Dare to Play Read online

  “Which means I have to spring a formal event on Macy.” He knew from having a sister that women liked to buy new dresses for big nights out. “Wonderful,” he muttered, and then an idea came to him. He paused outside the locker room and dialed his sister.

  “Good news only,” Brianne answered.

  “Then I guess it depends on your mood. I have a black-tie event Saturday night that I forgot about. I have to tell Macy and she’ll need a dress. Didn’t you once tell me you have a personal shopper somewhere?”

  “Yes,” she said with an overly dramatic sigh.

  “Can you have her pull things and send them over to the house? Or better yet bring them over herself with shoes and accessories?”

  Beside him, Linc coughed.

  “Shut up,” Jaxon muttered. “You’d do the same thing if the situation were reversed.”

  Linc turned his head to the side. “Because I’m in love with Lizzie. What’s your excuse?”

  Bri burst out laughing. “He’s got you there, little brother. Okay, I’m on it, but I’m sure it’s going to cost you big bucks being so last-minute.”

  “It’s fine. Thanks for handling it. I’ll call you later.”

  He disconnected and ignored Linc’s smirk as he called Macy to let her know she had to dress up for the role of baseball player’s wife.

  * * *

  For her office, Macy had taken over a room on the lower level of Jaxon’s house with a set of windows overlooking his beautiful property. The custody hearing loomed in the distance, but so far, Lilah had been behaving, calling Hannah on her cell, asking Macy before picking her up from school once during the early part of the week. Not wanting to rock things, Macy hadn’t asked her lawyer to move anything up. She wasn’t ready for a court date. Instead she put her nerves aside and tried to live her life. Which, at the moment, meant work.

  With Hannah at school and Jaxon at the gym, her muse flowed in her new surroundings and work came easily, even the back-end coding.

  When her cell phone rang, it startled her out of a deep trance. She saw Jaxon’s name and answered immediately. “Hi, Jaxon. Everything okay?”

  “Fine. I just…”

  “Spit it out,” she heard Linc say, laughing.

  “I guess there’s no good way to tell you. I forgot about a mandatory black-tie team fundraising event Saturday night that we both need to attend.”

  She groaned. “I don’t have anything to wear for a formal event.” She paused. “Although I could wear the white dress from Damon’s wedding, but it’s not floor-length,” she said, not liking the idea.

  “I’ve got you covered. Bri and a personal stylist will be over with dresses this afternoon.”

  “Oh!” His words shocked her. “You didn’t have to do that but wow. Okay. That’s amazing. I know what those baseball wives are going to look like, and I want to keep up,” she said, he figured more to herself than to him. “Jaxon, thank you!”

  She disconnected the call and was about to dial Bri to find out what time she’d be over when her doorbell rang. She answered it and found her friend standing on the step. “Surprise!”

  She grinned. “I just got off the phone with Jaxon. I hear we have dresses coming.”

  “We do.” Bri walked into the house and Macy shut the door. “And you should know this was all his idea. Not mine.”

  A warm feeling flowed through her at the knowledge. He could have handed her money and told her to go buy a dress. Instead he’d taken care of the situation himself. “This was generous of him,” she murmured. “And I’m grateful because I don’t have a formal gown.”

  Bri put an arm around her shoulder. “In about an hour, you will.”

  Sure enough, in sixty minutes, the doorbell rang and a young woman named Ari Zanders strode in. Behind her was a man rolling a rack of clothing, long gowns with sequins and other decorative items adorning the dresses.

  A jolt of excitement rippled through her. Call her shallow, but she was a woman excited by the opportunity to dress up in fancy clothes and pick her favorite.

  They hijacked the master bedroom, and for the next forty-five minutes, she pivoted, twirled, and spun as she tried on each piece, finally settling on a gold dress that wrapped around her body as if it were made for her. A strip of sheer material covered her stomach in a classy way.

  “This is it!”

  Bri clapped slowly. “I agree.”

