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

Ted’s blood heated, and he had to look away. He wanted a drink.


But no. No, it was time to take control of his life instead of relying on whiskey to numb him to it. It might be a sham of a marriage, but Ryan deserved better than that from him, anyhow. 8


Echo was still slightly hungover at work on Monday, so Ted took pity. “Go home. I’ll be fine. If there’s any wedding business, it can wait until tomorrow, and everything MAC-wise is on hold until the company’s officially mine anyhow. I can manage.”


“What?” Ted asked. “Are you all right? Did anything happen in Las—”


Echo cut him off. “You two looked really happy.”


Ted just raised his eyebrows, attempting to appear impervious. Flashes of Las Vegas, of Ryan rocking in his lap and spooning him in the night, danced behind his eyes. He willed these memories to cease existing. He failed.


“Are you sure there isn’t really something there?” Echo asked.


Chapter 28