To Win Her Love

by Mackenzie Crowne

  Murphy bounded down the steps, a neon green bow unraveling at his throat. The frilly pink tutu wrapped around his sleek chest slipped toward his back legs. Giggles competed with the thump of tiny feet descending the stairs. In the lead, as usual, Angel was the first to spot Jake. Her eyes went wide, and she stumbled to a stop.

  Gracie yelped out a warning, but it came out too late. Charlie promptly plowed into her twin. In a tangle of arms and legs, they tumbled down the remaining steps. Like human bowling balls, they swept the dog’s legs out from beneath him and landed in a heap on the landing.

  Gracie gasped. Beside her, Jake stepped forward, his hand outstretched. He needn’t have bothered. The girls sat up immediately, their eyes wide with hesitant curiosity. Murphy scrambled to his feet and performed a full body shake. The tutu slipped farther. Then his head snapped up and his intent, dark eyes landed on the stranger at Gracie’s side.

  Stepping forward, she meant to throw herself in the path of the fur-covered missile launching off the landing. With canine dexterity, the forty-pound scrapper avoided her outstretched hands. He shot past her, the green bow flapping behind him like a neon silk contrail.

  She spun.

  Jake’s big body stiffened as he braced against the impending collision. Murphy landed sure-footed, only to skid across the hardwood floor. Momentum carried him strait for Jake’s long legs.

  No stranger to dexterity, Jake danced to the side. He snagged the dog’s collar and halted his progress. Murphy wriggled wildly, the claws of his scrambling paws clicking on the hardwood floor. He bucked, and Jake pivoted his upper body sideways.

  The move would’ve worked, too, if Murphy was a normal dog, intent upon jumping up to plant his paws to Jake’s chest. She knew from experience that wasn’t the case.

  “Murphy, no!”

  Quick as a flash, he dropped his nose and whipped up his head. She cringed as his skull made solid contact with Jake’s unprotected crotch.

  A loud oof accompanied the unexpected head butt. Jake’s briefcase clattered to the floor. Stunned pain etched his features.

  “What the fu—” When he bent forward, the duffle slid from his shoulder to join the briefcase at his feet. He cupped one hand over his injured crotch and shoved the dog away with the other. Jaw clenched and long legs bent, he crossed one knee in front of the other. His eyes slid shut on a pained moan.

  Gracie bit her lip at his vulnerable contortion, leaping forward to grab Murphy’s collar before he could launch a new assault. Long, dark lashes lifted to reveal Jake’s pain-hazed eyes. They pinned her to the spot.

  “Oh crap.” She leaned down to wrap her arm around Murphy’s neck.

  Jake’s chest expanded on a ragged breath. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, then snapped his teeth shut on another low moan. If looks could kill, her dog’s spotted hide would soon be bleeding from a dozen cuts. Unfazed by the daggers shooting from Jake’s eyes, Murphy’s wagging tail sliced the air as he strained against her hold.

  Then the daggers changed targets.

  Considering her admission of a similar fantasy moments earlier, she couldn’t blame Jake for his accusing glare. But geez, what did he think? She’d used telepathy or something to get her dog to do what she couldn’t? If only. Yet, the results were the same. Swallowing against the slightly hysterical giggle clawing its way up her throat, she straightened and patted Murphy on the head.

  Charlie’s quiet voice interrupted the angry flush flooding Jake’s features. “Is that him?”

  Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the girls watched Jake with curious, identical blue eyes. Angel’s black brows were beetled in a frown spookily similar to his. Gracie turned. Jake had straightened to his full height. Only a slight stoop telegraphed his remaining discomfort. He stood stiffly under the girls’ intent regard.

  Angel jutted her chin at a belligerent angle. “Are you our big brother?”

  His gaze sliced to Gracie, and she was surprised to see the sharp edge of panic eclipsing the pain in his eyes.

  Well, isn’t this interesting? Is big, bad Jake Malone afraid of a couple of six year-old girls? Oh, the possibilities….

  She twitched with the need to do a giddy, happy dance and settled for the silent celebration ripping through her head. The cranial victory party was short-lived however, once she glanced at the girls. Their tension matched his.

