“That doesn’t sound good. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I looked at him. “Okay...”
“We’ve been doing this for a while now,” he paused, searching for the right words. “This…what we have… works. You agree?”
I arched a brow at him, half-watching Olivia Benson interrogate a suspect. “Yes.”
“The sex… is exceptional.”
I choked on air. “Julian!”
“It’s a relevant point,” his tone was maddeningly calm. “You’d agree?”
I sat all the way up. “You’re really going to make me say it?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. It’s incredible. Happy?”
“Very,” his mouth twitched, but his eyes stayed serious. “We’re exclusive. Neither of us is seeing anyone else.”
“Right.”
“And we trust each other.”
I gave him a side-eye. “Where is this going?”
He exhaled. “I want to discuss adjusting our safety protocols.”
I blinked. “Did you just call condoms ‘safety protocols’?”
Of course he had. Only Julian would call a meeting about sex. Any other man might’ve sprung it in the heat of the moment, pressuring and pushing for what he wanted. Julian set his phone down, looked me in the eyes, and made it a conversation.
“Would you prefer another term?”
“I’d prefer you sound less like you’re negotiating a merger.” My tone was dry, but the smile at my lips gave me away.
A smile tugged at his too, brief, then gone. “Are you… open to other options. If we both get tested, and you’re comfortable with birth control.”
“Oh.” The word slipped out, breathier than I meant. “You’re asking if I want to?—”
“Only if you’re comfortable. If not, we can continue the way we are.”
“I... yes. I want that.”
His shoulders relaxed, like he hadn’t been sure if I’d be upset at the question. “Good. Then we’ll both get tested again. Together. So everything’s current.”
The clinical way he said it should’ve been awkward. Instead, it felt... considerate.
I paused. “Though I’m not on birth control yet. Haven’t been since... Hadn’t needed to be.”
“Are you comfortable with it? Because if not, this conversation ends here. I won’t put the burden on you.”
“I’m comfortable. I actually have an appointment next week anyway. Took a minute to get it. I planned to discuss options with my doctor then.”
He nodded. “Then we’re agreed.”
