Jaxon, his brothers, and some of his cousins gathered in one of the downstairs bedrooms of his house in their tuxedos, waiting for the wedding to begin. He’d ceded the master to Macy and the women, knowing they needed more room than the guys.
As much as he’d been outwardly calm in the days leading up to the ceremony, inside there’d always been a level of fear he hadn’t admitted to often. He’d been busy calming Macy, but he hadn’t confessed to his family or friends how nervous he was about this wedding. He wasn’t as much worried he’d miss his bachelor lifestyle as he was panicked that he wouldn’t. That he’d end up enjoying family life only to somehow have it ripped out from under him the way it had been before.
He paced back and forth across the floor, ignoring the joking of the other men in the room, his stomach churning with nerves.
“Hey.” Austin strode over and, in big-brother mode, put an arm around Jaxon’s shoulders. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Jaxon stared in disbelief. “This from the man who thought of the solution?”
“I didn’t really think you’d go out and get married,” he said somewhat sheepishly. “I just wanted you to calm the fuck down. Don’t get me wrong, though. I like Macy.”
“So do I.” Jaxon liked her a lot. And it had been easy to lose himself in her problems this week and feel like the hero helping her out, first with her sister, then with the lawyer. Somehow he’d managed to put aside the specifics of what it meant to get married and what the repercussions could be.
“And it’s not permanent, so relax.” Austin gripped Jaxon’s shoulder.
“You’re right.” He blew out a breath. “It’s just like any game. Know the rules, play your best, and take the win when it’s over.”
“You’ve got this.”
He nodded, knowing he did and wondering how Macy was handling her last few minutes of being single.
* * *
Macy glanced out the window at the beautiful setup for her wedding, still shocked she’d reached the point where she was getting married. Jaxon had graciously given up his bedroom as her bridal suite, where she and her bridesmaids were putting finishing touches on their hair and makeup.
“Macy?”
She turned at the sound of Hannah’s voice. Her sister looked beautiful, her blonde hair in long spirals, the pink color looking pretty, the light makeup giving her face a rosy glow. The bridesmaids were in purple and lavender dresses, whatever blending color they could find in their size, again, off-the-rack.
“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?”
“Not really,” she said between sips of champagne. “It’s my business.”
That Macy hoped Jonathan Ridgeway would uncover. In the meantime, she needed to make sure Hannah was safe for the weekend, but before she could go looking for her sister and Jaxon, they returned.
“All set. Ruby’s mom is going to pick Hannah up before you and I leave,” Jaxon said, a reassuring smile on his face.
“All good, Hannah?” Macy asked.
She nodded, looking at her mom through hooded eyes.
“I’ll make it up to you next weekend,” Lilah promised.
“We may be busy moving. We’ll have to let you know,” Macy said, then turned to her sister. “Come on. Let’s make sure your bags are ready,” she said, despite knowing Hannah was set to go. She wanted to separate her and Lilah.
Hannah remained silent, obviously hurt by her mother’s actions, and Macy wouldn’t be around to make it better. But she wasn’t giving up a honeymoon with Jaxon. Once Hannah got involved with her friend, she’d be fine and busy.
“I have no doubt it’s a man that’s got Lilah tied up,” Macy muttered to Jaxon.
He nodded. “I already texted the lawyer. Don’t worry. We’re on top of it,” he said as if they were a team, and she was beginning to feel like they were. “By the way, I hope it’s okay, but I arranged to have yours and Hannah’s things moved to my house while we’re gone. I don’t want you to have to stress about it.”
Despite warning herself not to get used to the feeling of being taken care of, she couldn’t deny she needed him now. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
After getting Hannah settled and out to her friend’s car, Macy turned to Jaxon. “I thought I’d change before we left.”
His gaze darkened. “I was kind of hoping to peel you out of that sexy dress.” Those gorgeous eyes slid over her, causing her nipples to tighten and her panties to grow wet.
“It’s a little crazy to travel in formal wear.”
“Just make sure I can peel you out of your clothing and I’ll be a happy man.”
Desire pulsed inside her, and she merely nodded, unable to speak or respond, realizing for the first time she was in for a sexy, erotic weekend unlike any she’d experienced before.
* * *
Hours later, Macy and Jaxon stepped off Asher Dare’s private plane into the heat of the Bahamas. Though Florida and Windermere Island had similar weather, the plane had been chilled, and Macy was immediately hit by the humidity and heat. Luckily, she’d changed into a pair of fringed cutoff shorts and a loose but cropped top so she could handle the weather.
The ocean, which she’d seen as the plane dipped and readied to land, was pure blue with pale white sand. Utterly beautiful, it was paradise, and she instantly relaxed, knowing she had two full days to do nothing but enjoy.
To her surprise, Jaxon held her hand as they deplaned, and a car service waited to take them to the house, a white mansion with a huge veranda encircling it. The house sat directly on the beach. Given the fact that Asher Dare was a billionaire, this didn’t surprise her. He’d been at the wedding, but she hadn’t had time to get to know him.
