John’s father had believed his lack of focus was based on lack of willpower and thought organized sports were the solution. If John focused on the game that would somehow translate to him concentrating on other aspects of his life. Whether he held a football or basketball, John had still floundered in school, anxious about his academic standing. He’d liked making John Sr. proud, but it hadn’t helped his day-to-day struggles. Luckily, his mother had recognized his ADD early enough to intervene with quiet activities. One of her unorthodox attempts included filling his bedroom closet with blankets and pillows. Believing that the small space would help him, she told him to sit quietly and meditate in the dark. It had been a frustrating exercise since he’d still struggled to turn his mind off. She eventually moved a lamp into his closet and told him to try reading. That actually worked. After an hour of sitting in his closet reading Tolkien, surrounded by the quiet and coziness, he was able to steady his thoughts and do productive things like his homework.

Unfortunately, ADD often contributed to his inability to sleep. And today was no different as he was running on half a night’s sleep. He was still getting used to Becca’s early schedule and made the mistake of reading until 4 a.m. He was halfway through the duke saga and was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t hate it. The main character was a saucy governess with plenty of cheeky quips and a bosom that would not stop heaving. The duke in question was one of those noblemen who wasn’t averse to working, but his dark past made him difficult to love. By the time John had forced himself to put the book down, the two characters had run off to Scotland for a quickie marriage to save the governess’s virtue, or something like that.

If John was honest, he’d say the duke was a bit of a dick and the governess could probably do better. But he understood that wasn’t the point of the story. Women apparently loved the fantasy aspect of grand balls, carriage rides, and powerful wealthy men to protect them. Did Victoria like those things? Did she want him to take charge and force her into a Vegas marriage to protect her honor? He shook his head. Of course not. She was a self-possessed woman who valued her job enough to put up with his antics. Victoria was coming into this partnership with her university in mind. But that kiss... It would be difficult to complete any task without being reminded of her soft lips pressed against his. Or the scratch of her fingernails against his scalp as she undid his bun.