  Damn it! As much as she’d enjoy seeing him fall flat on his face, she simply couldn’t let it happen. Ninety days was a long time, and if Jake ultimately failed to win the girls over, she’d do plenty of celebrating when she gained custody. In the meantime, she’d do what she could to make the transition from strangers to strange siblings easier—for the girls. They’d just lost their remaining parent, after all. They were orphans.

  The term made her flinch inwardly. Hanna’s brother Timmy might be correct technically, but if she ever got her hands on the big-mouthed brat, she’d strangle him. She tightened her grip on Murphy and held out her free hand. “Come here, girls.”

  Suddenly shy, they shuffled off the landing and down the final two steps. As one, they moved close to her side. She wrapped her arm around their shoulders, encompassing both. “Angel, Charlie, this is Jake Malone. Your half brother.”

  Charlie tilted her head and studied his face. She spoke in a stage whisper. “He’s really big, and he looks mean.”

  “Grownups always look mean when they don’t know what to say,” Angel retorted with surprising insight.

  Gracie met Jake’s unsure gaze and lifted a challenging brow. His eyes narrowed marginally when she shrugged and smiled.

  Okay, big guy. Ball’s in your court.

  He finally looked away and, as if he’d forgotten his encounter with Murphy, his face relaxed. His green eyes cleared and softened as he dropped into a crouch. Eyes level with the twins’, he glanced between them. “You’re right. Sometimes when grownups don’t know what to say, it makes them mad, and being mad can make a person look mean.”

  Charlie pressed closer to Angel’s side. “Are you mad at us?”

  “Why would I be mad at you?”

  “Because sisters are supposed to live with their brother.” She tossed a quizzical glance at Gracie before turning back. “But we didn’t know where you were.”

  Angel turned a scowl on her twin. “He could have found us. Even if grownup brothers don’t live with their sisters, he could’ve asked Daddy if he could come visit us.”

  Jake opened his mouth then shut it again without speaking. Was he unsure how to explain the estranged relationship between him and Pete? Sympathy tugged at Gracie’s heart—for the twins, not him.

  “Oh, baby.” She brushed a hand over Angel’s inky curls. “It’s not Jake’s fault. He didn’t know about the two of you until yesterday.”

  “Why not?” Doubting blue eyes burned at her.

  What to say? She knew nothing about the conflict between Jake and Pete. Her sigh was long and drawn out. “It’s complicated, girls.”

  The flat line of Angel’s lips said she wasn’t satisfied with her answer.

  “Jake only found out about you yesterday and here he is. I’d say that means he’s happy about having little sisters.”

  She shot a warning glance at Jake. If he said anything to contradict her, she’d….

  His eyes widened.

  She was no less shocked at her defense of him and quickly turned away. What was she thinking, aiding the enemy? As uncomfortable as he appeared in dealing with the girls, he was bound to screw things up if left to his own devices. A possibility she’d do best to keep in mind.

  When she met his gaze again, he lifted one dark brow in silent question. Was he waiting for her to explain the sudden change in living arrangements? She shrugged, letting him know any explanations for his presence at the farm were his deal, but if she hoped he’d falter at the awkward task, she was disappointed.

  He cleared his throat. “I thought I might stay here at the farm, i
f that’s okay with you girls.”

  Angel’s back went as stiff as a poker.

  Charlie squealed with delight. “Like a sleepover?”

  A strained smile pulled at his lips. “Something like that.”

  “Oh, yes!” Unable to contain her excitement, Charlie clapped her hands. “A sleepover, Angel. Jake is going to stay for a sleepover.” She stilled suddenly, wary eyes sliding his way. “We can call you Jake, right?”

  He nodded and some of the strain left his smile.

  “Are you going to stay for breakfast? We’re having pancakes.”

  He glanced at Gracie. “I heard that somewhere. Actually, I thought I’d stay longer than one night.” He turned back to the girls and surprised Gracie by repeating, “If it’s okay with you and your sister.”

  Charlie bobbed her head in a pleased nod. Angel remained stoically silent on the subject. Gracie squeezed her shoulder in a hug.

