Just One Spark (The Kingston Family 4)

It was obvious they deferred to their lead singer, his potent power evident even offstage. Damn, it was hot. Sexy. And arousing thanks to the hand that remained on her thigh. She was shocked her brother hadn’t noticed.

Dash leaned across the bench and Naomi and pressed the driver’s speaker button. “Stop the car at the next possible corner.”

“Dash, what are you doing?” Naomi asked as the car came to a halt.

He grasped Cassidy’s hand, and she stupidly curled her fingers around his. “We’re going to discuss this alone. You know, the two people involved in your hairbrained idea?”

The driver opened the limo door, and Dash hopped out, helping Cassidy as she awkwardly made her way out of the vehicle.

“You don’t have to do this, Cass.”

She turned and met her brother’s worried gaze. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl and I can make my own decisions. It’ll be fine.” She hoped.

Next thing she knew, she stood on the corner of Sixtieth Street and Third Avenue with Dash. The contrast of the air-conditioned limousine and the humid air smacked her in the face. God, she hated this weather and wished it would either turn cooler or the humidity would go away. At least her hair was pulled back so it wasn’t wild around her face.

“Dash, what is your plan?”

He turned to face her, a genuine, carefree smile on his face. “Ice cream sundaes.”

“What?”

“We have a big decision to make, and we can’t do that on an empty stomach. Serendipity 3 is down the street and I’m in the mood for a huge sundae. Let’s go.”

This was the easygoing Dash she’d met before. Before they’d slept together. Before the baby scare. The man he was around his friends and family. The one she’d fallen for initially.

Before she could think that through, he grabbed her hand again and let him lead her along the sidewalk to the restaurant. The inside was well lit. Small white tiles, brightly colored Tiffany-styled chandeliers, pastel colors on the walls, and turquoise tabletops served as the décor. Utterly whimsical. And she appreciated the lighter side of Dash that had decided to come here.

There was no doubt he was famous. Even in jeans and a solid black tee, he had presence and commanded a room, but nobody here recognized him for now.

They were seated at a table, and he held out her chair, then settled himself in the one beside, not across from, her. He leaned back against the chair, long legs stretched out. With a slight scruff of beard and those piercing sky-blue eyes with pinpricks of black sprinkled through, he was the epitome of sexy. She wanted nothing more than to straddle him where he sat, but he’d made his feelings for her quite clear. He had none, other than guilt for treating her badly. And she didn’t want anything to do with the playboy. No matter what her body was telling her.

Needing a minute, she picked up a menu and looked through the choices. “Are you eating lunch first and then dessert?” she asked him.

“Nope. Pure decadence for me.” His eyes twinkled with amusement at his deliberate choice of words. “But feel free to order food first.”

“Decadence sounds perfect.” She shook her head at herself for getting into sensual word games with the man. “I mean, you’re right. A time like this calls for ice cream.”

“Glad we’re on the same page.”

A waitress stopped at their table. “Hi, folks. Are you ready to order or do you need … more … time?” Her voice trailed off and her eyes grew wide as she obviously recognized Dash.

“Cass?” Dash asked, calling her by the shortened name he’d used that night.

She swallowed hard. “I’m ready to order.”

The waitress had pulled herself together, obviously instructed to behave around celebrity guests. She politely waited.

Cassidy’s choice was easy. “I’ll have the Forbidden Broadway Sundae.”

Chocolate blackout cake, vanilla ice cream, and hot fudge topped with whipped cream. Her stomach rumbled with delight at the thought. That thought of the treat bolstered her nerves when deciding what to do about Naomi’s proposition.

“I’ll have the same thing.” He winked at Cassidy and she frowned.

“What are you up to?” She narrowed her gaze at him. “The word play, the winking. You won’t get anywhere trying to charm me into being your pretend girlfriend, you know.”

What she’d come to think of as his fake smile slipped. “It’s a habit.”

“Well, break it when I’m around. If I’m even going to consider this ludicrous plan, I want to be around someone real. Not a rock star with a massive ego he wants to project to the world.”

He nodded and she was shocked he hadn’t reared back at her insult.

“You know that’s one of the things I like about you,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“You don’t take my bullshit.” He shrugged. “The only other people who treat me like a regular guy are my family. It’s refreshing.”