From Friend to Fake Fiancé
Read From Friend to Fake Fiancé Online
Authors: Jules Bennett
Two friends, one wedding and a little white lie...
Pretend to be Jenna LeBlanc's lover? Heck, Mac O'Shea has dreamed about being the real thing for years. Yes, they share a deep attraction, but they've agreed to “just be friends.” After all, Jenna wants forever, and Mac's questionable family business means he's not the settling down type. He would never bring an innocent like Jenna into his dark world. But the mafia playboy can't resist the chance to touch her, to taste herâeven if it's only a ruse for her sister's tropical wedding. It's just a week...in paradise...with a woman he desperately wants. Nothing will change between them. Right?
“You think you can handle me touching you in public?” he whispered.
“Kissing you. Acting like I'm your lover and pretending to know every single detail about your body?”
Jenna's breath caught in her throat. “I bet you that I can fool anyone who looks at us,” she told Mac, trying to catch her breath. “So long as everyone thinks we're an item, that's all I care about.”
“I've never turned down a bet.” He continued to stroke her skin. Her collarbone, her jaw, the sensitive spot behind her ear. “What does the winner get?”
Jenna swallowed, forcing herself to focus. “If we pull this off, I win and you'll owe me another favor, which I can redeem at any time.”
His brow quirked up. “And if I win?”
“You won't. I plan to be very convincing.”
Mac's warm breath tickled her cheek as he shifted. One palm slid up the side of her face, his fingers threading into her hair. “Then we'd better practice.”
* * *
From Friend to Fake Fiancé
is part of the Mafia Moguls series: for this tight-knit mob family, going legitimate leads to love!
Dear Reader,
When I started the Mafia Moguls series, I knew I wanted a friends-to-lovers tropeâone of my absolute favorite storylines. So, who better to use than jet-setting playboy Mac O'Shea? You may recall him from book one,
Trapped with the Tycoon
. Mac may have had the hots for his friend for years, but he's been hands off, respecting their special bond.
Jenna LeBlanc needs a fake boyfriend and trusts no one other than her BFF. Oh, I had to throw in an exotic setting and a wedding, just to amp up the tension between this dynamic couple. You're welcome!
This story was so much fun to work on. Procrastinating...er, researching Bora Bora on Pinterest has made me want to get my passport out and pack a bag! I hope you enjoy the second story in this series and keep your eyes open for the next. I promise, there are more surprises revealed in each book. You won't want to miss a moment of these bad boys from Boston!
Happy reading,
Jules
FROM FRIEND TO FAKE FIANCÃ
Jules Bennett
Award-winning author
Jules Bennett
is no stranger to romanceâshe met her husband when she was only fourteen. After dating through high school, the two married. He encouraged her to chase her dream of becoming an author. Jules has now published nearly thirty novels. She and her husband are living their own happily-ever-after while raising two girls. Jules loves to hear from readers through her website,
julesbennett.com
, her Facebook fan page or on Twitter.
Books by Jules Bennett
HARLEQUIN DESIRE
What the Prince Wants
A Royal Amnesia Scandal
Maid for a Magnate
The Barrington Trilogy
When Opposites Attract...
Single Man Meets Single Mom
Carrying the Lost Heir's Child
Mafia Moguls
Trapped with the Tycoon
From Friend to Fake Fiancé
HARLEQUIN SPECIAL EDITION
The St. Johns of Stonerock
Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas
The Fireman's Ready-Made Family
From Best Friend to Bride
Visit her Author Profile page at
Harlequin.com
, or
julesbennett.com
, for more titles.
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
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There's no greater happily-ever-after than sharing the journey with your best friend. Love you, Michael.
Contents
One
“A
ll I need you to do is play the part of my boyfriend for the next week.”
“Let me get this straight. You had me fly to Bora Bora so we can make your ex believe you've moved on. We'll be pretending to shack up in this romantic hut. And in the midst of all of that, you'll be doing the flowers for your sister's wedding?”
