Double Dare: A Fake Fiancee MMF Romance Read online

The dark man nodded slowly.

  “During that time too,” he admitted. “All that while too. I dunno Derek, you’ve always been there. You’ve always been there for me, we’ve always been a team. I’m not sure when these feelings started,” he choked, “but suddenly I realized something was fucked up. Because I wanted more than just business, more than just a good time. I wanted there to be something … I dunno,” he ground out again.

  But I wasn’t letting him off so easy.

  “You wanted there to be something real,” I said with finality. “You want a relationship, for us to be a couple.”

  The words were shocking leaving my lips, but it didn’t sound so wrong either. In fact, it kinda made sense. Mason and I know each other better than any two people, I know his shit and he knows mine, for better or worse, the ups and downs have come again and again through the years. And maybe that was it. For better or worse, we’ve had each other’s backs, seeing one another through good times and bad. I hadn’t thought of it exactly in terms in terms of a lovey dovey relationship, but the more I thought of it, the more it was right. So taking this next step wasn’t so crazy, it wasn’t like we were two strangers meeting in the night.

  But still, I didn’t want to rush into things. I didn’t want to fuck up something good, something that had worked for decades so I gripped his hand even tighter.

  “Let me think about it okay?” I rasped. “This is new, I need some time to process.”

  The dark man jerked his hand away.

  “Never mind,” he growled, staring at the floor again, shoulders hunched. “Forget it. Pretend I never said anything.”

  I stared at him for a moment. I hadn’t said no, I hadn’t said, “Eew, fuck that, you’re disgusting.” I’d just asked for some time. So taking a deep breath, I reached for his hand again.

  “Listen,” I said. “We’re in a weird situation, we both need some time to process what’s going on.”

  Mason yanked his hand away again.

  “We’re in a fucked-up place yes,” he rasped. “I need a fake fiancee. I need to lie, for crying out loud, in order to keep this place going, and so we’ve kidnapped a woman to marry. But it’s doubly, triply more complicated because at the same time, I’ve got the hots for you,” he said accusingly. “A man,” he growled, shaking his head like this was the worst news in the world. “A fucking man.”

  I was silent for a moment. It was true, this was a twisted situation, but hey, we’ve always come out of these things alive. Hell, we’d walked the wilds and come out as CEO and President of a business conglomerate, ducking all sorts of hazards. So why couldn’t we avoid lighting again? Why was this time different?

  I leaned back in my chair, fixing him with a cool stare.

  “Listen,” I said soothingly. “I didn’t say that this was gonna be easy. But I also don’t think it’s impossible. Yeah, you need to pretend to be engaged for a while. And on top of all that, we have this,” I said, gesturing to the air between us. “There’s something here that needs to be explored, something real with potential. So it’s a lot to juggle, but that’s the story of our lives. We’re always putting out fires, always managing a dozen things at once. It’ll work out, trust me,” I rumbled.

  Mason swung his gaze to me once again, burning with fire and arousal.

  “Really?” he said, that low voice almost a growl. “You think it’s gonna work out?” he asked dryly. “Why, are you gay, and I never realized it?”

  I chuckled. Mason knows me well, but he doesn’t know me that well.

  “Not gay,” I tossed off casually. “But maybe bi. You’re not the first male who’s wanted me.”

  My best friend’s eyes almost popped out of his sockets then.

  “But you never did anything right?” he rasped, that voice hoarse yet devastatingly intent. “You never did anything.”

  I shrugged.

  “Maybe I fooled around a little, but no, never anything serious. But never say never,” I drawled with a lazy grin his way. “There’s a time for everything, and maybe that time is now. Who knows?”

  The shock in my partner’s look was flattering for sure. Because suddenly vistas had opened, a whole new world of possibility. I was telling him that no, his admission wasn’t disgusting, it wasn’t crazy, it wasn’t absolutely impossible. Instead, the opposite was true. I was listening and seriously considering his offer, weighing the options with both my head and heart. The difference now was incorporating feelings, moving from friends to lovers between two alpha males.

