Following impulse, she said, “It’ll be more believable if we say I’m your girlfriend.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Levi slammed on the brakes, and the car came to a screeching halt. Cassie’s body jerked forward, held in place by her seat belt, her hands gripping the center console and the door. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a deer bound from the road into the trees.

Levi put his hand on hers. “Are you okay?”

Her heart pounded, but the simple touch comforted her. “I think so.”

His gaze remained intense on hers for a moment before he withdrew his hand and took his foot off the brake. They started down the road once more in silence. After a moment, he said, “Are you sure you want to fake a relationship? It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

“Surely it can’t be that hard,” Cassie countered. She wasn’t going to mention that her entire dating history had been carefully orchestrated by her father’s social secretary.

“Okay. What’s our story going to be?” Levi asked.

Cassie pondered the question. “Maybe we could say we met in college.”

“It would be more believable if we pass this off as a newer relationship,” Levi suggested. “That way everyone doesn’t expect us to know everything about each other.”

“True.”

“You said you head the energy commission for Sereno. Do you have a background in engineering?”

“Natural resources, actually.”

“Perfect. I was at the energy summit six months ago with King Eduard. We can say I met you there.”

“But I wasn’t there.”

“Even better.”

“Excuse me? You want me to say I met you someplace where I wasn’t?”

“You aren’t you right now, remember?” Levi said. “If I’m going to be your boyfriend, is there anything I need to know before we try to pull this off in front of the staff?”

“Yes. My friends call me Cassie.”

“Then Cassie it is.”

CHAPTER 4

For the past hour, Levi had tried to adjust the scenario of what his life would entail over the next few weeks. His comment about posing as Cassandra’s boyfriend had been a flippant attempt to gain her cooperation. He still wasn’t sure how she had turned the tables on him. Cassie, he corrected. He needed to start thinking of her that way now.

He glanced at her sleeping in the passenger seat. Even at rest, a worry line marred her otherwise smooth brow. Early-morning sunlight streamed through the car window and highlighted the blonde streaks in her brown hair. Dark eyelashes fluttered against flawless skin.

Her eyes opened, and she straightened in her seat. Levi could see the brief moment of confusion, followed by her awareness of her current surroundings.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“You needed the rest.” Levi studied her for a brief moment. Even though she wore only a light dusting of makeup, her inherent confidence and regal posture made him wonder if she was correct about being recognized by the chateau staff.