Dare to Play Read online

He’d thought of this spur-of-the-moment marriage as a fix to his problems, but he wanted to help her, too.

  Her soft gaze met his. “I’m really grateful. I know Hannah has an attitude, but she’s my sister, and beneath the hard exterior is a hurt little girl.”

  His heart squeezed because he knew how Hannah felt.

  “I’m going to make it up to you,” Macy said. “I’ll be there for you as much as you need. Public appearances, anything that shows your management you’re making an effort to change.”

  Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead, wishing he could turn it into a real, heated make-out session, but not now. Not with Hannah nearby.

  Which brought him to another thought he’d had. “So, if Hannah can stay either with her mother or a friend, I want to take a quick weekend honeymoon. Let us really get to know one another,” he said in a deliberately husky voice because he couldn’t wait to get her naked again.

  Macy’s eyes opened wide, her pink lips parting in surprise. “Where did you want to go?”

  “Our cousin Asher Dare–”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” she asked, wrinkling her nose adorably.

  “He owns Dirty Dare Vodka with his brother, Harrison–”

  “The movie star?” The shock in Macy’s voice amused him. The Dares were an eclectic family owning a variety of businesses, from sports to Dirty Dare Vodka to nightclubs all over the world and more.

  “Yes, that Harrison Dare. I like to call them the Dirty Dares. You know because of the vodka company name.” He grinned.

  “Yes, I got that.” Macy laughed.

  They were cousins on his New York family’s side. “Asher has a private plane and a house in the Bahamas on Windermere Island, which is connected to Eleuthera. Anyway, I gave him a call, and the place is free this weekend. We can leave any time we want after the wedding and come home a day or two later. What do you say?” He hadn’t realized how much he wanted her to say yes until he’d asked her to go.

  Time alone with Macy in a sexy bikini, with white sand, blue water, hot sun, and cold drinks, away from everyone and the stress of daily life. Once they returned home, responsibilities would keep them busy, but a day or two alone? He wanted that badly.

  “I’m not sure I should be leaving Hannah with her mother lurking around right now,” Macy murmured.

  “We could leave Saturday after the wedding, spend all day Sunday and Sunday night on the island, and we’ll be home by the time Hannah gets back from school Monday. Then we’ll use the week to move you guys in and everything will be fine. I promise. You deserve at least twenty-four hours to yourself before you come back to reality.” And the custody fight she had to deal with kicked in.

  She paused and gave it some thought. “Okay.” She treated him to a smile that lit him up inside.

  “Yeah?”

  She nodded.

  Unable to resist, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers, his tongue sliding over her mouth and slipping inside. She moaned and twisted her tongue with his, the kiss deepening. Desire filled him, his cock coming to life, and he knew he wouldn’t be getting up from the table any time soon, so he pulled back before they got caught.

  “Once we’re alone, I’m not stopping.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and tugged on the long strands.

  Her gaze deepened, and when he glanced down, her nipples were tight against the tee shirt. “When we’re alone, I won’t want you to stop.”

  And on that admission, she rose to her feet and began clearing the table, leaving him to wait until his erection eased before he could get up and help her finish up.

  * * *

  Macy opened her front door an hour after Hannah went to school to find Bri standing on her porch. Dressed not for work but in a casual pair of leggings and a cropped top, she didn’t wait to be invited in.

  “You and I are going to have a long talk,” Bri said, brushing past Macy and heading inside.

  Macy shut the door and locked it, then followed her friend into the kitchen. “Coffee?” she asked as Bri plopped her large purse on the table.

  “God yes. I need caffeine.”

  Grabbing two pods, Macy brewed them quick cups of coffee, added almond milk to her own and so did Bri. Then they sat down and Macy waited, because her friend would talk when she was ready.

  “You can’t fall in love with my brother.”

  And she was obviously ready. “What the hell are you talking about?” Macy’s heart beat harder in her chest at the mere suggestion of her falling for Jaxon. “We have an arrangement and we’re in agreement. Getting married works for both of us. No feelings involved.”

