and held his chin in her hand.

“I said I would, didn’t I?” He turned and shook his dad’s hand, a man nearly identical to him, just as tall and broad, and also with longer hair, though his had streaks of gray running through it. “And as requested, I brought someone I’d like you both to meet.”

He took Grace’s hand and pulled her forward gently. He held his breath, ready to step in if she faltered, but she pulled her hand free and hugged his mom.

“I’m so excited to finally meet you, Mrs. Valentine.” she beamed. “Chase tells me so much about you both all the time, and I kept nagging him to introduce us. Grace Summers,” she said brightly when she stepped back. “Thank you for inviting me this weekend.”

Margot grinned and pulled Grace back in for another hug, shooting Chase a narrowed gaze as she did so. “Grace, you must be the fiancée we know absolutely nothing about.”

“I know, he told me,” Grace said, laughing it off. “Very nice to meet you too, Mr. Valentine.”

Chase’s dad took her hand and laughed. “Well, I’ll be… He sure knows how to pick them. Chase, I feel there’s a story to be told here. Why have you kept this woman a secret so long?”

“Like you said, Dad, there’s a story,” Chase told him, trying not to sound so amazed at how well Grace played the part. She chatted with his mom and had her laughing quickly about something or other Chase apparently did on their first date. “We ready to set off?”

“We are,” Chase Senior proclaimed, clapping his son on the back. “You know your mother is going to drag that story out of you, one way or another.”

“Hopefully, I’ll have a drink by then.”

“You know where the good stuff is. Come on, the women are going to be talking for a while I fear,” he chortled, and with his son by his side, the two of them boarded the yacht, Grace and Margot in tow.

Chase let out a breath of relief, glancing at his mom. She was smiling at the proper and very social woman beside her. The words coming from her mouth were not sarcastic and nothing like what he’d heard so far. She was a better actress than he originally gave her credit for, and he wondered for a second if he was paying her enough for all she was doing for him. He thought of staying close by in case Grace needed him for answers, but his mom had her arm wrapped through Grace’s and offered to give her a tour of the yacht while they caught up on the past year of her son’s life.

“Heaven knows he doesn’t tell me everything. I know nothing about you, dear,” Margot muttered through a wry smile, pinching Chase’s arm when she passed.

“I told him to call,” Grace chided, “but you know how he is.”

“Sadly, I do. I married the original,” Margot said forlornly with a wink, and both women laughed.

“I don’t even think the people he works with know about me,” Grace said with an exaggerated sigh. “You’d think he was ashamed of me.”

“What do you do for a living, dear?”

Chase paused, waiting to hear her reply. Had they covered that? He turned, ready to step in when Grace answered before he could. “I’m just a simple theater owner downtown. Part of the reconstruction he’s doing was my idea, which is how we met. You know how long he’s been working on those plans of his. Can’t ever settle down.”

He forced himself to relax and watched them disappear into the yacht. His dad tugged on his arm and told him his uncles, cousins, and family friends were gathered on the upper deck, already breaking into his expensive scotch and cigars. A drink was exactly what he needed. They made it through the first few minutes without any issues, but the day was young and the weekend even younger. He wasn’t sure if they’d make it through without a hitch, but what he did realize very quickly, listening to Grace laugh so easily with his mother, was that the tingling in his gut was growing worse. He fought the urge to go after her, pull her to him, and kiss her.

She was his fiancée, after all. One kiss or two wouldn’t be out of the question.

* * *

When they’d first reached the yacht, Grace thought her wide-eyed stare would make her an obvious fish out of water, but the second she started talking with Margot, all her worries fell away. His mom was one of the easiest people to talk to she’d ever met, and a spike of jealousy shot through her that this woman wasn’t her mom. She certainly wouldn’t have put her child in a serious situation where she could very well end up dead.

The yacht was extraordinary, one hundred and twenty feet long with amenities Grace never knew could be available on a yacht. It was incredible, and Margot was more than happy to show her around. She asked a lot of questions, but Grace managed to answer them all without stumbling once for an answer. Until, of course, she asked about Chase’s ex.