  “So do I,” Ari said, then called for the man in the truck to take the other dresses back to the store. Ari had come in her own car. Then she helped pin the bottom of the dress for tailoring, promising it would be delivered by Friday so Macy would have it for the event on Saturday night.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” Macy said, her hands clasped together.

  “It was my pleasure,” Ari said.

  Macy glanced in the mirror once more. “I just love it.” She held her hair up, debating if she wanted a sophisticated bun or long ringlets falling over her shoulders.

  An impressed whistle sounded, and when she turned, Jaxon leaned against the doorframe, his hot gaze settled on hers. “Spectacular,” he said in a gruff voice he used when she affected him on a sexual level.

  “Told you I’d handle it,” Bri said, grinning at her brother. She picked up her handbag. “I’ve got to get going. Call me,” she said to Macy.

  “I will. And thank you.”

  She winked. “Any time for you.”

  Jaxon, still leaning on the doorframe, watched Bri gather the rest of her things. “I know you love me, sis.”

  “I have to. You’re my brother.” Having had the last word, she started for the door and Macy chuckled.

  “You two,” she said with a shake of her head. “It must be nice to have a big family.” She had Hannah, of course, but until she grew up, their relationship would be more like parent-child.

  Jaxon let out a low laugh. “It has its moments.”

  “If you just take off the dress, I’ll take it to the seamstress,” Ari said, gathering her things.

  “Yes, Macy. Take off the dress.” Jaxon’s sexy gruff voice caused her nipples to pucker beneath the fabric and her cheeks to flame.

  “Oh, my.” Ari also blushed and fanned her face.

  “And I’m out,” Bri said and swept past her brother, taking her exit.

  Macy narrowed her gaze at Jaxon.

  The sexual undercurrents were vibrant and unmistakable and should be confined to the two of them alone. She ducked into the bathroom and changed out of the gown and into the lightweight dress she’d left there, returning to hand Ari the garment she’d draped over her arm.

  As Macy wrapped things up with Ari, she felt the heat of Jaxon’s stare, and it was all she could do to say goodbye to the woman without a tremble in her voice, but she managed.

  “Alone at last.”

  She met his dark indigo gaze. “Don’t get excited. Hannah’s going to be home soon.”

  “Then we’ll have to be quick.” He stepped closer and her heart hammered harder in her chest.

  The man always had this effect on her. If he was near, she desired him. Wearing a pair of sweats and a tee he’d changed into after working out, his hair damp from the shower, he smelled clean and manly, the musky scent adding to her arousal.

  She glanced at her Apple watch. “Really quick.”

  A devilish gleam filled his eyes. “Not a problem.”

  Before she could process his intent, he lifted her dress, pulled it over her head, and tossed it to the floor, leaving her in her thong and nothing else. Because she’d been home alone working, she hadn’t even put on a bra. He then slid the thin scrap of material down her legs and waited for her to step out of it before piling it on top of her dress.

  “Remember I have to leave to pick up Hannah soon.”

  “You’ll make it there on time,” he said, kneeling down.

  “What–”

  He shut her up by grasping her thighs, spreading her legs, then, dipping his head, he began to pleasure her
. He lapped at her with his tongue, sliding along the seam of her sex, causing ripples of desire to cascade through her.

  She braced her hands on his shoulders and arched her hips forward, giving him further access. His strong hands held her up as he devoured her, sucking her clit into his mouth and pulling on the tender bud. Sensation, the beginning of a long, slow climax took hold. Her legs shook and she moved her hands from his shoulders to his hair, tugging harder the higher she soared.

  He lapped and nipped, and suddenly she came hard, waves of intense pleasure filling her until she moaned loudly. “Jaxon, oh, God, so good.” She ground her sex against his mouth, milking every last amazing feeling before her knees gave out on her.

  He held on to her as she fell and ended up lying against him. “Like I said, fast and quick.”

  “And pretty spectacular. But we don’t have time for me to take care of you,” she said, her gaze on the large bulge behind his sweats.

