Chapter 87

Sophia's text message buzzed on Evelyn's phone. Clearly, the three little troublemakers had spilled the beans - that's how she knew Nathan was staying overnight!

Reading the suggestive tone in Sophia's message, Evelyn typed back, "Get your mind out of the gutter! That arrogant jerk gets the couch, nothing more." She powered off her phone before any reply could come.

*If I can just avoid him until morning...

The bedroom door creaked open in the dead of night. A tall silhouette moved silently toward the bed where Evelyn slept peacefully. Nathan lowered himself onto the mattress, bracing his arms on either side of her sleeping form. His lips brushed against hers in a featherlight kiss.

"Mmm..." Evelyn's lashes fluttered as she swatted weakly at the air. "Stop it..." Her drowsy murmur carried a hint of petulance, her nose scrunching in protest against the disturbance.

Nathan's gaze softened as he traced the curve of her bottom lip with his thumb. "Evelyn," he whispered, "I'll make you want me properly."

Morning light filtered through the curtains when Evelyn awoke, stretching luxuriously in her cocoon of blankets.

*Best sleep I've had in ages. Probably because that insufferable man wasn't hogging the bed.

Padding to the door in her silk nightgown, she confirmed the lock remained securely engaged. *Good thing I confiscated all the spare keys.

The scent of breakfast drew her toward the kitchen, where she froze mid-yawn. Three pairs of bright eyes stared at her from the dining table.

Nathan emerged from the kitchen bearing a platter of pancakes, his gaze locking onto hers. "Sleep well?"

Evelyn's brain short-circuited.

She'd completely forgotten about her unwanted houseguest!

"Mommy! Daddy made chocolate chip pancakes!" Caleb waved syrup-coated fingers at her.

Evelyn blinked rapidly.

*This feels disturbingly familiar. Am I dreaming?

Without a word, she turned on her heel and marched back to her room.

Once the door closed, Daisy leaned toward Nathan conspiratorially. "Daddy, did you sneak into Mommy's bed last night?"

Nathan pressed a finger to his lips with a wink. Daisy responded with an exaggerated nod, eyes sparkling.

Truthfully, Nathan had only managed five hours curled around his wife before his vibrating watch alarm prompted his return to the couch. He'd relocked her door with the spare key he'd... acquired.

When Evelyn emerged freshly showered and dressed, reality confirmed this wasn't some bizarre dream.

"Daddy and I are going to the office with Liam. Miss Angela's here already. Bye!" Daisy grabbed her backpack, dragging Liam toward the door. Caleb slid off his chair, approaching Evelyn with hopeful eyes. "Mommy, can you and Daddy take me to music academy?"

"Of course. We'll leave as soon as Oliver arrives." Nathan answered before Evelyn could protest, ruffling Caleb's hair as the boy scampered upstairs for his violin case.

Evelyn turned sharply - directly into Nathan's chest. She tilted her head back with a glare. "You-"

"Eat first," he interrupted smoothly. "We'll wait in the car." True to his word, Nathan ushered Caleb outside the moment he returned.

Evelyn eyed the breakfast spread warily.

*He actually made my favorite - caramelized banana pancakes. Since when does Nathan Goldmann cook? The man who orders five-star catering for business lunches?

Fifteen minutes later, Evelyn stepped onto the porch to find Nathan's luxury sedan idling at the curb. Caleb hung out the passenger window, waving frantically. "Mommy! Hurry up before the pancakes get cold!"