  It was all she could do not to put one hand behind her back and cross her fingers because Jaxon was just so easy to like. Besides his easygoing personality, he went out of his way to help her, and for that she was grateful, and he’d opened himself up to her fifteen-year-old sister, something he hadn’t had to do. And he was a sexually dynamic man. The whole package, she mused, her body tingling at the thought of Jaxon Prescott.

  “There! That dazed look on your face. You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”

  Bri wagged a finger at her and Macy smacked it away. “Cut it out. I can handle your brother and this convenient marriage. It will be fine.”

  “Good, because given Jaxon’s past, he really doesn’t believe that someone could love him and stand by him,” Bri said. “He’s amazing and he doesn’t know it. Damn my father for the effect he had on him.” She shook her head and her expression grew sad.

  “He told Hannah and me that Jesse made him feel like shit because he played baseball instead of football. It sucks to have a parent not support you. He deserved so much better,” Macy said in defense of the man who’d done so much for her already.

  Bri blinked. “He admitted to that?”

  After taking a sip of her coffee, Macy nodded. “He was trying to show Hannah how lucky she was to have had me there for her after Lilah left. Because he knew what it was like to have a parent who wasn’t there for him.”

  Eyes wide, Bri said, “I’m stunned. He never talks about our father or how he treated him.” She wrapped her hands around her mug and studied Macy as if she was seeing something new and unique, and Macy squirmed in her seat.

  “But Jaxon had those inadequate feelings reinforced by a woman in his life after Dad, and I just don’t want you hurt by having hopes of changing him. Not that I would betray him by explaining. That’s between the two of you if he chooses to confide in you.”

  Macy nodded in agreement, glad her friend hadn’t tried to ply her with information about Jaxon’s past. “Whatever happened with Jaxon and this other woman, I’d rather hear it from him than you. But I appreciate the warning.”

  Not that she liked thinking about Jaxon and any other female. The thought caused her stomach to twist in jealous knots. Not a good sign. But she wouldn’t admit as much to Bri.

  “I just care about you.” Bri rose and put her mug in the sink. “I was going to check out a new kickboxing class. Want to come?”

  “I’d love to.” Macy was grateful for the change of subject. “Just let me change and I’ll be right back.”

  She headed for her room, glad Bri had asked her to join her. She needed to exert some energy and get sappy emotional thoughts of falling for Jaxon out of her head.

  * * *

  Tuesday morning, Jaxon headed over to the gym to meet Linc, and after a competitive game of hoops, he showered and dressed in his jeans and a black tee. The locker room was empty, and he glanced at his friend, who was packing up his duffel bag. Throughout the game, Jaxon had gone back and forth on how to tell Linc his news. And now that they were alone, the time had arrived.

  “Got any plans now?” Jaxon asked because he had a stop to make and could use some help.

  Linc glanced up from zipping his bag, his blond hair falling over one eye. “Nope and I don’t have to be home until dinner. Why?”

  “Feel like going shopping with me for
an engagement ring and wedding band?”

  Linc began to choke and Jaxon slapped him on the back.

  “Sorry. I thought you said you wanted to go shopping for an engagement and wedding ring,” Linc said.

  Jaxon couldn’t help but grin at his friend’s reaction. “Yeah … well, remember I mentioned Austin and Bri thought me settling down was a good way to calm management and restore faith in me?”

  “Yes, but you said no way in hell.”

  “That was true until I met a woman who needs the stability of marriage, too. A woman I like, have chemistry with, and who agreed to marry my sorry ass.” Jaxon picked up his bag and lifted a hand so the duffel hung behind his shoulder.

  “Did she also agree to an open marriage? Because I can’t see you doing this otherwise. I mean, there’s no way you’ll marry someone and not get laid.”

  “Actually she agreed to a real marriage, so that takes care of that.” He started for the door when Linc spoke.

  “Wait. You’re going to be faithful to one woman?”

  The shock in his friend’s voice would have made Jaxon burst out laughing if someone hadn’t walked into the locker room. “Let’s take this outside,” he said, wanting privacy.