  And Mason’s eyes grew dark then with shock and appreciation, his gaze eating me up. Because the possibilities were endless. Suddenly what’d seemed like a hopeless situation with no way out, was busting open. He might be able to keep his friend by his side as his lover and closest confidante, all the while navigating an engagement to a woman who was sexy as fuck. Oh yeah, it was a twisted situation … exactly the kind I love best.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Katie

  I still have no idea what’s going on. I don’t get it. One second, I was a barista at coffee shop downtown, chatting with a handsome customer, and the next I was kidnapped and brought to Mason’s office as a sex slave.

  There, I said it. Sex slave. Both Mason and Derek took turns enjoying my body, tasting me down there while I was cuffed to the sofa. If that doesn’t fit the definition of sex slave, then what does?

  And I should be outraged. I should be pounding on the doors again, trying to get out, screaming my lungs out until I’m hoarse. But instead, I’m in the en suite to his office, taking a hot shower, enjoying all the amenities. Because as CEO, Mason has a huge attached bathroom, and this place comes with the works. Fragrant soaps, big, fluffy towels, and even heated toilet seats. I know, I tried, and it was really nice.

  So I should be furiously scrabbling around his office, trying to find an escape, even if it’s hitting my forehead against the door until I pass out. But instead, I’m standing under a hot spray, luxuriating in the sensations. Because oh yeah, I’m thinking of both men behind me once again, holding me open, tasting my sweet nectar. It was so wrong, but so delicious as well, making me moan involuntarily, my cries ringing out.

  What’s wrong with you? The voice in my head screamed. Katie Jones, you get yourself out of there, you don’t know what’s coming next! You’re a sex slave, don’t you get it? You’re going to be used until you’re senseless, those two men are going to do things to you that you’ve never even dreamed of.

  But the thing is that I kind of want it. Because I love my life as an art student sure, but lately, things have been stuck. The ideas in my head won’t come out, they’re locked in there and I just sit in my studio uselessly, paintbrush in hand. Hours would go by, my frustration palpable, tears in my eyes. But I haven’t been able to paint for weeks now, instead taking off my smock and trudging to the coffee shop, putting in another mindless shift.

  So this was a shake-up for sure. I was in a strange place, with strange men, who had unknown plans for me. But maybe the shock to my system would push me past my boundaries, past whatever was holding me back. Maybe I’d be able to break free from my invisible restraints even as the men chained and cuffed me using metal ones.

  Humming a little, I stepped out of the stall. The air was moistly wet, sensuously hot, and I smiled to myself in the mirror. Was that really me? Katie Jones, curvy girl who’s never had a guy before? Something was different, even if it was the same big brown eyes and curly hair staring back. There was a knowing look in my eye, a breathless sense of anticipation mixed with curious innocence. It was me, alright.

  And while I was in the shower, clothes had magically appeared. I frowned for a moment. Had I been so caught up in my own thoughts that an intruder had come, and I hadn’t noticed? That was weird. I really was in La-La Land, someone had stepped into the bathroom for crying out loud, and then left unnoticed. But I shook my head resolutely. Everything about this was crazy, and I just had to push forward and see what came next.

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nbsp; But the clothes laid out for me were curious because I half-expected the men to dress me up in nothing but lingerie and chains, my wrists shackled once more, maybe another gag in my mouth. So the outfit on the hanger was surprisingly normal and even modest, like a rich girl might wear when meeting her boyfriend’s parents.

  I struggled into the cloth, pulling it over my curves, and gazed into my mirror, looking on with shock. Because the purple sheath dress was a perfect fit. The heavy lace fabric skimmed my curves, highlighting my assets without being too sexy. The neckline was a demure rectangle, the fabric coming to my knees and I stepped hesitatingly into matching purple heels. In fact, there was even a small purse to the side, completing the ensemble without being too matchy-matchy. What was the meaning of this? I’d just been taken as a sex slave, but right now, I looked more like a duchess going to afternoon tea.

  Slowly pushing open the bathroom door, I stepped back into Mason’s massive office. Both men were waiting for me, one dark and one light. Their heads snapped around immediately, taking in my curvy form.

