Page 146 of Nineteen Letters

“My torch goes with me everywhere… I never leave home without it,” I retort and we both laugh.

“You’re wearing too many clothes.”

I hook my thumbs in my waistband, quickly rectifying that.

Her eyes slightly widen, and I chuckle as I move onto the bed, crawling in her direction.

It’s only then that I realise I don’t have any protection. I doubt she’s still taking the pill, but I could be wrong.

Disappointment consumes me.

“I don’t have any condoms,” I tell her, wincing slightly. We haven’t used them in years.

“It’s okay.”

“Are you still on the pill?”

“No,” she replies with a slight shake of her head.

Shit.

Scooting off the bed, I bend to reach for my pants. “Where are you going?” she asks.

“To see if I can find a twenty-four-hour chemist.” I’ll drive around town and search for somewhere that’s open, but I don’t like my chances this time of morning.

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, she bolts upright and reaches for my arm. “Why? I thought we were going to try for a baby.”

My eyebrows jump so high they almost reach my hairline. “Straight away?”

Jemma lifts one shoulder. “I’m sure it will take more than one time, but …”

I drop my pants to the floor and rejoin her on the bed. Having a child with her is something I’ve yearned for, but even I know it’s way too soon for that.We need time.It is such a huge commitment and I want to make sure she’s ready before I even consider going there with her.

“It’s late. Why don’t we get some sleep,” I say. “I can head out first thing in the morning and buy some.”

“No.” She rolls on her side, facing me. “Please, Braxton.”

“We don’t need to rush this, Jem. We have the rest of our lives.”I hope.

“It’s been months. I need this …you need this. Are you going to make me beg?”

When she pouts her pretty lips, I groan. “Those puppy dog eyes and that pouty mouth have always been my weakness,” I admit, nipping at her bottom lip as I drag her body closer.

Her pout morphs into a cheeky grin. “That’s good to know. I will file that information away to use again in the future.”

The future.Those words hold so much promise.

“I don’t doubt that,” I say, barking out a laugh. The Jemma before the accident used that to her advantage whenever she could.

“So, it’s a yes, then. We’re doing this?”

“I suppose. I can always pull out.” It’s not a sure-fire solution, but it’s our safest one.

Jemma’s mouth opens, to protest I presume, so I cut her impending words off with a kiss. That’s enough talking. I havemore important things on my agenda, like making love to my wife.

The kiss doesn’t take long to become scorching, and our movements are so desperate that our teeth occasionally clink together. I can’t seem to get close enough. If I could climb inside this woman, I would.

My fingers skate down her side and over the curve of her hip before settling between her legs. Like the greedy girl she once was, she instantly widens them, giving me better access.