Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Liam Hardwall and Jamie Montgomery, both seven and clearly the ringleaders, had immediately claimed the main living area as their kingdom. Six-year-old Izzy followed them everywhere with the determination of someone half her size, while five-year-old twins Kane and Myka seemed to communicate in a language that consisted entirely of giggles and whispered conspiracies.
"Uncle Wynd," Liam called out, sliding across the floor in his socks. "Catch me!"
Wynd managed to do so but not before nearly having a heart attack.
"Me next!"
Wynd heard Star choke back a laugh as he dashed just in time to catch Jamie in his arms.
"This is the most fun night ever!"
He privately disagreed, but the children's approval was satisfying all the same, and an even bigger treat was the unexpected pleasure he derived from watching Star interact with the children. It was as if she had been a mother for years, with the way she was able to say and do the right thing at the right time, effortlessly switching between leniency and discipline, depending on what the situation called for.
"Alright, troops," she announced, clapping her hands together. "Who wants to help me turn this living room into a movie theater?"
The response was immediate and deafening, and within minutes, she had managed to transform his living area into something magical. Heavy blankets were draped over furniture to create cozy nooks while pillows from every room in the house had been gathered to form a giant seating area on the floor.
Star started out handing buckets of popcorn and lemonades when everyone was settled, and she was also quick to assure Wynd that she had obtained permission to do so from their respective parents.
"What are we watching?" Izzy asked, bouncing on her knees.
"Something with superheroes," Star replied as she sat cross-legged on the floor between the twins, "and then it's bedtime for everyone."
Star and the kids were completely swept away as soon as the movie began while Wynd only had eyes for her, with how she was gasping at all the right moments and even enthusiastically cheering for the caped underdogs, much to the children's delight.
She was completely lacking in self-awareness, her unreserved joy contagious, and all of it just made Wynd desire her even more.
By the time the credits rolled, Kane was asleep against her shoulder while Myka had curled up in her lap. The older kids were sprawled across the sea of pillows, their eyelids heavy despite their protests that they weren't tired.
"Come on, sleepyheads," Star whispered, carefully extracting herself from the twins. "Let's get everyone settled."
Wynd watched as she tucked each child into the makeshift beds she'd created, pulling blankets up to their chins and making sure everyone had their favorite stuffed animal within reach. She moved with such gentle efficiency, pressing soft kisses to foreheads and murmuring quiet goodnights.
Liam grabbed her hand as she started to move away. "Thanks, Aunt Star. Good night."
"Good night, Liam."
Wynd's chest tightened as he watched her kiss the boy's forehead. It was like catching a glimpse of the future, with how easy it was for him to envision Star doing the same thing for Samuel.
As Star smoothed Liam's hair back from his forehead, the tenderness of the gesture made everything clear. While he knew tonight was all about evaluating each other's parenting "skills", there was something else that the past two hours had revealed, and it was something completely unintended.
All Wynd had wanted was to make Samuel a part of his life.
But now?
There was no point denying the truth.
He wanted Star.
Not just for a custody arrangement or a convenient marriage.
He wanted her in his life, in his home, in his bed.
He wanted her to be Samuel's mother and any other child they might choose to adopt in the future.
But for that to happen...
Star caught him staring, and her expression turned questioning. "What is it?"
"Will you consider adopting Samuel with me if we're not married?"
She shook her head immediately, and a part of him had already expected this, considering how she kept herself untouched all these years.
"But if we do get married, I also have a condition on my own."
Her brows furrowed, and his gaze turned hooded.
He knew what he was about to say could completely end things.
But even so.
"What do you want?" Star asked shakily.
"A promise, just like yours."
His voice was cold and hard. He wanted to ensure that she completely understood his next words were all or nothing for him, just like it had been for her.
"If you're to become my wife...then `you must promise not to fall in love with me."
Chapter Five
WE WAVE GOODBYE TO Wynd's friends from the wraparound porch of his converted barnhouse, both of us doing an admirable job of acting like everything is absolutely okay...despite the tension quietly brewing between us like a storm about to break.
The parents loading sleepy children into luxury SUVs are like a who's who of the city's poshest residents. They were once known as San Antonio's Finest Eligibles when they were still unmarried, the four of them gracing magazine covers and dominating gossip columns in society pages with every party they attended.