Page 49 of Protection for Nichole

“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.

Chapter 42

Nichole knewhow to work crowds, but this wasn’t work, and she really wanted to make a good impression. When they arrived, the group was huge. She hadn’t expected this many people. Jesse had told her there would be the guys and their women, but there were kids, too, and it just seemed to multiply the group.

Danika waved her over to a group of women. “Hey!”

Nichole smiled and waved as she walked over. None of the women were looking at her like she was entertainment, instead they seemed genuinely interested in meeting her.

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