Later in the evening, they’d joined the rest of the guests on the yacht, but Grace was attached to Margot’s hip. She enjoyed showing off her future daughter-in-law to friends and family, and Grace was in no position to argue. Playing the happy, content fiancée was an easy role compared to so many others she’d tackled in the past, and for a few brief moments, Grace fell into that imaginary life, nearly believing the ring on her finger was actually hers to keep.

“Did you ever meet Tiffany?” Margot asked as she sipped her red wine. “The ex-fiancée?”

“No, can’t say I ever had the pleasure,” Grace answered, frowning. “He won’t talk about her. What was she like?” If Chase wouldn’t give her any insight, maybe his mom would.

“I only met her a few times, but I can tell you honestly, I hated the woman.”

Grace choked on her wine as she stifled a laugh at the menace in the older woman’s voice. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said tightly once she coughed and cleared her throat.

“Don’t be, dear. He found you instead.”

Her smile was so genuinely happy Grace was overwhelmed by a sudden wave of guilt for lying to her face. “Yes, he did.”

Her eyes scanned the faces of relatives and friends she would never see again after this weekend until they finally landed on Chase. For a man who seemed so worried about what his parents thought, he appeared relaxed standing with his dad. They were nearly identical, and Grace grinned at the future image of what Chase junior would look like when he was older.

Why do you care? You’ll never see him after this, so stop acting like this is real! The thought sobered her instantly, and she fiddled with her glass.

Margot’s hand reached out to her shoulder, a worried frown on her face. “Dear, are you alright? You look ill. Is it the boat?”

“No, no I’m fine. I’ve had a long week with work, and I think the wine is hitting me a little hard,” she assured her quickly.

“Why don’t you go lie down? The real party won’t start ‘til tomorrow,” Margot told her with a reassuring smile.

“No, really, we’re having such a good time,” Grace argued, but Margot took the glass from her hands and dragged her through the other guests to Chase.

“Son, your fiancée is exhausted! I think you wore her out this week,” Margot said with a wink that made Grace blush and Chase’s face tighten. “Take her to your cabin, will you?”

Grace mouthed an apology to Chase over Margot’s head, but he smiled and handed over his glass of scotch. “Of course. Come on, babe. I’ll show you to the cabins.” He slipped his hand easily into hers again, and she tried to ignore the way it warmed her down to her toes. He led her from the upper deck and the dim lights hanging around it and deeper inside the yacht.

Even though she’d seen it once, it was hard not to be in awe of the solid wood paneling and leather furniture that filled the yacht. Every room was more luxurious than any apartment she’d ever lived in, let alone stayed in. She could only imagine what the cabins looked like.

“So you and my mom are getting along,” he said casually as they walked.

“Yeah, she’s a great woman. I can see where you get some of your charm from.”

His steps paused. “You think I’m charming?”

“Did I say that? What I meant was how on earth did a man like you come from a woman like her?” she covered quickly.

“And what have I done that hasn’t been charming?” he asked, confused.

“Nothing at all, Loki, nothing at all.”

He guided her down to the lower level of the yacht and down a hall, his brow furrowed. “This is our cabin,” he said absently.

Grace froze as he opened the door and glanced inside to see one enormous bed. “There’s only one bed.”

“Yes, well, we’re engaged, so why would there be two?” he asked. “It’ll be fine, Grace. I’m sleeping on the couch in here.”

She followed him in after a moment spent trying to still her pounding heart. One bed. Only one bed, and even though he said he was going to sleep on the couch, Grace couldn’t help but picture him in that bed with her, holding her, kissing her—

“Grace?” he asked, smirking.

She stepped into the room, and the door closed behind her. The cabin wasn’t small, by any means, but the walls closed in around her until all she could focus on was Chase in that damn perfectly tailored suit, revealing the muscles underneath. Her hands wanted to feel them flex beneath her touch, see what he covered up with that white, silk shirt, but him walking around the cabin and showing her the small bathroom and her clothes in the closet brought her back to the reality of the situation.