Okay, when Mac O'Shea phrased the question like that, the situation did sound rather ridiculous. But she had her reasons, damn it. Good reasons. Reasons that justified making her very best friend pose as her boyfriend.
Standing in the cozy hut that was her home for the next week, Jenna LeBlanc adjusted the strap on her favorite coral sundress and stared at Mac. “Listen, you love to travel and I'm giving you a free trip. Stop complaining.”
Shoving his suitcase out of the way with the toe of his shoe, Mac stalked toward her. Emerald eyes held her in her place, as if daring her to move until he got to the bottom of this. Mercy, that man was potent. Her best friend was sexier than any other man she'd ever encountered and now she needed him to pretend to be madly in love with her because she trusted nobody else. Sure. This should be no problem.
“I can afford my own damn trip.” He propped his hands on his hips as he stopped right before her. “I want to know why you didn't tell me the full reason you needed me down here when you called.”
Humiliation? Fear? Too many emotions swirled around, leaving her more desperate than she'd like to be. The need to keep her sister's wedding perfect and her mother's past demons from creeping up had Jenna putting everything on the line. Heart, sanity...everything.
“Listen, Martin is still attending because he's the best man,” she explained. “We broke up two weeks ago and he wants me back. He won't take no for an answer. There's no way to avoid him here, so that's where you come in.”
Mac's dark brows drew in as the muscle ticked in his square jaw. “You told me you broke things off with him, but you never said why.”
“Well, you were gallivanting around the worldâ”
“In Barcelona.”
“And you didn't return my call when I tried to reach you.”
“Because I was in a meeting when you called and your message said to come here.” Mac sighed. “Now, tell me what the hell is going on and why we're dating, because if we are, my family needs to know. My sister will be thrilled.”
Jenna narrowed her eyes. “Now is not the time to be snarky.”
Mac crossed his arms over his massive, broad, extremely chiseled chest. She couldn't help but stare as the material strained across his shoulders. They may be only friends, but that never stopped her from eyeing the goods. Mac made thirty-two look damn sexy.
“Martin was screwing his assistant.”
It hurt to say those words. Not because she'd been madly in love with him; they'd only been dating a few months. But to know he didn't feel she was worthy enough for him to break up with first? Did men not consider women's feelings anymore?
“He was a jerk anyway,” Mac commented. “Want me to rough him up?”
She laughed, though she knew he wasn't kidding entirely. Rumors of the O'Sheas' infamous ways of conducting “business” were strong enough that his words rang true. Mac's father, Patrick, had passed away less than a year ago and the man wasn't known for his gentle hand or kind mannerisms. Mac's brother Braden had taken over as head of the family, and he and his fiancée, Zara, were much more personable, but Braden was still a formidable presence. He wasn't a man to mess with, either, but had more tact, self-controlâand quite possibly more powerâthan Patrick did.
“Seeing Martin in pain would be lovely, but no thanks.” Jenna patted his cheek and went on. “But since he has to be here, I refuse to have him believe I am available. As far as he's concerned, I've moved on and I'm head over heels for you. He's nothing but a bad memory.”
“And this is where my undying love comes in.”
Jenna swallowed hard. “If you want to put it that way, then, yes. But I really just need a favor without the sarcastic comments.”
Jenna didn't want to think of Mac and love in the same sentence. That would be a cruel trick to play on herself. Yes, they'd been best friends since he tried to pick her up years ago at the party of a mutual friend. She'd blown him off, thinking there was no way a guy like that would ever find her attractive. Added to that, she'd been in Boston long enough to know the O'Shea name and hadn't wanted to associate herself with people who were synonymous with “mafia” and “mob.”
Apparently he'd found her bold rejection appealing because he'd pursued her anyway. She'd told him she was a long-term type of girl, and he'd said he admired that but he wasn't in the market for a relationship. Now she laughed at the fact that they were indeed long-term, but as friends only.
