From Friend to Fake Fiancé

by Jules Bennett

  “Jenna—”

  Keeping her back to the door, she held up her hand. “No. I don’t want your apology.”

  “I wasn’t going to give you one,” Mac retorted. “I’m not sorry I hit him. Nobody insults my family and nobody disrespects you. That bastard did both.”

  Something about the way he was so adamant about defending those he loved made him even more attractive. But still, she had to wonder just how far he planned on taking this charade, not to mention how often his anger got the better of him. She’d heard things, ugly things, but she’d never seen Mac get violent before.

  Jenna spun around. “I asked you to play the part of my boyfriend. Maybe I should’ve made things clearer from the start.” Gathering up the flowers on the table, she carefully repackaged them, wondering when she would ever find a moment’s peace to actually do her sister’s wedding arrangements. “I didn’t want a fake fiancé, I didn’t want you to punch my ex and I didn’t want you to cross the boundaries of our friendship by kissing me.”

  Mac remained still, eerily so, as he locked his eyes on hers. “The fiancé reference slipped out. I will apologize for saying that, but I’ll never apologize for hitting a man who cheated on you and put you second in his life. I’m not sorry he’ll be wearing my fist impression on his face.”

  Now he moved closer, closing the gap between them in two strides. “Don’t look at me like that, Jenna. It’s still me. I’d never raise my hand to a woman. I protect what’s mine and no matter what’s going on here, fake or real, you’re mine.”

  Jenna’s breath caught.

  “And I sure as hell will not apologize for kissing you,” he went on. “You didn’t say no. Far from it. I’ve wanted to for years and I plan on doing it again. This week, Jenna, you belong to me as more than my friend. You started this and I’m finishing it.”

  He glanced down to the watch on his wrist. “Better shower up. We have a double date in an hour.”

  With that, he stalked out the back door to the hammock and relaxed as if he didn’t have a care in the world, as if he was oblivious to the turmoil that raged within her. He’d delivered that emotionally packed speech, got her hormones good and jumbled then just turned to leave?

  And she was his for the week? As in...his?

  Both fear and excitement coursed through her. What type of beast had she unleashed?

  Six

  Mac pulled out the chair for Jenna. Once she was seated, he moved her hair from her shoulder and placed a kiss on her bare, sun-kissed skin. Her familiar floral scent mocked him. He knew firsthand that she dabbed her favorite perfume beneath her ears and put a dot between her breasts. Not only had he seen her do it a time or two, but when he’d been making a path from her neck to her chest, he’d inhaled that scent and he’d wanted more.

  “This is so exciting.” Amy beamed from the other side of the table. “I’m so happy for you guys and I’m really glad we could carve out this time to spend together. After all, we’ll all be family soon enough.”

  Family? No. His family was his brother, sister, Ryker and Jenna. That was all. Small, simple, effective in making his life complete.

  “I finished one of the small bouquets today,” Jenna stated, as if she wanted this conversation to take another path, too. “It’s even more beautiful than I thought it would be.”

  Yeah, instead of taking hours to get ready like most women he knew, Jenna had opted to work on an arrangement, then had showered and transformed into evening-ready in minutes. She was stunning tonight with her bare shoulders exposed. Her dress hugged those curves he was dying to get back beneath his hands.

  Amy reached across the table and patted Jenna’s arm. “I didn’t ask you to do the flowers because you’re my sister. I asked because you’re the best.”

  Settling back in his seat, Mac could relax a bit more now that the sisters had fallen into their easy chatter. The waitress popped over to their table to take their drink orders. Mac and Nathan ordered the local beer on tap, while the ladies ordered a house wine and slid right back into all things wedding.

  “Don’t look so glum,” Nathan stated with a laugh. “It’s not that bad. And if she’s happy, then that’s all that matters.”

  Mac grunted. “I think eloping would be the easiest.”

  Amy gasped, focusing her attention on Mac. “You don’t mean that. Jenna has always dreamed of a big wedding. She even has our mother’s wedding gown in storage because she wants that vintage feel.”

  Apparently word traveled fast and Jenna had already discussed the “engagement” with her sister. Mac glanced at Jenna who was waving her hand in the air. “I’ll be happy with any wedding, Amy. So long as it’s to the man I love. I’ll get my happily-ever-after,” she assured her sister.

  Jenna didn’t meet Mac’s stare. When he reached beneath the table to slide his hand over her leg, she shifted away just enough so that no one could see, but her silent message delivered a blow.

  He’d hurt her earlier. He’d hurt her with his own selfishness and lack of control. But when that bastard Martin had spouted off about Mac’s family...well, he’d been looking for an excuse to punch the guy since he found out Martin had cheated on Jenna.

  The waitress brought their drinks and took their orders. The open restaurant provided a view of the crystalline ocean, which glowed even more in the moonlight, palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze and couples strolling around hand in hand. The carefree lifestyle here would be so easy to get lost in; it was the perfect romantic setting, but he wasn’t here for romance and his plan of seduction was backfiring in a major way.

