From Friend to Fake Fiancé (11 page)

And he wasn't disappointed. Her eyes were locked on his, just as he'd demanded. A sheen of perspiration covered the bridge of her nose as she opened her mouth and cried out.

Mac couldn't hold back another second. He pumped harder, tumbling over the edge and clinging to Jenna as if she was his lifeline, as if she was every single thing he'd been waiting for his whole life.

His state of euphoria was overwhelming. Never before had so many emotions swept through him at once, and every single thing he was feeling was all because of Jenna.

And even though he'd told her to keep her eyes on him, he had to close his. He couldn't afford for her to see everything he was feeling...not when he wasn't ready to face the truth himself.

Fourteen

M
ac lay in bed beside Jenna and watched her sleep. He couldn't shut his mind down even if he wanted to. After their intense encounter against the front door, Mac had carried her to bed where she'd promptly drifted off to sleep. Yet even in her sleep she kept a hand on him.

Swallowing his guilt, Mac stared at her delicate fingers on his abdomen. She'd given herself so completely, so honestly, and he wasn't worthy of any of it. He'd planned on taking her tonight. Had planned on making her his, when the last thing he deserved was sweet Jenna in his life, let alone his bed.

He'd ordered a kill only hours earlier and the reality still weighed heavily on his shoulders. He'd made the call in the past, but that was when his father had been alive and the situation called for such extremes.

Now his father was gone, Braden was incapacitated and Mac was in charge. Ryker had demanded over and over that Mac let him do his job and Mac knew Ryker didn't kill just for sport. The man may be their secret weapon, but he was also a professional. If there was another way, Ryker would've found it.

Still, Mac had made the final decision.

Delaying any longer could result in Laney getting hurt, even killed. Braden, Mac and Ryker preferred to keep Laney on the technical side of the family business and not in harm's way. But Shane was a ticking time bomb. Who's to say he wouldn't come for Zara—or even Jenna? The man was smart enough to know who mattered most in the lives of the men he was trying so hard to bring down.

Shane had to be stopped, permanently. Braden would understand.

Mac laid his hand over Jenna's as if to draw some of her innocence into his life. She was sweet, charmingly so, and completely the opposite of what his world entailed.

She arranged flowers for a living, for crying out loud. She literally made things around her beautiful while he dealt with lying, stealing...and murder.

His chest ached because no matter what he wanted, anything beyond a physical connection was impossible. But he hadn't been able to hold himself back any longer. Jenna had stirred something in him so primal, he needed her like nothing he'd ever known. And that fact scared the hell out of him.

Jenna shifted in her sleep and rolled toward him. Mac lifted his arm, allowing her to nestle deeper into his side. Call him a bastard, but he wasn't about to push her away. No, he didn't deserve her, but he wanted her. He was an O'Shea. They saw something they wanted and they took it. Simple as that.

For tonight, Jenna was his. She trusted him with her body and she'd given him full control. Only days ago they'd been friends pretending to be more. Could Jenna slip back into the friend role once this wedding was over?

The bigger question was, could he?

* * *

Jenna stood back and stared at the flower arrangements in the dining area where the reception would be held tomorrow. Everything was absolutely perfect. The purple from the lavender popped against the white tablecloths and the greenery. The fresh, yet simple arrangements were just what Amy had asked for.

The room was breathtaking anyway, with floor-to-ceiling windows encompassing the entire back wall. With the ocean view and the romantic ambiance inside, the small reception tomorrow would be absolutely stunning.

“Looks beautiful.”

Jenna spun around to see Martin standing in the doorway. Great. The last person she wanted to be alone with.

Mac had gone back to the bungalow after he'd helped her carry the arrangements in. He'd stated he had some work to finish up, but she had the feeling something was bothering him so she let him go without question. After the sex they'd had, she was more confused than ever and perhaps he was, too.

“I'm not in the mood right now, Martin.”

She had been given the okay to stay in the event space as late as she needed as long as she found a worker to lock up when she was done. This way no one would bother her...well, no one was supposed to bother her.

