Do Date Your Handsome Rival (Jewel Family Romance Book 3) Read online

  When Mar had to pull back for breath, she stared up into his incredible blue eyes. “Are you okay? What happened? How’s Lacey? Is she with you?”

  Luke chuckled, but his blue eyes sobered. He released her but took her hand. “Is there a place we can sit and talk?”

  “Of course. My rooftop garden is beautiful.” She led him to her house and up all the stairs. They didn’t talk as they walked, and she was getting nervous. What had happened that was so serious he couldn’t just tell her? He wouldn’t kiss her like that if he didn’t want to be with her. Right?

  They settled onto an outdoor couch amidst her wild roses, orchids, lilies, and fragrant sweet alyssum. Mar tucked her feet under her and turned to Luke, anxious to have him spill the story so she could ask a myriad of questions. If her dreams came true, he’d assure her that he wanted to be with her and with his help she could finally bury all her issues and love him.

  His eyes traveled over her. “You look amazing in yoga pants and a T-shirt,” he said in a gravelly voice that pulsed through her.

  She wanted to kiss him as desperately as she had on the quiet street outside her house. “Thank you. Thanks for giving me the confidence to not ‘doll up’ all the time.”

  He smiled softly, tucking her hair behind her shoulder. “I’m sure you usually still doll up anyway.”

  “You know me well.”

  “I hope so.”

  Mar wanted him to know her even better, but she had to hear the story. Extending her hand, she asked, “Can you tell me what’s going on?”

  Luke took her hand, the light in his blue eyes dimming. “Long story short, Lacey isn’t my daughter.”

  “Oh, Luke.” She squeezed his hand, feeling bad for him and let down herself. That little girl had seemed so angelic and sweet she’d fancied herself being there for Lacey and maybe even being a stepmom and raising and loving her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks. It was hard for me. I really wanted to be her dad.” He smiled sadly.

  “I can’t imagine how hard that would be. You would be an amazing dad.”

  “Thanks.”

  Mar let some time pass and then found she couldn’t resist. “So …” Maybe she shouldn’t ask, but … “What was Tracey’s deal?” Her instincts about Tracey had been dead-on. Even though she’d seemed so kind, the woman had tried to manipulate Luke, probably because she knew what a good person he was.

  “She actually thought Lacey could be mine, she’d recently divorced her real father, and honestly, she needed the money.” His gaze lowered. “When her friend saw me at the restaurant, Tracey was at a low spot—no job, money, or prospects, and not wanting to leave Lacey to provide for them. She thought it was a sign that I’d show up at that moment. She wanted Lacey to have a good male influence in her life since Mike, her real dad, is pretty volatile. Tracey slept with both Mike and me close to the same time and had never told him that. She had a hope that Lacey really was mine.”

  He stopped talking and just studied his hands.

  Mar leaned into his side and wrapped her arms around him. Luke returned the favor, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close. It felt so right to be close. She loved him, but now wasn’t the moment to tell him.

  He spoke against her hair. “I feel bad for Tracey, and honestly, I wished Lacey was mine, but she’s not. I gave Tracey ten grand and hired a highly-recommended nanny for Lacey while Tracey goes to work, on the promise that she wouldn’t go back to Mike and he would only get supervised visitation when he’s released. She readily agreed; she truly loves her daughter and wants to protect her and raise her up right. I also set up a college fund for Lacey that Tracey and Mike can’t touch.”

  Mar smiled. “You’re such a good person, Luke.”

  “Thanks.”

  Silence fell as they held each other close, interrupted by some brakes squeaking on the hill near her house and a bird warbling.

  Luke leaned back slightly, and his face looked earnest.

  Mar straightened, concerned about what else might be coming.

  “You know what I decided through all of this?” he asked.

  “No. What?” She gave him an encouraging smile.

  “I’ve buried myself in work, partially because I’m trying to keep up with all the ideas in my head, but also because I was trying to bury the memories of Tracey and the longing for a family of my own. Seeing Tracey again made me realize what I really want.”