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll use the twenty-minute trip to the school to cool off.” He helped her to her feet, pressed a kiss to her lips, and damned if her nipples didn’t pucker once more.

  “I was going to get Hannah.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t mind. You go shower.” He winked at her and strode out of the room, leaving her body buzzing and her head spinning.

  The man’s impact was potent, and sex aside, which was phenomenal, the fact that he’d taken the stress off finding a dress labeled him as special, at least to her.

  * * *

  The night before the charity event, after Hannah had gone to sleep, Jaxon and Macy climbed into bed at the same time.

  “It’s starting to feel more natural,” he said.

  “What is?” she asked.

  “This. Us.”

  She settled into the bed and nodded. Without him asking, she slid over to his side of the bed and he pulled her into him. “Yeah. It does feel more natural.”

  The first few nights of sharing his bed had been awkward as they found their way to being comfortable with each other. But they’d woken up, bodies entwined, the moment always culminating in sex, once or twice from behind as he’d entered her slick wetness, pumped his hips, and she’d begun to come immediately. They were always in sync. And after an intense conversation and exchanged recent blood test results, they had given up condoms.

  But every time they met on opposite sides of the bed, it felt like they were starting all over again. Until tonight. She was more relaxed and so was he. As if this afternoon’s tryst in the bedroom had broken down that final wall of acceptance of their situation. For them both.

  “Are you nervous about meeting the guys and their wives and girlfriends tomorrow night?” he asked, knowing the sports wife was a different breed. High-end handbags, shoes, makeup always done perfectly. It was why he’d made sure Macy would have the outer trappings, to be sure she’d feel like she fit in.

  “Not really. I can handle myself.”

  “You certainly can. And I’ll be there for backup.”

  She shifted and turned to face him. “Have you brought many dates with you to these events?”

  Her question surprised him. “Actually, no.”

  She rose and sat cross-legged, looking adorably sexy in a pale blue camisole top and her barely there panties, and asked, “Why not?”

  “Because I never wanted to send the wrong impression.”

  “And what would that be?” she asked.

  “That I wanted a relationship.”

  She rocked back and forth and asked, “Because of what happened with Katie?”

  He wasn’t surprised she’d asked the question. He’d already confided in her about his past and how much that relationship had meant to him. “Yeah. I thought it was better that any woman knew going in what she could or couldn’t expect. And I also discovered that what you imply is just as important as what you state. So no women came with me to team events. Until you.”

  “Did you ever consider the fact that Katie was young, too? That the thought of being alone so often in an unfamiliar state so far from family was frightening? She hadn’t had the chance to know who she was as a person yet. To define herself or a career or know what she could do to develop her own life apart from you?”

  He let that notion float around in his mind before answering. “To be honest, no. Because after we broke up, I shut off the part of me that considered love and relationships, and I certainly didn’t spend any time delving into why Katie did what she did.”

  “Hmm.” Macy folded her arms across her chest, and he’d be lying if he said his gaze wasn’t drawn to the cleavage that pushed up as a result.

  “Hmm what?”

  “Just that by refusing to look back at what happened with Katie, you might miss out on a very different future than the one you imagine.”

  “Are we finished discussing this?” he asked. Because he really didn’t want to think about another woman while he was in bed with his wife.

  Wife.

  With Macy, that word didn’t sound so bad. But despite her nudging him to dissect the reasons Katie had called things off with him, the fact remained, he had a hard time believing a woman wouldn’t grow tired of the life he lived.

  And he wasn’t giving up pitching until he had to.

  Chapter Eleven

  As Macy walked toward him in the house, she looked like a goddess in her gown and heels, her makeup done by a professional Bri had called to come to the house. Glam Squad, she’d called it and laughed as she’d informed him she’d just tack it onto his Dare Nation bill.

