The palm of his hand was resting on the small of my back as he led me into the restaurant, and I didn’t miss how the women glared at me when we walked over to our table. I knew exactly what they were thinking. With his black Armani suit, salt and pepper hair, and gorgeous blue eyes, Colton Michaels could have any woman he wanted, so it only made sense that they would wonder what he was doing with me. While I wasn’t exactly a troll, I wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous either. I didn’t have designer clothes, flawless makeup and hair, and I wasn’t the perfect size four—not at all the kind of woman you’d expect a man like Colton to have at his side, but then, none of them knew I was just playing a part. I doubt there was a woman in that restaurant who wouldn’t like to trade places with me. Why wouldn’t they? I was living in a beautiful mansion, riding in expensive cars, and dining at the most extravagant restaurants, all while having an irresistibly handsome man at my side. But … it wasn’t as easy as they might’ve thought.

I loved every moment I spent with him—more than I ever dreamed possible, but there were times over the past few days when I found myself forgetting why we were putting on a show. It was just another way Colton was ensuring that we would win my case. He’d left no stone unturned, and in doing so he helped ease my worries about losing full custody of the kids. But there were times, these little moments we’d share, when I found myself wondering if it might be possible that there was something more going on—just like tonight. I was sitting across the table from him, sipping on my fruity cocktail, when he asked, “What do you think about us taking the kids somewhere? Maybe bowling or an arcade?”

“An arcade?” I scoffed. “When was the last time you stepped foot in an arcade or a bowling alley for that matter?”

“I’ll have you know that there was a time I was quite the bowler, and who doesn’t love Pac-Man?”

“Pac-Man?” I giggled. I almost couldn’t believe he was the same man I’d been working for all these years. At the office, he seemed so regimented and determined, so it was more than a little surprising to see his playful side. “That just goes to show you that it’s been a while since you’ve been to the arcade. I bet back in the day you had a real thing for Donkey Kong and Mario”

“Back in the day?” A sexy smirk crossed his face as he asked, “What are you trying to say, Langley? I’m old?”

“Not old, Colton. Old school, maybe.” I cocked my head and smiled.

“Just so you know, I never really got into Donkey Kong, or Mario for that matter.” He cocked his eyebrow and said, “I was more of a Missile Command kind of guy.”

“Of course, you were. I’m sure that game was right up your alley.”

“And what about you? What was your thing growing up?”

I thought for a moment, then answered, “I guess you could say I was a little bit of an introvert. I liked to read and listen to music. Things like that.”

“What kind of books did you like to read?”

“I highly doubt they’d be anything you would’ve read.”

He shrugged. “Try me.”

“Let’s see … One of my favorites was To Kill a Mocking Bird.”

“Umm … Harper Lee. It’s been years since I read it, but I remember really liking the dad in that one. You have to respect a man who stands up for what he believes in.”

“Atticus was amazing. I liked him almost as much as his daughter, Scout.” I smiled. “Mom said I was a lot like her when I was growing up. I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not. You know, she wasn’t exactly your typical kind of kid.”

“No, she wasn’t, but you should definitely take it as a compliment.” Then, his eyes skirted over me. “There’s nothing typical about you.”

It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it that brought butterflies to my stomach. I looked up at him, and when his eyes locked on mine, I felt the air rush from my lungs. I tried to convince myself that the electricity crackling around us was just my imagination playing tricks on me, but my heart wasn’t buying it. His eyes were still trained on mine when he asked, “Are you ready to head to the show? We don’t want to be late.”

Reaching for my purse, I answered, “Sure. Ready when you are.”

Over the next few days, Colton took me from one amazing place to another, and each time I was left dazzled beyond belief. I hadn’t been Mrs. Colton Michaels for long, and I was still reeling from it all. Thankfully, Colton had suggested that I take some time off work so the kids and I could get settled in. I was hesitant to accept at first, but I knew it would be best for them, as they’d need some time to adjust. Unfortunately, my time off came at a cost. When I finally walked into my office and saw the enormous stack of files waiting for me on my desk, I knew it was going to be a long day. I’d only been there a few hours when there was a tap at my door. Seconds later, Candace, one of the secretaries and my best friend, stepped inside my office. “Hey. You got a minute?”

“For you, I do. What’s up?”

“That’s what I was just about to ask you.” She sat down with a huff. Her long blonde hair was pulled back away from her face, making her eyes seem even more dramatic as she fussed, “It’s been over a week. I can’t believe you haven’t called me even once since you’ve been gone!”

