Dare to Love Read online

  at the thought.

  Like anyone she’d marry would be a business deal, not a love match. And then he had the nerve to suggest that she could do worse than marrying Alex.

  “Tell me about this Alexander Sheldon guy,” Jake asked.

  She smirked. “Alex is the most relentless, vicious lawyer in the city. He’s never lost a case and never lets anyone forget it. The man takes egotistical to a new level.”

  “Mmm, sounds like a great guy.” Jake smiled and winked at her.

  Lucy rolled her eyes. “Oh, right. According to my father, Alex is perfect. Wealthy, career minded and, of course, from a very reputable family.” Her father hadn’t been amused at all when she made the suggestion that he marry

  Alex if he though Alex was so darn perfect. Under no circumstances would she ever

  settle for less than complete and utter love. She didn’t even like Alex.

  “Yeah, I could see how something like that is important to people like you.” Lucy looked up and met his gaze. “What does that mean?”

  “Blood ties, lineage and all that. Can’t be mixing with the lower class now, can we?”

  She felt the sharp bite of his words, knew in some convoluted way he referred to himself.

  “To some people, I suppose that’s important.”

  “But it isn’t to you.”

  She met his gaze head on. “Not in the least.”

  Jake looked down and worked on tearing the label off his bottle of beer. Had she hurt

  his feelings? Damn if she could figure out how to act in this situation. What a nightmare.

  She longed for the comfort and safety of her house, where she could hide from all the

  ugly realities of social class and family expectations.

  “What about you?” She desperately needed to change the subject. “Don’t you have

  someone in your life?”

  His face tightened for an instant. Lucy recognized the look that crossed his face.

  She’d seen it enough times when she looked in the mirror. That empty expression, the

  one that signaled lonely.

  “I’m too busy to settle down.”

  She let out a small laugh. “Now you sound like me.”

  “But I don’t have a father trying to marry me off, either.” She grimaced, hating that they’d gotten back on that subject.

  There had to be some way to get her father to let loose of this ridiculous marriage idea. Otherwise, every event she attended she’d be hounded by Alex, and her father.

  “Maybe I need to find someone to parade around, let Father think I’m involved,” she

  mumbled to herself.

  “Good idea.”

  “It would have to be someone he didn’t know. Otherwise he could manipulate the situation.” She drew figure eights in the condensation on the beer bottle.

  “Got someone in mind?”

  “Not really. He knows everyone I know.”

  “You could use me.”

  She snapped her gaze up at him. “Pardon?”

  “Use me. To keep your dad from playing matchmaker.” Had she missed a vital part of their conversation? What in the world was he talking

  about? “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s simple. You let your father think you’re dating me, and he won’t be able to throw this Alex guy at you anymore.”

  She took a quick gulp of her beer, hoping the cool liquid would melt the lump in her

  throat. “You want to date me?”

  He laughed. “No. Just help you out. Appearances and all.” This whole night had been a surreal experience. Had she just stepped into some outer

  dimension? She had to get her mind around the thoughts swirling through her.

  Her father.

  Jake. Alex. It was all too much.

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  He grinned. “Maybe I want to annoy your father.”

  Okay that made perfect sense. Her father had been anything but gracious to Jake.

  She

  still burned at his condescending manner.

  The thought had merit. It was ludicrous of course, but still, parts of it intrigued her.

  How long had she fought against her father? Against his ridiculous notions of society and

  classes? How many times had he tried to drum into her head that the Fairchilds were the

  elite? The elite who did not, under any circumstances, mix with the lower classes.

  Yes, her father was a snob. She’d spent her entire life trying not to emulate his actions. He would positively have a fit if she started parading Jake around as her boyfriend.

  “Are you certain you’d want to do this?” Her mind spun with ideas.

  “Why not? Might be fun to get a few digs into your old man.” She didn’t really understand Jake’s motivation in all this, but if she brought him to a

  few events and let her father know she wasn’t going to be bought and sold like a piece of

  property, maybe he’d back off and let her make her own decisions. It wasn’t like she and

  Jake would really be dating.

  “I’d ask you to attend some social events with me. Just enough to let my father, and

  Alex, see us together.”

  “Whatever. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my work.”

  “My father will not be pleasant about this, Jake. He can be rude, downright nasty at

  times.”

  Jake shrugged. “I’ve heard worse. Doesn’t bother me a bit.”

  “We wouldn’t be actually dating.”

