Best Friends…To Lovers. Jules Bennett
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