Page 31 of Boss with Benefits

“I owe you,” Judge Wilson said. “If it wasn’t for you…”

“Consider us even,” Brady said.

The judge gave them both a stern look. “Keep in mind I will lose my job if anyone finds out about this. It could mean alarge fine or prison time, so keep your mouths shut. Forever. I married you two weeks ago. Got it?”

They both nodded.

Jessica wanted to ask what Brady did to warrant such a huge risk, but she didn’t. Since the man had done them a huge favor, she wasn’t going to question it. She placed her hand on the judge’s arm. “Thank you so much. I would die if I lost my son.”

“I understand,” the judge said with moistened eyes. “Believe me. I get it. A parent will do anything for their children.”

“I know I would,” she said.

“I looked into the case,” Judge Wilson said. “Your ex has been on good behavior for about a year, but before that he was a real piece of work. The fact he didn’t pay child support or visit your son before this summer speaks volumes.”

“I wish you could be the judge presiding over our case,” she said. “You can’t, can you?”

Judge Wilson shook his head. “Sorry. I don’t do family law. Wish I did. It would have been safer for me to do that than to backdate a marriage license.” He held a finger to his lips. “Remember, not a word to anyone.”

They both nodded once again in full agreement.

Brady slid an arm around her waist. “As soon as I can, I’m going to find out why that man suddenly wants custody of a boy he refused to acknowledge until this summer.”

“Good idea,” Judge Wilson said. “I’ll call you after I file the paperwork. There shouldn’t be a problem, considering I am well-respected and haven’t done anything untoward... until now.”

Brady walked him and the two witnesses to the door while assuring them he would be discreet. As long as everyone kept their mouths shut, there shouldn’t be a problem. Jessica wishedshe believed that. She had a bad feeling Randy and his lawyer wouldn’t take their marriage at face value.

She heard the front door close behind their three co-conspirators, and everything in her itched to make a run for it. She wanted to dash out the terrace doors and run away before Brady looked too closely at her. He was too perceptive for her own good. She didn’t want him to see how much the wedding had affected her.

Feeling suddenly cold, she wrapped her arms around herself and stared out a window at the swimming pool. The shimmering water beckoned to her. She longed to go wild, strip off her clothes and jump into the deep end. At least he wouldn’t be able to question her there.

Footsteps headed her way.

“Well, that’s done,” he said behind her.

Turning into a human whirlwind, she raced across the room to grab her keys and purse. “I have to pick up Axl.”

She heard him call out after her. “Isn’t Bridget bringing him home?”

Pretending not to hear, she slammed out of the house and hurried to her car. She needed alone time. Maybe she could gather her wits if she had a moment to think. Mixed up, twisted, and all over the place, her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She didn’t want to fall apart in front of her new husband.

∞∞∞

After tucking her son in for the night and answering a million questions on their sudden move to the huge house, Jessica went in search of her new husband. She’d kept her answers to Axl as vague as possible. There was no mention of marriage or an upcoming custody battle. As far as he wasconcerned, Brady wanted them to keep him company for a while because he was lonely.

She searched the place for Brady, worried he might already be regretting his decision to marry her. If she didn’t reassure him soon she wouldn’t try to make it a real marriage, he might flip out and do something drastic. Brady was a wild tiger who needed freedom to survive. She understood. Now he needed to understand what was at risk if he freaked out on her.

Barefoot, she walked from room to room, only to find them empty. Her feet padded across the polished hardwood floor, moving from the spacious living area to the luxurious kitchen and to the master bedroom after that. She froze for a moment in the doorway of her new room and stared at the huge bed. Although she had slept with Brady for two straight weeks, the thought of sharing the bed with him every night made her stomach muscles clench. It was too intimate. Too final.

When she realized he wasn’t inside the house, she went out the terrace doors. Lights illuminated the swimming pool, and the beauty reflected against the home’s stucco exterior. She found Brady in the adjoining hot tub. With his head resting on the back and his eyes closed, he looked like he might be asleep.

Steam rose off the heated water like an illusion. Poetic and ironic. She felt like she was living the illusion. How could any of this be real?

She hesitated and almost turned back, not wanting to disturb him.

He opened his eyes and looked straight at her as if he’d known she was there the whole time. “Is Axl settled in?”

“Yes, thank you.” She took a few steps in his direction. “How are you feeling about today? About what we did?”

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