Dare to Play

by Carly Phillips

  He hated to use his wealth to pull strings, but money bought anything, including the ability to throw a last-minute show that would convince a judge this wasn’t a quickie, just-for-custody marriage. With Bri’s help and a few phone calls, he could have his entire huge family and all his friends in his house by next weekend, a caterer hired, flowers delivered, and a convincing wedding would happen. It might not be as big as his brother’s last weekend, but it would have every appearance of reality and true love.

  Jesus. Who was he? Go big or go home, he guessed.

  “Nobody is going to doubt what we have is real.” He’d do whatever he needed to in order to get Macy custody of her sister. Not only did he owe her, she was right. Lilah was a schemer, and he didn’t like her trying to take advantage of Macy and her younger sister. The woman wanted something. What, they’d have to figure out together.

  Macy rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned in close, surprising him with a kiss on his cheek before glancing at Lilah. “Watch it, Lilah. Jaxon doesn’t like to lose. And neither do I.”

  With a huff, Lilah called out for Hannah, and a few minutes later, they gathered at the door, ready to go.

  “Call, text, whatever,” Macy said to her sister.

  The teenager rolled her eyes and they walked out the door.

  * * *

  Macy hadn’t realized how much she’d appreciate having someone to share the burden of Lilah with until Jaxon had stood up beside her. He’d been more supportive than she’d anticipated, and now she felt as if she had an ally. Although she worried about bringing Jaxon into Hannah’s life and having them bond only to divorce at some point in the future, her current circumstances didn’t give her a choice. She’d just have to deal with her disappointment when the time came. She’d probably be equally disappointed herself. Jaxon was a good man, and she was lucky he was willing to step into this mess with her.

  “That was crazy,” Macy said to Jaxon. “You didn’t have to promise a big event just to prove a point.”

  His gorgeous indigo-colored eyes met hers. “If we’re going to do this, might as well do it right. And if it helps us both get what we want out of the deal, then why not?” He grinned, looking more relaxed than she’d expect considering he didn’t want to get married any more than she did.

  “Why are you so calm?” she asked, her own heart racing.

  He shrugged, those muscles working beneath a white tee shirt. “Once I made the decision for a temporary marriage and realized how much it wouldn’t just help me but you, too … it felt right. I wasn’t going to let my life screw up yours.”

  She nodded, but he deserved to think things through and know what he was in for. “You do realize I have a huge fight on my hands, right? And now you’re involved, too? It’s not too late to back out. I know what I’m getting out of this, but are you sure you need to take such a huge step to right past mistakes?”

  He nodded. “Believe me when I tell you everyone in my professional life is going to think this is a great idea.” He reached up and caressed her cheek, causing a flutter in her belly she was getting used to around him. “And,” he continued, “I believe we can make this work for as long as it’s practical for us both. When things settle down, we’ll quietly and amicably end things.”

  Her stomach cramped at his words, telling her this was a really bad idea for her heart. Still, knowing what was at stake, she blew out a breath and nodded. “Okay then. Thank you.”

  She glanced out the window and watched as Lilah’s car finally pulled out of the driveway and onto the street. “I don’t get it. Lilah is not mother material. The first time she has to say no to Hannah and is faced with a teenage tantrum, Lilah is going to change her mind. In the meantime, she’s going to cost me a fortune in legal fees,” she muttered. “Speaking of which, you wouldn’t happen to know a family law attorney would you?”

  “I’ll make some calls and come up with someone good.”

  “Great. I appreciate it.”

  He put an arm around her shoulder and his warmth felt good. Right. Unable stop herself, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Just because Lilah had left her emotionally exhausted, she told herself.

  “Let’s go sit down and talk,” he said.

  She led him to the family room with pale peach walls and gray furniture. This room always calmed her. Her favorite reading chair was in here along with a beautiful view of the backyard.

  They settled side by side on the sofa, and he pulled her hand into his. “Let’s tackle a few issues.”

  “Such as?”

  “We already know we’re getting married. I was thinking we could pull my family into it and let Bri work her magic. We could be married by next weekend. Use my house, have it indoors or outdoors, it’s up to you.”

  She managed a nod. She wouldn’t mind turning over logistics of the wedding to her best friend and Jaxon’s sister. “Okay.”

  She agreed on a large wedding because it would look better to a judge if they appeared to be in love and wanting a big family event rather than a quickie courthouse one, as Lilah had mentioned. “What else?”

  “For starters, where are we going to live? I’m not trying to insult you, but my place has a lot more room.”

  She blinked in surprise, realizing how much she hadn’t considered. He wanted her to move out of her home? She trembled but understood it made sense. Everything was just happening so fast. And this was just one more thing to readjust to when things ended.

  Then something dawned on her. “What about Hannah’s school district? It won’t be the same.” She bit down on her lower lip and paused. “I suppose I could ask for special permission to keep her at her current school. I don’t believe they’re overcrowded. Hopefully we can make it work.”

  He nodded. “Good.”

  “Hannah now knows we’re engaged, but I need to have a conversation with her about everything so she understands,” she murmured, not looking forward to it. Teenage tantrum to follow, she was sure.

