Page 129 of Pucking Daddy

I lean against the counter, watching him. “You’re pacing while thinking. There’s a difference.”

He huffs something under his breath, but doesn’t argue.

I move to the coffee maker, starting it with practiced ease. At this point, I probably know this kitchen as well as he does.

“How long have you been up?”

“A while.”

I glance at him. “Jaxon.”

He stops mid-step, like he’s been caught. “Since four.”

Of course he has.

I don’t tell him he needs sleep. Don’t tell him to calm down. He wouldn’t hear it anyway. Instead, I grab two mugs and set them on the counter, focusing on something simple. Something we can control.

“Lily’s still asleep,” I say. “Mrs. Henriksen will be here by seven to get her ready for school. I figured we could go over the timeline one more time before we leave.”

I pour the coffee, keeping my movements calm and deliberate. I hand him his mug, holding his gaze.

“We’ve got this, Jax.”

He sets the coffee aside without looking, then pulls me into him, his arms wrapping around me like he needs the contact just to stay upright.

My breath catches as my hands come up to his chest, then slide around his back, holding him just as tightly.

His forehead presses against mine.

“I can’t lose her,” he says, his voice rough, breaking at the edges. “Lily’s everything.”

My heart squeezes.

“You won’t,” I whisper, threading my fingers through his. “We won’t.”

24

JAXON

In Court

There’s too much going on in my head.

I pace.

Living room. Turn. Kitchen. Turn back again.

Part of it is the hearing, of course. But there’s something else, too.

The realization that I’m completely in love with my fake wife.

With Zara.

I crave her body, admire her spirit, love her soul.

There’s no way around it. I have to tell her.

She can’t have any doubt about how I feel.