Page 146 of Pucking Daddy

“Can I?”

“Yeah.”

She studies me for a second longer, like she’s making one last decision.

Then she nods. “Okay.”

And when she rises onto her toes and kisses me first, it feels like something in the world finally falls into place.

27

ZARA

Research Study

For a second, when I wake up, I’m disoriented.

The mattress is softer, the sheets are white instead of gray, and even the light feels different, softer somehow, filtering through curtains that aren’t mine.

Then I remember.

I’m in Jaxon’s bed. Yesterday happened. The evaluation went well.

And then Jaxon told me he’s in love with me.

Since then, I’ve felt like I might burst from happiness.

My breath catches as I turn my head.

He’s there.

On his back, one arm thrown over his head, the other resting loosely across his stomach. His hair is slightly messy, his face relaxed in sleep in a way I’ve never really seen before. No tension in his jaw. No crease between his brows. Just… him.

Soft.

Real.

Mine.

My heart does something ridiculous in my chest.

Oh my God.

We’re actually—

I press my lips together, trying to keep the smile from spreading too wide across my face.

We’re together. Not fake-together. Actually together.

Actually in love.

Actually married.

I let out a quiet, breathless laugh that I quickly muffle with my hand.

This is insane.

A few weeks ago, I was his nanny. Then I was his fake wife.