Dare to Play (Dare Nation 3)

“What’s up, Hannah? Are you okay?” Macy knew this day would cause them both upheaval.

“Umm, Jaxon called and asked me to find you something from your mom. So you’d have something old and something from your mother. I went through your jewelry. Don’t be mad,” she said quickly. “And I found this pearl bracelet. I know you didn’t plan to wear it, but I thought it would look pretty. And mean something to you.” Hannah held out a triple-strand pearl bracelet with a thin diamond clasp.

A lump rose in Macy’s throat. With both her parents gone, it hadn’t dawned on her to wear something of her mother’s, and it should have. Now she’d have a piece of them with her, since her dad had bought the bracelet for an anniversary gift.

“Oh, Hannah, that’s so thoughtful!” She accepted the bracelet.

“It was Jaxon’s idea,” Hannah reminded her, something Macy had already processed and tucked away in her heart.

“Would you help me hook it on?” She held out her hand, and Hannah placed the strands around her wrist.

From behind her, Bri cleared her throat. “He has his moments.” She was obviously talking about her brother.

Macy smiled, more touched than she could say. “Yes, he does.”

A knock sounded on the door and Macy called, “Come in!”

Jaxon’s uncle Paul, who was walking Macy down the aisle, stuck his head in. “Everyone ready?”

Macy nodded. As ready as she’d ever be.

Everything next was a blur. The bridesmaids and groomsmen lining up. The music causing her stomach to flutter with nerves. Them walking down the aisle ahead of her.

Then, hooking her arm into Paul’s, she readied herself to take the stroll down the aisle to the handsome, sexy man in a tuxedo waiting for her at the end.

And that was what she held on to – Jaxon’s reassuring gaze and the hot way he appraised her.

“That’s the expression of a man in love,” Paul said to her quietly.

“What?” Love? No. This was an arrangement, but she couldn’t tell Paul that.

Even if a part of her wished his words were true, she understood reality and took that first step, gliding to his side. She passed everyone in the audience staring at them, even a bored-looking Lilah, whose invitation had been to appease Hannah, nothing more.

Jaxon grasped her hands and he grounded her. “You look spectacular,” he said softly. “Gorgeous.”

Her stomach tumbled over at his words. “Thanks. You’re pretty hot yourself.”

He grinned just as the ceremony started. She wasn’t sure how much time passed when they were pronounced husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”

Jaxon’s eyes locked with hers, he wrapped his arm around her waist, and everything nervous inside her calmed to be replaced with pulsing desire that only he caused.

His lips came down on hers, and he tilted her backwards, putting on a show for everyone in the audience. But all she could focus on was his strength and his perfect kiss, his tongue swiping over her lips and gliding inside her mouth too briefly. Straightening her to a standing position, he held on as everything spun around her.

“Are you good, Mrs. Prescott?” he asked at last.

Her equilibrium restored, she nodded. “All set, Mr. Prescott.”

They walked back down the aisle and the guests clapped in celebration. Afterwards, the blur of time continued, dancing, eating, smiling, and talking to family and friends, and at some point they’d gotten separated.

“I wish you the best,” Bri said, her indigo eyes, similar to her brother’s, matching her purple dress.

“And I appreciate it, you know that.”

From across the room, Macy heard Hannah’s voice. “I don’t understand. You said I could sleep at the hotel with you!”

Macy winced. “Sounds like there’s an issue. I’ve got to go see what’s going on.”

Before she made it halfway across the room, Jaxon was back by her side. “Hannah sounds upset.”

She nodded and together they approached. While Macy was to be on her honeymoon, Hannah had planned to stay with her mother for the weekend instead of with a friend. Despite not wanting to do it, Macy had given Hannah the choice, again trying to seem reasonable prior to dealing with a judge.

“What’s wrong?” Macy asked.

“Mom said I can’t stay with her while you’re gone. Something came up.”

Macy narrowed her gaze. “It’s two nights, Lilah. The plans are made.”

“And something came up that can’t be changed.”

“Come on, Hannah. Let’s go call a friend and get you settled,” Jaxon said, leaving Macy to deal with Lilah.

“Really? This is how you show your daughter you love her? And you spring it on us at the last second when we’re leaving soon?” Macy’s blood roared in her ears. “Are you trying to make things more difficult?”

Lilah shook her head. “Life happens, Macy. It can’t be helped.”

“Care to fill me in on what suddenly came up that’s more important than taking Hannah?”