“I didn't come to argue,” Martin told her. “I actually came to tell you that even though I think you're making a mistake, I'm not going to pursue you—us—any longer.”

Jenna crossed her arms, not bothering to comment on the fact there was no “us” where she and Martin were concerned.

“What changed your mind?” she asked, her attention fixed on his bruised eye, compliments of Mac.

“Whatever you and O'Shea have going on is something beyond what you and I had.” Martin shrugged and shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts. “I saw how he looked at you during the rehearsal. He stayed on the sidelines, but his eyes never left you. He's intense, and I'm not getting in the way of what you have.”

Jenna figured he didn't want to get in the way of Mac, period, but she kept her opinion to herself.

Had Mac been focused on her the entire time? She'd glanced his way more than once during the rehearsal and had seen him looking her way, but...the entire time? Maybe last night had switched something in him. Perhaps he was looking at her as more than every other woman who came before her. Maybe he'd been telling the truth when he told her she was special.

Jenna focused on Martin, still standing only a few feet away. “I'm glad you're moving on,” she told him.

Martin nodded, then stared at her another minute as if he wanted to say something else, but finally he turned and walked away. Jenna blew out a breath and turned to survey the room one last time.

The lights went off and before she could fully react, a reflection in the windows caught her attention. Barely had she spun around when hands curled over her shoulders, lips feasted on the delicate spot beneath her ear.

“Stubborn man finally came to his senses,” Mac growled. “And now you're done and all alone.”

The veiled promise had Jenna shivering. “I thought you had work.”

“I did.”

He snaked an arm around her waist and drew her body back against his. Her head fell against his shoulder as his lips continued to slide up and down her heated skin.

“You know what I've thought about all day?” he muttered against her neck.

“Wh-what?”

“Seeing if we can make last night's encounter seem tame.”

Jenna gasped as Mac whirled her around in his arms, her body crushed against his as he slammed his mouth onto hers. Wrapping her arms around him, she opened, needing to feel that connection and anxiously wanting him to deliver on that promise.

“We can't do this here,” she managed to mumble against his mouth.

“I locked the door after he left. Nothing to stop us.”

Anticipation rolled through her as she threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged. “Then you better get to work because last night was pretty amazing.”

His lips tilted into a grin. “Is that a dare?”

“Take it how you want.”

“I'd rather take you how I want.”

Mac smacked her bottom and grabbed hold of her as he walked her backward toward the dark corner away from the windows. She didn't want to analyze what it meant that he'd come to her and was so eager to have her. She only wanted Mac, wanted this experience that was unlike any other.

He kissed her lips, her neck, her bare shoulders. He eased the thin straps of her dress down, tugging until the scoop neckline fell below her breasts.

“You're so damn sexy, Jenna.”

Pretty words could be said by anyone, but the way Mac showed her how he felt had Jenna believing every word. He did find her sexy, and because of that she had a confidence she'd never known before.

Feeling daring, she whispered, “Then stop talking and show me.”

Mac sat her on the edge of a built-in bar and stepped between her spread legs. He grabbed a condom from his pocket, ever prepared, and rid himself of his shorts. Laying the foil packet beside her hip, he quirked a brow.

“You have on too many clothes.”

Whipping the dress up and over her head, she tossed it to the floor. Were they really going to do this here? In the wide open room where anyone with the key could walk in and flip on the light?

Jenna had never thought herself staid, but this wasn't something she'd ever even imagined. Somehow sex always conjured up images of a bed, yet she and Mac had never even considered getting between the sheets.

After she wrestled out of her panties, Mac grabbed her hand and placed the condom in her palm. The silent command sent an even bigger charge of arousal shooting through her. She ripped open the packet and carefully covered him. She'd never done that with a lover before.

Mac cupped the back of her head with one hand and placed the other one on the small of her back, pulling her to the edge of the bar. Jenna slid her knees up his sides and locked her ankles behind him as he surged into her.

“Lean back.”

Following his orders, she eased back slightly on her hand and watched as he took total control. With only the moonlight streaming in through the windows behind him, she had a sense of deja vu from the previous night. But this was better, far better. The nerves were gone, replaced by passion and need.