  He nodded. “Right. Not dating.”

  “It might work. And it probably wouldn’t take long. Once my father sees me with you a few times, he’ll know I’m not interested in Alex, and maybe he’ll drop all thoughts

  of trying to marry me off.”

  “No problem. And besides, after being with me, anyone you pick after that will be a

  huge relief to your father.”

  That thought hadn’t occurred to her. Sadly, he was right. But how did Jake feel about

  that? His expression was unreadable. She didn’t know if he was amused or annoyed, but

  either way, she was grateful for his help. She had to take control of her life, make her

  father understand that she would choose the man she would marry. Not that Jake was that

  man. But her father didn’t need to know that.

  Guilt niggled its way into her heart. This could be rough on Jake. Really rough.

  People in her circle looked down their noses at those who weren’t born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths.

  “Jake, I don’t know. I’d feel awful if someone hurt your feelings.” He laughed. “Believe me, no one could hurt my feelings. I’m immune.” She didn’t know how someone could become immune to being insulted. “What’s in

  this for you?”

  He shrugged. “Other than irritating your father, nothing. I need to get out more, anyway.”

  Somehow she didn’t think he really meant that. “I’ll bet you have a lot of dates.” He laughed. “I have a few now and then.”

  She shouldn’t do this. She really shouldn’t. But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like the key to her freedom. Her father was a smart man. Surely he’d see

  right away that she wouldn’t allow him to choose her husband.

  “I can’t believe you’re doing this for me, but I appreciate it. And I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”

  He shrugged. “Whatever gets you off the hook, sweetheart. I’m glad to help out.

  And

  if it irks your old man in the process, all the better.” Okay, this was starting to sound like fun. And spending time with Jake wouldn’t be a

  hardship at all. He was great looking, had a good sense of humor, he was smart, and,

  admittedly, she liked him. She really liked him. He made her feel good. She liked touching him.

  “Let’
s dance.”

  She snapped her gaze to his. “What?”

  She barely heard the music playing in the background. Jake stood and held out his hand. “Dance. Practice being together for when your dad sees us. You might as well get

  used to it now.”

  “Okay.”

  She stood and let Jake lead her to the…well, there really wasn’t a dance floor in the

  place. Jake took a few steps away from the table and drew her against him.

  Solid, warm, he wrapped his arm around her back and entwined his fingers with hers,

  then swayed to the music of a ballad.

  “You’re stiff as a board, Lucy. Your father will never believe we’re dating if you don’t loosen up.”

  He was right. She hadn’t been ready for this. She really did need the practice.

  “Look at me.”

  She tilted her head back and was instantly lost in the warm depth of his eyes.

  They

  held a sensual promise she’d love to explore, if only they had a real relationship.

  So she’d pretend it was real. She could do that, couldn’t she? She’d fantasize that Jake really did care about her, that he really was interested, that the spark of attraction she

  felt for him was returned.

  The way he looked at her, the way his lips curled in such a sexy manner, the way he

  leaned in as if was going to—

  His lips brushed hers, casual, a soft caress. Lightning struck and she was rooted to the spot, unable to take her next breath. Then he pressed more firmly. Shocked at first,

  Lucy did nothing but freeze up.

  Jake leaned back. “Don’t tell me this is your first kiss.”

  “No. Of course not. I just…I didn’t know you were going to kiss me.” He arched a brow. “Was I supposed to ask for permission?” Her heart pounded, her hand began to sweat in his. Really, no wonder he thought her

  inexperienced. What an idiot. “I can do better.”

  “I’ll just bet you can.”

  Could all men lower their voices and whisper in a way that made a woman melt, or

  was it just Jake? She shivered as he leaned in again, and this time she was ready.

  Or she thought she was ready, but not for the power of a kiss that rocked her right off

  her feet.

  She’d expected more of the same, a light sweep of his lips against hers, a chaste, get-to-know-you kind of kiss.

  Instead, he leaned her back over his arm and took her mouth in a kiss that spoke of

  possession, of demand, forcing her mouth open to slide his tongue inside.

  Every part of her body exploded with sensation, with desire, with a hunger that hadn’t been satisfied in far too long. She felt every part of that kiss in every nerve ending

  of her body.

  When Jake raised her up and pulled away, she was dizzy, turned on and ready for more.

  “Now when we’re together in front of your dad, we’ll act more like a couple,” he said, taking her hand and leading her back to the table.

