Wedded On a Dare (Love On a Dare Book 2)

Chapter One

Y ou’re crazy if you think I’ll marry you. Kate Carluccio slammed her glass of iced tea on the table and jumped up, almost knocking over her chair. Liquid splashed on her hand, its coldness welcome in the December heat of the Hollywood Hills.

Why won’t you marry me? Zach Lyon, arrogant, wealthy playboy, pushed up from his chair and faced her, confusion in his grass-green eyes.

Uncomfortable under his steady scrutiny, Kate fidgeted from one foot to the other. I’m sure you’re not used to a woman turning you down, but I don’t like you.

You’ve made your dislike crystal clear over the years.

The feeling is mutual. I doubt our marrying will make you like me any better either.

I wouldn’t say that.

Kate gripped the back of her chair and took measured breaths, fighting for composure after the shock of his proposal. Afternoon sunlight caressed her face and filtered onto the lattice-covered patio of Graceann and Jake Falco’s house. The brightness gilded the white wrought iron furniture with a golden patina and made the drink in Kate’s cut-glass tumbler sparkle. Multi-colored Christmas lights strung around the sliding doors leading into the house gave the area a festive flair. The twinkling lights and late-day sunshine reflected her best friend’s life now, joyful and glittering. Kate wanted the love and happiness Graceann had found, but she wouldn’t have it with Zach.

I know plenty of married people who don’t like each other. Zach moved closer until they were a whisper apart. Afraid you’ll fall in love with me?

As if. His seductive scent of citrus and male made her traitorous body sway toward him. She clutched the chair tighter.

Kate had disliked Zach from the first day she met him, when her childhood friend, Graceann Palmer Falco, moved from their small town in the Pocono Mountains to Manhattan. Zach, Graceann’s new Manhattan neighbor, became her good friend.

With Graceann married to the love of her life, Jake Falco—actor, screenwriter, director, producer—Zach and Kate, frequent visitors to the Falco’s sprawling house in the Hollywood Hills, were forced together.

I dare you to marry me. Zach’s voice and eyes held a challenge.

Kate put a hand on her hip. You’re a jerk, Lyon. Growing up with two older brothers, Kate had never met a dare she didn’t like. Until now.

Zach’s features softened, giving him a vulnerability she found appealing, too appealing. I don’t like begging a woman, Carluccio. I’m out of options. My terms are generous. We can help each other. Hear me out.

Shaking her head to dislodge Zach’s proposition from her mind, Kate turned to go into the house. He grasped her arm, stopping her. She stiffened and fixed him with a narrow-eyed glare over her shoulder.

He released her and brushed a hand over his short dark blond hair. The setting sun glinted on the golden stubble on his chin. The image of the hip young man-about-town, Zach wore designer jeans that probably cost more than her annual income. His long legs went on forever, and his pale blue shirt, untucked, stretched over his broad chest. Kate battled against the twinge in her stomach provoked by his sexy masculinity.

Relaxing his stance, he stepped back. I don’t mean to come on so strong. Graceann suggested you after she couldn’t find another actress to take the role. She trusts you and didn’t believe a stranger would be as dependable. She thinks our getting married will solve both our problems.

Graceann needs to mind her own business. Kate clamped a hand over her mouth. Her friend would never do anything to hurt her.

Zach blew out a breath. Sit down. Please. We’ll discuss this like two rational people.

When have we ever been rational with each other? Giving him what she hoped was a cutting glare, Kate sat at the table. The idea of a marriage-of-convenience intrigued her. After the hurt Brian inflicted, a business arrangement suited her. She wished the man proposing the wild plan was other than Zach Lyon.

Okay, I’ll listen. She folded her arms across her chest.

Teresa, the Falco maid, came out to the patio with a fresh pitcher of tea.

Kate put her hand over her glass. No, thanks, Teresa.

Zach nodded at Teresa. Thanks, he said when she refreshed his glass.

Alone again, Kate focused on Zach. Talk. I’ll give you five minutes.

Setting down his glass, he leaned closer. I know what happened with Brian. That’s rough, to leave you at the altar and take your parents’ money.

Kate pressed her lips together, fighting the anger, hurt, and worry. Her fiancé had humiliated her in front of her friends and family and run off with a large chunk of her parents’ money, and much more from all the people who’d invested in his bogus scheme. A year later, the shame and pain lingered. Her parents assured her she wasn’t at fault, but guilt over what had happened to them kept her up at night.

So, you know the sordid details. Bitterness crept into her voice. How does my marrying you help you? And, more importantly, how does it help me?

He moved back in his seat, picked up his glass, drank, then set the glass down. When their eyes met again, his were shadowed.

The sadness in his eyes told Kate things might not be so perfect in Zach’s privileged world.

