There was only him.
He glanced toward the nightstand with a determined expression.
“Okay. I’ve prepared for this moment.” He reached for the condoms and lubricant—then dropped them onto the floor.
There was one comic moment when we both leaned over the bed and stared at them.
Dean sighed. “AndI’m already failing.”
Laughter burst out of me before I could stop it.
“Oh good.” He rolled his eyes. “Humiliation. Very sexy.”
“Youlookedconfident,” I admitted.
“I was acting.”
I blinked. “That is… reassuring?”
He grabbed another condom and pointed accusingly at me. “Do not mock me. I’ve done my homework for this.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I looked up WebMD.”
He flushed. “You didn’t.”
“You said not to mention it. You did not say anything about not looking.”
He gave me a mock glare. “I can’t believe you brought this up during foreplay.”
I gaped at him. “You brought it up first.”
“That was emotional vulnerability. Completely different.”
I laughed again, and he shook his head, smiling despite himself. Then he paused, the humor easing out of his expression.
“Hey.” Dean studied my face. “You can tell me to stop at any point.”
“I know.”
“And if something hurts?—”
“I know.”
“And if youneed?—”
I leaned up and kissed him before he could continue spiraling, feeling him relax against me. When we broke apart, I sighed. “You worry a lot.”
“You’re important to me.”
The words came so naturally Dean didn’t even seem to realize how devastating they were. Heat rushed through me.
Before I could respond, Dean placed the condom on the pillow before reaching for the lubricant again with exaggerated concentration.
“Okay,” he muttered. “Thistime I am going to look competent.”
“Can I remind you that you are an Olympic gold medalist?”
He huffed. “Yes, but tragically this skillset doesnottransfer.”