  Usually they used the gym at the stadium, but sometimes they didn’t want to take the forty-minute ride there and they hit up a local place instead. They strode through the main area where all the equipment was located, passing people who stared at their familiar faces as they headed out into the blazing Miami sun. Luckily no one stopped them for a picture or an autograph.

  Jaxon headed to his car and Luke joined him at his vehicle.

  “You’re serious?” his friend asked, his expression one of disbelief. “Who is it?”

  “Damn serious. It’s the woman who got caught leaving my house and became a social media sensation.”

  “A groupie?” Linc asked, disgusted.

  Jaxon shook his head. “Hell no. She’s special. Macy is smart, gorgeous, and she’s got her hands full with her fifteen-year-old sister.”

  Linc had narrowed his gaze at the word special. Jaxon picked up on that and realized his slip. But it was true. Still, better he stuck to the facts.

  “The kid’s mother wants her back after being an absentee parent, and being splashed all over the internet is going to hurt Macy’s case. Us getting married will give her a solid family situation in order to help win custody. And we know management will be relieved I’m settling down.”

  Linc dropped his bag onto the ground. “Let me get this straight. You’re going from a bachelor who fucks anything that walks to a guy with a kid. Overnight.”

  “You’re a dick. But that about sums it up. I’m going to get my life together.” He wanted that. Having dinner with Macy had been nice. Normal. And he wanted to help her with Hannah. He also desired to get her back into bed. “That’s the plan and I believe we can help each other. Not to mention it’s good for me to focus on something other than myself.”

  “Wow.” Linc stared at him for a long while. “Why do I get the feeling you really like this girl?”

  Jaxon shrugged, thinking of the simple meal in her small kitchen, the way she wanted to help her sister, and her beautiful brown eyes. “Because I do. Now will you help me pick out rings?”

  Although this was a marriage of convenience, he and Macy would be together for a prolonged period of time, and he wanted her to have a ring suitable for the wife of a Major League Baseball player.

  “And will you come to the wedding on Saturday at my house?” he asked before Linc had even replied about ring shopping. “There’ll be an evite in your email later today. Bri’s at the top of her game.”

  “Jesus. You’re serious.” Linc ran a hand through his hair. “Lizzie isn’t going to believe this,” he said of his wife. “Okay, sure. Make sure you sign a prenup,” he reminded him.

  “Austin already has it in the works. Called me first thing this morning. I don’t anticipate a problem in that area. Macy isn’t with me for my money. She wants the same things I do. Marriage and stability.”

  Linc stared. “Every woman you’ve ever been with wanted your money.”

  “Macy doesn’t and you’ll see that once you meet her. I’ll drive to the jewelry store and bring you back to your car afterwards.”

  A couple of hours and many thousands of dollars later, Jaxon had a Tiffany ring in his pocket that he hoped would fit, matching wedding bands with a promise they’d be sized properly by Friday, and he dropped off his still-stunned best friend back at the gym where they’d started.

  Once he was alone, he picked up the phone and called Bri on the audio of his car while driving to Macy’s house.

  She answered on the first ring. “Hey, bro. Everything good?” she asked.

  He pulled onto the highway as he replied, “It is. I bought rings, so I’m trying not to panic, but I’m okay.”

  Bri grumbled something, then said, “Just don’t hurt her.”

  “I don’t plan on it,” he said, offended. “Give me some credit, will you?”

  “This is just out of your depth and I’m worried about both of you,” Bri said with a sigh.

  “And I appreciate it but everything will be fine. Except for one thing. I was thinking about what a big family we have and how she just lost her dad a short time ago. What can I do to make this easier for her?”

  “Aww, you have a heart. Who knew?” His sister laughed, teasing him as he was used to. “But seriously. That’s so sweet. And true. Well, we can get Uncle Paul to walk her down the aisle if she’s open to it, and maybe I can talk to Hannah and find something from Macy’s mom so she has something old. I know Hannah’s not always an easy kid, but let me give it a shot.”

