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“That must be some daydream.”
Jenna jerked at Mac’s voice.
“That was the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen.”
When Jenna started to sit up, Mac put a hand on her back. “Don’t get up,” he told her as he leaned against the side of the bungalow and propped his foot up.
“You look so relaxed, I hate to disturb you.” His mouth spread into a wide, toe-curling grin. “Now, tell me what put that smile on your face. Or should I say who?”
“Nobody in particular,” she replied with a shrug. Jenna settled back down onto the woven ropes of the hammock and sighed. “Just thinking of bringing my future husband back here for our honeymoon. It’s too romantic and gorgeous not to.”
When he didn’t respond, Jenna risked a glance. His eyes held hers, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he crossed his arms over that broad chest.
“Do you really have your mother’s dress in storage?” he asked.
Swallowing, Jenna nodded. “Yeah. It’s satin with a simple lace overlay. Her marriage may have been a disaster, but I love the vintage dress and it was still my mother’s. It’s perfect for me if I ever find the right man.”
Perfect because Jenna had inherited her mother’s curves and the measurements were just right. Amy had a different father and got her athletic build from him...lucky girl.
“What else would you want in your dream wedding?” he asked.
Jenna stared at him for a second before she laughed, shook her head and turned back to focus on the water just beyond their private deck. “Does it matter? Or is this another ploy for you to seduce me?”
“If I wanted to seduce you, I’d have already succeeded,” he told her. “You know I want you physically, any man would be blind and a fool not to. But you were right. We’re best friends and at the end of the week, that’s what we still need to be.”
Great. She was right. He was finally seeing reason. So why did she feel like she’d lost out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
“I won’t lie,” he went on. “You’re still one of the sexiest women I’ve ever known, but I respect you, respect what we have.”
Wait a second. She was one of the sexiest women he knew? Now he was just being kind, but she wasn’t about to say anything because she wasn’t one of those women who went fishing for compliments.
“You talked to Martin after I walked away didn’t you?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“I’m done talking about your ex,” Mac replied, which told her all she needed to know. “Are you going to work on those flowers tonight? I can go pack more in if you need me to.”
Jenna smiled. “You want to help put together wedding arrangements? I knew you had a soft side.”
Mac grumbled. “I’m just offering to do some grunt work. Don’t read too much into it.”
Jenna needed a breather and she had to get these arrangements made. “Fine. Go bring me the rest of the lilacs and half of the greenery.”
With a mock bow, Mac gave her a wink. “Consider it done.”
Even when he was being a sarcastic goof, he made her heart flutter. She couldn’t afford the flutter, the bundle of nerves or the tingles from his kisses.
At dinner, Martin hadn’t come over to speak, so perhaps they were making headway. Maybe seeing her with Mac over and over would get through to him—or maybe Mac’s fist helped. As much as she wasn’t a fan of violence, she also knew Mac was effective when he wanted to be.
She recalled a time he’d been more than forceful at a party when a guy had hit on her and she’d politely turned down his advances. Unfortunately that guy hadn’t taken no for an answer and Mac intervened. A slam against the wall and a threat she hadn’t been able to overhear sent that guy packing in the other direction.
Mac was definitely a man she wanted in her corner...too bad she couldn’t risk having him in her bed.
* * *
Mac’s cell vibrated in his pocket just as he hit the entrance to the lobby of the resort. Glancing at the screen, he darted to the side of the building and slid his finger to answer the call.
“Ryker. What do you have?”
“Nothing yet on the scrolls, but we have a problem.”
Not what Mac wanted to hear. He was having enough problems trying to remain on the strictly friend level with Jenna. Throwing in a dose of family issues wasn’t going to help his mood.
“It’s Shane,” Ryker went on.
