I pull out of her and come hard across her stomach, spilling in hot pulses while my whole body shakes with the force of it. The orgasm tears through me, but underneath it runs a cold thread of relief so sharp it almost hurts.
That was close.
Too. Fucking. Close.
I drop my forehead to her shoulder, breathing hard. Her hands move over my back in slow circles.
She has no idea that I almost stayed inside her too long.
Fuck, I can’t let that happen again.
We lie there for a moment, both of us catching our breath, skin on skin. I press a soft kiss to her mouth before rolling onto my side and pulling her with me.
She settles against my chest easily, like she belongs there, her hand resting over my heart.
“I love you, Charlotte Gallagher.”
She tilts her head back, looking at me, something warm and certain in her eyes. Then she smiles. “I love you, Dane Gallagher.”
I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“I can’t believe I wasted so much time when this was right here under my nose.”
She lets out a soft breath against my chest. “We both wasted time, but we’re here now. That’s what matters.”
We stay like that for a while, her breathing settling as I move my hand slowly through her hair.
“We should talk about something.”
She leans back, studying my face. “That sounds ominous.”
“Not ominous. Just practical.” I pause, choosing my words. “We need to talk about the possibility of you getting pregnant.”
She goes completely still. “What do you mean I could get pregnant?”
My stomach drops, and I replay the last hour in my head with a growing sense of alarm.
“Charlotte… please tell me you know how babies are made.”
She just stares at me.
The silence stretches long enough that real panic starts to settle in.
And then she breaks.
The laugh starts small, like she’s trying to hold it in, but it doesn’t last. It spills out of her, full and uncontrollable, her whole body shaking as she presses a hand to her mouth.
“Your face right now.” She works to catch her breath. “Oh my God, Dane. Your face.”
I drop back onto the mat with a long exhale. “That wasn’t funny.”
“Come on. It was a little funny.” She’s still smiling when she leans in and presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Forgive me?”
I pull her closer and steal a kiss. “You’re lucky I’m in a very good mood.”
“Do I need to remind you thatI’mthe reason you’re in a very good mood?”
I chuckle. “Fair.”
