From Friend to Fake Fiancé

by Jules Bennett

  What about Jenna? No matter the cost, he had to keep her safe. She was associated with his family and therefore automatically a mark.

  Laney shrugged. “I don’t know who this one came from and I’m not concerned. Just some hacker causing a slight problem. Nothing I can’t handle and nothing like Shane.”

  Mac scrounged up the last bit of energy he had. “Let Ryker see you back to your condo. There’s no reason not to.”

  “I’m a big girl,” she said through gritted teeth. “Would you ask Ryker to hold your hand if someone threatened you?”

  Mac and Braden exchanged a look. Ryker remained silent, shoving his hands in his pockets, but keeping his eyes on Laney.

  “That’s what I thought,” she said. “I’m going back to my condo. Alone. I will gladly text each of you once I arrive so you know the big bad wolf didn’t get me.”

  She leaned past Mac and hugged Braden. “Love you. Tell Zara I’ll call her tomorrow and take her out for some girl time.”

  “She’d like that,” Braden replied.

  When Laney hugged Mac, he squeezed her back and said, “Don’t be stubborn. Let him take you.”

  Laney eased back and smiled. “Good night, big brother.”

  She turned, squaring her shoulders and glaring at Ryker. “Your concern is noted, but not necessary. Good night.”

  And like the regal woman their mother always was, Laney took a chapter from Elizabeth O’Shea’s book and walked out with head high and back straight.

  Mac shot Ryker a look.

  “I’m on it.”

  Ryker kept his distance, but slowly followed Laney out the door.

  “Those two may end up in a fistfight before the night is over,” Braden commented.

  “Ryker’s good, but my vote is on Laney. Mainly because she’s pissed and Ryker would never hurt a woman.”

  “What about you?” Braden asked, leaning against the back of one plush chair. “You have dodged any topics concerning Jenna and I thought for sure she’d be here on your big night.”

  Mac snorted. “Don’t ask.”

  “Let me focus on your problems for a while,” Braden said. “We’ve had a successful night, Zara’s resting and it’s just you and me. Lay it on me.”

  Mac found himself pouring out the details of the last two weeks as if he were some damn woman chatting with her friends. But he needed Braden’s advice and he was more than willing to offer his brother a distraction.

  “So you pretended to be engaged and now...what? You want to actually be engaged?”

  Mac raked a hand through his hair. “Hell, I don’t know what I want. I know I want her back and as more than a friend, but to take it that far... I don’t know.”

  “And you haven’t seen her in a week?”

  Mac shook his head. Not since he’d been on the phone with Ryker and she’d looked at him like he was a monster. He’d never get that image out of his head. He’d chosen work over her and he’d quite possibly destroyed her.

  “I thought I’d have everything figured out by now, but it’s been a week and I still don’t know how to approach her.”

  Braden laughed. “On your knees, buddy. Plan on doing a lot of groveling. I’ve been there. It’s hell on the ego and pride, but well worth it in the end.”

  Mac knew Jenna would be worth everything, but was he willing to risk her happiness for his selfish need to be with her? Would she get tired of all the secrets, all the sneaking around and him unable to answer the questions she was bound to have?

  The scrolls were still out there somewhere and it tore him up that he had so little control over getting them back. But there was one thing that was still very much in his hands.

  He was ready to fight for his girl.

  * * *

  Jenna rolled over in bed and froze. Why did she smell her mango tea? There was another scent that filtered in as well...some pastry? What?

  Jenna jerked up in bed. She lived alone so any smell coming from the other room was a bit alarming.

  She tossed the covers aside and tiptoed to the doorway. She opened the crack wider to peer out. From just the right angle she could see into the kitchen and what she saw stopped her cold.

  Mac. He was bustling around in her kitchen as if he owned the place. She should’ve taken his key back the day she’d surprised him at his place, but she’d been too hurt and too angry. All she’d wanted to do was get out of his sight before she broke down and he saw exactly how much he affected her.

  So after a week of nothing, what was he doing here?

  Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to give him an inch. She turned and headed into her master bath and went about her daily routine. She washed her face, pulled her hair back and brushed her teeth. Since this was Sunday, the flower shop was closed and she usually cleaned. But even if Mac weren’t in the other room she still wouldn’t feel like it.

  In the past two weeks she’d gone from a beautiful state of euphoria to the lowest level of depression she could remember. No matter what she did, she was reminded of Mac. They just had too many memories together. Movies, food, random little shops near her condo, countless places that held a piece of them, and she couldn’t function.

  How pathetic did that sound? Well, she could function, but she didn’t want to. She wasn’t quite finished with her moping just yet. He’d hurt her, hurt her badly, and she wondered if she’d every truly get over it.

  In Bora Bora he’d been demanding, exhilarating and positively perfect. Then she’d seen him mask his feelings, hide behind work and force her to walk away. She wouldn’t beg. She had too much respect for herself to ask a man to stick around. Mac may have wanted to ignore his feelings, but she wished he’d just come clean.

