"Sure." J.J. stretched out on the bed next to me, his head resting on my pillow.
"I know you're right about the house," I said. "And I know we'll have to move somewhere bigger soon, but it just hit me sideways, you know? I wasn't even planning on dating anyone and here I am married, pregnant, and now I'm going to have to move out of my house. It's a lot." I stared at him. "I know it's a lot of change for you, too."
J.J. reached over and took my hand in his, our elbows bent so that our fingers rested on the mattress between us. "It is, but I'm not the one whose body is going through enormous physical changes or who's going to give birth. It's a huge stress on your mind and body and I only want to minimize it as much as possible for you, which is ridiculous because it's literally impossible."
I smiled at him. "That's actually pretty sweet. Does that mean you'd carry and birth the baby for me if you were able?"
"Um, let's not go too far," he answered. He smiled when I laughed. "I would if I could, though I'd probably be a huge wimp about it. I'd probably beg for drugs once the first contraction hit."
"I probably will, too," I answered.
"Then, I'll make sure you get them."
I squeezed his hand, still smiling. My firestorm of tears had worn me out and my eyelids were suddenly heavy.
"Will you lay here with me for a while?" I asked.
"I can do that."
"Good, 'cause I need you," I muttered.
"You have me."
"For now," I whispered already more than half asleep.
17
There was someone in my bed.
That was my first thought as I woke up.
My second thought was that I didn't mind in the least because it wasn't just anyone. It was J.J.
I knew because I slit my eyes open and I could see his chest and legs stretched out in front of me. My cheek rested on his chest and I had one leg thrown over his.
His body was warm and firm against mine and it reminded me of the night we'd spent together.
I shifted against him as heat bloomed in my belly and spread through my limbs. His arm pulled me closer to his body and he turned toward me. As his body shifted, my thigh ended up resting on his hips. One of his arms was beneath my body at waist level. The other wrapped around me from above and slid down to cup my butt, pulling my body completely against his.
I looked at him through the screen of my eyelashes and saw that his eyes were closed. He was still asleep.
His hand kneaded my butt and I arched into him. I couldn't help it. His touch set me on fire our first night together, but now that I was in love with him...it was so much more.
My fingers flexed, digging into the muscles of his shoulder. "Jay," I whispered.
His eyes opened at the sound of my voice. "Hey," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
The hand on my butt slid down to my thigh, lifting my leg higher against his hip. I could feel his erection pressing between my thighs, exactly where a low throb began to build.
"Jay." My hand moved from his shoulder to cup the back of his head. "Kiss me."
His lips touched mine—soft, gentle, yet earth-shattering.
When the kiss ended, I opened my eyes and found him watching me. "Lee—"
I kissed him again, harder and deeper this time. "I know what I'm doing," I said when I pulled back, panting. "And I want this. All I need to know is if you want it, too."
His answer was to kiss me again and roll over so that he hovered over me. I twined my legs around his hips and rocked against him.
