Ted MacTaggart's overbearing father is still trying to control his life, even from the grave. His will insists that, in order to inherit the family company, MAC Superior, Ted must be married by his twenty-fifth birthday -- and the marriage has to be "real." As in the board of MAC has to sign off on it.<br><br>Ted could fight the will, but then the handsome, artistic Ryan Costa, an old friend from school days walks back into his life, offering to be his groom-of-convenience. Ted draws up the contracts and Ryan, who has family medical bill problems, agrees gladly to the terms. Ted, emotionally walled off and afraid of his attraction to Ryan, also suggests they should keep their relationship strictly professional. Caring for people has always proven a weakness for him. Now isn't the time to start.<br><br>It's not long before Ryan's charm breaks through Ted's walls, but Ted isn't his own worst enemy in this case. Other forces are vying for MAC Superior, and even when their relationship is becoming the real deal, its shaky foundations land Ryan and Ted in trouble.

Poor Little Rich Boy

Ryan stepped in front of Ted’s chair. He leaned down, settling his hands on the back of the chair, on either side of Ted’s head. Ted stiffened but only slightly. He tilted his head upward as Ryan put his lips near Ted’s ear. Ryan said, “I’m supposed to give you a lap dance, but I said you wouldn’t like it in public. So instead we just have to do the PDA thing so they can cheer and feel like this is actually about us.”


Ted sighed but reached up and grabbed Ryan by the collar without thinking it through. “Sit,” he said.


Chapter 26