Page 68 of Illicit Temptation

“You’re not hearing me, you sweet man. Ican’thave kids.”

“I don’t care.”

“You’re just saying that.” I groan from the pain.

“I promise you, I’m not.” He stands up and lifts me into his arms. “I planned to ask your father’s permission whenever this damn trip to Dunbar happens.”

So much has been going on behind my back it shocks me. “Trace...”

“Just consider it. Let me prove to you what you mean to me.”

I’m overwhelmed but in so much pain, I can’t think straight. He’ll change his mind. I’m sure of it.

“Shea?” he presses.

“I’ll...think about it.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Trace

Kids. Shea can’t have them. It should sting, even with my wavering from all the screaming I had to endure from those little monsters today. It should change how I feel about her.

But... It doesn’t. If anything, I see a world of different possibilities for us.

Laying Shea out on her bed, I tuck her into the covers. “Do you really forgive me?”

“I do. I... My doctor wants me to have an ultrasound in a month anyway.”

Mentioning her doctor tenses my jaw. “Will you tell him you’ve been taking Clomid?”

She thinks about that. “I should. But I’ll say I got it from another doctor.”

Which is true.

“I’m so fucking sorry, love.” I press my mouth to hers.

“I’m oddly flattered you went to that length to keep me.”

I push the hair from her face. “I just assumed you wanted a baby.”

Looking away, she says, “It got me thinking when I started having problems, that if I really wanted one...Reallywanted a baby of my own, wouldn’t I have gone to any length to have one? Being told no never stopped me before.” She glances up at me through her lashes, her cheeks stained with color. “We, uh, have that in common. You wouldn’t take no for an answer. And I didn’t want to play by the rules anymore.”

“Good girl.” I take her mouth in a feral kiss that has my blood running so hot I might pass out next to her.

When shewhimpers, I stop.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so tired,” she rasps. “The pain...”

Christ, I want to cut off a limb to make it go away. If I knew for one second these pills would have hurt her... Fire rages through my veins. I’m going to kill that doctor. Getting under control, I remember he wanted to check her medical records. He would have seen her prescribed meds and figured out...

Fuck, this is allmyfault. I find her heating pad and set it to high. “What else can I do, love?”

She smiles and lets me hold her. “I uh...” Her eyes squeeze closed. “I could use a favor from you.”

“Favor?” I hold her face. “You have all of me. What do you need?”

“Um, orgasms help cramps.”

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