  “Okay, munchkins. It’s way past bedtime. Upstairs you go.”

  Angel turned without a word and headed for the stairs. Charlie frowned, a sure sign of imminent mutiny.

  Jake cocked his head. “I’m a little tired myself.”

  Mutiny averted, Charlie walked backward, following her twin. She offered Jake a shy smile. “I like having a big brother.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed on a swallow as he rose from his crouch. “I….” He nodded. “I think I’m going to like having little sisters, too.”

  Then he winked, and Gracie rolled her eyes at the blush spreading across Charlie’s cheeks. Small white teeth flashed in her beaming smile before she turned to race upstairs after her sister.

  Jake puffed out his cheeks on a harsh breath. Turning his head, his narrowed gaze paused on Murphy before lifting to tangle with hers. “Is he yours?”

  “Yes.” She tugged the dog back a step and patted his shoulder. “His name is Murphy.”

  The low grumble of his voice held a distinct warning. “His name will be mud if he ever head butts me again.”

  He was threatening her dog? So much for their truce.

  She gave a defiant lift of her chin. Oblivious to her returning anger, Murphy barked happily, his wagging tail thumping her thigh. He lunged against her hold. Jake’s brows dipped as his stare slid into a warning glare.

  Oh, bullshit. If he’s going to accuse me anyway…

  She let go of the dog. He leapt forward. She had the satisfaction of seeing Jake spin to his side, lifting one leg over his crotch in protection, but then he deftly grabbed Murphy’s collar, stopping him short with an outstretched arm.

  Green eyes, as cold as sharply cut emeralds, sliced her way. A glaring Jake Malone was downright intimidating and gave her a new empathy for those opposing lines he faced every week.

  Instinct demanded she take a step back. She scoffed mentally. This wasn’t pro football and brains, not brawn, would win this particular competition. She crossed her arms, silently insisting the move wasn’t one of self-protection. “Please. He’s a dog. The head butt was an accident.”

  His fingers still gripping Murphy’s collar, Jake moved with a speed she should’ve expected, considering his exploits on the field. He stepped forward, crowding her until she quivered with the need to step back or chance their bodies touching.

  “Maybe the first time was an accident, but letting him go and hoping it happened again wasn’t.” He lowered his head until they were nose to nose. “Be careful, darlin’. Control your bloodthirsty fantasies and your dog. If you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.”

  His woodsy spice cologne must be short circuiting her brain because, instead of poking him in the chest and telling him to go to hell, here she stood, mesmerized by the light striations in his sparkling emerald eyes. Her nostrils flared at his clean, male scent, and she bit at her lower lip.

  She blinked when he dropped his gaze to her mouth. Oh, dear Lord. She’d never actually witnessed a man’s pupils dilating. With undisguised male awareness? Oh, hell. Her mouth instantly went desert dry, and her pulse shot into overdrive.

  Snap out of it. Intimidation is his game, not seduction.

  She swallowed with an audible click, and thankfully, he raised his head before she could do anything stupid—like lift her mouth the mere inch necessary to find out what it would be like to taste him.

  To hell with brains. When dealing with an overload of brawn and sex appeal, retreat was self-preservation’s best friend. She followed her initial instinct and took a wide step back.

  Dimples formed along with his slow, satisfied smile. He held her gaze as he bent to scratch at Murphy’s head with long fingers. “You’re going to have to watch that head, buddy. We’re outnumbered around here. We guys need to stick together.”

  Murphy quivered with pleasure, adoration shining from his dark eyes. Jake’s soft chuckle skittered over her rattled nerve endings, leaving goose bumps. Apparently he wasn’t averse to claiming a little tit for tat, either. The sneaky jock had been trying to intimidate her, all right, and he’d succeeded. Well, if he thought she’d let him get away with it again…

  God, it was going to be a long three months.

  Chapter 8

  With the girls off to school the next morning, Jake returned upstairs to do…God knew what. Go back to sleep, probably. That worked for Gracie. Out of sight and all that.

  Having apparently taken her demand they share duties to heart, he’d wandered into the kitchen at six oh five, his eyelids drooping with fatigue. She considered it a bad sign she found the cowlick causing his thick hair to stand up on one side adorable, and the rough shadow of beard darkening his strong chin incredibly attractive.

