“It’s a beautiful evening,” the woman said. “A beautiful event. Your sister and her beau make a breathtaking couple.”

“They do. They’ll make gorgeous babies.” Sierra took her aunt’s frail-looking hand in hers. “Can I get you some more cake or another drink?”

The woman, who looked to be in her eighties, shook her head distractedly. “Pete’s getting me more cocktail nuts. I want to meet your boyfriend,” she said with an adamant nod toward Cole.

“Oh.” Sierra laughed graciously and placed an innocent hand on Cole’s knee that made him think anything but innocent thoughts. “Cole’s not my boyfriend. He’s my employee, who was kind enough to be my fake date for the evening.”

Those were all facts, but her easy denial stung anyway. Up until now, no one had asked outright what Cole’s role was, and Sierra had skipped over the details when she introduced him.

“Cole North,” Sierra continued, “my great-aunt Lucy Hanson.”

He gave her hand a gentle shake.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Lucy turned back to Sierra. “A girl like you shouldn’t need to get a fake date,” her aunt said with the bluntness of someone who didn’t worry much what people thought.

“You might be surprised.” Sierra shot a self-conscious look to Cole, and damn if he couldn’t stop wondering what those lips, glossed in that bright pink, tasted like.

Aunt Lucy was scrutinizing Cole, as if she could read his thoughts, and then she turned her gaze back to Sierra. “Well.” The old woman grinned boldly, and mischief sparked in her eyes. “You certainly danced like he’s your boyfriend.”

Sierra sent Cole an apologetic glance, laughed, and said, “That’s just how people dance these days, Aunt Lucy.”

“If you’re certain,” her aunt said.

“Grandpa taught me early on not to get involved with the crew,” Sierra said. “Cole and I work together every day.”

“That brother of mine,” Lucy said, “he could be a pest, but he was smart about his business, that’s for sure.”

“He was the best.” There was no mistaking the affection in Sierra’s voice.

Though Cole had never heard Sierra voice her no-involvement policy in so many words before, there’d never been any question. She was well-respected by the men who worked for her, and though she joked around with them and fostered a friendly work environment, she kept a certain professional distance in place during work hours.

It didn’t matter if she had a strict policy or not though. Cole wasn’t dumb enough to think he was the right man for her, no matter how many nights she popped up in his sweaty, X-rated dreams. He didn’t want to be the right man, for her or anyone. He was more cut out to be a right-now guy.