I don't manage so well. Sandra has demanded a paternity test, and the judge is considering it. Sandra claims I'm not fit to raise Constance."
Maya's eyes widened. "She can't do that, can she? You've given Constance everything. Children go through stages. She's already growing out of this one."
Axell shrugged but it wasn't indifference reflected in his determined expression. "Sandra can make life hell for me and Constance. There will be court battles; Constance will have to go to court-appointed psychologists. The lawyers will have a field day."
Maya blinked in disbelief. She'd thought she was the only victim around here, but apparently it didn't matter what end of the socioeconomic ladder one was on when trouble called. In their over-eagerness to right all wrongs, the courts hadn't developed a measure for determining good parenting. Money still won more often than love, and women won more often than men. She stared at Axell in dawning horror as she realized his dilemma.
"How can I help?" He'd done so much for her, she owed him more than she could possibly pay in a million years. Besides, he was hurting, and she loved his daughter, and she wanted to help.
"Marry me," Axell demanded, meeting her gaze without flinching.
If sunlight had poured through the roof and Disney bluebirds had started draping pink bunting across the ceiling, Maya couldn't have been more astounded. Actually, a mockingbird burst into song outside and sunlight spilled through the window for the first time in days. In her cradle, Alexa stirred and made sucking sounds.
Alexa. Her daughter. The one she'd sworn to protect with every ounce of her body and soul. She hadn't done a very good job of it so far. This man was offering to take over the responsibility. This man was insane.
"You're kidding, right?" Maya asked, tugging at a strand of hair that had escaped her barrette.
"No, I don't, generally," Axell replied with more thoughtfulness than he'd used in his proposal. "I've talked to my lawyers and the judge. They all agree that Sandra wouldn't have much of a case if I'm married, especially if I'm married to someone with your credentials in child care."
A rebellious giggle formed in Maya's throat. He'd lined up all his soldiers in a row again. He hadn't realized how subversive her form of guerrilla warfare was. She managed a straight face. This was, after all, a serious topic. She thought. "You mean, you're willing to put up with Matty and Alexa and a wife who paints dragons on shoes in return for a live-in baby-sitter for Constance?"
Axell didn't blink a single splendid eyelash. "We can work out any arrangement you prefer. I just know it isn't wise for us to cohabit. Social Services has already threatened to take away Matty if you stay here under 'immoral circumstances.' Since neither of us are his legal parents, my lawyers say they have that right."
He pressed his lips together as he formulated his next argument. So appalled that she was fascinated, Maya held her tongue.
"If I'm to take on a political fight, I need a wife and not a 'significant other,'" he finally continued. "Both our businesses would be on more solid ground if we regularized our relationship, and we would be in better positions to fight the mayor."
Their "relationship"? Did they have one? If so, it was the strangest one she'd ever known. Her heart did drum rolls and the butterflies in her stomach turned to roaring mammoths as she realized his seriousness.
"I hate to point this out," she said tentatively, "but there is a little more to marriage than taking care of kids and making political points."
Axell sketched a nod of agreement, and she thought maybe beneath his hooded gaze she saw a glimmer of warmth.
"I've been married before. I'm not much good at it. I don't like my routine disturbed, and I'm apparently incapable of giving the kind of emotional support women like. I realize I'm not a good candidate for husband. But if you can deal with that, I can offer you and the children the kind of security you would never have otherwise. I can help you with your businesses. I can even help your sister into a rehab program if she needs it. It's a trade-off."
He was serious. Maya stared at him in total disbelief, then turned to gaze around the enormous room he'd brought her to. She could live here in the lap of luxury, give Alexa everything she'd ever dreamed of, protect Matty and Cleo, and never