  “Do you have her number?” he asked.

  “Umm, no.”

  He could figure that out. “I’m headed there now. I’ll find a way to talk to her. Either ask myself or get you her phone number.”

  He flipped on his signal and took the exit off the highway to Macy’s house. “Thanks for everything. I know how hard you’re working to pull this off. And I know I forced us into this situation, but it’s going to help Macy, too.”

  Bri was quiet for a moment, then said, “You’re just full of surprises lately.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Oops, I have another call. Have to run. Talk to you soon, Jax. Love you,” she said and disconnected them.

  “Women,” he grumbled to himself. Half the time they never made sense.

  He finally pulled into Macy’s driveaway, happy he didn’t see the red sports car that belonged to Lilah. For what he had planned, he didn’t need any more of an audience than necessary.

  Chapter Eight

  By Tuesday, Macy was in full wedding-planning mode courtesy of Bri. Because it was easier, Macy followed her directions in between fitting in design work for clients. Yesterday she’d met Bri at a bridal shop where, somehow, they found an off-the-rack gown she loved along with bridesmaids’ dresses for Hannah, Bri, and two other close friends of Macy’s, who were scratching their heads at her sudden wedding but thrilled she was marrying Jaxon Prescott.

  Macy kept their reasons for the marriage to his family only. They couldn’t risk anyone slipping with the secret that it wasn’t a truly legitimate union. They both had too much to lose.

  To her amazement, Hannah had been an angel at the dress shop, probably because she had her choice of whatever she could buy, also off-the-rack due to no time for many alterations. Luckily for Macy, her sister liked clothes, dresses, and had a blast at the store.

  The upcoming big day held a bittersweet quality for Macy. She wasn’t a girl who’d dreamed of her wedding her entire life, but she’d never imagined one of pure convenience, either. Added to that, she’d lost her mom years ago and her dad was also gone. While Jaxon would have a huge family surrounding him at their wedding, she’d be feeling very much alone. Her throat filled, as she missed her father more than ever, but she was pragmatic and knew she couldn’t cha
nge things. She needed to focus on the present.

  Speaking of, first thing Monday, she’d called the school district and confirmed that she could keep Hannah in her current school once they moved in with Jaxon. Knowing things would stay the same had calmed Hannah down a lot and eased the growing tension between them at least for now.

  She’d also called the lawyer Jaxon had given her, and she had an appointment on Thursday to discuss the custody suit and the situation with Lilah. She was busier than ever and trying not to panic over the fact that she was getting married and going on a honeymoon with the sexiest man she’d ever met and moving into his house soon after.

  Hannah was in her room doing homework and chilling out for a change, which gave Macy a chance to sit down and just breathe. Except no sooner had she settled into her favorite chair than the bell rang.

  With a sigh, she rose and walked to the door. Looking outside, she was shocked to see Jaxon standing on her front porch.

  After unlocking the door, she let him in, immediately wishing she’d looked in the mirror first. Where he wore a pair of fitted jeans and a black tee shirt that showed off the muscles in his chest, arms, and legs, she had on a tee shirt dress with no bra, her hair pulled up in a messy bun, and no makeup.

  Way to impress the hot man you’re about to marry, she thought wryly. “Jaxon, I wasn’t expecting you. Is everything okay?”

  “It is. I just wanted to stop by for a few minutes.” He ran a hand over his hair and groaned. “Okay, look. Nothing about us is traditional, but if I’m getting married, I want my wife to have a ring.”

  Only then did she notice he’d had a blue Tiffany bag behind his back that he now held out for her to take. She accepted the gift and, with shaking hands, pulled out a blue box with a white bow.

  “Go ahead. Open it,” he urged.

  She untied the ribbon, lifted the box, and pulled out a velvet case. He took it from her and popped it open, turning the case toward her.

  She was unable to take her eyes off the huge diamond staring back at her, and her mouth ran dry. “It’s fake, like the engagement, right?” she asked only half jokingly because she didn’t know what she would do with a ring this big. She wasn’t used to a life of luxury.