Jenna had to admit, he was like no other friend she'd ever had. She'd seen a side to him that didn't seem ruthless or conniving at all. He made her laugh, made her relax. She didn't know when the switch occurred, but one day she knew who her best friend was and that he would do anything for her. And his friendship wasn't a bad connection to have. Mac wasn't just a jet-setting playboy, his family owned auction houses around the globe, brought in billions each year and were a force to be reckoned with in the international business world.
Yet, after all these years of knowing him, she still wasn't sure which side of the law the family truly operated on. Jenna had brought that topic up only one time in the past decadeâa mistake she wouldn't make again. She'd asked about his family business, why all the traveling and secrecy. Mac had turned almost cold and made it perfectly clear that topic was off limits and not to be approached ever again. Which is why she wasn't asking about the Barcelona trip or the meeting he'd been in.
Mac stared at her for a moment, then hitched his hip onto the bamboo-and-wicker barstool at the island in the kitchen of her bungalow. “If your sister isn't getting married for another week, why are we here now?”
Because her perfect sister wanted the perfect wedding to go along with her perfect life. Jenna loved her sister more than anything, but Amy seriously had it all. Jenna had...no. She wasn't going to start down that path because she was happy for her sister and that's why she was here. Jenna didn't want to be the bitter bridesmaid simply because she had a cheating ex. Amy had actually found true love and this was going to be the best week of her life. She deserved perfect.
Jenna hadn't told her family why she and Martin parted ways. A fake boyfriend would really go a long way to keep everyone all smiles until this wedding was over.
“Amy wants her wedding party and guests to enjoy the island. Kind of a mini-vacation for them and a giant party building up to the main event.”
When Mac didn't say anything, Jenna sighed and tugged the top of her dress up another inch. Damn boobs. These little sundresses always looked so good on those plastic, size two models but were hard to pull off in reality.
“You don't have to. I know it's silly and desperate and ridiculous to askâ”
“What would you expect of me?” he asked, a naughty smile spreading across his face. “And don't skimp on the details.”
Letting out an unladylike growl, Jenna rolled her eyes and marched through the luxurious hut and straight out the door leading to a small, straw-covered deck overlooking the crystal-blue water. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her and seconds later a familiar, firm hand settled over her shoulder.
“I'm not in the mood to be made fun of.”
With a gentle squeeze, Mac turned her around. “Fine. Tell me what you need me to do.”
She stared up into the emerald eyes she'd found herself getting lost in more than once. “You'll have to stay in this hut with me.”
“Done.”
She swallowed. “There's only one bedroom.”
His mouth quirked up. “Then try to keep your hands to yourself.”
“Can you focus?”
Jenna couldn't help but laugh. He flirted with any woman between eighteen and death. He had no filter and she never took him seriously. The man loved life, loved women and loved his family. He was loyal to a fault. If she thought for even a second he could do long term, she could fall so easily for him. But she kept her heart guarded and firmly planted on the friendship side.
“I'm focused,” he insisted, holding his hands out. “One bedroom. I understand what we won't be doing in there, so tell me what we'll be doing outside our little house.”
“You'll need to come to the evening events with me. There are only a few.” Jenna ran the list down in her head. “I'm doing all the flowers for the ceremony, so if you could make some trips with me to assist with the arrangements, that would look all boyfriend-ish. Oh, there's the rehearsal dinner and ceremony, too, of course. But during the day, we may need to be seen on the beach together holding hands. I don't know...doing lovey-dovey things.”
“Lovey-dovey? Whatever you mean by that, I can handle it.” He glanced out at the water for a second, then back to her. “There's only one problem.”
Her heart sank. She didn't have time for problems. Her mom was arriving in the morning and who knew when her ex would show his cheater face. Stupid guy had to be the best man, which meant she'd be walking down the aisle with him...she'd rather walk barefoot on broken glass.
