“How do in-laws factor into a marriage?” he asked, growing intrigued.
“Well, you can love them—or hate them—but, in the end, the relationship is between you and your spouse. Do you go to one house for this holiday and the other for the next? If you or your spouse doesn’t get along with them, how do you handle that? Is there a reason, and will you support your spouse? It may mean compromising, but there has to be an understanding.”
“This seems like a very intense list,” he commented dryly.
He was fascinated by factors that he had never considered. Hewondered if any of these were part of a prenup. It would be interesting to see how his lawyers would deal with the ‘in-law’ factor.
She nodded, completely serious. “Better to know where you stand before you marry than after. The next one is religion. This one can be tricky. Are you religious? What if your spouse isn’t? What if your spouse’s religion is restrictive to you?”
“I can see where that one could cause issues. I’m not, by the way—religious. Next on your list,” he said.
She smiled and bowed her head. “The next is children. What if one of you doesn’t want any? What if one of you can’t have children? What if one of you wants ten kids and the other only wants two?”
“I would have to bow to my imaginary wife’s desires on numbers, but—yes, one day, I would like to have a child or two. As long as it is possible,” he amended.
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Someday, a couple would be nice.”
The more she spoke, the more he couldn’t stop thinking about her—as his imaginary wife. He studied her, visualizing her body changing, growing round with his child. The vision sent an unexpected shaft of longing through him.
He silently cursed. He had never had a desire to see any of his previous lovers pregnant. Hell, unless they could make a few million off him, none of them wanted anything to do with children. Children were noisy, messy, and far too demanding.
“And the last?” he asked, his throat tight as he continued picturing holding Dani and feeling his child growing inside her.
She fought a grin. “Sex.”
The last one surprised him, and he frowned. “Sex? Isn’t that already included in the marriage contract?”
She laughed. “Yes, but there’s alotof gray area in those three letters.”
“Such as?”
He knew he was in trouble when that mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes again. “Well, there is how often do you do it?”
“Daily—multiple times,” he said, his voice dropping.
“How—?” Her voice faded, and she waved her hand towards him.
“What does this mean? How—?” and he mimicked her hand wave.
She bit her lip before running her tongue over it. “In what positions? How do you like it? Mission style?” she asked, before her eyes dropped to his lips. “Or do you like to experiment? Try different things? Explore ways to heighten your connection? Do-do you like it exciting?”
“Always, what about you?” he asked, his body on fire. “What about you, Danika? How do you like it?
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “I’ve never… been with anyone.” Her gaze held his, an impish twinkle in them as she continued, “I guess I’ll find out when I do.”
Shock coursed through him. He couldn’t have heard her correctly. Did she just admit that she was still a—virgin? His gaze swept over her beautiful face. Her magnificent hair. Her curves.
He blinked. Once. Twice. “You… have never been with a man?”
“Never,” she said with a shrug. “Amazing, huh?”
He sat frozen, his mind still reeling.
“Oh, look! Dessert!” she chirped, as if she hadn’t just upended his entire reality.
Her sweet smile lingered as he choked on more than just his wine.
Seven
