Cassie stiffened in Franklin's arms, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.
For a split second, she forgot where she was, forgot the morning light spilling across the wide bedroom, forgot the quiet after a night that was never supposed to happen. Then reality rushed back in, cold and relentless.
This was supposed to be pretend. An arrangement. A convenient lie to satisfy his mother and protect appearances. Last night, had been a mistake.
And yet, something had shifted.
Her thoughts spiraled, tangled and sharp. Had she crossed a line she could never uncross? Had she lost her self-respect somewhere between shared glances and unguarded touches? Worse, what would Franklin think of her now?
Sleeping with her ex-husband's twin brother.
The weight of it pressed heav