  “Wow,” grunted the handsome Viking. Right, that was Derek, Mason’s friend. “Wow.”

  But my original captor didn’t even say anything, eyes running over and up my form, taking in every inch.

  “Come on,” he said abruptly, standing up. “It’s time to meet the press.”

  Meet the press? What in the world? This was getting more and more bizarre and my sense of self-preservation kicked in once more.

  “No,” I said, my voice low and firm. “You have to tell me what’s going on first. No way I’m meeting anyone until you tell me what’s going on.”

  Mason fixed me with a dark look promising punishment of the worst kind, but Derek cut in.

  “Baby girl,” he drawled. “I thought we already told you. You’re Mason’s fiancee, isn’t that clear? You’re getting married and oh, by the way, you’re pregnant already.”

  The eyebrows flew off my face.

  “Are you joking?” I gasped. “I’m not pregnant! I just met you guys today! And besides, even if all of that was okay, which it’s not,” I said quickly. “I don’t accept it. I don’t accept that there’s more to this farce. You can’t keep me as a sex slave, I’m gonna scream my head off the minute I get out of here.”

  The alphas exchanged looks. But instead of looking perturbed or worried, they looked amused.

  “Sex slave?” drawled Mason. “Where’d you come up with that? That’s a little far.”

  I gawped at him.

  “Are you joking? Of course I’m a sex slave! You kidnapped me! He kidnapped me!” I sputtered accusingly at Derek. “I was working a shift at the coffee shop and suddenly I’m here, tied up with both of you going at me!”

  The blond shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes.

  “Naw honey, that’s not how it is. You and Mason have been dating in secret for a while now, and he visited you at the coffee shop the way he always does. It’s just that now you’re pregnant and so you guys are going public.”

  “I’m not pregnant!” I sputtered again. “I’m absolutely not pregnant!”

  Derek shrugged again, those broad shoulders rising and falling.

  “Maybe not yet, but you will be soon,” he said casually. “It’s just a matter of time. We had you scoped remember? Your proportions baby, that sweet fertile body. It’s only a matter of time before you’re preggo.”

  That made me fly off the handle, but before I could begin screaming, Mason cut in.

  “Listen,” he said shortly. “We’re wasting time right now. Katie, you’re my fiancée,” he said, fixing me with a hard look. “You’re having my baby, so we’re going public now, whether or not you like it. You’re going to put a smile on your face and nod for the cameras. Don’t say a word,” he threatened. “If you do, it’s your life.”

  I sputtered again, outraged.

  “Oh really?” I said sarcastically, hands on my hips. “It’s my life? How so? If I scream what do I have to lose?”

  Derek and Mason shared another glance.

  “A lot more,” drawled Derek. “We could kick you out of art school, and that would be all the tuition you’ve paid down the drain.”

  My mouth dropped.

  “You wouldn’t,” I gasped. “You wouldn’t. I didn’t ask for this, I don’t deserve it.”

  But Mason just nodded in agreement.

  “Not just that, but Mrs. Patterson won’t act as a reference. You think you can get another job without a reference? Try little girl, the market’s pretty tight,” he growled.

  And I stared between the two men, disbelieving and helpless. How could this be happening? How could these two alphas have all the power, and I have none? But before I could say anything, Mason grunted once more.

  “Like I said, you’re my fiancée and you’re having my kid,” he rumbled, fixing me with deep blue eyes. “That’s the story, no ifs and and buts. But I promise,” he said with a meaningful look, “that we’ll make it worthwhile.”

  “Absolutely,” added Derek from his side of the room, that big, golden form relaxed on a couch, like we weren’t having the most important conversation of my life. “Just play along and it’ll be fine,” he shrugged.

  I gawped at them. This wasn’t some small thing, a favor that could be done in five minutes. This was my life, living out a farce that I couldn’t understand. Clearly I wasn’t getting anywhere by being the sassy spitfire, so I changed tactics, spinning on a dime.