  “Do you want me there with you?” Jaxon asked.

  He was definitely a good guy. “I appreciate the offer, but I think it’s best if I talk to her first. Then you two can get to know each other. I’ll do it when she gets home tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Tell her I have a movie theater in the basement, a pool in the backyard, and a basketball hoop if she likes that sort of thing,” he said.

  “In other words, bribe her like her mother’s going to do.”

  He shrugged. “At this point, whatever works.”

  Blowing out a deep breath, Macy nodded. He had a point. Macy’s father had given them a comfortable life, but he was pragmatic, like Macy. It was no wonder all the makeup and other gifts made Hannah’s eyes light up and swayed her choices. Though Macy wanted nothing more than for Hannah to want to live with her, she had no doubt Lilah was going to make it a tough fight.

  “What about my family?” he asked. “Do you want to be with me when I tell them the news? That way we can get the ball rolling on the wedding planning. My mother is going to lose her mind.”

  “In a good way, I hope?”

  He treated her to a slow grin. “You have no idea. Marrying us off is her life’s mission.”

  Macy shifted in her seat. “And you’re about to go from her disappointment to her–”

  “Next favorite. I can’t beat the first grandchild or the first wedding, but I can come in before Braden and Bri.”

  He grinned at the realization and Macy rolled her eyes. “Is everything a competition with you sports types?”

  “Yep.”

  She would laugh except there was a serious component to this. “You do remember this engagement is fake, right?”

  His gaze met hers, his expression intent. “About that. Remember what I said about not being celibate?”

  She swallowed hard. “How could I forget?” It had been in the back of her mind ever since they’d agreed to get married.

  “I want a real marriage.” Reaching out,
he tucked her hair behind one ear, his rough fingers an aphrodisiac on her skin.

  She didn’t kid herself that this was a make-or-break decision. He wouldn’t marry her if she didn’t agree to have an intimate relationship, and considering she’d already slept with him, how could she say no? To do so would be admitting she was afraid she’d fall for him, and she had no intention of giving him that sort of leverage.

  Besides, she actually respected him for not wanting to marry and look elsewhere for sex, and she didn’t expect him to marry her for an indefinite period of time and be celibate. He’d made it clear that option was off the table.

  “Macy?” he asked into the silence she’d created.

  She looked into his handsome face and drew a deep breath. “A real marriage works for me.”

  His smile lit up not just the room but everything inside her. He leaned in close, his intention clear, and she met him halfway, their lips locking together and fireworks exploding between them. At this point, she shouldn’t be surprised by their combustible chemistry. But she was.

  His tongue swiped over her lips and she let him inside. They clashed and curled, causing her entire being to come alive with need. From a simple kiss, no other parts involved. And boy, did she remember what it was like when the rest of his body tangled with hers and brought her to the height of passion.

  Lifting his head, he met her gaze, a sensual smile on his full, gorgeous lips. “It’s going to be good between us,” he promised. “Really fucking good.”

  Despite the butterflies flipping through her stomach, she couldn’t help but agree. For so long, she’d put her family before her personal life, but she couldn’t deny she’d hoped to find a man who could accept the responsibilities that came with her. She’d just never thought he would be a professional All-Star baseball player with a temporary marriage in mind.

  T-e-m-p-o-r-a-r-y. No matter how smooth he was with his words and his actions, she needed to remember this wasn’t forever.

  He was right though. They could make this work for both of them. Sharing a bed with the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on wouldn’t be a hardship. Not falling for the playboy would be.

  Chapter Six

  Macy’s hand shook inside Jaxon’s as they approached his mother’s house. He couldn’t say he was calm, either, but damned if he’d let on. One of them needed to stay cool, and that had to be him if he was going to convince his family they were doing the right thing.

  Everyone, from his mom and her boyfriend, Edward, to all of his siblings except Braden, was waiting for them to arrive. He’d called and they’d all agreed to meet here for a surprise announcement.

  Jaxon rang the bell and opened the unlocked door. “Don’t worry, okay? We’re giving them good news. I promise,” he told Macy, and together they stepped inside and followed the voices to the family room.

  “Jaxon!” His mother called out his name and walked over, pulling him in for a hug.

  “Hi, Mom.” He embraced her in return.

  Christine turned to Macy. “Hi, Macy. This is a surprise.”

  “She doesn’t know the half of it,” Macy whispered so low only he could hear.

  “I can’t wait to find out your news, but I have a surprise for you first. Look who’s home!” Christine gestured to the other side of the room, where his brother, Braden, stood, a grin on his face as he met Jaxon’s gaze.

  He released Macy’s hand and crossed the room, giving him a hug and slapping his brother on the back. He hadn’t seen Braden since Austin’s kidney donation surgery to Uncle Paul. Although unexpected, having Braden here made the night perfect. His whole family would be around for the news. Even Uncle Paul and his significant other, Ron, were here.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” he asked his oldest brother and Bri’s twin, the brother who Jaxon could most relate to. Braden and Bri were thirty-two years old now, and it had been thirteen years since their father passed away. They were nineteen when he died. But Braden resented Jesse even more than Jaxon, and that was saying something. He’d missed his brother like crazy.

