Buch lesen: «Best Friends…To Lovers»

One

“All 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 world—”

“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-control—and quite possibly more power—than 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 decade—a 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 ask—”

“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 body—those 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 execution—no pun intended—was 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.

And when the ex showed up, Mac planned on having a little one-on-one chat with the bastard. Nobody hurt Jenna and lived to tell about it. And no one made her feel less about herself. She was a beautiful, vibrant woman deserving of a man who would appreciate her.

And for a week, Mac would be that man...in theory.

Mac tipped his head, rubbing his lips against Jenna’s before capturing her mouth once again. Her fingertips curled into his shirt as he slid his hands down that sultry, killer body. If he was going to pretend to be her boyfriend, he wanted all the perks that came with it.

“Oh. I’m sorry!”

Jenna jerked in his arms. Mac didn’t let her go as he glanced toward the doorway where Jenna’s mother and sister stood. They were clearly embarrassed, seeing as how neither of them were making eye contact. Mac didn’t care that they were seen during a very private moment, he actually found it rather amusing.

Besides, getting caught in the act was something he’d grown used to over the years, considering his family’s activities. Thankfully, with the right law enforcement and powerful people in his family’s back pocket, he’d never been arrested or faced charges.

When Jenna started to shift away, Mac tightened his grip. Might as well practice now, if they were going to pull this charade off for the ex. If they could make her mother and sister believe, then the ex would be no problem whatsoever. And after this week they could simply tell Mary and Amy that he and Jenna had decided they were better off as friends. An easy fix and they’d both still get everything they wanted: Jenna would get her ex to stay away and Mac would get her in his bed.

“We didn’t mean to...”

“I had no idea you two...”

Mary and Amy spoke at the same time and Mac laughed. “You’re fine. I just arrived myself and I was giving Jenna a proper hello.”

Mary’s eyes widened as she stared at her daughter. “You just broke up with Martin two weeks ago.”

Jenna remained frozen at his side and he knew she was struggling with how to explain this scenario to her family. Coming to her defense was easy.

“Martin is an ass,” Mac stated. “Jenna and I have danced around our attraction for years and we thought spending some time here away from work and reality would help us figure out if we should take things to the next level.”

“What are you two doing here?” Jenna croaked out.

Mary nodded. “I thought we could get some girl time in before the guests started arriving. I didn’t know you’d already had company, but I’m glad Mac is with you. Martin was a nice guy, but Mac is...well, you know I love him.”

Mary smiled and Mac knew he had them fooled. These three women were strong, united and had a bond that rivaled that of his own family. He hated lying to Jenna’s family. But it was necessary and nothing he and Jenna couldn’t get out of later.

Amy let out a little squeal as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Jenna, spinning her in a circle. “I knew you two would end up together. I’m so happy for you guys. I’m sorry Martin is the best man and you have to walk with him, but I promise you and Mac will have an amazing time.”

Jenna glared at Mac over her sister’s shoulder and he knew he’d crossed the line. He was going to have some explaining to do once they were alone.

He sent her a wink and a grin, which only earned him a narrowed gaze. Oh, yeah. This boyfriend scenario was going to be fun.