  She tried not to stare as he offered Mary his assistance with the breakfast preparations, but geez. Who knew a glob of pancake batter smeared on a man’s tattered T-shirt would only enhance his masculine appeal? A barefoot Jake, flipping pancakes in rumpled jeans and a T-shirt, gave a whole new meaning to the word sexy and was a domestic vision she wouldn’t soon forget.

  The following half hour had been an exercise in tension. Angel shifted anxiously in her chair and Jake’s discomfort had been evident in the nerve jumping along his jaw. Charlie and Mary hadn’t seemed to notice. The housekeeper held court over the meal as she always did, as if this morning was no different than any other at the farm. As if Pete’s son hadn’t taken up the position where Pete always sat.

  Gracie had to give Jake credit. Having made the decision to adhere to the demands of Pete’s will, he was making a concerted, if somewhat stilted, effort. Despite his obvious nerves, he was still Jake Malone, a man known for his ability to charm. Looking like he hadn’t slept a wink, he set about using that charm, attempting to draw the girls into conversation by inquiring after their likes and habits. Charlie soaked up his attention like a sponge. Hanging on his every word, she jabbered like a magpie in response. Angel refused to cooperate, pushing bits of pancake around on her full plate in stubborn silence.

  Gracie wasn’t sure if his interest was real or if her warning last night had sunk in. Only time would tell, but witnessing the adoring animation in Charlie’s eyes, and the occasion flashes of interest Angel couldn’t quite hide behind her distrust, Gracie’s mood went from sour to gloomy. As hard as the fact was to swallow, Jake was here and, considering his competitive nature, he’d play to win. Which meant he wouldn’t be going anywhere.

  He’d made it clear he had no interest in a ready-made family, and he certainly didn’t need Pete’s money. What was he after? If his seeming desire to get to know the twins was sincere, what happened when the three months were up? The girls choosing her wasn’t a foregone conclusion. What would happen if he won the custody battle? He claimed he wouldn’t walk away, but what did that mean? What if he handed the girls off to a stranger and went back to his famous life? Her heart would be broken, and his abandonment would be one too many blows in the girls’ young lives.

  Confused and disheartened, she spent the morning w
orking, relieved he’d disappeared upstairs the moment the girls’ school bus pulled away.

  The beauty of her web design business was the ability to work from anywhere. All she needed was her laptop and some peace and quiet. The farm delivered the quiet. Peace was more difficult to achieve, however, since her mind kept supplying an image of the man upstairs, his muscled body sprawled across the sheets in masculine relaxation.

  Out of sight, my ass!

  Losing herself in the world of bits and bytes wasn’t as easy as usual this morning, but she eventually pulled it off. Too soon, reality intruded in the form of several afternoon appointments. She wandered into the kitchen for an early lunch before heading for the city. Murphy trotted over to investigate his bowl. She set her laptop case on the corner of the table and piled her coat and purse on top.

  Seated at the table eating her lunch, Mary frowned her displeasure when Gracie bypassed the hearty soup simmering on the stove to pull a cup of yogurt from the fridge. She grinned, tearing off the lid, and dug in with a spoon as she dropped into a kitchen chair. Digging her cell phone out of her purse one-handed, she punched in the number for the local taxi service. A woman dispatcher answered after a single ring.

  “Good morning, I need a—” Gracie’s mind went completely blank when she looked up and found Jake filling the doorway.

  Gone was the sexily mussed sleepyhead from this morning. Dressed in fresh jeans and a dark, collarless sweater, he stood hip cocked with the bomber jacket he’d arrived in last night slung from a crooked finger over one shoulder. The adorable cowlick had been tamed, but his thick hair still sported a slightly wild appearance, brushing against his collar in a glossy, shaggy mane. This morning’s stubble had been scraped away leaving a slight shadow on his cheeks and the cleft creasing his chin. Clear as a spring dawn, his green-eyed gaze started at her feet and slid slowly up her body before settling on her face.

  The X girls bolted to their feet in a standing ovation.