“Nah,” he said, pulling the sheet around him and turning to the other side. “We’ll make her pancakes in the morning.”

“Thanks. I—appreciate it. I’ve got to go into the bakery at six, then I’m meeting your sister for breakfast around ten. Juliet promised she’d be up and out pretty early.”

“No problem.” He paused a few beats. “Tessa, can I offer some advice?”

“That sounds a little scary, but sure.”

“Your sisters depend on you a lot. Which is sort of good. But…maybe you should try not picking them up off the ground all the time. Maybe they’ve gotten a little too used to you always being there for them over the years.”

She sat up, her anger flaring. “I couldn’t turn them away when they’re in trouble.”

“No. I wouldn’t expect you to. That’s not my point. But…I don’t know. Maybe treat them more like you’re their sister rather than their mother. Like, I’m just looking on from the outside, but it seems like maybe they rely on you for a lot.”

“Okay. I’ll think about that. Sleep well.” He heard her roll over.

Okay, so much for that.

After a minute, her breathing became steady and even. He could see the outline of her body under his blanket, with one lovely leg on top of the covers. He forced himself to turn toward the wall—the only way he could stop himself from touching her.

The plan was in motion, and he had to stick to the script.

Except having Tessa in his bed was not part of the script.

Any playing in the sheets would lead to disaster. And he would never want to hurt her. He didn’t do serious, and she didn’t not do serious.

And in the meantime, he was going to need a few things.

A cold shower. A bigger house. And a less-sexy fake wife.

…

Leo awakened right before dawn, the sky just starting to lighten. As he came to consciousness, he was very aware of that same citrusy, floral scent he could only describe as…Tessa.

Make that Tessa’s hair. His nose was in it. He jerked back his head, only to find that things were far worse than he thought.

He was spooning his wife. Silky strands of hair tickled his cheek, his body curving gently around hers, his arm draped across her waist, her calf resting against his shin.

For a second, he froze. His body seemed to conform effortlessly to hers. Her breathing was calm and soothing, and her warmth and softness could make a man do out-of-control things.

He shook those thoughts away and extricated his foot. As he quietly slid it back, he noticed something else. The cat was asleep at their feet.

And Leo was still breathing.