  Which made her wonder, was that why he’d let himself in this morning? He was the only other person who knew her passcode for the security alarm, so he’d been quite stealthy about it.

  But if he was in there making her breakfast, the least she could do was hear what he had to say. Then she’d have to decide what to do.

  Perhaps he was just here because he thought they could get back to friend status. If that was the case, Jenna wasn’t so sure she could handle that deal. She’d gotten too close to the man she wanted in her life forever. She’d seen a glimpse of the man who cared for her the way she deserved to be, and Jenna knew he loved her. He may not have admitted it to himself, but he did.

  Her heart tumbled in her chest as she exited her bathroom and glanced down at her silky chemise. He’d seen her completely naked, so changing would be ridiculous. Besides, Mac was the only man she’d ever wanted to bare it all to. He made her feel beautiful and he showed her that she was sexy with curves, dips and a little extra weight.

  And if he was here for the whole “let’s be friends” spiel, maybe her state of dress—or undress—would make him suffer just a bit more.

  Pulling in a deep breath, Jenna opened her bedroom door and padded down the tiled hallway. She stood in the open entryway to the kitchen and propped a hand on her hip. Or should she cross her arms? Maybe place both hands on her hips?

  Jenna groaned inwardly. Maybe coming out here half naked wasn’t the best option. It’s not as if she had this whole seductress thing down, and why was she even trying? She wasn’t the one who should be putting forth the effort now...right?

  Rolling her eyes at herself, she started to turn when Mac glanced over his shoulder and his heavy-lidded, intense look froze her in place. So much emotion shone through those eyes: regret, desire, vulnerability.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised her voice sounded stronger than she was actually feeling.

  “Making your favorite breakfast.”

  She quirked a brow and slid her gaze to the box on the counter from their favorite bakery down the street. “Really?”


  “I made mango tea to go with your Danish.”

  He turned around and leaned back against the counter, blocking the plate she’d gotten a glimpse of. His eyes raked over her body, and the effect was just as potent as if he’d touched her with his bare hands. But she didn’t move any closer. She would keep her distance until she knew the full meaning of his visit. Her favorite breakfast was a nice start, though.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  Jenna stilled, her breath catching in her throat. “Is that why I haven’t seen or heard from you in a week?”

  “I had to sort some things out. I was hoping you’d be at the auction.”

  Jenna lifted a shoulder. “I was hoping you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. I guess we’re even.”

  Okay, that was petty, but damn it, she’d never been in this position before. She had no clue what the rules were when your heart was beaten and bruised.

  “I’m sorry.” Those bright eyes held her in place as the sincere apology wrapped around her. “I went about everything the wrong way.”

  Jenna crossed her arms. “Yes, you did.”

  A smile flirted around Mac’s mouth. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”

  “Should I?”

  “I wouldn’t expect any less from the woman I love.”

  Taken aback by the sudden declaration, Jenna reached for the doorframe to steady herself. “What?”

  “I love you,” he announced, as if he’d said the words a million times before and was utterly comfortable with them. “As more than a friend. I wanted to keep you at arm’s length, to keep you away from the ugliness that can sometimes surround my family.”

  Pulling her thoughts back together, Jenna stepped forward and gripped the back of a barstool at the center island. “We’ve danced around the topic for years now. I’m not judging you. I’m already in your life, so why not let me in a bit deeper?”

  His gaze darted to the floor as he shook his head. With a heavy sigh, he glanced back to her. “I don’t know how to answer that. I guess I thought keeping you as a friend but nothing more would be the best way to protect you. I could still have you in my life, but...”

  Mac pushed off the counter and started pacing. Resembling a caged animal, he made a couple of laps before stopping on the other side of the island. He rested his palms on the countertop and let his head drop.

  “I don’t even know how to do this, Jen.”

  The brokenness in his tone nearly undid her, but she had to remain strong. Whatever internal battle he waged with himself was fierce. He needed to work through this in order to move forward. She desperately wanted to move forward with him and she hoped that was why he was here.

  “I’ve done things,” he whispered. “Things I never want you to know about. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I don’t want you to look at me with fear or hate.”

  Jenna gripped the back of the stool. “I would never look at you that way.”

  His eyes drilled into hers. “You did when you walked out last week.”

  Swallowing, Jenna pulled up every ounce of strength she could muster and circled the island. “I didn’t fear or hate you, Mac. Never. I was disappointed, hurt and frustrated. I know the loyalty you have to your family and I admire you for it. I know there will be times you’ll choose the business over me and I get that, too. But you were pushing me away, and to drive the point home you didn’t even offer a goodbye. I was just like all the other women in your life and I won’t be treated like that.”

  Mac reached for her, finally. His fingers curled around her bare arms. Jenna pulled in a deep breath, the tips of her breasts brushing against his T-shirt.

  “You’ll never be treated like just any other woman, Jenna. You’re nothing like anyone I’ve ever been with before.”

  “Tell me again,” she whispered, emotions clogging her throat. “Tell me you love me.”