My relationship with my father has always been…difficult, he said. I’ve disappointed him on many levels. He needs my help now, and I can’t ignore it.

I knew you had problems with your dad, but didn’t know the details. Graceann told me you lost your mother and brother when you were eight.

That was a long time ago. Zach drummed his fingers on the table top and hesitated, as if gathering his words. Here’s the deal. I’m a vice president in my dad’s company, Star Ventures. We make military equipment, mostly mine-resistant armor for military vehicles. My title is symbolic. My dad’s choice, not mine. I want a more active role in the day-to-day operations. I have some ideas I think will take us forward. Dad dismisses anything I say.

Glancing away, he stared at a spot above Kate.

Why won’t he listen to you? she asked.

Zach’s eyes met hers. He knows my reputation and doesn’t think I’ll ever settle down enough to run Star Ventures. There’s more. I’ve learned two of his top executives are conspiring against Dad, trying to prod him to retire and give control of the company to one of them, another V-P, a guy about my age. Zach released an audible breath. I have it on good authority they’re also embezzling.

Kate held out both hands. Your dad’s considering turning over his company to someone not in the family? Someone who might be embezzling?

You got it.

That’s tough, but he can do anything he wants with it.

Anger and hurt flashed over Zach’s face. His potential successor, Tripp Hunter, is married with a baby on the way. Dad thinks Hunter’s a good family man, stable and mature, who will run the business the way Dad wants. Hunter is far from the paragon of virtue he portrays, but he puts on a convincing act.

Kate trailed a finger down the condensation on her glass. Everyone is an actor. This sounds like a movie plot. Do you have proof about the conspiracy and the embezzling?

Not yet, but I will.

I gather your dad believes the gossip rags about you. Kate’s face heated. She sure believed the stories, which was one reason she didn’t like Zach.

He nodded. I need to convince him I’m not that guy.

His features tight, Zach ran a hand over his hair. Kate wondered what he would look like with longer hair she could slip her fingers through and ruffle. A tingle of excitement told her he’d be even sexier.

She pushed her thoughts from hottie Zach to his crazy plan. You’re offering me the role of your wife because you think marriage will make your dad believe you’ve settled down?

He grinned. That’s it. Graceann tells me you’re a gifted actor but haven’t really put your talent to use, even though you went to one of the best acting schools in the country.

"What I do with my talent is my business." Her stomach clenched with the doubts and insecurities that had plagued her since childhood.

He held up a hand. Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Let’s get back to my plan. If Hunter wanted to bring the business forward, I wouldn’t be so concerned. Hunter and his partner in crime, our CFO, will use the corporation as their personal bank and run it into the ground. My dad is only sixty. I’m afraid retirement, then seeing his beloved company destroyed, will kill him.

Zach chugged the rest of his drink and plunked the glass onto the table. I tried to tell Dad my suspicions, but he cut me off. It might be a while before I get the proof I need, but I can’t wait that long. The others are making their move. I need to force Dad to listen to me before it’s too late.

Why not hire a fake girlfriend or fiancée? Why not pretend to be married, at least until you wrest the company from the bad guys?

Dad wouldn’t take a girlfriend or fiancée seriously. Only marriage, a real one, will convince him I’m no longer a player. He’ll have someone check that the marriage is legal. The ones conspiring against him could investigate also. Everything has to be on the up and up. Unless Dad finds proof my marriage is real, he won’t believe I’ve settled down.

Kate leveled her gaze at him. I can understand why your dad would be skeptical. You’re in the tabloids a lot, hot young Manhattan rich guy, always with a model or actress on your arm.

Don’t believe everything you read in those rags or hear on the gossip shows.

What about all the girls I saw going in and out of your apartment when I visited Graceann?

You were watching me?

His slow sexy grin made her face burn. She wrapped a hand around her half-empty glass and glanced away.

Don’t flatter yourself, she managed, turning back to him.

He waved a hand. None of that matters. Take my offer. Help me, and help yourself.

She settled more comfortably in her chair. Tell me how your nutty scheme helps me.

He rested his arms on the table and leaned in. Stay married to me until I’m sure the company is safe, and I’ll pay you one and a half million dollars.

What? She slapped the side of her head. My ears must be clogged. Did you say one and a half million dollars?

Sure did. You can pay your parents back and have money for yourself. I’ll pay your taxes. You’ll have enough to finance a move to Manhattan or L.A. and support yourself while you go on auditions.

Anxiety and hope twisted a knot in Kate’s chest. Her parents would have their money. She could use her portion to take acting lessons, get serious about finding decent roles. She could also fail as an actor and suffer public humiliation.

