Page 9 of Touch Me

He strokes my hair, and the moment is perfect. At leastuntil I destroy it by saying, “We wouldn’t be able to do this.”

The moment I say the words, I want to call them back.Especially when I feel the tension in his body.

He knows exactly what I’m talking about, even though hesays, very casually, “Do what?”

I consider telling him to forget it, but he already knowswhat I mean, and my brain is sex-addled enough to loosen my tongue. “Foolaround like this outside. Or anywhere not behind closed doors.”

“Is that so?”

I frown. I know him so well, and yet I can’t read the tonein his voice right now.

“There’s playing, too,” I add.

“Is there?”

I prop myself up on an elbow so I can see his face better.“Now you’re just being dense. You know what I mean. The collar you bought me.The way we play.” I tease my finger over his chest. “I don’t want to give thatup.”

“Why would you?”

I don’t answer. Just lay my head on his chest. We stay likethat for what feels like an eternity until he gets up, goes to the poolsidechest, and returns with a blanket. He gets back on the chaise, this time facingme. He covers us both with the fleece, then brushes a kiss across my forehead,loving and gentle

I sigh, thinking about this man of mine. A man who can turnpain into pleasure, then three seconds later be the most gentle human on theplanet. And though I don’t intend to say it, I know that somehow thatcombination of thoughts is what makes me murmur, “Emery said you have babylust.”

He doesn’t move, but I’m certain I feel a shift inside him.“Did she?”

“Yeah.” I quirk my mouth, the facial equivalent of a shrug.“It’s not like I didn’t already know it. But maybe I wasn’t paying attention tojust how much you—”

“Shhh. I get it.” He replaces his fingertips with his lips,the kiss as soft as a whisper. “I fell in love with an ambitious woman. We havetime. I’m not going to push you if you’re not ready.”

My heart swells, and right then, I know exactly how theGrinch felt before sledding into Whoville.

“It’s not about being ready,” I tell him. Then immediatelytake it back. “Okay, it’s a little about it.”

He chuckles. “In other words, you’re fucking terrified.”

“And that’s why I love you. You get me.”

“Yes.” His eyes meet mine, and it’s a wonder I don’t meltright then. “I do.”

I snuggle closer. “I won’t say the idea gives me panicattacks, but I also won’t say it doesn’t.”

“I get that, Kitten. I really do.”

“It’s just that I know I’m the best aunt in the history ofthe universe, but having one around twenty-four seven? That’s…well,terrifying.”

“Maybe you’re confusing excitement with terror.”

I hit him with my best deadpan stare. “Yeah, no.” I swallow,start to speak, then close my mouth.

“What?”

“Nothing. Really.”

He stays totally silent for at least a full minute. Sonaturally, I give in.

“I don’t like us not being on the same page.”

“Neither do I. But think how boring life would be if we werealways in agreement?”