Page 83 of Collect the Pieces

“Margot?” He brushes my hair out of my eyes. “I didn’t mean…I think I was still half asleep.” He drops more kisses on my cheeks and shoulder. “I’ve never gone without one before, I swear. And I get tested before I take a fight. I’ve always been negative. And…I haven’t been with…Margot?”

I blink and slowly sit up. “Yeah, I get tested regularly too…because of work…bodily fluids and all. But, uh, I’m not on the pill or anything.” Wereallyprobably should’ve had this conversation sooner.

“What?” His eyes widen and he pulls away. “Why not?”

My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

“Well, condoms aren’t a hundred percent. Don’t you think…” He scrubs his hand over his face. “Fuck.”

“I hadn’t been with anyone in a while, so I didn’twantto be on it,” I say through clenched teeth. “Then we…I don’t know. It didn’t occur to me.”

“Okay.” He circles his arms around my waist and drags me against his body, burying his face against my neck. “I’m sorry.” He kisses my shoulder and neck. “I’m sorry,” he whispers again.

Tears prick my eyes. “For?”

“For being a dick. I shouldn’t have assumed. I should’ve asked sooner…” His gaze strays to the nightstand. “For fuck’s sake they wererightthere.”

His obvious frustration with himself cracks the ice around me. “I thought something felt different.”

He closes his eyes. “Yup. That’s my excuse for why it didn’t last long.”

Laughing, I press my palm against his chest and push. “Long enough to make me come twice.”

He rests his chin on my shoulder and stares at me. “Where are you…” He drops his hand to my stomach. “Do we need to worry?”

I arch a brow and turn my head. “Am I ovulating? Is that what you’re asking?”

He blows out an annoyed breath. “Yes, I guess that’s what I’m asking.”

“I don’t think so.” Heat blasts my skin. We’ve been intimate for months. There isn’t a part of my body he hasn’t explored. Why is this so awkward? “I can grab the morning after pill on our way home tomorrow. But I just finished my period.”

“Okay. Good.” He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “Will you…keep me updated?”

I slant a look at him. “What? You want me to send you an, ‘I just got my period text’ or something?”

He rolls his eyes. “Yes, actually. Is that so terrible?”

“No,” I whisper.

“I told you I’ve never…but I assume that’s what a good boyfriend does? Pay attention?” He looks so frustrated, or angry with himself, like he’s afraidhemessed up somehow.

That makes it easier to admit, “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had a good boyfriend.”

If anything, Daniel acted like I had an infectious disease and should be quarantined if I was having any “female-related issue”as he called it.Nope.I’m having too good of a time this weekend to even think of that man.

“Hey.” I rest my hand over his and shift my gaze to the floor. “While the cum rag did its job, I still feel a little sticky. Will you take another shower with me?”

He lets out a low chuckle. “Yeah, I can do that.”

After a quick shower—and another orgasm Jigsaw insisted was necessary—we’re both under the covers again. His hot, naked skin pressed up against mine. He strokes his fingers along my side, lulling me into a sleepy, contented state.

“We’re going to be fine. No matter what.” He brushes his lips over my shoulder.

I assume he’s referring to the missing condom. I can’t even let myself think about that right now.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Can I ask you something?”

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