A butler – yes, a butler – carried their bags up to the room, and once he was gone, Jaxon gestured for her to step into the hall. Curious, she joined him, only to have him scoop her into his arms. She grasped him around the neck, holding on tight, as he carried her over the threshold.
“Jaxon!” She couldn’t help but giggle at the silly, romantic gesture.
“Since I won’t ever be doing this again, might as well get it right the first time.”
He spoke without thought, and she pushed away the pain in her chest upon hearing his words. He wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know or that they hadn’t agreed upon. Instead she’d enjoy the time she had now.
After he kicked the door behind him closed, he lowered her to the floor and pulled her against him, his lips sealing over hers. The moment their mouths met, she no longer had to worry about anything, because her mind went blank and her body took over. Feeling came before thinking.
Although she never wanted the kiss to end, he broke it off and lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it onto the floor. Not wanting to miss out, she grasped for the hem of his tee and did the same thing until she was faced with his tanned, muscular chest. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips against his warm skin, and the big man shuddered, showing her she had power over him. Similar to the power he had over her.
“I want you naked,” he said, opening her shorts with a flick of his fingers on the button.
She desired the same thing and shimmied out of her shorts, taking her thong along with them. Next came her bra. Then a shake of each foot and her sandals and clothes were in a pile.
“Your turn,” she told him, standing naked before him.
He unhooked the button, slid his hands in the sides, and shed his boxer briefs along with the shorts, also kicking off his shoes.
Before she could take in that naked glorious male body, he picked her up and carried her into a bedroom, depositing her on the bed.
“Now it’s time to consummate this marriage.” His eyes gleamed with sexual intent.
“For a playboy, you’re pretty set on all the traditions of marriage,” she informed him.
From the surprise ring to the official proposal to the big wedding and the something old he’d made sure she had, if she didn’t know better, she’d think he was a true romantic.
He braced his hands on either side of her face, his body weight pressing against her, his thick erection aligned with her sex. Desire flowed through her, pulsing and heavy.
“Condoms are in the suitcase,” he muttered, obviously having no intention of replying to her statement.
He rolled off her and headed for the luggage, returning with more than one packet in hand. He tossed all but one onto the mattress.
He stood by the bed and opened the foil packet, sliding it over his straining shaft before rejoining her on the bed. Kneeling over her, he grabbed on to his cock and slid it back and forth over her sex, being sure to glide over her clit.
Goose bumps prickled over her skin, arousal thrumming inside her. He was sure of himself, and she enjoyed every moment of his ability to make her burn.
She arched her hips, needing him inside her. “Stop teasing me, Jaxon. I want you.”
He slid his fingers through her damp folds. “You do. You’re so wet for me,” he said in a husky voice that revealed how on edge he was.
Positioning himself, he slid the head of his cock inside her and she moaned, reaching for him.
He lowered himself over her, his lips covering hers at the same time he thrust all the way, causing her to see stars. He grasped her hands and lifted her arms above her head and ground his hips into hers, his cock hard and thick inside her.
“Oh, God.” She arched her back, bent her knees, and he began to pump his hips, gliding in and out as she squeezed herself around him, causing him to groan and thrust faster, deeper. They were so joined they might as well be a part of each other, and her heart skipped a beat at the thought.
And then he slid his finger over her clit, pressing down as his cock hit the right spot inside her. She cried out and he caught on immediately.
“You like that? I think I should do it again.” Raising his hips, he slammed into her again and again and again until she was coming, crying out as he thrust once more and stilled, ending on a low, sexy groan.
* * *
Jaxon woke up the next morning to Macy’s mouth around his hard cock, and before he was even aware of his surroundings, he came hard and fast.
They shared breakfast brought to their room, a continental choice of rolls, muffins, and croissants, their conversation consisting mostly of reminiscing about the wedding and the amazing job Bri had done pulling things together.
Not long after, they were lying on the white sand on a double recliner chair on the beach. Jaxon couldn’t tear his gaze from the hot woman beside him in a black-and-white bikini that barely covered her breasts and pussy. If she meant to torture him, she was doing a damn good job. Then again, as he was coming to realize, she didn’t have to do more than exist to torture him.
Who’d have thought marital sex would outdo regular sex? After two more rounds before they made it outside, knowing that Macy belonged to him at least for now, their time together had been incredible.
As she lay beside him, he couldn’t resist and picked up an ice cube that hadn’t yet melted from the bucket and laid it on her belly.
She squealed and popped up from her reclining position. “What are you doing?”
“Cooling you off.” He ran the melting cube over her just-tanning skin. “And giving myself something to taste.” Leaning over her, he licked the damp driblets on her skin, taking in the salty flavor and groaning as he ran his tongue down to the edge of her bathing suit where heaven waited.
Feeling her eyes on him, he hooked his fingers into the sides of her suit and pulled it down her thighs, revealing her damp sex. She pulled in a shuddering breath as he lowered his head and flicked at her sweet pussy.
