Page 55 of Blueline Baby

“What are you doing?” I ask, though it’s pretty clear.

“Apologizing,” he says against my ribs.

“To me or to the blueberry?”

“You. The blueberry and I are on great terms. We just had a good talk.” He kisses the center of my chest, then the side of my neck, and the comeback I was building dies in my throat.

He props himself up on one elbow to look at me. “Is this okay? Because I can also just hold you. Those are the two services I’m offering tonight.”

“Very professional.”

“I’m told I have elite instincts.”

“Jack?”

“Mm.”

“Stop talking.”

His hand slides under the hem of my shirt, fingers spreading warm over my ribs, and he shifts his weight over me, settling between my thighs.

Then he reaches for the bedside drawer, and I catch his wrist.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Getting a condom.”

“What’s the point?”

He stops and looks down at me in the dark, then he lets out a quiet, surprised laugh. “Yeah. I guess it’s not like you’re going to get double pregnant.”

“Well, actually, that can happen,” my brain supplies before I can stop it. “It’s a rare phenomenon called super⁠—”

“Backcheck Girl.” He kisses my jaw to shut me up. “I know you know the science. But please, for the love of God, just let me make love to you, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Thank you,” he says, with so much relief that I laugh, and he takes advantage of my open mouth to kiss me.

My shirt disappears somewhere off the side of the bed. He works his way down my neck, and I can feel him grinning against my skin the entire time.

“You’re very pleased with yourself,” I say.

“I’m about to make love to the smartest, prettiest woman I’ve ever met. Who is also having my son.”

“Which could be a daughter.”

He lifts his head. “A girl who argues like her mother.” He considers this. “I’d never win again.”

“You haven’t won yet.”

“That’s fair.” His mouth closes over my nipple instead of answering, and my back arches off the bed. He palms my other breast, unhurried about it, like he’s got all night and intends to use it.

He drags my shorts and underwear down my legs in one pull. Then hovers his hand right above me, hesitating.

“Jack. I promise you can’t hurt me. There are multiple protective layers involved. It’s actually a fascinating system of⁠—”

“You can explain the layers to me later,” he says, sliding his fingers through me, and we both groan.