“What’s it about?” I ask her as I slouch back in the couch with her in my arms.

“That guy—” She points at the guy on the screen. “—helps solve murders that have gone cold. It’s kind of interesting how he goes about things, and a little scary the amount of evidence it takes to convict someone of a crime, even if it’s clear they are the one who committed it.” She lays her head on my chest. “I really liked last season.”

“You’re such a nerd.”

“Whatever.” She sighs, and I capture her hand and hold it over my heart as we watch a real-life murder mystery unfold. The show isn’t something I’d normally watch, but I have to admit it’s good. When it comes to an end, I go check on the boys one last time. I find Max asleep holding his Switch, so I take it from him then tuck his blankets up around his shoulders and kiss his head. When I open Mitchell’s door, I find him asleep with his window open a crack and a slight breeze blowing his curtains. Smiling, I walk across the room and touch my fingers to his dark hair before leaving him to sleep.

“The boys are both out,” I tell December as soon as I hit the living room, and she looks at me over her shoulder. The moment her eyes meet mine, I see nervousness enter her gaze. I don’t say a word about it; I turn off the TV and then hold out my hand for her to take. She doesn’t hesitate, placing her hand in mine, and I use it to help her up off the couch then lead her toward my bedroom, which is just off the kitchen and living room on the opposite end of the house from the boys.

Once we’re in my room, I close the door then take her to the bathroom. I dig through one of the drawers to see if I have a spare toothbrush for her to use, and when I find one, I turn holding it out and see she hasn’t moved from the doorway.

“Come here.” I drop the toothbrush then lean back against the counter, half expecting her to ignore my request. But surprisingly, she walks toward me and settles her weight against my body. Grabbing hold of her hip, I dip my head and touch my lips to hers before asking, “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “Everything.” She bites her bottom lip. “Can I tell you something?”

“Anything.” I give her hip a squeeze.

“You know when the condom broke?”

“Yeah.”

“I…. Well, I’m not on birth control. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that when we were talking about it, but I want you to know now.” My heart starts to pound as I study her face. “I’m going to get the Plan B pill. I was going to do it today, but I didn’t. But I’ll get it tomorrow.”

Why the fuck do I feel disappointed? I told my sisters I didn’t want more kids and told Mitchell he won’t be getting a sister. Still, there is a strange feeling of excitement at the idea of getting this beautiful woman pregnant.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you.” She drops her eyes, and I feel like an ass. She thinks I’m pissed she didn’t tell me she’s not on birth control. She has no idea that I’m thinking about all the ways I could knock her up, something I really do not need to be thinking about doing.

“I’ll be more careful,” I grunt, wrapping my hand around her jaw and forcing her to meet my gaze. “You have nothing to apologize for, nothing to feel bad about. All right?”

“All right,” she whispers.

“Is there a reason you’re not on birth control?” I ask gently, and her cheeks fill with color. “You don’t have to be embarrassed with me.”

“When I was on the pill, it made me feel wonky.” She shrugs. “I mean, I haven’t tried any of the new forms of birth control in the last few years, since there was no reason to, but that’s what the pill made me feel like, so I stopped taking it.”

“No reason?”

“Umm… I wasn’t having sex.” The pink at her cheeks spreads down her neck.

“Right,” I mutter, happy it’s been years since she’s been with anyone, but annoyed someone else touched her at all.

“Why do you look annoyed?” she asks, studying me, and my fingers flex around her hip.

“I have never been the type of man to be jealous or possessive, but there is no denying I’m both of those things when it comes to you.”

“Oh,” she says breathily, like she likes the idea of causing those feelings in me.

“You like that?” I hold her more firmly against me, and my cock twitches behind my zipper.

“Like what?”

“That I’m feeling crazy when it comes to you?”

“Kind of,” she admits.

I tangle my fingers in her hair and position her just like I want her then lick across her full lips. Her mouth opens, and when her tongue touches mine, I lose control and turn her ass toward the counter, lifting her up and settling her on the edge. Her legs wrap around my hips, and when she pulls me against her, I groan and lean back to rip her shirt off over her head, doing the same with my own. Once I have her bra off, I cup her breasts and bend over her, taking one pink nipple into my mouth.

“Gareth.”

“You gotta be quiet,” I order, moving to her neglected breast, and her hands tangle in my hair, tugging hard. Wanting to feel how wet she is for me, I snap the button to her jeans open, tug down the zipper, and slip my hand into her panties. “You’re soaked, baby, and so fucking warm.” I slide two fingers inside her and she clenches around me. “You gonna come on my fingers?”

“No,” she denies, shaking her head, and I pull back to look into her eyes.

“It feels like you’re about to come.”

“I need you.”

“You want my cock?” I ask, thrusting harder and using my thumb to rub her clit.

“Yes!” She starts to cry out, but I cut off the sound, covering her mouth with my own as she orgasms. While she’s still panting, I pull her off the counter and help her out of her jeans then turn her to face the vanity, leaning her over the cold surface. Once I have her positioned, I kick off my jeans and step up behind her.

“Gareth,” she whispers as I take hold of her hip with one hand and use the other to wrap around my cock.

I slide the head up and down her wet slit then freeze. Gritting my teeth, I grab my jeans then dig a condom out of my wallet. After putting it on, I don’t waste another second. I sink into her from behind, holding her eyes in the bathroom mirror.

“Oh, God,” she cries, tossing her head back.

“Shhh.” I trace her plump bottom lip with my thumb. “Don’t forget you gotta be quiet, baby.”

“I don’t know if I can,” she whimpers.

“You can.” I slide out of her an inch then thrust my hips forward. When she looks at me in the mirror once more, my breath catches. Christ, I don’t know if I have ever seen anything more beautiful than her face when she’s on the verge of coming. “Spread your legs, tip your ass, and let me in deeper,” I order quietly, placing a kiss against her neck while sliding my hand down to her chest, cupping one breast while palming the cheek of her ass with my other hand.

“Oh, God, don’t stop.”

Her needy whimper just about pushes me over the edge. Knowing I’m about to lose it, I slide my hand from her ass to cup her between her legs. As soon as my fingers make contact with her clit, her back arches, sending me deeper. Her pussy begins to ripple around my cock as she comes, and I wish we were in my bed, where I could flip her to her back and plunge into her.