The desire that coiled low in her belly spread warmth throughout her body as Mac gripped her hips and kept his eyes locked on to hers. She didn't know how he managed to make her feel so special and, dare she say, loved. She knew this wasn't love, not in the sense she'd like, but he cared for her, he wanted to be with her and she'd have to be content with the here and now.

Jenna tipped her head back, bowing her body when the pleasure became too much. Mac reached between them, touching her in the most intimate spot, sending Jenna spiraling out of control.

Bright light burst behind her lids as her entire body convulsed. Mac's body stilled against hers as he leaned forward and covered her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around him as they tumbled into the abyss together.

Heavy breathing filled the silence of the room as reality settled back in. What would happen next? Would they go back to the bungalow and sleep together as they had done last night? Would she wake up in his arms again?

With the wedding tomorrow, she wondered just how far Mac intended to take this escapade. Only time would tell, but Jenna had another day to enjoy her best friend and she intended to do just that.

Fifteen

M
ac watched as Jenna hugged the bride. The ceremony had been beautiful, if weddings were your thing. They were definitely not Mac's, but keeping his eyes on Jenna in her pale purple, figure-hugging dress was.

He didn't know how much longer he could handle being this close to Jenna and not touching her. And, lucky for Martin, he'd managed to keep his eyes averted for the most part.

Jenna crossed the outdoor seating area that had been set up specifically for this event. Even the way she glided through the white chairs had Mac's gut clenching. Everything about Jenna was getting to him. Her touch, her glances, the smile she'd thrown his way during the ceremony. No other woman had ever gotten beneath his skin and made him want more.

“Are you ready to escort me to the reception?” she asked as she neared.

Mac hooked his arm out and offered her a smile. “I don't think we'll be able to enjoy that room as much as we did last night.”

She looped her arm through his and laughed. “No, I don't think we will.”

Because he couldn't resist, Mac leaned down and whispered, “I plan on stripping you out of that dress when we get back and showing you exactly how sexy you looked today.”

When her body trembled against his, Mac eased back and smiled. “Shall we?”

She turned her attention toward the rest of the wedding party filing into the dining area. “I may need a minute after that.”

“Don't take too long or everyone is going to see just how hot I am for you.”

“Come on,” she stated, tugging him toward the open doors. “A toast, the cake and then we're out of here.”

Mac laughed at her eager tone. They couldn't get out of this place fast enough. For once he wanted her in a bed, he wanted slow and he wanted to explore her the way she deserved.

Another first. He'd never once wanted to take his time. With every other woman he'd been there for one reason: release. With Jenna...he blew out a sigh. With Jenna, his life was completely different and he still had no idea how he was going to manage to let her go tomorrow.

But holding on to her would only prove to be a disaster in the long run. She didn't do secrets and lies. She didn't do dark and deceptive. Jenna was literally sunshine and flowers and happiness.

He may be a jerk for stealing some of her sweetness, but he had never been able to resist temptation and Jenna LeBlanc was temptation personified.

As they entered the bright room with the sun bursting through the wall of windows, he watched Jenna's eyes dart to the bar in the corner.

“Keep that in mind for later,” he whispered.

He attempted to ignore the mental image of the two of them on that bar last night, but the force was too strong and the experience too fierce. Jenna had opened up so much over the past two days. Just the thought of exploring every inch of her when they returned to the bungalow was almost like foreplay.

“The place looks gorgeous.”

Mac turned to see Mary smiling from ear to ear. Jenna released her hold on Mac and hugged her mother.

“It's a perfect day, isn't it?” Jenna asked.

Mac heard that wistfulness in her voice and wondered if she was thinking ahead to her own wedding...to some faceless bastard Mac already hated. But Jenna would, in fact, move on and she would marry because the whole family life was what she wanted. Who was he to prevent her from being happy and going after her dream with both hands?

That didn't mean he had to like it.

Mac excused himself as the two ladies chatted about the spectacular ceremony. He needed a drink. He'd prefer to hit something, but a drink would have to do, considering his location. When he returned to Miami, he and his punching bag were going to have some serious bonding time.