  Hannah had a friend over, and the girls had been made up by the cosmetician for fun. Their excitement had been contagious. Prior to them leaving the house, Hannah had pulled out her cell phone camera and insisted on taking pictures of Jaxon and Macy all dressed up. A funny feeling twisted his stomach as he’d wrapped an arm around Macy’s waist and smiled for the photo, as if they were a real couple, documenting their lives for posterity. The future.

  And when Hannah’s friend insisted on taking a picture of the three of them together, that family feeling had increased. Everything he experienced with Macy was fresh and new, and he couldn’t say he disliked the change.

  Now, as Jaxon entered the museum where tonight’s gala was being held, he was proud to have Macy beside him. He introduced Macy to his teammates, their wives, and significant others, and she charmed everyone she met with an easy smile and a way of making small talk that kept everyone at ease.

  Linc and his wife, Lizzie, made their way over. Since they’d been at the wedding, Jaxon didn’t need to make introductions. “Hello, you two,” he said.

  “Hi, Jaxon. Macy.” Linc smiled and hugged Macy while Jaxon did the same with Lizzie, then the women said their hellos.

  “What table are you at?” Lizzie, a petite yet voluptuous redhead, asked. With so many team members here, they had a large number of tables where the players were spread out.

  “Five. You?” Macy asked.

  “Five, too. Excellent! We can talk more there,” Lizzie said. “I’ve been meaning to call you to go out for coffee, but time’s gotten away from me. Work has been busy.”

  “You’re a real estate agent, right?” Macy asked.

  Lizzie nodded.

  “Perfect! I’m thinking about selling my house. Or should I say my father’s old house.”

  She was? Jaxon frowned, as she hadn’t mentioned a word. Of course, it made sense. Why pay property taxes, electric, and other things on a place she didn’t need while she was living with him? But where would she go after they were divorced? Only married a week and his stomach cramped at the notion of not seeing her every day.

  “Maybe we could do that coffee, and I’ll do a walk-through on the same day,” Lizzie said.

  “Sounds perfect.” Macy smiled and he was drawn to the gorgeous way she looked in the gold gown. She’d disappeared for an hour today and returned with a spray tan that made her skin glow.

  Linc appeared to scan the room, then
spoke. “Oh, I see Garner. I need to have a word with him. See you at the table?”

  Jaxon nodded and waited for Lizzie to follow her husband to their next couple before turning toward Macy. “I didn’t know you were considering selling the house.”

  She glanced up at him, her big brown eyes done up with shadow and liner, her lashes thick and full. “Living in your house made me realize it was past time for me to move out of my father’s house and buy a place of my own when the time comes. Now that Hannah’s made the break from her routine, it’ll be easier to deal with her emotions then. Besides, we don’t know when that will be. It could be a year or two or six months. I just want to be prepared.”

  Her words made sense, but he wished she’d told him so they could discuss it together. Which meant he was thinking more like a real couple than two people sharing a house and a bed.

  First he’d been worried about missing her when she was gone, now he was wanting a more genuine relationship. Shit, he was a mess, and he deepened his frown at his thoughts.

  “I’m going to the ladies’ room,” Macy said, oblivious to his emotional confusion. “I’ll find you when I get back.”

  He nodded and headed to the bar for a glass of Scotch. After he ordered and picked up the glass from the dark wood bar, he took one step and ran into his brothers.

  “Austin!” He’d expected Dare Nation to have a presence here. “Braden? What are you doing here?” he asked his sibling who, though he’d shaved enough to show up with only some scruff tonight, he also appeared uncomfortable in the monkey suit they were all required to wear.

  Guilt swamped him. Ever since Braden had returned, Jaxon had been busy with his wedding, honeymoon, and new life. He should have reached out to see how his sibling was doing and resolved to do better.

  Austin placed a hand on their sibling’s shoulder. “I’m introducing the doctor around. If he’s going to stay home, he’s going to need a job.”

  Jaxon raised a brow. “You’re staying in Florida?”

  “Considering it,” Braden said.

  “But if he’s offered a job, then he’ll be motivated to stick around. So here we are.”