  “Please,” I said softly. “My art is important to me. My work is important to me, even if it’s just working in a coffee shop right now. I can’t afford to lose both, I can’t afford to go on a hiatus without understanding better what’s going on. Please,” I begged from the heart.

  And that seemed to soften the two alphas somewhat.

  “Listen, baby girl,” began Mason slowly, his voice deep, voice penetrating. “This isn’t my idea of fun either,” he said.

  But Derek interrupted.

  “What my buddy’s saying,” he said, getting up and taking Mason’s hand. The gesture made me start. Since when do adult males hold each other’s hands? But I shook my head, confused. Everything was happening so fast and unexpected that if a barrel of clowns jumped out of the elevator next, I wouldn’t be surprised.

  “Like what I was saying,” Derek continued. “Mason needs a fiancee to access some funds that grandpappy put away for a rainy day. And unfortunately,” he said, shooting the CEO a long look, “this is the only way. We’ve explored multiple options, but grandpappy’s will is set in stone, ironclad with no way out. So we’ve decided to go for it, and you’re the girl we want,” he said simply. “You’re gonna be Mason’s fiancée for the time being.”

  I gasped.

  “I really don’t get it,” I said slowly, almost unable to breathe. “I really don’t get it.”

  Mason frowned.

  “There’s nothing to get,” he said. “It’s our way or the highway baby girl, and you have everything to lose if you don’t play along.”

  I shook my head.

  “But it’s so crazy!” I cried out. “No way anyone’s going to believe this farce. Why would a guy like you want someone like me?” I tried to reason futilely. “You’re a powerful businessman and I’m a no one.”

  That made both men frown.

  “You’re not a no one,” ground out Derek.

  “You’re gorgeous, sassy and intelligent,” said Mason just as quickly. “Who wouldn’t want a ripe female who looks the way you do in that dress? Naw, baby girl, you’re not no one, we want you.”

  And with finality, he stood, that dark form looming over me.

  “Come on,” he said shortly, fixing me with those deep blue eyes. “Come on, Katie, it’s time,” he rumbled, holding out a square palm.

  I hesitated, looking upwards, still tempted to protest, scream, do something to embarrass them. But suddenly, Derek stood too, his blond form on the other side of me, holding out a hand as well.


  “Life will be fine,” he assured. “I promise, it’s not so bad with us.”

  And I took a deep breath. Because again, my art’s been suffering lately. I’m unable to get anything new out, unable to paint, to express myself. So maybe this turn was a good thing. Maybe by experiencing something new, I’d be able to break through the impasse and create something great.

  Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the two men, brown eyes pleading, even begging a little.

  “Don’t make me regret it,” I said softly. “Please don’t make me regret it if I come with you.”

  And the promise in two sets of blue eyes was my answer. Because I knew they weren’t going to kick me out of school, they weren’t going to rob me of my job. This was an adventure, and with the two alphas, I’d be exploring the great unknown, filled with sensuality, desire, and maybe even something more.

  “You won’t regret it,” ground out Derek.

  “Absolutely not,” finished Mason. “You’re with us honey.”

  And taking a deep breath, I took their hands. There are no happy endings in life, not for a girl like me, a round wallflower. But before I became aged and grey, there was still the opportunity to live a little, to experience youth, excitement, and everything that life offered. I was seizing the opportunity now … with no regrets.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Derek

  Katie was curiously quiet as the elevator whooshed us downstairs. I threw her a glance, and she was even more beautiful than before. Sure, a woman’s seductive when she’s naked and glistening, begging for your touch. But there’s also something overwhelmingly beautiful about a female done up prim and proper.

  Because yeah, Katie was gorgeous. The outfit couldn’t hide the lush femininity, the ripe fertility that was all female. But even more was the look of determination in her eyes, the set of that small chin, how she straightened her shoulders as the elevator door hissed open, collecting her thoughts. And suddenly, the press was on us.

  “Mr. Major, Mr. Smith!” they called, microphones pushed into our faces. “What’s the story with Major Corp.? What’s gonna happen? Is Major closing its doors, folding up shop?”