  Mar’s stomach pitched. What if he wanted Tracey and Lacey, despite Lacey not being his? Tracey was beautiful, and they’d loved each other once. Mike was out of the picture and Luke would be a fabulous dad to Lacey.

  Luke pressed his lips together and then nodded as if convincing himself. “At the risk of moving too fast and scaring you, I have to tell you, Mar. I have to tell you right now.”

  He fell silent. Yet it didn’t sound like he was going to tell her he wanted Tracey. “Moving too fast” suggested a relationship for the two of them. Mar wanted to gesture for him to come along. Did the longing for a family of his own have anything to do with her? She found herself hoping and nodding. She wanted Luke as her family. It would be the answer to her every prayer. “Please tell me.”

  “I wanted to tell you the other night when you said that only Cosette loved you. You’re wrong, Mar. I love you too.”

  Mar’s eyes widened and her stomach hopped happily. She swallowed and said in a tremulous voice, “Are you sure?”

  A brief smile flickered over Luke’s face, and she thought he might tease her about her response, but he seemed to sense her uncertainty about her ability to be loved. “I’ve never been more sure. I love you, Mar. I started loving you when I saw you plowing your way up that sandy wedding aisle in those spike heels. I could tell you were struggling, but you pasted a smile on and kept moving. You’re strong, resilient, fun, smart, beautiful … you’re everything to me.”

  Mar had to blink fast to combat the tears. She kissed him quickly and told him, “Thank you, Luke. Thank you for loving me.” She bit at her lip and blurted the scariest words she’d ever said: “I love you back.”

  Luke grinned and proceeded to kiss her. When he pulled back, he said, “I understand if you want to take things slow and figure out our work and how to be together and …”

  Mar pushed her finger to his lips. “Shh. Please. Don’t let reality intrude on this.”

  Luke chuckled. He cradled her close.

  Mar cuddled against him. She wanted to just be, but she had to admit to him, “I’ve been alone most of my life. I had Cosette and I adore her, but I’ve never had family. It might be hard for me to trust and not get feisty and be the kind of person you deserve, but I don’t want to be alone anymore, Luke. I want to be with you.”

  “You are more than I deserve,” he reaffirmed. His voice caught as he asked, “What are you saying?”

  Mar bit at her lip and forced out the second scariest words she’d ever verbalized: “Let’s elope. Let’s take that beautiful plane of yours to Hawaii and get married. We can figure the rest out. Let’s just be together.” Was she crazy?

  Luke grinned and lifted her onto his lap. “Yes, ma’am, on one condition.”

  “What’s that?” Her breath was coming faster being so close to him.

  “You kiss me to seal this engagement, and let me propose properly once we get a ring.”

  “Yes, sir.” She leaned down to kiss him, knowing no matter what issues she had or help she needed, Luke would be there for her. She wouldn’t be alone again. She’d be with the one man who was the perfect fit for her.

  Epilogue

  Mar looked around the spacious backyard of Luke’s parents’ home in Jackson Hole. It seemed only fitting that they’d come back here for a party with the family after their two-week honeymoon in Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. There was no emptiness inside of her anymore, and though she was still feisty, she didn’t get fired up or offended; she simply loved Luke, and any misunderstandings they had were resolved through talking
and lots of kissing and making up.

  Paisley came skipping up to them. “Aunt Mar.” She stuck out her bottom lip. “I’m mad at you.”

  Mar put her hand on her chest as Luke grinned and Eve admonished her daughter. “Pais, don’t be obstinate.”

  “Obsti—what?” Paisley put her hands on her hips. “I just wanna know why I didn’t get to be the flower girl. Aunt Cozy let me be the flower girl, and Aunt Jade says I can be the flower girl. Aunt Mar is just being mean to get married without me.”

  Luke grinned, released his grip on Mar, and swooped the little girl off the ground. “Mar is mean.” He gave her a wink as she and Eve gasped. “But she loves you and wants to make it up to you. She wanted me to ask if you’d go to Disneyland with us this weekend.”

