Page 40 of What About Now

“With my wife, yeah, I want to be a dad.”

“You don’t have to be married these days,” I say, a little defensively.

“Hey.” His hand reaches up and smooths my hair back out of my eyes. “You misunderstood me. I said with my wife.Youare my wife, Brogan.”

“Oh.” I did take his answer wrong, and I’m floored by his reply.

“How many?” he asks, saving me from floundering in his response.

“A couple, at least.”

“The chance of twins is high. Would you want that?”

“Yeah.” I smile. “I loved growing up with my best friend. River and Rayne remind me so much of Briar and me when we were growing up. What about you?”

“At least two. It was lonely being an only child. Well, kind of. I had the guys, and we all spent a lot of time together.”

“At least two,” I repeat.

“At least two. With my wife.” He moves closer, and our bodies are now aligned. He rests his hand on my bare hip, and I suck in a breath. “You set the pace, Brogan. You decide what happens between us.”

My insecurities start to rear their ugly head, but somehow, he knows and soothes me.

“Stop that. All I see is you. You’re the only woman I’ve seen for far too long. You’re perfect.” He slides his hand up my bare back in a feather-soft touch.

I shiver at the contact. “I like it when you touch me,” I whisper, not sure he can hear me over the rapid beat of my heart.

“Your skin is so soft.” His hand continues to stroke gently up and down my spine. He ventures to my belly, and slowly, his hand creeps up. “Is this okay?”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Y-Yes.”

“Touch me,” he murmurs. “There isn’t a single thing you could do to me that I won’t like.”

“I don’t know how.” I close my eyes, my confession hanging between us.

“There is no right or wrong answer here, Brogan. I’m yours to explore.”

I want that. I want that so much. My hand trembles as I place it on his bare chest and tentatively move over his abs. “Hard, yet smooth,” I blurt.

He hums and moves his hand higher. His thumb traces over my nipple, and I can’t stop the moan that falls from my lips. That doesn’t stop him as he explores my body with a soft, gentle touch.

I do the same, reaching the waistband of his boxer briefs, and my hand stills. “Sorry,” I mutter.

“Don’t. Everything I am is yours, Brogan Lanigan.”

“I’ve never….” My voice trails off.

“Good. It makes me really fucking happy that I’m the only man you’re going to touch like this.”

“The only?” I ask.

“You heard me, baby. I know that makes me an asshole because I’ve… been here before, but I need you to know no moments before this one matter. They’re all forgotten. There is no one but you.”

His words make me feel brave. So, with a trembling hand, I slide my hand beneath the waistband of his underwear and I feel him—hard and like silk—as I palm his stiff length.

“Shit,” he hisses.

“Am I hurting you?” I release him.

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