small town like Wadeville wasn't precisely as demanding as a governor's. If she stuck to taking care of the kids, he could keep the rest of his life in order.
He'd just have to learn to live with kites flying from his roof and cats in his kitchen and whatever else she demanded. He supposed he could get used to Aretha Franklin roaring through the house.
As Alexa burped contentedly on her mother's shoulder, Axell decided he could manage the material disruptions. He spent most of his time at the office anyway.
He took the infant from Maya and admired her sleepy, wrinkled features. "She doesn't look like she has a temper."
"Give her time. She'll grow into it." She looked at him quizzically. "Don't you have to be at the office or something?"
"Not until we get this settled." He tucked Alexa into her cradle. "You're ignoring my offer."
She regarded him warily. "You're offering me more than I have ever dreamed of, in return for what? A mother for Constance? You could go to the bar on Friday night and choose any woman you like. Why me?"
Startled, Axell raised his eyebrows. "I haven't noticed women falling all over me," he countered. "And I doubt that any of my acquaintances have your credentials for dealing with children. I've watched you at work. You know what you're doing. I'm not walking into this blindly."
She shook her head and leaned back into the pillows. "You're going to wear me down over this, aren't you? Why don't you give me a few days around here and see if you don't change your mind? Admittedly, I'm not up to my usual standards right now, but I think even my brand of low-grade chaos will drive you screaming for the doors."
Axell relaxed a fraction. He had her hooked. He just needed to reel her in. He cringed mentally at the fishing reference. He'd have to remember he was lousy at fishing, and Maya was more intelligent than any fish, but he would win, whatever the cost.
"If you're feeling well enough, we can go down to the courthouse for the license tomorrow." With this suggestion, he called the signals for a touchdown run. She didn't stand a chance against a planned offensive, and he played with a home field advantage.
"It will take a few days to meet the requirements and line up the preacher's time..." Axell glanced at her speculatively. "Constance and I attend church on Sundays. Will that be a problem for you?"
Maya grimaced and tugged at the purple strand of her hair. "And I thought I was the insane one around here."
Axell held his breath, but she fell for his setup.
She shrugged. "Matty and I haven't gone because we have no clothes and no transportation. Church isn't a problem. Don't sweat the small stuff. It's the big stuff that worries me. Isn't a license a little premature?"
"A license isn't a permanent thing. We can always tear it up."
She looked doubtful but didn't argue, as usual.
With the knowledge that he had her trapped, relief flowed through Axell's veins. In celebratory triumph, he leaned over and kissed Maya's worried frown. It felt so right, he let adrenaline overrule caution and transferred the kiss to her lips.
Mistake. Hot blood shot downward so fast his brain bubbled air and all intelligence fled. Taking advantage of the easy access supplied by her surprised intake of breath, Axell indulged in the orange-juice sweetness of Maya's mouth. When her tongue hesitantly caressed his, Axell nearly tumbled into the bed with her. Lust had damned well never steered his course before. Not in years, anyway.
Light-headed, he shoved his hands against the pillow and reluctantly peeled his mouth from hers. He wanted another sample. He didn't have that right yet.
Propping himself up with one hand, Axell brushed the wayward strand of purple from her forehead and watched Maya warily. She seemed more bemused than affronted as she stared back at him.
"I'm sorry, I..." Axell halted his automatic apology when Maya's lips quirked upward and her eyes crinkled in the corners. She had the most damnable way of laughing at him. "I take that back. I'm not sorry in the least," he said dryly. "And I don't think I'm ready to hear your comments either."
"You definitely haven't lost your Prince Charming status yet," she admitted. "I've been feeling like one of those bedraggled mice Muldoon presents for my approval. Treating me like Cinderella isn't hurting your cause at all."
Axell nodded, afraid to admit his overwhelming relief. The next few