  Mar laughed. Luke was so cute with his niece, but he was also a complete pushover. When they had their children, she’d have to read a lot of parenting books and see how they could strike a balance, as she had no clue how a parent should act. Mostly, she’d have to pray hard for guidance and know that Luke would be the best dad ever.

  “Really?” Paisley squealed.

  “Really.”

  She squeezed her uncle’s neck tight, then reached for Mar. “Thank you, Aunt Mar. You’re not mean anymore.”

  Fireworks exploded above them.

  “Ooh,” Paisley cried out, clinging to Mar’s neck and arching her head back to see.

  Luke circled his arms around Mar from behind. She leaned against him as she watched the fireworks display. “Seth and Caleb?” she asked Luke.

  “Who else? Hopefully, they don’t burn down the entire forest. It’s dry this summer.”

  Seth came racing back toward the house a few minutes later. “Fire extinguisher?” he hollered.

  “Oh, good heavens,” Madeline, their mom, sputtered. She went running into the house.

  “What happened?” Joshua asked.

  “Just a little spark.” Seth winked, unconcerned as usual. “Caleb and I are all over it.”

  Madeline hurried back out and thrust the fire extinguisher at him.

  “Thank you, my beautiful mother.” Seth gave a grandiose bow. “Enjoy the show.” Then he took off at a sprint.

  Luke chuckled, and Mar said, “Do you really think they’ll start a forest fire?”

  “No. Those two are crazy, but they’re not dumb.” He cuddled her closer as they all arched their heads back to view the fireworks show. “I can’t wait until we have a little one of our own.” He tilted his head toward Paisley in Mar’s arms.

  “Me neither,” she agreed. Looking around at the yard full of Luke’s family, she knew she was right where she belonged.

  Cosette and Isaac were cuddled close, and Cosette saw Mar looking and gave her a thumbs-up. It was even better that Mar’s lifelong friend and anchor was now her sister-in-law. She’d never imagined she could be this happy.

  “Thank you for being so patient with me, and for giving me a family,” Mar said.

  “It’s easy being patient with you as you’re near perfect.”

  Mar knew that wasn’t true, but she loved him for it anyway.

  “Thank you for being mine,” Luke said.

  Mar leaned back, and he kissed her. The fireworks display must’ve stopped, but it felt like they were still exploding inside of her.

  “Stop the kissing,” Paisley protested.

  “Come to me, love,” Eve’s voice said from close by.

  Mar handed her niece over to her new sister-in-law and continued to kiss her handsome husband. Safety, comfort, love, and passion rushed through her. It was their wedding party. They had no need to stop kissing now, or ever.

  Jewel Family Romance

  Do Marry Your Billionaire Boss

  Do Trust Your Special Ops Bodyguard

  Do Date Your Handsome Rival

  Do Rely on Your Protector

  Do Marry Your Billionaire Boss

  A group of young men, barely out of their teens, walked past, several staring at Jade. They stopped and talked and laughed and jostled each other and kept sneaking looks at her as she slowly licked her ice cream cone. A tall redhead kid broke from the group and approached her. “Hey, pretty lady.”

  She smiled, having no desire to crush this young man’s confidence. He was a cute kid. “Hey.”

  “You want to … go for a walk?”

  She tried to be nice. “That is so kind of you, but …” But what? I already have three men I’m interested in and you’re too young to compete with any of them?

  “She has a boyfriend,” said a deep, irresistible voice behind her.

  Jade whirled, and there he was. Joshua looked as gorgeous as ever, wearing dark gray slacks and a button-down pale blue shirt that showed just a hint of his tanned, tough chest. His chestnut-brown hair had just that perfect wave to it, and those blue eyes yanked her right in. How she wished he truly could be her boyfriend.

  “Ah, sorry, man,” the guy was saying.

  Joshua reached out, and she watched them shake hands. “Hey, no hard feelings. I know she’s the most beautiful woman on this ship. You didn’t know she was taken.”

  “You’re one lucky dude.” The kid smiled an embarrassed grin at her and then scuttled back to his friends.

  Jade stared in semi-shock at Joshua as he took the chair next to her. His knees brushed hers, and he looked her over possessively as if he were her boyfriend. “You’re welcome,” he said.

