Chapter 41

Jay rolled out of bed, glancing back, stealing a quick glance at Nichole. Anger still slid through him at the thought of someone watching her in Chicago, but she was right, she wasn’t there and wouldn’t be going back. He needed her to stay safe, and she would as long as she was here with him.

How fucked up was it that his woman had been through so much? She needed a break. This weekend, they would spend plenty of time just having fun.

When he was outside with his coffee in hand, his phone buzzed with a text. He took a sip and checked the messages. A smile spread across his lips as he read. They were getting together with Wild’s team for games and fun at a park. He hoped Nichole wanted to go.

Just that second, she stepped out looking so freaking sexy in the long T-shirt she’d pulled on. He wanted to rip it off and take her up against the wall.

“Hey.” He set his mug on the small table beside the two chairs he had outside and went to her. The neighbor’s back patio was too close for him to do more than pull her into a hug. “A group is getting together for fun at a park. They have a few kids in their group and loads of women. It should be fun. Want to go?”

Nichole leaned back, looking like she was still blinking sleep from her eyes. “Sure. Just not right now. I need coffee.”

Laughter came easily with Nichole, and he kissed the top of her head. “Eleven. We’ll eat lunch at the park. If we go, we need to pick something to bring. I say we do something easy, like buns. No one has claimed them, and that way, we can spend the next few hours having sex instead of in the kitchen cooking.”

Nichole stepped back, a serious look on her face. “I insist on giving you a blow job.”

“But—”

“No butts, well, maybe butts.” Laughter spilled from her lips as she raced inside.

He followed her to the bedroom, happy they were having so much fun together. She was exactly what he needed, and he was going to show her how much he loved her.

When he entered the room, she’d already taken off her clothes and was in the bathroom, stepping into the shower. Shower sex was fun.

He didn’t waste any time getting into the shower with her. In seconds, he had her up against the wall, his fingers on her clit, the other hand on her breasts, teasing her nipples. She writhed against him, brushing up against his cock, making him even harder.

He’d been smart enough to put condoms in the bathroom, so he rolled on one before he slid into her. Soon, they would be able to go without condoms. He pushed the thought away, not wanting to focus on the reason they were using condoms, instead focusing on her luscious ass pressing up against his hips and her tight breasts cupped in his hands.

“Harder!” Nichole begged as she shoved her butt against him, arching her back.

This woman was so freaking sexy. He loved how she got into sex and really enjoyed being with him.

He reached around and found her clit, bringing her to a second orgasm because he was about to come, too. Her moans filled the bathroom, and he was glad his closet sat between the neighbor’s walls and this room. Otherwise, his neighbor would hear way too much.

When Nichole finally came, her pulsing pushed him over the edge. He held onto her, his breath coming in gasps as he emptied his balls into the condom.

Did she want kids? They needed to have a serious talk about their future. Did he want kids? Maybe, maybe not. He hadn’t really given it too much thought. His parents had been too involved in their own lives to give him time. No question, he’d felt their lack of caring.

“Deep thoughts?” Nichole had turned to stare at him.

He shook his head. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”

“About?”

He guided her into the spray of water and started with soap, getting her body clean while she got her hair wet.

“Kids. It was deep. Maybe too deep for a fun weekend.”

“I don’t know if I want kids.”

He met her serious gaze. “I feel the same. I was thinking about sex without a condom, but that would mean birth control for one of us.”

Laughter spilled from her mouth. “Male birth control?”

“So there is a pill, but you have to take it right before sex. There are other things.”

“I have an IUD in place. Once I started doing investigative reporting, I realized how precarious my position was. I don’t trust random men.”

Sadness slid through him. “That reality sucks. I hate that we’re still living in an age where women can’t just be.”

She sudsed up her hair and then rinsed it. “You’re telling me.”

“I know. You have the reality. I don’t. No one is doing that to me. Ever. Not because I have a gun, either. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for your entire gender. People haven’t improved much.”

She shook her head as she smoothed conditioner into her hair. He loved watching her shower. Maybe it was weird, but the steps she took to care for her hair and body were enchanting. He could spend all day watching her and never get bored.

“What?” She finished with the conditioner and was looking at him with her eyebrows raised.

“You’re just so beautiful. I can’t believe you’re in my life.”

She laughed, and he wasn’t sure if it was aimed at him or her.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked.

“Because I’m a dork. I’m not beautiful. I’m average.”

“Oh, you are so far from average. You’re sexy, amazing, beautiful, and perfect for me. You get me going all the time. I mean, look at me. My cock is half hard though I just came. I seriously love you.”

Her smile made him want her even more. “I love you, too.” She spun them so he was under the spray. “We’ve been in here for a while, and the water is going to get cold. Shower, and we’ll run to the store to pick up buns.”

“Awesome. I’ll finish quick.”

They still needed to chat about the future, but those talks would take place as time passed. At least they were on the same page for now. She had protection, and they could make a conscious decision later once they’d been together for a while.

He was thankful she’d been covered while in captivity. They still didn’t know if they’d forced sex on her and probably never would. But at least she didn’t have to make a hard decision because she had an IUD.

Today would be fun, so he forced the deep thoughts away, determined to make sure Nichole felt welcome by the guys and their families. Being a SEAL was like entering an extended family. Not all the guys wanted that type of relationship with other SEALs, but he was glad he was on a team where everyone actually liked each other. They got along while working and while having fun. Now his private life was coming together, and he couldn’t be happier.