Olivia Young sometimes thought that Frederick Fairfax was kind of... unreal. As in, unreal-ly shameless.

Did he even realize she was a new mother?

He finished his shower and came out wearing only shorts.

Well, well!

Beads of water clung to his abs, his cool, pale skin smooth and sculpted, every line plainly visible.

It was, admittedly, quite a sight.

Olivia Young stared openly. “Showing off your latest workout results?”

“How do I look?”

Frederick Fairfax leaned down, guiding her hand to his abs. “So, compared to your child's dad—who’s more attractive?”

Olivia Young had always praised her baby’s father, saying he was outrageously handsome, with a better body, even better skills than Frederick Fairfax.

Ha.

If he really was the father, then all those compliments had just been for him!

Frederick Fairfax’s ears flushed a little red. Without knowing it, she’d praised him countless times, always thinking he was exceptional.

The paternity results weren’t even out yet, and he’d already settled nicely into the role of doting father.

“The baby’s dad is definitely more handsome. And better looking.”

“Olivia Young, we’re married. Is it really appropriate to talk about other men right to my face?”

“Hey, you brought it up.”

“But can’t you compliment me instead?”

“Can’t lie with a straight face.”

Hmph. Like she hadn’t lied to herself plenty.

Frederick Fairfax shoved her hand away, denying her the chance to touch.

Olivia Young simply pressed both hands to his waist and stomach, her palms roaming.

She really was a shameless flirt!

“No touching. Go dig your kid’s dad out of the ground and let him touch you instead!”

Pffft!

Wait, hold on. That wasn’t what she meant. If Frederick Fairfax actually was the father, wasn’t she just cursing herself?

“Fine. Go ahead.”

Frederick Fairfax conceded, “But I am your husband. You’re not allowed to think about other men. Especially not Grace Gordon!”

Oh great, why did he have to bring up Grace Gordon again?

Just hearing that name killed any interest she had left.

Forget it. Sleep!

Olivia Young flopped onto the bed and switched off the bedside lamp, giving him nothing but her back.

Frederick Fairfax slid under the covers, spooning her from behind. “Why’d you stop? Wife...”

Olivia Young was annoyed. “You mentioned someone who physically repulses me.”

“Grace Gordon?”

“There you go again!”

Frederick Fairfax sensibly shut his mouth, simply hugging her closer and nuzzling her shoulder.

Grace Gordon’s whole ‘substitute’ thing had left such an impression that just hearing his name made Olivia Young shudder.

Childhood sweetheart? You’ve really crossed the line this time.

He snickered. “Lily, tell me about your romance with the baby’s dad. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the story.”

Lately, Frederick Fairfax had been acting weird—constantly bringing up the baby’s father.

“I’ve told you. We fell in love at first sight. You were sore about it, remember?”

And he did remember.

He’d huffed and puffed, grilling her on how many men she’d ever fallen for at first sight.

If, in the end, it was always the same man—him—that made perfect sense!

All along, Lily had only ever loved him.

“Frederick Fairfax, what’s wrong with you? You’re squeezing me way too tight...”

Olivia Young wriggled. “Let go a little, I can’t breathe...”

Frederick Fairfax loosened his grip a bit and buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling deeply. “Wife, you smell so good.”

“I sprayed on perfume.”

“Still, my wife is the sweetest scent.”

Olivia Young had to get up in the night to feed the baby, so she couldn’t be bothered to protest Frederick Fairfax’s cuddly advances.

Whatever. It’s not like this was the first time.

But her indulgence only made him even clingier.

It was like he had a case of skin-hunger, rubbing up against her with restless heat, dropping kisses all over her shoulder.

“Frederick Fairfax, if you keep this up, I’m kicking you to the guest room!”

His voice was pitiful: “I’ll stop...”

He couldn’t sleep at all tonight. The thought that Xiao Ye might actually be his own biological daughter... The realization that Olivia Young was the woman from those months ago left him restless, blood pounding.

He was a little angry too—angry she’d lied to him for so long.

He couldn’t wait for the paternity test results. He’d even dreamed about it.

In the dream, Olivia Young and Grace Gordon showed up at the hospital holding hands, watching as Frederick Fairfax opened the report.

The report said he and Xiao Ye weren’t related.

Then Grace Gordon whipped out his own paternity report, gleefully grinning his villainous grin, confirming he was Xiao Ye’s father.

Both of them flashed matching evil smirks.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah—

Frederick Fairfax snapped awake in utter despair, screaming silently—only to find the bed empty.

He couldn’t get that villainous grin out of his head. He really wanted to punch Grace Gordon’s face.

Grumbling, he left the master bedroom.

He paused at the nursery door and peered through the crack. Inside, Olivia Young was playing with the baby.

“Drank so much and still not sleepy?”

“Little one, you have to sleep if you want to grow big, you know?”

“Do you know what time it is? It’s three in the morning. Mama’s tired, so let’s be good and sleep, okay?”

Olivia Young’s gentle voice was so soothing, even Frederick Fairfax almost drifted off in the hallway.

He finally pushed open the door, tiptoeing in.

“Wife.”

Olivia Young glanced over. “Your turn.”

Him? He was terrible at calming the baby.

She left the room, and he followed close behind.

“Not a real dad, and you won’t even help put the baby to sleep...”

She didn’t even finish sighing before she was swept off her feet—literally—landing right in Frederick Fairfax’s arms.

“Let the night nanny handle the baby. My job is to handle you.”

Olivia Young laughed. “Is it you calming me, or me calming you?”

Did he even know?

She’d deliberately left the baby out of their room, hoping not to wake him. He barely got any sleep while filming anyway. She thought he could use some real rest.

So much for that—he’d woken up anyway.

In that case... maybe the night nanny should just bring the baby into their room tomorrow night.

(⊙o⊙)…

But then Olivia Young pictured Frederick Fairfax’s sleeping habits and reconsidered.

The house was well-heated; she ended up boiling under the covers each night. Frederick Fairfax was always sprawled across her in the most inelegant of poses.

Best not to traumatize the night nanny with that scene.

“I can’t sleep without my wife.”

“You’re full of it, Frederick Fairfax. If I believed you, I’d get divorced three times in my life.”

Frederick Fairfax deposited her on the bed, looming over her, his kisses hot and lingering until Olivia Young completely melted, reduced to breathless, broken gasps.

Jerk!

He must be part dog—the way he loved to bite.

Outside, the night was pitch black. Inside, everything was smoldering heat and entwined bodies.

Olivia Young lay on her side under the covers, smothering a laugh as she watched Frederick Fairfax, aroused out of his mind, dash off to the bathroom.

Serves you right!

That’s what you get for teasing me.

It wasn’t enough just to kiss—he’d gotten more and more handsy, roaming everywhere.

If he didn’t react, there’d be something wrong with him.

The water started up in the bathroom; after a moment, the door opened.

Frederick Fairfax’s gaze was hazy, pale skin flushed and veins standing out, breath coming fast. He returned to the bedside.

“Wife.”

“Still want to kiss? Do you even want to get to sleep tonight?”

He hung his head, pressing his face to her chest, voice husky, “Wife, I don’t want to take care of it myself—can you help me?”