Page 71 of Johnathan

“I’m not sure. They got worse when I first had it put in. This isn’t a sexy conversation, John.”

“You should get it removed. I can always wear a condom if you want me to. The side effects or risks with birth control for you aren’t worth it.”

“Condoms aren’t always effective.”

“No birth control is.” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “I’d rather take the responsibility for the birth control in our relationship so that you don’t have to suffer the health side effects.”

“I don’t… that’s incredibly considerate of you.”

“It’s purely selfish, baby. I can’t stand seeing you in pain.”

“I’ll call my doctor when we get back to Bell Ridge and talk things over with him.”

“Good. Let me know if you want me to go to your appointment with you.”

“To the gynecologist?”

He chuckled at the surprised look on her face. Had none of her other boyfriends ever been with her? Did no one go with her when she had the birth control implant put in?

“I imagine you’ll need to have some sort of procedure to have it removed. It’s only fair that I be there to make sure you’re okay.”

“That’s so sweet, but no one was there with me when it was put in. I’m sure I can manage on my own.”

Well, that answered his question.

“Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“So. Do you keep condoms here at the cabin?” The way her eyebrow raised up was adorable.

“No, I don’t normally keep condoms here at the cabin. But knowing that you and I were about to be alone for a full weekend, I may have brought some with me.”

“Eager man.”

“I’m not a liar, Abby. I want you. Bad.”

“I want you, too. And I don’t want anything between us. I want to feel you inside me this time. Just you.”

“Jesus. I want you to know that I’m clean. Just had a physical, and I haven’t been with anyone since Katy was born.”

Her fingers stopped tracing across his skin. “You haven’t?”

“Katy was my priority. I didn’t want to date casually. It seemed selfish. I wanted whoever I was with after having Katy to be the woman I could see being my wife. Someone who I could see being Katy’s mom.”

“Are you… are you saying you think I would be a good mom for Katy?”

“For Katy. For her little siblings one day.” He rubbed his hand over her belly. “Whenever we’re ready for that.”

She didn’t move. He wasn’t even really sure she was still breathing.

“Does that scare you, baby?”

“I just, it’s so fast,” she whispered. “It sounds perfect, but how can you feel that way so quickly?”

“I’ve been flirting with you for months. Nothing about this has felt fast for me.”

Her jaw dropped open. “You havenot.”

He laughed. “I promise, I have. I tried to give you my number that day at the farmer’s market. You wouldn’t take it.”

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