This weekend wasn’t real. Their relationship wasn’t real, and she needed to remember that before she tackled him to the bed.

“Are you set for the night then?” he asked.

Grace glanced at the bed, unable to really focus on anything else in the room, and nodded absently. “Really, I’m sorry. Your mom insisted I turn in. Said I looked tired.”

“You do seem a little pale,” he said worriedly, moving close until he was barely a foot from her. “You don’t get seasick, do you?”

“No, no it’s… It’s nothing.”

There was no point telling him about the guilt she felt because she was lying to his mom, or how just two days ago, her life had been threatened by a loan shark, or how if she screwed up this weekend and missed out on the payday she’d been promised, she’d be screwed ten ways to Sunday and not in a good way. Grace held her tongue between her teeth and cracked her knuckles, the sound echoing around the cabin.

“If you’re sure,” he said, his eyes narrowed on her face. “I’ll be up top a while longer. If you need anything—anything at all…”

Grace’s eyes slid to his at the not so subtle hint, but she didn’t say anything as he walked past her and left her alone in the cabin. Once she was sure she was alone, she kicked off her heels, muttering about being an idiot and thinking she could fit into this type of life. Not that she was attracted to him in any way besides enjoying his viking-ish looks. She’d met a lot of people moving through her theater company and knew when someone was hiding from their past. He had secrets, and unless he was willing to open up, he’d never let her in, let alone trust her.

She reminded herself she didn’t care if he did as she took off her extra earrings and jewelry before digging around in her bag for her pajamas. As she held them up, she realized the bad choice she’d made by bringing the oversized black t-shirt she usually slept in. She glanced at the bed and back to the shirt. He said he’d sleep on the couch. She would just have to make sure she stayed under the covers when he was in the room with her.

Once she had changed, she skipped the bed and sat in the leather chair facing the windows, which looked out over the water. Moonlight brushed the tops of the waves cresting nearby, and Grace watched them closely, wishing she could simply float away from the mess her life had become.

She spun the engagement ring on her finger, thinking about what landed her here to begin with. All her life, she’d tried to run a straight course and get herself out of the poverty her dead-beat dad and addict mom brought her into. For a while, she’d managed just fine, especially after her dad ran off. But her mom hit the drinking hard and gambled away more than she had. Grace never thought she could hate her mom, but after the last visit from Mickey, she had called her mom, demanding answers.

Instead of owing fifteen thousand, her mom now owed nearly forty. And by the time she returned Monday, it’d be even more. Grace had gone off on her mom and cursed her out for what she did, but nothing would ever change that woman.

The waves continued to roll in against the yacht, and for the first time in a long time, Grace let it all go, curled up in a chair on a rich man’s yacht, playing another role in her life that had nothing to do with who she really was.

* * *

Chase finally pried himself away from his dad and uncle around three in the morning. Most of the other guests had turned in a while before, but his dad was, and always had been, a night owl. He told Chase he looked forward to tomorrow’s fishing and hugged his son tightly. He was a little drunk and told his son again how hot his new fiancée was compared to the last one.

“Not so much of a bitch, either,” Chase Senior added loudly.

Chase rolled his eyes. He didn’t realize how much his dad had hated Tiffany. He wished they had told him, and maybe his heart wouldn’t have been shattered into too many pieces to be put back together.

Except, around Grace, a faint glimmer of hope clung to him, and a voice he couldn’t quiet told him he was being an idiot for simply hiring this woman to play a part in his life for a weekend. Why did he want to spend more time with her? Hell, he still wanted to get her into bed—and considering there was only one bed, he might get his way—but thinking of just a one-night tryst with her left him completely unsatisfied. What the hell had she done to him?

He squared his shoulders when he reached his cabin. Nothing about this weekend was real. Even how she acted wasn’t real. In the time they spent together, he wasn’t sure he knew who the real Grace was beyond the actress who fooled everyone around her. When he had returned to the deck earlier, he asked his mom what they’d been talking about before Grace looked ill. She told him they were talking about how she came into Chase’s life and how happy she was for them both.

