“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to shock you. I enjoyed tonight, kids and all. That’s what I meant.”
“You said you want kids.”
“Sort of. I guess. I did. I do.” My words were getting all mixed up.
“We’ve never had this discussion before,” he said.
“Are you okay to have it now?”
“You know something?” He stared straight ahead, super calm, driving impeccably.
“What?” I held my breath.
He gave a half shrug. “I love you so damn much. More and more every minute we’re together.”
I was elated to hear him say it. But what did that have to do with the subject? Was he trying to break it to me easier with compliments first? Did he not want babies? It was his choice ultimately, since he’d be the one carrying the child for nine months.
“I love you, too.”
Silence.
Was that the end of conversation? I still couldn’t read his emotions. It was as if he was blocking me.
“Sooo.” He drew the word out like he was about to announce something very important.
I waited.
He repeated it. “Sooo, when we get home, I’m going to do something. If it’s okay with you.”
“I want you to do and have whatever you want. That’s what makes me happy.”
“Great. Then I’m going right upstairs and throwing my birth control pills in the trash.”
My mouth fell open.
He started speaking faster. “It might cause an early heat when I stop them. Within a couple of weeks, probably. Then—now here comes your part—you’re going to have to work real hard to knot me for two days straight like there’s no tomorrow. There’s no arguing about it. It’s your job. I’ll be begging for it and if you let me down I’ll be the saddest guy you ever knew. Sooo, okay then. Tell me you understand the plan.”
I was grinning now. Catching my breath. Trying to calm my erection that his words caused. “You could have just said you want a kid, too. That would’ve worked.”
“Nope. I wanted all the details spoken out loud. I’m a lawyer. It’s how I roll.”
“Then that’s it. We’re going to try to have a kid.”
“Right away, my love. I don’t want to wait.”
“You’ve been thinking about it, then,” I accused.
“Sometimes.” He still focused solely on the road. But the excitement through our bond tickled and teased.
“And you didn’t tell me.”
“You are so perfect to bring the subject up now.”
“You were waiting for me? But I was waiting for you to bring it up. You said you were on birth control at the lodge. I respect that it’s your decision.”
“Babe, we’re married. It’sourdecision.”
“I admit, I didn’t think about it until tonight. My siblings don’t have kids. My family is so cool toward me. How I was raised put armor around my heart. Until I met you. And those kids running around tonight—they got into my heart pretty fast. I want warmth and affection and all the things I didn’t get growing up. I want you. And I want kids with you so we can grow our love. I want it so bad.”