The bartender hooked Mac up with his favorite bourbon. Leaning one elbow on the edge of the bar, Mac swirled the amber liquid around and watched as the bride and groom came together in the middle of the floor for their first dance. That wasn't all he noticed. The soft, dreamy look in Jenna's eyes as she watched the couple was like a punch to Mac's gut.

Did she even know how radiant she was? How magnificent she looked when she was daydreaming? And there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the thoughts running through her head hinged on this beautiful day.

He watched her for the rest of the dance. But, when the music changed he couldn't wait another second. Without taking his eyes off her, Mac placed his glass on the bar and crossed the room. Her eyes met his, a ghost of a smile flirted around those kissable lips. He said nothing as he took her in his arms and started swaying to the subtle beat.

Her floral scent surrounded him, her delicate arms circled his waist as she laid her head on his chest. Why did holding her so intimately have his heart clenching? Everything in his life to this point had been simple regarding women. He saw what he wanted, he took it, he walked away.

But leaving Jenna seemed so cold, so harsh. And he wasn't referring to the physical leaving, but the mental form. Spending this week with Jenna had been...refreshing. He hadn't expected to be so relaxed in some ways and so worked up in others. This one woman managed to do what so many others had tried. She'd gotten under his skin and he didn't know what the hell to do.

Well, he knew what he wanted to do.

Mac's hands spread across her bare back, just above where the material draped low. He'd seen a confidence in her this week, almost a blossoming. She'd been so worried about her body, her very lush, sexy body, but he'd proven to her that she was built like every man's dream.

His dream.

Damn it. He didn't want to have a dream woman. There was no such thing in his world.

Mac closed his eyes and pushed every doubt and worry aside. For these next few moments, he just wanted to enjoy the feel of Jenna in his arms.

As the song ended, Jenna eased back and glanced up at him with desire burning in her eyes. Without a word, she took his hand and he gladly let her lead him out of the reception, out into the evening and toward their bungalow.

He fished the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Jenna pulled him inside and when the door closed at his back, she turned and caged him in. With her body flush against his and her hands framing his face, she pulled him down and captured his lips.

Never in his life had an aggressive woman turned him on so much. He'd always thrived on control, on being in charge in his work and in the bedroom. But Jenna had fully come out of her shell and damn if he wasn't proud.

Mac gripped her waist, jerking her hips forcefully against his. As much as he wanted this fast and hard, he craved something different, something more. Jenna deserved more. Hadn't he said that all along?

While he couldn't give her a commitment, he could give her tonight. He wanted her to remember this, remember him...forever?

Forever
wasn't a word he used.

Focusing on Jenna, Mac slid his hands up her bare back and reached for the thick straps on her shoulders. As he eased them aside, she frantically pushed her dress down and stepped back. The material pooled around her feet, leaving her in a strapless white bra and killer pair of panties.

Even though Mac intended to take things slow tonight, he wasn't about to stop her when she reached around and unhooked her bra. Only a few days ago she never would've done this in front of him. His heart quickened as she flung the garment aside and worked the lacy white panties down her shapely legs.

Jenna reached up, pulled a few pins from her hair and Mac's knees nearly buckled when that hair came tumbling down over her bare shoulders. He couldn't recall a more beautiful sight.

Cocking her head to the side, she quirked a brow. “Your move.”

Damn, she was something else.

“What if I want to stand here and stare at you a bit longer?” he asked.

He heard her breath catch in her throat, watched as her eyes widened and her mouth froze in a perfect O.

Mac pushed off the door and, in one swift move, lifted her in his arms with one hand behind her back and the other beneath her knees.

“You can't—”

“I can,” he stated, cutting off her protest. “And I am. I want you on the bed, our bed. All night.”

She trembled against him as she laced her fingers behind his neck. She wanted him to make a move? Then this was it. He was spending the next several hours making her his, making this last impression of their time in Bora Bora absolutely unforgettable.

With the door to the private deck open, the sheers billowed in, the moon slashed a glow directly across the bed. And that's where Mac laid her. He wanted her wearing nothing but moonlight.

