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Her eyes shimmered, and I did my best to change the subject. “Do you want to change while I turn on the TV?”

Her expression cleared and the ghost of a smile turned up her lips. “What, am I too distracting in this outfit?”

She struck a pose, letting the blanket fall from one rounded shoulder, revealing the strap of a lacy bra. I swallowed and did my best to drag my gaze up to hers. Her Hennessy brown eyes shone with mischief, and it sparked my own.

I reached for the remaining buttons on my shirt, slowly undoing them to reveal a hint of my chest. “Well, if you want to go casual...”

She followed every move, daring me to go farther. Damn. I’d forgotten how competitive Melena could be. She’d have me in my skivvies before she broke a sweat. Scratch that. The goal was to calm her down, not rev her up. I was already so hard it was going to be difficult to move. I cleared my throat and paused.

“Eyes up here, Melena. I’m not a piece of meat, you know.”

She tilted her head, eyes still alight as her gaze followed my hands as they pulled my white shirt from the band of my pants. “Here I thought you might be shy, but you’re talking about your meat. Less talk, more action there, buddy.”

I snorted. I did not want to be her buddy. Sarcasm aside, we couldn’t take any more action. Not until she saw a doctor. I rolled my shoulders before admitting defeat and moving to rebutton my shirt. “Alas, I think today needs to be more about sweatpants than the meat sweats. Why don’t you go get comfortable?”

I surprised a laugh out of her and Melena shook her head, mumbling something about “marrying so she didn’t have to go vegetarian” as she slipped out of the room.

Watching more Battlestar was not better than sex, but it was better than Melena ending up in the hospital, so I counted the rest of our day as a win. She didn’t have any more dizzy spells, and I took it as a sign I needed to keep my distance until she saw her doctor.

I kissed Melena chastely on the cheek before heading home. Or back to my apartment. It wouldn’t be home for long; hopefully, Melena and I would find a new one together. I tried to imagine what it would be like, having her to come home to. Would she mind my early mornings? My shift started early, and she was used to working late. Our schedules weren’t all that compatible, but I hoped our lives would be.

I couldn’t help worrying as I got ready for bed and texted Melena.

Jimmy: Everything okay with you? No more episodes?

Melena: Nope, all good here.

Jimmy: I’m glad. Want to hang out tomorrow? Maybe look at a few listings online?

Melena: Sure, it’s why you married me after all.

Jimmy: Ouch.

Jimmy: But not the only reason. You think I’m pretty. And I think you’re gorgeous.

Melena: You sweet talker. You just want free massages.

Jimmy: Yes. And to practice my video game skills when you’re feeling better. I do love to press those buttons.

Melena: Be still my heart.

Jimmy: Are you okay?

Melena: Joking. Just joking. I’ll try to be funnier next time.