Page 12 of Her Irresistible Husband

Star and the kids were completely swept away as soon as the movie began while Wynd only had eyes for her, with how she was gasping at all the right moments and even enthusiasticallycheering for the caped underdogs, much to the children's delight.

She was completely lacking in self-awareness, her unreserved joy contagious, and all of it just made Wynd desire her even more.

By the time the credits rolled, Kane was asleep against her shoulder while Myka had curled up in her lap. The older kids were sprawled across the sea of pillows, their eyelids heavy despite their protests that they weren't tired.

"Come on, sleepyheads," Star whispered, carefully extracting herself from the twins. "Let's get everyone settled."

Wynd watched as she tucked each child into the makeshift beds she'd created, pulling blankets up to their chins and making sure everyone had their favorite stuffed animal within reach. She moved with such gentle efficiency, pressing soft kisses to foreheads and murmuring quiet goodnights.

Liam grabbed her hand as she started to move away. "Thanks, Aunt Star. Good night."

"Good night, Liam."

Wynd's chest tightened as he watched her kiss the boy's forehead. It was like catching a glimpse of the future, with how easy it was for him to envision Star doing the same thing for Samuel.

As Star smoothed Liam's hair back from his forehead, the tenderness of the gesture made everything clear. While he knew tonight was all about evaluating each other's parenting "skills", there was something else that the past two hours had revealed, and it was something completely unintended.

All Wynd had wanted was to make Samuel a part of his life.

But now?

There was no point denying the truth.

He wanted Star.

Not just for a custody arrangement or a convenient marriage.

He wanted her in his life, in his home, in his bed.

He wanted her to be Samuel's mother and any other child they might choose to adopt in the future.

But for that to happen...

Star caught him staring, and her expression turned questioning. "What is it?"

"Will you consider adopting Samuel with me if we're not married?"

She shook her head immediately, and a part of him had already expected this, considering how she kept herself untouched all these years.

"But if we do get married, I also have a condition on my own."

Her brows furrowed, and his gaze turned hooded.

He knew what he was about to say could completely end things.

But even so.

"What do you want?" Star asked shakily.

"A promise, just like yours."

His voice was cold and hard. He wanted to ensure that she completely understood his next words were all or nothing for him, just like it had been for her.

"If you're to become my wife...then `you must promise not to fall in love with me."

Chapter Five

WE WAVE GOODBYE TOWynd's friends from the wraparound porch of his converted barnhouse, both of us doing an admirable job of acting like everything is absolutely okay...despite the tension quietly brewing between us like a storm about to break.

---