“I’m really sorry about that. I meant to call you, but it’s been a little hectic over the past few days.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it has. I can’t believe you’re actually married.”

“Trust me, I feel the same way.”

“When you think about it, the whole thing is a pretty romantic story. You go to your boss for help with your kids, and once you start working all these late hours and talking about your lives, you find yourself falling madly in love. The next thing you know, boom! You’re married.”

Like my sister, Candace was a dreamer. I wished I could be more like them, but I knew better. “It’s really not that simple.”

“I don’t know. The two of you have been a long time coming.”

I had no idea what she was talking about, so I asked, “What makes you say that?”

“Oh, come on. You know how he is with you. It just took a little push for him to see that there was more going on than just some sexual attraction.”

“You are so full of it, Candace.”

“Fine. Deny it all you want.” She smirked. “I know I’m right.”

“If you say so.”

“So, how does it feel being married to Mr. Sex-in-a-Suit.”

I giggled as I answered, “It feels pretty good, actually.”

“I bet. I overheard the gossip queen talking about seeing the two of you at the opera last night. She was telling Reese how cozy you both looked in the private balcony.”

“Janice was at the opera?”

“Don’t try to change the subject, Langley. I want details.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back in her seat. “And don’t leave anything out.”

“There’s not much to tell. We’re just trying to adjust to this whole newlywed thing.” I desperately wanted to tell her the truth about everything, but I couldn’t, not until the hearing was over. I just prayed it would all be worth it. Unfortunately, I would have to wait several more weeks before I’d be able to find out the verdict. “I will say this, he’s totally different when you get him out of the office. He even mentioned taking the kids to an arcade. Mr. Sex-in-a-Suit is actually—”

Just as the words slipped out of my mouth, I spotted Colton standing in my doorway. Candace’s mouth dropped open as he reached over my desk to hand me a file. “I thought you might need this.”

With my face flushed with embarrassment, I said, “Thanks, Colton.”

I didn’t miss his sexy, little smirk when he replied, “No problem, sweetheart.”

Once he’d left my office, she gasped, “Sweetheart? Oh my God. I don’t think I will ever get used to that.”

“Yeah, it’s definitely going to take some getting used to.”

“So, what’s it like living with him?”

I glanced down at the pile of papers on my desk and knew I had to get back to work. As much as I wanted to sit and talk with Candace, I just didn’t have the time. “I’m sorry, chick, but that’s going to have to be a story for another day. I’ve got to get back to work.”

Candace stood up with a pout. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?”

“I promise to fill you in on all the details once I get caught up.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I know you will.” I smiled. “Now, scat. I’ve got to get busy.”

“If I must.” As she started for the door, she turned to me and said, “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed having you around.”

“I’ve missed you too. We’ll catch up soon.”

After she was gone, I looked down at my desk and sighed. I still had a ton of work to do, and the day was halfway done. Knowing I had no time to waste, I dove right back in. I’d been going nonstop for hours, and I didn’t have to look at the clock to know it was getting late. I could hear the buzz outside my door as everyone scurried around, preparing to go home. I wanted to join them, but unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen. I had two reports that needed to be finished before I could leave, so I picked up the phone to call my sitter to scoop up the kids. I was just about to hit send when Colton suddenly appeared at my door. Since I’d started working there, I could only remember him coming by my office a handful of times and that was only out of pure necessity, so it seemed a little odd that he’d come back again so soon. With the phone still in my hand, I asked, “Is everything okay?”

He leaned against my doorframe and gave me a blank look. “Just checking to see if you were heading home.”

“No, not just yet. I need to finish these reports. Why? Is there something you need me to do for you?”

Ignoring my question, he asked, “What about the kids?”

“Oh, umm … The kids are fine. I was just gonna call Maria to pick them up for me.”

Maria had been babysitting for me since the kids were born. She was wonderful to them, treating them like they were her own, and I’d been lucky to find someone who was willing to keep them as often as she did. I assumed I would need her again today until Colton said, “I can do it.”

“What?” His offer caught me by surprise. “Don’t you have things you need to do?”

“Nothing that can’t wait a couple of hours.” He shrugged. “I’d be glad to help out, but I understand if you’d rather me not.”

“No. I think it would be great if you could watch them for little while. I would really appreciate it.”

“Okay, then. Consider it done. I just need the address of where I need to pick them up. And their booster seats.”