  Disoriented, Lucy grabbed her beer and took a couple deep swallows.

  Jake nursed his beer and grinned at her, seemingly unaffected by what had just happened.

  He sure could turn it on and off easily, couldn’t he?

  But could she? Because she was hot and bothered as hell, and not at all ready to stop

  what he’d just started.

  This game she’d agreed to might be more than she could handle.

  A lot more.

  Chapter Three

  Jake was out of his mind. Certifiable. What had he been thinking, suggesting that Lucy use him to get her father off her back?

  He couldn’t even blame booze as the cause of his idiotic suggestion. He’d only had one beer when he made the offer to Lucy.

  He could think of a lot of fun ways that Lucy Fairchild could use him. But as a boy toy? No thanks.

  And kissing her? Yeah, that had been a huge mistake, because she’d tasted like everything he wanted, and knew he’d never be able to have. He was in way over his head

  on this one.

  Shoving the paperwork on his desk aside, he grabbed his now cold coffee and headed

  to the counter for a warm up. How in hell was he going to get out of this mess he’d

  volunteered for? He had no time for this. Work was intensifying, he had bids to catch up

  on before he missed the deadlines, and he needed to be here every day to oversee the

  construction.

  Spending time escorting Lucy around would be a colossal waste of his time. He had

  no relationship with her, had no interest in her other than their one date that was more a

  dare than anything. Though he couldn’t say he wasn’t attracted to her.

  That wild, curly hair was like a part of her personality. A part she kept well hidden, if she even knew it existed. He’d love to be the one to unleash the fire he suspected she

  held deep inside. He’d bet a year’s income that under that cool, socialite exterior beat the

  heart of a tigress. He’d sampled a bit of that wildness last night. It only left him craving

  more.

  She was so damn vulnerable it made him ache. She’d looked lost sitting at the bar last night, mumbling about how to extricate herself from her father’s clutches.

  The old

  man had her on a leash, trying to dictate how she should live her life.

  And his little tigress didn’t like it one bit. He could tell she was literally chomping at

  the bit to be free, but her father had some kind of hold on her, and she couldn’t figure out

  how to get loose.

  Yet. With a little help, she could. But dammit, why had he volunteered to be her rescuer?

  “Uh oh. What’s wrong?”

  Jake turned at the sound of Bob’s voice. “Just busy.” Bob climbed up the stairs and threw his clipboard on the desk. “You’re scowling like

  you’re pissed as hell about something.”

  Yeah, at himself. “Nah, nothing’s wrong. Just trying to get my head around this project.”

  “You’re doin’ fine, kid. Don’t worry about it. You got the smarts that most people with them fancy degrees only wished they had. And you’re a damn fine construction

  boss. Don’t sweat it.”

  “Thanks.” Easier said than done. He had to sweat it, had to worry about it. About everything. He couldn’t fail.

  “So, are you gonna tell me or will I have to pry it out of you like a dentist after tooth

  decay?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “About the date last night.”

  “Nothing much to tell.” Maybe if he played it off like no big deal, Bob would let it drop.

  “That good, huh?”

  No such luck. “It was…interesting.”

  “How so?”

  The man was worse than having a mother around. “Just interesting.”

  “You gonna see her again?”

  “Not a chance,” he lied. The last thing he needed right now was browbeating from Bob. The less he knew the better.

  “Why not?”

  Jake shrugged. “She’s not my type.”

  Bob smirked, his devilish eyes full of glee. Jake didn’t even want to think about what

  was rolling around the old man’s head.

  “Why isn’t she your type?”

  God, would the inquisition never end? “She’s too short, too big in the hips. She’s conceited, talks all about herself, boring as hell and I’d rather spend a night at a bridge

  club tournament than have to put up with Lucy Fairchild again.” Bob spit his tobacco into the cup on the floor, then grinned like a madman. “She’s standing right behind you.”

  Huh? He turned quickly to find the subject of their discussion standing at the entrance to the trailer, her arms folded across her chest, an annoyed look on her gorgeous

  face.<
br />
  Oh, hell. How much had she heard?

  “Was I mistaken last night when you mentioned you wanted to go out again?

  Because it sure sounded like you’d rather have brain surgery without anesthesia than

  another date with me.”

  Crap. She’d heard it all.

  “I, uh, I, uh…”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that stuff he said, honey.” Bob grinned at Lucy on his way out and said, “He just made up a pack of lies so I wouldn’t make him admit how much he