He eased back and Jenna started to get up.

“Don't move,” he commanded. “I'm going to look at you while I undress.”

Slowly, she lay back down, her eyes locked on his. While he made quick work of the buttons on his dress shirt, he smiled as her gaze dipped down to his body. Having Jenna's eyes on him gave him a rush like nothing else. For the first time in, well, ever, he wanted approval from a lover. He wanted approval from Jenna.

Mac gave his shirt a toss to the side of the room and shed his tux pants and boxer briefs. He took a step toward the bed and ran his fingertips over the curve of her knee and up her thigh. The silkiness of her skin beneath his hands—hands that had done terrible things in his world—was a reminder of how different they were. But for now, they weren't Mac the Mafia Mogul and Jenna the Sweet Florist. They were a man and a woman who enjoyed each other, who wanted the same thing for tonight and didn't care what tomorrow would bring.

There was no tomorrow as far as he was concerned. The world could end right now and Mac would die a happy man. Then he wouldn't have to walk away and—

“What do you think about when you're looking at me like that?” she asked, breaking into thoughts that had no place in his mind.

Sliding in beside her, Mac continued exploring her body. “I'm thinking how lucky I am that you asked me here this week.” He trailed his fingertips over her hip, across her quivering stomach. “I'm thinking that touching you is the single most important thing in my life right now.”

Jenna reached up, running her hand along his jawline. “What are we doing here, Mac?”

He swallowed. He didn't want these questions, the ones he couldn't answer, settling between them in the bed. All he wanted was Jenna. He wanted to show her how magnificent she was and that nothing should ever bring her back down again. Not weight, not self-esteem and sure as hell not a man.

“We're about to have a memorable night,” he whispered as he dipped his head toward her breast and slid his hand over the dip in her waist. “We're about to ignore the outside world and pretend nothing else exists.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair. The slight tug had Mac smiling against her damp skin.

“You with me, Jen?”

Arching up to meet his lips, she replied, “I'm with you. I never want to be anywhere else.”

Mac ignored the stab of guilt, the sliver of fear he felt at her statement. They were getting caught up in the moment. She knew where he stood and grasped that this was their last night together.

Mac focused on pleasuring her, on keeping his name on her lips each time she moaned or cried out. When he hovered over her, Jenna's hands trailed up his biceps as she looked him in the eye.

“I want nothing between us tonight,” she whispered. “I'm on birth control and I'm clean.”

Mac had never, ever been without protection. That was a major no-no. Most of the women he'd been with he'd just met and they didn't stick around long enough to earn his trust. But with Jenna, he trusted her completely and when her legs wrapped around his waist he said nothing as he pushed forward.

Gripping the comforter for some shred of control, Mac shut his eyes and willed his body to stay still. He wanted to savor this moment, being with Jenna in every single way possible. With absolutely nothing between them, Mac pulled in a deep breath and started to move. Jenna had literally wrapped herself around him.

“Look at me.” He always wanted her eyes on him, but right now, this second, was most important. “Only me, Jenna.”

She tightened all around him and cried out, “Only you.”

As Mac's release slammed into him, he captured her mouth. He couldn't get close enough to her and he wanted to make this moment last. Jenna's nails bit into his shoulders as she trembled and finally, her body went lax beneath his.

Mac eased to the side, tucking her against him. When her hand settled over his heart, the irony was not lost on him. She'd stolen it. The one thing in this world he swore he'd never give had been taken by his best friend.

None of this was okay. He didn't want to give her his heart, he didn't want Jenna in his world in every way possible. How could he protect her from all the questionable dealings he encountered? He'd just ordered a man killed, for pity's sake, so she obviously needed protection from the filthy life he led.

He'd never hurt her, though. Not physically, not emotionally. He'd kill anyone if they laid a finger on her.

Heaviness washed over Mac as Jenna's breathing softened. He laid his hand over hers, wanting to savor the moment a bit longer, but the flashing light from his phone on the dresser told him business was calling. His time in fairy-tale land was over.