  His hands slid down her sides and gripped her waist. The strength of his touch warmed her entire body through the silk.

  “I’d rather show you,” he muttered against her lips. “But I do love you, Jenna. So much. More than I ever thought possible.”

  Wrapping her arms around him, she nipped at his lips. As if that set off some sort of spark in him, Mac lifted her up against him. Instinctively her legs went around his waist as he carried her from the room. She kissed his stubbled jawline as he made his way toward her bedroom.

  “I need you now,” he growled as they toppled onto the bed.

  In a frenzy, he tore his clothes off and yanked her chemise down. Poised above her, he stared into her eyes. “Nothing between us,” he told her.

  Jenna nodded. She never wanted anything between them again. When Mac joined their bodies, Jenna wrapped herself around him, taking in all of his strength. This is what they were, a team, a force. They were lovers, best friends and so much more.

  Mac’s lips moved over hers, then down her throat as she arched into his touch. He whispered her name as she climbed and when she flew apart, he told her once again how much he loved her and then followed her over the edge.

  Moments later, Jenna lay tucked against his side. There was so much that still needed to be said, so much that needed to be hashed out, but right now, she had all she needed.

  When her stomach growled, she snuggled a bit deeper. “I’m starving. I worked up an appetite.”

  Mac slid his hand up her back and into her hair, which had fallen from the ponytail. “Stay here and I’ll bring you breakfast.”

  When he got up, Jenna admired his perfect male form. And he was all hers.

  “Look at me like that and I’ll never make it out of this room,” he told her.

  “Bring me breakfast and I’ll thank you properly.”

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “You’re killing me. Don’t move.”

  Moments later he had her tea and a plate of Danishes in hand.

  “I’m pretty sure I could never get tired of you serving me breakfast in bed while naked.”

  He smiled as he placed the items on her bedside table. Mac sank down beside her, caging her in as he put a hand on either side of her hips. “Then marry me and I’ll do this every day.”

  Jenna gasped. “What?”

  “Marry me, Jenna. I don’t want to be your fake fiancé or your pretend lover. I want it all.”

  Her mind spun in circles. Were they ready for this?

  “Marriage is a big leap, Mac. Aren’t we moving too fast?”

  He laughed and smacked her lips with a kiss. “I’ve wanted you for years, Jen. I want to wake up with you every single morning and I want you to be legally mine. I can’t get a ring on your finger fast enough.”

  Tears pricked her eyes. “Mac,” she whispered.

  “Before you say yes, I need to know something.”

  Blinking against the moisture, Jenna nodded. “Anything.”

  “Do you love me?”

  Her heart swelled. As if there was ever any doubt as to her feelings, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you more than anything in this world. I don’t care what you do, I know you’ll always keep me safe. I will marry you today, tomorrow, whenever.”

  He folded her into his chest and sighed against her neck. “I want you to have the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. I want you to wear your mother’s dress.”

  Jenna smiled and pulled back. “I guess we can officially tell them we’re getting married now?”

  “Did they ever know any different?” he asked.

  “No.”

  Mac shrugged. “Then let’s not tell them. We’re only moving forward. No regrets and no looking back.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” She trailed her fingertip along the coarse hair covering his jaw. “But I want a honeymoon in Bora Bora.”
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br />   “I want a honeymoon for the rest of our lives all over the world.”

  Mac laid Jenna back on the bed and proceeded to get started on that honeymoon...breakfast forgotten once again.

  Epilogue

  “We have a problem.”

  Words Mac never liked to hear, especially from Braden. They’d been riding life too easily lately...well, easily for them. Of course something had to land in their laps.

  “What?” he asked, gripping the phone.

  Jenna had gone shopping with her mother. Only a week ago he’d officially asked her to marry him and now the women were out planning. Mac didn’t care what she planned, so long as she was his wife sooner rather than later.

  “Laney called and said she’s come across some chatter of an investigation being done on the down low.”

  “And we’re the subject?”

  “Yeah.”

  Damn it. “Do we know where the threat is coming from?” Mac asked, sinking into his leather office chair.

  “Not yet. She just called me, but she’s trying to hack into more databases,” Braden explained. “She said this will take some time, so we need to keep things squeaky clean until we know where the real danger is.”

  Mac rested his elbows on his desk and eyed his shut door. He’d come into the office early but kept the door shut because he hadn’t wanted to be disturbed when his assistant came in.

  “Do you think it’s someone who works for us or some unknown entity trying to get close to us?”

  Braden blew out a frustrated breath. “I have no idea and I’m pissed. We don’t know who set this into motion or how many are involved.”

  “We need to figure out who it is as soon as possible. We can’t alert our allies in the FBI or local law enforcement until we know what we’re up against.”

  “Trust me, Laney is on it and she’s just as pissed as we are. Nobody comes at us like this.”

  And lives, Mac wanted to say. But he wasn’t going to get into that hot debate again. As much as Braden wanted to move their family into a new, less violent territory, there had to be repercussions for such actions.