Kate stood and paced the length of the flagstone patio. She stopped and braced her hands on the stone railing, staring out at the splendor spread before her. The setting sun streaked the sky in shades of purple and gold. Sunsets in the West truly were spectacular. In the distance, purple-hazed mountains thrust toward scudding clouds. The sweet scent of roses and other flowers wafted from the extensive gardens below them. She breathed deeply, in and out, willing peace to her jumbled nerves.

More composed, she pivoted to face Zach and rested her hip against the railing. We’ll eventually get divorced. Won’t that affect your relationship with your dad?

Zach closed the distance between them. Once things are settled and I have a more active role, with him still CEO, he’ll trust me. My dad sacrificed everything, even his family, for that company. He can’t lose it.

Zach rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze on Kate intense. Another thing. We have to do this soon.

She drew in a breath. Define soon.

Within days.

Her chest tightened. Days?

The company CFO has invited my dad, Hunter, his wife, and me to spend the Christmas holiday at his ranch outside Las Vegas. I want to bring my new wife to the gathering.

A stress headache pulsed behind Kate’s right temple. A house party with people I don’t know? Acting like someone I’m not?

You don’t think your acting skills are good enough to convince others we’re married?

She bristled. My acting skills are excellent. If she said it enough times, maybe she’d believe it.

Prove it. Take my offer.

The force of Zach’s stare made her head pound harder. She could do this, the ultimate dare. She swept her tongue over her lips. His eyes darkened, provoking an answering awareness in her, an awareness she didn’t want or need. This would be strictly business, right?

Yes.

No sex?

His lips curved into another of his smiles that sparked flashes of heat through her.

If that’s what you want, he said.

She lifted her chin. Those are my terms, or else no deal.

He reached out and twisted strands of her hair around his finger. You’re welcome to change your mind any time.

No way.

He laughed in that deep-throated way her traitorous body found so appealing.

She had lost her mind. She held out her hand. Deal.

Chapter Two

Zach exhaled a relieved breath and stepped back, away from the temptation of Kate’s full, pink lips, from the heady sweetness of her flowery perfume. Fantasies about her long, curling black hair spread on his pillow had given him erotic dreams for years. He wanted to see her golden-brown eyes filled with desire for him.

From the day he’d met Kate, he’d waged a battle against his attraction to her. An artsy type who didn’t take herself seriously, she dressed in her uniform of jeans and high-top sneakers, so unlike the glamorous women he pursued. He suspected she didn’t realize the power of her own beauty. He liked that about her. A man could build a family and a life with a woman like Kate, and that’s what scared him to death.

Zach usually dated woman impressed with his money, cars, Manhattan apartment, and expensive clothes. None of that seemed to matter to Kate. He feared she saw through his trappings of wealth to the frightened eight-year-old boy whose world had been shredded when his mother died.

But Kate had agreed to his hastily-thought-out plan. He had to have lost all semblance of sanity to come up with such a nutty idea. Desperation would do that to people, and it had certainly done it to him.

Zach? Her voice pulled him from his musings.

Let’s go in and give Graceann and Jake the good news, he said.

I would hardly call it good news.

Ignoring her jibe, he went to the sliding glass doors and glanced into the living room. Soft lights from strategically placed lamps gave the area a sense of warmth and charm, fitting for the caring people who lived here.

Graceann and Jake’s toddler, JP, ran into the room, Graceann in hot pursuit. Get back here, Jake Palmer Falco, Graceann called out to the baby.

Zach grinned at the homey scene. Yearning wrapped around him. Deep down, he craved what Jake and Graceann had—a loving marriage, children. He wanted to give his children the kind of childhood he wished he’d had. He didn’t know if he was capable of a lasting relationship, or even if he deserved one.

What are you waiting for? Impatience colored Kate’s voice. You’ve gotten awfully quiet. Rethinking things?

He faced her. Have a lot on my mind. The deal’s still on. Thanks for agreeing. It will work out, Kate, don’t worry. He scanned her, taking in her T-shirt stretched across full breasts. The shirt had a picture of Spock and Captain Kirk. No doubt bought at one of the thrift shops she frequented. Her torn jeans hugged her small, slim frame, and her pink high-top sneakers were unlaced. When she wasn’t wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, Kate wore long, flowing skirts and body-hugging tops, but always the high-tops. He wondered why she worked so hard to hide her beauty.

You need a new wardrobe. He regretted the words as soon as they were out. Her face reddened, and she tightened her lips.

Now you’re going to tell me how to dress? she spat out. The deal is off.

He squeezed the bridge of his nose between his fingers and prayed for the right words. Not trying to tell you what to wear, but if we’re going to pull this off, you have to project the image of the type woman I’d marry.

Fixing him with a frosty glare, she tapped her foot. Damn, he’d done it again, opened his mouth