  “Isn’t a surprise better?” Braden asked.

  Jaxon stepped back and looked at his brother, taking in his long hair and scruffy beard. “You look like you just came from the field,” he said.

  Last he’d heard, his brother was in Sao Paulo, Brazil, vaccinating people there. Considering his brother had an adventurous streak, it always calmed him, knowing Braden was in safe places.

  “That’s because I did. Flew in this afternoon.”

  Glancing over his shoulder, Jaxon saw his mother was glowing at having her entire family together.

  “So what’s your news that’s going to upstage my homecoming?” Braden grinned, not the type to need to be the center of attention.

  Gesturing for Macy to join him, she walked over, his gaze drawn to her fitted white jeans and black tank top that draped over her sexy curves. Despite the look of trepidation on her face, she’d squared her shoulders, obviously bracing herself.

  A wedding and short-term marriage might not have been in his plans, but looking at his bride-to-be, he was a lucky man.

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Everyone!” He waited for his family to look his way. “Macy and I are getting married.”

  “Oh, my God! Another wedding and so soon,” Christine said, sounding as excited as Jaxon thought his mother would be. “Macy, welcome to the family!”

  “Thank you,” she murmured, but Macy, like Jaxon, was obviously aware of the shocked silence surrounding them from everyone else. And then the chaos began, starting with Bri.

  “You’re what?” his sister asked, eyes wide, mouth open.

  “I’m doing what you and Austin wanted. I’m getting married, and I told Macy you’d all be happy for us.” He pointedly looked at Bri, warning her to be nice.

  His mother pushed her way in and congratulated them both, followed by Braden and Damon, his brothers looking uncertain but keeping their mouths shut.

  When the hubbub subsided, Bri stepped over, her eyes narrowed. “You two, come talk to me.” She gestured to the sliding glass door leading out to the patio, and they headed outside.

  Austin kissed Quinn on the cheek and joined them without being invited, shutting the door behind him.

  Bri frowned and spoke before anyone else had a chance. “I told you to get married. We might even have said Macy was the kind of woman you should choose, but I didn’t expect you to go out and ask her! And you!” Bri turned to Macy. “What’s going on? Don’t get me wrong,” she said, her voice softer as she spoke to her friend. “If you two were in love, I’d be thrilled, but I don’t understand.”

  “Me neither,” Austin said.

  “Bri, we know what we’re doing,” Macy said, sliding her hand into Jaxon’s and presenting a united front.

  He squeezed her hand back.

  “Then explain, please.”

  Macy blew out a long breath. “As you know, my stepmother is back, and she served me with papers to get custody of my sister, hot on the heels of me being caught doing the walk of shame out of Jaxon’s home. I don’t trust her or her motives, and a stable marriage and family life with him will help me convince the judge I’m a good parent. That’s my reason.”

  Bri’s expression turned to one of compassion. “I am so sorry you’re going through this.” She touched her friend’s shoulder. “But are you sure marrying Jaxon is the solution?”

  “It’s good for both of us,” Jaxon answered for her. “It makes it look like Macy was leaving her fiancé’s house, not a one-night stand. And as you both said, marriage and stability will calm management down and help me. It’ll make them realize I’m serious about life and I’m not going to do anything stupid again. We’re helping each other.”

  “And you’re sure this is what you want? You really want to marry Jaxon?” Bri asked Macy.

  “Hey! That almost sounded offensive.” Jaxon nudged his sister with his elbow.
<
br />   “I didn’t mean it that way,” Bri muttered. “It’s just sudden and I’m worried about both of you.”

  Beside them, Austin just watched in silence.

  “And I do,” Macy said. “Want to marry him, I mean. No pun intended.” Her light laughter reassured him they were still on the same page.

  Austin leaned against one of the light pillars on the corner of the patio. “Sounds like everyone has thought this through.”

  “We have,” Jaxon assured them. “Bri, relax. It’s the perfect solution to everyone’s problems. Can we count on you to pull a wedding together in a week?” he asked.

  “Please? I’ll do whatever you need to help,” Macy said.

  Bri’s expression softened. “Anything for you and one of my favorite brothers.” She grinned. “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right.”

  “That’s what I said.” Relief filled him now that his family supported him. “I was thinking of having it at my house, since I have the space inside and out. I’m sure we can get family and friends to come despite it being short notice. I’m just worried about caterers and a photographer…”

  “Leave it to me,” Bri said. “I have some contacts. We can pull in Faith for desserts,” she said of Faith Dare, Ian’s half brother’s wife who owned a candy shop in New York. She could get them what they needed.

  They had a complicated extended family but a loving one. Thanks to Paul, the Precotts had known the Dares for years, only recently discovering they were family.

  “I’ll talk to Mom, and between us all, we’ll get it done,” Bri promised.

  “Speaking of Mom, I don’t want to set her up for high expectations and hurt her when things come to an end,” Jaxon said, not wanting anyone to forget this wasn’t permanent.

  Austin tapped a finger against his cheek before finally speaking. “I don’t think we should put her in the position of having to lie to anyone, either. You’re getting married, we don’t know for how long, so let it be.”