Stop caring so much. You can’t care beyond checking her out. End of story. Off limits, so just stop before you fall for another woman who’ll rip your heart out, the voice warned, and Chase did his best to listen to it.

He’d see if he could find a way to taste that perfectly shaped body of hers, but beyond that, he would not entangle himself in her life. He promised himself he would not let her into his life until he opened the door to find the bed empty and her curled up in the chair, sound asleep, the moonlight playing over her face and curly hair.

Chase’s body stilled, every alarm bell going off in his head, unable to look away from the beauty in his cabin. She wore an oversized t-shirt that rode high up her thighs. A lump formed in his throat as he stepped into the room and closed the door quietly behind him. She didn’t move at all.

“Grace?” he asked, but she still didn’t move. “Damn it, woman, you couldn’t make this easy on me,” he grunted.

Because he had no other choice, he picked her up gently. Her petite frame weighed nearly nothing, and she curled into his chest. He cursed, his hands tightening around her, and gazed into her face. Her lips were full and parted slightly, so inviting and ready to be kissed. Would she notice if he did? Chase lowered his head and gently brushed his lips over hers. She shifted closer in his arms, and he deepened the kiss until he realized what was happening. He pulled back quickly and laid her carefully in bed. He disappeared into the small bathroom to change and splash cold water on his face to clear away the sudden arousal filling his body. God, he wanted her. That one kiss had been enough to set him on fire, and all he wanted was to rush back in there and wake her with an even hotter kiss, one that curled her toes and made her clutch at his body.

Sleeping on the couch was probably the best decision he could make that night.

After regaining control of his rush of desire, he turned off the bathroom light, dressed only in sleep pants, and flopped down on the couch. There was a blanket thrown over the leather, but he was so tall his legs hung over the arm at the other end. He shifted, grumbling under his breath as he tried to get comfortable and hope his erection disappeared.

“You know,” Grace said suddenly, and Chase jumped, rolling off the couch. “Shit! Are you alright?” she asked, and he heard the laughter behind her words.

He pulled himself up to find her sitting in bed staring at him. “Warn a guy next time.”

“Sorry,” she murmured. “Look, you’re too tall for the couch.”

“You’re not sleeping on the couch, Grace. That’s just rude,” he muttered and settled back down again.

“I wasn’t going to. I was going to say we’re both adults. Just get in bed with me.”

His heart thundered like a raging beast behind his ribs. In bed, with her dressed in nothing but a t-shirt? Was she crazy? “No, I’ll be alright.”

She sighed and turned on the bedside lamp. Chase opened one eye to see her staring at him. He straightened and studied her face closely. In the darkness, he hadn’t been able to see how puffy and red her eyes were or the stress lines around her mouth… that perfect mouth he kissed as she curled into his body.

“You sure you’re alright?” he asked.

“Why?”

His eyes narrowed on her face, and as if she realized what she must look like, she rubbed it and turned away from him.

“Look, either get in bed and go to sleep or suffer on the couch, Loki. Just don’t keep me up,” she gibed and turned over, punching her pillow before she flopped down on it.

She’d been crying. He wanted to ask why, but her back was stiff as she turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Chase glanced at the couch, and deciding she was right and they were adults, slid in behind her. The bed was large enough to leave ample space between them, but Chase’s arms wanted to wrap around her and pull her close. He stayed flat on his back and glared at the ceiling of the cabin, praying sleep would hit him fast and hard. The last thing he needed was dreams involving erotic adventures with the woman lying half-naked beside him.

“I like your tattoo, by the way,” she mumbled into her pillow.

Chase smirked. “Thanks. Does that mean I get to see yours now?” he asked, hopeful. If he hadn’t seen it yet, it meant she had it covered up underneath that t-shirt. He craved to see more skin, but she turned him down sharply.

“Go to sleep, Loki, or I’ll be sure to kick you in my dreams.”

He closed his eyes, content to wonder where her tattoo could be. He drifted away in the darkness, sleep consuming him until images of Grace filled his mind and his lips imagined caressing hers again.