  Jenna deserved more than a fling. Mac took a hard pull from his beer and realized he was no better than Martin—as difficult as that was to admit. Martin had used her and Mac was attempting to do the same. Oh, Mac could justify his means by saying he’d always wanted her physically, which was true, but after this week he would go back to his life and Jenna would be left with...what? She didn’t have feelings for him beyond friendship, but she was the type of woman who wanted that fairy-tale ending. Hadn’t her sister just stated as much?

  The only role Mac would ever play in a fairytale would be a villain. The villain never got the princess.

  “Mac?”

  Blinking, he sat his glass back down and looked to Amy. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I asked what happened.” She nodded toward his injured hand still curled around his frosted mug.

  “He had a slight altercation,” Jenna chimed in. “No big deal.”

  Oh, hell, no. She wasn’t coming to his defense or making lame excuses for him.

  “I punched Martin.”

  Jenna sighed and dropped her head. Amy jerked back in her seat and Nathan narrowed his eyes.

  “Why?” Amy demanded in a whispered tone.

  “He cheated on Jenna and—”

  “And nothing,” Jenna stated, her voice rising over his. “Let’s just leave this conversation for another time.”

  “He cheated on you?” Amy asked, her wide eyes turning to her sister. “I knew you guys broke up, but you never said why. Oh, honey, I’m so sorry you have to walk with him during the ceremony.”

  Mac clenched his teeth. The thought of Martin getting close to Jenna only made him see red all over again.

  Amy turned to Nathan. “Did you know about this?” she demanded.

  Nathan held his hands up in his defense. “He’s my best friend, but I had no clue. I’d say he didn’t tell me for obvious reasons.”

  Jenna reached for her wineglass. “Seriously, it happened a few weeks ago and I didn’t want to ruin the wedding, so let’s forget this conversation ever happened.”

  As she sipped her wine, she turned just enough to glare at Mac. He wasn’t going to apologize. Amy and Nathan needed to know what kind of asshat was in their wedding party pos
ing as a friend and all-round good guy.

  Mac couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the jerk sporting a shiner for the ceremony. Probably not something Amy would find amusing, but Mac sure did. They should be thankful Mac hadn’t broken the guy’s jaw, or worse.

  “Please, don’t let this ruin anything,” Jenna begged.

  Amy studied her sister and finally nodded. “So, tell me what you’ve decided on for your wedding. Surely you have a date in mind or some details.”

  Hell. He was going to need something stronger than beer to get through this.

  “Actually, this is all still so new to us.”

  Yeah, like two days.

  “I want to focus on your wedding before thinking about my own,” Jenna went on. “Did the resort get with you on the time I can start setting up in the dining area for the reception?”

  “They told me after the rehearsal would be fine. Does that give you enough time?”

  “Of course.” Jenna’s tight smile implied the arrangement was anything but fine, but she’d never tell her sister anything different.

  Nathan asked Mac about the auction business and Mac kept his answers vague. Though O’Shea’s was thriving even more than usual, Mac’s mind was on the scrolls and how Ryker was doing with his lead. Ryker wasn’t one to just send random check-ins, though. He wouldn’t contact anyone until he discovered something substantial.

  When Mac’s cell vibrated in his pocket, he slipped it out just enough to see his sister’s name on the screen.

  “Excuse me,” he stated as he came to his feet. “I need to take this.”

  His sister wasn’t one to chat on the phone for fun, so the fact that she was calling had him on alert. Shoving his chair back, he offered a smile in reply to Jenna’s worried look.

  “Laney.” He answered the phone as he walked from the table and out onto a fairly empty dock.

  “Would you tell the family Neanderthal to stop checking on me?” his sister demanded.

  Mac flinched at the anger lacing her voice. Laney wasn’t an angry person, but there was one man who brought out such emotions in her and Mac didn’t have to ask which Neanderthal she was referring to.

  “What’s going on now?” Mac asked, trying to keep his frustration from coming through.

  “I started talking to Carter again—”

  “Oh, Laney,” Mac groaned. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Anyway,” she continued, ignoring his protest. “Suddenly Carter calls and tells me he can’t see me anymore. You guys may not like him, but my personal life is not your concern. We had a rough patch and I was going to give him another chance.”

  Actually, it was very much their concern, but he wasn’t getting into that now. Having Laney as a baby sister was exhausting at times, but they usually handled her by going behind her back to keep her safe. Mac wouldn’t let any harm come to her as long as he was alive, and he knew full well Braden felt the same way, as did Ryker, even though he was only a friend of the family.

  “And how does Ryker come into play?”

  Laney laughed. “Seriously? He obviously called Carter and said something to him. We were supposed to go out tonight for the first time since we broke up and Carter was adamant he couldn’t see me again.”

  Mac shrugged, even though she couldn’t see him. If Carter was scared off that easily then he didn’t deserve Laney. End of story and good riddance.

  “Listen, Carter isn’t a good fit for you,” Mac started as he glanced back into the restaurant and met Jenna’s eyes. “You deserve someone who will put you above everything else and be completely loyal.”

  “Maybe Carter was that person,” she retorted.

