Dare to Play (Dare Nation 3)

“Web and graphic design. When Hannah, that’s my sister, when her mother left her with my dad, I knew I needed to go to a local college and find a job I could do from home so I could help him out. Hannah and I have a thirteen-year age difference,” she explained. “Dad needed me and so did she.”

“Food, folks.” Beckett slid their plates in front of them.

“Thanks,” they both said at the same time.

Jaxon wasn’t surprised that Macy was a good daughter, the kind who stepped up when needed.

They finished their meals and he’d run out of time. It was do-or-die time, and he had to trust his instincts on what he was about to ask the woman beside him. “Macy?”

“Yes?” she asked easily, as if she’d either forgotten he’d mentioned marriage or thought he’d dismissed the idea.

“Marry me and solve both of our problems.”

* * *

Macy choked on her club soda, the bubbles going up her nose and down her throat. “I’m sorry. I thought you said marry me.”

She hadn’t meant for him to take her mention of how marriage would help her custody situation as a hint. And after a little while, he’d stopped questioning her about it and they’d gone on to talk about normal things. Now he wanted her to marry him?

He patted her on the back, waiting until the tears stopped and she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.

“You’re not serious,” she said when she could finally speak.

“While we were talking, I was sorting through the idea in my mind, and the hard truth is that we both need this. For one thing, my agent and publicist would love the idea.”

“That same publicist will think I’ve lost my mind,” she said of her best friend.

He grinned, showing an adorably sexy dimple. “She’ll come around. Everyone in the front office at the Eagles is going to be thrilled. And in return, it will help repair your reputation. I know I’d feel better helping to fix what I caused. And I’ll be there for you in court, and we’ll put up a united front. I’m telling you, this is a win-win.”

It sounded like insanity to her. Insanity that just might gain her the end result she wanted. Custody of Hannah. “Can I give it some thought? I mean go home, let the idea settle?”

“Of course.”

Beckett placed the check in front of him, he paid, and they walked to her car in silence. She assumed he was as lost in thought as she was, considering this insane idea.

He stopped at her door.

She was alone with the handsome athlete she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind since last weekend. She’d replayed every moment in his house from beginning to end, orgasm to orgasm, and she’d be lying if she said her stomach wasn’t twisting with awareness again now.

Especially with the prospect of marriage between them. She looked up, meeting his expectant gaze.

“Seriously give the idea some thought, okay?” he asked in a rough, sexy voice. “Forget about me, I want to make this right for you.”

She nodded. “I promise, I will.” She wouldn’t be able to think of anything else, and she couldn’t deny she appreciated the fact that he was taking responsibility for her current situation with Lilah.

He reached for the door handle, his head close to hers. Without warning, he straightened and backed her against the warm metal of the car, his face and lips close to hers.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Reminding you of our compatibility,” he said, brushing his lips over hers and lingering there.

The move stunned her, but the second he kissed her, she melted like butter in the hot sun. Her lips parted and he slid his tongue inside. Electricity arced between them and her body came alive. The spark of chemistry between them exploded like it had last weekend, and she wanted nothing more than to plaster herself against him, but before she could do more than think, he pulled back.

“We don’t want to get caught again. Unless we can say we’re engaged. Then any photo is a good photo. But I made my point,” he said, a pleased grin on his face.

“And what was that?”

He tweaked a long strand of her hair. “If we are going to get married, we’re not going to be celibate.”

She blinked. “Whoa. Slow your roll, Mr. Playboy. I didn’t even agree to marry you yet, let alone have it be a real marriage.” She stared at him, surprised by the understanding expression on his face.

“You have a lot to think about. And so do I.”

“Considering changing your mind already?” she asked him, surprised by how panicked she was at the notion.

Maybe she wanted this fake marriage more than she’d thought. Which was another thing for her to consider. He was the playboy; she was the kind of woman who could fall hard and fast. And that scared her more than the proposal she was considering.