Searching around my desk for the note pad I knew was hidden somewhere under the mess, I wrote down the address then handed him the paper. “They’re still at school. Their after-school program ends at five-fifteen, so you still have plenty of time to get there.”

“Got it.”

Thank you, Colton.”

“Don’t mention it.” As he headed for the door, he said, “You might want to call the school office and let them know I’m coming to pick them up. I wouldn’t want there to be any surprises.”

“Okay. I’ll call them now.”

Once he got the kids picked up, Colton texted to let me know that they were home safe and sound. I thought it was extremely sweet of him to offer to watch the kids, yet I couldn’t help but worry about how he was going to deal with them.

I loved my children whole-heartedly, but like all young kids, they could be a handful. One minute, they were perfect little angels, smiling and quietly playing by themselves. Everything would be right in the world, until it wasn’t. With just a blink of an eye, my precious, wonderful children could turn into holy terrors who’d make you rethink the state of your own sanity. In a matter of seconds, a simple disagreement could quickly escalate into a full-blown argument, which would eventually include me. As much as I hated to hear them fuss, the whining was worse. Maybe it was because they were twins, but when they both got going, it could be absolute torture.

Worried that they might drive him absolutely bonkers, I tried to hurry with my reports. With everyone gone, I didn’t have anything to distract me, and I was able to finish both of them in just over an hour. As soon as I’d gathered my things, I headed home.

When I got to Colton’s, I was a little apprehensive about going inside. To my dismay, it was oddly quiet when I stepped through the front door. I took off my coat and opened the hall closet to hang it up, calling out, “Hello?”

“We’re in the living room,” Colton answered.

When I walked in, Bee was sprawled out on the floor coloring with her crayons while Colton was sitting at the coffee table with Ian. They were both studying an instructional manual for Ian’s latest Lego set. There were a million tiny Legos scattered on the table with only a few pieces actually attached. Neither of them looked up from the book as I peeked over my son’s shoulder. “What are you guys up to?”

“We’re trying to build this new car, but it’s missing a piece,” Ian grumbled.

Ian was extremely intelligent, and since he often became bored with toys that were made for kids his age, I decided to try a set that was a little more advanced. I was starting to worry that I’d done the wrong thing until Colton shook his head. “Hold up, buddy. I really don’t think we’re missing a piece. Look right here. I think this is where we messed up.”

Ian’s eyebrows furrowed as he studied the image, and then he gasped excitedly. “You’re right. I put the gray piece in the wrong spot.”

He picked up the pieces they’d been working on and started to pull them apart. I looked at Colton with my son, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the excited expression on Ian’s face. In such a short time, Colton had made an impression on all of us. Even though I already knew the answer, I asked, “Do you guys need any help?”

“No, thanks. We’ve got it,” Ian answered proudly.

Clearly Ian was enjoying his time with Colton. I couldn’t say I blamed him. I was starting to see a side of him I didn’t even know was there and that had me worried. I wanted to prepare the kids for what was to come, but at the same time, I couldn’t take the chance that they would tell their father what was really going on. It was a risk for all of us, but I felt like I didn’t have a choice with my current situation with Richard. If he found out that my marriage to Colton was just a sham, all of this would’ve been for nothing. Colton looked up and gave me a quick wink before turning his attention back to Ian.

Seeing that they were perfectly content, I knelt down beside Beatrice and asked, “Would you like to help me fix dinner?”

“Can we make s’ghetti?

“Sure. Spaghetti sounds great.”

We headed into the kitchen, and as Bee pulled herself up onto one of the kitchen stools, she asked, “Momma, can I ask you somethin’?”

“Sure, sweetheart.” I reached into the refrigerator for the hamburger meat. “What do you want to know?”

“Dad sleeps with Jody.” She cocked her head. “Why don’t you sleep with Mr. Colton?”

That was the last question I was expecting her to ask, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. Both of my children were inquisitive by nature. Trying my best to come up with a believable response, I told her, “It’s just easier for me to have my own room.”

“But why?”

“Because Colton works late, and I don’t want to disturb him.”

“Daddy works late.”

“Yes, but not as late as Colton.” Hoping to change the topic, I asked, “Why don’t you get the noodles out of the cabinet?”

“Okay.” She hopped down off her stool, and to my relief, seemed satisfied with that answer as we happily continued fixing dinner.

After everything was ready, we called Colton and Ian into the kitchen to eat. We all gathered around the table, and as we ate, the kids told us all about their day at school. It was nice—really nice.