  Something flashed in Jenna’s eyes before she turned her attention back to whatever her sister was saying. A punch of reality hit him in the gut. From here on out he had to do right by Jenna. She trusted him, only him, to come to her rescue. If someone ever set out to “help” his sister by means of seduction, Mac would rip him limb from limb.

  How could he seduce her when she’d placed her heart, her protection in his hands? The answer was as simple as it was complex...he couldn’t.

  “We went to great lengths to get Carter out of your life when you needed us to step in,” Mac went on as he took a few more steps down the dock and away from a couple who had just come outside. “Even if Ryker did call Carter to scare him off, then you need to realize he has your best interests at heart.”

  “He doesn’t have a heart.”

  That was debatable, but still. Mac wasn’t going to keep arguing. “You need to settle this with Ryker.”

  “He won’t take my calls.”

  “He’s working on a lead.” He didn’t need to say what for. They’d all been diligently searching for the scrolls since their father had made them promise to uncover them. “Don’t take it personally.”

  “If you called him he’d answer,” she muttered. “If that jackass thinks he can avoid me...”

  Mac smiled. “I’m sure he’ll return your call soon enough. I need to get back to dinner.”

  “Sorry. I know you’re with Jenna. Tell her I said hi.”

  “Will do. Love you, Laney.”

  “Love you, brother.”

  Mac shoved the phone back in his pocket and made a mental note to contact Ryker tomorrow. Laney was an adult, yes, but she was beautiful, and as the only female O’Shea, some men saw her as a challenge. Like hell.

  “Everything okay?”

  Mac jerked around. “Yeah. My sister said to tell you hi.”

  Jenna’s face softened. “I haven’t seen her since she came down to Miami to visit you.”

  Mac slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get back to dinner.”

  Jenna paused, her hand on his chest as she looked up at him. “If we could hurry and pretend we can’t wait to get back to the room that would be great.”

  Mac swallowed at the thought of her in a rush to get him alone, but he quickly reminded himself he’d vowed to cool it and respect her during their charade. But he had a feeling that keeping that vow would test every ounce of his willpower and sanity.

  “Martin just came in and sat at another table, but I want out of here before you blacken his other eye.”

  Mac kissed her forehead. “No more punching tonight, I promise.”

  Jenna patted his chest and laughed. “You’re all heart. My sister is pressing for more wedding details, so we need to keep the conversation on something else.”

  “Not a problem.” He’d discuss the damn weather before he got into a conversation about his impending nuptials. That day would never come and even in theory, the idea made him cringe.

  As they neared the table again, Mac slid his hand along Jenna’s neck, smoothing her hair aside. “I hope you’re ready to put on a show to make this believable. We’ve still got that bet on the line.”

  Jenna froze beneath his touch, but quickly recovered enough to throw him a killer smile. “I think you need to get ready for my performance.”

  Mac nipped at her lips and pulled her close. “Baby, I’m always ready.”

  Seven

  Amy was saying something about... Jenna honestly had no clue because Mac had scooted so close to her. His hand was traveling up her thigh, pulling the hem of her dress up, and he’d just whispered something so naughty in her ear, she wondered where he learned of such a thing.

  If his intent was to get her flustered and squirming in her seat, mission accomplished.

  Jenna tipped her head just slightly, suppressing a groan as Mac’s fingertips made a pattern over her bare skin. If he moved his hand any higher she’d have a hard time remaining ladylike in public.

  Damn that man. He was owning this role of fiancé/lover. No way would he win this bet, though.

  Jenna
smiled and nodded as Amy stated how their mother had found the most beautiful lilac dress for the wedding. But Mac’s relentless touches had her shifting in her seat, spreading her legs slightly and letting out a low, soft sigh.

  Mac froze a half second before he moved his hand to her inner thigh. Jenna’s first thought was that he’d probably never felt a thick, bare leg like hers before. Her second thought was...she wished he could just go a little higher to relieve her ache.

  “If you did a Christmas wedding, we could totally do a classy white theme,” Amy went on, clearly oblivious to what was happening beneath the table.

  Unable to help herself, Jenna leaned against Mac. She told herself she was just playing the part, but she was starting to think this part was playing her. He removed his hand from her thigh, and she nearly whimpered at the loss, but then he smoothed her hair away from her neck and started massaging the sensitive flesh there. Oh, yeah. He had some talented hands and she didn’t want to think about how many women had groaned beneath his touch.

  “No matter when Jenna decides to have the wedding, she’ll be a beautiful bride.”

  Mac kissed her cheek and trailed his fingertips down her spine, sending an instant onslaught of goose bumps all over her body despite the heat.

  “I hate to cut this dinner short,” Mac went on. “But Martin is staring in this direction and I won’t have him upsetting Jenna again. Besides, I want to have as much alone time with my gorgeous fiancée as I can. You understand, don’t you, Nathan?”

  Nathan nodded and lifted his nearly empty beer mug. “I do. I’ll talk to Martin in a bit. I didn’t know he was harassing you guys.”

  “He’s not harassing us.” Jenna refused to add fuel to the fire. The situation with Martin was bad enough. “He just thinks we’re getting back together and I’ve had to tell him several times it’s not happening. I’m sure now that he’s seen how close Mac and I are, he’ll back off.”