From Friend to Fake Fiancé (14 page)

Just that act alone spoke volumes about the woman she'd become since last week. A woman he'd seen come out of her shell, a woman who willingly gave him everything he'd ever wanted and stood up to him. She'd shown no fear, had looked him full in the face and called him a coward. There wasn't a soul on Earth who had ever done that.

Which proved Jenna LeBlanc may just be the dynamic woman he'd never known he was looking for. He'd kept secrets from her for years, had kept his business separate from his personal life and she'd never questioned him. So how would being fully involved with her be any different?

A thread of hope slid through him at the possibilities. He had a few surprises in store for Jenna. In the end, he knew there was only one choice to make. There was no way he'd let her walk away from him again.

Eighteen

“W
ell, that went better than we hoped.”

Mac sank into a vacant chair. The auction was over and the sales had been record-breaking. He considered this a good sign of things to come in Miami.

Too bad nothing had come of the whirlwind trip to London. In addition, the incident Mac had ordered Ryker to take care of was over and done. Braden hadn't said another word, but Mac was well aware of his brother's stance. There would be no more killings. They would have to find another way to protect their own.

Braden took a seat next to Mac and slapped his back. “You pulled it off. Dad would be proud.”

Mac swallowed a lump of regret. That's what he wanted. He missed his dad, wanted him to be proud of the way he'd taken their business into another territory.

“I sent Zara to the condo to get some rest,” Braden went on. “She was worn out.”

Once Mac had opened a branch in Miami, Braden went ahead and bought a condo to have for visits. Smart move. Zara had looked dead on her feet. She was taking this miscarriage hard.

“How are you guys doing?” Mac asked.

With a shrug, Braden stared straight ahead to the now-empty stage. “We're getting better each day. As soon as the doctor says it's safe, we'll try again.”

“I said I'm fine to drive,” snapped a familiar voice.

Braden let out a sigh that matched Mac's. “Here we go again,” Braden muttered.

Mac glanced over his shoulder to see Laney storming down the aisle, Ryker hot on her heels. Literally. The woman insisted on wearing sky-high shoes to every damn event.

“Tell the family bouncer that I'm fine to drive.”

Mac nearly laughed at her childish attitude, complete with crossed arms and tapping foot, but he rather liked not having his head bitten off.

“She received another threat,” Ryker stated in that low, controlled tone of his. “She won't tell you because she doesn't want anyone to worry.”

“And if you hadn't been snooping in my things, you wouldn't know, either,” Laney bit out.

Braden came to his feet. “What the hell is this about another threat? Who is it now?”

Mercy, would the threats ever end? Shouldn't taking their family in a safer direction ensure that those he loved would be secure?

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.”