She raised her hips and rolled herself against him. It didn’t take long for her soft moans to grow until she was coming as he lapped up her juices.
“Good God,” she muttered, flopping her body against the chair.
“Glad to be of service.” He chuckled, wiping his mouth on his arm and ignoring the hard-on behind his swim trunks.
She shot him a wry look as she slipped her bikini bottoms back up. “Let’s go cool off,” she said, rose, and started for the ocean.
He followed, completely enthralled with this woman who was now his wife.
They spent the rest of the day alternating between the sun and a cabana, Macy drinking piña coladas and Jaxon his cousin and brother’s Dirty Dog Vodka, neat. It was the first truly relaxing day he’d had in ages, and he’d never had such a peaceful time enjoying female company.
She confided in him about how hard it had been growing up having lost her mother, her father’s attempt at finding a replacement, and his disappointing ultimate choice of Lilah as his second wife and her stepmother.
They’d already discussed Jesse Prescott that night at dinner with Hannah, so he didn’t see the need to bring up the subject today, and apparently neither did she. Which was why, when she did ask him about his family, the subject was a surprise.
“So tell me about Paul being your biological father.”
He coughed on his vodka. “It’s a weird situation,” he admitted. “On the one hand, it was a relief to know Jesse wasn’t my dad. That his disappointment in me stemmed more from his feelings about himself, not making pro ball due to an injury. Not being able to have kids. On the other hand, it would have been nice if my mother, knowing the truth, had stepped in.”
“I’m not making excuses, but I’m sure she found herself in a tough situation,” Macy said.
He nodded. “I know she did. She’s admitted as much. My father Jesse’s behavior got worse as time went on. She’s a good mom, was a buffer when he got to be too verbally abusive. But I have to admit it was a relief when Paul needed a kidney and Mom told us the truth last year.”
“Austin was the donor.” She shifted on the chair.
He nodded. “I wasn’t surprised. I love my brother but he is the golden child. Football player when Dad wanted one, naturally talented, Paul’s savior. But he’s a great guy. And I would always want him to have my back.”
She sighed. “That’s how I want Hannah to feel about me one day.”
“And she will. You’re there for her, you’re fighting for her, you do right by her. She’s lucky to have you and she’ll grow up knowing it. Or come to realize it,” he assured her.
She tipped her head to the side, meeting his gaze. “I hope you’re right.”
He grinned. “I usually am.”
She laughed. “Good to know.”
She turned her body to her side so they were facing each other. “So I have another question, and you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.” She propped her head in her hand, waiting for him to reply.
“We’re husband and wife. No secrets, right? Go ahead and ask.” Though he wasn’t looking forward to the question, he figured they were being open and honest.
“Why don’t you believe in marriage? Or at least the happily-ever-after part?”
Once again she’d taken him off guard, but he decided to fill her in. “Well, when I was younger, I did believe.” Facing Macy, he forced himself to tell the story. “Katie and I met in college. We got very serious very quickly. She always knew I wanted to play Major League Baseball. And she knew what that entailed. One hundred and sixty-two games a year, excluding postseason, no control in the early days of what state or team I’d end up on. No guarantee of big money, though I was talented.”
She laughed at his deliberate tossing in of ego. “Of course you were.”
“Anyway, she went into the relationship with eyes wide open. I just don’t think she realized my first stop in the minors would be Washington State.” His stomach cramped at the reminder of having to deliver the news. He hadn’t thought she’d like it, but he had believed they were in it together.
“Pretty far from Florida. I take it that’s where she was from?” Macy asked, eyes full of compassion.
“Yes. And suddenly, she couldn’t handle the lifestyle. She dumped me very easily considering the plans we’d made.”
Reaching out, Macy grasped his hand. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“Regardless, it did teach me a lesson. Family life isn’t for me.”
She narrowed her gaze. “I realize you were hurt but don’t you think that’s shortsighted? It’s not like you’ll play forever, and a more understanding, stronger woman could most definitely handle being on her own.”
She shook her head. “All I’m saying is don’t let the rest of your life be defined by something that happened when you were young.”
“You sound pragmatic,” he said, taking in her words and filing them away to dissect another time.
She shrugged. “I’m just telling it like it is.” She squeezed his hand. “We might be short-term but you do deserve happiness.”
His stomach twisted at the reminder that this part of his life wasn’t permanent, surprising him. He’d only been with Macy for a week, and already he felt a connection with her that was stronger than any he’d experienced before. Even with Katie. And that completely threw him for a loop.
His reaction was to deflect. “How do you feel about lobster?” he asked.
Her eyes danced with the knowledge that he was ending their conversation on purpose. “Love it. Why?”
“Damon can’t stop raving about a place he took Evie to when they were here on the island.” His brother said it was on the water, romantic, and he highly recommended he bring Macy there. “I made us a dinner reservation tonight if you’re up for it.”
She smiled. “I am. It sounds great.”
“Then it’s a date.” He rolled onto his back and soaked in the sun, shutting off thoughts of Katie, the past, and losing Macy in the future.