“I've known you for ten years and you're not the affectionate type.”
Jenna swallowed and nodded in agreement. There was a reason she wasn't all touchy-feely. She couldn't afford to be.
“I can be,” she assured him.
“Really?” He took a step forward, instantly filling the gap between them.
His hand came up to her face as he trailed his fingertips down her cheek, to her jawline and down her neck. She couldn't suppress the tremble that racked her body.
“You think you can handle me touching you in public?” he whispered. “Kissing you? Acting like I'm your lover and pretending to know every single detail about your body?”
Jenna's breath caught in her throat. The idea of Mac knowing every inch of her body both thrilled and terrified her. She had no doubt this man knew how to bring pleasure, but at the same time, she'd be mortified if he saw her naked and looked disappointed. Her body wasn't perfect, far from it. The curves, the dips and rolls, everything about her physique was the exact opposite of the women she'd seen him with.
“I bet you that I can fool anyone who sees us,” she told him, trying to catch her breath. “So long as Martin thinks we're an item, that's all I care about.”
“I've never turned down a bet.” He continued to stroke her skin. Her collarbone, her jaw, the sensitive spot behind her ear. “What does the winner get?”
Jenna swallowed, forcing herself to focus. “If we pull this off, I win and you'll owe me another favor, which I can redeem at any time.”
His brow quirked up. “And if I win?”
“You won't. I plan on being very convincing.”
Mac's warm breath tickled her cheek as she shifted under his touch. He slid one palm up the side of her face, his fingers threading through her hair. “Then we better practice before he arrives.”
Before she could ask what he meant, his mouth claimed hers.
* * *
What. The. Hell?
Mac's question to his own sanity quickly evaporated the second Jenna opened to him. He swallowed her gasp and kept his hand firm on her jaw, as if daring her to pull away.
Finally, after all these years of wondering how his best friend would taste, now he knew and the fantasy didn't even come close to touching reality. And he'd had a multitude of fantasies regarding this stunning woman.
Jenna stiffened against him, then melted. There was no other word for what happened with her bodyâthose curves would be the death of him.
For years he'd kept his distance out of respect to their friendship and because there was no way in hell he'd let her in deeper...not when his family had secrets he could never share. His father had been a killer, though Patrick O'Shea could justify each and every death. Mac had actually made the decision himself twice before, when Braden wouldn't do it and Patrick was forcing their hand. Mac didn't look back, though. No regrets. Regrets meant living in the past. His family was looking toward the future, looking to go legit. The idea seemed so simple, but the executionâno pun intendedâwas proving to be a bit harder to pull off.
Mac's family was cunning; they got what they wanted. They stole, lied and would betray anyone to get where they needed to be. On the flip side, the O'Sheas were fiercely loyal to their allies. They wouldn't hesitate to help anyone legitimately in need. But pity those foolish enough to cross them.
There were so many family secrets, Mac knew full well he'd never put a woman he loved in a position of having to lie to the cops or keep the darkness of their deeds hidden.
For the most part, the O'Sheas put up a great front. Yet beneath the surface they were always watching, waiting, ready to strike at any threat to their family.
Braden had found love, but Mac wasn't so sure such a thing existed for him. He didn't do relationships. Jenna was a relationship type of girl, so friends was all they could ever be. Because he wasn't letting her out of his life. She got him. She knew his family was...unique, and she didn't pry.
But playing boyfriend to her for a week? Now that he could totally get behind. The green light to touch her, to kiss her, was the stuff of fantasies and he planned on making every second count. Because if he was going to play this role, he intended to take it all the way. He hoped like hell she knew what she was getting into.
After their little charade was over, she'd be out of his system and they could go back to being friends. He'd pushed for more years ago, but she'd shut him down, stating she was only looking for something long term. Now she'd made the first move and all he had to do was follow her orders...and touching Jenna after all this time would be one benefit he'd never forget.