  “Excuse me?” Her temper flared up. At this point she didn’t know if he could win with her, no matter what he said. What happened to him staying away until he figured out she was innocent? “What am I thanking you for?”

  He smiled smoothly, and she loved that dimple. “First of all, saving you from that kid hitting on you.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “He seemed like a very nice young man, and I’ve always been partial to redheads.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t have any problem with a cute guy hitting on me.”

  He edged in a little closer, and she smelled that irresistible cologne.

  “Second of all …” His voice was so irresistibly husky, it made her stomach feel all warm, like she’d just drunk a mug of hot cocoa. “You looked really lonely. I thought I’d rescue you from that.”

  She stood and glared down at him. “I happen to be confident enough to enjoy my own company, and I thought I explained today that you have no responsibility to protect me, watch over me, rescue me, or be around me. The only responsibility you have is to figure out who really stole your money. When you figure that out … then you can come begging for my forgiveness. We’ll see if I grant it.”

  Keep Reading here.

  Do Trust Your Special Ops Bodyguard

  A low whistle from nearby didn’t break Isaac’s concentration on Cosette. He knew it was just Luke, finally taking a break from “discussing” with Dad—or, more likely, Mom had broken them apart and reminded them it was a party.

  “Loony Lovegood’s even prettier as an adult, isn’t she?” Luke asked in a quiet tone, referring to the nickname Seth and Caleb had given her from their favorite books, the Harry Potter series. Seth and Caleb also fancied themselves to be Fred and George Weasley—magicians, tricksters, and inventors.

  “Yes, sir,” Isaac said, staring unashamedly at her. Instead of smiling in response, she narrowed her eyes and turned to her father.

  “I’m not your commanding officer,” Luke teased him. “‘My best-looking bro’ will suffice when you respond to me.” He gestured to Cosette with his glass. “Beautiful, but what happened to her smile and sparkle?”

  “That’s what I’ve been wondering.”

  “You gonna go talk to her, or just stare at her all night?”

  “How long have I been staring?” Isaac rubbed the condensation off his water glass and kept staring. Cosette darted glances at him, but whatever she and her father were talking about must’ve been very serious, as she never once smiled. Was Isaac not enough of a draw to command her attention? Cou
ld he bring her smile and sparkle back?

  “Long enough,” Luke said. “Dad noticed and sent me to tell you to be a man and make your move instead of just staring at her all night. He’s afraid if you don’t reveal your honorable intentions soon, he’s going to lose his oldest friend when Blaine challenges you to a fight and you have to kill him with your bare hands.” There was laughter in Luke’s voice. He was the closest to Dad, but their father was their champion. He thought highly of Blaine, but he’d always said it was ridiculous that Blaine didn’t think his boys were worthy of Cosette. If his boys weren’t worthy, nobody was, Dad used to say.

  “That would be unfortunate,” Isaac said. “That was a direct quote from Dad?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Does that mean I have his blessing to pursue her?” Isaac pulled his eyes from Cosette’s beautiful face to look around the room for his father. He was busy talking to Heath and Hazel Strong, Stetson Strong, and Jade’s sister, Teal, who he thought was dating or engaged to Stetson, a Texas Titans player who Isaac loved to cheer for. His dad caught his eye and gave him a wide grin and a thumbs-up.

  “I think that answer is yes,” Luke said.

  Isaac felt hope blossom in his chest. Finally. He looked at Cosette and found that she was focused on him again. She gave him a partial smile. Maybe it wasn’t an invitation, but he was going to make it one.

  Keep reading here.

  Do Rely on Your Protector

  “Who’s there?” the other man’s voice came, even closer, startling Breeze back to her present predicament.

  Did she back slowly away, turn and run, or act like a normal, unsuspicious person and say hello. Yet two unfamiliar men? She wasn’t naïve or stupid, despite the situation she was in. She was alone in the woods and these men could easily overpower her if they had malicious intent.

  As she debated, she felt movement far too close and then a man said, “Are you okay?”