Page 23 of Forbidden Earl

Cassidy stood and kissed the older woman’s soft cheek again, getting a hint of the delicate scent of Gigi’s rose water wash that she’d used all her life. “Thanks. I’ll let you get some rest.”

Cassidy slung the garment bag over shoulder and headed toward the door.

“Don’t forget,” Gigi said. “I want to see you in that dress of yours before you leave. You already look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Cassidy gave her a thumbs up as she felt her cheeks glow from the compliment. “I’ll be back in a little while, then.”

She closed the door and turned toward the main room and the stairs, but ran right into Remy’s strong shoulder. He stepped backwards, focused on her in surprise, then he frowned. “Cassidy. You’re wearing makeup.”

This was nothing compared to her plans for tomorrow. She lowered her head. “Wearegoing to a wedding.”

He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “You don’t need that powder or blush. I like the glow of your natural skin.”

Glow? She clutched her bag and her shoulders went inward. “I thought you’d be happy with my efforts.” If he thought she would get married without primping he was crazy. “I will be made up tomorrow for the wedding pictures—but it isn’t like I will get my hair and makeup done every day.”

He nodded like he had a say. “Good.”

If he didn’t think she was pretty, then she was in trouble. Michael and his palace staff were world-renowned and if they couldn’t pull off a miracle for Remy to find her attractive, nothing would.

Cassidy ignored the pang in her heart and held her bag like it was a shield. “Give me fifteen minutes to change and be ready for tonight’s wedding. Gigi wants to see us before we leave.”

She turned to walk up the stairs, but Remy stopped her. “She’s looking better.”

About his grandmother, they were on the same page. “She is.”

He nodded, holding her gaze as he took a deep breath. “I don’t want to get my hopes up.” His voice cracked.

She walked over to him and hugged him. She’d have hugged anyone who had that pain in their eyes. Cassidy breathed in the woodsy scent but then pushed away. “We’ll talk to the doctors together, if you want.”

A small smile grew on his face as he nodded. “I’d like you there, Cassidy. Thanks.”

It hurt that she didn’t attract him physically but at least they had other issues in common. She let her body relax and took the first step up. “Okay, I’ll be back soon.”

She’d expected a different reaction from him about her makeup. Would he approve that she’d spruced herself up for the wedding tonight? She hoped he didn’t expect to marry the old her. Since being at Bei Giardini Manor, she felt a shift inside her, and she needed to figure out where this emotional pull took her. Remy made her feel safe, but she needed to push harder. Safe wasn’t enough.

Chapter 10

Cassidy Bright’s sparkling pink dress highlighted her pink complexion. The tailored waist made her thin body have curves. She tugged the beaded bandeau snug over chest, her strapless bra in place, and left the mirror. Looking good for herself was all that mattered and right now, she felt pretty.

Her hair was smoothed in sleek waves with nary a frizz. Tomorrow she’d have an updo with cascading curls. Her plan to wow Remy at her wedding with acompletetransformation was gone. Hopefully she’d still shock him, but it felt kind of nice to dress up.

No one was here to make her feel ridiculous for being more like a girl which would be exactly what her sister would do, even if she just tried to wear lip gloss on a windy day. She never should have hid herself because of college. She’d given Alex too much power.

She floated down the stairs and Remy’s eyes widened as she neared him on the bottom step. He’d changed into a black tuxedo that hugged his body and showed off his taut muscles.

He held out his arm for her, a slight frown between his brows. “You look so different.”

She tugged on the side of the dress to ensure she was good. Isn’t this what he wanted from her since she’d moved here? She kept the question to herself and instead laughed and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. “My initial plan the other day was to keep my long frizzy hair in my face until our wedding day.”

“Your plan?”

Tonight she’d take her place at the top of the world. Tomorrow, Remy was hers. As they walked into the main room, she slowed down, remembering Gigi as she answered, “But Michael, the stylist, insisted we had too much work to do for that and we needed to start right away. This is part two of three.”

He brushed his hand against her cheek, careful not to touch her skin. “I’m afraid of part three then.”

“Why?” She blinked, not certain if he approved.

He leaned closer. “Because you’re stunning. I won’t want to leave your side tonight to do my best man duties.”

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